Monday, June 22, 2009

it's the little things that mean a lot

I find it very interesting how I can view something -- like a quilt or piece of art, for instance -- on someone's blog or on television...and have a particular notion of what I think the size might be.

Like the following quilt, for instance. How big...or small...would you say it is?



Really? It is actually quite small. In fact, so small that when I was filling in the information for my client's invoice...I didn't even indicate the measurements! But if my memory serves me correctly...I believe this little quilt is about the size of a medium sized cutting mat. Around 17 x 24 inches.


It is darling, isn't it! So crisp and fresh looking...with its two color blue and white color scheme. I can only take the credit for the Star Echo machine quilting. My good friend and client from Texas -- Julie...of JulieK Quilts -- pieced this little wonder. Now just imagine its size...and then think of all of the seam allowances that Julie matched up and stitched through! Truly...most of the seam allowances on the back butted up to the neighboring seam allowance!

My initial thoughts were to treat this quilt in a very traditional manner...perhaps longarm quilting it in the way that it might have been hand quilted. Some cross-hatching, maybe?

Well...the more that I thought and planned and envisioned the possibilities...the more that I turned away from those plans. I knew that any little wiggle or imperfection in my machine stitching would be magnified, due to this quilt's minute measurements.

Those plain white open blocks that you see on the quilt's top? The snowball blocks. They are smaller than my fist! And those little blue triangles that create the snowball block? They are about the size of my fingertip! So...I opted away from a traditional look of cross-hatching or what have you...and turned to a simple edge-to-edge Star Echo.




Who knew that so much thought could be stitched into such a little quilt! Posted by Picasa

Monday, June 15, 2009

bye bye baby, bye bye

Experiencing a little deja vu?



No...not really. You may have seen these felted bowls here before.

But then again...maybe you haven't.



Perhaps you'd like to check out ArtFire for yourself? There are a lot of terrific handmade goods there.



I am so pleased to say that these three soft felted nesting bowls -- minus the contents -- are on their way to a new and very perfect home!

Yes sirree...they are SOLD!!! But there are lots more where these came from.... Posted by Picasa

Friday, June 12, 2009

no waiting required

This is exactly how I recently wrapped a graduation quilt/present to be given to a very special young lady. Just a feminine tulle bow. Fairly green of me, wasn't it? After all, the tulle was re-purposed....

Honestly though? It was not initially the environmental aspect that I was most concerned with. It was more the fact that I just could not wait for my sweet recipient to open her quilt! I wanted to see her reaction immediately.



She LOVED her red and black and white quilt! And I was tickled pink.

I pieced it very simply. That seems to be my life's mantra these days: Simplify.

I just bordered 8 1/2" squares of red and black/white fabrics with 1 1/2" strips of the opposing color. Stitched them all together...sans any borders. Longarm machine quilted the top with my Freehand Fancy Feathers. Machine sewed and hand stitched the binding. And voila`...a love lap sized quilt for an even lovelier young woman...on her way to college this fall.



And she is not even storing it away until then. She's using and enjoying it now...which is exactly what I wanted her to do!

Why wait for special occasions? Every single day is a special occasion in itself! Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

oh...but chocolate and water do mix!

Two of my many favorite things. Water (blue). Chocolate (brown). Oh, but then there is coffee, too. Hmm...perhaps this brown represents coffee?

Do you do that? Tend to be inspired by food? The color...the texture? Or perhaps it is nature that inspires you? Flora and fauna...water...rocks or mountains or sand dunes.

Where am I going with this? Nowhere, really. Just things that I tend to think about daily. How about you?



Just how many chocolates...or...umm...browns do you think were consumed...or umm...used in this quilt?



The girls at my favorite little quilt store -- the Comforts of Home -- pieced this quilt. I machine quilted it with my Swirls...the hand guided, template followed pattern that I absolutely love!

But you knew that, didn't you! Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

celebrate, celebrate...dance to the music

Good news! Good news!

The October's Child ArtFire Studio is now...OPEN!!!



Oh, I agree. It is very humble means right now...but please be patient. I will be getting more items uploaded.

I have to tell you. I have all new -- ALL NEW! -- respect for online merchants, whether big or small. It's quite a job!

But for now...celebrate with me! Posted by Picasa