Thursday, December 4, 2014

100 challenge

I was involved with a mini-group that set monthly challenges for each meeting.  Sometimes we were able to create something for the month, and sometimes not.

This is my response to the "100" challenge for December 2014.

I selected 100 different colors of embroidery floss, and I arranged them in a 10 by 10 grid of color and value



I cut a length of thread from each color, and pulled them thru this checkerboard fabric scrap, just to keep the colors in order
First I created this stitched piece with each color in its color/value position.  This small piece is about 4 inches square.

  Then I moved on to this next small piece of interlocking circles.  Again, each color in the same color/value position.

Finally, I created this satin stitch grid - its the same 4" square size.  I don't usually work in satin stitch, but I really think this is the strongest piece. 


This just shows that if you are trying new techniques or skills, you really need to try them out multiple times.   This is the color grid I use as the background for my blog banner.




Saturday, November 1, 2014

Sophie's Bat Mitzvah Quilt - November 2014


My niece, Sophie, selected this pattern and these colors for her Bat Mitzvah quilt.  I drafted the pattern based on an image I found online, then I selected fabric for the front and back


I had some fun and busy sewing days (when we still lived in California)


Then I took the quilt to Janet Mease's new shop in San Luis Obispo, SLO Creative,  and we all figured out how the long arm machines worked, centering a flower motive in each block.
 


 We traveled to Cleveland for Sophie's big event, and I was so glad to give this to her.  Hand embroidered label:

Love this girl!



 Mazal Tov on your big day, Miss Sophie!  You will always be wrapped in love from your Aunt Paula!

Peace.



Sunday, September 14, 2014

Kumba*ya

Our friend Janet opened a new quilting / creating space in San Luis Obispo in September 2014.  Adva and I made a little quilt for her, to celebrate the grand opening.   We are part of a group that calls itself "snowflakes", and the Kumbaya greeting is one of the ways we say how much we care about each other.  Of course, the asterisk, stands for a bit of foul language, which the Snowflakes sprinkle through speech quite liberally.



Here are the paper pieced letters, with the tiny asterisk :


  Here is the label on the back


Adva and Janet at her new, not quite opened, space:  SLO Creative Studio.




Peace.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Got You Covered Emily

Here is a big quilt I made for Emily, completed in January 2014.  Approx 100"x100" 

Neil brought it to her in NYC, and it was c-c-c-cold that day, up on the roof. 
 

here is the embroidered label: 

 

And a closeup of one of the blocks in progress.  There are many many fabrics in this, sorted by color and value.  Emily wanted some non-traditional fabric included  (items she found in thrift shops)  so its fun to find those hidden in among the quilting cottons.  
 
Keep warm little one. 
Peace