Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Warm days...

are here. Maybe not for long, but I've been daydreaming about digging out the sandals and painting my toe nails! They say tornado weather is here. I suppose that is why it is so unseasonably warm, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. It's March. Need we say more?

I just wanted to show you some of the things that I have been up to. The dragonfly quilt is something we whipped up at work and it was a collaborated project. I did the background- dontcha just love blue and green? The pattern is in Eleanor Burns' book "Quick Trips." Hers has lilly pads in it. Tanya made up the little dragonflies and Sharon appliqued them all down. They are made from Angelina fibers and they add a nice sparkle to the wallhanging.



These are my humble versions of Darcie's journal covers. Hers had ties, but I just couldn't go there. I don't do tedious if I can help it! I've made 12 so far. 4 of them have flown away. It was a great little mini-quilting project for the company that I had. I let them quilt their own designs on their covers, add beads as they wished and I sewed them up. Most of these, here, are my sons' and nephews' and the pastel one is for a neice. All the others, are from my bleach resist fabric that I made while teaching a class on that method. I think they turned into really nice journal covers. Unfortunately, as I used fat quarter halves, they were just a little short so I had to add a strip to the bottom of them to grow them big enough for the journals. no biggie. I also washed them after quilting so they shriveled up very interestingly. I think that is one of my favorite things about quilts- even more than how they look. It's how they feel. I lined mine with cotton flannel and boy did they shrink! They got all bubble-dy. I had made a really gorgeous orange one(Jellies fabric) but it got nabbed at the quilt shop when I was showing Tanya. I looked up and saw a customer walking around with it! Now isn't that funny? And she was just such a sweetheart that I didn't have the heart to tell her that they weren't for sale. So I sold it to her. I have more Jelly fabric and have made 2 more so that my neice who loves orange won't be missing out. I have a stack of 30 journals (Yes, Dh found a great buy- 50 cents each- and you already know we don't do anything in a small way!) They are needing clothes, so I have been making up the little coats for them as I find time. My friend, K, is a child therapist and when her little patients graduate from her care she presents them with a journal. She has asked me to make a few for her. I think that's pretty cool.

13 comments:

Kairle Oaks said...

I love the dragon flies. It almost...I say "almost"...makes me want to bypass Spring and go directly to Summer!

Your journal covers look wonderful!
Kairle

tami said...

That dragonfly hanging is gorgeous. I like the journal covers too. Makes a nice project to keep the kids occupied.

quiltpixie said...

I love the effect of the angelina fiber wings... they really glitter on that pieced pond :-)

Sarah said...

The collaborative quilt is beautiful! And of course I love the blues and greens.

Where do i sign up to recieve a journal?

Miss you!

Sarah

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

You've been up to some really pretty stuff. I'm always impressed with the bleach resist - the natural look of it!! Will you teach me?

McIrish Annie said...

a great collaboration. the fabric and angelina dragonflies go great together. Love the journal covers also!

YankeeQuilter said...

I love how natural they all look...even with the angelina fibers!

Darcie said...

OHMYGOODNESS!!! DID YOU SAY *HUMBLE* VERSIONS OF JOURNALS??? THEY ARE GORRR-GEOOOUS!!!!! I AM IN AWE...AND YES...I AM SHOUTING!!!

Sorry. I have gained composure now, I think. Those journal covers are amazing! LOVE your resist fabrics!!!

Tell me about Jelly fabric, please.

Your Dragonflies collaboration is exquisite as well. Love the glimpse of a "Trip" quilt. Lovely fabrics!

You make me want to stay home a have a play day with my fabric and dyes and quilt machine and beads. Ah...but I must go support commerce and the arts. I am off to a quilt show...140 or so miles away. Sheesh.

Hugs to you!!! Get those toes painted...and have a wonderful Friday!!!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Your journal covers are wonderful! They are so fun!

Unknown said...

Great journals covers with beautiful quilting. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

Isobel said...

Are the kids keeping journals. The best part of that is if you get a peek at what they have written....oh say....10-15 years down the road.

Cher said...

what a terrific wall hanging-love love the dragonflies...what fun. and I hear ya on the warm weather and wearing sandals..we dug out shorts last Saturday just for the day-it was heavenly. The journal covers are coming out so fun-I am sure everyone is feeling special receiving one-what an encouragement to write it down.

Anonymous said...

The dragonflies are gorgeous with their shiny wings and the background is perfect :-)