Thursday, August 27, 2015

Perhaps Not Completely...

Crazy, that is!

The explanation is this: It started innocently enough. I wrote an email to a very sweet friend saying I could forego blue in my color scheme in my house. I had originally planned to use the green/blue/magenta/orange-yellow tetrad, but the paint I selected for most of the walls turns out to be a very greyed aqua green.  I love the paint, which is good. At least I am not thinking I have to totally repaint. (My husband is breathing easier, too!) But, my original color scheme is out the proverbial window.

I thought I could just go over the the aqua green triad, because it includes aqua green and orange-yellow, but the third color is purple. No blue.  This is what I wrote to my friend, thinking I had reached a very adult decision. The next day I was trembling! I don't want to go without blue! I don't want to give up blue!!!! 

What to do??? I went to my trusty color tool.  You know the one by Joen Wolfram. How could I keep aqua green and blue. Yes! The split complement for turquoise will do it.  It includes blue (!!!), cerulean blue, turquoise, aqua blue, aqua green (!!!), and orange. Now what has all this got to do with quilting. Well, the best way to test the theory, is this a good color scheme for my house?, is to make a quilt, n'est-ce-pas???



I have cut all the logs for a log cabin.  When I am testing a color way, I don't want to be fussing with directions, I just want to play with color.  I find log cabins are great for doing this. I also become very obsessive while making one.  For example, I came up with this idea yesterday and this is how far I already am.  Naughty or nice?  

I am also quite close to finished my EPP star quilt. I would like to add colonial knots in a pearl silk along the appliquéd edge before I take it to be quilted. Other than in that, I think it is about there.  I just need to stitch the seams in the border.


I would very much like to make another of these quilts, but the next one I would work with much smaller pieces. This first attempt has been a real learning experience. (The finished quilt will measure about 60 by 80 inches.)  

I recently purchased a book titled, All Points Patchwork, by Diane Gilleland.  I think it contains some of the best directions for EPP that I have seen.  Check it out if you have been looking for something like this.

I broke my promise and started something new, but it is necessary!!! 

Happy quilting! Make it great!

cynthia




Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Is a Routine in Sight?

Why don't I just skip the apologies for my long, unintended absence and get to the sewing stuff?  You know why I haven't written! I have children and a husband. Does anything else need to be said?

One of my son's, who has had a lot of medical problems over the last few years, returned to university last week. I found myself wanting to do very regulated tasks, so I pulled out "Mrs. Billings' Coverlet" and followed the instructions. For me, when all else fails, follow someone else's instructions. I had started it last spring, but not gotten very far. I added a few more rounds this past week, and I am liking the results very much.




The first photograph shows from the center block out to border 8, and the others are close-ups to give you a better idea of the fabrics I am using. The next border is EPP flowers on squares of fabric.  I have these few made so far. I have to say they are very delightful to make. The edge on these is 5/8 inch.  The size is consistent with the center of the quilt and also with the last border.  If you are not familiar with the pattern, this is what it looks like in full.  I am using the version by Karen Styles of Somerset Patchwork (Australia). Hers comes complete with all the acrylic templates you need to cut your various pieces. It is very well done!


You can see I have plenty of sewing to go!!! I can't promise I will finish this quilt all in one sewing session (however long that is!), but I do want to get this to completion some day!

I am also still working on my EPP stars quilt top.  I have the edges just about finished.  It is almost ready for its borders! Then it will go to my lovely quilter's house!!! 


My husband and I took a few days to ourselves! It was lovely. We rented a house in a small town in the Texas hill country. Here are a few photos which I think are inspiration for quilting somehow??




These are architectural details on the house, outside and in.  I think the second one shows a wall that was left in tact after an addition. I thought it was fabulous!  It was a really nice place to stay.

I almost forgot: I cleaned up my fabrics!!! Now that for me is therapy!!!


Interesting sight: no traffic going in or out!!!



Hoping your sewing routine is much better than mine!!! Here's to happiness everywhere, but especially in your quilts!

cynthia