I just realized that you never got to see the MR3 made by me. Oops! Sorry about that.
What was the Challenge?
We (the Quilters Knitting group on Ravelry) have been doing a series of mug rug swaps. The Original Mug Rug Swap started off simply enough. The only "rule" was the size range of the finished products. The 2nd Chance Mug Rug Swap soon followed due to the fact that some members weren't able to participate in the first swap. One member suggested that we "up the ante" for the MR3 and make it a challenge. It was a popular idea so off we went (with each person choosing a challenge for the mug rug she was to receive!)
But, what was YOUR challenge?!
Oh, you want to hear about that, too? Well, my recipient specified her color preference would have to be bright warm colors (reds, yellows, pinks, oranges.) She stated that any theme would be fine. However, her challenge was that her mug rug would have to incorporate a block of some kind i.e., star, log cabin…whatever my preference. She loves all blocks!
Would you like to hear about the process?
I began by checking my stash of "orphan blocks" and found one that worked within the recipient's color palette. It was a Pinwheel block that I had found in a scrap bag that had been gifted to me by a friend. I used this to begin building from there. The plan was to build a Log Cabin block, but once the balance was thrown off, I decided to use that to accommodate my Snack & drink theme. As a reinforcement, I added the lettering, which (in my mind) was something fun and unexpected. Satisfied with the end result of the construction of the top...
The next question was:
HOW am I going to quilt this thing???
The answer to that question revealed itself as I was sitting on my bed. Of course! I've admired the quilting on my bed quilt for many years, but have never attempted replicating it... until now.
I wanted to post immediately after my mug rug was completed, but I didn't want it to be posted before my swap partner received it in the mail. Unfortunately, time went by and I didn't hear from my swap partner.
And I didn't hear from my swap partner... (and I didn't HEAR from my swap partner!!!)
I was beginning to think that the mug rug was actually LOST in the mail!!! (Not a prospect that appealed to me with all the work that went in to the making of this project. Just as I was about to begin working on a replacement, good news arrived. Finally, someone found a photo of my MR3 on the recipient's Flicker page and I (now) know that it arrived. Whew! What a relief!!! (Thanks, Joeyune!)
I really hope that Dragonknits is enjoying the MR3 that I made for her!
This little mug rug sort of morphed from its Log Cabin beginnings and became an off-center, log cabin leftover repository with uncharted free-motion quilting designs. It was fun to make and the colors were perfect for the recipient!
I was SO pleased:
1. That I was able to think of a creative solution to a piecing problem.
2. That the free-cut letters turned out well.
3. That I finally was inspired to try replicating the free motion quilting design that appears on my Millennium Star quilt (made by members of Capital Quilter's Guild in Raleigh, NC.)
4. That I have a wonderful support system of quilters in my local quilt bee (one of whom was able to provide the PERFECT binding fabric - so that I had NO excuse to go fabric shopping. Thanks, Needleb!!!)
Look for MR4, our Fall/Winter themed swap, coming around the middle of October. (It will be followed by MR5 at the beginning of 2012.)
Until then...
Happy Quilting!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Girl's Got Class
Quilt class, that is!
Today, I attended a pet portrait class offered by m local quilt guild. Talk about setting outside one's comfort zone...
That's EXACTLY what I did!!!
It sounded SO interesting that I borrowed a photo of a neighbor's beloved pet. He is the sweetest dog that I've ever met and there's the most adorable pet photo I've seen, hanging on the wall of my neighbor's home. I just HAD to give this class a try.
You can see the photograph at the top of my picture. Beneath that, you can see the progress that I've made so far. If you look on the right side of the photo, you'll get a better idea of the process. It's sort of like paint-by-numbers for quilters!
The teacher, Aniko Feher of Detroit, Michigan, was very encouraging and quite helpful in making her students' photos come to life in fabric.
I'll post further progress, as it occurs.
Until then...
Happy Quilting!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
"Big Block" #7
"Crumb - y" Progress:
UFO Day today! I began with a stack of "2-patch" sections and added sashing to make 3 "4-patch" blocks. Once those were completed, I was able to sew them togther (with 1 more that I had finished another day.) I'm happy to have added "Big Block" #7 to my slowly growing stack of components for my Crumb Quilt.
One of these days, I will actually have a quilt top!!! Then comes the actual quilting...
Thursday, September 8, 2011
On the Inside...
of my Patriotic Jacket, you will find this fun fabric. The quilting that you see is a portion of the work that I completed at my quilt retreat.
Hard to believe that was TWO WEEKS ago!!!
I'm sad to say that I haven't gotten a whole lot of quilting done since then.
When's the NEXT retreat???