DC Temple Quilt 2010

Listen to promptings.

Before we left I had the thought pop in my head that I should take my scriptures with me to the temple. I brushed the thought away, telling myself I had plenty to talk to John about and crochet to finish up on a receiving blanket (another client buys them from me) and seminary was probably going to be cancelled anyway with more snow predicted.

Half-way there I started thinking about my recommend, realized it was NOT in my bag, but back home, in that scripture case... If I had listened, we could have gone in together. I made John go in without me (he reported that it was very lonely).

I went and found G-Street Fabrics, which has moved to Randall Street in Rockville. Found fabric for another client, another quilt.
This is client Becky and her sweet forever family!

And this is BeckyT's quilt:

Finally, here it is. Some process photos to give you some more glimpses.


The quilting on this is kind of cool. Too bad I can't take credit for all of it!
And like the real thing, you have to see it in person to appreciate all the colors and patterns, and the sparkle!

Becky's Quilt Reveal...

(The extreme amounts of snow has cancelled many events. Our stake conference broadcast has been postponed. Stake temple trip TBA. Delivery of Becky's quilt tomorrow? It was going to be a smooth hand-off at the visitor's center, rather than mailing this quilt. Phone call and how much we can dig out will determine that, so stay tuned here...Meanwhile, being snowed in means cooking together!)


Becky's quilt reveal...WILL BE TOMORROW!

After she sees it first. Maybe.

Again, snow piles, extreme ones, have changed the pace of life on the east coast.

More teasing glimpses.
Yes, I could have done this all by hand, the long way. Is this cheating?

No, and yes.

Remember my Bi-Polar altered quilt with appliqued Baltimore album style one side and two white bears and polka dots painted on the reverse?

Think of this as using my resources, with the time restraints and the power of layering, and recycling and the excitement of altering something okay into something spectacular!

Becky grew up in an artsy, groovy, nature-loving home (parents met in the Peace Corps, and she was born in Ethiopia!) and she wanted a conversation piece for her living room. We talked about an inspiration piece, something else I've made that she really liked and wanted one for her home (wink, wink, JenB!).

I started with a good condition thrift store quilt, a "Coming Home" Land's End double wedding ring queen-size quilt, for $14.50. Right price, too big (I was hoping for a twin-size). I've been looking for weeks, wanting something light in background so the colors would work for this project. This was light enough, and the florals were perfect. And the pattern had meaning. WEDDING in the title is a good-mood-feeling in this piece. Rings intertwined and bound together is important in the meaning.
Cut down to 12 circles, edges sewn. Painted. First using watercolors to establish color boundaries, then fabric dyes, and finally, pens for details and acrylic gold paint. I also used super opaque white by Jacquard.

When people ask "How long did it take to make that?" the answer is complicated. Factor in thinking about it time. Shopping for the right base quilt. Changing the orientation from vertical to horizontal decision time. Sketching. Taking photos. It took days of inconvenient kitchen manuevering, big tarp on the floor, people eating tip-toe-ing. It took drying time. Hanging it up and looking at it across the room days. Adding more. Sewing more stuff. More paint, meaning more kitchen floor time. Once it was draped across the kitchen island, getting details. Ironing to set dyes time. More looking across the room time.

I got the commission and first-half of payment in November. Working deadline was delivery before Valentine's Day. Worth every earned penny. Hopefully it will now be a family-treasured heirloom. I know it is going to a good home, so it is easy to let this baby go!

Quilters labor and sweat and push out quilts that we love like children. (I think I love my kids more, but we still have to let them go. It's been hard lately.)

You love whom you serve. So celebrate Valentine's Day by serving someone!

BACK side of quilt, where colors have bled through, shown here before I added the hanging sleeve and one more paint wash of colors.

Standing Out & Blending

Some people avoid wearing bright colors--they stand out! John wears this green sweater because I told him I love the color on him. I like how bright green looks with his blue eyes.

Suzanna asked for an orange shirt. She made this, and is super excited about Percy Jackson's movie coming out Friday! (read the book!) I am thankful she isn't afraid to show her personality, her likes and interests!

And the desire of dressing to blend vs. stand out is complicated. There are times when unity is important. Camouflage times. And other times when it is good to be yourself, uniquely you, still modest and appropriate.

Client wanted names to blend in, goal is subtle, not in-your-face; a discovery to make close up. Delivery on Friday to Becky!

Starry-Eyed

I really like hanging out with him.

He got this in one shot.

I asked, "Try to get the star behind our heads."

And he did it.

Anything to make me happy.

I Found Him, He Found Me

Local college sign advertisement.

What can you tell about a sewer by looking at their ironing board? And where it is? I found this one at a thrift store and bought it for the cool legs--not necessarily to iron with, but it does get used for that, too!
Valentine bow ties in process. They get mailed out on Thursday!

And a teasing pre-view for client BeckyT: You are going to love this. I've already decided all my daughters and future-daughters-by-marriage will get a matching/similar one. Yes, I do quilt commissions. Yes, that is a pair of scissors CUTTING...