Sniff Test

It's part of checking out a new addition. I think it was the ribbon embellishment. This long skinny quilt of pastels, reminiscent of the beach, turned out to be SO time consuming, with all those little beads and hand-dyed ribbons and threads. Perhaps it has too much now, but it took hours and hours, and I don't want to feel those hours are in vain, so I don't want to remove some of the trims. It feels more like a party than it does the beach.

Lap(board) Cat

Here I am, set up with my lapboard, quilt, needle & thread, and box of pebble beads----ready to hand-stitch! But wait, a visitor has discovered a new surface to explore....

Petta on Metta

Metta means "Loving Kindness" in Buddha circles. This quilt outlines the Eightfold Path and also has a Metta Meditation: "May I feel safe, May I feel happy, May I feel strong, May I live with ease." Little Petta lives his little Metta life....

Another red

No title yet. But it has Tom's blessing. He hunkered down and wouldn't let me near the color strips I needed to fuse. The concept isn't fully formed, but it may end up fairly simple. Quilt blocks redux. That may be enough.

Black & White & Red all over

How to make a red quilt that isn't just red? First, I drew out the composition on the back of an old architectural drawing. Then I cut out all the fabric pieces and made sure everything balanced. Fortunately the Quilting Assistant was taking a nap when all these little pieces were laid out. Toward the end of assembly, however, he emerged and decided to check things out. I've never made a quilt without my helper. And a camera.

Color-coded

I can either match Tom's eyes or match his fur. Here's one of each. Tom has learned to not look at the camera for photos, alas. Even though I no longer use the flash, apparently there is the anti-red-eye light that flashes, so he won't look at it. Smart kitty! He really is friendly, even if he doesn't smile and look into the camera with those big baby blues.

How to create a quilt?

Assemble the parts. Move them around. Take out the colors that don't want to be there. Add embellishments that want to join the party. Does it dance? Does it tell a story? Sandra Sider, president of SAQA (Studio Art Quilters Association) and professional critiquer, encourages us not to make "just another pretty quilt." I'm still processing her challenge and what that means for my creations. I guess I just want to make a composition that pleases me, and that makes me feel good when I see it. I want to have an emotional reaction first, and then think about what is drawing me in as I study it. Is that what she means? It's not just pretty to look at?