Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Can I Follow My Lead?

I was lost, but now I'm found. I started on this quilt for Hannah's high school graduation present. It's all improvised. No patterns. You would think those kind of quilts would be easy to put down and pick right back up again. Not so. I got lost in my improvisation. I stopped after I'd completed 6 of the 16 blocks. That was at least a couple of weeks ago. I lost track of time as well as losing my way. I forgot what size I cut the strips and how much trimming I decided to do etc etc. Even though I say I'm winging it, it really does have a plan, if only in my head. I think I might want to write down a few thoughts. I usually have a sketch and a few notes, but for this one I had a plan of action, but never wrote down a thing. It took me all afternoon to get back into the groove. (with a few missteps and ripping in the process) I have 14 of the 16 center panel blocks completed. I'm determined to finish those tonight so I don't lose my way again.
















I've also been working on these. There are 30 blocks stacked here. It started with the fabric on top. I made 3 blocks from that fabric, pulled another fabric made 3 blocks from that, and so on until I had 30 blocks from 10 fun fabrics. It's a mix of Michael Miller, Amy Butler, Flea Market Fancy, and some assorted fabric from my stash. They all need to be squared and then these are ready to become a quilt top.





















I have a few thank yous to pass along. First, I received these goodies from Rachel at 2nd Avenue Studio. Thanks so much Rachel. I'm using the needle book already! My hubby appreciates that...no more needle danger on the sofa! I'm also going to love the Q tools. Haven't tried them yet, but both assist in areas that I need help, cutting and scant 1/4 inch seams! Also, I received a box from Liz at The Quilted Turtle. I won a box of tulip bulbs. Sorry Liz, no picture. They're already safely tucked away in my basement sleeping, waiting for fall planting. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving! Thanks!
















Thanks also to Madge of It's a Mad Madge World for this award. You make my day too! Thanks so much. It means so much that folks are visiting, reading, enjoying. Pass on some bloggy love to these ladies. They all have great blogs that are fun, inspirational reading. You may even learn some science...isn't that right, Liz! Lastly, a former Tallgrass lurker contacted me. She's a lurker no longer and now she's a blogger. Yup, took the plunge. Good for her and good for all of you too. She's got five children, loves to craft and has no space to really do what she loves. So, she's organizing and purging and believe it or not, giving away some of her excess supplies including stash. You can get fabric for free and at the same time welcome a new blogger. So head on over to Jennifer's blog. Sign up for her giveaways, but more importantly become her blog friend.

33 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I LOVE those red and white blocks. The bias print gingham is especially great.

Rebekah said...

your red and white quilt is really beautiful! I can't wait to see what the patterned blocks look like when they're part of a quilt top

Liz said...

So glad the blubs arrived... hopefully they'll make you smile next spring. And yes, I am a science geek at heart :)

Madge said...

love the red and white blocks and can't wait to see the other squares as a top.

Unknown said...

Red and white, always so fresh and striking. Looking forward to see what your new blocks will end up being a part of.

Blondie said...

I love the red and white! Looking forward to seeing what you're creating from the other blocks, too!

Anonymous said...

Glad you found your groove again! Can't wait to see the finished products. :~)

MichelleB said...

Those red and white blocks are FABULOUS. I can hardly wait to see the other blocks, too.

Doris said...

I love your free-form, no pattern quilts! You are very talented!

Anonymous said...

I love the red and white. I can't wait too see if finished.

Anonymous said...

Red and white are my favorites, and I'm wanting to make a quilt from these colors too! I also love the 30 squares with the browns, oranges, greens, etc. How pretty!

May Kristin said...

Love your red and white blocks. The quilt will look great! You are teasing us with the other blocks! look forward to more!

Yummers! said...

I love, love, love the red and white quilt. Of course red is my favorite color. But the quilt looks so clean and crisp and fresh. And I think you did a wonderful job of making a quilt that isn't perfectly symmetrical. So much more interesting!!
Joni
PS Project Runway starts tonight... yea!!!

Amanda Jean said...

I can relate with losing the groove you were in. I have done that many times. (too many to count, actually...I think it may be the one and only drawback of improvisational piecing.)

that being said, I adore that quilt.

bettyninja said...

Great work- red and white long rectangles looks fabulous

Anonymous said...

Oh My gosh!! A friend sent me your link and I just love your blog! I have it bookmarked so I can find my way back - I feel totally motivated to get off of this computer and go sew! Love your circle quilt - on the back of the couch - my quilt group has been in a "circle rut" for quite some time now! Love the new red quilt too! My parents used to live in Lake Quivira - do you live near there? Thanks! Nan

Unknown said...

I am so glad that you got your groove on! Your blocks look great - and now I am anticipating seeing more of your 30 blocks. All those fun prints are bound to be a fun quilt :)

Heidi said...

You mean there is a pink version of the "Atoms" pattern! That would be the lovely fabric in your yet-to-be-squared-off picture that has the pink background. I have the blue version of it. It totally reminds me of those clocks from the 60's that were wood and also looked like someone took a giant Tinker Toy set and made a clock with it.

The red and white quilt is lovely. I am sure it will be well loved as a graduation present. I hate loosing my place in a project too. I have to be diligent about writing stuff down or my poor brain doesn't know what to do to pick back up where I was.

Anonymous said...

I really cant wait to see how that second quilt turns out. Love the fabric.

The Calico Cat said...

Still love the red quilt. (I am going to do mine with the patterns - one less thing to forget.)

beki said...

Ooo, I'm sure both those quilts will be stunning! I've been feeling the urge to make another quilt. I think I want to do it totally from my scrap basket, which is overflowing. I keep holding on to those scraps thinking that I'll do something with them, but it's time to give them new life. It's all about playing...

KateKwiltz said...

LOVE the red & white! Glad you're back in the groove, it looks wonderful! Thanks also for your kind words yesterday -- I'm looking forward to blogging!

Alison said...

I adore your red and white blocks!! I have always wanted to have a red and white quilt!

Anonymous said...

I love the red and white. I definitely know what you mean about setting a project aside and when you pick it back up it takes a while just to figure out where you left off and what to do next.

ellen said...

Your creativity never ceases to amaze me!

Marie' said...

Seeing your projects helps me while I miss my fabric and machine. The red quilt looks great!

dutchcomfort said...

Love the blocks.

I had a funny experience the other day, while working out on the rowing machine at the gym I looked at the rectangle hole in which the chain runs... I immediately saw a quilt-block shape in it... and your blocks look a lot like it!
So my mind is suffering from some distortion!

Leanne said...

You are really amazing .... just winging a quilt top.....I love the combination of the red and white.

MightyMom said...

ah yes, little cheat sheets are a must as it takes me forever to finish these things....but making it up as you go along can be sooo fun!!

catching up with you, sorry I've been away.

Lady Beekeeper said...

I nominated you for one of those online awards - I know you've already received one but your blog is just too good to let that stop me from naming you. Details are on my blog - stop by when you get the time. Cheers!

jovaliquilts said...

I know what you mean about improvisational things getting away from you. Good luck picking up where you left off! And the red & white blocks are great.

Solveig said...

I love your red and white blocks! Looking foreward to see the finished quilt!

Jackie Russell said...

I love the red & white blocks!