Imaginary Blooms

Remember how this quilt top looked in October?  I had the quilt top all pieced and I needed to add the blooms.  The quilt top pattern was originally designed for those big panel flowers, but I wanted to make my own blooms. I designed my free form flowers.  Plus I only made a small portion of the quilt using just 4 square sections of the basic pattern. I am working with the designer on publishing the quilt pattern.  Watch for it in the fall of 2014.  Send me an Email Marcia@craftysewing.com if you are interested so I can contact you when it is published. Make sure your subject line is Imaginary Blooms.

 I sketched out some petals and patchwork pieced scraps for the centers.  See this post "Project Number 1" for how I did it.

The hand dyed fabrics for this quilt were purchased from Chris of Dye Candy Fabrics and Barb of Quilts by Barb.  
This quilt was created for a challenge from Quilts by Barb's Quilt Retreat.

I saved this post for today - my Birthday, as the Imaginary Blooms Quilt is one of my favorite quilts! It's a close tie with the First Morning Glory Bloom Quilt. It was completed before the Nov. 11th Quilt Retreat, but I didn't want to post, until I could get some good pictures.


It was gloomy the day I finished it, so the light wasn't right.  Every time I took photos the colors were so vibrant and bright it seemed that they were reflecting back into the camera. I just wasn't happy with the photos, but I was going to post it today, anyway...
  
I did not use those photos either.
  
The photos were taken today with my NEW camera!  My kids bought me a new camera for my birthday! What a wonderful surprise!


I have been using the same camera for about 5 years. It was a good one, but I had to set it on the best quality setting to get good photos, had to have good lighting, and then it was limited as to how many I could take. I would have to upload them often. But I was making it work. I never complained that I needed a new one. I love taking photos and sharing them on my blogs. The new camera will make it so much easier to share.

I believe my kids have seen how blogging has enlightened my life... How much I enjoy all the inspiration from other bloggers, who are out there in blogland creating and sharing... And how I am inspired to continuously create new quilting projects every day!


Thanks BJ, Jewels, and Rad. What a thoughtful gift!


Today on my Birthday and Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family and my friends...


Marcia
Linked with:
Quilting in My Pyjamas: Favourite Things Friday - Nov. 25, 2011
Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? - Nov. 25, 2011
Homemaker in Heels: Weekend Craft Soiree and Blog Hop 29 - Nov. 26, 2011
Marco Monday at Lisa's Chaos - Nov. 28, 2011
Sew Many Ways: Sew Darn Crafty #42 - Nov. 28, 2011
Sew Chatty: Made with Love #53 - Nov. 28, 2011
Canoe Ridge Creations: Sew Modern Monday - Nov. 28, 2011
Sew Happy Geek: Manic Monday - Nov. 28, 2011
And 
 INDOOR "Imaginary Blooms" for Outdoor Wednesday:
A Southern Daydreamer: Outdoor Wednesday - Nov. 30, 2011
Savy Southern Style: WOW Us Wednesday - Nov. 30, 2011
Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show - Nov. 29, 2011
Coastal Charms: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - Nov. 29, 2011
Today's Creative Blog: Get Your Craft On - Nov. 29, 2011
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures - Nov. 29, 2011
Life in Pieces: 15 Minute Challenge - Nov. 29, 2011
Freshly Pieced: WIP Wednesday - Nov. 30, 2011
Faith, Grace, and Crafts: Pearls and Lace Thursday - Dec. 1, 2011
Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff - Dec. 1, 2011
Happy Quilting: TNT Trying NEW Things Thursday - Dec. 1, 2011
At Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday - Dec. 2, 2011
2805: Potpourri Party #14 - Dec. 2, 2011
Stuff and Nonsense: fridays unfolded - Dec. 2, 2011
and 
for Sew and Tell at 
AmyLouWho's Sew and Tell - Dec. 2, 2011
and
Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish it Up Friday - Dec. 2, 2011
and
The Shady Porch: Rock 'N Share - Nov. 30, 2011
RoCa and Company: You Rock #12 - Dec. 9, 2011

The First Morning Glory Bloom Inspired My Quilting

It was Project #13 from my Minutes for Me Adventure at the October quilt retreat and I finally started it at the November quilt retreat, last weekend.  I was able to quilt it today! I thread painted it on the raw edge applique. I only have the binding and the hanging sleeve left to do.

This is the original photo of the first bloom.  I used it as my inspiration for the quilt.  I added a few leaves and changed the color of the bloom.

I had fun with the leaves using three thread colors.

I started with a print of the photo to use as a guide. I printed a large draft quality print of the bloom to use as the pattern to create the flower. I drew the leaves free form. 

I drew out all the pieces onto lite heat and bond and ironed the it to the back of the fabric.  Then cut them out.  I arranged them on the background and then pressed them with the iron in place.

I used Fine Point Sharpie markers to draw the lines, so I would know where to stitch when I did the thread painting on the pieces.

I started to thread paint on the bloom using several colors.

Added some grain lines to the wood with a brownish grey.

Three thread colors for the leaves.

Started with four thread colors for the bloom.

Then a light pink for the center of the bloom.

Then a light blue.

Stitched with a light blue thread to form tiny circles for the background filler.

Flipped it over so you can see the back of the quilt.

I was inspired by the "first" bloom from my container garden this year and I am pleased with the results.

This was my second quilt that was inspired by my garden.  I created the first one this spring and named it Blooming Beans. 

I also wrote a post a month ago about photos from my garden that I will use to inspire more quilts - Quilting the Colors and Textures from My Garden.

I am ready to try another one soon.

What inspires you?

Enjoy your day! 

Marcia

Linked with:

Minutes for Me Linky Party # 3 - Nov. 16, 2011

A Southern Daydreamer: Outdoor Wednesday - Nov. 16, 2011

Happy Quilting: TNT - Trying New Things - Nov. 17, 2011

Tootsie Time: Fertilizer Friday - Nov. 18, 2011

Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? - Nov. 18, 2011

Homemaker in Heels: Weekend Soiree and Blog Hop #28

Sew Many Ways: Sew Darn Crafty Party #41

Pieceful Life: Little Quilt Monday - Nov. 21, 2011

Sew Chatty: Made with Love #52 - Nov. 21, 2011

Sew Happy Geek: Manic Monday Linky Party - Nov. 21, 2011

Canoe Ridge Creations: Sew Modern Monday - Nov. 21, 2011

Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show - Nov. 22, 2011

Life in Pieces: 15 Minutes Challenge - Nov. 22, 2011

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - Nov. 22, 2011

Today's Creative Blog: Get Your Craft On - Nov. 22, 2011

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures - Nov. 22, 2011

Savvy Southern Style: WOW Us Wednesday - Nov. 23, 2011

Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff - Nov. 24, 2011

At The Picket Fence: Inspirational Friday - Nov. 25, 2011

Stuff ans Nonsense: fridays unfolded - Nov. 25, 2011

Faith, Grace, and Crafts: Pearls and Lace Thursday - Nov. 24, 2011

2805: Potpourri Party #13 - Nov. 25, 2011

Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish it up Friday - Nov. 25, 2011

Amylouwho: Show 'n Tell Friday - Nov. 25, 2011

and

Freshly Pieced: WIP Wednesday - Nov. 23, 2011

and

The Thrifty Groove: Thrifty Things Friday - Dec. 2, 2011

My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can #54 - Dec. 2, 2011

Roca and Company: You ROCK #11 - Dec. 2, 2011

The Shady Porch: Rock'N Share - Dec. 7, 2011

Reconstruction of My Mystery Quilt - Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday

I like it and I am very pleased...
After sewing all the blocks for my mystery quilt, they were all different sizes.  They measured 12", 12 1/4", and 12 1/2".  I weighed my options and decided to reconstruct the blocks into a new design. I tried different layouts on my guest bed.


So here's what I did:

• Squared up the blocks into two sizes, 12" and 12 1/2". That gave me two rows of 12" and two rows of 12 1/2". 
• I cut several lattice strips 2" wide. 
• Stitched a lattice strip on the bottom of every block. Pressed it.
• Stitched a lattice strip on the left side of every block.  Pressed it.
• Sewed the rows together. Two rows are longer.
• Placed the rows off set, so it formed nice connections at the centers.

 Here's the bottom of the quilt.

• Trim the top and the bottom with a rotary cutter.

• Trim the little seam allowances from the edge where you cut.

•  Add borders (2" strips) to the top, bottom, and right side of the quilt top.

• Add another border (3" strips) to all four sides.

I just laid the 3" strips on the edges, so you could see how it would look, so I could get photos before I ran out of daylight.  
I do like the new design of my reconstruction quilt!
Click here to read the story (post) about what happened to my quilt blocks and why they didn't fit together to create the original pattern design.
So Project Number 12 is ready to quilt!  Yippee!
I am thinking of using the leftover scraps and combining it with some black and white fabric for the backing of the quilt.  I've got an idea and if it works I will share. Several of my customers piece the leftover scraps and blocks into their backing and create some really cool backs.  I carry over 30 Extra Wide fabrics on the bolt in stock in my shop, but I've got some cool scraps leftover. 

I'll dream about it tonight and see what I think in the morning!
Sweet Dreams...
Marcia