(Story Post...kick back for a fun read)
If you have read "Jean Creates" past few blog posts ( here and here) you know what I've been up to.
A week ago Wed. I had the great fortune of heading up to Detroit Metro to pick up Jeannie W. for a week of FUN!!! Jean and I met 3 or 4 years ago through our blogs and we have become dear friends. I couldn't wait to see her again because she moved from Ohio to Washington State a year ago and I've really missed her.
We both have an affinity for Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably and Phillip Jacobs fabrics. Jean decides we are going to stop petting our fabrics and actually use them. What a mind blowing idea ay?
Jean pre-ships her fabrics and this is what arrived at my house:
A blown out box of some of the most fabulous fabrics I have ever seen. YES, I did remind her that Possession IS 9/10ths of the LAW!
I had pulled all my Kaffe/Brandon/Jacob fabrics from my stash and had them waiting for Jean's arrival. Mine were all neatly folded in piles...well...until Jean arrived and suggested it would be more fun to toss them all into one big pile and just start. Another mind blowing idea :)
I've never, ever....ever started a project like this one. Talk about excitement/anticipation/and drama (mainly the colors of the fabrics)....way too much fun. How the plan began...it was a book (un-named for sure!) Jean found and thought it would be an awesome way to begin and each of us could add to the others quilt. After a few hours actually using the book the book (definitely not a recommended book) idea was abandoned and we were on our own creating.
I grabbed some of my most favorite pieces (the blades to the star) and built around that fabric with others that made the fan blades pop. Shall I mention that Jean had made her center block and was well into her first set of borders before I finished my center block? No...OK...I won't mention it.
I wanted my block on point like Jean's block....so I measured and added some fabric to each side of my block. OOPS...came up pretty short so what to do??? Add some more fabric and hack off the rest naturally.
You know what you get? You get a block that finishes at 17 7/8. Not 18"...nope...oh well...we had tossed the book by this time and I figured I'd just add more fabric and hack off the parts that didn't fit...FREEDOM!
I wanted a fabric that would allow a place to rest before seeing more exciting prints....so I went into my stash in search of just the perfect fabric. Initially I hunted through my batiks...nope....then....WOWZERS....I came across a piece of Patsy Thompson hand dyed fabric that was perfect....absolutely perfect in my mind.
Working from intiution is a odd feeling/experience....I've not done that before. I set this block up on the design wall and waited until something came to me for the next border. I knew I didn't want a square quilt so I would have to elongate the block...top and bottom borders to move from a square to a rectangle. Hmmmm.....Incubation Time.....
I saw my Magic Stack N Wack book on my bookshelf...hey...I've never done that...I'm going to make some of those fun kaleidoscopes for my quilt. Might I suggest you actually read the book before "Wacking" into your fabric? I did not cut enough repeats so I ended up with 1/2 kaleidoscopes that I combined for my design.
Ok....well.....hmmmm....I think I'll add these to the outside borders and not next to my main center block...back to the drawing board.
My block now measures 24 1/2 x 24 1/2. Then it occurred to me....3.5 x 7 = 24.5 PERFECT...I just need seven 3/12 inch somethings to add to each end of the square. I cut up several pieces of white paper that were 3/12 inches wide by various lengths and began drawing different shapes to see what I thought would look good. The one I loved the most I couldn't use because I couldn't figure out how to paper piece it. Jean pointed out that I had only spent a day and a half trying to figure it out and if it were her...she'd move on and choose another block. What an epiphany!
By this time it was Tuesday...Jean was leaving Wednesday so I had better get my butt in gear ay? Hmmmm...I like the blocks I made but I've decided I want some piping around the center square before I move on. I've purchased many of my Westminster fabrics from Patsy Thompson Designs but I needed one she didn't have so I ordered from Glorious Color website. I was very pleased and will order from Glorious Color again. (No, I don't get kickbacks from either site)
Jean's progress? Well...here is her quilt:
If you have read "Jean Creates" past few blog posts ( here and here) you know what I've been up to.
We both have an affinity for Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably and Phillip Jacobs fabrics. Jean decides we are going to stop petting our fabrics and actually use them. What a mind blowing idea ay?
Jean pre-ships her fabrics and this is what arrived at my house:
I've never, ever....ever started a project like this one. Talk about excitement/anticipation/and drama (mainly the colors of the fabrics)....way too much fun. How the plan began...it was a book (un-named for sure!) Jean found and thought it would be an awesome way to begin and each of us could add to the others quilt. After a few hours actually using the book the book (definitely not a recommended book) idea was abandoned and we were on our own creating.
I wanted a fabric that would allow a place to rest before seeing more exciting prints....so I went into my stash in search of just the perfect fabric. Initially I hunted through my batiks...nope....then....WOWZERS....I came across a piece of Patsy Thompson hand dyed fabric that was perfect....absolutely perfect in my mind.
Ooooohhhhhhh AAAAAhhhhhhhhhh!
Talk about feeling good....I was on top of the world at that point. (I won't mention that Jean had already finished the inside of her quilt by this time and was working on a pieced border....or will I?)Working from intiution is a odd feeling/experience....I've not done that before. I set this block up on the design wall and waited until something came to me for the next border. I knew I didn't want a square quilt so I would have to elongate the block...top and bottom borders to move from a square to a rectangle. Hmmmm.....Incubation Time.....
I saw my Magic Stack N Wack book on my bookshelf...hey...I've never done that...I'm going to make some of those fun kaleidoscopes for my quilt. Might I suggest you actually read the book before "Wacking" into your fabric? I did not cut enough repeats so I ended up with 1/2 kaleidoscopes that I combined for my design.
I liked this one the best.
My block now measures 24 1/2 x 24 1/2. Then it occurred to me....3.5 x 7 = 24.5 PERFECT...I just need seven 3/12 inch somethings to add to each end of the square. I cut up several pieces of white paper that were 3/12 inches wide by various lengths and began drawing different shapes to see what I thought would look good. The one I loved the most I couldn't use because I couldn't figure out how to paper piece it. Jean pointed out that I had only spent a day and a half trying to figure it out and if it were her...she'd move on and choose another block. What an epiphany!
Jean's progress? Well...here is her quilt:
Yes...she is faster to move on (her perception is that I have more patience...perhaps I do...but she sure has the speed down.). She is going to add one last border and be finished with the top and I'm sure I'll finish mine sometime in the next month or so....I hope :)
Then again...Jean shows up with these very FUN shoes..maybe if I had cool shoes like her's I'd be able to go faster?
Very Happy Big Smiles,
Kelly
Very FUN!!! Isn't it liberating to just fly by the seat of your pants? If you had shoes like that you would end up tripping over something because you would be too busy looking at the shoes and not where you were going!!!
ReplyDeleteO, what a fabulous post! I have neatly stacked Kaffes (which is what I call Brandon and Tina and Jacob and other wonderful designers, as well) and I use them in small doses. Like the world will run out of them if I use mine. I'm going to play with them, with abandon, and create something perfect, as you did! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you and Jean had a blast with each other. I don't have the courage, yet, to go off on a tangent like that and shoot from the hip with designing a quilt. It will be beautiful just like Jean's, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteYou girls are having Waaayyyyyyy too much fun!! Loved the post.
ReplyDeleteI knew you two would have a blast together! What fun! (I want a pair of those shoes!!!)
ReplyDeleteMy brain has a difficult time with "imnrpov" and this was a great exercise for practice. I'll be adding two borders to my quilt top. Maybe. Really trying to be open and play it by ear.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the leftovers... now you have tons of fabric choices to play with!
My stinky tennis shoes were plain old Converse shoes from Target adorned with permanent marker, acrylic medium, and fabric scraps. Then I cut out the shoe backs and turned them into "mules". I took a skinny strip of fabric and made my laces. I see some Kaffe shoes in my near future. :)
How fun this looks- I have some Fassett fabrics waiting in the wings- Great fun to quilt with a friend.. Love that idea..
ReplyDeleteRegards from Alberta,
Anna
It sounds like so much fun. I like where both of you are going with these and can't wait to see the final results.
ReplyDeleteYea, it's definitely the shoes, LOL. Your's is gorgeous, Kaffe's fabrics are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI also regularly stroke my Kaffe, Brandon , Phillip fabrics . Study the books , then have no time left to sew .
ReplyDeleteI love what you are showing , a case of wish I was there
Looks like you both had a grand time and that is wonderful!You have been Jeaniefied!;-)Such fun looking projects!
ReplyDeleteLola
Something so freeing about moving out of our comfort zone and nothing helps more than friends who push...gently or not so gently when needed!
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun! I can't wait to see your finish....hers is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou two are having so much fun, throwing caution to the wind.....flying by the seat of your pants???? Nothing like it!!
ReplyDeleteI think it is time for me to be invited to one of your events! I need a BIG dose of fun and creative work, a few days vacation just to do nothing but relax and "do artsy things." I think one of those vacations is in the near future! Five days to take before Oct. 18. Rather than travel somewhere I will stay here and just don my PJ's and stamp and sew. How does that sound? Anything like your adventure with Jean? Oh, maybe I will call my college roomie and tell her to come on out. She's a "hoot" and always makes me realize how uptight I am.
ReplyDeleteI recall that one challenge you gave some time ago. I was so creative during that. Too much non-creativeness recently. Ready for retirement so I can "artsy" every day and come see you and the boys. Yep, only 15 more months! Love ya...Auntie
Looks like lots of fun :)
ReplyDeleteKelly, I love your quilt top! Beautiful colors, and what a fun process. That hand dyed fabric for the "rest your eyes" border was just perfect. Will look forward to seeing it finished soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteFun! who would have thought just throwing your fabrics in a pile would make such pretty quilts.
ReplyDelete