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!

Changing Partners

I have to admit that without my machine, I feel a bit like I'm sewing in the dark ages on a dinosaur. It's amazing how quickly you get used to a machine, your routines, your moves. A different machine is like changing out a long time dance partner. I'm struggling a bit to find my rhythm. I seem to be stepping on my partner's feet...a LOT!
There is much to do though. I'm making some quilt backs. This one is an oldy, but a goodie. I can't believe this quilt has been stuck in the closet for so long.
I'm doing some basting. I'll have a pile of quilts ready when my baby arrives home.
I'm playing with fabric too. Isn't this a lovely color combo? I'm stepping out a bit. Those of you who have been reading here for awhile know, I don't do purple. Are you closed minded toward a color? I am. I love purple in nature, but I've never been a fan of it on fabric. It may be time to break my purple ban and go for something new.
This fabric may have helped me change my attitude. I have such plans for this!

Thanks so much for all the anniversary wishes. We had a lovely weekend doing nothing together. Heaven!
Have a great week!!

The Man (men) in My Life

On Friday, June 11 it has been 27 years that I have been with the man in my life. Even with him in another city, we are together. It seems like yesterday that he kept showing up at my apartment around dinner time to see what might be on the stove or in the oven. It's funny that his desire for a home cooked meal brought us together. In 27 years he's discovered I'm not much of a cook. He's the adventurous one in the kitchen. I guess I use all my creative energy in other areas.

I don't really remember what attracted me to him in the beginning, but I know over the years, his gentleness, his commitment to me and to his family, his love for his work, and his appreciation for simple pleasures have solidified my love for him.

Because of him, I know the joy of a dandelion bouquet, a warm hand, a 'shoebox' card, the nightly phone call, and the hug that always comes when leaving or arriving home (we do a lot of that). I married a man who every night he's home checks my bathtub and vacuums out the swarm of lady beetles that have accumulated during the day. I married a man who looks on the bright side, who can pull me out of a slump (no easy task), and who knows how to be a partner with a stubborn, opinionated, passionate woman.
I remember telling both of my children many times that the most important decision they will make in their lifetime is their choice of a partner. I made a great choice. We have created a wonderful, ordinary life together. Ordinary can be pretty wonderful. He helped me create and raise two pretty amazing boys who are starting to make interesting lives for themselves.

Because of their dad, those boys know the value of a phone call, the power of the words "I love you", that a card says more than an expensive gift, and that family and relationships come above all else.

My hubby and I are spending a special weekend together. No work, no one else, just us. It's pretty great after 27 years that all we need is time together.

Happy Anniversary, Buzz!

Calm Before the Storm

It's too quiet in the studio. Something's missing. Could it be the sound of my machine whirring away? Alas, I'm machineless for two weeks. Two whole weeks. I have a back up machine, but it's not the same. So I'm looking at it as a way to refocus, and reenergize my creative spirit. Call it a summer attitude adjustment.
I've been working on this piece, 'Feather Tree.' It started with a couple of pieces of this fabulous bird fabric and a client who wanted it with a tree. I worked on a couple of things for her and she decided I wasn't for her. Those things happen. I still loved the fabric, so I combined it with Lauren's amazing feather fabric and came up with this.
I think my favorite part of it is the tiny shadow on the branches. I love the stylized feeling of the tree. It's all ready to be hand appliqued. I think it has potential.
My oldest son called and told me the curtains I gave him for his living room were too long for his windows and he asked me to hem them. No problem. He also complained that though the pillows were amazing, the room was too BEIGE. Beige sofa, beige carpet, and now beige curtains. He asked what I thought he could do to liven things up a bit. I told him I had more of the pillow fabric and maybe enough to spice up the curtains a bit. So I did this...
...so that the curtains matched these pillows.

He's a happy camper with a spicy living room.

Hot Summer Reading and a Few Winners!

I'm sorry I'm late with this. I seem to be saying that a bunch lately, but life comes before blog. The 'Hot Summer Reading' quilt is finished and ready to head to a new home.
The back echoes the front with a panel and half borders.
I did some experimenting with the quilting....I've been playing with some spirographesque (remember that toy, anyone?) straight line quilting designs. This is one of them. It needs some tweaking, but there is so much potential for interesting quilting with these.
All of us who finished at least something were winners in this challenge. The big winner is Quilty Goodness! The 'Hot Summer Reading' quilt is heading your way and Rebecca of Craft a Little will be getting a lovely fabric pack from my friend Cheryl of Naptime Quilter. (I have a picture of that fabric somewhere on this computer, but I can't find it to save my life!) Trust me, it's gorgeous! Ladies, please send me your mailing info and we'll get your prizes off to you ASAP! Thanks to everyone who participated!

We Sprang...We Finished

Hard to believe it, but Spring to Finish has come to an end. I'm pretty happy with the dent I made in that mega-list of mine. Still lots to do, but it's time to celebrate. Remember to reward yourself for the work you've done! This quilt, 'Hot Summer Reading' will belong to one of you on Friday. I wanted to finish it for today, but it's not quite there...a little more quilting, some binding and then off to a new home. It's a perfect size to snuggle under with some summer reading.

So, if you signed up for the challenge, leave a comment letting us know about your finishes and how you plan to reward yourself. I want to make sure no one misses out, so I'll leave comments open until Friday, noon central time. Feel free to leave a link to your blog so we can all check out the work you've done. Friday, I'll draw some names and cap off the celebration with a few prizes!