V is for Victory

V is for Victory
49" x 61"

This lovely bright and fun quilt was a challenge from the Austin Modern Quilt Guild.  The challenge was to get a surprise "funky" fabric and make something cool from it.  To compete for a small motivational prize, the quilt has to be completed, which includes quilting, the binding, and the Austin MQG label on the back.  We were also supposed to keep our project a secret, presumably to make the voting fair.  So, our funky fabric arrived in a small brown paper sack, with a secret number, instructions and the little label.

Well, the cat is out of the bag for me.  I am not really motivated by winning a prize.  I like the challenge.  I like making quilts.  And I like that this quilt will be given to a child.  I also think that by sharing our progress along the way, we have an opportunity to inspire others.  Why keep that a secret? ...even for a few months?

So I started with this fabric:

small scale multicolored floral - the challenge fabric cut into 2" squares

It is not particulary funky or ugly, but it isn't anything I would ever buy.  I do like florals, but more so of the Marimekko variety:

tote I made from Marimekko fabric, YES, floral, large scale, very graphic....LOVE!

The challenge fabric has a lot of colors in it, but the main three were red, blue, and yellow.  That is not my normal palette, and as I struggled with what to do with this, I tried several things.
1.  I tried pairing it with reds, yellows, and blues.
2.  I thought if I cut it small enough, like the 2" squares above, I could blend it in with other things.

Ultimately, I decided that the 2" squares were making unnecessary work for myself.  I wanted to work bigger and make a bigger quilt than the required minimum.  So, I went with stripes.  I learned that putting pretty and bold fabrics next to the challenge fabric had the unexpected result of making the challenge fabric a neutral!  Who would of thought?  I think it works because the scale of the floral is so small.  It is the only fabric that I used multiple times in the quilt (about 6 times), you don't see IT when you look at the quilt.  You see mostly the bright bigger scale fabrics.

I also listened to my heart and tossed out the fabrics I paired with this that were causing me distress.  I had some lovely blues and purples that honestly just didn't work regardless of the "thinking" that thought they "should". Just let it go.  I am delighted with the results.  I learned a lot with this project.

The back:

I wanted a back that would go with the quilting lines that I intended to put on the front, and so I opted for giant half square triangles.  I think these are about 17" blocks.  And the fabrics are fun!  I used at least one Malka Dubrawsky (my batik teacher from long ago), a few from my only fabric line (Urban Landscapes) with Clothworks, and a bunch of new fabrics I got from STOF when I made a quilt for them, and a few other prints and batiks that I had in my stash.  A great combination! And functionally, this lovely charity quilt is now two sided!
Here are a few shots of the two sided quilted pillows I made a few months ago from the same STOF fabrics (the circles, and the stripes).  They go great with my green IKEA sofa and pink Owl IKEA pillow!

The Pi Project

The Pi Project
aka, playing with numbers!

This next year Pi Day will fall on 3.14.15!  A very cool combination!  In celebration The Pi Project plans to make a very long ribbon of fabric numbers, all sewn together, with the correct sequence of pi.  The public is being encouraged to participate by donating 9.5" x 9.5" numbers.  Details can be found here.  I decided this might be a fun project, so I spent the day making numbers!  And if you are curious, I didn't make them in order, nor did I intend to make this many!  I planned to make just a few, maybe three?  But then I started having too much fun!!

Fusible applique on commercial cottons

Made from individually cut batiked squares and fused to the background.

some of my batiked flowers, individually cut, and fused together, then cut in the shape of a 2 and fused to the background.

some fabric from my Urban Landscapes fused to the checkered background.

Fusible applique on some fun commercial cottons.

Individually cut batik circles fused to the background and top-stitched

both 8's use some of my hand made batiks, the first has hand-stitching, the second machine stitching.  I liked them both, so decided to send both!

Playing with them now!  Don't they look cute in this hopscotch layout!  Might be fun to make a quilt like this!

Blue Circles

Blue Circles
I was just playing with different tools to easily stamp out big circles in batik.  This is one piece that I did as an experiment, and I was looking for something to practice quilting to get back into the swing of things.  I had already done this one.  And since I showed the beginning of this project on this post, I thought I would update it's progress. The first was completed so quickly that I thought it would be fun to do another one (and it was!).  So many of my projects are rather big and intricate.  Sometimes, it is nice to do something quick and simple.
Here is the initial layout of fabrics:  I like the way it looks so natural with several of my Urban Landscapes fabrics!

 And then I layered it, and machine quilted.  Then added some hand stitching.

Not today, and probably not tomorrow, but some day I will either put a binding on it, or make it into a nice big pillow.  I just can't decide!  I do love the texture of the hand quilting with embroidery floss though!

Good bye Clothworks

Good bye Clothworks

It is with great sadness that I tell you that I will no longer be designing fabrics for Clothworks.  It has been a fabulous experience for me and I love dearly all the people at Clothworks!  Like two friends who's paths diverge, and so it is with us.  I like to think that there will be new opportunities for me.  I have been creating lots of new designs, but I am not ready to market them yet.  And I don't know why.  I mention this now because Quilt Market in Houston is coming up soon, and I will not be going for the first time in a long time.  I will miss the excitement and the friends I always see there. 

Meanwhile, my kids are both in school now, and as I say goodbye to homeschooling, I say hello to time in my studio.  I have been richly rewarded.  My enthusiasm for creating my art quilts is in full swing.  I wake up each day excited about what I will work on for the day.  Yesterday, it was dyeing....as in, see my blue arms where the gloves leaked?? Today it was a fun filled morning with our art quilt bee, catching up and dreaming of new projects.

And a little tribute to my long ago launched fabric collection, Urban Landscapes.....here are some new pincushions (see above), designed and built just like the buildings on my 3D quilts like Central Park, and Little Fish in a Big City.  I will be showing how to make these at Quilting Arts Open Studios at the International Quilt Festival in Houston.

And...who can forget this image?  It was the number one all time occurring hit on my blog.  Thanks for stopping by!

Blue Towers

Blue Towers
36" x 48"

Blue Towers

 You may remember my earlier post here regarding this wonderful quilt and it's acceptance into The Space Between, curated by Jamie Fingal and Leslie Jenison. The exhibit will debut at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach July 28-31, 2011 and is sponsored by Moore's Sewing Centers.
Well....today is my day for an artist interview on their blog Dinner at Eight Artists.  Check it out!

And, I thought it would be the perfect day to reveal my quilt.  Be sure to click on the photos if you would like to see a larger picture!  I always love to share the story behind my work, the inspiration that set my creative juices in motion.  However, I thought it would be interesting to hear your thoughts this time.  What does this image evoke for you?  What story does it tell for you?  Leave your comments!  I will post the story behind this one next week.

close up of the quilting in the sky

detail of the window

And, for inquiring minds, some info about it's construction.  All the fabrics were hand made specifically for this quilt.  I dyed two pieces of dark blue fabric for the background in two different shades.  I always like to do that, then I get a choice of which one looks better with my design, and I have extra fabric for the backing. You have seen this window motif before, here in Building UP, and here in my fabric line, Urban Landscapes.

What you are looking at below:  The blue fabric was stamped with the window block motif: a small wooden block with the center carved out and a separate stamp for the cross in the center.  The blue is then bleach discharged. Without boiling out any wax yet, I dye paint the inside of the windows, some with red, some with green.  Then after the dye has dried, I paint over the green and red windows with wax to protect them from the next round of dyeing.  This set was then dyed turquoise, and eventually the wax is boiled out in a giant pot.

The long panels are fused and cut to their respective shapes, fused to the background, layered with batting and fabric backing, and then intensely machine quilted.  The last step was to add the hand stitching with embroidery floss.  The binding was machine satin stitched first and then whip stitched with black embroidery floss.  The floss adds such a nice texture that once I get started, it is hard to quit!  I absolutely love this quilt, which is a problem when it is time to ship it.  I like finishing work early enough that I get to enjoy it for a while before I have to send it away where it will greet the world with fresh enthusiasm!  Bon Voyage!

Pretty Patchwork

Pretty Patchwork

This is a pretty little quilt that my daughter started a few years ago.  It turns out that she doesn't really like sewing, or maybe, she just doesn't like it at this point in her life.  It has been sitting on a shelf for quite a while and I thought it might be nice to finish it up for her.  She was in perfect agreement!  And...as an added bonus, it was something easy enough to do while I am trying to get my strength back.  I can't even begin to tell you how great it feels to start working again, and this sense of accomplishment for finishing a small project.  The quilting was hard to do, (by machine), but my darling daughter does not require perfection from me, so it worked great for both of us!
And, here is the back.  The center is made from a piece of fabric my daughter batiked and dyed.  I cut it up and rearranged it (with her permission).  It think it makes a lovely center, and it is framed by at least two of my fabrics from Urban Landscapes. 

Part two....I always wonder what my cats are up to while I am working away in my studio.  Here they are right outside the door....just waiting for me to show up.  They are seriously cute!!

Urban Landscapes Itajame

Urban Landscapes Itajame
Step one:  clamping on the circles and removing color with bleach discharge. 
I really like the way they look.  The pale backgrounds in contrast with the bright circles, and especially with the contrast of the leaves on the trees. 
Step two:  adding color back in.  I will select some of these and clamp the circles back on and overdye. 
I am making a twinkle quilt (be sure to scroll down just a little) ala, Malka Dubrawsky. 
Ever read the back of shampoo bottles?  Rinse, repeat?  I will be doing a lot of that in the next few weeks.  Mostly happy that this is something I can do, perhaps even therapeutic, in more than one way!

Cute Purse!

Cute Purse!

My friend Susan Tennison just made this fabulous purse and posted on Facebook.  I asked her if she minded if I put it on my blog to share with you.  She was delighted!  It is made from a purse pattern in M'liss Rae Hawley's book 101 Fabulous Fat-Quarter Bags.  I just love the way Susan used my Urban Landscapes fabrics to make this.  I am told there are interesting Urban Landscapes fabrics on the inside too, so I might sneak down to the Quilt Store to see it.  It is on display there.  You can see more of Urban Landscapes here.

Now for the rest of you....if anyone else has an image to share featuring my fabrics....I would love to post it!

It's Not too Late

It's Not too Late

To start making gifts for the holiday season.  These were made by a friend of mine.  She used the pattern from my article on drawstring bags (or cleaning up cable clutter) in Quilting Arts Gifts magazine.  And she used my fabric, Urban Landscapes, as she is proud of my accomplishments and is obviously super supportive!  THANK YOU!!!  I borrowed them to take a photo on my back deck.  Yes, my picnic table is really aqua blue!  I just think they look so cute with the ribbons.  I hadn't thought of ribbons for the drawstring, but I love the look.  Very cute!

Flower Box

Flower Box
I am so thrilled to announce that my block made it into Quiltmakers' 100 Blocks issue!  It will hit the newstands on Nov. 16.  This week they are having a blog tour of the designers in the magazine, and I am happy to be participating in that as well.  And to thank you for stopping by, I will host a small Giveaway!  Leave a comment on my blog by Friday, and I will randomly select a winner to get a free issue of the magazine! And, be sure and checkout Quiltmaker's website, they are having giveaways as well, and I have sent a small little gift for that as well!!

I used my fabric, Urban Landscapes, to create this fun applique block!  See below for several setting ideas.  I can't decide which one I like the best, on point, or just straight up.  I think the red border is my favorite though, what do you think?



Flower Box Block



Blocks on point, blue border

Blocks on point, red border

Blocks with a red and yellow border

New Tote for Quilt Festival

New Tote for Quilt Festival
I can't help myself!  I just loved this cover on Quilting Arts Magazine so much!! So much, that I ripped it off the magazine, layered it many times with Mod Podge, and then glued it to a foundation to make the front of this tote bag.  I was inspired by Beach Garden Quilts and what they do with Mod Podge and fabric to make floor mats.  It worked!  And the cover is my quilt, and it is a quilt about me and now it's me on my own tote!! lol! Too much?

And also, how wonderful my Urban Landscapes fabric look made up in this tote.  On the back side I used the 9 dot in a block pattern to make a spacious outer pocket.  I am also getting better with the zippers.  I put a small zippered pocket inside, and I have learned the magic of magnetic button thingies for a closure.  It is almost the size of a shopping tote, and I am hoping it will come in handy at the quilt show.

And, since I am getting some experience with tote bags now, it was kind of fun to change up the pattern a bit!  I love the shape and the double straps!!

Urban Landscape Doll

Urban Landscape Doll
Yesterday, I got this wonderful note from Nancy Roberts, who just happened to be the winner of my fabric giveaway on my blog.  She sent me photos of what she did with some of the fabric, and it is just wonderful!

Hi Kathy-...I won the fat quarters and fabric bag on your blog last August and told you I'd show you when I used some of the fabric in a project. Well I chose one of the fat quarters and made the dress for this donation doll to be given to children in Haitian orphanages and medical clinics. And  her twin brother has a shirt made from selvages. I've published them on my blog if you get a chance to take a look. The Urban Landscape fabric is perfect for her little dress! Many thanks. Best regards, Nancy Roberts

I think she is right.  The dress is super cute, and the selvages look wonderful too! You can visit her blog here.

Meanwhile, stay tuned, I have a lot of blog entries to post this next week.  First, I wanted to show off my new tote bag for the Houston Quilt Festival.  It is my first foray into mixed media and involves a certain magazine cover....

I also am planning to show my entry for Quilt National, that is sadly not going to the show.  This happens to all of us, more frequently than you might expect, but onward is the slogan around here.  And, I am also part of a blog tour for Quiltmaker's 100 blocks.  They have published my block using Urban Landscapes fabric and the magazine will be available November 17.  I will also have a giveaway on my blog for one of the magazines!  And it would not be entirely unreasonable to expect a post about the Houston International Quilt Festival, since I am headed there for the weekend and looking forward to the spectacular quilt viewing, shopping, and hanging out with friends!!

Quilt Market Report

Quilt Market Report
Well, I am back from Quilt Market in Houston.  I only got to stay for one day, but it was a fantastic day! I had lunch with Candice Hoffman, President of Clothworks.  I hung out at the Clothworks booth for a while, visiting with everyone and watching the sale reps do their thing.  It is an amazing process watching the sales reps juggle complicated schedules and still maintain their cool while showing the new lines.  I had assumed it would be harried and rushed, but instead they make it look so effortless and relaxed.  Kudos!

Lunch with Candice Hoffman

Hanging out with Joyce Cronkhite and Brandi Frey.

Across from the Clothworks booth, was Beach Garden Quilts.  I got to meet Lynette and Laura (see photo at the bottom of post).  They have made some really cool stuff with my fabric, Urban Landscapes, that I wanted to share with you.  Right behind my head is an adorable little bag (perfect for a child!).  Under my feet, a highchair mat.  Wish I had one of these when my kids were small!  So wonderful, and so useful!  And I personally love the fabric they chose!  They also made some cool dog leashes, makes me want a dog again!  lol! Check out their website, lots of neato patterns.

Beach Garden Quilts made this super adorable highchair playmate!  Recognize the fabric (Urban Landscapes)!

Beach Garden Quilts made up this cute quilt from Urban Landscapes.  Love it!

There were a few other booths that I liked.  Sorry I didn't get a picture to share, darn it!  Kinkame had the cutest display.  Yoko had cut up tiny shirt patterns from each fabric and hung them from a laundry line.  The effect was charming!

I probably should have spent more time at the other booths at Market, but to be honest, it was a little overwhelming!  And, the quilts were calling me.  I spent the entire afternoon looking at quilt exhibits.  It was so quiet I could hear the traffic on the highway behind the Brown Convention Center.  There were only a handful of us looking at quilts.  It was almost eery the way the security outnumbered the viewers!  Especially since I know how different it will look when the crowds descend upon the show in full force next week!  I enjoyed the quiet, but partly because I knew I will be back next weekend for festival!  To summarize, the quilts are spectacular!  It's a good show this year, many, many great exhibits.  I will try to blog about those next week.  If you get a chance to go, then go!  You will be amazed!

Here we are at the Clothworks cocktail party before I had to leave to go home.  Fabulous group! Fabulous times!

This group know how to party! Miryam, Brandi, Lynette, me, Laura, and Joyce.

Urban Landscapes

Urban Landscapes leggings for the trees I love taking geometric and regular shapes and turning them into an organic shape. It's unexpected and wonderful! Maybe that's why I wrapped my trees in Urban Landscape. Or maybe to announce to my neighbors my new fabric line (as many stopped while I was working to comment!). Maybe I have been inspired by Christo? There is plethora of tree art in Austin that also resides in my subconscious. Maybe all of the above? I'm not sure, but I knew I wanted to try this idea before I cut into my stash.....well except for those curtains I made for my daughter (see previous post). This just looks so stinking cool!! And don't you wish you could put some on your trees? Or....all over the trees in a downtown area??? That would look super cool! If you are in the neighborhood, drive by, this isn't staying up long, probably not even overnight, but at least we will have the photos to look at! If you want to buy some of these lovely bright happy fabrics, you might want to hurry. I think my mom is trying to buy it ALL! lol!

Urban Landscapes Simple Curtains

Urban Landscapes Simple Curtains 

 So, I finally made time to sew some curtains for my daughter. We repainted her room last spring in this lovely combination of pink and orange. The fat boy bean bag chair is a perfect bright spot! The ceiling fan is pink against a lovely and smooth white ceiling (gone is the popcorn texture and pale blue paint from her infant days). The curtains were incredibly easy to make. I found these snap together white rings at Fanny's Fabrics in Austin. They snap apart. Then you trace a circle and cut the fabric slightly larger. Last, set one piece of the ring on top, the other on the bottom and then snap the two pieces together. No grommet tools required. I LOVE the simplicity. I lined the curtains in a plain white fabric and used crinoline in the top to stabilize the edge. It works great! Easy to slide open and closed. Heck, even the cat likes it! And, sweet adorable daughter is wearing the happy contented smile that warms my heart!