Weekend Abstraction - Week 8

Is it still the weekend? Days are running together for me, but here it is anyway.

This weekend's abstraction might be good to keep the chill away if winter ever shows its face in Kansas City.  I used the fireplace for the first time the other day to clean it and get it ready for the winter season and as always I was entranced by the flames.  They're mesmerizing in a calming, but inspiring way.  I watched them intently and noticed the color changes, the shapes, and the movement.

I wanted to translate what I was seeing into a quilt design.  

It's odd that I chose lines because they can be very static, but I love a line and so I went for it.  It always amazes me how straight lines in the right arrangement can give the impression of curves and movement. It's coming together for me, but I'm not thrilled with it yet.  I still need to play and live with it for awhile. I think the colors are pretty good (I think it might glow a bit when it's made out of fabric) and it has a little movement and a nice shape.  I love the little flicker at the top.

Here it is in its current form. Enjoy!

Mighty Lucky Strikes Again!

I'm excited to be a part of the next round of the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club.  The Club has a fantastic set of folks to learn from in 2017.  If you didn't join the club in 2016, head to the Lucky Spool site to learn the details.  Essentially, you'll get one challenge from a different instructor each month in 2017.  You'll have the opportunity to learn and practice all sorts of concepts, skills and techniques that will help you become an even better quilter. The Mighty Lucky Quilt Club costs only $5 per month, or just $50 for a full, one-year membership.  Stay tuned to jacquietps on Instagram for a chance to win a full year subscription to the club.  I'll be announcing that soon or sign up today!

2017 Instructor Team

January - Amy Friend

February - Emily Herrick

March - Jacquie Gering

April - Krista Fleckenstein

May - Emma Jean Jansen

June - Kim Eichler-Messmer

July - Dan Rouse

August - Melissa Aveniros

September - Amy Smart

October - Deborah Moebes

November - Camille Roskelley

December - Stephanie Ruyle

Geared Up

This is the Geared Up quilt, one in a series of quilts that I'm working on to explore the concept of activating space, both positive and negative in my quilts.  I love the interplay between the navy and gray spaces in this quilt.  The gray dominates as the primary design, but the navy supports in such a great way.

I also love the quilting on this piece.  I used one of the geometric quilting designs that will be in my new book, Walk: Mastering Machine Quilting With Your Walking Foot.  Jaime, my studio mate pushed me to do this quilting on this piece and it so worked.  Sometimes you need a push from a really smart cookie!

I think the quilting design creates beautiful rotational movement for the piecing without overwhelming a simple, graphic design.  I'm very pleased with it, I hope you enjoy it too.

Photos by Silvia Abisaab

Weekend Abstraction - Week 7

I've been sort of obsessed with medallion quilts over the last year.  I have a whole folder of them.  I've made a few of them already and when I have time I'd like to do a whole series, probably in black and white.  I have a long hallway on the lower level of the condo that is empty and I'd love to see a set of those fill that space.

I designed this one the other day and I'm loving it.  I can't wait to get home to make it.  

Here is the block.  I focused on the spaces created in the lower right hand corner of the block.  It's how those spaces come together with four blocks that creates the shape in the center and makes the design for me.  The truncated triangle adds a unique shape that transforms this into something special.

This is the medallion quilt.  Enjoy!

Weekend Abstraction - Week 6

I'm continuing with this simple block and finding it intriguing to work with.  I created another design and buckled down in the studio and almost finished a top.  I'm pleased with the colors and the graphic impact of this quilt.  I also love the combo of flat solids and shot cottons.  A few more seams and it'll be done. I think I'll call it Whirl-a-way!

Weekend Abstraction - Week 5 Part II

Sometimes I fall in love with a block and can't stop thinking about it.  I'm sitting in a different airport this time and again playing with blocks.  Could airports come with sewing lounges?  Would definitely work for me!

Same block, different layout, new color.  Enjoy!

Weekend Abstraction - Week 5

Gee, I know I missed the whole weekend, but I had a less than 48 hour turnaround between teaching gigs and I know I would look funny teaching without clean clothes and the materials I need for my classes.  I need to get better at scheduling (How many times have I said that before?).

I am sitting in O'hare playing on the computer and I have 30 minutes of free wifi, so I thought I'd share what I'm playing around with.  This is the possible quilt. It is made up of four blocks, two large and two small.  I like the simplicity and the interesting spaces in this one. I also like the action and movement created by the diagonal lines and weird angles.  Should be pretty fun to make.  Sure wish I was home to do just that.  Have a great week! 

Quilter's Take Manhattan Winner!

The magic random number generator chose Julie as the winner!  Congrats!  I've emailed you, so please send me your contact information so you can claim your prize.  Thanks to everyone for supporting this event and the Quilt Alliance.  If you want to be a part of the event, there's still time to purchase your own home ticket!  If I don't hear from Julie by Wednesday a.m., I'll draw another winner!

Weekend Distraction

No Weekend Abstraction this week, sorry.  Too busy getting ready for a long week of traveling and teaching.  Many of you reminded me that I sprung Sideways on you without an introduction.  Sorry about that.  Lots of you remember my dear Bruno.  He is truly missed and no dog takes another's place, they just take up a new place in your heart and Sideways has done that.  

Sideways joined our family in December and was a co-adoption from a local shelter.  My two sons and my youngest son's girlfriend adopted him with my hubby and I so that he's a family dog.  When we're on the road working, he is with the boys.  It's too hard for me to travel and know my dog is with strangers.  It's the perfect situation for us.  We won the dog lottery.  He's smart, lovable and is learning to be obedient and have manners.  He also has the softest coat I've ever had the pleasure to snuggle.

I'll let the pictures help you get to know him.  All the good photos were taken by the talented Lauren Hunt!

Quilters Take Manhattan!

Today is my stop on the Quilters Take Manhattan blog hop.  I'm excited to be a part of letting everyone know about this great event in the quilting community and there's a giveaway too, so be sure to look for that on the bottom of the post!  The sixth annual Quilters Take Manhattan is coming up later this month on September 23rd-25th.  It's a spectacular celebration of quilting and fundraiser for the Quilt Alliance.  The highlight of the event will be talks by Kaffe Fassett and Dr. Carolyn L. Mazioomi.  The emcee will be the always entertaining Mary Fons.  You won't want to miss it!

Quilters Take Manhattan supports the important work of the Quilt Alliance. The Quilt Alliance is a nonprofit 501c3 organization established in 1993  with a mission to document, preserve, and share the stories of quilts and their makers. QA core projects include: Quilters’ S.O.S. – Save Our Stories (QSOS), Go Tell It at the Quilt Show! and National Quilting Day.

Now in it’s 6^th year in the Big Apple, Quilters Take Manhattan is a hybrid, weekend-long series featuring a full-day event at FIT and evening cocktail party on Saturday, as well as Friday and Sunday tours of the Garment District, area museums, workshops and a Broadway outing. 

The Main Event at FIT includes a full day of lectures, interviews, vendors, an exhibition of quilts, trunk shows, and the Quilt Match Manhattan quilt design challenge and speakers Kaffe Fassett and Dr. Carolyn L. Mazloomi, and emcee Mary Fons.  There's something for everyone and it's a great way to support the preservation, documentation and promotion of quilting.

There are still tickets available for some of the events this month, and you can order them on the Quilt Alliance website.  If you're not able to make it to the event in person, the Quilt Alliance offers home tickets that allows you to participate in events from the comfort of your own home.  How great is that!  I hope you'll order a ticket and join me participating in the event at home!

Just for you...

The Quilt Alliance is giving away one of the Quilters Take Manhattan Moda Home Tickets.  It's valued at $35 and you'll receive a QTM Goody Bag stuffed full of samples and treats from the event sponsors by mail, and email links to footage of the Sunday with Sponsors event, the Quilt Match Manhattan challenge and more. To enter, leave a comment below and be sure to include your email address so you can be contacted if you're the winner.  The giveaway is open until Saturday September 10 at 5 p.m. CT.  The giveaway is open to US residents only. I'll use that great random number generator to pick a winner.

Be sure to visit the other stops on the hop for more chances to win and to support the work of the Quilt Alliance.

Day 1 - Monday, September 5

Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD

Pat Sloan

AccuQuilt

Day 2 - Tuesday, September 6

Victoria Findlay Wolfe @VFW Quilts

Erin Sampson - Aurifil @Auribuzz

Freespirit Fabric

Day 3 - Wednesday, September 7

Moda Fabrics @Moda Cutting Table

Denyse Schmidt on Instagram @dsquilts

Debbie Jeske @A Quilter's Table

Day 4 - Thursday, September 8

Jacquie Gering @tallgrass prairie studio You're Here!

Jessica Skultety @Quilty Habit

Gotham Quilts @Fabric Nerd

Day 5 - Friday, September 9

Kim Niedzwiecki @my go-go life

Leslie Tucker Jenison

John Kubiniec @Big Rig Quilting

Comments have been closed.  Thanks for entering and for supporting the Quilt Alliance!

The magic random number generator chose Julie as the winner!  Congrats!  I've emailed you, so please send me your contact information so you can claim your prize.  Thanks to everyone for supporting this event and the Quilt Alliance.  If you want to be a part of the event, there's still time to purchase your own home ticket!  If I don't hear from Julie by Wednesday morning, I'll draw another winner.