I know, I know, I'm a terrible blogger. I did warn you though!
I've been really busy, making myself crazy. I finally realized I had to fit in some hand quilting (Slither Eek makes its return) and sewing to get some balance in my life. This is my current sewing project - yes, I started a new one and no, the previous one isn't finished. I want to make a scrappy red and white sampler that's super busy. Don't ask me why, that just sounds fun.
I thought with all the different patterns that the letters would be much harder to read than they actually are.
All it took was getting fabric out to lure Pokey into posing for pics again.
I have a long list of things for this post since it's been so long since my last one. Have ya'all heard about the new
Gee's Bend fabric line and kits that have just come out? What the... Huh? Really??? Am I the only one who sees this as an incredible contradiction?
The quilters of Gee's Bend became famous for their quilts made of recycled clothing and now there's a line of new
fabric??? They work in an improvisation style and yet there are
kits??? I took a look at one, hoping that it was actually a subversive attempt to get quilters working without rulers etc and just winging it. Nope, concise instructions for making the exact quilt. I mean, exact "cut this triangle exactly this size" and that one that size instructions.
Sheesh, I don't begrudge the Gee's Bend quilters wanting to get a reward for their hard work. I really don't. It just disappoints me. I've been hoping for a book written by the women themselves about how they work, and so far that hasn't happened. Instead we get Quilt Police instructions. sigh.
I did actually buy some of the fabric. I'd call them batiks - like the ones I loved so much from Bali Fabrications that aren't available anymore. I'm hoping they're that easy to hand-quilt through because I love the colors.
In other quilt stuff, I went with a friend to the World Quilt Show put on by Mancuso Brothers in West Palm Beach. It was bigger than I thought it would be and very well attended. We went early on the first day and I think I was one of the youngest ones there. Didn't see a single child. Ah, Florida.
I was disappointed that so many of the quilts were Art Quilts and very little playing on the traditional side of things. Nothing liberated. No antiques. And all the glitz? All those stinking crystals? There were several quilts that would have looked better without them. I mean, you're using silk for goodness sake - it's a gorgeous fabric, don't tart it up.
I did buy some things so that my husband could accomplish some Christmas shopping. In other words, I buy the presents I want and it makes both our lives easier. So no pics.
While I'm on a whinging streak... The finale of Project Runway? Bleah. Dark and uninteresting. I didn't care who won.
Before I go off on a tv tangent, I've got a bunch of quilty links for you, in no particular order.
For anyone lucky enough to live in the San Francisco area, there is a show at the Fine Arts Museum of Amish quilts from the collection of Stephen and Faith Brown. The show is on until June 2010 - definitely one I'd love to go to, but I'll have to be satisfied with the
book instead. Apparently you can't have too many books on Amish quilts... There is a good article on the show
here.
Comicbooklady made a fantastic
Thinking quilt which I truly love.
I love how Bemused Jan is playing with her
orphan blocks, including the houses on cheddar.
I'm not sure I ever posted a link to House of Krom Sarah's great
Friend quilt that included a free-pieced gnome and mushroom. oops, that was way back in July. Sarah also made this wonderful
placemat (I love how the "thanks"glows)...
...in a swap with Knit One Quilt Too Kristin, who made this darling apple
placemat.
Scraps and Strings Brenda made a wonderful
wonky houses quilt with words and I love the
work that she and her Strip Piecing friends have recently made (especially that Noel quilt!)
J's Quilting Blog Joyce also played with houses and words in
Kitty Corner and Patchery Menagerie Lynne too! Lynne has been posting a lot, so just take a peek at her
November archives. Caitty Quilts Deborah did a bright
whimsical houses quilt that includes applique as well as liberated piecing.
Pokeytown Kim added liberated letters to
crumb quilts. Wonderful! I've gotten a sneak peak at another liberated project she's working on, so I know there will be upcoming wonderfullness on her
blog.
Dordogne Quilter Clare is making great progress on hand-quilting and piecing
two great projects.
So happy to have Quilt Words Meg posting again. She finished her lovely soft
linen quilt with the gorgeous freehand fans and lines hand-quilting.
I'm sure I haven't managed to link to everything I want to, but I've worn myself out ;) Besides, I need something for another post...
I am actually doing really well, no cause for concern for my blogging absences. Ya'll take care!