Normal by Diane Crawford

“Normal”, 6” x 18”.   The challenge this time is “Big”.  On the blog, Trish posted a picture that said, “Dream Big”.  Well, right now, especially here in California, all we have is our dreams of something bigger and better than the current existence in the statewide lockdown, which will now last a minimum of 7 weeks.  As I was designing this project, the word “Normal” was consistent in my mind.  

The background colors and designs went through a number of changes until last night, when the picture became clear as I lay in bed.  The colors of the letters and the stitching all show movement from the current darkness to the light at the end of the crisis.


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An Apple a Day! by Diane C

Here's my September Challenge project, An Apple a Day! (12 1/2" x 18") When the quilt was almost finished, I realized that, as a retired teacher, I probably should have done something about an apple for the teacher.

But it was the emoji apple that popped into my head from the first day and stayed there.

by Diane Crawford

Pineapple Paradise by Diane C

Introducing Pineapple Paradise (15" x 23").

The thought of pineapples made me think of Hawaii. I found an illustration on Print Shop of a tropical island. Here's my interpretation, using pineapple blocks to create the important features.

Created by Diane Crawford for the Pineapple Party Challenge!

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Pinwheel Pleasures by Jill H

Pinwheel Pleasures

Inspired by my daughter and granddaughters surprise July visit.

Summer fun swimming in lake with Grandpa fishing on the pier.dimensional pinwheels finish the red white blue theme.Surprise she called from home Maryland to say she is pregnant.

Maybe brother is with us.? Size is 18" x 18".

Jill Harman Watersmeet, Mi

created for the Project QUILTING Summer Rocks Off Season Challenge

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Summer Rocks by Diane C

Summer Rocks—You can reach right up and touch the sky.  This project is 13” x 13”.  As a Baby Boomer, I thought that some summer rock and roll would fill the bill quite well. 

My design was inspired by a couple of pictures I found  on Google Images with hands reaching toward the sky.  When I sing this song, I always say, “When the weather is high.”  I’m partial to lyrics that actually rhyme.

by Diane Crawford

Project QUILTING Off Season Challenge

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Finally … always a Cause for Celebration by Diane C

Here is "Finally...always a cause for celebration". My brainstorming took me through a variety of ideas, and eventually I settled on the thought that when something FINALLY happens, there's usually a reason to celebrate. I originally chose a green color scheme for this project, thinking about Kim and Trisha and the cold April they'd had (I'm in the San Francisco Bay area).

But when I retrieved a finished 6" block to help me determine the appropriate size to make the letters, the block contained the fireworks fabric. Well, what better way to celebrate than with fireworks?--regardless of when the celebration is or what you're celebrating.  Enjoy!

Created by Diane Crawford for the May “Finally” Project QUILTING Challenge.

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April Fool Car Wash by Diane Crawford

It’s been a rainy April here in the San Francisco Bay area. My car really needed a wash, but every time I had some time to have it washed, rain was in the forecast.  My car also needed just a bit of work (nothing serious) and when they were done, they washed the car—for free.  Wouldn’t you know that it rained the next day…At least it was a “free” car wash that got rained on.  So, that was the inspiration for this 15” x 24” project.  (BTW, the lightning is just for effect.  We never have lightning strikes here by The Bay.)

Hope Spring is finally coming to Wisconsin.

Thanks to both of you for another fun project.

Created by Diane Crawford for the Project QUILTING April Fools Challenge.

Tumbling Blues by Jen M

Here's my entry for the off season April Fool's challenge.

I call this quilt Tumbling Blues.    It is a triaxially woven quilt that finishes at 50 x 65 inches.   I felt it fit the challenge, because all of the strips needed to be completely finished so it would be a stand alone quilt.  The thought of doing all that prep work made me put it off for a solid week.   Then, I decided I just needed to do it or not, so I DID. 

I started by creating the set to create the kaleidoscope style weave.   I started with 40 fabrics and culled it down to 22.   I chose Kona Cotton Solids and Fossil Ferns all in shades of blues and white.    

First I cut these into 2.5 inch strips which went quickly on the accuquilt.  Then stitched the strips together to form long strips.   These were pressed in 1/4 inch on each side, then pressed in half and finally stitched closed so they could be woven.   I went through 16 bobbins stitching the strips!!

I wound the strips around bolts to keep them in order. I had over 40 hours amassed in doing this before I could even start the weaving.  

I modified a sheet of insulation foam to make the board for weaving.   Following the Wefty weaving instructions, I first put down the verticals and then started with the second layer at 30 degrees.    The final layer finished the quilt. 

I took it to the long arm and did a meander in a middle blue color to keep it together when washed.  Finally I bound the quilt.   I am amazed how heavy it is.

I create in Madison, WI.

Thanks!

--Jen

The Electric Needle

Hazard of Cooking on the Hot Pavement by Vicky L

Title: Hazard of Cooking on the Hot Pavement
Created for the “Summer Sizzle” Project QUILTING Challenge

Size : 23.5" x 18.5"

Techniques : fusible applique and fabric paint

As you experienced a little of the heat in Kansas, there is always the joke that "it's so hot, you could fry an egg on the sidewalk".

So here is one of the hazards of frying eggs on the pavement.  My husband helped me paint the tire to put the print on the quilt. 

made by Vicky Lawrence
Overbrook, KS

Fourth of July by Claudia M

Fourth of July
When I saw the off season challenge for Summer Sizzle, I told myself no, just too busy!  After a couple days, I reconsidered.  I have wanted to make a summer piece for my hanger and decided Summer Sizzle says Fourth of July to me so I dug through my stash, made half square triangles ...

finished the binding at a quilt group meeting and have been enjoying it most of the month.  Thanks for the "push" Kim!

Claudia M., Beaver Dam WI

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May I Rejoice? by Debora B

May I Rejoice?

Finished Size: 14" x 23"

Created by Debora Brown

Fort Worth, TX

Inspired by a sculpture in the ZimSculpt exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum, I created May I Rejoice?

After a particularly difficult season of life, I continue to remind myself to be joyful, to rejoice, and to find peace as I walk through life. 

It took me several days of thinking about May I? to settle on a concept for the quilt. The concept changed from an abstract cubist design to the applique design. Part of the reason for the change was the fabric choices. The fabric is from my mother's collection. Once I found the fabrics, the background piece was a perfect size to hold an applique of the girl. 

I decided on needle turn applique for a more polished look. The lace detail, buttons, and embroidery thread shoe ribbons added a more realistic look to the figure.

 

The three-layer piece is hand quilted.  

 

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Cultivating Manners

This quilt is for my sweet grandkids.

Meena

Created for the Project QUILTING Off Season Challenge – May I?

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Hazel Hedgehog II–May I Challenge

Kim Van Etten quilting in Poynette, WI for the Off Season Project QUILTING “May I?” Challenge.

Hazel Hedgehog ll  by Elizabeth Hartman 34 x 37

May means SPRING at our house and spring mean baby animals.  Seemed like a perfect challenge to make the cute little hedgehog pattern I have been wanting to make!!

“May I Contrast?” by Janell R

For this challenge, I wanted to try a quilt with really strong contrasts. 

A strong, bright blue against black and white.  To help this, I used black and white thread, alternating lines in the quilting. 

It gives the illusion of broken lines.  I used a silver metallic thread for the quilting on the blue fabric.  For added dimension, I made some borders with texture. 

The black borders are tucks, but I used white thread to sew them so they look like pinstripes.  The white borders are wave tucks.  And it's all nicely framed with the blue binding.

 

Janell Rutz - Madison, WI
Quilt size: 17" x 16"

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