Art Show

Posted on May 1, 2023 by katyquilts

Where I live in Michigan, our township holds a juried art show each year. I’ve been lucky enough to have had works juried in several times, and I’ve even taken home a couple awards. This year’s show opened last weekend.

I had two pieces accepted. This is the first one.

And here are some of my favorites.

This is the second piece I had accepted. I’m thrilled to have won a ribbon and cash award!

Not the best photo of me…🤦🏻‍♀️ . Anyway, each of the ribbon winners were invited to hold a one month solo show. My turn will be August. S now you know why I’ve been on an improv kick! I need 20 pieces ready to hang by August 1st.

Have a great day!

Posted in Art Quilts, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Improv

Posted on May 1, 2023 by katyquilts

I haven’t done much improv work in a while. It’s time to get back into it! I’m not sure why, but after grabbing a chunk of my favorite red, I spied this vintage gingham and thought they might work well together.

I cut some random skinny strips and started inserting them.

No big mystery here, just grab your rotary cutter and make a gently curving cut from bottom to top.

Sew the skinny strip (mine are less than an inch wide) to the piece on the left. Press toward the strip. Then stitch the right and left sides back together. I sew this second seam with the skinny strip on top. This time, press away from the strip. Otherwise your skinny strip can get “lost” in the valley between the background pieces.

Sometimes I add some other strips. It’s really just playing around at this point.

I just mess around until I find something I like and then work from there. Sometimes, I have to set them aside and think a while.

This bit is definitely at that stage.

Have a great day!

Posted in Art Quilts, Improv, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

April Wrap-Up

Posted on April 30, 2023 by katyquilts

Not a bad month, all things considered!

I hope you had a great month as well.

Posted in Finishes 2023, Monthly Wrap-up, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

This and That

Posted on April 29, 2023 by katyquilts

I think I’m finally settling back in here in Michigan.

An Instagram friend sent a photo of a mini quilt on her bucket list. I said I’d already done that one! Here it is from 2006. The blocks finish at 2 1/2” and the logs are 1/4” wide.

It was published in this now defunct magazine. I used to do a fair amount of free lance work for QUILT Magazine and it’s spin-offs.

I read this book recently. I really enjoyed it!

All three of the Es have had a turn spending the night. We sure missed them!

They all love my spin chair!

This was another great book.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Finish It Up Friday ~ Four Patch Posy

Posted on April 28, 2023 by katyquilts

Perhaps the reason I enjoy other peoples’ UFOs, is because I make things I otherwise wouldn’t! That is certainly true of this quilt.

It was difficult to accurately photograph this quilt. I quite like it!

I’ve had the black print I used for the backing and binding in my stash for a while.

The binding looks pretty good from the front.

It really is vibrant!

Have a great day!

Posted in Finishes 2023, Small Quilts, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Making Messes

Posted on April 27, 2023 by katyquilts

I finally have this on the frame here in Michigan.

I thought I had enough of these blocks cut out to make a small quilt. Apparently not. I thought this would be a quick project, instead it’s another UFO. 🙄

But instead of cutting out more blocks, I decided to tear the room apart and rearrange.

If anyone is looking for me, this is where I will be for the foreseeable future.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

That Blue….

Posted on April 26, 2023 by katyquilts

You might wonder why I use this blue so often in my quilts. There is a story….

Not long after we arrived in Arizona, our first winter here, I was perusing the online ads. I found a lady selling four bolts of fabric. Three were parchment color and one was this aqua color. I hadn’t used much of this color before.

But since I had a bolt of it, I’ve reached for it again and again.

I will feel quite sad when it is all gone.

It has come in so handy and added a lot of life to quilts that may have gotten boring backgrounds otherwise.

I think when it’s gone, I will buy another bolt of a different solid color.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Finish It Up Tuesday ~ Dapper Jelly Roll Quilt

Posted on April 25, 2023 by katyquilts

Ta daaa! I remember saying that as a kid, it was so fun! In fact, it still is! 😁

I love how different this is than the last jelly roll quilt I made. Click here to see it.

These fabrics are just so fun!

I used a flannel Cuddleduds sheet for the backing, making this extremely cozy.

The binding was made from leftover jelly roll strips.

Willy Boy gives his seal of approval.

Cathy played along. Look at her beautiful top!

And she had the most adorable helper.

Deb also took part and created this beautiful top!

Thanks to all of you that played along with me. Have a great day!

Posted in Finishes 2023, Jelly Roll Sew Along, Throw Quilts, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Four Patch Posy Progress

Posted on April 24, 2023 by katyquilts

Where were we? Oh, yes, at the design wall.

These weren’t working for me. So I made MORE blocks and sorted again.

Yep, I figured it out.

Should be done soon. Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Slow Stitching Sunday

Posted on April 23, 2023 by katyquilts

The quilting is finally finished.

Today I hope to get the binding done and give this a good soak.

I won’t share the finish for a while yet. This little bit is for the Humble Quilts swap. I’ll share the finish after my partner receives it.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments