Intentions, Progress, Finishes

I'll get right to it. I've gotten plenty of tasks accomplished over the past few months, but they weren't necessarily the ones I had intended to do. This happens occasionally and that's ok, but I want my focus to stay more on target. So, I'm going to try the monthly intention listing again. It's helped in the past, I believe it can do it again. 

 

First up:

I want this piece completed, now. It needs more quilting to lay flat. The binding has been prepared for it. The center will get a brown unit. A circle, Hexie, yo yo, or ? I'm determined to get this done by November 6. 

#2

Here's where my piece has progressed to for the Basic Crazy Quilting Course I'm taking online with Kathy Shaw. It's a free course, has 12 tasks, and is very doable. Check out her site for when the next course will be offered. I have plenty of tasks to finish out before I will consider it done. Projected completion is November 30. 

The red one is another impatiens placemat that I want done by Nov. 30. This one, unlike the yellow one, will not be appliquéd to the top of a background. I want to try a pillowcase/facing finish it. This will be a sweet little table topper when done. 

I have an idea for a quilt that is rambling around in my head.  It will use lots of different size blocks, scraps galore, and strips to give it a portrait feel. I have orphan blocks, scraps, and left-overs from several finished projects. I will be searching for one or two fabrics for bringing some cohesiveness to it.  I won't be using any basic neutrals, as that just isn't what I'm looking for. 

I also have a piece started that I refer to as my Pojagi piece. Not sure where I'm headed with this. 

There are also one knitting and one crocheting project. Both are sitting in the basket. I'm not pleased with how they look, so they may get undone and the yarn put back into a ball for the future. 

On my design wall is a piece I call Flower Garden. It has flower heads from hand dyed cloth fused on. I want to try couching the stems with my longarm onto it. Even if it doesn't turn out the way I want, I need to try. 

I think that my biggest drawback to getting some of my projects underway has been fear! Yep, fear of messing up what I've already done. That's why I'm counting on this post to help keep me motivated to make progress. Progress comes before completion! I really should print that out. Maybe even have it tattooed on my forearm! 

Well, that's enough for today. I'll be back as I get some progress made. 

Until then, Let's Create Today!  Luann

New Year's Eve Project

I just realized that I didn't post any pictures of my newest project. I started the sewing portion on December 31, 2014!  I know most folks celebrate this evening by going out, etc. But not me!!

During December I did some deconstructed screen printing. It was my first time and I was experimenting all the way. The prints I ended up with seemed to fall into three distinct color ways. 

Two of the sets had a predominantly blue hue. 

I used an improvisational trimming and sashing method. My new design wall came in handy. I had to decide where more white would be added to bring these pieces all together into one cohesive unit.  My design wall was laying on it's side when I took this picture. I think you can still see the "pojagi" look that is appearing. 

I want the size to be larger but I haven't settled on the best way to accomplish it. I want to stay true to using only white and fabrics that I have printed. I also want to keep the improvisational approach. At present I'm leaning towards an improv pieced border using much smaller pieces of the printed fabric and narrower strips of white. 

I think that even if you are doing something in the improv mode, there comes a point at which one must make very calculated choices in order to portray the feeling or mood you're going for. At least that's how I'm feeling at this point with this piece. 

Something that's really been different about this quilt is that from the very first trimming of fabrics I've had a sense of what I want the quilting designs to be. This is the first time I can remember that happening! 

I've also decided that I will NOT agonize over any small imperfections, and maybe not over any BIG ones either! I want to let this unfold and move forward at it's own pace. And now that I am feeling better, that should be picking up momentum shortly. 

I hope you are all creating from your heart, and enjoying the journey. 

Let's Create Today 

Luann

Here's what a few of my screens looked like before printing.