Yes I Said It...

...no, i don't like pinterest. I have my reasons.

 This isn't why I don't do pinterest, but it's one reason and it's a funny read.  Pin this!

You know that organized picture of fabric sorted by value...yeah...that lasted 5 seconds.  It's chaos again in my sewing room.  Blog vs reality strikes again!

PS...
It's ok to like it, not like it, use it, not use it...this wasn't meant to be controversial.  I simply wanted to share something I found funny.  I needed a giggle today and thought someone else might too.

Bridges...Setting it up!

Constructing the bridge blocks for the quilt was the easy part for me. Like I said in the previous post, they flowed out. I actually made 8 bridge blocks. I ended up using five in the quilt. The three I eliminated all have curved sections. They didn't seem to fit with the starkness of the straight lines in the other blocks.

The blocks stayed on the design wall for over a month.  The arrangement of the blocks was a challenge.  The blocks are large and so the options for the layout were a bit limited.

I tried hard not to overcomplicate this quilt.  I played with the setting multiple times.  Sorry, I didn't take many pictures of that part of the process.  Many of my quilting friends asked and encouraged me to add color to the quilt.  I listened and I toyed with adding touches of color and also prints.  I also played with using different background fabrics, but in the end I went for only the grey and cream.  I wanted to keep it simple and didn't want anything to distract from the blocks.  I actually had the blocks set one way and took them apart and started over.

I ended up drawing a center line and placing the bridge blocks so they alternated on either side of that imaginary line.  It was almost as if the blocks created a "bridge" between the right and left sides of the quilt.  I guess I could say that it symbolizes building a bridge from my old life to the new one, but that's getting way to deep.  Again, I tried to keep it simple, graphic and stark.  I think that's the mantra for this quilt.

This is the final setting and as you can see a hint of what was to come next...the quilting!
I picked up the quilt today from my friend Sheryl who was in town to enjoy the city and see a quilt of hers at the DuSable Museum. (The guy in the picture is our limo driver, George!)  More on Sheryl, her quilt, and the museum later.

I will tell you I was blown away when I saw the quilt.  More on that in another post too!
Right now my task with the quilt is to get it in the tub, wash out the marks and get it blocked and ready for binding.  I have some decisions to make about the binding too.

PS...For all the folks who emailed and asked...the storage cubes I use for my fabrics were purchased at Costco a couple of years ago.  I've seen them off and on over the years...Target has something like them, but with wire instead of plastic.  I like them because they're inexpensive and flexible.  They can be put together in lots of configurations.

Bridges...The Beginning

Tomorrow I am picking up the quilted "Building Bridges" quilt. I'm so excited I can't sleep. Since I'm wide awake I thought I'd share a bit about how "Building Bridges" came to be.

The idea was of course, sparked by my move from Kansas to Chicago.  I knew that I couldn't change the name of my blog, but I wanted a more urban, edgy look.  My youngest son, Jon, volunteered to sketch some ideas for me and he sent me this.

His drawing was the starting point and the inspiration for my new logo which the super talented Sarah created for the blog and my business.

My husband has been working in Chicago for years before we moved, but in all my times in Chicago I never made the bridge connection.  I walked over the Michigan Avenue bridge more times than I can count, but I never really thought about the river and all the bridges in the city.  I walked under the el on Wabash in the loop and never took the time to look at the trestle and how it supports the train and the lines and shapes it creates.  Fact is, I've always been a bit fearful of bridges.  I don't especially like going over them or walking under them.  Funny, how inspiration was right in front of my nose and I didn't see it until it had a personal connection for me.

After we moved, Bruno and I began walking the city and it seemed like I was either on a bridge or under one multiple times a day.  I started to notice and think about bridges and the concept struck a chord with me.

I was trying to bridge two very different ways to live, two different places, and a new way to work.  I have to admit now that it was all a bit overwhelming.  All those feelings seemed to relate to bridges and they flowed out and on to fabric.

Whenever I walked the city I paid attention and observed the lines, angles, shapes and the proportions of bridges and trestles.  Noticing led to the designs of the five bridges that are in the quilt.  None of them are copies of real bridges, they are an amalgamation of my observations.

 There was no sketching involved and I have to admit, no planning.  Each bridge evolved organically. I didn't have finished sizes in mind for the blocks either.  I simply kept building each bridge until I thought it was done and then I moved on to the next.

I have to warn you now, this week's posts are going to be about this quilt: the setting, the quilting and hopefully the finishing!

Scrap Potential

Don't you love the potential of a pile of scraps?

This is going on the back for a quilt top I just finished. I think I'm going to like the back as much as the front!

I cleaned and organized the studio for a full weekend of sewing.  I did something a little different this time.  I sorted all my prints by color and by value.

 Sorting by value didn't take that long and it's not really scientific or exact.  I simply made three stacks, light, medium and dark and put each fabric in a stack based on a quick glance.

 It was interesting to find out that I buy pretty evenly between values.  I thought there would be an abundance of medium value fabrics.

 The advantage to sorting this way is when pulling fabrics for a project.  It's much easier to "think" about value when choosing fabrics.  I'm going to sort my solids this way as well, but that's a task for another day.

Have a wonderful weekend!  I'm going to try to get all those backs made so I can baste and quilt this weekend.

Can Wedges Dance?

Thanks so much for all the questions and suggestions.  I appreciate hearing what you are interested in reading.  I guess I haven't been very good at talking about process lately.  I've got some ideas for how to share more, so thanks!

Since I didn't have any kona snow, I decided to switch gears and go with another idea that was on my list.  I've been working on a bunch of designs using the traditional dresden wedge in other ways rather than a dresden plate.  I needed a baby quilt for a friend so I played a bit and came up with Dancing Wedges.

 I used some leftover fabric from two of Aneela Hoey's lines, some Rich Red and Ash Kona cottons.  I started with the wedges alternating like this.  I liked it, but to make the prints shine more I framed each wedge in the red.

 I wanted a bit more movement within the line of wedges so I adjusted them so they "danced" a bit more.  I stair stepped them in threes.  The last step was to cut additional wedges to fill in the background.

 After I made the panel I decided I liked it vertical this time, and I added a blank wedge in the negative space to be able to add the baby's name and date.  I'm thinking I'd like to embroider it.

I like how graphic yet simple it is.  I think there are some great quilting possibilites too!

A little Monday business.  Sorry I didn't get to the winner on Friday.  The week slipped away from me!  Here are the winners of the $20.00 gift certificates from Pink Chalk Fabrics:

Susie DW

Pmookie

Kris loves fabric

Piece peace

Congratulations!  If that's you, drop me an email.  I'll send everyone's info to Kathy and she'll set you up!

My Kona snow should be arriving today, so I should be able to get back to my red and white piece.

Have a great week!

Coming Along!

It's coming along.  Two panels are complete and I'm really liking the way the red strips are playing off of each other.  The composition is taking me longer than I thought, but slow and steady is a good thing.

Let's continue reader appreciation month today!  I have four $20.00 gift certificates to give away, generously donated by Kathy, of Pink Chalk Fabrics.  Kathy is a big supporter of this blog and sewing and quilting in general.  If you have a minute, drop by to say thanks and do a little shopping!

For the first two, I'm going to draw from all the comments since the last giveaway and for the next two I'll draw from all the comments on this post.

If you'd like a chance to win, comment today and tell me something that you'd like to learn or see on this blog in the future.  Have a great rest of the week!  I'm off to see if someone in Chicago carries Kona snow.  I ran out this morning.   Arrrg!

PS...I'll draw the winners on Friday!

They Led Me Up the Primrose Path Again!

One of the perks of living in Chicago is that Wisconsin is right next door. My hubby is a Wisconsin boy and he wanted to drive up and do some skiing and stop by his favorite cheese factory. The boys were able to join us so it was a wonderful family weekend. We're heading home with a cooler full of cheese and no one is "broken" so it was a successful trip!

However, that doesn't mean there wasn't drama. I love to ski, but I'm done with the daredevil, speed demon kind of skiing. I like a long gentle run where I can ski without thinking and without working too hard. After the first half day at lunch, my boys convinced me to come on the runs they had been on. They smiled and said convincingly that they weren't steep and were just like the green runs we did in Colorado. I should have known better than to listen to them, but they're so cute and sincere.

So after lunch we headed up the lift to this long gentle run that I was going to love.

I got off the lift and stood there with my boys on either side of me.  I said to them both...this is NOT steep?  But when you're up on the top of the mountain you've got no place to go but down.  It was only the first few minutes that was steeper than I like, and the rest was long and gentle, so in their own way my boys did tell me the truth.  What they didn't tell me is that long gentle path ended up at the donner lift.    The only way to get back to the chalet was to take that lift.  Geez, they'd done it again...marched me down the primrose path right to my demise. 

See that red dot on the right side of the map at the top of the mountain...yup, that's where I ended up with no where to go, but down.

I gave them that you've done it to me again lecture, and I was patronized and told how I could do it, no problem.  I think they love to see me sweat!  So, I headed down top notch, tentatively for sure.  It wasn't only steep, it was skinny with a cliff on one side.  There had to be a cliff! (My boys read the post and wanted me to correct this...no cliff...at most a small drop off.  See what I mean?)

As I was going down, I stopped to gather some confidence and a young girl was laying on her side in the snow with what I assumed was her boyfriend leaning over her.  She looked at me and said, "you're better than I am."  I smiled and nodded, but I wanted to say...looks like you got bamboozled  by a cute guy just like I did.

I kept going, slowly down the mountain and heard above me shouts of "look out!!!" A girl was careening straight down the mountain.  She zipped right past me (too close for comfort) and just about took out a kid below me right before she wiped out.  I skied over, collected her poles for her and asked her if she was ok.  Just as she was about to answer her boyfriend arrived to help her.  Does anyone see a pattern here?

The good news is I made it down the mountain and skied the rest of the weekend where I wanted to ski and had a great time.  Lesson learned, beware of cute guys with ski run recommendations!

Building Bridges

The 'Building Bridges' quilt is done and it's getting a special quilting treatment.  I'm going to keep it under wraps until its finished.  Sorry about that.  I will say that I took out all the color that I was going to put in.  It's nothing but the bridges, stark, gray and I love it that way.  There is a bit of color on the back, but that's it.

My friend Sheryl, who will be a big part of this quilt, sent this to me yesterday.  I think she may love this quilt as much as I do! I don't usually make labels, but this might have to appear on this quilt in some way.  It's perfect.  I'll leave you with this.  Have a happy weekend!

Oh and just in case you want to look, the 'Tipsy City' quilt from the book is on the cover of the Interweave Spring 2012 Retail Catalog.  I love that quilt!

THE BRIDGE BUILDER
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim-
That sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when he reached the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength in building here.
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way.
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him." 

-WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE

Working Away and a Winner!

I'm continuing to work on my 'abundance/scarcity' red and white quilt. I had to stop for a few days because I ran out of red fabric, but Tammy at Marmalade came through as usual. She is one fast shipper! I have one panel done. I like how it's coming along.

I had fun counting quilts. It got me thinking about how many quilts I've made in four years. I don't have any idea. I just know it's a LOT!

And now for the winner! I counted quilts, actually counted them a bunch of times to make sure I was correct. Believe it or not from all those comments only one person hit it on the nose. A bunch of you were close, but here's the official count:
Bedroom - 2
Studio - 4
Studio closet - 10
Hallway - 2
Bedroom closet - 12
Living room - 3
Dining room - 1
Kitchen 1
for a grand total of 35 quilts. Elizabeth, you are the winner. Drop me an email and I'll send you the code so you can do some fabric shopping at Sew Mama Sew.

A note about storing your quilts. I used to fold mine, but when I took my Broken Cogs quilt out to hang it in the hallway gallery, it still has lines in it from where it was folded. I now roll my quilts with the front inside and store them this way.  When I pull out a quilt there are no folds or wrinkles and they are ready to use or hang.

A New Look Deserves a Giveaway!

On Saturday I cleaned the house and the studio needed some serious cleaning.  Dust dinosaurs had taken over the room.  Deep cleaning means moving furniture and since I created chaos with my cleaning I decided to rearrange a bit.  You wouldn't think there would be many possible arrangements in such a small room, but I was bound and determined to try something new.  I also needed to create some wall space for this new quilt, so moving my bulletin board turned into a whole new look.

 First I had to get some quilting done.  Around and around I quilted!

I quilted echoed wedges in the center and then quilted concentric circles on the colorwheel itself and out to the edges of the quilt.  That is some dizzying quilting!  The quilt finished at 60" x 60".

 I chose to do a ROYGBIV binding from shot cotttons and crossweaves.  I think the binding makes this quilt!

I think it's perfect hanging in the studio.  So inspirational!  Makes me never want to leave!!  Do you see my orange desk?  Yup, orange!  It's a steelcase desk that I found in a vintage store in my neighborhood and it makes a perfect cutting table. 

I think I can sew in this room!

So, let's have a little fun with this giveaway.  Kristin, of Sew Mama Sew, is offering a $20 gift certificate to one of my readers.  Sew Mama Sew has done so much for the sewing, quilting community with its fabulous blog and forum.  Thanks Sew Mama Sew!

I've made a lot of quilts in the four years since I started this blog.  I've given loads of quilts away, but I've kept some too.  Your job is to guess how many quilts I have in my apartment as of today.  Finished quilts only, tops don't count.  Only quilts made by me count and to qualify it has to be larger than 12 x 12!
First person who guesses the right number or comes the closest wins!

Have a great week everyone!
PS...I'll announce the winner on Wednesday.

Playing Catch-up

This colorwheel quilt is first on the list. (more on the list later).  It's basted and in the process of being quilted.  It's made from leftovers from this quilt.  I made it last summer right before the move.  I organized some boxes that I haven't been through since the move and found it.  I'm hoping I can hang it in my studio.  It'll take up a whole wall, but how inspiring it will be!  I found a couple other surprises in those boxes.  More to add to the list!

Have you been keeping up with the 100 Days of Modern Quilting on the Modern Quilt Guild Blog?  This is the first week and it's the week of shapes.  We're working hard to provide some really great content over the next 100 days.  Be sure to check it out!

I've been working a bit on my digital portfolio.  Worked on the artist statement and added a bunch more quilts.  I still need to get everything in the right order and add dates, sizes etc, but I'm making progress.  Right now I'm happy to be making a little progress every day!

Giddy with Excitement

I'm going to clean the floor today and get down on my hands and knees and baste.  I'm giddy with excitement and anticipation.  It's no fun to lean over a quilt with your head pounding, in fact, it's impossible.  At least it is for me.  Funny, what you take for granted.  I used to whine and complain on basting days and now headache free it feels like a treat.

So how about a treat!  I have one to share.  It's Reader Appreciation Month, remember?

It's a giant Roll-up from Robert Kaufman filled with juicy pastels.  I drew a random number from all the folks who left on comment on the last post.  I know, sneaky of me, isn't it!  The winner is Carol of Mamacjt!  Congrats Carol and thanks for being a part of this blog.  Send me your contact info and I'll drop it in the mail to you!

This is what's on the design wall today.  I've always wanted to make a red and white quilt.  Did you all see the Red and White exhibit....totally fabulous and so inspiring.  I had red/white on my mind and then I had a little encounter. It all started with a visit to a small gallery in my neighborhood.  I was walking the dog and happened on this gallery.  A photographer was installing a new exhibit.  He saw me pressing my nose to the window and invited us in (Bruno too!)  We chatted for over an hour.  His photographs were all about the concepts of abundance and scarcity.  Those are the concepts that are driving this quilt.  I'll be interested to see where it goes.

But for now I have basting to do. Off to get sore knees and an aching neck.  Isn't it just the best!

It's a Quilty Anniversary!

Four years ago today I wrote my first blog post. Actually I wrote four posts in the same day.  I was excited both about blogging and about quilting.  My first post was about this quilt.  I remember buying and reading Denyse Schmidt's book along with a couple of the Gee's Bend books.  I loved the look of that improvised log cabin block, but I was dismayed by the templates in the book.  I wanted to improvise.  I took the advice of one of the Gee's Bend quilters, "just let it go," she said,  "the quilt will take you where it wants to go." I did and I haven't looked back since.  I thought that a log cabin block would look more modern if I stretched it out, so instead of a square I made it a rectangle.

This is the first quilt I finished four years ago, hand quilting and all.  I have learned so much since then. I don't even know how many quilts I've made since that first post on January 3, 2008.  I've lost count.  I've moved beyond the log cabin block now, but I won't abandon it.  I hear every once and awhile that folks are sick of seeing them, making them.  I'm not.  I still think there are new possibilities with this block.  I'll always be a fan.

I've never celebrated a blogiversary before.  They didn't seem important.  For some reason this year it feels significant.  Maybe it's all the changes in my life these days.

One thing I do know is that I haven't blogged for four years alone.  You have a been a part of this adventure.  Many of you have been with me every step of the way.  Your comments, advice, questions, support and even your challenges have helped me get where I am today and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that you are a part of my life.  Many of you are now friends in real life. A special thanks to Sherri who left the first comment on my blog.  A bit of encouragement, even from a stranger, can change a life.

So, let's celebrate.  It's no fun to celebrate for one day so I'm dragging it out for the whole month.  I'm declaring January reader appreciation month on the Tallgrass Prairie.  I'm planning some surprises, possibly a challenge (does the word Spring have meaning for any of you?) and I have some special friends that are planning to do some really nice things for all of you.  Spread the word and tell everyone you know! Let the party begin!

Hello 2012

The new year is a time to look forward rather than back.  Today I'm saying goodbye to 2011 by sending a fond farewell to my life in Kansas.

We sold our house in the country this month.  The moose is temporarily living at my parent's house. He's happy in his new home!

Many memories are attached to that house.  I took a walk around the property and through the house over Christmas and they all came flooding back.  It was a wonderful place to raise our children.

But an empty house is just that...empty.  It's time to make new memories in a new place.

2012 is going to be a wonderful year and a great quilty year too.  I am celebrating a quilting anniversary all during the month of January.  It's exhilarating to be sewing again and I can't wait to share new projects with you.  Stay tuned for an exciting month full of surprises!