Monday, June 21, 2010

I Feel The Earth Move...

Actually, I felt the earth move. Last weekend in San Diego I experienced my first real earthquake. I say real because I felt one here that occurred on the New Madrid fault in Missouri, but it was more of a shudder. This one was a 5.9, California, shake you out of your bed kind of quake. There's a reason for me to share this with you...the experience inspired a couple of new quilt designs.

I can't show you them right now, but a few peaks should be ok and I can tell you how they came about. I didn't set out to make an earthquake inspired quilt. I started making an adaptation of my 'Wonderland Garden' quilt. It started with this fabric to substitute for the redwork in that quilt. I wanted to up the modern quotient a bit.
(Paula Prass's Woodland Delight)
I picked out some sets of fabric in pinks and browns. I concentrated on getting a good mix of values. Without a good mix of lights, mediums and darks, the housetop (half log cabin) blocks can look a lot like mush even with pretty fabric.
(Flea Market Fancy pink posies, pink/brown tiles, Heather Ross wildflowers, Paula Prass cobblestone, fuscia tadot, Mingle square, and Tula Pink ladybugs)
I paired each set of fabrics with a corresponding kona cotton solid, pomegranate and espresso brown.
(Jackie Shapiro Neo Geo, Flea Market Fancy bubble dots and daisy dots, Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet, Wild Thyme, Flea Market Fancy barbells and another Wild Thyme print)
I made some brown blocks first, concentrating on using value to make the wonkiness prominent in the blocks. Then I made some pink blocks and threw them up on the design wall. When I did that I couldn't get the quake out of my mind. The tilted, off kilter look screamed earthquake to me and I went from there. The flower fabric was eliminated and the pinks turned into a quilt of their own called 'Shake it Baby' and the browns are a quilt of their own called 'Fault Line'. I made both tops in one day. Yes, I have my machine back and all that pent up sewing energy came flying out!
I'm so happy to be back sewing...I have so many things lined up to do.

I have a little favor to ask, if you do that kind of thing, say a little prayer for my hubby today. He's got a catscan this afternoon. I've decided that no worrying is allowed until there is something to worry about, but a few prayers never hurt.

Now back to the reinterpretation of the Wonderland Garden quilt.
Have a wonderful week!


51 comments:

Sara said...

Positive vibes heading your way, Jacquie. I'm likey you - I don't worry until I know there is something to worry about that. And then I don't worry until I've gone through my problem solving/research mode. Maybe it's b/c I'm married to a worrier (he's just like his mom) so I figure one of us should stay calm.

Your original fabric (later eliminated) is Paula Prass Woodland isn't it? I just got a charm pack of it and I love it!!! Wish my LQS carried it so I could have gotten some yardage.

dutchcomfort said...

So beautiful! The flower is breathtaking and the log cabins...

I will be thinking of your Husband Jacquie! Take care!

Alice R. said...

You got it! Prayer warriors go!

annette said...

Good thoughts and prayers going your way. Always hard to do - but you're right - worrying doesn't help! Again, beautiful fabrics - you have such a knack - and thank you Sara for providing name! :)

**nicke... said...

my prayers are all yours! fantastic quilts!

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Prayers for your family...

kelly lautenbach said...

So happy to see you post! :) I missed you at the last KCMQG meeting. It was fabulous, as always... but it would've been even better if you'd been there!
Praying for your hubby and you. Peace to you both! :)

Needled Mom said...

He's got my prayers, Jacquie. I hope all goes well.

I love the fabrics. The inspiration for the quilt was no fun, I am sure, but you captured it beautifully.

Q @ JAQS said...

I will be praying for your husband and you. Hope all goes well.

Live a Colorful Life said...

First priority: prayers going up for you and your husband.

Your fabric combinations are wonderful. Of course I'm drooling over all the FMF!

Spent all weekend sewing with a friend from San Diego. Here we are in the central valley of California and we hadn't even heard about the earthquake!Weird.

Tammy Vasser said...

So glad you got your machine back and you're sewing again. I'll pray for you and your husband. Testing can be so stressful. May God bless both of you!

MichelleB said...

Good thoughts going your way! Earthquakes never bother me that much, although I haven't been in any really big ones. They do, however, always cause us to stop and say "did you feel that?"

Mama Spark said...

Love how these came out and I will certainly keep you and your hubby in my prayers!

Nifty Quilts said...

I do love your "earthquake" quilt! You have a great way of choosing fabrics.

Yes, positive thoughts for you and your hubby. Thank goodness for quilting in times like these!

Unknown said...

Nothing like a good earthquake to inspire you! That happened to us once in San Fran. And for someone who never experiences earthquakes it can be a real jolt! Hey, that is a great name for your quilt... JOLT! Love the fabric choices. Lots of prayers and good thoughts coming your way!! Please let us know if everything is okay.

MightyMom said...

Am I crazy or weren't you NOT- worrying about your mom a little while ago?

Prayers

this is strange for me. But I actually would like more off-kilter-ness in the center of this one

yuk on earthquakes!

Alissa said...

Hurray to getting your machine back!! Can't wait to see where you're going with this project. And I'm sending good thoughts to you and your husband!!

Alissa

WHATUPDUCK said...

Love the wonkiness! And prayers comin' your way!

patty a. said...

I will say a one for you hubby that everything is ok.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Prayers are sent hubbies way Jacquie.
Great pinks and great browns.

Shelly said...

Prayers to you . . . for you . . .

Cheryl Arkison said...

No news is good news. I'll be thinking of you guys.
(PS Quilts look great! I don't know how many times my inspiration fabric never makes it into the end result.)

Esch House Quilts said...

All my positive thoughts headed your way!

mascanlon said...

Thinking of you both today. And trying to channel good news only your way.

Helene said...

I'm here, intending it's all good.
xx
Helene

becca said...

prayers sent!! xx becca

Anonymous said...

You felt our earthquake! They're not so bad, are they. That one was a pretty long one so you really got to feel it. I like the squares you're using inspired by the quake!

Poppyprint said...

I love the names of both of your new quake-inspired quilts. Naming quilts is super hard for me.

Fingers crossed for a clear scan with no surprises. Thinking of you both.

Sarah Craig said...

Sending up prayers for peace for both you and your husband and discernment for the doctors! Let us know how it goes.....

Love your quilt blocks AND the inspiration! Great work!

Maddie Kertay- The Domestic Anarchist said...

Lighting a white candle for you... hard to quilt by but very good for good prayers ;)

Maddie
www.freshstitches.blogspot.com

KateKwiltz said...

I believe that earthquake was a direct result of you using purple...but that's just a theory.

Cyberhugs your way from MI!

Stephanie D said...

By now the CT scan's over, but you may not have the reading yet, so still time for prayers--count on 'em!

LOVE that you were able to capitalize on a slightly unpleasant experience. Talk about lemons and lemonade!

monique said...

sending you and that special man lots of positive thoughts and energy:)

Unknown said...

Thinking of you both
Hope all goes well

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Prayers are being sent.

Robyn of Coffee and Cotton said...

Prayer said for your husband.
I've been through a lot of CA quakes...big ones. I lived in the KC area for awhile and I appreciated that at least with a tornado you usually get some warnings.

jenn said...

good grief! that is a lot for one post.. earthquake and heath worries!
I am keeping your husband (&you) in my thoughts and prayers.

Suzanne said...

Sending up prayers for your husband and sending you admiration. You can make even an earthquake really grounding in a quilt.

Amanda Jean said...

i love the quilt! you could always use the inspiration fabric for the backing, right?

i'll be praying for your hubby. and you, too.

em's scrapbag said...

Hohpe all is well with your hubby. Your family is in my prayers.

Terri said...

Lovely color combination, one of my favorites.
I will pray for your family today. God Bless you~

MightyMom said...

my spring to finish quilt is finally posted! come by and see!!!

henny said...

Ooh...lovely fabrics, love the coffee colors :)
Love your new blog looks!

Em said...

As always, you are such an inspiration. Love the crisp lines even when they are wonky!!!! Thank you for sharing.

lamb-things said...

A big prayer for your husband. I love your choice of fabrics and the quilt is amazing.

Victoria said...

Hope all is alright... I will certainly offer up my prayers for your husband as well. xo

lindsey said...

I have just come onto your blog and notice this post was on 21st June so hopefully all is well with your husband but I am praying anyway. I love the fabrics you have here and your quilt...you do a great job. I especially like the brown fabrics. I shall come back again!

Browndirtcottage said...

Yeh...these look like Gwen Marston
and Freddy Moran's Fractured Log Cabin blocks in their Collaborative Quilting book....I made some back in April!

Kim D. said...

Beautiful fabrics and lovely blocks. I hope your hubby is doing okay.

sara said...

Jacquie, I hope all is okay at your house, i've been thinking of you daily as I check your blog for a new post. Take care, I feel like i know you after connecting to your blog daily! You are part of my morning routine!!!
Hugs,
Sara
p.s. i finally got that walking foot for my bernina for my bday last week!

Patty C said...

Question...what size is the 'Shake it Baby' quilt? I love the colors and the look. Back and binding? What did you use for the backing and what color for the binding?

Thanks.

I like your blog and admire your work. Beautiful.