The Holidays...

Happy After Thanksgiving to Everyone...

Our family had the traditional thanksgiving meal & gave special thanks for being able to be together on this holiday.

We usually take walks after a meal, weather permitting.

This warmer weather brings everyone outdoors.

We've taken our artificial tree out & still need to decorate it.  The branches need to be opened outward from being squished together while in a box all year.  

This tree below is a picture from last year.  Wish I could just wave a magic wand & the lights would be automatically on the tree.

Today my Mom & I might have some fun with a little quilting.  We are going to enjoy the morning & see what we can do together.  I give thanks that my Mom & I have several things we can do together.  We may just have an extra cup of coffee this morning & take a trip down memory lane.  After all, this is one of the many reasons for this season.

Enjoy your day!

Until next time...

Unfinished Projects...

Don't we all wish we could have a little bit of help in our sewing studios?

Especially with those little tasks that require us to stop, like re-threading or filling the bobbins.

Someone who could help straighten & hold the fabric while it's going under the needle.

After each day, someone would reorganize the mess that we make.

Wishful thinking of course.  This is one wish that is probably never granted but, only in movies. 

Haven't had anything to post because I'm getting ready for family who will visit soon.  

Stay tuned to see some of the Houston International Quilt Festival 2012 pictures of spectacular quilts.  I will get organized, with no outside help, & post a few pics soon.  

Enjoy your weekend!

Value Study in Hexagons & Stars...

Happy November 1st!

Why happy? Because the Houston International Quilt Festival is in progress.  Quilt Market started last week & for the quilting consumer classes began on Oct. 28th.  Non-quilters do not understand what all the fuss is about but that's just how it is.

Anyhow, I just read a post by a blogger(wish I could remember which blog I read it from) stating that hand sewing is hot right now.  I seem to remember that English Paper Piecing came back in vogue around 2009 or 2010.  I didn't catch on to it at that time until this year.  I'm working on a grandmother's flower garden but, not yet ready to post progress pictures.  

Below is a hexagon quilt (made using the english paper piecing method) that was in the 2011 quilt show.  It was made by Cheryl  See of Virginia.  This quilt is called, "Starstruck",  & has 12,256        hexagons in it.  All I can say is wow!  What an accomplishment.  Congratulations to Cheryl See & thanks for entering in the show for all of us to enjoy viewing this beautiful quilt.

This beautiful quilt is like looking at the color wheel...

Compare to color wheel below...

Close ups so we can see the fabrics used...

Notice the gradual blending of values...

Now go back up to the first photo & notice how you don't see the detail in the fabrics.  The fabrics blend just perfectly as you go around the quilt from color to color.   Great example of a value study.

Keep in mind that your quilt doesn't have to be this big to work on a value study.  You can also achieve this by working smaller.

Prepare a color study by testing your fabrics using a one star block as shown below..

Compare to the next block, almost the same block, simple value changes & it looks a little different.  The four patch in each corner was eliminated with the use of a half square triangle, everything else is the same.

Look at this next simpler variable star pattern...

Now reversing the lights(I should say brights) & darks...

Last example which has trapunto in the center but, the camera didn't pick it up.

Final note:  It's best to sew a test block with the colors you've selected before cutting all the fabric you've purchased.  With a test you'll be able to see if your color selections will work or if you need to make modifications.   I've learned this the hard way. 

Remember that a color study should be fun to work on & also takes practice.  Be patient with yourself.  Good luck with your next color study.  

Now for a break from blogging so, I can actually get some work done.

Until next week.....