Friday, November 28, 2014

Week in Review 2014 - 11/28





Closeup of the quilting in Bargello Blessings, the
quilt I made for my sister.
Closeup of the quilting in Bargello Blessings, the
quilt I made for my sister.
Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the States. Since moving to Wisconsin, 1,200 miles from the majority of our family, we have traditionally celebrated the feast with another couple in a similar position. I miss those Thanksgivings we used to host with 12 to 20 family members around the table. Now that there are only four of us, we trim way back on the side dishes. Somehow I still managed to achieve turkey stupor and I didn't even go back for seconds. Another tradition on Thanksgiving are the phone calls from  family members. My brother who moved to Oxford, England, like other expats, treated himself to a few slices of turkey and peas. He had two pressing questions. First, he just wanted to hear about what we were serving so he could be transported back to the feasts of our youth. Second, he wanted to know if I had finished my sister's quilt in time to send it to her before her first chemotherapy treatment. There was an addendum to that second question. Would I be sharing a picture of the quilt in this posting. The answer is yes.

I spent fewer hours in the studio this week due to the holidays. Despite the shortened hours here is what I managed to accomplish:

Closeup of the quilting in Bargello Blessings, the
quilt I made for my sister. I chose a pale pink and
lavender variegated thread for the the quilting. Sometimes
it blends with the top, sometimes it doesn't. I rather enjoy
the peek-a-boo nature that this gives.
1) Night Vision - (Due January 31, 2015)

a) Finish the quilting - I moved the quilting much closer to the finish line. The more I do the more the veins of the leaves stand out. It is becoming a very textured piece with a dimensional feel. Yeah!


b) Blind stitch the frog in place - not yet
c) Square up the quilt - not yet

2) Free motion quilting practice. - Between my sister's quilt and Night Vision I got sufficient free motion quilting practice.

3) LifeBook 2014 - Do the assignments. - Done!

It amazes me that after 48 weeks of LifeBook lessons there can be any more mixed media techniques to learn, but there are. The background to this piece was done by using petroleum jelly as a resist. Wherever the petroleum jelly was applied and then painted, the paint could be rubbed off. When this done with five layers of paint a wonderful antiqued, weathered look is achieved.

4) Surprise for my sister (Due November 24) - Done!

I finished in time to ship the quilt on November 22nd. My sister was delighted, especially with the purple palette, her favorite color scheme.

a) Finish binding the quilt - Done!
b) Add the label - Done!
c) Ship the quilt - Done!

One of the reasons I am have been so determined to keep the momentum going on Night Vision is that I know the reality of the holiday season means less studio time. With any day I can steal for studio time next week I plan on doing the following:

1) Night Vision - (Due January 31, 2015)

a) Finish the quilting
b) Blind stitch the frog in place
c) Square up the quilt

2) Free motion quilting practice.

3) LifeBook 2014 - Do the assignments

4) Design the piece to follow Night Vision.


I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

7 comments:

  1. The spiral and leaf quilt design on the bargello is quite effective. (I always stall at whether to do contrasting curves or echo straight lines--i like your contrast.) I also like how some of your strips contrast and some blend, creating what looks like wide and narrow lines.

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    Replies
    1. It is a tough decision, isn't it. The contrast and blend dichotomy make for a more visually dynamic piece than if everything blended, but gives some resting space that a completely contrasting plan would not. At least that is my opinion. Glad you like it.

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  2. Bargello Blessings is beautiful. I particularly like how you quilted it.

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  3. The quilt for your sister is beautiful, Gwyned! I hope that it brings her strength and health as she hugs it.
    I am having the same impact of holidays on my time. But, enjoying the excitement of preparing for Christmas with a three year old.

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  4. Your sisters quilt is just stunning. A masterful color study... and I am sure she will treasure it. Hope she recovers soon. Thanks for sharing this beautiful quilt.

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  5. I'm sure your sister will feel the love put into her quilt, it is beautiful.

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  6. Hello Gwyned,

    The quilt for your sister is absolutely gorgeous, and the quilting holds its own against the piecing. Marvellous job! I hope your sister's treatment goes well and that she benefits not just from the warmth but also the love in the quilt.

    I don't know whether to laugh or cry about your brother's slices of turkey with peas. You make it sound as though that is all he had. Was it a plate heaving with roast spuds, extra veg and gravy, or just cold turkey and mushy peas? Tragicomedy on a plate.

    Thank you for linking up with Free Motion Mavericks.

    Love, Muv

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