Week in Review 2015 - 1/9

The sashiko based free motion
quilting motif was created with
the aid of a marked 0.5" grid

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Life outside of my art has been more demanding and stressful over the past four months. I have noticed that when one part of my life shifts in balance it is essential that I make shifts in the rest of my life to counter balance the new demands. In order to adapt to the new stress I have instinctively returned to the basics with my latest quilt. What a balm to my soul it is to build simple blocks. My advice, when life gets tough it is time to go easy on yourself, not the time to launch into new challenges.

This week has been pure bliss in the studio as I started working on a brand new piece that is just plain fun for me to work on. Of course that isn't all I was doing. Here is what I did and did not get to this week:

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

a) Finish Facing the quilt - Almost done

I still have plenty of time to finish Night Vision before the deadline. I am treating myself to an hour or so of hand sewing each day versus maniacally pushing my way to the finish line.

b) Add the split sleeve - not yet 

Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci 

c) Take the formal call for entry photos - not yet
d) Add the label - not yet
e) Submit the call - not yet

2) Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci - (Due May 1, 2015)

a) Design quilt for Art as Quilt SAQA Regional exhibition - Done
b) Decide on piecing strategy - Done
c) Select fabrics - Done
d) Start piecing - Done

I have returned to the basics with Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci. I have always loved Mondrian's palette and bold squares and rectangles with straight black lines divvying up the canvas. I am just as partial to the Fibonacci series. Why not combine them both in a single piece? While I am at it, why not return to the traditional quilt blocks that I love? What a joy it has been so far piecing this quilt. 

Detail of the sashiko style quilting I am contemplating
for Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci.

3) Free motion quilting practice. - Done

I am currently researching and testing free motion quilting designs that could be used for Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci. Once again I returned to basics and tried out a typical sashiko design. It can be seen as either interlocking circles or four petal flowers.

4) Sunrise over Little Lake Butte des Morts (due January 10, 2015)

a) Add the label - Done
b) Submit it for consideration - Not yet. It will be hand delivered tomorrow.

5) Perform a random act of kindness - Done

I'm really looking forward to my studio days next week as I continue to see Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci unfold. Hopefully, some of my other projects will get done too. Here is the game plan:

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

a) Finish Facing the quilt

b) Add the split sleeve

c) Take the formal call for entry photos

d) Add the label

e) Submit the call

2) Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci - (Due May 1, 2015)

a) Finish piecing 

b) Sandwich quilt

c) Start the quilting

3) Free motion quilting practice.

4) Sunrise over Little Lake Butte des Morts (due January 10, 2015)

a) Submit it for consideration

5) Perform a random act of kindness

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.