Impressionist Art Quilt

Inspired By A Water Scene

With this summer's temperature reaching triple digits, I can only think of  being on a beach somewhere.   Especially since I've been doing everything else except quilting.  Today I'm posting a quilt that was inspired by a water front scene from a trip to Acapulco.

Imagine a cool breeze.......

The quilt didn't turn out exactly like the photo as I had envisioned because I didn't have access to a variety of different values of fabrics.   I was living outside of the US & ordering on the internet was not an option either.  In spite of this, I was determined & went to work from my collection of fabrics & used textile paints.  Thank goodness there was a small artist's shop close to where I lived.  

This is the quilt that I made several years ago.

The foundation is made up of 2" or 2 1/2" squares.  The wrought iron is my own drawing & is fused on to the background.  The wrought iron applique is stitched down with invisible thread.  It is free motion quilted with an all over leaf design. 

What I learned by making this quilt? 

I learned to do what you can with what you have.  Part of the fun of creating a quilt is figuring out how to use your inspiration (a photo, sketch, or quilt pattern, etc.) & translate what you see.  It can be a lot of fun if you're interested in duplicating what you see.  However, it is a great thrill to create something original.  Especially if you're trying out a new technique or stretching your abilities.   

Didn't have a new quilting project to post so, I thought I would share a quilt from good times gone by.  As soon as time allows, I'll get back to stitching by hand or by machine.  The UFO's are patiently waiting for me.

Have a wonderful day!

Baby's Firsts.....

Sadie's first birthday quilt is completed!  I mailed it yesterday & it should reach it's destination by Friday, in time to be unwrapped at the birthday party on Saturday.  Below are closeups of the Sadie's baby quilt, with a full view at the end.

Purples & pinks are girlie colors....

My sister-in-law started calling the baby Sadie-bug when she was first born.  The nickname has stuck.  I thought the lady bug fabric would be cute to use for her bow......

Whimsical butterfly.......

This is the picture I envision of Sadie when my niece Sofie, her mom, will sit Sadie in front of her cake for the first time.  Sadie will either grab the cake with her hands or she'll try to grab the candle.   I can't wait for the photos.

Sewing baby things is a lot of fun.  In case you're wondering, this quilt is an original design.  I'm in the process of writing the instructions & turning it into a pattern but, for right now I need to take a break.  The design is easy to put together & sews relatively quickly.  This quilt measured 42" wide x 42" length.

I have another grand niece turning one in August so, I also need to get busy with her quilt by the end of the month.  

Stay tuned......and keep stitching.....a little bit at a time.

Have great day!

Baby's Firsts.....

Last weekend, I spoke to my niece & she mentioned that she & her Mom are planning a first birthday party for my grand niece, Sadie (the cutie in the photo below).   Shortly after she was born, her grandmother lovingly began to call her Sadie bug, notice the lady bug dress & red bow.  

During this phone conversation, I also found out that the theme of her first birthday will  be cute bugs.    Of course, I have to make her a quilt for her first birthday.  She already has a quilt from me but not one to commemorate her first birthday.  

I went to my stash of fabrics & the only bug fabric I found was a six inch square below.  This won't work because this fabric looks like a little boy's fabric.

I've searched fabric stores & haven't found bug fabrics, that I like, for a one year old baby girl.  So I had to come up with another solution.  I started to draw & finally decided on the idea below, trying to keep it simple.

Here's the basic layout....

Caricature of Sadie.  Keeping the shapes simple so that the quilt will be used & loved.

Sadie's caricature in fabric below.

A cute butterfly to keep with the bug theme.  I'm sure a butterfly isn't considered a bug but, it's cute so, it's going to be on this quilt.  This butterfly still needs to have some detail stitched on to it to bring it to life.

Now to machine stitch all the applique.  I have to unplug from my computer for a few days so that I can finish this quilt relatively quickly.  I need to get it into the mail by next week.   So why did I wait to the last minute?  Because I was busy on other things & then I realized we were already in the month of June.  Time flies when you're busy.

I'll post my progress in the next two to three days or so.  

Stayed tuned......

Roses and Bird Applique...

Roses in my garden are beginning to bloom.....

Seeing these inspired me to get back to my applique.....

Close up of rose applique......

Stitching a few shapes per day & this section of the applique begins to take shape rather quickly.  Still have a ways to go but, I'm feeling great about my progress.

I'll have to take a break because another side project is due soon.  Be sure to see my post labeled Baby's First...