Reflections on values (and a link party)

Self-criticizim can be very difficult to handle, but maybe by sharing my little story below I could help someone else too :)

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Growing Up QAL - June blocks ready, August blocks ready, started July ones :)
2. Splendid Sampler - top FINISHED (and the self-criticism story)
3. Charity quilts - no progress
4. SK project - completed one block
5. Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" - paused until June
6. En Provence QAL - no progress
7. Journaling into my new Jounral/Planner - loving the new format (more at the end of the month)!
8. 70273 Project - 8 blocks done
9. Book binding - no progress
10. Twilters! Bee - waiting for June
11. Face cleaning crochet cloths - 4 more done
12. Zipper pencil case - done
13. Draft stoppoer - done

--
At the beginning of May, I linked up at Elm Street Quilts, One Monthly Goal (link #37) that my goal was to assemble the Splendid Sampler top with my own setting design.

I designed the overall layout on my computer putting the postage stamps blocks as "sashing/dividers" so I didn't need more than 47 Splendid Sampler blocks and I could use up all those orphan blocks that were sent to me in a past swap.

I spent the entire month of April adding borders to the postage stamps blocks and I was excited to assemble the quilt top.

I laid out all the blocks on the floor and that's when the stress started!

The entire top looked too busy! Too crazy! Too many things to look at! The overall design that worked with empty squares on my computer was totally lost in the busyness of the actual blocks! Should I just start a new design? Should I just spend more months to make more blocks? Shoul I buy more fabric? ... And then I heard another voice in my brain say: STOP!

Me: Ok, don't yell at me... what? :)
Other voice: Why are you freaking out?
Me: Because I was ready to finish this project and now it looks terrible!
Other voice: Why does it look terrible?
Me: Because it's too busy! My eyes has not place to rest!
Other voice: Why do you think it's too busy?

Me: I just told you! There is no overall flow/design!
Other voice: No... that's not the answer to my question... Why do you think it's too busy?

Me: Well... that's my answer, do you have any other answer?
Other voice: Yes. You think it's too busy because you are looking at the entire quilt top.

Me: ????? yes... that's the point... ???
Other voice: No... that's not the point. You are looking at the entire quilt top like you look at a painting on a wall.
Me: ????? ok... so, what???
Other voice: Are you planning to put your quilt on the wall?
Me: ... no...
Other voice: Are you planning to show your quilt in a quilt show?
Me: ... no...
Other voice: What are you planning to do with your quilt?
Me: ... well... 90% of the time it will be folded into a 20''x20'' bunch and be on my couch... and 10% of the time I will be cuddling under the quilt, so I will actually be able to see not more that a 20''x20'' section of it...
Other voice: OK! so... by looking at 20''x20'' sections of the quilt top, what do you think?

Me: OH.... WELL... I think it's so interesting! There are words in the sashing used in each block! Colors that coordinate well to form scrappy and fun blocks! There are all kind of textures and prints that I can look at! Each block has it's own background and my eyes can rest there!
Other voice: So you see? No need to freak out!! Just put things in the right perspective!!

MORAL OF THE STORY: Do not use someone else's values to evalutate your work! Especially in these days of social media, we are all inclined to believe that some things are more important than others: for quilts, color balance, design flow, etc. But these may not be YOUR values for a specific project! This was not a quilt for a quilt show... it was not a quilt for a class on quilt design... it was a quilt I made because I wanted to be part of a fun community event... a quilt where I learned that I don't like samplers with small blocks... a quilt where I learned that I don't like samplers with too many blocks (and released too close together in time)... a quilt where I learned that playing with selvages and batiks is fun... a quilt that I want to use on my couch. So by reflecting on my own values for this specific quilt, I realized that the design was good enough and I could just go on with my life and enjoy this project instead of freaking out because it doesn't look like someone else's quilt!

So here it is! I actually added the horizonal pink sashing just to add an additional pop of color, because why not!!

The goal for June is to finish 2 more sections of my Stephen King Quilt.
How big these sections will be, I am not sure... but more or less like the first one I made (picture below)

I have several opening line quotes block, but not many book covers, so assembling 2 sections will take me the entire month, but I am up for the challenge!!

--
Two 3D objects that I needed: a draft stopper and a zipper pencil case for my new mini-happy planner

Super easy... just folded the fabric, made the channels and filled them with all the little scraps of fabric/thread and other things that other people throw away... I keep them because they are fantastic to fill these kind of objects that don't need to be soft or light... I pack them up very tight and it works amazing!!!

Video tutorial on YouTube

--

More blocks for the 70273 Project. If you are curious to see some of the beautiful quilts made with all these blocks check out this Pinterest board!
--
Last but not least, another of the Stephen King's book opening line

Opening line, Duma Key

--
How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

WAW, what a week (and a link party)

Sewing along and events that people join as a group are so fun and inspiring!  

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Growing Up QAL - future blocks are coming together
2. Splendid Sampler - assembled all the rows
3. Charity quilts - no progress
4. SK project - working on next block
5. Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" - paused until June
6. En Provence QAL - no progress
7. Journaling into my new Jounral/Planner - loving the new format (more at the end of the month)!
8. 70273 Project - 4 blocks done
9. Book binding - no progress
10. Twilters! Bee - waiting for June
11. 2017 Pantone Quilt Challenge: my mini below!

--
From Monday to Friday I featured 20 amazing art pieces for the Art with Fabric Blog Hop

Click on each link to go to the day post and read more about the fantastic journey and inspiration that these quilting artists took to create their masterpieces!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

--

And finally, let me share the 2017 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Heart of Jade

Greenery for me is not just a single color because it reminds me of all the greens in nature, thus the super scrappy look).

For this piece I tested a new pattern and technique for a friend (Yanicka) who developed this new technique to make these super cool and modern design: it is NOT paper piecing, it is much much simpler! For the pattern and more information, visit Yanicka's blog!

I had so much fun with the praire point border: I love having those 3d elements that give more depth to the piece!!

Heart of Jade, 18'' x 18''

--

How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 5

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!


DAY 5. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"Beantown" by Chris Inspired by the work of Charlotte Ziebarth and Wen Redmond (http://chrissquiltinguniverse.blogspot.com/)	"The Squash" by Shannon Inspired by the work of Paul Daschel (http://imworkingonaproject.blogspot.com/)
"Anita's Studio Window" by Anita Inspired by the work of Grace Martin Taylor (http://quiltlovefordomesticfelicity.blogspot.com)	"Minnie Kusama" by Alida Inspired by the work of Yayoi Kusama (http://tweloquilting.blogspot.com/)

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Art with Fabric Blog Hop - Yayoi Kusama

This is the third time I run this blog hop... and this season I decided to add a twist in my search for inspiration in fine art pieces.

I wanted to focus on WOMEN ARTISTS!

I don't have any formal training in art... but I studied art history in highschool... and I don't think I EVER encountered a female artist in my studies... how is that possible???? There are many women depicted in paintings, sculptures, drawing, but why only male artists made it into art history books (at least the ones used in my school)???

So for this edition I decided to pick not one but two female artists whose work spoke to me.
On Wednesday I shared about Kara Walker...

My project is actually much bigger than today's piece: the beauty of these challenges is that they open my eyes to work and ideas that have infinite ways for me to grow.

For todays artist I choose a powerful and talented woman: Yayoi Kusama.

She is a Japanese artist and writer. Throughout her career she has worked on paintings, collages, soft sculptures, performance art, and environmental installations, most of which exhibit her thematic interest in psychedelic colors, repetition, and pattern. A precursor of the pop art, minimalist and feminist art movements, Kusama influenced her contemporaries such as Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, and George Segal and exhibited works alongside the likes of them.
In 2017, a 50-year retrospective of her work opened at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. The exhibit featured six Infinity Mirror rooms, and is scheduled to travel to five museums in the US and Canada. You can read morea about her story on her Wiki Page
You should listen to Yayoi Kusama herself telling her story in this short video and in this BBC interview. Her work is so fascinating and how she channels her struggles with mental issues in art pieces that express her inner state is totally amazing.

Her work seems to me to interact very easily with my absolute love for Disney and to create a quilt that will include several artists, following the style of a recent Italian publication (Discover Art History with Disney Friends)... which as mentioned does not seem to include any female artist at least in the titles of the different volumes :( :(

Minnie Kusama, 20'' x 20''

My plan is to build 12'' blocks (like Minnie Kusama and Kara De Spell) surrounded by a fun sashing border that somehow relates to the main block. The yellow in the sashing is constant throughout the quilt, and I will be practicing free motion quilted feathers in those spaces.
Each block will be constructed mostly with raw edge applique and quilted individually.
Each block is finished by envelope turning it before quilting... and then I add a border of blanket stitches and a row of crochet border that will allow me to join all the blocks in a big quilt!

Having each block finished individually has several advantages:

1. I can practice my FMQ in a small scale, without the frustration of managing a big quilt
2. the blocks are really fast to assemble, so I easily get the satisfaction of a "finished" project
3. once a block is quilted I can use the piece as a place mat, mini quilt or table runner until I actually have enough blocks to make a quilt! No unfinished objects hiding in a drawer waiting for the next step!
4. the quilt can keep growing until I am bored or I run out of artists! And I can even switch blocks whenever I want, since joining crochet blocks is super fast and can be undone very easily

I don't know how a quilt like this will hold up in the wash, but I am willing to test it for many years to come!! 

Have you ever mixed techniques like this (crochet and quilting)? What do you think about it? Any advice?

Check out today's other amazing artists participating in the blog hop!

Shannon: http://imworkingonaproject.blogspot.com/ 
Chris: http://chrissquiltinguniverse.blogspot.com/
Anita: http://quiltlovefordomesticfelicity.blogspot.com  

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 4

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!

DAY 4. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"Wings Alight" by Renee Inspired by the work of Kesley Montague (http://www.quiltsofafeather.com/)	by Carol Inspired by the work of Laurel Burch (http://www.quiltedfabricart.com)
"To Be a Bird" by Jennifer Inspired by the work of Laura Wasilowski (http://www.inquiringquilter.com/)	"Springing Into Street Art" by Kat Inspired by the work of Olek (http://www.katknapcrafts.blogspot.com)

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 3

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!


DAY 3. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"A Study in Triangles" by Abigail Inspired by the work of Kels O'Sullivan (http://www.cutandalter.blogspot.co.uk)	by Bea Inspired by the work of Krøyer (http://www.beaquilter.com/)
"Kizette" by Janeen Inspired by the work of Tamara de Lempicka  (http://quiltartdesigns.blogspot.com/)	"Kara DeSpell" by Alida Inspired by the work of Kara Walker (http://tweloquilting.blogspot.com)

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Art with Fabric Blog Hop - Kara Walker

This is the third time I run this blog hop... and this season I decided to add a twist in my search for inspiration in fine art pieces.

I wanted to focus on WOMEN ARTISTS!

I don't have any formal training in art... but I studied art history in highschool... and I don't think I EVER encountered a female artist in my studies... how is that possible???? There are many women depicted in paintings, sculptures, drawing, but why only male artists made it into art history books (at least the ones used in my school)???

So for this edition I decided to pick not one but two female artists whose work spoke to me.
My project is actually much bigger than today's piece: the beauty of these challenges is that they open my eyes to work and ideas that have infinite ways for me to grow.

For todays artist I choose a powerful and talented woman: Kara Walker.

Kara Walker is an African American contemporary painter, silhouettist, print-maker, installation artist, and film-maker who explores race, gender, sexuality, violence, and identity in her work.
If you want to read more about her, check out her Wiki page or these two videos where she talks about her work Video1, Video2.

While her work is very strong and socially deep, I wanted to include her visual aesthetic in a much lighter tone. So I decided to turn to my absolute love for Disney and to create a quilt that will include several artists, following the style of a recent Italian publication (Discover Art History with Disney Friends)... which as mentioned does not seem to include any female artist at least in the titles of the different volumes :( :(

Kara De Spell, 20'' x 20''

My plan is to build 12'' blocks (like Kara De Spell) surrounded by a fun sashing border that somehow relates to the main block. The yellow in the sashing is constant throughout the quilt, and I will be practicing free motion quilted feathers in those spaces.
Each block will be constructed mostly with raw edge applique and quilted individually.
Each block is finished by envelope turning it before quilting... and then I add a border of blanket stitches and a row of crochet border that will allow me to join all the blocks in a big quilt!

Having each block finished individually has several advantages:

1. I can practice my FMQ in a small scale, without the frustration of managing a big quilt
2. the blocks are really fast to assemble, so I easily get the satisfaction of a "finished" project
3. once a block is quilted I can use the piece as a place mat, mini quilt or table runner until I actually have enough blocks to make a quilt! No unfinished objects hiding in a drawer waiting for the next step!
4. the quilt can keep growing until I am bored or I run out of artists! And I can even switch blocks whenever I want, since joining crochet blocks is super fast and can be undone very easily

I don't know how a quilt like this will hold up in the wash, but I am willing to test it for many years to come!! 

Have you ever mixed techniques like this (crochet and quilting)? What do you think about it? Any advice?

Check out today's other amazing artists participating in the blog hop!

Abigail: http://www.cutandalter.blogspot.co.uk

Bea: http://www.beaquilter.com/

Janeen: http://quiltartdesigns.blogspot.com/

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 2

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!


DAY 2. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"Enna Holding Flower" by Marian Inspired by the work of AMB Illustrations (http://www.seamstobesew.com)	"It's Time for Tea" by Judy Inspired by the work of Pepsy Kettavong (http://judywarner.com/time-for-tea/)
"Opus 20" by Adele Inspired by the work of Cecile Chaminade  (http://adelemogavero.com/)	"Jubilant" by Sharon Inspired by the work of Robin Meade http://www.yellowcatquiltdesigns.com

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 1

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!


DAY 1. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"Portrait of a Poodle a la Modigliani" by Lee Anna Inspired by the work of Modigliani (http://lapaylor.blogspot.com/)	"Reason & Passion" by Andree Inspired by the work of Joyce Wieland (http://quiltinglearningcombo.blogspot.com)
"Hanging by a Thread" by Joan Inspired by the work of Janet Stever (http://www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com/)	"[The American Context #16] American Gothic" by Luke Inspired by the work of Grant Wood http://www.lukehaynes.com/blog/

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Community sewing (and a link party)

Sewing along and events that people join as a group are so fun and inspiring!  

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Growing Up QAL - Working on future blocks (cannot share)
2. Splendid Sampler - few rows
3. Charity quilts - no progress
4. SK project - one block completed (see below)
5. Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" - completed (wrong but ok, see below)
6. En Provence QAL - no progress
7. Journaling into my new Jounral/Planner - loving the new format (more at the end of the month)!
8. 70273 Project - 4 blocks done (see below)
9. Book binding - no progress
10. Twilters! Bee - waiting for June
11. 2017 Pantone Quilt Challenge: entries will be open from May 19 to May 29. My piece is ready since January :)

--

More blocks for the 70273 Project. If you are curious to see some of the beautiful quilts made with all these blocks check out this Pinterest board!

--
More progress on my Stephen King project... I will run an event on Fandom In Stitches this summer with many of these blocks! I hope people will enjoy making them too!!

Black House - Opening line

--

I completed my second piece for the Art with Fabric Blog Hop that will start ON MAY 15TH!!!

The block involved piecing, applique, quilting, embroidery and crochet!!  

Curious? Come back THIS COMING MONDAY!!!!

--

I made three bags for the #BusyBagSewAlong. I saw this sewalong on Yvonne's blog and it is run as a collaboration with The Quilter’s Planner to benefit Sadie’s Dream For a Cure

The first bag was made with a kit that I ask them to send me. They sent me the kit (all cut and ready to sew) and an extra label that I attached on a second bag... and then I decided to make a third bag, because, why not! The pattern is very easy to follow and the bag doesn't take much fabric.
I used fabric that was donated to me a while ago for charity quilts. Unfortunately I am stuck with those projects because putting together a quilt seems to be a "big project" so I always postpone it... but these bags are easy and fast, so I am happy to be able to help children in need with these practical objects!

--
And last, but not least... two (wrong) blocks for the The Honey Pot Bee sew along: they were supposed to be leaves... I cut them wrong, so I turned them into modern striped block and moved on! I loved the fabric I used and I didn't have enough to make more blocks so these are the blocks that I will use in my quilt! :)

--
How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up