Reveal of Four In Art Mini Literature Quilt

My final quilt in this year's art quilt series with the theme Literature, as with my other 3 pieces, illustrates a children's book. The idea to use this book came to me in August while I was out with a friend, carrying our plastic pails as we walked the sandy soil of the local blueberry patch. (I wish now I had taken a few photos of the blueberry patch.) The photo below shows one small part of my 12" x 12" mini quilt.

In 2009, the book was ranked 13th of the "Top 100 Picture Books". The characters of Sal and her mother are modeled after McCloskey's daughter, Sally and his wife, Peggy, according the Wikipedia.

I remember, as an elementary school teacher, showing the 1967 film to my classes. (The film was ancient but enlarged the book illustrations, showing each page as the narrator read the story.) His voice sounded so kind and gentle. I can still hear the melody as he repeated the sound of the 3 blueberries Sal would drop in her pail before she ate them up. . . and then dropped 3 more into her pail, over and over again.

The word "onomatopoeia" is one I still like to say. It just sounds wonderful. It means the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (like sizzle, clunk, hiccup).

The story is one of mother and child (human and bear) gathering berries on Blueberry Hill for the winter. Sal's mother will can the berries in jars; mother bear and cub will eat them before hibernating. It is an adventure as well as a lesson in concepts such as the seasons and comparison and contrast, to name just two.

 As both families head in opposite directions on Blueberry Hill, Sal and the bear cub wander off and loose track of mother. Hearing a sound, they begin following the wrong mother. Both mothers realize they are being followed by the wrong youngster and all are properly reunited. Sal does manage to drop one last berry in her bucket. 

I folded 2-1/2" fabric squares diagonally, sewed them in the top corners of the piece. Added the binding front to back. The corners are now pockets that will hold a dowel for hanging on the wall in the Children's Library room at the local library. 

An old photo of the Newaygo Carnegie Free Library which opened in 1915.

This year marks its Centennial.

Our town, and many others of various sizes, was a benefactor of the immense philanthropic efforts of Andrew Carnegie. "He believed passionately that wealth should not be squandered by the person who gathered it, but be reinvested into the community to aid the public good." This quote and the one below, come from an article on the subject in Michigan History Magazine.

"From 1883 until 1920 Carnegie underwrote the cost of hundreds of public libraries across the United States (and in some other countries). Grants were provided to small towns, large cities, and some of the earliest suburban areas. In total, the program endowed the construction of 1,688 buildings throughout the U.S., serving a total of 1,419 communities. Michigan--with 61 of these edifices--was a sizable beneficiary of Carnegie's generosity. Of these, 50 still stand and 26 still function as libraries. Their reach extends to all corners of the state, from Detroit in the southeast to Ironwood in the northwest."

It is amazing that he had such foresight.

And it is amazing that our small town has one of only 26 of these libraries still in use in Michigan as a library. It was over the span of 4 or 5 years that our library worked toward much needed renovations. With the efforts of the Friends of the Library and other citizens, funding was obtained for renovations and many citizens, community groups and businesses, and grants helped make it possible. 

Although this year's theme is completed, I will continue to make more mini quilts for the library.

Visit the others involved in the Four-In-Art Challenge:

Betty at a Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com

Catherine  at Knotted Cotton

Elizabeth at OPQuilt.com 

Nancy at  Patchwork Breeze

Simone at Quiltalicious

Susan at PatchworknPlay

I will be participating in the Christmas Is In My Heart Blog Hop. 

It begins November 12, 2015 and my blog date is November 17. 

Hope you are able to visit all the bloggers and see what they have 

come up with to add heart to their Christmas quilting.

Click the logo to get all the details on dates and giveaways. 

Four in Art a Closer Look

One of my fellow Four in Art-ers wanted to get a closer look at my 3rd Quarter piece. I saved the photo as a smaller file which would not allow for details to show. I am posting a high resolution photo today. 

Our next topic in this series is CONTRAST. I am thinking of a number of ideas and methods to show the contrast in the theme of URBAN. Hummm....

Create with the heart.

Today is our 3rd quarter reveal.
Our focus theme was Landmarks. 
I knew almost immediately what landmark I wanted to put into a quilt--the blue pedestrian bridge in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

I am happy to present my small 12" x 12" quilt, titled, "Blue Bridge."

What I wasn't sure of was what media I would use to show it. Would I use thread, ribbon, paints, artist paintsticks, fabric, oh, what a process. 

To make a long story short, I used 30 wt. Gutterman thread. I was very pleased with the results. 

I wanted to focus to be the landmark, so I did not do great detailing in any of the other portion of the quilt. 

To give you just a bit of history on this bridge, I will quote from History Grand Rapids.org website with my condensation of the history of the bridge:

"The Blue Footbridge [was] formerly the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad bridge. The original railroad bridge was built in 1868; its replacement, built in 1874, was destroyed in 1883 during the great log jam. The current bridge, the oldest railroad bridge in the city, was built in 1892. Trains crossing this bridge traveled between Muskegon and Mackinaw City. When rail traffic ceased in the 1980s, the span was restored, painted its distinctive blue color, and became a pedestrian walkway across the Grand River known as the Blue Bridge." http://www.historygrandrapids.org/photo/1548/blue-bridge

In the not so distant past, the bridge had a 21st Century upgrade. After a fresh coat of blue paint (no one wanted to change the color), color-changing LED lights were added to the Blue Bridge in October, 2013. The bridge spans can now be lit up with splashes of one or more colors on any ocassion. View the changing lights at:

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/10/see_led_lights_transform_blue.html

I found a scrap of fabric for the backing that made me think of bridges. And I borrowed Elizabeth's method of making labels--using the Four in Art logo and making sure I put all the information about this 4th project in the series on it. 

 Thank you for visiting. Be sure to look at the quilts of the other members in this group.

Amanda  at whatthebobbin.com

Anne  at springleafstudios.com

Betty at a Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toot2

Carla at lollyquiltz.blogspot.com

Elizabeth at opquilt.com

Leanne at shecanquilt.ca

Nancy at  patchworkbreeze.blogspot.com (you are here)

Rachel at rachel-thelifeofriley.blogspot.com

Four in Art Reveal

Urban Structures Reveal

Today is the reveal of the Four in Art Urban Structures theme for this quarter. I am happy with the results of my piece. I did more than a month's worth of thinking, sketching and pondering as to how I would depict Structure under our theme of Urban. I had so many ideas; some of which I will use in later projects. What I did execute was the use of words used in the building trade to create the piece. There are a number of words on the quilt, in fact, every part of the building contains printed words. From a distance the quilt looks like a building. But it is interactive, as the viewer will approach the quilt to examine it and begin to "read" it.

In an AQS class taught by Bill Kerr this past August, he told us that if one were to use fabric with words printed on it, there should be a number of word prints throughout the quilt. Otherwise, people would focus on the few words on the quilt and lose the ability to view the entire quilt. 

I wanted to use my computer printer to print on treated fabric for this project. I had so many thoughts on what to print, but the final idea came from my memories of building a treehouse with my dad as a youngster. He believed that even I, a girl, should learn to use tools. Then my husband and I built our own house during our first year of marriage with the help of his father and some friends. It was a wonderful experience. 

I have built many things using mostly wood; but, to build the home we lived in for 5 years was a great accomplishment. I have always viewed with awe, the buildings that people have constructed. From that of early man, the longhouse, wigwam, sod house, lean-to, or log cabin, to such great structures as the Eiffel Tower, the castles of Europe, the Empire State Building, Taipei 101, and the Tashmahal Hall, to name but a few. So with that I decided that I would print words on the printer fabric and construct a building--the shape of which one might see in an urban setting. I titled it, "Building Structures in Urbanania."

I did not put a binding on this project. Instead, I quilted the 3 layers, then trimmed to 12-1/2" square. Using a technique I saw Ricky Tims demonstrate, I covered the front with a solid black fabric, right sides together, and sewed around the entire perimeter. 

I cut a hole in the solid black piece that covered the quilt front and trimmed off the corner tips. This allowed me to turn the solid black piece to the back and the corners did not bunch.

I sewed the raw edge under by hand as if appliqueing. Ricky Tims makes wonky shapes on his quilt backs using this method, but the circular shape suited me just fine.

I attached a printed label, this time including the Four in Art logo.

Have you been able to try a new concept on a quilt project, or make a small project using some new idea? What was it? Leave me a message telling about it. 

Take time to visit the other Four in Art projects revealed today.  Here is the list:

Amanda @What the Bobbin
Anne @Spring Leaf Studios
Rachel@Life of Riley
Carla @Lollyquiltz
Elizabeth @Occasional Piece-Quilt
Betty @Flickr Site
Leanne @She Can Quilt 

Four in Art Reveal

Today is the day of the Four in Art reveal of our first quarter projects. The overall theme was URBAN. Our first topic is "Maps." I can't wait to see how the other 7 members of the group have interpreted the topic.

I thought for quite awhile about how to make a 12" x 12" Urban map themed art quilt. I posted some thoughts HERE.  

As I looked at maps, especially older maps, I saw how a river was the important aspect of the city's development. My research also showed how parcels were divided when a city was established. In many instances it was one (or a few) land-owner(s) who planned the city. The parcels were surveyed and given to or purchased by others. The naming of streets and sections of the city show interesting histories. (A study for another time in a maps series topic.)

I finally decided on making a layout of part of a city map with the idea of "a river runs through it." So I present my art quilt:

I used two of my favorite colors: turquoise and lime. I wanted to reflect the need for a clean river, a healthy environment for creatures that depend on the river as well as how it can be used by the citizens. 

One of the things that I think makes a city a great place to visit or live is its cultural center. That lead me to applique some circlular shapes symbolizing gardens and art and/or entertainment. I included green areas to represent parks. The flag parcel represents government and is important to all cities.

All the pieces were backed with fusible then appliqued and topstitched with small zigzag. I used straight stitching to outline the roads. I used two layers of stitching for the roadways to make it show up. The roads stitching is the quilting through all layers. 

The binding is attached one side at a time. This is the same method I detailed in an earlier blog HERE. I used binder clips to hold the binding as I sewed it instead of the water soluble basting tape. 

I sewed corner fast fold triangles for the hanger. This was a trick I learned from Ami Simms website (here). I baste them in place before the binding is put on. I then put a small dowel in the two corner triangles and am able to hang the piece with one nail in the wall.   

I do not know yet what the next topic will be, but look forward to finding out very soon. 

More quilts depicting this theme of Urban/Maps can be found at:

Leanne of She Can Quilt

Rachel of The Life of Riley

Betty from her Flickr site

Amanda of What the Bobbin?

Elizabeth of Occasional Piece 

Anne of SpringLeaf Studios

Carla of Lollyquiltz

Another Applique Block and More. . .

First, the next Autumn Applique Animal Block that I designed is this little crow. I thought with the corn being harvested, a crow might be worthy of an applique. I suppose it could be used with a Halloween decorating theme as well. Come back tomorrow to see my next applique design. (Check below the schedule to find out about the BIG Giveaway, as well as my smaller giveaway.)

The Autumn Applique Animal Blog Hop 
schedule is as follows: 

October 21st

Bea Beaquilter

Jane’s Quilting

October 22nd

Connie Freemotion by the River

October 23rd

Amy Sew Incredibly Crazy

SewCalgal

October 24th

Nancy Patchwork Breeze

Marian Seams to Be Sew

October 25th

Carol Funthreads

 "EQ Mouse" Electric Quilt

And, don't forget:

Electric Quilt Company is sponsoring this hop and is giving away ONE full version of the EQ 7 program ($189 value) to ONE lucky person.  It is easy to enter! 

Just comment on the featured blog(s) each day. From the combined comments of all the blogs, ONE lucky person will be chosen on November 1. The winner will be picked by random.org 

Don't forget my own special giveaway for one lucky commenter.
On October 24, my featured day, your comment will count as one of the entries for the EQ7 program giveaway.

PLUS, I will count it as an entry for my giveaway. You can earn a second entry for my giveaway by returning here on October 25 and leaving a comment telling me which of my applique designs you could possibly use in a project. I will announce my giveaway winner on October 28. 

I must have a way to contact you. If you are a no-reply blogger, or do not have a blog, you must leave your email address in the comment. If I can't contact you, I will not be able to include you in the drawing. I do not accept anonymous comments. They go into my spam file! I will leave this contest open until 11:59 EST on October 25, 2013.  

My New Pattern Announcement!

I got word from Cut Loose Press that my first pattern is ready for print! I am so excited. They said they would release the information on the Checker website later on Tuesday, October 22! Yeah! I am doing a happy dance. I will post a photo tomorrow.

Teaching Samples in Progress
The next newsletter for The New Ewe is being drafted. I have been working on the class samples. One class is Kitchen Trio a microwave bowl cozie, a potholder, and a microwave heating pouch (AKA: Potato Bag, Corn Bag, etc.). These were easy and fun to make. I am still working on a casserole/tablerunner combo and two months of mug rug patterns. 

"Four in Art" Challenge Progress

I have the applique portion of my 12" square piece done and am ready to begin the quilting. I bought heavier hand quilting thread to use. I will do a test sample to see how it works in the sewing machine with a larger needle. If not, I will be hand quilting!

I have been inspired by Elizabeth's postings regarding our year-long theme of "Urban" with our first quarter focus on "Maps." I have not posted any photos yet. I am a new member of this group and I do not know what I would or should post. I will take photos prior to quilting for posting.

Visit Wednesday to see my next applique design.

Mapping The Way-Four in Art Project

I feel very privileged to have been accepted into the Four in Art on-line group just this past month. I am taking this membership quite responsibly. 

The theme for this year is Urban and the challenge for this quarter is Urban Maps.

I have done a great deal of thinking about this topic. How shall I quilt about maps in a 12” square space?

I could do a piece showing a city map with streets and work colors in to show types of land use: buildings, neighborhoods, parks, or all of it.

I could do a piece incorporating words found on city maps using stenciling, paints, stitches and such.

Should I show how a city developed by creating a sheer overlay of a present day map that can lift to reveal a dated map from a century ago?

Should I focus on new technology such as GPS mapping, or what about mass transportation maps?

Maybe I could do an abstract representation of a city map using a cut and slash method of quilt making.

Make a color study of a statistical map indicating population, poverty, etc.  

There are so many choices. I must narrow it down to two or three and get working on it, since November 1 will be on me in no time.

In my research, I discovered that from the 14^th Century on, mapmakers used a combination of methods to produce a pictorial city map. They included painting, sketching and engraving. I see the making of an art quilt piece today is similar to what mapmakers have been doing for hundreds of years.

I have learned that a pictorial map was intended as a decorative object and communities felt a sense of importance if one was made for them. Maps were most commonly drawn from the perspective of the cartographer, creating a perspective view rather than an aerial view, which did not allow a person to see all there was in the city. Leonardo da Vinci improved on mapmaking by drawing plans of a city layout and building outlines. These maps moved away from pictorial oblique maps toward outline plans. In the 18^th Century, balloons tethered above London helped cartographers see and record the layout of streets and roads although the wind posed some problems.

A few books I found helpful were:

Understanding Maps of Our World: Maps and Cities, published by Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2010

The Penguin Historical Atlas of North America, by Eric Homberger, 1995, Penguin Books

One Planet Many People: Atlas of Our Changing Environment, published by United Nations Environment Programme, 2005  NOTE: This book is spectacular for the photography. It is an oversized book and very heavy but fascinating.

As I was investigating the topic on the internet, I came across the webpage for Valeria S. Goodwin, who designs cartographic, architectural, and abstract quilts. She written a book Art Quilt Maps: Capture a Sense of Place with Fiber Collage-A Visual Guide that C & T Publishing has just released. It looks like a book I must view!