Broken Dishes-Done:
I finished this one up Sunday. The photo doesn't show the border color well which is a shade of dark forest green. The inner border is a subdued green-yellow. I decided that I have had enough with "wanting" to do things. "Gee, I sure wish I could quilt those lovely feather designs that I see", and so on, etc. Annette and I were in our LQS on Friday and we had a good long look at all of the quilts on display. I have also had the opportunity to look at lots of quilting this year. My determination is that much of this quilting looks just OK; some looks good and some looks fantastic. In other words there is a range of design and skill level here. It isn't rocket science either. So, since I have been practicing, I decided to just do it! I put on my Big Girl Panties, set up the machine and just went for it. I included the 2nd pic to show the results. I think I did pretty well. The feather sizes are not uniform which I am fine with. I am sure if I took the time to mark the feathers or as I develop more skill they will become as uniform as I want them to be.
Chicken and Egg: You decide Which Comes First
I have been thinking a bit lately about my design process, such as it is. One of the reasons for the reflection is after having viewed Debra's latest endeavors with her Favorite Things quilt I began to wonder why I struggle so sometimes with bringing an idea forth. It occurred to me that I go at it backwards. A lot. I may start with several elements or an idea (landscape, still life, etc) and go from there. I tend to make up a story about the piece as I go; the story tends to support what I have already done. I suppose I am not designing to fit the story but trying to fit a story to the design. I am OK with this. My original idea is still intact but has morphed. My Earth Day piece is a good example of this. I started with one concept, couldn't precisely bring it forth, and ended with a little different concept and a new story. Still very happy with the results. I am also going to admit that sometimes I have no clear picture of what to do-I just start with a vague color scheme and pattern-and am then amazed (or disappointed) with the results. Again, I make up a story along the way. For me, it is OK to do this. I am not making any high flying political or social statement here. I am not suggesting to produce sub standard work either. I just hate struggling sometimes and so try to make it easier on myself. This usually involves compromise on my part but less beating up of my inner-wanna-be-artist-child self. Chew on that for awhile and let me know what you think!
This weekend Rich started in with building the display frames for my quilts for the craft show. This guy is a real trooper! I am amazed that anyone would go to this effort for me. Hopefully I can take some photos of this to show.
Cosmo/Toby is here and is getting accustomed to us, Hannah, and his new home. We had a bit of a false start earlier this week when Cosmo became confused as to whether or not the waste basket was where he should/shouldn't do his business. Let me just say that I cleaned the waste basket.
I have solved the "what do I call myself" problem. I identify with being a quilt maker above all other terms.
Lastly, my quilt group meets this week. I am hoping that they will help me with pricing my stuff.
OK, thanks for reading and have a quilty Monday
Libby
PS-I approached and passed my one year blogging anniversary. Thank you to everyone who continues to read, comment, or even both:)
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10 comments:
Very lovely quilt. Great colors.
Those feathers look great! You may inspire me; I haven't tried any feathers yet. That's a fine looking traditional quilt. Are you displaying it at the craft show?
I think any creative process is fine; the process has to be individual, and as long as it works, OK.
I was also interested to hear about the quilt frames. Display is all important at a show. I learned that when I was doing shows. A friend made me some frames that completely disassembled (I was using a regular car to transport stuff) and could be put up on a table. That made a great difference in the attention the booth got. Good luck. Sounds like you're on the right track.
TOTALLY love the Dishes quilt. Totally. Your feathers are super -- you've made great headway this year with your machine quilting.
I generally like to have a concept/color scheme when I start a project. On the Favorite Things piece, it changed on me mid-stream and that's when the struggle came into play. But, now that I have my concept back in mind, the struggle has disappeared.
I have a tendency to audition everything until I have a real feel for what I want and lately you have been seeing all the auditions. Sometimes it's a bit like a bad American Idol show!
When do we see the pillows?
What a pretty quilt! Your feathers look great too!
wow -- nice feathers! Mine always start out okay and then mutate... I definitely want to see more of your quilts "in person" so I've got the Zocalo's show on my calendar.
Love the title of your post, as well as the quilt. And I knew your feathers would be great! I think some of the other designs you've quilted are actually more complex than feathers, so I'm glad you took the initiative to jump in and do the feathers. But I caution you...feathers tend to be habit forming! At some point, you may want a quilt without them and you will have to restrain yourself! (wink)
I guess I've done quilts both ways. Sometimes planned, sometimes on the fly. I will say that the quilts I do on the fly seem to get finished first, because my enthusiasm seems to linger. I've had quilts that were finished up in my head before I ever sewed the first seam...and then my initiative seemed to nosedive when it came to the actual work. I've tried to appreciate the process of both methodologies, though. The advantage of having a quilt pre-planned, is that you can focus more on technical execution. Whereas the advantage of working on the fly, is that the project can be more creatively liberating.
I hope your quilting group can help with your pricing. I am having some pricing questions on some of my stuff, too.
Happy Blog-a-versary, Libby!
Your feathers are a lot better than mine! I guess practise is the only way. I have a problem of not planning my wall hangings enough. I think it's better to have something to say but I usually end up just thinking of color and embellishment.
Your Broken Dishes quilt is a WOW!
As for the method of designing, the one you've been doing works to result in some wonderful art. My preference is to work that way, as well, The fun is in the adventure of creation. If most of that fun happens up front in the planning stage, then the rest of it is just mostly "work".
LOVE the Broken Dishes! And, it is DONE! YAY! Libby, however you get from idea to finished doesn't matter. It's ART. We all have our own path, our own methods, our own muse. It's all good. I agree with Nellie above, that it's the Adventure of Creation that the best part. I guess that's why I have so many UFOs. In the end, does it matter? Nah. Not to me. Keep up the good work and happy blogaversery or however you spell it.
Your quilt is beautiful, Libby, and I admire your attitude about the feather quilting. Practice really does produce results!
I think whatever works for you is best as far as designing goes! Your designs are wonderful as far as I can see!
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