Week in Review 2015 - 09/11

Deconstructed Sunrise #3
Color Scheme D

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

On this 14th anniversary of 9/11 it is a time to reflect on what our priorities in life are. Family, friends, furry friends, and for me the freedom to be able to create art all warm my heart and receive my focus. 

I am introvert. I may feel energized early on during social occasions, but I quickly am drained of all energy, desperate to return to a more reclusive life. It is in the studio that I feel vital. I derive strength to move forward with my life, to grieve and accept loss, to deal with the mundane, and to overcome hurdles. The inspiration for my work comes from many sources, but no surprise the view from my studio sneaks into my work in various ways. The Deconstructed Sunrise series is based on a photo taken from our condo. 

This week I focused on piecing the night sky behind the rising sun(s) in Color Scheme D from last week's blog. I did take time out though to keep my free motion quilting skills honed. Here is how I fed my soul this week:

Deconstructed Sunrise #3
Piecing of the background/night sky is starting
to come together.

1) Continue piecing Deconstructed Sunrise #3 (Due November 30, 2015) - Done!

There were so many different ways I could have used to create the night sky. My preference frequently is not to use one blue or a single painted whole cloth piece, when 30 fabrics will do. I love the dappled light and more impressionistic feel I achieve when using a variety of commercial fabrics, my own hand painted, dyed and stenciled fabric, and batiks. The white gap in the middle is where one of the suns will go. I am using a foundation marked on muslin as a guide. Each strip is pieced with a gently meandering curve achieved by free hand cutting with my rotary cutter. 

This week's free motion quilting motif based on
a tutorial from Tracy at Whirls 'n Swirls.

If you would like to try free hand cutting of curves I recommend this tutorial with one caveat. I find it helps to use a 1/8" seam vs. a 1/4". 

2) Free motion quilting practice. - Done!

That's my studio partner, Lola, following the
chipmunk scampering across the sill. She
is perched on the sewing cabinet housing
my Bernina.

Once again, I turned to Whirls 'n Swirls for a motif to play with. Now that the leaves have started turning colors and few have drifted to the ground, here in Wisconsin, the swirling leaf motif was perfect. I was surprised how easily I could quilt this. It makes a great a all over pattern. 

3) Post the number of days I have worked in my studio in 2015 - 71/126

4) Perform a random act of kindness - Done

Here's Lola again, not quite ready to give up hunting.
Her eyes are glued on the patio on the other side
of sliding glass doors. You just never know who
will show up, a rabbit, squirrel, chipmunk, turkey,
turtle, deer or a neighbor's pet. Best to keep a look out.

If my plans for next week look just the same as my plans for next week, that is because they are. :) I know my study partner will be happy. 

1) Continue piecing Deconstructed Sunrise #3 (Due November 30, 2015)

2) Free motion quilting practice. 

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

4) 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.