Log Cabin Butterfly

Today has been a computer day for me, so I'm late with my usual Friday blog. I added a new item to my Etsy Shop, Familypatchworks. I made this little collage about a month ago, with the idea that I would put it in the shop for the holidays---today is the first time I had an opportunity to get that chore done. I'm offering for sale a Framed Fabric Art Collage. I've entitled the collage Log Cabin Butterfly. The piece is made of a Miniature Log Cabin Block measuring approximately 2 5/8" x 3 1/2". The block is matted and framed with a collection of three wooden beads, vintage hand made tatting and a butterfly silk. The butterfly silk is from Tokio Cigarettes in the 1800's and was offered as a premium in their cigarettes. The piece is matted with a chocolate brown mat and brass/gold frame with hanging wire on the back and their is no glass covering the piece. The piece measures approximately 4 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches. Happy weekend and as always Happy Quilting!

Cotton and Silk

I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to start working slower. I took a few days off, life was to busy to think of quilting. But, last night the house was quiet and I had a thought. I'm fascinated with the weaving of fabric to make a quilt top. So I took some of my self-rusted cotton and a silk scarf, cut both into 1 1/2 inches strips. Weaved a patchwork quilt top.

I made my quilt sandwich of cotton batting and a silk backing. It thought of cotton as a backing, but I want the piece to be extremely soft---so silk became my experiment.

I noticed the silk both on the back and front shows fabric movement. Working with silk is always a challenge as the fabric is in constant motion. I think this will make the finished product quite interesting.

You may notice a patch above the needle, I plan to add a few of those thought out the project. I will hand quilt the piece and presently thinking a black animal applique would add interest. I'll keep you posted. Happy Quilting!

Rust, Plastic Bags and Sunshine

I've started thinking out of the box, and trying some new things. I read about creating new fabric colors from rusty items. So I gave it a try. I was pleased with my first try and I know this will not be my last.

To do this treatment take fabric, your choice, I used whites, but next time I plan to try colors and prints. Soak the fabric in vinegar. Wrap rusty things (anything) in your fabric and then wrap the fabric bundle in a plastic bag. Let it sit in the sun for 2 to 5 days. My items were very rusty, so it took only 1 day. Rinse the fabric in clear water and wash with soap and water. Dry, iron and your ready to start designing. Have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!

Wordless Wednesday

Log Cabin Christmas

Log Cabin Christmas is my last quilt to be sent to AAQI for the September 15 deadline. I will be sending more later in the year. Log Cabin Christmas was made from a vintage Log Cabin Block that started as a 5 x 5 inch square. What was so interesting about this block is that it is made up of what I believe to be a man's tie, silks and the center block looks like a little girl's dress. As usual, found it at an auction in a box of fabric. I'm not sure how old the original block is, but with the addition of the Christmas novelty prints and black it sure looks like Christmas.

The block is now a 9 x 9 inch square and could be hung, framed or used as a Mug Mat for Hot Chocolate.

Have a Great Monday and Happy Quilting!

New Thoughts

This blog entry is being typed at 9:07pm on September 9, 2010 on my word program. I felt I needed to read this in the morning before I published my thoughts. My mind will not rest---maybe the fact I'm taking medication for a sinus infection and running a temperature. I'm probably delusional.
Anyway, I was in bed trying to get comfortable when I started thinking about my AAQI quilts. I feel like it is time to try my hand at more expressive quilt with new, to me, techniques. I consider myself a self-taught quilter. No lessons---oh, I would watch my grandmother and her church quilting group quilt in the church basement. I would watch my mother do beautiful applique blocks, but I did not quilt until the 1980's. I tried my hand at making a few baby blankets, they were bad, but my friends accepted them graciously. Basically I see an idea or technique, I get books on said technique, read them and then give it a try. I taught myself to bind quilts, I've had some disasters there too, but now I bind the quilts for my church quilting group, and no one would guess I figured it out myself. I don't work from a pattern, patterns make me nervous,---I like to create my own patterns and ideas, some are better than others, as I'm sure you can tell on my blog.
But, back to my desire to create something more than patchwork---maybe art. This year I wanted to send 52 quilts to Ami Simms and AAQI, but as of this week I'm at 42. I will continue to try to complete my goal, but I want to slow down and create---have a message. Maybe I need to listen to an inter-voice, improve on my skills and step out of the box of traditional quilting blocks.

The AAQI quilt I'm featuring today is called Maze of Memories. I wanted to try painting on fabric, so I found a stamp at the tag sale, brushed paint on it, stamped corresponding fabric color, machine quilted, added some buttons and then just looked at it. Usually I have the name of the quilt before I start quilting, but this time I didn't. As I looked at the the quilt it appeared to be to be a maze within a maze, going no where. As the blue stands out from the muslin fabric, it appeared to me to be standing out against reality. Then it hit me, Alzheimer's victims are thinking in a maze of thoughts and non-
thoughts. Not knowing reality as it slips by their world.
I will continue to quilt for others, in hopes of making a small difference. But I hope to listen to my inter-voice and create miniature quilts that make a statement and satisfy my creative desires. Happy Quilting!

Island Patchwork

Island Patchwork is a 7 1/2" x 9 3/8" AAQI miniature made from Hawaiian cotton print. An abstract daisy with a button center adds a spot of whimsy. I can feel the island breezes now.
Happy Quilting!

I Did It

I completed my goal of five miniatures. They will be shipped off to AAQI this week. I relied on some vintage quilt blocks and raw edging to speed up my quilt making, I think they added a little different twist. I had originally set a goal of 52 quilts in 2010---I'm presently 10 short. I'm still hoping I can reach my goal, but some additional quilting projects are calling out for my attention and they have deadlines. So now I have a list of what needs to be done first and dates they need to be completed. I won't be working on miniatures for awhile.

This little mini was made from a vintage quilt block of red, white and blue. I call it Good Morning USA. I'm keeping the back plain---I think this would make a perfect "Mug Mat" for that morning hot drink. The mini is only 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 inches. It's hand pieced and machine quilted. Red, White and Blue, perfect for Labor Day, too! Happy Labor Day and Happy Quilting!

Victorian Patchwork

I'm going to spend part of my Labor Day weekend quilting. Ami Simms from AAQI just sent out a request for addition miniature quilts to be sent in by September 15. These additional quilts will help her reach a goal of 1,000 AAQI quilts for sale at the International Quilt Show in Houston, TX. My personal goal is to have at least 5 ready by Tuesday.

Here's #1. I call it Victorian Patchwork. I stumbled across a novelty print of woman in Victorian times sewing and immediately thought what a cute mini. I added some lace, yo-yos and buttons. The little quilt measures 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches. If you have some free time this holiday weekend, make a mini and send it to AAQI, we can use your help. Just click on the Alzheimer sidebar on my blog and get all the information you need. Have a Fun and Safe Holiday and Happy Quilting!

Festival of Sharing

Each year in October the Methodist church sponsor's a Festival of Sharing. People of faith from different denominations from all over the state gather at the Missouri State Fairgrounds and bring money that has been raised, kits that have been assembled and quilts that have been made during the year. Kits will be loaded on trucks for distribution throughout the world. Volunteers help to sack rice, beans and potatoes for distribution to Missouri agencies. It is a great day of sharing and the 28th year for the festival. The Festival generates approximately $1 million annually.

The quilters in the state spend the year making quilts to contribute to the live quilt auction that will take place on October 16 during the Festival. The quilts travel the state in one day quilt shows so that people from different areas can see the quilts and hopefully bid on the one they want during the auction. This year our church and a neighboring church will be hosting a quilt show and luncheon on September 18. All the proceeds will also be donated to the Festival. I was asked to make a miniature quilt for one of the door prizes for this year's show. I decided on a little wall hanging. Using the Comfort of Psalms fabric I made Psalm 119 Patchwork. The homespun patchwork, vintage tatting and buttons on a woven silk measures 10 x 13 inches. I let raw edges show for a casual look. My thought for today---Make a quilt and give it away---Happy Quilting!