Week in Review 2014 - 07/18

Lola in my studio. She has her own cat condo beside
my Bernina's sewing table.  She was just a few months
old when this photo was taken.

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

This photo of Lola was taken when last fall. Why buy
special toys? Cats like toddlers like the wrapping
best!

Lola, our cat, is my constant companion in the studio which is the located in the lower level of our home. Lola knows that when I head downstairs it is time for her to accompany me. She races across the room to sit in the middle of the area rug waiting for her "don't forget about me" scratch and petting fest before I get down to business. If I don't spend sufficient time (and what time of pampering is ever sufficient?) she will jump on to the ironing table arching her back, strutting and doing figure 8's around my hand and arm for her bonus scratch. Then satiated, she heads into the adjoining bedroom where my quilts are stacked on the guest bed and covered by a heavy, washable, comforter. She will nap there all morning as I work, barely lifting her head, but maintaining a constant vigilance as I walk around the studio from cutting table to sewing machine, to iron and to my design wall. Lola rarely interferes with my work, unless I over stay my usual hours. In other words if I try to work past lunch time. Then she makes her presence known. Perhaps she is looking after me, making sure I don't suffer from low blood sugar or get too tired to do my best work. :) 

Nothing like black fabric to help the spring green
variegated thread glow.
The FMQ motif is my own design.

A question that is often asked in interviews of chefs is what do you always stock in your kitchen and what is your favorite tool. That question could be asked of quilters, too. I buy white and black fabric by the bolt. I really love to practice FMQ designs on black fabric. I like having white fabric around in case I get an urge to do some painting, dying or surface design work. I also stock lint brushes. Can you guess why?

That lint brush was put to good use this week to be sure none of Lola's hairs would be delivered with the commission quilt.


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

a) Finish facing the quilt. - Done!
b) Create and attach the sleeve. - Done!
c) Create and attach the label. - Done!

Detail featuring all three elements used in quilting Spring Vine.

d) Deliver the quilt to the client. - Will contact the client today for a good delivery time.

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

a) Mat and frame the work.

3) Free motion quilting practice. - Done!

I'm rather proud of myself on this one. I actually designed my own FMQ filler motif. It is a combination motif of spirals and two different leaves. I've titled it Spring Vine. 

My take on Marieke Blokland's
mixed media assignment

4) LifeBook 2014 - Do the assignments. - Done!

The actually piece is more colorful than the picture. For some reason the neon yellow and orange background was zapped of its color when I scanned the picture into the computer. This was another Marieke Blokland assignment. Her style reminds me of Marge Simpson with oversized hair, exaggerated facial features and unexpected colors. My inclination is to tone it down a bit, while still doing the steps of the assignment. One aspect of the assignment was to work in a favorite quote. I chose "A journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step," attributed to Chinese philosopher, Laosi.

Will I need the lint brush next week? Probably. Whether I do or I don't I definitely have a few items to keep my week busy and give Lola an excuse to make sure my quilts stay on the guest bed.

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

a) Deliver the quilt to the client.

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

a) Mat and frame the work.

3) Create a minimum of 5 designs for my next piece.

4) Free motion quilting practice.

5) 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.