Mark It Sold!

 Just wrap a cord around a bundle of fabric. 

Call it a grab bag and I am there. 

It doesn't matter if I can see the fabrics or they are hidden in a brown paper bag. 

I can't resist the adventure of scheming and dreaming of what I can make out of these random pieces.

With its vibrant colors and happy patterns, this purchase was a no-brainer for me.  

I can't wait to see where these fabrics will lead me.

Perhaps I will stitch them together into a pillow, such as this one that brightens my day every time I look at it.  My granddaughter loves it too, so in my mind I see her smiling face.

A double treasure!

What brightens your day? 

I hope you find it.

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Is a Little Thing a Big Deal?

I was searching for a large pin, button, or clip to decorate a piece I was working on.

Nothing!

Nothing I had matched the picture in my head.

When I was digging through my button box, I came upon this large button. It was the right size but not very eye-catching.

Then I found this smaller button that just fit into the center of the large button.

Now where can I go?

A piece of matching fabric could help.

I covered the smaller button and placed it onto the large button.

Then I stitched and glued a small stone in the center. (I didn't think the glue would hold and the stitching left the stone a little loose, hence both stitching and gluing.)

Perfect!

Yes, a little thing is a big deal. 

I'm smiling!

Linked to Off the Wall Fridays

Northwoods Rebels

This past week I had the wonderful opportunity to lead a workshop for the Rhinelander Northwoods Quilters.  The class material was Rebel Architecture, an improvisational piecing technique.

Some quilters are a bit hesitant when it comes to flying without a pattern, but after an introduction to various approaches, these talented ladies dove right in.

Some were inspired by a color or a small scrap of fabric.

Others chopped and rearranged extra blocks they had left from a previous project.

Each found a way to express herself on an individual level.

I was amazed and thrilled at the different directions each quilter went as 

they explored, experimented and then turned their vision into fiber art.

It was certainly a privilege to meet and work with this energetic group.

Is My Back More Interesting Than My Front?

I've layered and basted my quilt sandwich together and have started the quilting. I am speaking of my green improvisational background that I stitched together and shared with you earlier.

But... after quilting a bit, I turned it over and found the back to be even more exciting than the front. 

Well,

maybe?

The designs definitely show up more on the back.

You can see details of the leaves

and the fern.

Perhaps I have made a mistake in making the front so complex. 

Sometimes in the joy of sewing together bright colors and fabulous patterns, we loose the option of creating the drama with our quilting stitches.

I'm not at the point of changing this project, not when I only have a small area left to complete. 

I know the rule is to start quilting in the center and work to the outside of the quilt, but sometimes things just don't work that way for me.

The quilting is finished with different leaves and various other growing things. 

Yes, I do like the back....

but then I also like the complexity of the front with its interplay of fabric color and design set off by the "up-close" details of the quilting.

Perhaps in my next quilt, I will use a solid background and have fun quilting fabulous designs. 

What is your favorite approach?

Meanwhile, is there a rule that says your quilt cannot be hung in the center of the room where viewers can see both the front and back?

Linked to Off the Wall Fridays