12" Art

You may remember about a month ago (or was it longer?) that I emptied my studio in an effort to condense, organize, and facilitate my quilting endeavors.  I've reached an impasse, with The Annex still full of quilting materials, and the Studio regaining its status of The Dump.  groan.  sigh.  sigh again.

Anyway, one of the things that I uncovered was a stack of quilts purchased from the 2016 SAQA Online Auction.  The quilts for the 2017 auction in September can be seen here.  Usually I make a contribution, but this year?  Quilting has been at a minimum.  I'm lucky if  I can pop out a birthday card every 3 months.

I hung the latest acquisitions, and thought that you might like to see the quilts bordering my Studio ceiling.  Here they are, in no particular order:

 This first quilt is "Sequoia Mini," by Teri McHale.

Next are a quilt by Phyllis Cullen, and "Joy Cometh in the Morning, Psalm 30:5 by Margaret Blank.

This is the view of the ceiling, as you first enter the Studio.  The other quilts on the wall are by Nancy Brown, (then Phyllis Cullen, Margaret Blank), Kristin Eilers, (Teri McHale), and Sara Kelly.

 

 Pivot 90 degrees, and you see this one.  

  "Ramble" by Marion Shimoda.  I had the privilege of meeting Marion in May 2016, when I was in Sisters, Oregon, taking a class.  Her detail work and teeny piecing are exquisite.

 Next are "Cloudburst" by Gwen Goepel, and "Found on Whangaumu" by Mathea Daunheimer of New Zealand.  I bought "Found" in Houston, in 2015.

 This is what that corner looks like.  I've actually added one more quilt.  I'd run out of hanging slats, and apparently have yet to take a picture of the last one.  Hang on a minute...

This is "Green Fields #3" by Christine Hager-Braun.

 This lusciously textured raspberry one does not have a label, so I cannot tell you its title or its maker.

This is the corner, to the left of my sewing space.  The quilt on the far right is by Charlotte Rogers.  The triptych on the far left is by Sharon L. Schlotzhauer.  The four crazy quilts in the corner were purchased from the Alzheimer's fundraiser, again in Houston, probably around 2013.

Above the door are "Abstract #3" by Shoshi Rimer (of Israel), "Trail Ride" by Jennifer Hammond Landau, and "Philodendron Phantasy" by Aileyn Renli Ecob.

Next come "Red Coleus" by Susan Brubaker Knapp, and "Spring Ginkgoes" by Franki Kohler.  I know both artists, and they are as lovely as their quilts.  (I've also met Aileyn Ecob.  She, too, is a delight.)

 Finally, I have "token (ART) quilt" by Deborah J. Bein, and "Croc" by Paula Benjaminson.

 This is what that wall looks like.  The bulletin board is crammed with as many postcards from my quilting friends as it can hold.

whew!  That's quite the tour, and quite the collection.  And I don't have room for any more, unless I seep into another room.  I prefer to have the quilts on display, as I find them to be quite inspiring.  They represent artists worldwide, using a myriad of techniques.  Each quilt spoke to me, and several are made by nationally recognized quilt artists.  I am thrilled to have them hang in my Studio.

And, just in case you think I've done nothing but sit back and admire other people's work, I have done a tad of quilting of my own.  I've pinned, 

I've made templates, 

and I've even made a (belated) birthday card for my daughter.

I keep setting goals, but family calls, and the goals get delayed, postponed, and then delayed once more.  Later this week, I'm off to help my sister deal with more stuff with my dad, so quilting remains stalled in the goal-setting stage.  No actually quilting will likely occur.  oh well.  Good thing Goals are good!!  :D

Simple Stitching

I can't tell you how good it is to just sit down, grab fabric, and sew.  Grab, sew, press.  Grab, sew, press.  The only thinking going on was to determine if the fabric was light or dark, and to make sure it was long enough to cover the foundation.  Grab, sew, press.

I showed you the beginnings in my last post.  I finished both tops yesterday.  Each measures 40".  One was made with 10" blocks, the other with 8" blocks plus 4" borders.  These are my favorite types of "I Spy" quilts, though don't ask me why.  I just think they are a lot of fun.

The first quilt has more "formal" fabrics, the second has a lot of juvenile prints in it.  Sometimes I just can't help myself and have to add parameters.

 Another thing that I've done recently is to hang the new 12" quilts that I purchased from the SAQA online auction this year.  They are above the door.

My first purchase was "Cloudbreak," by Gwen Goepel.  I think you probably know why the ocean view called my name, right?

When the first week closed, and the remaining quilts ended up in the SAQA store, I was stunned to find Aileyn Renli Ecob's "Philodendron Phantasy" listed.  Oh my!  I quickly hit the "buy" button, and it was mine.  I met Aileyn at Asilomar years ago, and have been a huge fan of her work.  It's usually all hand-done, but her machine work is also exquisite.  

The following week, I watched the quilts sell, first this one, then that one.  I pick my favorites each day, then whittle the list as they sell one by one.  I hadn't intended to buy any other quilts, but somehow I did.  This one is "Trail Ride," by Jennifer Landau.  I should have taken a picture of it before I put it on the wall.  It's full of texture and detail, that make the viewer want to touch it.  Good thing it's hung at the 7' level!  :)

There is also a fourth and final 12" SAQA quilt, but I've somehow lost it in the mess that is my sewing table.  It called out to me in Houston, and I just couldn't go home without it.  I don't have favorites, but if I did, this would be it.  Perhaps I will have located it and hung it by the time I get together my next post?  Goals are good!!

And with that, I think I should see what I can accomplish today.  Surely it will be something sew-y!

Finished?

I think the little starfish quiltlet is finished.  I've considered adding a fish or two, but really, this quilt is about the starfish.  Fish beads or buttons would distract from the star of the show, don't you think?

 "Star of the Show"

5" x 8.5"

Suzanne Kister, 2015

Here's a close-up.  Once I'd done the embroidered seaweed, I added some shredding.  I don't know what else to call it.  It's the threads that shred from fabric, when you pre-wash it.  I've been saving them for a while, and love putting them to use.  Once that was in place, I dug into my shell/ocean-themed goodie box, and started stitching.

So there you go, a quick and easy project, that was finished in less than a week.  Really, it was probably finished in less than 6 hours.  Piece of cake!

And now, I'm on to the next thing.  HappyQuilting!

A Wee Little Pretty

During the summer, when I was working on something or other, I made a little pretty.

I may have been trying to sew my way out of the mess of my studio.

One thing led to another, led to this:

 The first photo shows the true colors.  The second gives you a reference for size.

When I put it aside last night, I thought I was done.  This morning?  Not so sure.  It needs something.  Like maybe a sailboat?

And now I can call it Done.  I LOVE this little piece.  Every time I look at it, I smile.  It's the next best thing to having an ocean view.

Enjoy!

Chop Chop

A couple of days ago, I retrieved this quilt from Porterville, where it's been on display, almost since I finished it.

I was never happy with it.  Well, I was happy with it BEFORE I trimmed it down, but it's been out of proportion ever since.  I couldn't wait to get it back.  For the past two months, I've imagined adding borders, to make it bigger and more balanced.  But when I got it back?  And saw those crooked lines from a bad trim job?  My immediate reaction was, "This thing needs the rotary cutter."

Yesterday I took it all apart, slashed it carefully, and put it back together again.  Ahhh, SO much better!

I have a nice chunk set aside to do something else with.  I'm just waiting for inspiration to strike.

On another note, I shopped while I was in Porterville, at the Calico Mermaid.  I had so many full cards and gift certificates that it was time to start redeeming something.  I think I did well.  :)

And for now, that's it.  Hope you enjoyed the show!

First 2014 Finish

In my last post, I showed you the beginnings of the piece I was making for the SAQA 25th anniversary trunk show.  The receive by deadline is January 31.  Since I've got the rest of January planned out, I thought it would behoove me to finish it ASAP.  And so I did.

"Undersea Impressions"

7" x 10"

Suzanne Kistler 2014

All submissions are to be 7" x 10" and mine came out amazingly close.  I did the beading in the sand this afternoon, I just finished stitching out the label.  As soon as the label is on, I will fill out the paperwork and prepare for shipping.  yay!!  It feels good to put a line through the first thing on my "wanna do" list.  :)

Hope you're making progress on any lists you may have as well.  Next up?  ummm.  hmmm.  I'd better go check that list!

2013 Finish List

As I typed my final list, I was disappointed.  8?  Just 8?  And then I remembered the Sew Eclectic Design Challenge, and the Thimble Towne Color Challenge.  whew!  Thirteen in 2013 sounds SO much better!

The first two were the surfboard memory quilts for Tiffany.  I'd spent much of 2012 working on these quilts, but it was not until the week of Road to CA in January, that they were finished and delivered.  I'm currently working on a third quilt, to pattern it, but the appliqued surfboards sit abandoned in a basket, waiting patiently for my return.

The surfboard quilts were followed by a blue and gold Log Cabin bed quilt.  No picture needed - it looks exactly as described.  Fourth to finish was my first Sew Eclectic Design Board-inspired quilt.  I had Sara Kelly's board.

Once I'd finished that quilt, I went into quilt-show mode, and quilting went by the wayside.  The only exception was an iris quilt, which I was determined to finish for the Calico Mermaid Iris Challenge in mid-April.  I finished it on time, and tied for first.  I love this quilt, as does my daughter, who received it as her Christmas gift.

In May, I finished my 2012 Valley Oak Quilt Guild challenge.  Seven months too late to compete, but it was done.  whew!

In May, I also finished my Sew Eclectic Design Board quilt, inspired by Cindy.

July saw the finish of my Sew Eclectic Design Board quilt, inspired by Barbara Daniel.

Two baby quilts were finished and delivered, and then it was time to throw together the Thimble Towne Color Challenge.  In August, I finished "Strelitzia."

In November, I finished the Sew Eclectic Design Challenge quilt inspired by Jeremy.

And last, but not least, was Penny's Big Girl Quilt, for Christmas.

Which brought my total to thirteen finished quilts.  An incomplete count of quiltlets (5x7") came to 26; an incomplete count of postcards (4x6") came to 58.

I am planning to be more productive in 2014, but as I contemplate my UFO list, along with other projects that have been suggested, I may be hard-pressed to meet my goals.

But January 1, being the popular time for goal setting, will see me finalize my potential list for 2014.  So far I have 41 quilts on the list.  That may sound like a lot to some of you, but in comparison, I began 2013 with...41!  Looks like it's a draw, even with the completion of thirteen.  Maybe I'll shoot for fourteen in 2014.

Beautiful Little Show

The day before hitting PIQF, our Itty Bitty group traveled to Porterville, to see an Art Quilt Exhibit with quilts made by local quilt artists.  (I used the "a" word.  Aren't you proud of me?)  This is the second or third time they've held this sort of exhibit, it's the first time I've participated.  wow!  I've been missing out.

Even the doors are worthy of note.

Inside was a magical space, filled with beautiful little quilts.  They were individually lit, so that you could see them quite well.  The only issue I had with the lights, was that the didn't photograph evenly.  oh well.  You know what they say about beggars...

The show was dedicated to our friend Wanda Dunavan.  She passed away unexpectedly on Sept 14, but her quilts live on.  This was her Thimble Towne Color Challenge, I believe it was the last quilt she finished.  If you click on the photo, you may be able to read the dedication.

Two of Kristin Eilers' "Whimsy" quilts were there.  I have a brown one, hanging in my studio.  :)

 There was some sculptural 3-d work, with Beth Shaffer's Foxglove,

 And DeAnn Farris' latest blossom...

 Every nook was filled with quilted delight.

 We were surrounded by quilts!

 As I mentioned, I shared some of my work as well.  The icicle on the left side of the above photo is mine.  Here's a close-up, for Mr. DeMille...

 And finally, here is "Crazy About Green," hanging for the first time.  I was thrilled to see how flat and beautifully it hung!  Now if I can just find a quilt show that allows tied Crazy Quilt entries!!

I think the show ends this week.  I'm sorry we didn't get out there sooner, so we could give you a heads up and encourage you to make the trip.  Next time, I'll let you know, so you can mark your calendar!