Today has been more productive then I could have ever imagined. I have pieced together the majority of the front panel. The owls came out way better than I would have ever thought they could. I took a real picture off the internet, copied it onto fabric paper, peeled off the back and after cutting it out attached it to the quilt. I then took fabric paint and enhanced the trees and owls with black and brown markers. The ferns at the bottom are just messy cut and fussy cut then laid on top of each other. I will need to add more leaves to the trees and I may add a moon, but I am three weeks ahead of what I thought I would be today. What an incredible productive day!!!
So here’s where I’ve been…. My sewing machine broke and it’s taken me a month to replace it. I was out of town last week and when I got back late Monday night my new Brother 9000 was waiting for me. I was almost done with the second quilt, all I had to do was finish the edges so I have completed the second quilt and I’m on my way to the third (only a month behind).
I love the new machine. The last one I had was 20 years old and only did about 5 stitches. This one does 120, plus monogramming! Its’ so quiet and runs so smoothly. But I have to say farewell to my old one in a kind way… It sewed 20 years of children’s clothes, curtains, decorations and even reupholstered a couch….twice!!! I’ve decided not to get rid of it but just store it away for now and maybe someday try to have it fixed. It was a good friend for a long time…insert tear here… :0) I went today and purchased the fabric to start the third quilt (The owl quilt) I originally was going to hand dye most of the fabrics but with my time crunch I’m in now I decided to just buy the fabric as close to what I need as possible. I got very lucky and found some at Joann’s and some at the local quilting shop. The wood fabrics didn’t come out in the pictures as vibrant and high quality as they are in person but you will get the idea. I quickly sketched out the idea for the front panel and took a picture. Not the best drawing I have ever done but I did it in less than 2 min. (so no judging on the art!!) :0) I’ve posted pictures of the finished shoe and purse quilt, the new sewing machine and the new stuff for quilt three so take a look and let me know what you think. Back on track!!!!! I completed all the hand quilting this weekend and will be finishing the binding this week. I’m a few days behind schedule but not too bad for two quilts in four months. I am so excited to start the next one because it will be my first attempt at an art quilt. Owls and trees and dyed background fabrics! Too fun!! I’ll post pictures this weekend of the finished shoe and purse quilt and post the outline for the next one.
I want to thank all the people who have sent me emails from all over the world giving me encouragement and drive to keep going. April was a tuff month because of all the activities going on every weekend that didn’t leave much time for the project. You guys have really kept me driven to stay on track!! Thank you!! |