Sunday Serendipity – Tucks

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this topic quite as much as I did.  Not only does the geometry of it appeal to my left-brain side, but some of the results are pretty spectacular and definitely appeal to my right-brain side!

I started out with some straight-forward tucks.  I carefully measured and marked, but in spite of that I managed to make these a bit wonky!  It still looks good, though, so I’m not going to stress over it.

I needed to try something more eye-catching – like this honeycomb pattern.  After make the initial tucks, I “appliquéd” a contrasting ribbon over the folded edges. 

That was pretty tedious, though, what with stitching each tuck multiple times.  I have some other ideas for adding color to try in the future.  By the way, I don’t know why these two photos look a different color.  It’s the same fabric!

For the next experiment, I needed a larger piece and, my, wasn’t that fun to stitch those lo-o-o-ng tucks!  But I do think it was worth it . . .

because after I cut and re-stitched, this is the result.  I do think it’s pretty cool, if I say so myself!  I did the stitching in the center of each segment after assembly, so the center is not so neat or pretty.  I will probably put a button or yo-yo there.

And here’s today’s results on the design wall.  Now that has the makings to become something very interesting, don’t you think?  

Oh boy!  Can’t wait to see what next week brings!

Wednesday WOW – July 25

I feel like my life is settling back into the routine finally.  At least I remembered that Wednesday is today!

And I was able to spend the day at the quilt shop where I added a border to the quilt.  Well most of it, anyway.  I miscalculated and didn’t have enough blocks to finish it.  I seem to do that a lot!  It shouldn’t be hard to figure out how many patches to cut for x many blocks.  Sheesh!

Sunday Ponderings

Since finishing up the techniques in Fabric Embellishing, I’ve given a lot of thought to “the next step.”  Where do I go from here?  Or, more accurately, what do I do now??

First of all, the idea of titling each Sunday post with a different  ‘S’ word has outlived it’s usefulness.  I had some fun, but there are only so many words that can be used.  So I think future posts will be called Serendipity Sunday, and will work like ‘Design Wall Monday’ or ‘Wordless Wednesday’ that many bloggers are doing.

Once that detail was taken care of, I did a quick review of my crafting library.  Well, maybe “quick” isn’t the right word, but it was not too lengthy.  I contemplated books on beadwork, embroidery, painting fabric, clay, handmade books, – this could go on for a very long time!!!

So, by using a very scientific method I chose to explore folding and manipulating fabric.  (Scientific = it sounded good at the time!)  Next step – gather books, magazines, and articles.  Um, let’s just say “lots.”

It occurred to me that it could take quite awhile to go through each and every option in all these resources.  Let’s see . . . seven times . . . carry the . . . divide by . . . . holy moly!  This could take years!

So this is how I’m going to do this:

I’ll start with this book (it’s the latest acquisition and I’m charged up about it.  What?  You expected a logical reason?)  I will progress through this book as my interests take me.  Some weeks I may do several in one day, or I might skip a technique or two.  When I’m finished with this book, I’ll move on to another.  In no particular order.  I might even jump back and forth between two or more resources. 

In other words, I’m going to try really hard to NOT be anal about the whole thing!

I’ll start next Sunday, July 29.  Don’t forget to stop by and see what I’ve been up to!

Wednesday WOW – er, Thursday?

Three days out of town has resulted in this whole week being topsy turvy!  So . . . what day is it, really?  According to the computer it is Thursday so I guess I’ll have to accept that!

I’m working on fabric postcards.  I believe this is the apex of messy for this project.  Two of the postcards are finished (there on the right) and three are in-progress.  Should get those done soon and off to the recipients next week.  I do enjoy making these little 4x6 projects!

Wednesday WOW – July 11

OK, I think I’ve worked on this quilt just about long enough!  Sometimes I will lose interest before a project is finished.  Then a UFO is born.  LOL!

Fortunately, today I finished piecing the blocks on this one.

Here it is with the first border added.   There will be more borders, but I need to take measurements and then decide what comes next.  Maybe a pieced border – maybe several.  We shall see.

In other news, I sent my hexagons off today for the Hoffman Challenge.  Submitting a quilt is a first for me so this will be interesting.  Photos of the finished product to come soon.

Wednesday WOW – July 4

The U.S. is celebrating Independence today.  The fireworks should be abundant tonight!  I’m always amazed at what a little gunpowder and fuses can do!!

With the heat it was a good day to stay inside and sew – so I did!

Spent some quality time with my trusty Bernina.  This quilt top has now been pin-basted and I started some of the quilting. 

Here’s a little sneak peek:

This metallic sliver thread sure has a nice sparkle.  I wish you could see it in “real” life . . . it’s gorgeous!

So far so good.  Now I need to decide how to quilt the rest of it!!