Bear Over the Mountain Crib Quilt : WIP

Hand appliqued, with embroidery details---these are calico's from the early '80's---yes, fabric & quilt squares I have had for that long! and moved several times along with me....the pattern is called "Bear Over the Mountain" and I have no idea where it is from...

I plan to make these 9 squares (which I originally created in 1981) into a crib quilt for the new grandbaby who will arrive in late August. I have always wanted to finish this quilt--- and pleased I now will. I'm thinking it might be fun to embroider some snow caps on the mountains...before I sew the squares all together.

Fabric Inchies Once Again

What can I say? I just keep making them....these are fun to fabricate because each one is a miniature work of art. These are plus size inchies--each one measures about 1.5" x 1.5". Again these have become pins/brooches for sale in my Etsy shop, Borealis Beads.

More Inchies!

These are "+ inchies or plus size inchies" since they are 1.5" x 1.5" in size. Sewn with fabrics and laces all layered, then embellished with buttons, beads, stamps---whatever I have that strikes my fancy.






These are so much fun to make, once I get going, I just can't stop! I love making these little miniature works of art---they are fairly quick to make, so I can make about a dozen in a few hours. I have sewn pinbacks onto them, and they are will soon be for sale on my Etsy shop--so if you like any of them, check there! They make lovely pins or brooches to enliven a hat, sweater, or winter coat.

Fabric Inchies!

My friend Kari--from Sitka, Alaska--came for a visit and to play in my studio---we made fabric INCHIES! only ours are "inchie +" because we made ours 1.5" x 1.5" ---instead of 1 inch by 1 inch---so we call them "inchie plus" or "plus size inchies" or just "PSI"....
These were a fun quick project---here are some of mine--or the ones I have finished so far...I'm planning to sew pinbacks on these---and presto! instant holiday gifts ;-)




For those who are wondering--an "inchie" is a 1" x1" (or 1.5" x 1.5") fiber square which you can embellish any way you want. This is great way to use up all those tiny bits of interesting fabrics and papers you just could not throw away. Then pull out your fun beads, buttons, and other trims and embellish away.



For great directions on how to make these--via the Quilting Arts Magazine website-- go here and scroll down--the directions area pdf file available for free.



Besides pins--I can think of so many other ways to use these---on a bag or purse as an accent, or even on a sweater. How about ear rings? or a colorful mobile to hang above a baby crib? they are fun to trade with other artists, also...anyone want to trade? just e-mail me.....

TODAYS QUOTE:

"The single clenched fist lifted and ready,
Or the open hand held out and waiting.
Choose:
For we meet by one or the other."
----Carl Sandburg

Bead Embellished Mini-Quilts

A while ago--one of my projects was a series of "mini-quilts." These are about 8.5" X 11.5" in size, and fun to make---since they are fast to finish up! Mostly sewed and quilted on the machine--with bead embroidery and buttons, plus some hand embroidery for embellishment. These are a nice project for using up small bits and pieces of fabric; some of the fabric here is old vintage fabric.



This one has more handstitching and less beadwork...but I love the different orange-ish fabrics--some of these fabrics are I got from my quilter friend Kari (from Sitka, Alaska.) She has the fabric stash to die for! (thanks, Kari!)

I had six of these small quilts hung all on one wall--they made a lovely display. As I make more, I move them around---take some down, or add more.

Another poem for April Poetry Month

How hard is this? a poem a day for National Poetry Month? (just a nice short one today...) the heart quilt square here created recently by my daughter--with my help-- for a friendship quilt.

I MAY, I MIGHT, I MUST
by Marianne Moore

If you will tell me why the fen
appears impassable, I then
will tell you why I think that I
can get across if I try.

White Elephant Finds...

The annual WHITE ELEPHANT SALE in Oakland, California is the biggest garage sale in the Bay Area; of course it is impossible for me to stay away from such a great offering of vintage and used items. This time I mostly bought vintage buttons, linens, beadwork, jewelry, and a lovely old wool crazy quilt. The Oakland Museum docents (who run the sale) in the fabric department had spent alot of time sewing some of the matching vintage buttons onto old playing cards.

Here are some of the playing cards (and one postcard) with buttons attached--lovely, huh?


And here are some vintage buttons on their original cards.




These ones are mixed--some with their original cards, some on old playing cards...the design possibilities are infinite...


Here are some vintage beadwork pieces--cut off old clothing--I just could not resist these! great for embellishing a purse, or jean's jacket...into the creative stash to be used someday....



I also love vintage embroidered linens--I love to "repurpose" the embroideries into a nice blouse, or or a tea cozy.

Needleworkers Unite!

A small mixed media art quilt to honor our Needlework Salon or "Sewing Circle", which meets monthly at my house. The central image is the cover from an old set of needles I inherited from my mother-in-law, who was quite the seamstress. I do love those old vintage needle cases! Pieced on the machine and then embellished with embroidery.