I've moved (but not really)

Please meet me at: http://zenstitcher.tumblr.com/  -
 Tumblr makes it easier to post from my phone.

I can't decide which I like better - bear with me.

Actual Doodling

My job entails a great deal of writing.  It also seems to entail a lot of time spent waiting for phone calls, making phone calls and other disruptive events that keep me from writing.  So - what to do while you are waiting?

Use Paint to make wallpaper for your computer of course!

My Nephew's Quilt

I was able to visit my sister and family in Wisconsin earlier this month.  It was really nice to see my nephew running around with the quilt I had made him - cuddling up in it to read, carrying his stuffed bunny, etc.  Though I had been told he loved it - seeing a 4 year old in action makes it pretty clear that this was not just "being polite."  I was also pleasantly surprised to see that it was holding up well.  This was my first attempt at free motion quilting and full of problems.

The design is my version of the pattern of the fabric in the back.  I don't remember now why I added patches of yellow in the border - I  think I had originally been thinking of adding butterflies and dragon flies before I ran out of time.

Another quilt

I designed and made this in 2008/2009.

It was meant to be a quickie wedding gift for a co-worker. I let her choose colors - figuring that it might be a challenge to work in colors I didn't choose.  She wanted brown, peach and yellow.  I don't do brown.  So...

I found a fabric that I could tolerate and then spent a great deal of time wondering what I would want to do with it.  Somehow, it cried out to be turned into medallions.  Once the first one was made I was hooked.  I think they look like dream catchers, so adding the turquoise was an easy jump.  The rest is history.

The problem with making a quilt that has been the result of inspiration is that it takes a very long time and is very difficult to hand over.  She did get the quilt - before her first wedding anniversary - I'm not saying more than that.



This quilt taught me that I could take something that felt impossible and make it into something that was uniquely mine.

On my "someday" list may be a full size version of this quilt - I have enough designs for it lying around.

I made it!!!!!!

I received an e-mail from Leah Day yesterday - I'm a finalist in her Transformation Challenge! (See Post Below for Picture). I was sitting at a restaurant for lunch with my quilting teacher and two other quilters when I received the e-mail. I don't usually shout in restaurants or burst into tears - oh well - I'm not likely to be going back there again.

I am one of 14 finalists.  There will be 8 winners announced at the end of September.  The competition is stiff but I feel that my piece is up to par.  To view the other quilts, go to http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/.  Let me know what you think.

Transformation Challenge

Done!!!! Finally.

This is my submission to Leah Day's Transformation Challenge. The challenge was to create a quilt on the theme of Transformation using at least 5 of the free motion stitches posted on her blog.  (See the right side of this page.)

For those of you who are interested,  the stitches are:  Tree Bark, Abstract Leaf, Landscape Stitch, Tree Roots, Poseiden's Eye, Pebbles in a Stream, World of Stars/Starfish and a variation on the basic swirl.

It has been an incredibly exciting experience.  I have grown so much in both my confidence as an artist and as a quilter.

I am very, very proud - but exhausted.

Update

No picture at this time - I wanted to put something on this Blog.  I kept putting off this post because I want to scan some of the myriad designs I have make in preparation for the Transformation Challenge. I have come up with a design that I am happy with and have started working on the final piece.  I am very happy with it and will be posting pictures soon.