Thursday, October 15, 2009

New Design Wall

My sweet husband got a permanent design wall up for me for my birthday. It's a great present although I have yet to make full use of it. It's 7' x 7' and made of 3/4" styrofoam insulation panels cut down into four sections and covered with flannel. I'd have preferred gray or a khaki (something in a medium value) but couldn't find it so went with a light yellow.

This design wall is definitely constructed ala Lazy Gal. I didn't iron the flannel first and it's hardly perfect. But it's functional, does what I want it to do, and we got it done relatively quickly.

I did all the piecing on this hope quilt top before my surgery and have yet to get back to work on this. Sharon, you have another fun name for this thing? I loved Hope Strings Eternal, what would this one be?

I still haven't gotten back into the full swing of things. Slowly slowly.

I have a bunch of fun quilting links for you.

Check out new blog Fun with Barb and Mary to read about their quilting adventures. Between the two of them they see lots of quilts, not to mention show off their own - I love their interpretations of a classic here. Look at the amazing fan quilting on these antiques. yummy.

New-to-me is Ann Champion's Blog where she's been featuring some wonderful antique finds as well as her own colorful quilt in progress. In particular I love this String Star (although it seems to me there should be another name for this block, but I can't think of it) for it's use of striped fabric. And lovers of cheddar should be sure to catch this Railroad Crossing.

Speaking of striped fabric, check out this awesome mid 1800's star quilt. I love the modern look of it. Whee.

Sticking with the theme of antique quilts, what looks like an amazing exhibition is on at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA until November 15th. It's called Master Pieces: Haberdashery Textiles in Antique Quilts. The quilts are all made out of men's clothing. Quilters Spirit did a great write up on it here. I totally love these quilts, just wish I could see the show.

Jennifer D of Pasquali Rumpus did a really fun job free-piecing letters in this pillow. I'm lucky enough to have a couple of Jennifer's words in Cake.

In a Halloweeny mood? Check out Brown Dirt Cottage Belinda's fabulous Boo ghost blocks that she designed herself. So much fun.

Quilt as Desired's Comicbooklady went to Gwen Marston's quilt retreat and sent back some great photos. Love Gwen's work and CBL's too. I am so envious!

Laura at Cloth and Mind finished up her wonderful wonky houses and words quilt top. I love it and check out the way she did her Us and Ws. Great job.

Bumble Beans is doing a really fun Waverunner quilt-along. Very improvisational, very fun. Have to admit, it'd be scary for me not to use the rotary cutter. Eeek, I look forward to seeing all the amazing quilts that come out of this.

On a non-quilt related note, I gave up on Flash Forward about 15 minutes into the most recent episode. I didn't like any of these people and didn't care what happened to any of them.

I'm almost finished watching the first season of Fringe and then I can get caught up on the new ones. I'm really enjoying it. Not a perfect show but I love the characters, especially the Bishops. Now if they could just stop using LSD to solve crime it would be that much better.

25 comments:

Twisted Quilts said...

What a great birthday present! I am envious. Thanks for the great links.

Missy Ann said...

May I suggest "Hope Full", 'cause the center is full of hope. :D

Barb said...

You'll love the design board. A lint roller works wonders when it becomes too thready to stick properly.
Thanks for the shout out!
Barb
p.s. I'm a little undecided about this season of Fringe so far, but I can't quit, as the characters & actors are just too good.

Jennifer D said...

I love your design wall and I am honored to be mentioned in your post. Thanks so much

Fabric Fanatic said...

I hooted out loud when I read this...."On a non-quilt related note, I gave up on Flash Forward about 15 minutes into the most recent episode. I didn't like any of these people and didn't care what happened to any of them."
You are so funny. I realized that I skipped the last episode totally which should be a clue. One less thing I need to try to remember.
Glad you're feeling a bit better, and love the design wall.

Dena said...

Your husband is so sweet to build you a design wall for your birthday present. Thank you for all the wonderful links today. They're all keepers!

jacquie said...

that's so great and i love what you've got up there too.

Nat Palaskas said...

Hi Tonya, Glad to see you posting again. I like your design wall. It seems to work very well. What's good hubby you have. Thanks for sharing great blogs too, I already visited a few - Hugs Natima

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Hey ms.t!
yeah! a design wall! hey, as long as it works girlie! ;-)
cant' wait to see that hope quilt done up. fabulous stuff.. Totally DOPE!(as they used to say...boy that dates me) er, I mean, totally HOPE!

as for my quilt along, Rotary cutter's a yes, a RULER is a no,no.
we will use rotary cutters, just no rulers...
There's lots of newbies so I am very excited!
I'm off to bed. I'm in Houston.. yippee!
take care and take it slow.

YankeeQuilter said...

A real design wall...you really put that man to work didn't you...tell him he had it easy. My poor DH spent the day being bossed around by women as he helped hang quilts at the show!

Clare said...

Oooh - completely forgot it was your birthday so it was a birthday giftie as well as a cheer Tonya up one.

Your sweetie did a really good job on your new design wall. 7 ft by 7 ft wow! An artist's canvas.

Love the 1800's quilt. Can't believe it was quilted so recently.

I love the photo of Gwen on CBL's blog.

Oh and Hope Full is good.

Quilt or Dye said...

How about "Hope Squared is Hope Shared" since the HOPE letters are in a square and you are sharing the quilt?

jovaliquilts said...

Isn't it great to have a design wall? Mine is a lousy one and I still love it!
Hope quilt looks good -- and I love the Hope STrings Eternal name, hope you can find another just as good!

Browndirtcottage said...

OH..OH...I am sooo jealous of your
design wall! My 3 huge pieces of insulation foam board are still propped up in my kitchen...LOL...Mr. Brown Dirt got busy with harvest...so, I'm a handy gal...I'll figure it out as soon as I can find some flannel the right color.
So glad to see your work up on your board and to know you are headed to recovery!!
As for Flash Forward...I still have the recent ep on my DVR...so I will see if it gets the axe or not!!
Thanks so much for the 'shout out'!

Sharon said...

Sorry, my brain is fuzzy lately. . . too many painkillers I guess. But I'll put on my thinking cap.

Thanks for all the great links - i'm looking forward to exploring them all. yum!

Love your design wall - and I'm jealous. It looks like it will be a huge help to you. Have fun!

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

My wall is so full of pin holes I'm going to have to put up a designs wall to cover them up! How nice:)
The hope quilt is beautiful. I'll love to see it finished.

Magpie Sue said...

Wow, a 7 foot square design wall! I'm jealous ;- )

Deborah said...

great design wall and do I see a helper?

Gypsy Quilter said...

What a lovely, sweet, and thoughtful gift. You'll have it covered with squares and threads in no time!

Jan said...

Belated happy birthday! What a great gift...7'x7' should work well! How did you attach the top sections to the wall? Mine is thicker than yours, but just leaning for now.

doni said...

I don't really have a sewing space ... sewing storage space yes, sewing space no. BUT I have a 6 ft design wall behind a wall quilt rack holding a double size quilt. And I love it.

I love the new hope quilt - how about "hope hope, hopping along"

doni @ Oregon coast

dianne said...

i NEED a design wall - vertical is such a different perspective from horizontal, innit?!?

how 'bout "Hope Floats"?

jude said...

a design wall. in my dreams.

Quiltblocktour said...

The design wall looks great! What an awesome present! Thanks for all the links to new blogs. They are definitely very cool and were worth checking out!

-Katie
QuiltBlockTour

america said...

Looks great once on the wall...a show stealer I must say.