Before and After

And here are two pics from my first glass firing.

I peeked into the kiln and snapped a pic while it was at 700 degrees:)  I know... I just couldn't wait!

The two blobs of dark red were an experiment.  I took two of the bisqued ornaments that we made with the butter molds, kiln-washed them and put a piece of red glass on top.  We'll see if they come out!

Our lime greens look orange... don't know if that's cause of the camera flash or if they turned that color.

Modern Quilt Challenge

I'm working on several projects at the moment.  I'm loving being at school and learning new things!  I'm also exploring extracurricular opportunities in arts and crafts.  The great thing about having more than one thing going at a time is if I get bored with one project, I can move on to another one.  I just need to be disciplined in finishing them all:)

So here's some pics of the quilt I'm making for the Modern Quilt Challenge.  The criterion is to create a monochromatic quilt at least 45"x45".  I love greens, so I "shopped" my stash and found these fabrics.  The strip on the right is just the reverse side of one of the other fabrics (yes, you can do that!).  It makes a good background.

I thought I'd try out a technique that I saw on another blog.  Using my mosaic tile frame, I pushed fabric through the holes and ironed interfacing onto the backside to stabilize.

Now I have all these wonderful puffy pieces of fabric to work with!  This will form the top of my tree.

Delightful, isn't it?!  I filled in the small spaces with the "reversed fabric".    All the pieces are pinned to a panel of muslin that will be the approximate size of the finished quilt.  Now for the trunk...

I wanted the trunk to also have a distinctive look, so I chose two of the green fabrics to create a vertical patchwork.

 

I think that is pretty successful:)  

The background poses a challenge since I have a limited pallet.  I'll switch the fabrics around so that the ones I used for the trunk are on the top background and the fabrics used for the leaves are on the bottom background.  I chose another technique that I recently learned called the "disappearing 4-patch".  I created several 4-patch blocks, alternated the orientation of the colors and cut them in a stack so that I can rearrange the pieces and stitch them together again into blocks.  

 

So that's where I'm at with this particular project.  I'll update when I've got more... can't wait to show you more!

What is it About Cats and Quilts?

No sooner had I finished snipping the last edge thread, Kit Kat parachuted onto my quilt.  She is enchanted by the threads and evidently by the finished pieces as well:)

 

Art Quilt

I finished quilting another section of my art quilt!  This was done by hand with a backstitch.  I enjoyed using a template design to stitch.  I think it really enhances the overall design.  Three more sections to go!

Quote

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best."
Tim Duncan (born 1976);
professional basketball player

Design Wall

After struggling to get a good view of the art quilt I'm working on, I decided to create a design wall.  Before reconfiguring my office, I didn't have any wall-space to do this.  I took a scrap of grey flannel fabric and stapled it to the wall between my office windows.  Now I can design and view works as I'm creating!

In the center is the quilt I'm working on.  The fabrics around it are being used to enhance it.  All but the blue fabric are hand-dyed.

Stitched Cork Coasters

Here's a cool and EASY tutorial from the blog Crafting a Green World

Tutorial: Stitched Cork Coasters

Mom always said, “Get your feet off the coffee table!” and “Use a coaster!”  Why not give her some new coasters for that precious coffee table this Mother’s Day?  These stitched cork coasters are an inexpensive and super easy gift.  Read on for a complete how to for making your own.

Supplies

• 3mm thick cork coasters
• Heavy Duty thread (multiple bold colors)
• Sewing machine with decorative stitches
• Water-soluble fabric marker

Step-by-step:

1. Choose a decorative stitch setting on your sewing machine.  The stitches that work best on cork lay down a lot of thread, doubling over most stitches.  Thinner more delicate stitches will sink into the cork and disappear.  Make sure you switch out your presser foot to one that is appropriate for the decorative stitch.
2. To stitch a circular pattern (like the pink and blue ones shown above) draw a circle about 1/2 inch in from the edge of your coaster using a water-soluble fabric marker.  This will be your guide while stitching.  (Note: While stitching it is easiest to concentrate on keeping this guide line in line with the center of your presser foot.  Don’t focus on the needle because it will be bouncing around a lot.)
3. Place your cork coaster under your presser foot.  For the circular design line up the center of your presser foot with the guide line.  For straight random lines (as shown on the green coaster) start your stitch a little bit in from the edge so your presser foot is level with the cork under it.  If you want the stitch to start right on the edge you will need to prop up the back of your presser foot so it is level when you start stitching.
4. Stitch!  With decorative stitches it is best to let the feed dogs do all the work.  If you push the cork through you will mess up the stitch.  For the circular designs you will have to guide the cork to stitch around the circle, but guide it gently and do not push.  For straight lines you could almost walk away and the machine will do it all for you, but you should stick around to stop the stitching when you reach the end of the cork.
5. Trim loose thread ends.
6. Use a damp cloth to gently blot away the fabric marker lines.
7. Enjoy!  Everyone is sure to love these.