Month: January 2014

  • My new blue chair

    My new blue chair

    My new blue chair has arrived! This is one of those ergonomic chairs that lets you adjust everything from the height, the tilt, and the lumbar support. I can’t wait for life to settle down enough for me to put in some serious time getting to know it. While I haven’t been blogging over the…

  • Thumbs are important

    Thumbs are important

    I thought I would have most of the day to quilt today, but life often intervenes around here. I got up early and thought I’d get a jump on the day by making a couple of broccoli quiches. That way, breakfast would be taken care of for several days. I also made a huge pot…

  • Progress on Push-up #8

    Progress on Push-up #8

    I am making progress on Push-up #8. Here are all the bits and pieces I’ve made so far, but everything is still subject to change. I seem to be struggling a lot with this one, and I’m not sure why. Looking at all of it on the design wall at once, I realize that I…

  • Tutorial: Mounting a quilt on canvas-covered stretcher bars

    Tutorial: Mounting a quilt on canvas-covered stretcher bars

    Push-up #8 had to be set aside for a few days so I could deal with a bushel of green peppers. I also took a day to mount Acceptance on canvas-covered stretcher bars. This is the quilt that was commissioned for a pediatric hospice. When the director asked for suggestions on how to frame and…

  • Hmmm…seem to be at a standstill

    Hmmm…seem to be at a standstill

    Things aren’t falling together for me right now. Time for me to get down to some serious work. This is where my design wall is right now. I’d like to be finished with this one in the next day or two, so I better step away from the computer and get back in my studio!

  • Color palette for Push-up #8

    Color palette for Push-up #8

    I’m heading back to my studio for the rest of the day, but first I thought I’d show you my color palette for Push-up #8. As you can see, I’m using the fabric on the upper right as the inspiration for my color scheme. I think that’s a good way for me to branch out…

  • Push-up #7, take two

    Push-up #7, take two

    I hung Push-up #7 on my design wall and instantly realized I would need to make a few changes. See the section on the left with the pale pink polka dots on either side of the strip-pieced section? The pale pink completely disappeared when I stood back and all I saw was too much white.…

  • Push-up #7: Trio

    Push-up #7: Trio

    Push-up #7 is complete! I actually made my self-imposed deadline this time. I’m calling this one “Trio.” A new one starts next week. I think I’ll peruse my stash tomorrow and pick fabric for Push-up #8.

  • Playful Push-ups

    Playful Push-ups

    Aren’t these colors fun? While the snow piles up outside, it’s warm and wonderful inside because this is what I’ve been looking at. I’m practicing my word for 2014 and I’ve been trying to create a new piece that’s playful. I’m still exploring strip piecing and restructuring techniques while taking advantage of a few prints.…

  • Word for 2014

    Word for 2014

    This time of year there’s always talk on the Quiltart list about choosing a word for the year. I think it is supposed to be a guiding force, a motivating factor, or a key word representing the path you’d like your artistic life to take. I like to participate too but, honestly, in a few…