jessflegel

New Year... New Quilts!

2012-01-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

I just wrapped up three projects! See full images of them here. I'm pretty excited about them. Hope you like 'em too ;)

2012-01-04T16:44:00.000-08:00

At last! I've been wanting to build this seat for myself for a very long time and I finally have the space. My Christmas weekend project and gift to myself. (& Maeby too)

Merry Christmas...

2011-12-26T12:41:00.000-08:00

.. a day late. oops! Well, I did finish new stockings for the new roomies and since everyone was too busy to get a real tree, here's our substitute. better than nothing ;)

2011-12-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

a new addition to the family. Welcome Ebeneezer!

Holiday Market!

2011-12-04T13:06:00.000-08:00

It's on! Well into the first weekend of Pacific Arts Holiday Market. As usual, an awesome group of vendors and tons of good stuff. This year I'm sharing space with my friends from Red Boots Design and EsEmEl Designs. Two more weekends to go after today. Sure hope you're able to make it out!

Chicago!

2011-09-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

Having an awesome time in Chicago. My first Renegade Craft Fair was a great success. Thanks to everyone who came out to say hi & to shop! ;) Now I'm enjoying a few day of play in the city but will be back in the studio and back to work next week.

Renegade!

2011-09-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day! can't wait to get set up and kick off Renegade in Chicago! If you can get into the city on Saturday or Sunday come see us!

the last leg...

2011-09-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

This is it! The last month of the Bike Show at the Book Fare Cafe in Fairhaven! It has been a really wonderful summer. Thank you to everyone who's been out to see it, and to my amazing friends who have helped me finish pieces and get the shows hung. You Rock! The closing reception for the show will be on Sept. 24 from 6-8 p.m. Please come hang out and help me celebrate this body of work that has been so fun to put together.

the first 100...

2011-08-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

... and then some! I have been going Cozy crazy trying to get ready for Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago! Two more weeks until the big weekend. I am so excited to go home, catch up with friends and family and be part of this awesome event! I'm flattered to have been selected and can't wait for the opportunity so share a booth with my friend at Red Boots Design. If you're anywhere near the city Sept. 10 & 11, you should really come check it out!

a little Sunday afternoon sewing

2011-08-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

Today I am relaxing at home - a little cleaning, a little napping, and a little project to freshen up the bathroom. I bought a white bath towel to use for a Halloween costume last fall and have been saving the leftovers for a rainy day. Well it's not raining, but it's definitely a take it easy kind of day. Today they finally made it out of the closet. I basically cut a bath towel into quarters, top stitched a panel on the front of each piece, and bound the edges to keep the cut towel from shedding. Now I've got three bright and cheery new hand towels! :)

Bike Show - on the move...

2011-08-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

1st week at stop #2 is off to a great start! Hanging was a breeze and I'm super excited about a few new pieces in the mix. I hope you'll get a chance to stop in and check it out this month. Thank you Avellino for having me!

good morning!

2011-07-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Putting the finishing touches on a few things before the Bike Show makes its first big move. Thank you so much to Lettered Streets Coffee House! July has been great! Tonight the show comes down and goes up at Avellino, downtown. I'm so pumped! Expect to see some new work in the mix for August. And- thanks to everyone who's gotten out to see this stuff already - you rock!

the Bike Show begins...

2011-07-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

two weeks down and two to go(at the first stop) Thank you Lettered Streets Coffee House! I love you ladies. Thanks so much for having me!

Garden Party

2011-07-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

I apologize - this post is long overdue. The Garden Party this year came early, but the weather held and everything turned out great. Giant thank yous to everyone who came! I had a blast! already looking forward to next year.

2011-06-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Garden Party is coming up this Saturday and I don't want to give too much away, but here's just a little taste of what's to come! I can't wait!

2011-05-31T21:45:00.000-07:00

show cards are on their way!

Get Ready...

2011-05-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

the "Bike Show" is coming to Bellingham in July! I'm finally getting back to work after Winter Commission and getting ready for my annual preview event. Still lots more invitations to print, show cards to design, not to mention new art for the show! but I'm really loving what's coming together. This is going to be a fun one - I hope you'll get to see it. :)

#40

2011-03-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Finished up this morning. Just in the nick of time for the Modern Quilt Challenge deadline tomorrow! - if the sun ever comes out again I'll get some nicer pictures.

a birthday gift and a work in progress...

2011-03-13T13:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend I'm seeing stripes!

"Foot Notes" (Blankets p.580)

2011-02-27T19:40:00.000-08:00

Here's a better shot of my piece for Winter Commission. my first comic strip quilt - adapted from a sequence out of Blankets by Craig Thompson. I had a lot of fun doing this one!

Winter Commission III

2011-02-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

Winter Commission last night was great! I'm so pumped to have been part of it and am thankful to all of my friends who came to support me and the rest of the fantastic artists and performers in our fair city. Hooray for new friends and blanket forts and so much goodness! If you missed it - you missed out!

2011-02-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

I finished this one last night and am so excited about it! But- you only get a little peek for now. Winter Commission 3: Storytelling is coming up this weekend, and this is my piece for the show. If you're in the area on Saturday night I really hope you'll come by. It's going to be fantastic event! Saturday Feb. 26, 7:00 at the American Museum of Radio & Electricity (downtown Bellingham).

bike

2011-01-30T19:33:00.000-08:00

I forgot that I hadn't posted this one yet. At first I wasn't a fan, but by the time it was all wrapped up I think it's a success. Apparently someone else does too - it sold at the Paperdoll the other day! yay! Inspired by my favorite 10 speed & quilted with a map of downtown Bellingham. I think the best part has been seeing people recognize it and getting excited. I've got a feeling there'll be lots more where this came from.

2011-01-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

just a tasty little treat that looks pretty too. :)

2 new tops:

2011-01-25T18:17:00.000-08:00

It's time for another round of going through the scrap bins and starting some more quilts. so far - these two are almost ready for stacking.

Opening Night

2011-01-08T11:41:00.000-08:00

A Giant THANK YOU! to the Paperdoll and everyone who came out for Art Walk! The girls made an enormous flock of paper airplanes for me and the shop looks awesome. It was super fun party and I felt so honored. Thank you thank you thank you everybody! :)
The show is going to hanging for the remainder of the month, so even if you missed the party - there's still lots of time to stop in and see what all the fuss is about!
Cheers!

new year - new work...

2011-01-04T22:10:00.000-08:00

Here's some fun pictures that I took this morning of 2 recent projects.

I have been busy since the market ended, trying to get together a new show & it's almost ready to hang! Art Walk is Friday the 7th from 6 - 10 p.m. I'm really excited about this one! I hope you'll come see it :)

Happy Christmas!

2010-12-25T12:30:00.000-08:00

coming soon...

2010-12-18T09:16:00.000-08:00

turns out, I've got a show coming up faster than I expected. January at the Paperdoll! Only 2 days left at the holiday market and then a mad rush to get things together. There will be photography, quilts, and fabric art pieces. maybe more. we'll see ;)
I hope you'll come, get the new year off to a good start, and check it out.
...more details soon

Open!

2010-12-04T19:50:00.000-08:00

Two days in and having a great time. The Pacific Arts Holiday Market has a great location downtown and so many great vendors! (including my sister who's peas in a pod are a big hit) Don't miss it! Fri-Sun 10-6 for the next couple weekends before Christmas!

2010-11-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

another happy set of stockings have arrived at their new home in time for all the holiday decorating fun!

2010-11-28T20:36:00.000-08:00

A few fresh items for the market starting next weekend.

Coming Soon!

2010-11-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

It's less than 2 weeks away! Even though I still have lots of work to do to prepare for the holiday market this year, I'm getting excited. We've got a great location downtown and it looks like it's going to be a great group of vendors. Don't miss it!

News Flash!

2010-11-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

Some of my quilts are now available for sale at the Lucky Dumpster in Edison WA! I'm so flattered that they like my work and excited to see where some new exposure may lead.

happy halloween

2010-10-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

Where do we go from here?
pumpkin study No.1

2010-10-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

The latest batch of stockings arrived at their new home yesterday. I'm sure they'll be quite happy there this holiday season. :)

2010-10-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a little guilty for letting 2 weeks pass between posts - so here's the sewing machine cover I made a few weeks ago and keep forgetting to show off. Otherwise, I've been busy starting stockings, brainstorming new quilts, & filling out show applications. Lots of work, but not lots to show for it... yet.

New Gallery!

2010-10-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

My most recent body of work - Where do we go from here? - has been photographed and is posted in the gallery: here. Thank you to everyone who made it to Digs to see it in person!

speaking of Christmas...

2010-09-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

In case anyone is interested.. I don't plan on stockpiling a bunch of holiday items for the market this year, but I am always happy to take custom orders. Last Christmas I made several sets of stockings that were a big hit, and there's been talk of advent calendar versions of my new tree. Please contact me if you think you might like to order a little something & get ahead of the game!

head start:

2010-09-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

I know it's a little early, but I got this idea in my head & had to go for it. There's not really any place in my house for a real tree, & the last two years I've been trying to come up with a solution. My new little tree measures about 10" x 36" & I plan to hang it from the ceiling in the living room. sweet & simple. one more thing crossed off the list!

bike gang

2010-09-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

so I've had this idea rolling around in my head for the past several months. I'm just getting started trying to figure it out. I'm already pretty excited!

get 'em while they're hot!

2010-09-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

My first official quilt sale. I'm so flattered and excited to pass this one on. so whether you want to curl up in one or hang it on your wall - check out what's available in the gallery. It won't be too long before there are additions and as soon as the current show comes down, I will get the new pieces photographed and posted too.

- art walk -

2010-09-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for Art Walk last night! I had a great time. If you missed it, there's still time to see it this month at Digs. Check it out & let me know what you think!

Where do we go from here?

2010-09-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

The show is up at Digs! It is a huge relief to have everything finished and up on the walls. I love how they look in that space and I can't wait for Art Walk on Friday.
A huge thank you to Gretchen for having me at the shop. and to Seth for helping me transport and hang and take pictures and everything.

New (old) Skirt!

2010-08-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

1 long old skirt that was too long
1 pair of scissors
1 neck tie
needle & thread

voila!

wait for it...

2010-08-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so close to finishing the quilts for the Digs show! Spent last week ironing almost 100' of binding for 4 quilts. not much to look at yet, but soon. very soon...

2010-08-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

I have been doing lots of sewing to get ready for Digs, but don't have anything that I can show off yet. So - today I made pie. cran-apple-raspberry! I hope they're as good as they look & smell. They're still bubbling & it's just way to hot to dig in yet. maybe by the time I get back from the store with some ice cream...

the Bird Show

2010-08-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

The opening reception for the Bird Show at Smith & Vallee Gallery was lots of fun. So many people and great pieces. Glad I was able to be a part of it. The show is up 'til the end of August, so if you can make it to Edison - Do!

Here Goes Nuthin'...

2010-08-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

3 weeks to quilt & bind 4 new quilts for an upcoming show at Digs. I am feeling the crunch, but am so excited about this work. I don't want to give too much away, but the title of the show is "Where do we go from here?" pictured are a few of the pieces still in progress. Guess I'd better get back to work...

Avellino

2010-08-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

I hung the show Sunday night & I'm so excited to have these quilts up in this space. The light's not so great for taking pictures, but it is perfect for enjoying an excellent cup of coffee. If you are downtown Bellingham this month, I hope you stop by and check it out.

So much good stuff!

2010-07-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

Looks like this weekend it's time to buy/ trade for new art. I'm pumped on all my new goods. Guess I've got some framing to do. Thanks Dana & Adam!

Summer Preview 2010

2010-07-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday was my second annual Summer Preview and it was a great success. Couldn't have asked for better weather, & it turns out, my backyard is a pretty cool space. Thanks to everyone who came. I had a fantastic time. & thanks Dana, Terese, & Kristen for taking pictures. I was way too distracted to think about my camera.
Now the dust has settled, the dishes are done, & I really need to get to work on the new stuff for September. I'll keep you posted. :)

Sisters 2010

2010-07-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Got home today and have already totally re-vamped my sewing space. I am ready to go! My first quilt show in Sisters was great. It was a beautiful day and there was so much to see. Lots of inspiration, and not just from the quilts.

2010-07-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

No trip to Portland is complete without an outing to the Depot. Got to take my mom along for the first time & it certainly was lots of fun! Today we depart for Bend, and then tomorrow - my first Quilt show in Sisters OR. There will be lots of pictures to come, I'm sure.

weekend photo-shoot ...

2010-07-05T23:17:00.000-07:00

... just for fun. thanks tim, dana & jenna!

2010-06-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

as you can see - I haven't been working on any new quilts, but I have been taking fun pictures of them.

New Pinwheel Quilt!

2010-06-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

Why is it always those last little details that are the hardest to get around to? The design and fabric collecting for this one started a couple of years ago. I started actually working on it last September, quilted it in March, and finally applied the binding today. Yay! I've been looking forward to this one for a long time. I can't wait to test it out tonight - It looks great on my bed!

Welcome Summer!

2010-06-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday, the sun is shining, birds are chirping, it's warm, all the windows are open, & most importantly there's no rain in the forecast anytime soon!!!!! It's a shame I have so much work I need to do on my computer, but I will go out and play soon enough. The last two quilts in this set were actually finished last weekend, but today's the first chance I've had to get good pictures. I really love the composition of this quilt. I could keep making them for a long time and not get tired of it, but for now - on to other projects....

2010-06-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you sunshine! It has been raining for almost 2 weeks straight, but today is beautiful. I've only got a couple more things to finish up before I can go out and play!

2010-06-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Let the binding begin! I should have these quilts wrapped up and photographed in no time. stay tuned...

2010-05-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

Another one down - one more to go - and then... binding!

2010-05-29T21:59:00.000-07:00

This is what I did all day. Two quilts quilted and two to go.

slow progress... better than no progress...

2010-05-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

I've been making progress over the last couple of weeks, just not lots that I can show off. A concept and sketches for a new show, & now with my new Kona Solids color chart, I've got my materials picked out too. In the meantime, I have managed to get some backings cut and pieced together. Now the basting begins. My plan for the weekend is to have 4 quilts basted and to sew sew sew. We'll see how far I get, but I should have at least something to show.

back home and getting back to it...

2010-05-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

I've been home for a week now and feel like I'm still getting settled, though I am very much enjoying the wonderful spring weather. Not only did I have a pile of projects waiting for me to return, but now there is another pile waiting to get started. I need to finish pile #1 for my next show in August so that I can start on pile #2 of all new work for a show in September. Oh my gosh! So much sewing to do! I am especially excited about the new stuff. I've started by sketching out some ideas and compositions(for now: very top secret!). Next is to make decisions on color schemes and to write my statement for the show... guess I'd better get off the computer and into the studio -

Craft Time!

2010-05-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

Today I'm in Indiana with my parents, visiting my cousin & his 3 year old daughter. She has lots of goodies for painting & drawing and anything else you wanna make. This is what I did today! (btw- that's a butterfly in the sky with my googly eyed sun)

Quilts to come.....

2010-04-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well - I'm leaving town for three weeks - thought I'd leave a little peek at some of the things that will be waiting for me to return. I am very much looking forward to a break from my routine. But - I wish I could take my projects with me. I'm so anxious to see them all finished! I suppose this way - I have something fun to look forward to when I get home :)

2010-04-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today's project: a zippered pouch for my upcoming trip - to keep all of my plugs and chargers from getting lost in the bottom of my suitcase. I don't work with zippers very often so there was a fair bit of seam-ripping, but I think I finally got the hang of it. Hooray for new fun and quick projects!

2010-04-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

One thing that I hear a lot when talking to people about my quilts is, "I want to make a quilt some day, but I don't know where to start." or "I tried making one and it wasn't very good."
To all you aspiring quilters out there I say, "Just go for it! Start sewing things together and see where it takes you. Don't worry about straight seams and the perfect fabric combo. Definitely don't be afraid of mistakes or imperfections." :)

This is the first quilt I ever made all by myself. I had no idea what I was doing. I hand a pile of old clothes - t-shirts, pants, pajamas, neckties... - that I couldn't bear to part with but knew I'd never wear again. I think I made a square template out of a scrap of cardboard and went to town with my pinking shears. I was barely comfortable using the sewing machine and I didn't have a very clear plan or pattern. I sewed the diagonal strips right on top of my squares and then started stringing them together. The backing is an old thermal blanket. The seams aren't straight, there's loose threads everywhere, nothing matches, but I love it. When the weather is miserable and I want to be cozy and warm it's the perfect thing. It's not pretty, but it's full of memories and it makes me happy.

20 + quilts later my technical skill and craftsmanship have improved and my tastes and style have evolved. You've gotta start somewhere.

Start small with pillows or a baby size quilt. Start with your closet or the thrift store. Start somewhere and see where it goes. And have fun with it!

I just don't write letters like I used to.

2010-04-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

Well I got the show hung yesterday but am just now getting a chance to post about it. First of all - a gigantic thank you to the best friend and neighbor ever, Dana, for standing on the tippy top of the ladder and just barely reaching things for me, for putting up with me and for all of your input and support along the way. Also, thank you so much Lettered Streets Coffee House for having my work on your walls, for saying such nice things about it and for being generally wonderful.

The new work is a series of "letters" made out of fabric and quilted. I've got all sorts of ideas about quilt making & story telling & letter writing & communication & distance, but haven't taken the time to articulate and tie them all together yet. So I'll leave it at that.
As is becoming my custom, I also am showing some quilts as part of the show. At this point I do not consider my quilts as pieces of "art" in themselves, but they certainly do play a part in informing my art & vice versa. I love to work on them and to share them.
Lastly, you may recognize some pieces from By & By (my 2009 body of collage work). A lot of the content of those pieces is also closely related in ideas of story & correspondence. I was really happy with how that show came together & thought they rounded out the new work & filled in the space nicely.

"I just don't write letters like I used to." will be hanging for the month of April. There won't be an official reception for this show, but Lettered Streets is hosting an art night with some other local artists on Friday April 9. from 7-9 p.m. (I'm pretty sure) If you are in the neighborhood, we'll hope to see you then.

getting cozy

2010-03-31T08:58:00.000-07:00

the latest batch.

one more thing to cross off the list -

2010-03-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

I've got this great, big, blank wall in my house, but the baseboard heater makes it impossible to place any furniture. First I built en extra wide console table, but it was a little flimsy and still didn't have enough visual weight to balance out the rest of the room. So I finally added some shelves, but was so eager to fill them that I put off painting. Yesterday was the day, and well worth the effort. Now the whole piece looks much more intentional and finished and makes a great place to keep my growing collection of finished quilts.

2010-03-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

This winter I tried taking some clippings from my houseplants for the first time & have been having great success. Now all of my starts are in fresh soil and are growing really well. Now there's tin cans and jars all over my house, and I'm always looking for fun, quick projects to use up scraps. My inspiration came from a friend who makes rad quilted beverage cozies. Mine are much more patchworky, but I like 'em.

Oh! how I love Saturdays....

2010-03-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

My kitchen & bathroom are sparkly clean. The weather is great. I've already been on a walk and ran some errands on my bike. I'm enjoying a snack break & catching up on some Hulu... All of my pieces for the Lettered Streets Show are done. so next on the list is to get them presentable - a nice leisurely project.

2010-03-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

I've been spending most of my evenings sewing stuff for my upcoming show... but I managed to take a break from that and get the binding onto this quilt over the weekend. I second guessed the pink for a while, but now that it's all done - I like it. It's a little over 50" almost square.

2010-03-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

Finally put the finishing touches on this one this week. It is all vintage sheets and white muslin. Quilted with diagonal lines in one direction. I'm really happy with the composition and may do a series of these in the future. My neighbor's cat was kind enough to pose for my pictures in the sunshine today ;)

oh my wonky stars...

2010-03-08T09:02:00.000-08:00

I've been seeing stars on lots of quilting blogs lately and they looked like lots of fun. Here's my interpretation. I pieced together my center squares to add a little punch of color and to break up the green a little. I'm also quite pleased with the way that the graphic pattern reads all cut up and patched back together. Of course I had to throw a pinwheel into the mix.

sisters are the best!...

2010-03-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

my sister is up visiting from Portland and she brought me some great fabrics that she sells in her Etsy shop. I'm so excited - they're awesome! YAY for new fun things and tons of sewing to do :)

a sneak peak...

2010-03-03T08:49:00.000-08:00

I am going to be showing some of my work at the Lettered Streets Coffee House in April. There will be collages and quilts... These are part of a new idea I'm trying out. A series of "letters" ... Am still in the testing and refining stages, but I think I like where this is going. we'll see...

a whole lot of quilting goin' on...

2010-02-28T21:31:00.000-08:00

all i do these days is sew... holy cow! got these two quilted this weekend and am almost done with one more. I just can't stop...

2010-02-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

This is a pattern from Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts. I've been sitting on this fabric for a couple years now and finally got around to cutting into it. I wasn't so sure how well my orange pattern would work, but now that it's all laid out on the floor I really like it. It's taken me all week to cut and piece and press 25 blocks. the pattern calls for 30, but I had a little mishap when I washed everything and decided I'd rather cut out a row than try to incorporate some purple splotches. Next step: square up blocks and assemble top, but in which configuration?

thank you mailman!

2010-02-13T12:53:00.000-08:00

Two packages of goodies arrived this morning. The perfect thing to brighten a dreary February day. Some impulse purchases from Hancock's of Paducah and my giveaway prize from Oh, Fransson! The first time I've ever entered a blog giveaway & I won! yay! Too bad my machine is in the shop being cleaned and tuned up. Now I really can't wait to get it back.

New Items!

2010-02-09T09:27:00.000-08:00

During the holiday market I had multiple requests for hair accessories in the style of my quilted pendants. So, I finally tried a few and they're really fun! Already sold 1 & got a wonderful response from the woman who received it as a gift. More are available in my Etsy Shop.

postage stamp progress

2010-02-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

I have been collecting and saving 2" square bits of fabric for years to make a postage stamp quilt. Some of it my favorite prints, and some I just want to get rid of once and for all. I don't know how many I have. I haven't done any math to see how big or small they'll end up. But I finally decided it's time to find out. I've already sewn almost 200 single squares into pairs. This is likely to be another one of those months/years on the shelf between stages projects... here goes...

scraps, scraps, and more scraps...

2010-02-03T09:02:00.000-08:00

Here I go again - starting projects with no particular vision or goal for a finished product. I was in the mood to sew - all my scraps were out on the table. This time I sorted them by size and strung them together. What's next? Who knows!?

2010-01-31T13:07:00.000-08:00

One last pinwheel for the back of the quilt. All that's left is to piece this into the gray backing and to make an appointment at Two Thimbles to use the machine and get it quilted. Well I guess I haven't thought about binding yet either... At least it feels like it's almost done.

2010-01-30T17:17:00.000-08:00

as soon as I finish piecing my pinwheel quilt, I'll have the rest of the gray that I need for this top. and the back is started, but I'm still trying to decide how to piece the rest of it together. what to use... decisions decisions...

nerdy me...

2010-01-28T21:55:00.000-08:00

If I spent half as much time sewing as I do rearranging and reorganizing things...

meet my new mini-bolts! I used fome-cor pieces cut to 12 1/2"x 5 1/2" so that they fit my shelves just right and if I need to they will file nicely into bins that I already have. Also they're small enough that I can wrap cuts as little as a half yard - maybe less. So far only 1 yard-ish cuts have made it to the mini-bolts but it's pretty fun to see them all lined up so I might go a little overboard with it. (it might depend on how nice the weather is this weekend)

Gotta start somewhere...

2010-01-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty much winging this one. Got my scraps out Sunday night and just started sewing. I still haven't decided where it's going to go next or how I'm going to finish it. I'll keep you posted.

2 bikes are better than 1

2010-01-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

The news is slightly old, but I'm still just as excited as I was when I got the call that someone had found my missing bike and seen the flier at the Hub. So the Azuki and I have been reunited! but - before I knew it would return, I found another vintage 10 speed to get me around: an orange Volkscycle with rack and fenders and everything. I can't wait for an end to winter's rainy days so I can get them out on the road. They both look so good! How will I ever decide which one to ride!?

2010-01-16T10:47:00.000-08:00

It's been a completely uneventful week - creatively speaking. Between having plans nearly every evening and fighting off a crummy cold I had no energy or motivation to work on anything. So, for the sake of posting at least once a week, here's the four quilts that I have given away as wedding gifts. They are all about 45"x 60" and quilted with much love.

1. Joy & Ian - finished 2004
2. Liz & John - finished 2008
3. Mel & Mike - finished 2005
4. Lindsey & Jon - finished 2006

2010-01-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Well, I think it's going to be a little while before I start a new sewing project while I finish a couple big quilts. - so today I baked some sugar cookies. cute eh?

slowly but surely

2010-01-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

This is another old project. Maybe 4 years. Of course I decided that for my first attempt at really hand quilting a quilt I would use my biggest quilt ever. The pattern is Denise Schmidt's "any way you slice it." The finished size will be 90 inches square - for a queen size bed that I don't have. - I recently got it back out after being on the shelf for over a year. Still have a little more than half to go. I suppose it's a good reason to be on the couch in front of the tv. I've still got 4 seasons of Lost on Hulu to catch up on.

sad day...

2009-12-31T09:06:00.000-08:00

after a great & relaxing Christmas weekend I headed to work monday morning. Thought I'd get the tarp back out and cover my bike before the weather got crummy again this week, but discovered a problem instead. No bike. someone swiped it. As if mondays aren't rough enough. It was a totally great thrift store find that I just happened on this summer. of course I've got my fingers crossed that someone will spot it, but not really counting on it. lame. I really loved that bike.

Vol.1 - complete

2009-12-27T17:48:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2009 - this is what I have to show for it! well, a clean house too. But this one is more fun to show off.

fun with quilts and cameras

2009-12-27T17:07:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm almost to 25 completed quilts I'm compiling photos of them all so that I can have a photo book printed. Today I took a handful of my quilts out on the town and snapped a few shots. These are the 2 best ones from the day. It took me a little while to get warmed up, but now I think I have a pretty good idea of the kinds of shots I want and am excited for some more sunny days to get out and take lots more.

A Quilted Color Wheel

2009-12-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

In 2004, when I was still getting into quilting, I thought it would be a good idea to do a series based on the color wheel of 6 small quilts. A good chance to experiment and learn different patterns and techniques. They each measure about 45" square and are tied. 5 years later, here they are. Yay!

RED: pieced flowers, appliqued by hand
I saw a vintage quilt top similar to this in Vancouver, and thought "I can do that" - I still regret not buying the original one, but I think mine turned out okay.
ORANGE: Denise Schmidt's "flock of triangles"
this one took me two attempts to get it right
YELLOW: 3" patches with a little twist
i cut squares and rectangles so that the final piecing had some corners to fit into each other
GREEN: based on Kaffe Fassett's "shirt stripe boxes"
'cept I made my own stripes. It took forever - what was I thinking!?
BLUE: some improvised log cabins
PURPLE: circles appliqued with fusible web
Petite Patterns' "Round & Round We Go"

2009-12-20T09:37:00.000-08:00

Another project to cross off the list. Actually 2 projects. This is the last quilt in a series of 6 that I started probably 6 years ago. Yay! (more about the whole set in another post- now I'm off to my last day at the holiday market!)

a little more Christmas cheer

2009-12-17T09:56:00.000-08:00

The first one I did this year was a big hit. I just finished an order for 3 more. sooooo fun!

Let the games begin!

2009-12-11T18:50:00.000-08:00

The Pacific Arts Holiday Market is officially open and I survived day one! I am exhausted. Traffic was slow, but I did manage to make some sales. I'm quite pleased with my booth this year. It's full and there's lots of different things but I think it is pretty cohesive. It's definitely different than anything else there. As long as the weather holds, it looks like we'll have a good turnout the rest of the weekend. hope so!

Vol.3 - complete

2009-12-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

Put the binding on this one last night. Just have to give it a quick spin in the washer before the Holiday Market on Friday!