Challenge Project....Part 4

All of the cutting is done...

Click Images to Enlarge:

Raw Edge Fusible Web Applique

Now I am ready to put a few pieces up on the design wall...

Since this is a Top Secret Challenge Quilt...

I will share a few close-up peeks at my work so far

I just love the way these bright batik fabrics just jump off that black background fabric!

That's all I can show you for now...

There is more to come soon!

Goose Family

We stopped by the mill pond today to check on the new family in town...

Mama & Papa Goose have 3 new babies!

Rhodie Bud

The Rhodies are just beginning to bloom here in Western Oregon

Feel free to use these images in your art work if you are inspired.

They are downloaded at full resolution.

Just click on the image to enlarge it, then copy it to your desk top.

Enjoy!

Painting Plywood

If you don't hear from me for a few days...

This is why...

We are working on our patio out back.

CLICK HERE to view more Challenge Quilt images

CLICK HERE to view My First Quilt

CLICK HERE to view Woven Sunshine Slideshow

CLICK HERE to find out about Adventures with Jello Printing

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

Challenge Project....Part 1

My local quilt group, The Harlan Valley Quilters (HVQ)

has a challenge quilt project.

This year we each have a half yard of this gorgeous batik fabric pictured below.

Click Images to Enlarge:

There are no rules in this challenge.

We can use this fabric in any way we like, including a quilted project or a 3D object.

When I look at this fabric I see flowers!

I pulled out the fusible web and traced flower motifs.

I also added the lavendar, green and brown fabrics from my stash.

I plan to use this black batik as the background.

Our challenge is TOP SECRET until they are revealed in December 2010.

I will show you a bit of my work as I go along.....without revealing too much!

I have a little more than a fat quarter of challenge fabric left...

I have an idea for a second project.

We will have to wait and see what happens...

Yellow Iris

Purple Iris

This image is making it's way into a quilted textile...

I have uploaded these images at full resolution.

If you click the image it will enlarge.

Feel free to use these images in your artwork if you are inspired!

State Fair Zinnia Seedlings

In the kitchen window

I don't have much luck growing seedlings directly in the ground here in the coastal mountain range of Western Oregon.

I do better starting the seeds in the kitchen window for a few weeks.

I will be planting them in the ground by the first of June

The lilac bush by the back door is blooming and it smells yummy.

Somehow poor Suzy ended up in the house...

She came to the window to remind me to let her outside.

Gunnr

He is a clown and makes us laugh every day.

He also adores Suzy......unfortunately, she doesn't share his affection.

CLICK HERE to view the Thread Shed

CLICK HERE to view Tutorials

CLICK HERE to view Slideshows

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

Woven Quilt........Class Sample

Click Images to Enlarge:

Today I am making a Woven Quilt for a class sample.

I chose some solid looking batiks and some fibers in different weights.

Let's see what happens...

This was Fun!

I tore all of the strips, no rotary cutting.

I used the same weaving technique I developed for my Cow Pony Quilt.

CLICK HERE to see the Tutorial

Canvas Stretcher Board

I decided to mount this woven quilt on a stretcher board.

This will help support the weight of the piece.

Canvas covered in black batik fabric

Installing a picture hook on the back of the canvas

This is my Thread Shed Toolbox........it holds very different tools than my regular tool box in the house!

I stitched the quilt through the canvas to hold it in place.

This also gives me the option of removing the quilt from the canvas if I need to.

Quilt Label fused to the back of the canvas

" Weaving My Dreams "

Beads sewn on by hand

Beads strung on to the fibers hanging at the bottom.

This project was free spirited for me........I am a recovering Perfectionist........and ripping fabric with stray threads dangling here and there is not my norm.........but I enjoyed every minute of it.........thus the name.........Weaving My Dreams.

CLICK HERE to see the Cow Pony Rust Woven Quilt

CLICK HERE to see the Cow Pony Slideshow

CLICK HERE to see Woven Sunshine Quilt (my very first woven quilt)

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

Cow Pony Rust Quilt.....Done

This is how things looked at 10:00 last night...

Click Images to Enlarge:

Cow Pony Quilt

All of the applique and machine quilting is done.

About 5 hours to get the leaves on and complete the quilting.

Today I will hand sew the binding.

Then we will go outdoors for a photo session.

(I hope my camera cooperates)

Detail image of threadwork on Dancer

I kept the leaves close by.....they were a great inspiration when it came time to quilt the veins in the fabric leaves. Isn't mother nature wonderful!

Tomorrow I will spend the day doing a clean sweep in the Thread Shed.

Many fabrics were auditioned and are now in need of sorting before they are put back into the cupboards.

After a project it helps me to clear my head by cleaning up and organizing the Thread Shed. Once everything is put away and order is restored, I love to stand back and appreciate this lovely environment I am so fortunate to have and work in.

I do have to tell you though....it doesn't last long!

I can't wait to get back in there and start on something new...

If you are new to this post, you can see all the previous posts about the Rust Quilt by clicking HERE

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

To see my New Work CLICK HERE

To see the Thread Shed CLICK HERE

To see my Exhibit Quilts CLICK HERE

Quilted Sunflower Pincusion...

Another fun & fast project:

Click Images to Enlarge:

Quilted Sunflower Pincushions

5 x 6 inches

Layer a gorgeous fat quarter of fabric with batting and backing fabric into a quilt sandwich. I spray basted it together.

Choose a thread to quilt it.

Audition several colors until one appeals to you.

Drop the feed dogs, put on a darning foot and free motion til the cows come home!

You could also put on the walking foot and stitch straight lines in a grid pattern.

If you choose a fabric with a large motif, like the sunflowers, it gives you a design to quilt around.......and it's lots of fun!

This is a very manageable size and very good practice for machine quilting!

Cut up the fat quarter quilted sandwich into 9 sections, like a 9 patch block.

These measure approx. 5 x 6 inches each.

Choose a backing fabric for the back side of your pincushion.

Layer it with batting and spray baste the two layers together.

You are ready to sew your pincushion together.

Pretty sides together, top and bottom of pincushion.

I sewed a quarter inch all the way around.....leaving a space for turning it right sides out.

Here is my first pincushion sewn and ready to stuff.

I like these polyester pebbles, the size of rice.

Fill the bags nice and full, then whip stitch the opening closed.

Quilted Sunflower Pincushions

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

To see my New Work CLICK HERE

To see the Thread Shed CLICK HERE

To see my Exhibit Quilts CLICK HERE