Getting Started is the Hardest Part!!

Don't you think so?

I recently had an opportunity to spend the day with one of my favorite people, Karen.

As I had her for a whole day I set out to find a project that she would enjoy that could be completed in One Day!!  

It's always hardest to Start a Project 

BUT if someone else...

Shows up with the project 

AND 

The supplies 

AND 

Says PICK.... 

I found it wasn't so hard at all!!

I happened to find the perfect project in a recent email from "Sew She Can" - "Quilting UnPlugged: design-your-own MINI QUILT" and thought this would be a perfect - One-day project!

I had recently worked on a Charity Quilt with some friends using our scraps.  I hadn't unpacked the leftovers and it just happened to be a happy 'little' container of lovely blue and aqua's that would be just the combination to get Karen's creativity going!

From this stash she picked a large flower (left fabric) as her focus piece and placed it in the large square where it would stand out. Next she grabbed a few coordinating pieces plus a background and set to work. 

Here is Karen with the beauty she created!

Fabric selected, cut, pieced, machine quilted, bound, and 

hanging pockets in the corners.

ALL done in One Day!!!  

Success! 

Now if only I could apply some of this to my WIPs!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Sewing
Marie

Crystals are like Tattoos....

At least I think they are...

We had our Creative Conglomeration reveal last night and this is my piece.

Sunapee Night Sky

As I sat up late the night before the reveal gluing ALL the crystals on my quilt it made me think of tattoos and how many people I know who have one, have many...  As in just can't get enough - or maybe just never finished.  (This is why I can't have tattoos! that and I'm a bit afraid of needles!)

Well I glued and glued and still am not sure whether I put on enough.

This quilt is made using pieces from my Sunapee Star pattern.  In addition to using one piece each from the 6", 9", and 12" stars, I used the computer to made the 6" two sizes smaller and the 12" two sizes larger for 7 total paper pieced sections.  

This is the smallest unfinished piece.

 Which became this.

 I increased the size as I went around hoping to give it a shooting star effect.

In the upper right corner I placed crystals in form the Big and Little Dipper as that is what is visible at our lakehouse when we sit at the campfire on the summer nights!  

 I drew in the lines on the Big and Little Dipper so you can see it.

Crystals are very hard to photograph!

 

This is the view from the campfire over looking the lake.

One of my favorite places to be!

I'll be linking up with Lee over at Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday!  Stop by and see what everyone is up to!
 

Around the World Blog Hop!

Maer over at The Hard-Rock Quilter tagged me to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop.  I met Maer @ an online mug rug swap and was BLOWN away with the beautiful pieces of ART she created for me!!  So much more than Mug Rugs!

In answer to Sophie over at Sophie Junction's question "does anyone know who started this? and Or why there isn't a nice long list somewhere of everyone who has blogged an Around the World Blog Hop post?"  My answer is no but I think that like she and Kate over at Kate's Quilting, the hardest part of doing this was finding 3 more people to pass it on to. And since there's no master list the thought that if you'd like to play along - do!

Here are the question and my answers:
1) What are you currently working on?
Just finished one block for Sophie's September Block Lotto. Super fun group and I won both January and February this year :)

I also just mailed a mug rug to VA for the Two for Teal Mug Rug Swap 2014 which support research for Ovarian cancer.  Can't show the whole thing as it hasn't been received but here's a peek:

 I also finished a challenge for my local guild's 30th Anniversary, which, again I can't show but here's the back - actually had a bit of time to quilt this one myself which is always fun:

here's a peek at the front:

I am also doing Tula Pink's 100 Modern Quilt Blocks with several friends. We are working on blocks 41-80 for a reveal in a few weeks.  No pics but will add some soon.

Mostly I have been working on developing a pattern using 1/2 Rectangle blocks.  I have my 72" sq and 49" sq quilt samples to my friend Lisa to have them long arm quilted and am planning to send out the rough copy to my friend, Susie who has offered to test it for me!  More on that over the next month or so!


2) How does my work differ from others?

I'm not sure that it does.  I like to think that I take things that look very hard and find an easy way to approach it.   I often work from pictures I've seen and seldom use a pattern.  I have patterns & desings 'pop' into my head constantly and grab a piece of graph paper and scribble away.  I have a tendency to jump into a project with an idea and just go with whatever sparks me.  Usually that works out but every once in a while I just make an addition to my UFO pile...  

Here's a quilt I recently made for my Creative Conglomeration Group:
For this one I took 2 photos and some clipart - mushed it into the 13" required size and:

(hubby says I made HIS face too fat, LOL, I thought I was the one with chipmuck cheeks!)



3) Why do I write and/or create what I do?

Well, this summer has been very sparse with my blogging but I like to blog to share what I'm up to because people have shown interest it seeing it and have said that I inspire them.  I love that thought and enjoy encouraging others to reach past their comfort zone and try new things! This might be why I enjoy teaching as much as I do.  Blogging also creates a bit of a diary of what I have created, which I find is a nice reference to have.  I also love the interaction with the blogging community. I really enjoy being involved with the many online swap and round robins, etc.  It is fun to be involved with people all over the world while sitting at home.

As I stated above being involved with the online swaps, etc. opens me to interacting with some fantastically creative people.  Never know, some of it may rub off on me :)

4) What is my creative process?
First answer that popped into my head is - depends.  I LOVE to create NEW things!  Love, love, love it!! BUT I bore very easily!  That being said I seldom make an item twice, unless it's a gift item for a group or a Log Cabin which is my favorite 'go to' pattern.  I have notebook after notebook of ideas just waiting for me to have time to turn the thoughts from paper drafts into quilting creations! 

So that's a little about me!  Remember if you haven't been tagged and want to do this...  Go for it!!  As for me, my three 'taggies' are:

Lois Kindley over @ Creative Gypsy -  Lo and I go back 4 1/2 years but it feels like a life time!  She is presently located in Mansfield TX but as her site relates, she is a tumbleweed that landed in my life for a few years and my heart forever!  This is one creative lady!  Don't let the lack of recent blogs stop you, she is just getting over surgery on her 'good' hand and will be back in force soon!  Lo's ramblings will keep you well informed and often in stitches!

Second, head over to Terry Burris @ Terry Burris Quilting.  Terry moonlights as a long arm quilter while still working her day job like me.  I got to know Terry while chairing the last quilt show for SVQG.  She worked magic at getting her wonderful vendors to donate their beautiful products for our raffle baskets!

Next up in Beth of Quilting Hottie Haven.  Beth is running the "Two for Teal" Mug Rug Swap I mentioned above and is a pattern designer and teacher.  I first met Beth when she was a speaker for SVQG then got ran into her again  through the NHMQG.  Fun and interesting blog, check out her!

Promise to blog sooner! M 

Creative Conglomeration Reveal

Last night was our Creative Conglomeration reveal.

  

Our group has grown with 3 new members, we are now a total of 10.

We also had our first Skyped in member as Lois has moved to Texas!!

The Challenge was Spring!  

We were to make our art piece 13" square.

Here is my piece.

I based my piece on a beautiful picture that my daughter Kristen took 

during a spring trip to Boston.

 And a couple of close up shots of the 3D flowers.

 Straight on close up.

Side shot close up.

What have you been up to??

Linking up the Lee over at 


Stop by and see what everyone is up to!

WIP Wednesday!!

It's been a great couple of weeks!!

First the quilt show are fantastic!

Terry took this picture of me outside the quilt show.  

She also took pictures of all the quilts and has posted some of the pictures on her blog: here. 

Over 115 quilts all made by my friends from the 

Souhegan Valley Quilters Guild!

Very impressive!

I recently joined the Boston Modern Quilt Guild which is very exciting for me as I am looking to Reach out in my sewing in a new way!  

Well... this past Friday some of my friends and I went to the BMQG & Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild presentation of Victoria Findlay Wolfe of 15 Minutes of Play blog & book, and Bumble Beans Inc.

Victoria was kind enough to pose with us for a picture!  

If you ever have a chance to see her in person - DO!  

She gave a wonderful presentation of her quilt history through sharing her beautiful quilts! 

Victoria posted this YouTube taped at the presentation!

Do you hear the energy in her voice? 

Her  whole presentation has that same energy!!

We all walked away very inspired by Victoria and Lisa T. issued our group a challenge:

Make a DWR quilt - 1 to 4 blocks - anything goes!  

Due January 23, 2014!!  

I can't wait to get started on this and to see what everyone comes up with!!

For my WIP this week...

I joined Quilting Gallery's Fall-Inspired Mug Rugs Swap

and if you are looking for a way to reach out to other creative quilters this is a great group to check out!  I have been in several of the swaps now and am always impressed with my partners and the quilts I have received!

This swap paired me up with  

Giorgia Marcato from Italy!  

Luckily her English is good as my Italian is non-existent!!

Turns out the Giorgia is an amazing artist who recently had an exposition of her quilts!  WOW!!  

Here is a tiny sneak peek at one of the mug rugs I am sending her way...

This one is really a mini art quilt! Love how it turned out... 

I'll share the finished Mug Rugs once Giorgia has received them!!

   For lots of exciting creations visit:

So what are you currently up to???

Happy creating! Marie

 

WIP Wednesday {Oct. 3, 2012}

Been missing....

Actually it has been a LONG summer!  I know - it ended in August and here it is October...  The addition of a Boat to our 'family' made my summer LONG on Fun but quite short on Sewing... 

Never a dull moment with my two 'besties'!!  Hubby Eric and Favorite Texan Lois!!

I have completed a few things this summer and will do a bit of a 'show and tell' as I blog this Fall...

I have been involved with a great Fiber Art group since the beginning of 2012.  We have had 6 Creative Challenge reveals.  This has been great for my creativity.  Each project has been a reach beyond my comfort zone and I've enjoyed every one!  I am in the process of my 7th challenge so I will show you the completed ones over my next few blogs.  

Reveal #1   Cobalt blue at 10 feet:

CC Reveal #1 "Cobalt Dream"

Funny - I was going through the files and realized that I had drawn this one out!  Color of the lettering is off but otherwise it's pretty much how I envisioned it!

drawing of concept in computer

Join us on our lastest Challenge!  Black & White plus one! 

Click for information: 

Next Reveal: November 14th!

 

To see all 7 Creative Conglomeration's Challenge 1 Quilts visit 

http://creativeconglomeration.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-challenge-reveal-success.html

For my Current WIP I am working on an original Tote Design.

This is the panel I have created for the front of the bag. (That's it on the design wall.)

This is made using my new block named 'Mason's Block'.  I first made it for my son's graduation quilt.  I seems that I came up with a new block in the process of making his quilt which I am finally done!!

I will post pictures soon of the completed quilt as the pics are in my hubby's camera.

2-block sample "Mason's Block"

 I plan to post a tutorial on an easy way to make this scrappy block.  

I am also working on a pattern for various sized quilts.  :)

  

Narrowing down my WIP as I am working on organizing my 'universe' and in the process I have separated my WIP's from my UFO's 

(Unlikely to be Finished anytime soon Objects).  I'm gearing up to spend some time on the UFO project with Leah Day.

WIP = actually out and being worked on... 

UFO's = Tops completed, projects in the 'pile,' etc...   

WIP - October:

~Tote bag w/Mason's Block

~CC#7 !5" sq Quilt!  Black & White, Artist, plus Cobalt Blue

~Cathedral Window Floral Quilt

~Door quilt for camp - 4 sq & 1/2 sq triangles - Brights!

~1600 Jelly Roll Race Top - revamp into something a bit more interesting!!

This week’s stats:
New projects – 1
Completed projects –0
Currently in progress –4

WIP Wednesday #22

This week in the life of me!

First, our challenge mini's were relieved last Thursday.  Quite a collection!  This is mine:

Front

Back

Here's the collection of 31 quilts that were donated:

I quilted the wedding present over last weekend and attached the binding.  First full quilt I've quilted on my new machine and was quite happy with the outcome  :)   To get ready for this I completed SewCalGal's Leah Day May challenge.  Here are the pictures:

 I have to tell you that I LOVE this machine!  I seriously tipped these samples over twice checking whether I was looking at the front or the back.  THANK YOU HANDSOME!!!  You know who you are!!!  :)

As for the May To Do list...  Wedding present - working on binding then need label :) Will be complete...
Mason's top - have last blocks partially together and set to sew...  We'll see...
E's no progress.... again - we'll see...
CC#4 - we have a reprieve - darn!  LOL  Concept is mapped out - picking fabric to add to the one required  :)

MAY - TO DO!!- Still Plugging away.... (one more week!!)

Complete special wedding present (sorry no further information as it's a secret!)

Complete Mason's Quilt - top is about 3/4 done! 

Complete E's....  oh shhhhhh  that's a secret too!

CC#4 - due June 5th (slight reprieve  :)

Weekly: work on two FMQ projects!  Oh and if you are following these you know that it's Leah Day of http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/ as the guest on SewCalGal's project!!   http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/free-motion-quilt-challenge.html Have my quilt 'sandwiches' ready to work on this!!

If I get that much done this month I'll feel accomplished!! but I have several other charity projects I could also work on just in case I run out of things to do!!

Completed Projects-May:
SVQG 2012 Mini Challenge Quilt - Reveal this Thursday!!
Assorted blocks for SVQG Comfort Quilt Committee 

New Projects:
None

Ongoing Projects - weekly/monthly 2012:
2012 weekly - year long - FMQ Free Motion Quilting Projects - Plan to spend a lot of time practicing FMQ in 2012!
Leah Day's - Quilt Along - weekly quilting - Wednesday LinkUp http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/
  
2012 monthly - year long - FMQ Free Motion Quilting Projects - include donated amounts - shows one person CAN make a difference!!!
SewCalGal's - Free Motion Quilting Challenge http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/free-motion-quilt-challenge.html
4 Patch 4 Hope - 72 4-patch blocks (January&March 2012)
Valor Quilt Bee - (May owe 5 to date)

(new group - plan to hit these with the 2 -FMQ projects I have joined!!)
UFO - 'T's  (UnFinished Objects - Tops!!! - AKA To Be Quilted!!!)
Snowman Quilt - top together awaiting borders, quilting, and binding 8/17/11
Batik Log Cabin couch quilt - Blues - top complete
Boat Log Cabin Quilt 8/17/11 - took pictures - hanging in sewing area
Blueberry Conversion Quilt - Ricky Tim's Style
Jelly Roll 1600 quilt! - completed top :)  Although rethinking.....

No progress:
Mason's graduation quilt - restart!! - Take 2!
Camp Bed Quilt - Free Motion / Crazy Quilt Part 3 of 30 (sorry - no photos yet-will follow  :)
Couch Quilt - formerly Mason's graduation quilt-see take 2!!
Eric's Browning Quilt (Christmas present 2010!!!)- binding done - cross quilting to go!!   :)
Berry Bliss Twin Quilt 2of2 played with several designs... still deciding pattern 8/17/11 (got some fat quarters for this!)
Row Robin Sampler Quilt! have 5 strips of four blocks each... MoVeD the rows around... Still Thinkin...  8/24/11
Sunflower Glacier Star -Completed June's block - 4  behind now! progress!!! 9/4/11  
SVQG - Mystery Quilt - Received instructions completed month 1
Two baby quilts! - pinks using D4P design - still piecing blocks...
Door quilt for camp

This week’s stats:
New projects – 0
Completed projects –0
Currently in progress –17

WIP Wednesday #21

Little projects here and there but nothing BIG complete or worked on this week...

I started quilting the wedding present that I am working on and found that the backing wasn't laying flat so I un-pinned and re-pinned my 'sandwich' to make sure it was flat with no wrinkles...  Have to say that 'un-pinning' is right up there with 'un-sewing' on my list of favorite things to do!!  Augh!  It's ready to go again and I plan to quilt it on Sunday!!  

Over the past week I completed several blocks for the Comfort Quilts at my guild SVQG.  Here are a couple of pictures.    

2-12"x12" finished size

9 of the 10-6"6" finished size

 Can't wait to see what they do with all the different blocks our members create!

The big reveal of our SVQG 2012 Mini Challenge Quilts is at a Pot Luck on Thursday evening!  Can't wait  :)

Here's another little peek at mine :)

MAY - TO DO!!- Still Plugging away....

Complete special wedding present (sorry no further information as it's a secret!)

Complete Mason's Quilt - top is about 3/4 done! 

Complete E's....  oh shhhhhh  that's a secret too!

CC#4 - due May 31st.

Weekly: work on two FMQ projects!  Oh and if you are following these you know that it's Leah Day of http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/ as the guest on SewCalGal's project!!   http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/free-motion-quilt-challenge.html Have my quilt 'sandwiches' ready to work on this!!

If I get that much done this month I'll feel accomplished!! but I have several other charity projects I could also work on just in case I run out of things to do!!

Completed Projects-May:
SVQG 2012 Mini Challenge Quilt - Reveal this Thursday!!
Assorted blocks for SVQG Comfort Quilt Committee 

New Projects:
None

Ongoing Projects - weekly/monthly 2012:
2012 weekly - year long - FMQ Free Motion Quilting Projects - Plan to spend a lot of time practicing FMQ in 2012!
Leah Day's - Quilt Along - weekly quilting - Wednesday LinkUp http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/
  
2012 monthly - year long - FMQ Free Motion Quilting Projects - include donated amounts - shows one person CAN make a difference!!!
SewCalGal's - Free Motion Quilting Challenge http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/free-motion-quilt-challenge.html
4 Patch 4 Hope - 72 4-patch blocks (January&March 2012)
Valor Quilt Bee - (May owe 5 to date)

(new group - plan to hit these with the 2 -FMQ projects I have joined!!)
UFO - 'T's  (UnFinished Objects - Tops!!! - AKA To Be Quilted!!!)
Snowman Quilt - top together awaiting borders, quilting, and binding 8/17/11
Batik Log Cabin couch quilt - Blues - top complete
Boat Log Cabin Quilt 8/17/11 - took pictures - hanging in sewing area
Blueberry Conversion Quilt - Ricky Tim's Style
Jelly Roll 1600 quilt! - completed top :)  Although rethinking.....

No progress:
Mason's graduation quilt - restart!! - Take 2!
Camp Bed Quilt - Free Motion / Crazy Quilt Part 3 of 30 (sorry - no photos yet-will follow  :)Couch Quilt - formerly Mason's graduation quilt-see take 2!!
Eric's Browning Quilt (Christmas present 2010!!!)- still! hand sewing binding :)
Berry Bliss Twin Quilt 2of2 played with several designs... still deciding pattern 8/17/11 (got some fat quarters for this!)
Row Robin Sampler Quilt! have 5 strips of four blocks each... MoVeD the rows around... Still Thinkin...  8/24/11
Sunflower Glacier Star -Completed June's block - 4  behind now! progress!!! 9/4/11  
SVQG - Mystery Quilt - Received instructions completed month 1
Two baby quilts! - pinks using D4P design - still piecing blocks...
Door quilt for camp

This week’s stats:
New projects – 0
Completed projects –0
Currently in progress –17