Friday, June 28, 2013

Weekly Report 2013 - 06/28



Oyster Bay is 24" H x 36" W. If you click on the image
you can see an enlarged version. 


This just might be a first. I started quilting Oyster Bay on Monday and finished quilting it on Thursday. It is a midsize artwork at 24" H x 36". Still I don't think I could have done such a complex pattern of FMQ if I hadn't been been developing my FMQ with Leah Day for 18 months now. That isn't all I did this past week. Here is how the week played out:

1) “Oyster Bay” (deadline 8/20/2013)

I opted for gentle undulating lines to suggest current
and wave action in the ocean section of Oyster Bay.
I used Lava Rock filled in with foam for the beach. This
combines the undulating lines in the ocean with the sea foam.
It is also suggests those little clumps of sea foam that are left
behind after a wave recedes.

a) Quilt Oyster Bay - Done!

b) Bonus - Squared up the quilt in preparation for facing.

Practice piece exploring the possibility of using the
Basic Maze motif to simulate rain.
2) Leah Day

a) Express Your Love - attach second sleeve. - Done! Express Your Love is done!!

b) Do whatever assignment Leah comes up with next. - Done!

This week's quilting motif is titled Basic Maze. It looks like marks on a ruler. It reminded me of rain. So, I put together two scraps of fabric to imply a landscape and practiced Basic Maze. I thought with the addition of some trees and smaller vegetation this could make a good  Fabric Postcard

3) Signature experimentation

a) Design a new signature motif. - Done!

This will be my "art" signature unless I design something
I like better. I like the simplicity of this with just a hint of
flourish. It doesn't overwhelm, but nor is it hidden.

I spent some time experimenting with my monogram and date to use as a signature on the front of my quilts. I settled on the one I used in Oyster Bay. I have always labeled my quilts and will continue to do so. However, a signature is a stronger way of sending each artwork off with a flourish. Why sign your work? This article says it all!

4) Pictorial Painting - This WIP still hangs on my design wall. Some day.

a) Watch the lesson that demos how to quilt the Canyon piece.

b) Quilt "Canyon."

Next week is a short week due to the July 4th holiday. My plan is to clear the decks so that I can begin the next exhibition quilt the following week.

1) “Oyster Bay” (deadline 8/20/2013)

a) Face the quilt.

b) Make and attach the sleeves.

c) Make and attach the label.

d) Add Oyster Bay to my website.

2) Do whatever assignment Leah comes up with next.

3) Pictorial Painting

a) Watch the lesson that demos how to quilt the Canyon piece.

b) Quilt "Canyon."


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


16 comments:

  1. It's beautiful! I love how the quilting perfectly matches the quilt.

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    1. Ah, the joy of having so many stitches at our disposal thanks to Leah. Even if she doesn't have the exact stitch worked out, she has something that with the slightest tweaking will work.

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  2. I love the idea of a signature, but you have to have real control of FMQ to try that. Something to think about as I progress.

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    1. Actually, Stella, one of the first things I learned to do was sign my name in FMQ. Since it is so natural a movement with pen and paper, it also comes naturally when we quilt. The intials in my monogram are the very same I used to initial work as a supervisor 20 or more times a day, 5 times a week for 10 years. Give you signature a try. You might surprise yourself.

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  3. Gwyned your quilting gets better every piece.

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    1. Beats going in the opposite direction. :) We have both traveled forward with our work. Isn't it fun to watch everyone's progress?

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  4. This is looking awesome! Superp quilting too!

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    1. I LOVE your Oyster Bay quilt! It's perfect! Your signature is pretty cool,too;) I wish I had the time to dedicate to sewing and getting all of my checklists done. You get so much accomplished!!

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    2. Thank you, Danielle. I didn't have this much time when I was a young mother, like you. I remember being grateful when I could find 30 minutes just read a quilting magazine. I did get pretty creative about using small chunks of time well.

      Your time will come.

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  5. Oh, just a suggestion, try the Basic Maze design on a slight diagonal to simulate rain. It might give it a little movement. I could be wrong. It's just a thought.

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    1. I thought the same thing. That is why Leah's assignments are so great to practice with. Helps work out the kinks.

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