Big Quilt!

This is a big quilt for me. I haven't made one this large in quite awhile because it was just too difficult for me to quilt on a domestic machine. I took a class at a local quilt shop last summer to learn how to make this quilt. It's a One Block Wonder. Yes, I could have figured it out on my own but sometimes it is fun to do things with other people. Turned out I did most of it on my own anyway because I had it written down wrong on my calendar and missed the first day of class.

I pieced it last summer but am just now getting around to adding borders. So, I went to the store on Saturday and bought fabric for my borders. I brought it home and immediately threw it in the washer, because that's what I always do. After I started to add it to my quilt, I remembered, I didn't wash the One Block Wonder fabric. I don't know if it will really look different after I wash the whole quilt. I always use cold water, so hopefully the centers won't shrink too much. The instructions for the OBW quilt tell you not to prewash so it is easier to cut. Another life lesson in the world of a newbie quilter.

I wish I could say the border design is my original idea but it isn't. This is from the second book, One Block Wonder, Encore. I liked how she did her quilt so I did something similar. I deconstructed my original quilt into panels and began to add all the little border pieces. Now to figure out how to quilt it?!

Have a Creative Day
Janet

Foot in the Door at MIA

The Minneapolis Institute of Art has a show called Foot in the Door every ten years. Not sure how many times they have done this show but this is a first for me. The idea is that anyone can submit art to the Museum and they will hang it in the exhibit with the only proviso being that it fits in a box that is one foot by one foot. Almost five thousand people have submitted their art to the show this year. They divide the walls of the gallery into one foot sections and in each section there is a piece of art. I think it will be a little bit of sensory overload when I go to the exhibit but it's wonderful to see so many people excited about art.

I waited in line for a little over an hour to drop off my piece. Why? Well, with that many people it isn't like I am trying to be discovered. You would really have to stand out in the crowd for that and I know I'm not there yet. It's exciting to be a part of a big event like this all centered on the arts. It makes you realize how many people out there have hidden talents they are not able to share very often. It will be a thrill for me to go to the Museum, sometime before the middle of June, and see my work hanging in the same building as all of the famous artists I so admire. I should call this Foot in the Door outside my box. I haven't done a lot of hand stitching lately but I used to do a lot of it. This is all hand stitched from a photo I took in Hawaii. I called it Aloha Sunset.

I met some really nice people while I was waiting in line. The woman in front of me was a teacher who told her art students about this opportunity. The students gave her their work, she framed them with frames she bought at Goodwill, and she stood in line to give her kids this opportunity. Her friend brought a finger painting created by her three year old so her daughter would have a chance to be a part of this event. She will be able to submit something again in 10 years when she is thirteen if she wants, and again at 23, etc. How amazing is that!

I am connected to the Foot in the Door Exhibit on Facebook and they have been sending a few photos and a couple of the online video submissions as teasers. I think I saw mine hanging in Gallery 3. Not positive, but I think so. The video submissions they have sent so far are amazing. I have no idea how people do things like that but I do appreciate them. The opening reception is this Thursday evening. Should be a pretty crazy night with that many people involved. I can't wait until Friday, I think we will be able to see all of the video submissions after that and I think they will have photos of all the individual pieces online as well.

Hats off to the MIA for this huge undertaking in supporting art for the everyday person like me!
Have a Creative Day
Janet

My journal

I'm back! My computer is up and running again with a new hard drive, and thanks to a back up drive, I didn't lose anything! Hip, hip hooray! A few years ago I lost about 5 years worth of photos due to a failed system. I learned from that mistake, which is even more cause for celebration. I can learn!

Learning is what quilting art is all about, at least for me. There are so many techniques and not enough hours in the day. But, what a fun journey.

I thought I would start with the journal cover. Finally using the fabrics I made with my small quilt group. We all got together (a little over a year ago!) and did soy wax resist. I took those fabrics home and dyed them. I kept saving them for a special project and decided this was it. Taking a sample from three of my fabrics and piecing them together for the cover. I also used my heat gun to 'distress' some felt. The words My Journal were free motion stitched on the felt.

I did some free motion quilting on the fabric. I've been wanting to try some sewing on metal so I added a piece of that to the cover with a piece of Angelina film underneath. Yes, I used my Bernina and sewed right through the metal. It is a very thin piece.

I think I want to add some beads yet, maybe if I keep adding to the cover that will give me more reason to pick it up and use it.

Do you think this will make journaling more interesting for me. Not sure. But at least I tried.
Have a creative day
Janet

Still here!

I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, really. Just having computer issues!! Right now I am using a prehistoric PC. Can't wait to get my Mac back up and running. My car was in the shop this week as well, so I have had some serious time to get a few things done. It isn't as good without photos though so I will wait to tell you all about it when I get my Mac returned. In the mean time...Enjoy Super Bowl Sunday and have a creative day everyone.
Janet