Friday, December 21, 2012

so...what I did today

You are about to be treated to the periodic photo of my cutting table after an entire day of cleaning, sorting, and throwing. Uh - not for the faint of heart. At about 3:00 I collapsed and stared into space till I recovered. Now it is almost 3:am and all the coffee I drank tonight is keeping me up blogging. Aren't you lucky!
But a clean room (well, neat, anyway) is not all I accomplished today.  I have been up tonight quilting a baby quilt I have been working on for quite a while and it is almost done.  It's a string quilt, which I have not made in eons but it seemed the thing to do.  This baby is already a toddler. Oh, dear. It is still on the floor and the picture is fuzzy but you get the idea.

 And that's not all!!  I finished stitching Totem 2 and just have to trim and face it. Yay.
 I would't have thought of it as a vertical but since Totem 1 became a vertical, I'm trying it out for size.

I also cut batting from the MQG's huge roll of batting and attached 2 charity quilts (one of which I made a backing for, tonight.  And then I cut batting for a huge antique top that one of the members donated to guild.  What has gotten into me?  It must be the solstice!

Last but not least...

I love to hear from readers who have bought my book and shifted gears to play around with free-form:-)  Yesterday, I got an email from Catherine Tyndall in the U.K., sending me a picture of her first free-form quilt - and it was fun to see what she did.  Just thought I'd share it.
And on that note... see 'ya. 

10 comments:

Eva said...

Yes, the burgundy totem quilt is smashing. I love the vertical orientation; it makes sense with the title you chose! -- Your reader's quilt is really interesting -- with the two doors leading out of the frame. Makes it very dynamic and really fulfils the principles that you stated in your book abot feeling free to experiment.

MulticoloredPieces said...

The burgundy frame in Totem 2 really makes the piece dance! It seems to me that maroons and burgundies are sort of out of style, so this is a great change.
best, nadia

Cate Rose said...

I prefer the vertical orientation of Totem 2 and I love the piece. Really beautiful. Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Much love.

Nina Marie said...

yeah know - I was wondering - does one really need to choose an orientation of a piece? Could you basically make sure there is ways to hang it on any side the owner wanted? Especially pieces like these that work nicely either way. Ohh and btw - I'm quite sure I have a free form book under my tree - or else I better. . . . . .

Anonymous said...

I always love the colors I see on your blog.... so vivid they just dance. You really accomplished a ton of work. Since I would love to experiment with free form, I guess I must get out there and find your book. Come see me on Off the Wall Fridays too!

Unknown said...

I too love the burgandy...and now to join you in the cleaning up!

Judith said...

Congrats on your clean studio for the new year (or is it already back to "normal") Thanks for showing Catherine of UK's finished work. I admire her for getting it finished. After reading your books, I have sew dozens of strips together and put them on my board until personal inspiration strikes. Catherine just dove right in!

Vivien Zepf said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely -- all lovely. You put me to shame with your cleaning. And I loved your article (and the nod to you as well) in Art Quilting Studio. Brava! Happy new year!

Shawn said...

Got your book Free Form quilts for Christmas...I had sooooo much fun making my first Free Form using an orphan block! I am going to have to have my tech advisers (kids) help me send you a picture in this blog comment form, or get your email address. It turned out awesome!

Shawn Delker
Kansas

RHome410 said...

Hi, "Raynag!" You might remember me from the olden days of the Kitchen Forum. ;-) But if not, that's OK. I just got 2 books of yours from the library, and am DYING to get to my sewing machine and be more free-formly creative.

I am so happy the books reminded of your blog and to have signed up for email updates, so life demands won't distract me and make me forget what I'm up to. Besides, I have a grandchild coming, and I sense he or she needs a funky and fun, contemporary quilt, instead of the 'expected!'

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