Side by Side…

September 21, 2014September 21, 2014 Mary5 Comments

I promised that I would show some photos of work I completed and then revised after a critique session. Here goes the results with “Farm Home: Where My Story Began”. I would encourage emerging artists to find a critique group that can provide guidance. My experience with a small group from PAQA-South was extremely helpful and positive. The revised version won a 1st Place at the Durham-Orange Quilt Show in Durham, NC – August 2014 – in the 1-Party Wall Quilts category. After clicking the link above and enjoying all of the categories of gorgeous quilts, scroll down to 1-Party Wall Quilts to see three of my quilts: Farm Home, Fall Frenzy and Look, Ma!

Early version Suggestions: 1. add trees to the grove so it extends over the driveway which will give perspective so the driveway leads into the distance instead of hanging from the sky. 2. Move tractor so it is partially behind the lower tree.. again for perspective. 3. Make lower tree more solid like other trees. — Early version Suggestions:
1. Add trees to the grove so it extends over the driveway which will give perspective so the driveway leading into the distance instead of hanging from the sky.
2. Move tractor so it is partially behind the lower tree.. again for perspective.
3. Make lower tree more solid like other trees.

2014-6 FarmHome — Here you see the changes: They also suggested that I add shading under the trees on the right, as the sunlight is coming from the upper left, and to also add shading to the right end of the house to give it the correct dimensions. I decided to add some corn to the field surrounding the creek, again hoping to improve perspective.

Fiber Arts

Summer Project Completed!

July 30, 2014 Mary3 Comments

Since I wrote the last post, I have been steadily working on a queen-size bed spread for my daughter. It has been a larger scale project than I usually undertake, but I am happy with the results. It is pictured here in my bedroom with the purplish colored walls…. her soft cocoa walls will set it off much better. In the pictures below, more or less for my own journal, a step by step process is detailed. Feel free to click away to more interesting content online if this does not interest you. 😮

***Andrea-Final2 — Computer generated overall plan using swatches of the fabric which were scanned and placed into a design on my computer until found the best plan.

1ARPanels — The cutting and piecing of both the top layer and backing layer were done in three sections as shown on the bed. Before assembling the three units, I outline quilted them with the basic details.

Quilting Design Fill7 — Computer designed quilting pattern that I devised after trying many other options

3ARPanelSeams — The quilting stopped short of the seam allowance on one adjoining section so that I could trim away the batting, pin back the back seam allowance, and attach the top seam allowance to the next quilted section without catching the back seam allowance. Then I flipped the sections over, folded the back seam allowance’s edge under and hand stitched the seam.

7ARSeamCloseUpBack — Details the backing seam allowance folded under and ready to hand stitch on the back.

4ARPatchwork — Here all three sections are joined and outline quilted. The sashing has been pieced, quilted and attached. I am creating extra length so the top edge of the quilt can be folded back under the pillows or can fold under and then over the pillows. Prior to attaching the side sections of the quilt, the detail quilting was completed on a home machine… not a long arm. I use a Janome Memory Craft 6600 which has a slightly larger harp area, and this panel fit quite easily and was not difficult to quilt. Had I not done the quilt in 9 panels/sections, the quilting would have been quite laborious.

5ARPatchworkBack — This shows the back side which is a piecing of scraps leftover from piecing the top. This had to be pieced into three sections that would fit on the top three sections already shown before any quilting could begin.

13Block1CircleContrast — Contrast block with quilting

14Block2Light — Light Block with quilting – quilting definitely has a home stitched quality as the stitching is not generated by a computer, but is hand-guided.

8ARDropDown — The drop down panels, left, right and end sections, were each layered and quilted separately and then attached to the main quilt. I left the end section until last and it extended across each side drop down panel as well as the width of the top panel. All of the drop down sections/panels were quilted in parallel lines that proceed down towards the floor approximately 1 inch apart.

Drop down section quilting pattern and quilted binding

8ARDropDownFront — Notice the unfinished seam on the folded back top. The hand stitching had not yet been completed. The detailed stitching on the top pieced panel was completed prior to attaching the drop down panels.

9ARWholeQuilt — The completed quilt and a close up of the detailed quilting. A 3 inch quilted binding was added last in one long attachment around the perimeter of the quilt. Pillowcases shown below, were completed from the left over fabric. The remaining scraps are very few!

Partial label above the binding on the backside.

Off the Wall Fridays – Hibiscus

February 11, 2013February 11, 2013 Mary4 Comments

Hi Everyone,

A couple of weeks ago, I pulled out a quilt that I started in about 1975 when we were stationed in Hawaii. I loved the Hawaiian quilts I saw there and did complete one queen sized quilt in that style. A special group of Air Force wives would gather to help each other lay out and baste the quilts. It took more than one person because the designs were cut on the bias, and we had to be so careful not to stetch them out of shape. We would push together a bunch of dining tables at the Officer’s Club, spread the quilts out on them, and then crawl up and baste the design to the background. When the applique was completed in a few weeks, we would repeat the process and baste the applique and background, batting and backing.

Then I started a Hawaiian quilt for each of my kids…. they were two and three years old! What was I thinking? When we returned to the mainland, those two quilts were tucked safely away. Since I have wanted to try painting on a quilt, I gave it a try on the hibiscus design that I had hand appliqued all those many years ago. I also didn’t want to be bound by the rules of Hawaiian design – only two colors, all done by hand, and echo quilted. So I decided to follow some of the rules, but to branch out and see what happened. Here is a picture of the quilt with one of the blossoms painted. It isn’t completed…. the outer parts of the blossom need to be painted in a darker pink/peach. Once the painting is done, I plan to machine embroider / thread paint on top of the painted areas, and then echo quilt the background. We’ll see what happens in the weeks ahead. I have used setacolor transparent paints. To complete the outer sections of the blossom, I will use setacolor opaque paints because the lighter transparent color doesn’t cover the dark pink fabric adequately.

I’m just barely squeaking into Off the Wall Fridays…. hope to get out there to see what everyone else has been doing … soon.

Truly Off the Wall…

November 30, 2012November 30, 2012 Mary3 Comments

After working with alpaca fibers for two weeks, I have completed all the projects and they are now at a show with the vendor, Empty Pockets Alpaca Farm, in Myrtle Beach, SC. By next Friday I hope to show some work on holiday (Christmas) projects, just for fun! Stop by at “Off the Wall Fridays” to see what other folks are working on!

Flora - Nuno and Machine Felted Alpaca Fiber with Wool felted and beaded decoration — Flora – Nuno and Machine Felted Alpaca Fiber with Wool felted and beaded decoration

Thee Dee I - lined pouch knit with alpaca sport yarn — Thee Dee I – lined pouch knit with alpaca sport yarn

Flora II - Machine felted alpaca fiber with machine felted wool applique — Flora II – Machine felted alpaca fiber with machine felted wool applique

Tres Elegante – alpaca and fabric bag

November 14, 2012 Mary1 Comment

This is one bag I would definitely keep for myself if it weren’t already sold. But… I will make another. That is the last of that particular fabric, but there is some more good stuff in the stash. It is off in the mail to its new owner!

Off The Wall Friday… Trails Felted Bag

November 9, 2012November 10, 2012 Mary3 Comments

Trails Bag — The fleece is shingled and nuno felted to create a haphazard variation of the two colors. The rug yarn is machine felted to add a design feature at the seams.

At the recent Durham Orange Quilt Show, I met the owner of Empty Pockets Alpaca Farm near Greensboro, NC. She had admired the gray felted bag I had available for sale in the boutique, but someone else had purchased it too quickly. So she handed me a couple of bags of fleece and a ball of rug yarn, asking me to try my hand with designing a bag of similar style using the alpaca fleece. She wants an outdoorsy style, with some bright colors and beading incorporated. She liked the chain style strap. So “off my wall” this Friday is the almost completed bag.

All that remains is the addition of the center third of the strap, felted for comfort over the shoulder. The side view shows the ladder stitch of variegated wool yarn used to emphasize the cording that emphasizes the edges of the gussets. Sachiko stitches add texture and help to hold the fuzziness at bay.

A colorful batik fabric lining holds one felted pocket and one fabric pocket. There is a key fob also. On deck, is a second bag of an entirely different style of the same soft alpaca for Empty Pockets Alpaca Farm. Perhaps that will make it to the wall next Friday. Meanwhile, be sure to check out Off The Wall Fridays to see what others have been working on lately!!

Perfect for your gadgets….

October 17, 2012October 17, 2012 MaryLeave a comment

I completed the Corded Patchy Clutch yesterday, and I still hope to make a bit larger size by Saturday. It is 9″ x 10″ – perfect for that iPad or Kindle, and it has a pocket for your iPhone or any phone. The straps tuck down into it if you don’t want to carry it on your shoulder. I will have the pattern up in my ETSY shop by Saturday too. I don’t have to complete the larger one totally by Saturday because I need one tote or clutch that is still in its parts for demonstration purposes. 3PM – Saturday – A Thread Runs Through It! – Durham Orange Quilter’s Guild Show (biennial) – American Tobacco Trail, Bay 7 – October 19, 20, 21. See you there! At least, you won’t have to watch anymore campaign ads for three days if you come spend the three days with us!

Protected: Sweet Success!

October 8, 2012October 31, 2012 Mary

The Loft Studio

July 14, 2012September 25, 2012 Mary1 Comment

At the top of the stairs as you enter the loft, an antique quilt made by my husband’s grandmother and another one made by his aunt, both in the 1930s, are displayed on an antique quilt rack that was given to me by a member of my Art Quilt Bee here in North Carolina. Above is the Welcome Pineapple quilt which I designed and created in the apartment studio. I was experimenting with the Chicago School of Fusing methods which are taught by Laura Wasilowski. The Three Pears were created while I lived in MN and use the bobbin method. I stitched them from the back side with embroidery thread in the bobbin which is what shows on the top side. The top quilt is one made from The American Doll Quilts book when I was learning to piece while living in MN.

As you enter the loft, the shelving along the wall holds the majority of my reference books, tools and supplies. It is so great to put my hands on whatever I need in just a moment or two while I work.

The shorter shelf unit between the two taller ones creates a nice display center. “The Old Red Barn Still Stands” is a quilted birthday card I created for my dad’s 90th birthday. A rosemaled scissor holder lies on its side in front of the quilt – a gift from my mother. This will be a good place for little mementos and photos to gather!

In the center of the room is my design center. From this desk I can work on this blog, design my next project, or order supplies. A pleated shade now covers the window, so the light can also be controlled on especially bright days.

The design wall is behind the sewing table, but viewable from the design desk. The “Sweet Tropical Sunshine” quilt was created in the Bedroom Studio in MN. I currently have a design for Sweet Tropical Sunset underway. The center designs of both quilts follow the Hawaiian quilting method. The outer quilting is an echo design as in Hawaii, or might be a variation. Always, some beading will join the party.

Along the short wall where I can peer down on the living room and kitchen, there is a storage rack for my purses. Sometime soon, I will need to have a sale, as I need to make room for some new designs that are buzzing around in my head.

In the corner above the stairway, relaxation is the key. Another project that needs to be completed soon is the cushion for the queen chair. This chair has been traveling around with us ever since we were stationed in Hawaii. It even has spent some time outdoors on a patio, but it seems to be holding up quite well. The foot stool was needlepointed by my mother, who at 93 years, is still creating and loving it. The little quilt on the basket was pieced, painted and quilted in Utah.

Welcome to the Loft Studio! Making art will now be the order of the day … no more boxes…. no more unpacking. Time to play!

‘M UNIQUE Logo

May 2, 2012September 25, 2012 Mary1 Comment

For Hannah: Thanks for asking!

When I lived in MN, a friend and I were the founding members of a small Art Quilt Bee. We named ourselves the DIVAS: Designing, Innovative, Visual Arts Sisterhood. As our first group project, we created a wall hanging which would help to introduce each of us to each other and to our audiences at various shows in which we hoped to participate. It was called DIVAS Defined. My signature piece was my likeness with a DIVA “crown” holding pins from various organizations and accomplishments over the years. The entire wall hanging shows similar designs from seven other members. It won “Best of Show” at the Minnesota Quilt Show in 2007 – our first entry as a group was a winner! We were thrilled.

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