Weekly Review 2014 - 06/13

Little Lake Butte des Morts
in Fall, a commissioned
work in progress. Most of
the curves were cut free hand
using a rotary cutter
and mat.

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Am I a Luddite? The answer is yes and no. I like to think of myself as someone who adapts when adapting is to my benefit. For example, when making a quilt from geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles and triangles you aren't going to find me using templates and marking each shape on my fabric. You can bet I'll grab my rotary cutter, ruler and mat. Have I invested in an AccuQuilt Go? The answer is no and I probably won't. I just don't make quilts based on geometric shapes as much as I used to. Also, I prefer to "oversize" my cut fabric when working with triangles and then trim the pieced units to size. Just because there is a new quilting tool that does something better doesn't mean I have to invest in it. However, when a tool comes along that seems to be the answer to a problem you can bet I will be right in line to buy it.  

Now that I am spending at least one day a week making mixed media the new to me tools that I am purchasing lean heavily to mixed media. I just purchased a set of water soluble crayons by Caron D'Ache.  My first set of inexpensive store brand water soluble crayons weren't water soluble. This new set is! I didn't get to play with them this week, but I did get to use my new permanent ink glitter pens. That isn't all I was up to. Here is a review of how my past week went:

In order to see the quilting of the lake water
more clearly click or right click on the image.

1) Little Lake Butte des Morts in Fall (Due August 3) 

a) Finish piecing the background - Done!
b) Start the quilting - Done!

The piecing is done and so is the quilting of the water section. I spent some time doodling various water quilting lines off quilt first using the lake view from my window for reference.

2) Wild Apple 12" x 12" Opportunity - (Due August 15) - Not done :(

a) Create several more small works for the exhibition

3) Leah Day projects.

a) Baste the face, torso and arms to Express Your Love II. - On hold until the quilts with deadlines are completed. 

Flower Power stitched out in a subtle pink variegated thread.

b) Do Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting lesson or find another FMQ motif to try. - Done!

It was recommended to me that I check out Hilary Florence's cameos and Lori Kennedy's free motion quilt tutorials to find designs to practice my free motion quilting. Great suggestion. This week I tested out Lori's Flower Power motif.

My intuition lead me to a peacock palette with a
heavy dose of shimmer.

4) LifeBook 2014 - Do the assignments.

This week's LifeBook assignment, taught by Jane Davenport, was how to intuitively start a new piece when you have no idea what you want to make. Two of her recommendations were to look over unfinished work with fresh eyes and to look at your supplies to see what is calling to you. All that shimmers was calling to me. I pulled out my pearlescent paints and sparkling markers and let them guide me.

Will it be my supplies that guide me or something else next week? Whatever I turn my hands to I'll be back next week to tell you about it. Meanwhile I always have my next steps list to remind me of my commitments.

1) Little Lake Butte des Morts in Fall (Due August 3) 

a) Finish the quilting
b) Create two tree appliqués 

2) Wild Apple 12" x 12" Opportunity - (Due August 15)

a) Create several more small works for the exhibition

3) Leah Day  and other free motion quilting projects.

a) Baste the face, torso and arms to Express Your Love II. - On hold until the quilts with deadlines are completed.

b) Do Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting lesson or find another FMQ motif to try.

4) LifeBook 2014 - Do the assignments.


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.