Thursday, May 16, 2024

Mixture of Sun and Clouds on Free Motion Mavericks

Hello! I hope that Spring has found you and that you have a little sunshine in your days. We've had lots of clouds and rain, but I've been busy making my own Suns and clouds in the studio, getting the second part of my Outdoor Hanging Sculpture ready.

Finished Suns

The three Suns are ready - there's Sunrise, Noon Sun and Sunset. They were finished so I hung them out in the back yard to see how they would do.

Sunrise, Noon Sun and Sunset hanging off the umbrella

Once I had done both Sunrise and Noon Sun, it took me less than 2 hours to make Sunset. It seems that I had worked out what I wanted and just did it! Here are process pictures.

I started off with an orange silk scarf that I bought at Fibrefest a couple of years ago. The silk was fragile and rather difficult to work with. I wasn't worried because I knew that I would be adding layers on top of the silk background.

Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) layers of tule, organza, etc. over the silk

I made sure to work outside of the primary area so that it would overlap when placed in the smaller hoop.

In the hoop, before trimming it.

Here's what it looks like now, after having spent a few days outside. Since the silk and layers are not stiff, I'll be adding something to stiffen the outside edges. I was looking into a spray that would be waterproof, or I could also add a couple of layers of tule like my Noon Sun. I'll have to work on that 😊

Sunset

Here is a picture of my yard art - the Tibetan Prayer Flags on the left, the Suns in the centre and the fence art to the right.

Backyard art

Clouds in the making

The next level on my sculpture are the clouds. The first fluffy cloud that I made turned out smaller than I expected. I'm using doubled 22 gauge wire and adding different colours of tulle, chiffon and other translucent fabrics.

This first cloud is roughly 6" x 5" At this time, I'm thinking of making another small happy cloud to attach to the one below.

Fluffy happy cloud

The second cloud is starting off bigger at 9" x 7". I'm trying to keep it larger by not tightening the fabric as much. I've discovered that I can cover the wire with fabric and then stuff the layers with more fabric to change the colour and consistency. It's more 3D than the first cloud. 😊

Supplies used to make the dark, storm cloud

Larger, storm cloud

The clouds and suns will look different in the various lights. That's part of the fun of it all.

Yesterday we went to visit the venue in Vankleek Hill. The outdoor exhibition will take place on the Arbor Gallery property. It's a really lovely area, slightly secluded with all of the beautiful trees, but with enough local traffic that everything should be safe outdoor.

There are the two outdoor settings that I've chosen for my art. The tree that is horizontal stands near the back of the property, near one of the parking areas. It will be perfect for my outdoor hanging structure (which will need a name soon!)

The horizontal tree for my outdoor hanging structure

My other spot will be along this wooden gate. I took out the fabric that I bought when I first made my fence art. If I have time, I hope to make three smaller fence art pieces to hang on the wooden gate. Now I have to figure out what to put on them. They will most likely be appliquéd and have natural elements attached.

Fence on the side of the property

Fence Art in my backyard

What I learned

Working with wire has been interesting. I've enjoyed adding pieces of translucent fabric between the wire sections.
I didn't want to glue anything down since I don't know if that will last outside in the rain etc.
My Suns are more or less finished, but I'll be ensuring that they are tight in their hoops, probably by stitching around the hoop in a few spots.
Even though the art will be outside for the summer, I expect to go see it at least once a month to see how it's doing. We will also get a call from the curator if something happens to the art.
I still have work on the clouds but I want to try hanging everything to see if I need a larger fluffy cloud, or if it will be enough. I will probably add to it since I would hate to have a bigger rain cloud that a fluffy one. That might be how our summer will work out, but I sure don't want to jinx it!😊
The next step in the outdoor hanging sculpture is to finish it off. I'm hoping to add either a piece of bark or a branch, with a bird on it....we'll see 😎

Free Motion Mavericks

Welcome to week 582 of Free Motion Mavericks! I hope that this week will be as enjoyable and as productive as last week. Thanks for linking up.😊 Here are the projects from last week that included FMQ, ruler work or walking foot quilting.

Melva has been very productive and this includes this green memory quilt for a client.

Melva's finished Memory Quilt #2

Gail of Quilting Gail had the pleasure of seeing some of the finished quilts that she had designed for last fall's mystery quilt at both a guild meeting and a quilt show. It's so lovely to see the different versions of the same quilt - colour really makes a difference! You'll want to check them out if you didn't see them last fall!

Fall Mystery Quilt by Gail

Another version of the Fall Mystery Quilt by Gail

Sew Preeti has been busy again in the Island Batik May Challenge and Blog Hop. This time she's made a challenging foundation paper pieced quilt. It's a good thing that it's stunning! 😍

Preeti's Wagon by Ikea

Kat of Scrapbox Quilts has finished a lovely Kobi quilt designed by GEQuiltDesigns.com. She has vowed to make many more of these....eventually. This is her second one.

Kat's Kobi quilt

Deb, the Scrappy Quilter has finally been able to add satin edging around her pineapple quilt! It was quite the process but it's done.

Deb's pineapple quilt with the satin edging

Vicki has made another runner with a set of delectable mountain blocks. This time her runner has a South-West vibe to it. Vicki has also shared a tutorial for that block. You may want to check it out!

Vicki's South-West delectable mountain block runner

It's now your turn 😊

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Odds and Ends on Free Motion Mavericks

Hi and welcome to week 581 of Free Motion Mavericks.

Fibre Fling finds

Last Friday and Saturday was the Out of the Box (OOTB) Fibre Artists' Fibre Fling 2024. I was there for most of the two days, spending my time at the Membership table. I had a chance to meet with fellow members, potential members and see all of the wonderful work of these very talented artists.

If you didn't see it, here are my two pieces at the show.

My tulips and birds at Fibre Fling

Over 30 potentially new members signed up for more information on OOTB. The show is a great way to promote our group.

Every year, I purchase a couple of pieces from fellow artist and blogger, Connie at Connie's Textile Art. Connie has started stamping on her hand-dyed fabrics. I plan on making next year's Agenda with one of these (or maybe both?)

Wonderful stamped fabrics

I saw the dark fabric below and fell in love! Then I looked at the fabric piece behind it and gasped😮 It's really that wonderful (and the photo doesn't do it justice!) I'm not sure what I'll be doing with these - they are going with my other Connie fabrics until I figure out what to make with them.

Gorgeous printed fabric 😍

There was also a raffle next to the membership table, so I spent a lot of time talking with potential ticket buyers. Of course I had to buy some. There were about a dozen different textile art pieces, each with a box to hold tickets. You had to choose where to put your tickets - that was the most difficult part! I put one of my tickets in a box that I knew was very full, but a girl can dream.....except that some dreams do come true! Look at what I won - an original Nancy Garrard! I'm going to have to find a special spot for this one in my home!

Changing Seasons by Nancy Garrard

I also treated myself to a small felted piece by fellow artist Laura C. I just love the pops of turquoise, cherry and lime. It also has lots of interesting hand-stitching and beading.

A lovely felted piece by Laura

While I was at Fibre Fling, I had time to finish embroidering my Noon Sun for my outdoor hanging sculpture.

Noon Sun - part of my outdoor hanging sculpture

What I learned

Fibre Fling was a lot of fun, but as an introvert, it took a lot out of me!
As you can see, I've got one finished piece of my outdoor hanging sculpture.
I haven't done any kind of quilt or stitch work since the show - I need to re-boost my battery. I have done some gardening. The manual labour was difficult but good 😊I now have 3 rhubarb plants in my side garden.
Now that I've played with the big garden tools, I'm ready to tackle the last corner of my garden, where there will be a small fountain and meditation area...wish me luck!

Free Motion Mavericks

We had a busy party here last week! Thanks to everyone who linked up 😍. Here are the projects that included FMQ, ruler work or walking foot quilting.

Vicki from Vicki's Crafts and Quilting made this Delectable Teal Mountain runner. Isn't it gorgeous? You may want to check out her post to see her lovely FMQ feathers.

Vicki's Delectable Teal Mountain runner

Preeti of Sew Preeti Quilts outdid herself by making and quilting three quilts for the Pantone Quilt Challenge. This year's colour is Peach Fuzz. To see the Pantone Quilt challenge announcement and all of Preeti's quilts, go to the links beneath each quilt.

Here is Blush by Preeti

Preeti's Peach on Earth

For something different we have Preeti's Mica in
Island Batik fabrics

Next we have Frédérique's Anaho - a wall hanging that she started in 2009 and finished last week. Those will perspectives are so cool!😎 Check out her post of her process and story behind the quilt.

Frédérique's Anaho

Deb from A Scrappy Quilter quilted this charity quilt on her domestic machine. The quilt was supplied by her guild and she did the rest! Deb quilted it with giant waves to help the geese stay up!

Deb's quilted charity quilt

It's now your turn!

Wednesday, May 01, 2024

April's Yellow Table Scrap Challenge

Hi! This is just a quick post so that I can participate in the April Table Scraps Challenge. 😊 If you're looking for this week's Free Motion Mavericks' post, I published it on Tuesday, in time for the April One Monthly Goal (OMG) deadline. Yes....I may need to plan better next month!

Sweet Yellow Cuddle Quilt

Yesterday, I started playing with yellowish scraps but had no idea what I was making (as usual...as my daughter mentioned!) I'd be insulted, but she's correct 😀

Yellow Cuddle Quilt

I wanted to make a few different improv blocks with my scraps. So these became a rail fence and a nine patch. I made quick borders for two 3" squares and that was the improv part which I bordered with very yellow fabric. Now what?

Improv blocks in the cuddle quilt

I took out my yellow fabric bin and found two lovely pieces of fabric to use for the rest of the quilt. The first was a yellow fabric with small spirals and the other one was a lovely multicoloured Kaffe Fassett fabric with yellow in it.

Kaffe Fassett and yellow spirals fabrics

As you can probably tell, I took very few pictures during the make. It was all about getting it done!

Here is the back, also pieced.

Back of the cuddle quilt - you can see the quilting 😊

FMQ the Cuddle Quilt

I started by FMQ feathers around the yellow borders of the improv section.

FMQ the feathers around the improv block

An apple in the fruit block

FMQ a sail boat

FMQ house, trees and car, as seen from the back

FMQ pencils and hearts as seen from the back

I FMQ leaves in the binding and had a great time FMQ the Kaffe Fassett fabric 😍.

FMQ meandering flowers in the swirls block

April's Yellow Table Scraps Finish!

April's Yellow Table Scraps Finish - a cuddle quilt

What I learned

I can make and quilt a scrappy cuddle quilt in a day and a half!
I really had no idea where I was headed for this piece but I'm glad that making a cuddle quilt is an option for a quick finish. I'll be dropping it off a the Community Projects table at our guild meeting in May.
I loved FMQ the Kaffe Fassett fabric since it was all about following the fabric lines - my favourite FMQ technique!
I also learned that a 2" wide binding is not wide enough for a double binding! I ended up using it because I only had a little bit of that flannel fabric. I knew that it would be tight but it was the perfect finish.
I stitched the binding from the front and then finished it from the back with machine stitching.
Ironing the binding before stitching it on by the back helped.
The binding came out ok because I used some very yellow thread that more-or-less blends in, but I would rather not do that again!

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