The Endeavourers Challenge Reveal

Happy November 1!

The Endeavourers Challenge projects for this quarter 

are being revealed today.

You can see and read about each member's post HERE. 

Our theme for this quarter was IMPROV.

I usually work with some type of structured pattern 

that I have designed when making my art quilts. 

"Improv" to me means a free experience, no rules, no boundaries. So in executing this quilt I did come up with a means of direction (because I am left-brained in that respect). 

I wrote the names of five of my favorite quilt blocks on small pieces of paper. I looked at my 10 scraps drawers which are arranged by color. I wrote names of the 6 that were stuffed with the most fabric. I drew one block name and 2 color papers. This would give me some boundaries (sorry, Improv!). 

I would not use any rulers to cut pieces. I would allow myself to trim with scissors or a rotary cutter (eyeballing it). I'd use the 2 colors to make the log cabin blocks. I started with wonky, white 4-sided shapes for the centers. I probably should have sewn whatever color I picked out of my color bags to the next side of the block - for a truly improv piece, but "lefty" was a bit controlling. 

I put a border of orange pieces, which I think now should have been a mixture of both colors. BUT! I did do some improv quilting of the layers. 

I used my free motion foot, starting in the middle. I began with straight lines like triangles that began to wobble and finally I just wiggled around as I moved toward the outer edges. 

My wallhanging (or table topper) measures 18.5" x 17.5". That's somewhat wonky. 

I found a batik for the bakcing. I haven't used in 10 years and it worked well to hide the orange-ish stitches from the thread. 

I made an improv label by writing on the backing.

Visit the other Endeavourers' blogs to view their Improv pieces. 

Catherine

Janine

Nancy (me)

Carol

Barbara

Ruth

Gwen

Martha

Maureen

Kay

Fiona

Paula

Fitting Quilting Into a Busy Week

The past week has been a busy one. 
I worked on cleaning the house for our visitors from Seattle. 
Our daughter, son-in-law and their 2 friends were coming to spend two nights. 

Two weeks ago I bought paint. I had a coupon--buy one can, get one can free. Without much thought I began painting the walls in guest bathroom. I don't know what I was thinking! I had to patch the small marks in the drywall so the paint and walls looked really good. Then the towel racks were worn. I refinished them. It was a week-long project. I am very happy with it. I found that the small quilt I made for The Endeavourers Challenge group went well with the colors in the flooring and the newly painted towel racks! 

The guest bathroom is ready was ready for the visitors! 

I only need to hang a new shower curtain. 

The one I found online is sold out! 

But, I found fabric to make one. 

And I think I will like it even more! 

How did I fit quilting in this week? 

1. I dropped 3 quilts off to the quilter at her store. 

I saw fabric I knew would work for the shower curtains 

and bought it, so I didn't lose out like 

I did with purchasing the online curtain.

2. I used EQ to design a shower curtain. 

The details will be appliqued. 

3. I made two Halloween potholders for the visitors! 

Then my embroidery machine got a wad of thread wound up in it. 

That was time to STOP and it goes in to get fixed!

Four-In-Art Challenge Reveal

Illumination and Light, the theme for the 4th quarter reveal of the Four-in-Art challenge this year. Our online group has been creating quilted projects this year under the general theme of LIGHT, with ILLUMINATION as the sub-theme for this quarter. 

I found this sub-theme tough. When I searched the word "illumination," the medieval art of illuminating books was foremost in the results. I was thinking along the lines of light bulbs shining on a performance stage, a book while reading, a window, and many more concepts. 

I chose some photos I had taken. I liked the sun shining on the tops of trees. I really liked the lighthouse at night, and an evening sunset as we finished fishing on Lake Michigan. 

My idea was to use sun and trees. Using a shimmery bridal fabric I combined techniques I learned in classes from Ann Lovelace and Lenore Crawford. 

Illuminating Sunlight is the name I gave my quilt. The use of the bridal fabric gave it the illumination I imagined.

This is the final reveal for the Four-in-Art quilters' group. The group started 5 years ago. I joined in 2013. The founders are looking toward new quilting adventures. I have enjoyed working with this wonderful group of quilters and on the quarterly challenges. I have gained friends. I have tried new quilting techniques. I have learned so many concepts of art and quilting as we have shared our pieces over the years. I am thankful to have been a member of Four-in-Art quilt group.

Please visit the other Four-in-Art members' posts listed below. 

Simone

Rachel

Janine

Elizabeth

Betty

Catherine

Nancy (That's me, you are here!)

Our Four-in-Art Group Blog

But there is good news!

A few of us have signed on to a new quilt art group started by two of our members. 'The Endeavourers' will be revealing their first theme projects on February 1, 2018, with 14 quilters in the group. I look forward to this quilt art group as we show how we "embody the spirit of our quilts." I hope you will stop back to see what I have to reveal on February 1!