Sunday, February 21, 2016

post-retreat update

Just got back from a small quilting retreat.  7 of us in a lovely house in Wimberly, TX.  So much fun and so many projects!


I made this graffiti quilt for Melanie for her birthday.  These are fun to do!


I used variegated thread and a double batt of wool and cotton.



Sideways view of the cat portrait that I am working on.  This is my daughter's cat, Cosmo.  This piece is about 25 inches square.  I wanted to try a snippet technique similar to Danny Amazonas.


Here is the original photo of Cosmo.  I'm not sure why that other photo turned sideways, but I will put more photos on it when I finish it, maybe they will be right side up :)



  How about a fun portrait quilt called "Generations". It's made from the new book by Flora Joy, Trispective.  It was a little tricky to do, but it worked and her book is full of very good information!
So my portrait is in the middle, you can see it when looking straight at the quilt.  When you are on the left side you see my Mom, and when you look at it from the right, you see my daughter.


The trispective quilt had a some time-consuming photoshop work, then I sent it to spoonflower to print.  Then a lot of folding and tucking ensued.  But I love how it turned out.


This is a 14 inch block, paper-pieced, for our guild raffle quilt.  This took me a day and a half to make.  Whew!  That's precious retreat time.  But it turned out pretty.  

I got lots of inspiration from my friends at the retreat.  I was inspired to do better work, like taking the time to hand applique my Jinny Beyer Craftsy flower blocks.  Also, to be more precise while piecing - honestly some people are so picky!!  I was also inspired to do more projects for others.  I did make two more dog beds out of scraps though...  those go to the Humane Society.  



Hope to get back to you sooner than later, Karen





6 comments:

  1. Wow! That portrait quilt....I have never seen anything like it. I love that there are three generations represented. That piece is such a work of art - great job! And your graffiti piece is sooo inspirational to me. I have done a little of that type of quilting but want to do more. I'll definitely use your piece as inspiration when I'm practicing! Thanks so much for linking to MCM Karen. Have a great sewing week!

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    1. thanks, that graffiti quilting is just fun fun fun! And I used some pics on pinterest as my inspiration. and that trispective quilt was an unusual project for me. But it's so cool!

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  2. Your trifecta quilt is amazing. I'd love to read how you plan your graffiti quilt. Hum, maybe I should look at past blogs, you might have already done something on it. First time visiting here. Lovely quilts you are showing.

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  3. That graffiti quilt is so cool...but the cat portrait is absolutely stunning! Thanks for linking up at WHOOMP There IT Is!

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  4. So much awesome in this post. The graffiti looks like so much fun--it reminds me of all those coloring books that are so popular right now. I'm intrigued by the cat quilt and how you interpreted the picture in the colorful prints. The generations quilt is a marvel--I understand the concept, but it must have been really tricky to put together. So special to have you, your mother and daughter in one quilt! And the paper piecing? Well that's where my heart is. What a treat to read this post!

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  5. Hello Karen,
    The FMQ quilt for Melanie is fabulous - you have packed in so many different designs into a small space, and the subtle colours of the background and variegated thread make it so much more interesting. I bet Melanie was thrilled!
    I amazed by how many different techniques you have been trying out. The cat portrait is gorgeous, and the three generations quilt so totally unique and precious for your family.
    Thank you for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks.
    Love, Muv

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