Weekly Report 2015 - 02/06

Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci
Everything but the yellow square
is finished. I still have small section
of feather swirls to quilt. Then I will
fill in the background with some McTavishing

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Have you ever noticed how as soon as you clear a counter, closet or chest it becomes cluttered and disordered again? Life can be like that, too. I thrive on a well defined life that I carefully order with the projects, jobs, groups and commitments that fulfill me until I am overfull once more. I have spent the past few months paring down and simplifying. Then bam! This week I said yes to an opportunity that is guaranteed to turn my life upside down for a few months and quite possibly, several years. Why throw myself into this? There are many rational, self serving answers. The truth is, that after several years of being content, I suddenly felt energized, enthusiastic, engaged and eager to face whatever demands would be foisted on me. So, clear those closets, let go of groups and projects that hold you down. It will allow you to say yes to that opportunity that seems to come at just the right moment. With the clutter cleared away you have the time to dig in and embrace the new life you have just gifted to yourself.

I was worried that using a blending thread might make
quilting feathers more difficult. Fortunately that hasn't
proven to be the case. The blue/green marking lines are
from a water soluble pen. They will be washed out.

I was fortunate enough to have two full studio days before the phone rang with the above referenced opportunity. I even managed to squeeze in another hour and a half later in the week. Here is what I accomplished with that time:

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

a) Add the label - On hold.

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

This is the backside of
Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci.
This time I opted to use a thread
in the bobbin that would blend with
the top thread.

a) Start the quilting - Done! 

Remember all those feathers I quilted last week? It was so, so worth it as I spent my studio time quilting even more feathers, but this time on Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci.

3) Free motion quilting practice. - Done! I'm double dipping again this week by allowing my work on Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci to count as FMQ practice.

4) Post the number of days I have worked in my studio in 2015 - 14.5/126

I lost a full studio day this week as I dealt with my new opportunity. It will probably take me a few weeks of getting up to speed with this opportunity before I can manage three studio days a week. It is definitely going to be close as to whether I reach this goal or not.

5) Perform a random act of kindness - Done!

My ability to free hand draw curves, especially keeping
them a uniform size is non existent. I traced around
my cat's food bowl (clean and empty of course) in order
to lay out the guidelines for my swirling feathers.

Whether I manage one, two or three days in the studio next week at least I know what I will do with the time I am gifted. 

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

a) Add the label - On hold.

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

a) Finish the quilting
b) Remove the markings
c) Square up the quilt
d) Decide whether to bind or face it.

3) Free motion quilting practice.

4) Post the number of days I have worked in my studio in 2015

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.