Are You Stuck in Winter?

As you look around your home's interior, do you see bright and sunny summer or are you still in winter mode? Is it time for a change? Do you need to update to match the sparkle of your summer garden?

Fast and easy pillow covers can add a dramatic splash to the look of your room. Made with an overlapping closure on the back, change is as quick as blink.

Enjoy summer inside and out with your updated fresh new look.

Tuesday's Tile - Drop Cloth Poppies

Quilter's Tile - Drop Cloth Poppies

8" x 8"

©2012 Sharon V. Rotz

Am I really reduced to using paint rags for my art? Is this all I have left? Have I reduced my stash to the bargain basement floor?

Actually, that could be a good thing, reducing my stash a bit. I'm not out of fabric but.....
I can dream of going crazy buying all new fabric.

Back to my paint splattered fabric. It kept popping up. I kept thinking about it. I began to see images in the fabric. 


So it went from scrap fabric to fabric filled with creative potential.

Flowers started to bloom under the needle of my sewing machine.

And more flowers appeared.

Until the surface was covered.

Then a dragonfly left from another project landed.  

Normally, dark bindings work best to show off a piece, but I left that thought behind when I chose a light tan fabric to finish the edge. (in progress, stitched to the front and ready to hand stitch to the back.)

Lesson of the day:  Keep your eyes open to creative possibilities.

The Wisconsin Quilt and Statewide Shop Hop

The Wisconsin Quilt

48" x 48"

©2012 - Sharon V. Rotz

Capture the beauty of Wisconsin as you quilt your way

 through curving roadways, amid rustling leaves and flowing waters.

Join in the fun of the Wisconsin Shop Hop

June 8-24, 2012

With over 70 quilt shops participating, you have destinations both far away and close to home. There are specials, prizes and fun for all quilters.  Holly Taylor of Moda Fabrics has a designed an exclusive Wisconsin Fabric Line to celebrate the event and I have designed a new pattern especially for you to use this new fabric line. (This pattern is now available at Antoinette's Quilt Shop in Plover WI.)

Choose the Moda Wisconsin Fabric panel and a quarter yard of each of the 15 coordinating fabrics (plus a bit more for binding) and you are set to create your own Wisconsin Quilt.

Quilters, start your engines for  a memorable trip through Wisconsin. Sharpen up your rotary cutters. Oil up your machines and sew away!

And, please, tell me of your Wisconsin adventure and your favorite shop in the comment section below.

My Memory is Shot! Is it Tuesday?

Quilter's Tile - Ghosts of Koi

8" x 8"

Sharon V. Rotz

This is one of my favorite quilter's tiles. THE best part about it is the little green card attached to the back. I get so excited making a tile but when it are finished and out of my mind for a second, I often can't remember how I did it.

Did I use this paint or that stitch? What did I put inside for a batting?  How did I attach the binding?

Even if my nose is closer, at times it is still a mystery.

I have to admit that I'm not the best at remembering or at keeping records.  I have to make an effort to document the techniques or products that I use. I may not remember to write everything, but it is a start. I have attached little cards to the back of my quilter's tiles (well, when I remember) with these notes.

How do you document your projects? Or are you blessed with that perfect memory?

Pondering on Friday

Spring Green

12" x 24"

©2012 Sharon V. Rotz

Today, I'm looking at this small wall quilt that I just finished. Or is it finished?

Part of the fun of making this was machine quilting a tree and feathers in the solid wine-colored center. But now I'm pondering if I should leave it as it is. My original intent was to draw the viewer in for a closer look at the details.

Today, I'm wondering if it would be better to grab some paint and paint in the tree, making it a more definite focal point.

What would you do? 

Please take the time to leave a comment on my blog. I would like your input.

Thank you.