In between other things, I've been able to work on and finish the quilt I will give my grandson this weekend. It was so much fun to do. I plan to do another just like it, with the leftovers, and save it for a present for another special little guy I know.
I've been following a few quilting blogs as time allows. Once in a while, if I have a few extra minutes (not often these days), I check out the blog rolls on some of those blogs and go exploring to find someone new. Somehow or another, I found the blog of a woman named Leah Day, who gave herself the challenge of creating and demonstrating 365 days of free form quilting designs. So far, she is on Day #207. Each of these designs is demonstrated in a video clip (also available on YouTube). She is professional, precise, and just a pleasure to learn from, unlike some (no doubt, well intended) YouTube tutorials I have watched that were either horrible to listen to, hard to see, or both. I think, frankly, that Leah and her designs just rock. After watching just a few of her video clips, I felt the freedom to go off and do my own thing on the whale quilt shown here, from bubbles in the ocean, waves crashing over the jellyfish, the rhythm of the sea grass, to the bubbles repeated again on the borders. Thank you, Leah Day. If you haven't visited her blog yet, I encourage you. She also sells quilting accessories to help support her efforts...I purchased my quilting gloves there, as well as some cool little Teflon discs that fit under my bobbin and have successfully stopped the back lashing and globs of threads on the back of my work.
I love the internet for all there is to learn out there!
8 comments:
It is beautiful Martie! A lucky guy, your grandson.
it turned out beautifully! isn't it wonderful to always stumble upon new passions when the time is right? xxx
Martie,
What a gorgeous little quilt! I love the sea creatures! Perfect for a little boy!
Thanks for the Leah Day link. Even though I don't quilt at the moment (rug hooking is all I have time for) I can always pick up great ideas and how to's from a good crafts person!
Have a good weekend!
Cathy G
Robyn & Shawn: Thanks! Yes, you're right, Shawn...it just feels right at this time. Good to get out of my comfort zone a little bit.
Cathy: Actually, some of those free form designs could be great for doing backgrounds on mats. Thanks for giving me that idea...for when I get back to my hooking (which I've been missing, but I couldn't relocate all that stuff, too, darn it).
Thanks for the quilt update and the link to Leah. It's always good to think outside the box and challenge ourselves. How rewarding and satisfying that you've been able to explore your quilting passion!
~StephanieG
Oh Martie - the quilt is simply precious. Just would I would expect from you. The colors sublime.
I, too, am moving outside my comfort zone......what is it with hookers and quilters and quilters and hookers????? It's that marvelous link of textiles, be it wool or cotton.
I am on my "Wool Crazy" craze! Totally new for me and so fun and exciting.
Hope all is going well in Sunny Cal.
I'm so impressed - how gorgeous!
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