Combining My Love of Quilting and Nature

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

The Weight of The World

This week I finished the quilt that I've been working on for a while and I've named it The Weight of The World.
 I think the theme is self-explanatory.  I really do think that time is running out--maybe not in my lifetime, but probably sooner than we want to think unless we all come together to preserve our endangered planet.  I really believe that if each of us did what we could and if world leaders did what they could things such as melting icebergs and diminished forest lands--and so much more--could be turned around.  But it would take a major shift in our thinking and behavior.  And I do get discouraged when I see the lack of recycling participation in my own neighborhood.  Really--how much effort does it take to put bottles into a blue bag for pickup?  And if we can't do the little things, then . . .well.

O.K., enough of that.  I just need to let my quilts occasionally reflect my concern and this is one of them.  But back to the actual quilt.  When I had finished quilting it, I wasn't completely happy with the result. I looked at it for a day or so and finally decided to add the black fusible bias tape around the perimeter.  This made it feel complete.  And, so, sometimes, just putting our work aside and waiting to see what idea may overtake you is the thing to do rather than "making do".  You never know what might be just around the corner.

One final comment.  I do think that a faced edge can be the best way to finish off many quilts rather than a binding.  And I usually make one with a mitered corner--which can be a real hassle.  When I took the class with Susan Brubaker Knapp, she talked about the more simple facing that I've used here.  I tried it and I liked it.  It was neater and much simpler to manage.  She has a free download on her website, www.BlueMoonRiver.com, where you can find the info if you'd like to try for yourself.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Snowflake Class

I don't often take classes anymore but when I learned that Susan Brubaker Knapp was coming to our Guild, I signed up right away.  I have admired her work for quite a while and I knew for sure that I would learn something new from her.  And I did--lots of things, actually.  Most of them small--but it's often the small things that make our quilting life more exciting, aren't they?
The class that she was teaching was thread sketching and the graphics were snowflakes (kind of appropriate this week with the onset of cold weather).

This is her class sample.  She had a bit to say about the direction of the wind on the snowflakes which you'll see shortly that apparently to which I didn't pay close enough attention.
In order to draw the graphics onto our DARK fabrics, we used a Lightbox.  For the most part, that worked pretty well but many of us (including me) had to sort of fill in the details because we couldn't see the individual lines very clearly.  I viewed that as an asset really because we each ended up with a more individual piece that way.



Susan is one of the best teachers that I have ever had the pleasure of learning from.  She is totally accessible to each student and has a giving personality.  She has spent a LOT of time honing her craft and developing her style and she shares the result of that time spent with her students.  As a teacher myself, I found it very inspiring.   
AND . . .she brought lots and lots of quilts.  Not only is she good but she's also prolific!

 And here are the results of my time in her class. Not only do I seldom take classes, but even more seldom do I finish the class sample.  This one, I did and I had a grand time doing it.  And note the difference in how my wind sketching doesn't blow against the snowflakes.   Oh well.  Another lesson learned.




Thursday, November 17, 2016

Patterns

I received a call from a Guild today that was interested in learning about the patterns I have made that I can use as a class when I visit them.  Unfortunately--or fortunately, depending on how you look at it--I had my computer upgraded today and some things don't work quite right yet--or at least not in a way that I have figured out yet!  So . . .I am doing a roundabout way for now.  Here are some of the patterns that I have designed that I also use to teach at Guilds.  I like to use my patterns as a method for also teaching and improving students skills in appliqué and piecing techniques, color choices and potential quilting designs.
This quilt is Snow Family and has been one of the most popular classes I have taught.    There is a lot of appliqué work but students also learn how to piece a curved seam and checkerboards.
35" x 47"















This is Natural Fibers--a combination of appliqué work and pieced log cabins.  I love making quilts that include log cabin blocks.
41" x 41'


And this is Los Flores del Sol.  Not only does this quilt have appliqué and piecing components, it also has inserting of a circular center.
30" x 30"
















Put Out The Welcome Mat uses the interesting construction method of most of the quilt being fused and sewn down with decorative stitches.  Pineapples often are considered a symbol of welcome.
30" x 30"













Flora Bella--a table runner and placemats.  A simple pieced layout, but graphically dynamic.

















These are the patterns that I am able to post right now.  If you have any questions about any of them, just ask:  judyheyward@gmail.com.  and I'll be glad to answer.


Saturday, November 5, 2016

Work Progressing

Well, today I got the rest of the applique pieces prepared with Wonder Under, cut out and laid on the background fabric.  At this point, I'm pretty happy with it (but tomorrow is another day--so who knows how I'll feel then!).   If I'm still satisfied, I'll fuse everything down and begin stitching.  Right now, it just feels good to have brought an idea to fruition.
The dead tree represents the drought we are experiencing right now.  Today, I received 4 apple trees that I ordered back before the drought began.  I planted them but it took a maddox to dig through the ground to form the planting hole.  When clay soil is dry--and this was bone dry--a shovel just isn't enough.  I added lots of compost and watered well--and am hoping for the best.
The girl here is standing on really parched ground--and I certainly hope we don't get to that point.  I've been saving water from our dehumidifier to keep these trees healthy.  Rain, of course, would be better but this is better than nothing and I'm grateful that we have it.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

We ARE The World

Although I like to tell myself that I am ALWAYS aware of how I should live in order not to take more from this world than is my portion,  I know that that isn't always true.  I think we all make allowances for things we THINK are necessary.   However, I've had to put quite a bit of thought into these issues lately as our area of the country has dealt with a worsening drought and gas shortages.  Figuring out how my personal choices can lessen the impact of my figurative footprint on the environment often calls for creativity and a willingness to rethink how I live.
So I guess all this thinking has led to my current work-in-progress.  I don't usually have a complete vision of a quilt before I actually begin to work.  Most often, it's a design for the center and then I sort of intuit it as I work outward.  But one morning this week, I woke up with a complete idea and was excited to get to work.  This was especially great because, ever since I finished my last quilt, I haven't been motivated to do anything original.  I've had a couple of ideas but they haven't made it past the thought  stage.  I've done several charity quilts--and there's certainly nothing wrong with that--but that's been about all.
The idea that came to me was about our place on the earth and our responsibility for its survival.


This is what came to me.  My husband--as always--helped me with some of my refinements.  I had had the girl holding both a clock and the earth and he said, "Why not make the earth be on the face of the clock?"  Sounded good to me.  He also suggested I change the alarm bells to the present choice.  I love to get his suggestions because he is almost always point on.








And this is the girl.





And the, finally, the girl with the world clock.  There is more to come, of course, but I think it's a pretty good beginning.