I've Been Caught!!!

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a closet artist. I've felt rather shy about telling my friends and family about this blog. Somehow it's easier to share my art with complete strangers than to expose myself to the people I know and love. Call my crazy--I think the same thing a lot of the time. My dear friend Shannon found this blog while trying to check up on little Maddie. She is now exposing me to Kitsap County. I guess, that's what friends are for. Another friend, Stephanie, even wrote about me for her Art Appreciation class. Thank you guys for all your encouragement, even if you had to search for my work.

These are two more quilts that I made from my paint rags I quilted several weeks ago. I'm working on my skill of sewing triangles without the small pieces getting caught in the throat plate. I also have been working on sewing together curves. Hopefully I will have more time to practice my skills. Currently, life seems to be getting in the way.

Peek-A-Boo Sunflower

I created this quilt for the quiltart Flower Power Challenge. We each took the test "What Flower are You." I was a sunflower. I began by drawing a sunflower with watercolor crayons. I used both the artist quality crayons and my kids Colorix watercolor crayons. I actually liked my kid's crayons better. They made bolder marks. The only draw backs is they are slightly oily and fine details are difficult. I then free motion quilted the drawing. I then cut it apart and added the white window sashing. I really like the fun aspect of the sunflower peeking through the window. I know you would never actually get this view, since sunflowers tend to face the sun. I just have to tell my logical, technically correct side to be quiet. Lucky for me, I now have several bright shiny flower quilts to keep me company when the weather is dreary. This is especially useful since I neglected my garden this year. The only thing I have growing is dandelions, but that's for another challenge.

Look for Me at the Art-O-Mat

I keep forgetting to mention where my little works of art can be found. Look for my "Dreams" in the Art-O-Mat machines at: City Visitor's Bureau in Winston-Salem, NC Erie Art Museum in PA Contemporary Museum Shop in Honolulu, HI Amarillo Art Museum in TX. I would love any feed back from those who have visited an Art-O-Mat machine.

Twelve x Twelve

Diane Hock invited me to join the new small quilt challenge group, Twelve By Twelve. We are twelve artists creating 12" x 12" art quilts based on an inspirational word. I feel totally out of my league with these guys, but I will give it my best shot. Our first word is "Dandelion" thanks to Diane. This is proving to be quite the challenge for me, since the color yellow isn't my favorite and I am finding I can't seem to draw dandelions. The only thing going for me is the fact we seemed to have replaced our lawn with these prolific flowers. We have two months for each of these challenge quilts, so I am spending the first month exploring different ideas and filling a sketchbook. I will then have a month to complete the actual quilt due November 1st. Check out our blog to monitor every one's progress.

Traditional Block?

Does this count as a traditional log cabin quilt block? Maybe from a distance, but the construction methods were anything but traditional. I free motion quilted my paint clean up rags with variegated metallic thread. I then cut slightly angled strips and pieced together log cabin blocks. I have no background in traditional quilting, so I was guessing as to how to do the log cabin. I think I might need to get a book on traditional patterns--the old saying of "you need to know the rules so you can break them." I also made a postcard and ATC with the scraps. I was questioning my sanity when I was zigzagging together quarter inch wide strips--but they were sitting there not wanting to go in the trash. I named the ATC "X marks the spot." These are the pieces of quilted that I started with. My husband was surprised at my choice of muted colors until I informed him they were the paint clean up rags.

I Got In!!!

Contrary Sunflower was juried into the Art Quilts XII show in Chandler, AZ. This is the first show I've ever been accept into. I'm so excited. Now I just have to get to work sewing on the sleeve.