Monday, July 13, 2009

Fingers to the Bone

I'm working my fingers to the bone to get all I need to get done around here. Why does everything I do painting, quilting, gardening involve my hands? I've taken to icing them down at night.
A sneak peek at another finished top. I need to do a back for this one.
Square Motion #2 in sage, brown and cream. One thing about improvised work...it can't be duplicated. This has the same feeling of movement of the original. I may even like it better.
This is the back in progress.
I'm playing with a new design for these fabrics. Isn't that a great combo?

I still need to make a back for Orange Crush from the last post. Then it's quilt, quilt, quilt. Oh my aching hands.

ps...faq post coming on wednesday...any more questions?

57 comments:

Stephanie said...

Beautiful work! I often look at my 90-yr old Grandma's hands and think of all the times she worked her fingers to the bone raising 7 kids on a dairy farm, sewing, cooking, etc. Those wrinkley old hands are more beautiful than a manicured set any day. Keep up the good work, "youngins" will admire your hands someday too.

Kathleen said...

Thanks for the peek - looking forward to seeing it all . . . I LOVE that bunch of fabrics!

ilovebabyquilts said...

My hands were killing me last night too. I do all my sewing by hand, don't own a machine, so after a whole weekend of sewing, my hands hurt!

Kris said...

I love the new square motion. It's such an inspiring look! I just bought fabric to try it out myself.

DoreyR said...

Your black/green/sage piece is astounding. And we are on the same wavelength with the red/black/white combo although I haven't been able to find such fresh fabrics as yours.
Cheers!

Michaela said...

it all looks so fantastic. you inspire me!

Abby and Stephanie said...

You're a busy gal! Lots of wonderful projects happening in your studio. I always look forward to seeing the goodness you're up to.

Barbara Sindlinger said...

That 2nd quilt is just so wonderful. (They all are but that one is striking.) I can't wait to see how you'll quilt it.

Judy S. said...

Disgusting, isn't it? I read once on someone's blog that you have to train yourself to sleep with your hands unclenched! Love your quilts, especially the one you showed today as the colors are perfect!

Nichole said...

ooh. i love that sage, brown and white color combo.

Artfulife said...

I love how the puppy is poking his head out on that one block. Beautiful work as always. Thanks for sharing.

shellysquilts said...

Jacquie, Your Square motion # 2 if FABULOUS! I love improvisational work. Well done my friend!

Di~ said...

oh you are a doll, but in kind of a torturous way! :) perennial question: how do you do it all? Hey, have you ever used 'Heirloom Stitches'? It is an awesome product for quilters, etc hands. My daughter actually had the gaul to ask me to give her the quilt you sent!!!

f said...

your quilts are soooo beautiful! i just love the work you do.

LizA. said...

Beautiful. I love the graphic nature to your stuff. I especially love the little bit of Dalmatian peeking out on the top picture. I'm partial to spotty dogs....

Jennifer said...

i'm loving square motion #2.

Twisted Quilts said...

I love the quilt top you are doing. You have a great talent for making three fabrics look so interesting together. I also like your fabrics. The one in the middle really speaks to me.

Troops 1909 and 5434 said...

Please show shots of your sewing machines. Every time you write about them I wonder what kind you have, particularly your mother's.

Mel said...

Your work is truly inspiring to me!

Allie said...

Beautiful quilts! Your stack of fabric is so yummy, I can't wait to see what you are doing with it!

Beth said...

Oh, Mr. Dalmatian, with your proud little nose in the air...you make me feel all squishy inside!

MelissaS said...

I LOVE THE SQUARES IN SQUARES! ALL CAPS DOES NOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH!

KateKwiltz said...

Love, love, LOVE the new Square Motion! Great colors!

Chris Z said...

Your quilts are great! Love the square in motion top. Can't wait to see your new design - cool fabrics.

Lurline said...

Wonderful quilts and I love the new combination!
Hugs - Lurine♥

Cheryl said...

Beautiful, as usual. I have to try that style. I just love your quilts.

Allie said...

Ohhhh....I love it all!!!!!!!

Michele McLaughlin said...

Jacquie, your quilts are beautiful and inspiring which is why I suggest you start protecting your hands NOW. Get some braces from the drugstore and start wearing them at night (carpel tunnel type). Protect your wrists now!

Janet said...

Protect those hands. Of all the senses (besides my eyes) that's the one artists would miss the most. Is it carpel tunnel? I've had that surgery on both hands and what a difference that made!

Mary P said...

My question is how do you find time to do everything? Also, how long have you been quilting? How did you get into it?

Shari said...

Love the dalmation looking around - very whimsical touch. And I love the graphic nature of your work - will have to give it a go when my UFO's are reduced... hope your hands feel better soon!

Anonymous said...

Question / can you describe your thought proccess from 1st idea to finished quilt - I would love to know how your mind works. Do you find fabric first - come up with a design first - is the finished quilt already planned or do you plan as you go. I am just amazed at the number of quilts you make and the next one is always more beautiful than the last - are you going to write a book?

Tina said...

Love that combo of fabric, beautiful! Love your work! Take care of those hands! Hopefully they can get a rest when you finish this push.

Karen said...

I am in awe of you and all you do...it's sooo hard for me to think outside of the box;)

Dallas said...

Wow, that second quilt is really striking!

Unknown said...

This new quilt is just striking! The color combo is great, very contemporary and I am liking how the back is looking. It will be just as nice as the front! The new fabrics are fantastic too. Can't wait to see what you make with those.

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

what is the top one going to look like?... i love the star!!

Anonymous said...

Love the square motion quilts, and I can't wait to see what you do with the new fabrics. I actually said "ohhhhh" out loud when I saw them!

Your title made me think of an old country song by Hoyt Axton called "Boney Fingers." You can hear it here (love YouTube!) but the refrain goes, "You work your fingers to the bone and what do you get?.... Boney Fingers.?

MichelleB said...

Wow, jacquie! More fabulous things. Everything you do looks so wonderful. You are a great inspiration.

Alissa said...

Everything looks so beautiful! You're on fire with creativity these days!

Tricia said...

Questions:
How long ago did you begin quilting?
What "level" would you say you are in your quilting?(intermediate,advanced,etc)
How long until you began to feel comfortable with quilting...that you could try new things because you had the basics down pat?
How much time do you spend quilting?
Thanks for answering!
Tricia

Unknown said...

I love the black, sage and cream quilt! So pretty. I really like black quilts. And the fabrics for your new design are really yummy! Can't wait to see it!!

Kritta22 said...

Are you in any Virtual bees?

Do you wear gloves when you quilt?

what are you going to do with those new fabrics? i especially like the red one.

where's your next few quilt shows going to be?

Cheryl Arkison said...

Love that last colour combo! Is that a B&W Anna Maria Horner? I've never seen that.

EB said...

I love your work! What are those fabrics in the last picture? They are beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

Doris said...

My hands take a beating, too. Love that color combo and can't wait to see what you do with it!

Laurie said...

I just gotta ask...where do you get your fabrics??? They are always so awesome!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the new fabrics you are putting together in a new design. Really love them.

Here's my question: You know I'm new to this quilting thing. Do you quilt all your quilts yourself? Do you have a huge machine or do it on your normal sewing machine? Have you done a tutorial on how to get those corners mitered to nicely? I can't seem to do it and I've studied a number of the Utube tutorials with no success. OOOps, I see that is more than one question...:) Thanks Jacquie.

Julie (jsample@pixius.net)

Kristina said...

lots of pretties in this post:) LOVE the woodgrain!

Cher said...

whoa, there is no stopping your beautiful quilts a coming..you are certainly rolling on with your quilts. hurray, but..oh my do take care of those hands...

Judy S. said...

it was fun to read about your quilting journey, Jacque.

Unknown said...

Love you work Jacquie!! Always beautiful and inspiring - just wish it wasn't causing you pain! Maybe you need a work day with your boys :)

Heidi said...

Some more lovelies in the works! I especially like the green, black and white one in progress with the woodgrain fabric.

I saw your question and answer post, but will have to read it later tonight after work. Thank you so much for sharing your creative process with us :)

MightyMom said...

ooo can't wait to see what you do with those...love that backing fabric!!

alternate ice and heat (moist) 20 on 20 off before bed. Also take ibuprofen around the clock if you can!

good luck. lovely stuff, as usual

Rebekah said...

I love seeing all of your quilts in progress. You have a great eye for modern design and lines

dutchcomfort said...

Lovely work and fabrics! As always!

Anonymous said...

I love the new fabrics you're playing with.