Sunday, June 14, 2015

FMQ Update

It's true that "Practice, practice, practice" does improve your free motion quilting.  Thanks Janet!  I'm getting the hang of it.

I had posted here about two lap quilts that I was going to free motion.  At first all that negative space seemed daunting.  After several days of procrastinating, I said "Just do it".  Well,  here is the first one.
Hard to see the quilting in that picture, so here are a couple of close ups.

I've called it "Modern Fassett"  What do you think?

Okay, so now I started to feel a bit more confident, so I took on the second one.  Called it "One Fell Out" after the little red square on the left.
Here is the detail on this one.

Hey this is getting easier and easier.  I'm off to see what other quilt sandwiches I can conquer.  Till the next time, thanks for visiting.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Yikes!

It's been quite a while since my last post.  I've been busy packing, searching, more packing and more searching.  That's a story for another day.  Let's get caught up.

I recently attended Canadian Quilters' Association conference in Lethbridge, Alberta.  Travelling by bus left the full 12 hours of driving to someone else and allowed me time to visit with 42 others on the bus and take pictures along the way.  Going there the weather was not cooperating so a lot of visiting and reading took place.  Coming back though the sun shone in all it's glory so I got a few photos of the scenery passing by.  Here are a few.
Taken from the bus, here is what the prairie looks like.  FLAT!  as far as the eye can see.  Hey!  inspiration for a modern quilt?  Then came the Rockies.   I think I'm a "mountain girl" at heart.


Not so flat!  Very majestic and still snow-topped in June.

While at the conference, there was lots to see and do.  The National Juried Show winners were something to see, especially Best of Show.  You can see them here.

There was the Trend Tex challenge entries, a fundraiser for CQA/ACC.  I attempted to bid on several of the pieces (Quilts #19, 43, and 61), but was out bid on those three.  I was however lucky enough to win Quilt #21, Rebecca Laughs at the Wind.  Can't wait to get it in the mail.

I also managed to take Cindy Needham's workshop Linen Ladies.  What an inspiring teacher.  She had numerous samples, plenty of handouts and gave us lots of time to practice.  My friend Janet joined me in that class, making it especially enjoyable.  We came with vintage linens to mark for quilting and after an informative lecture from Cindy, were given a host of quilting stencils to work with.  Here is a sampling of some of the works in progress.


It may be difficult to see the markings, but just click on the picture to get a larger view.

I have been working on my free motion quilting of late, but that is for another post.  Till the next time, thanks for visiting.