With so many things to juggle, you'd think my own projects would be cast aside completely.
But I need them!
They are a respite when I feel "stuck" in other areas of life (such as rockin' a seam ripper for two straight weeks - ugh). I always know what to do next because I can simply please myself!
For example, this piece of fabric was unloved, so I stitched the heck out of it just to see how it would change.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
And then I made it into a zipper bag - just because I wanted to! (Here's a zipper bag tutorial for ya!)
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
I left visible tails whenever I began and ended a line of stitch - and, why not? It pleased me to do so!
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
Some lines of stitch align, and others do not. My project, my choice!
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
It's so freeing to do whatever captures my imagination in the moment!
Teaching others is another way to flirt with imagination! Prepping a new class is an opportunity to test ideas, create samples, and play with a purpose.
This is one of many needle felting experiments, which I documented in my sketchbook for later reference.
(I know. I'm such a nerd!)
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| Testing an idea for a needle felting workshop FreshofftheFrame.com |
The best part of teaching is enjoying the symbioses of shared creativity. So exciting when that happens!
Taking a class also stirs the creative fire - so I signed up for a two day workshop with Judi Madsen!
I'd taken a class with Judi four years ago. With more experience under my belt, I hoped to glean even more inspiration this time around. I certainly did pick up on more detail - and there was a LOT of detail. The photo below shows only a small part of what we covered.
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| one of Judi's many demo pieces FreshofftheFrame.com |
A collage workshop hosted by my guild was another fun way to revive my creative spirit.
Most people prepared in advance. Alas, thanks to my crazy life, I was pulling fabric and packing my bag at 6:30 on the morning of.
As a result, I spent my class time cutting strips.
As a result, I spent my class time cutting strips.
I'm okay with that. It was both restful and engaging - just what I needed.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
I'll be making Abilene. (a Laura Heine pattern.) Moo.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
(It's so nice to have a million projects on the go. Choices are good, right?)
Oh, hey! I finished my small collage started in April at our guild retreat.
(A finish in the same calendar year it was started - Yay, me!)
Each of us received a kit containing the background fabric, a fat quarter of floral fabric with a fusible product on the back, a rectangle of yellow, and a strip of woodgrain fabric. The challenge was to compose a still life collage using only what was in the kit.
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| Auditioning borders from my stash. FreshofftheFrame.com |
Quite a creative group, yes? Each composition is unique!
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
I quilted an organic grid over my collage - the sacrificial quilt - to test the effect for myself.
Even though I knew all would be well, the first few lines took a certain amount of bravado.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
I'm quite pleased with the frame effect of the border.
One last project to show - it's not quilting, but . . . the landscaping in our front yard is finally finished! (and we love it!) Sod and mulch cleaned things up in a hurry.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
I made a plan, and then we hired expert help for the concrete work, rock placement (machines! YAY!), sod, and mulch. Hubby and I planted trees and shrubs (over 30 of them) with help from our wonderful son-in-law and a neighbour's skidsteer/auger.
It's a lot of work to get from mud and weeds, to "finished" - I'm so glad we had many helping hands!
It's a lot of work to get from mud and weeds, to "finished" - I'm so glad we had many helping hands!
Fresh off the Frame
Hey, did you notice the frog block on the corner of the collage board in the photo up there, above the house?
Well, here it is again with all of its friends!
It's maker persisted, sewing all eleventy-billion pieces into the cutest top. She may deserve a medal - but instead she has a super cute quilt to bind!
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| client quilt FreshofftheFrame.com |
And finally, a Before and After (one of my favourite things!)
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| Kool Kaleidoscope, client quilt FreshofftheFrame.com |
(The light is harsh, but you get the idea!)
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| client quilt FreshofftheFrame.com |
Ahh, I can feel the tingle of "creation anticipation" creeping into my bones again. Life is good!
Try, learn, & grow!
Carole
Try, learn, & grow!
Carole
LOL. Happy frogs! The before and after is amazing. Enjoyed all your projects. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour home looks so cozy and put together with landscaping. I love how it can transform - much like quilting (and your last photo set), isn't it???
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see all your irons in the fire! I especially like the completely improv zipper pouch...very cool! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Full of lots of quilty goodness.
ReplyDeleteI really like the hand quilted piece in the first photo. It reminded me if a planted field. I love that texture and congrats on the house and all the work you have accomplished!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have been one busy lady! The collage quilt is great - lol, when I saw the pic of all of them, with the frog in the corner, I was going to mention how much I liked the frog. But then you showed an entire quilt of frogs, which is awesome. I'll bet you're very happy to have the lawn planted - sure cuts down on tracking dirt inside. Keep those creative juices flowing!
ReplyDeleteOooh ~ there is too much goodness here to comment on!! I'll miss something for sure : /
ReplyDeleteSo happy you took time for your own project even in the midst of crazy obligations! It makes me want to pull out my Alabama Chanin books and make myself a skirt.
ABILENE!! I've tossed around making her too. I think she might look nice hanging in my dining room.... But you know me and patterns - so I've been hesitant to bite the bullet. (lus - I never fully understood what I might be getting into. And I do like to know these things ;-)
Congrats on finishing your pretty challenge project! I like how each one shows (what I assume to be) characteristics of the maker.
Frog quilt is super cute - some little person is going to love it!
You are smart to take notes. I always think I should have taken notes when it's too late to do so. Already some of my memories from Dad's hospital days are getting fuzzy. And they were so poignant at the time, I was just sure I'd remember in great detail forever.
YAY on the landscaping!!! It all looks wonderful!! (although - I can't imagine why you didn't want to tote all of that rock yourself ;-) heeheehee) I love the curve in the sidewalk, too.
Thanks for taking the time to pop in with a bit of what you've been up to :-)