I'm busy checking things off my goals list, and while I really like to add things to that list, I think I like it even better to check things off. One major check mark this week was finishing my Jeweled Mystery quilt top... can you believe that I've finished a whole quilt top, sent it off to be quilted, and really have shared practically little to nothing here?!? All in time... all in time.
But my next deadline is lurking, and now I'm wanting to go a direction that I've never really been before with the blocks that I shared last week... and that is to finish a baby quilt with a lot of negative space.
Negative Space... there's that scary word that makes me cringe all the way to my toes trying to come up with ideas to quilt this, but I really want these adorable blocks to be highlighted and the focal point. My plan is to incorporate various low volume scraps into the background as well as a creme Basic Grey grunge fabric.
So far I've combined the individual blocks into a larger color block by adding Basic Grey grunge in a complimenting color, and added a reverse applique climbing leaves block. For this, I essentially used multiple print outs from my "Mini Foliage" template, and simply finished every other leaf. I think that this might need a second set of leaves, and I am still playing around with the placement.
Here I switched the leaves to a vertical position instead of horizontal. I think one vertical and one horizontal set of leaves might be a nice balance.
Is"Negative Space" a scary word for you too, or do you thrive on counting the ways to fill it up?
Linking up to Let's Bee Social.
I'm finding that I am enjoying having several of my handmade things peppered throughout the house. I haven't always sewn with myself in mind, but find that I love being greeted by this table runner in the hallway, this pickledish table cover in the living room, and this mini mini gone super size adorning my favorite chair.
In the evenings before I go to bed, I usually take up a glass of water with me. I guess this is the part where I shamefully admit that for far too long, I had simply put a towel on my nightstand to protect it from any water damage. But as my Mom always says... if you want to get your house in order, then invite company! And a recent visit pushed me to do something that I should have done a long time ago!
I'm totally smitten with Sew Kind of Wonderful's Green Smoothie quilt, which was the color inspiration for this little table runner. Simple. Fresh. Green. The more I think about this quilt, the more I want to make it, but this at least satisfies my "craving" until I can get some of my other WIP's knocked out the way.
I actually used my free Mini Mini Foliage template and simply let it grow by adding more leaves. If you've never done reverse applique, then you can check out my tutorial here for a complete how to.
I'm really starting to become a big fan of wavy quilting... it really adds such movement to a piece! Now, what would a project of mine be without adding a few Basic Grey grunges to the mix? I used a understated grey fabric for the backing, and Carolyn Friedlader for the background and the binding.
So, do you have any corners in your house that are begging for a little handmade touch? Do you usally sew for yourself and things to use in your home, or do you just sew where your inspriation lies?
Linking up to Let's Bee Social and Sew Cute Tuesday.
Sometimes it's easy to get into a rut, right? I would think that it is safe to say that every blogger, at some point or another, has probably reached a broken record phase. You know, I keep working with the same colors, making the same favorite pattern over and over, or preaching about the same topic... well, I hope that your patience has not run its course when it comes to me sharing, yet again, a few more mini mini's... but if I include another free template, are you still with me?!?
This round of mini's has been all about slow stitching. I've been told that my work reflects a certain attention to detail, and I've always loved adding little embellishments, doilies, and do-dad's to my projects... I'm not talking about kitsch here (hee, hee for my German readers... kitsch is in the English language too!), but simply extra touches.
My mini phase has not just been about jumping on the latest craze bandwagon, but actually about testing out color combinations that I might not ordinarily pick, trying quilting techniques that I've never done before, and simply experimenting with things that I might not trust myself on for bigger projects. While I am not a beginner sewer, I am a beginner quilter, and such little projects have been the perfect opportunity for me to test the waters.
To use this Mini Mini Foliage template, you might want to refer to my tutorial on reverse applique if you have never tried this technique before. The steps are essentially the same, except I had stitched two fabrics together for the leaf instead of using a solid. Then I made a thin binding strip for the center and stitched it on after the leaves had been added. I had thought that this would be fun to make a longer row of leaves together for a bigger project... I might have to add it to the list.
And just so you know, next week things will return to normal size projects AND coming soon another finished quilt reveal!
How about you... do you get in a rut when it comes to your sewing projects? Do you stick with the same colors or patterns? Do you have your own sewing soapbox?
Linking up this week to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social
