Worked on many projects this week (and a link party)

Finally I worked on projects I can share!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Growing Up QAL - no progress
2. Splendid Sampler - no progress
3. Charity quilts - no progress
4. SK project - 3 blocks done, two more designed (see below)
5. Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" - completed June block (see below)
6. En Provence QAL - no progress
7. Journaling into my new Journal/Planner - working on it every day!
8. 70273 Project - 4 blocks done (see below)
9. Book binding - no progress
10. Twilters! Bee - paused until July
11. Zipper pouch - completed! (see below)

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Working on my blocks for the Stephen King Quilt: in addition to book covers and quotes I will be adding objects that are connected to SK... this week I designed a block that resembles the bats/gargoyles he has on the top of his home entrance gates :)
For "Carrie" book cover I used regular Heat'n'Bond for the Carrie's silhouette, but I used Ultra Bond for the letters. The instructions say "Do not sew" on the Ultra bond, so I will try to leave it as is (and stitch around the silhouette): let's see if I will loose those after few washes or if the letters will stay on, let's hope for the best! :)

Carrie, book cover

Buick 8, opening line

SK house gate decor

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The block for the The Honey Pot Bee (June): keeping up with the Disney/Cartoon theme, this is Alice in Wonderland, of course :)

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More blocks for the 70273 Project. If you are curious to see some of the beautiful quilts made with all these blocks check out this Pinterest board!

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My partner really like this fabric and I made him a credit card wallet and a GPS pouch... he just got a new phone, and the leftover fabric was EXACTLY the size I needed to make a zipper pouch for his new phone. Now everything matches! :)

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Last but not least...

I started to design (and sew) a quilt that I will be offering as a QAL in 2018 on Fandom In Stitches! 

It is inspired by a recent publication of a newspaper in Italy. This weekly newspaper came out with a series of books about art history explained through disney characters. Of course I told my mom to buy all of them because how can I miss out on that?? :) 

Since the covers of those books are absolutely amazing, I decided to turn them into patterns and make a quilt for myself with all those inspiring artists through history!!

The blocks are fusible raw edge applique blocks, and I started with these two (Leonardo and Cezanne). If you are curious to see the original publication, check it here... the site it's in italian but you can see the books :) http://inedicola.gruppoespresso.it/prodotto/scoprire-arte-disney/

I am planning to make a quilt for myself with many of these covers, but I also wanted to include contemporary artists too! So I designed a block for Kara Walker, a block for Yayoi Kusama, and here below the latest creation, inspired by the work of Adam Lister (check his creations here). 

I have been in touch with Adam because I asked his permission to reproduce one of his paintings as a mini for the AMB Tiny Quilt challenge (my quilt: Vincent) and we also exchanged art pieces when I made this mini quilt for his daughter (in exchange he sent me one of his wonderful paintings).

Given how he inspired me and given his very unique style, I wanted to include him in my art history/disney quilt: he said his favorite character is Goofy, so let me introduce you...

Goofy Lister, , 20'' x 20''

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How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

WAW, what a week (and a link party)

Sewing along and events that people join as a group are so fun and inspiring!  

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Growing Up QAL - future blocks are coming together
2. Splendid Sampler - assembled all the rows
3. Charity quilts - no progress
4. SK project - working on next block
5. Molli Sparkle's "The Honey Pot Bee" - paused until June
6. En Provence QAL - no progress
7. Journaling into my new Jounral/Planner - loving the new format (more at the end of the month)!
8. 70273 Project - 4 blocks done
9. Book binding - no progress
10. Twilters! Bee - waiting for June
11. 2017 Pantone Quilt Challenge: my mini below!

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From Monday to Friday I featured 20 amazing art pieces for the Art with Fabric Blog Hop

Click on each link to go to the day post and read more about the fantastic journey and inspiration that these quilting artists took to create their masterpieces!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

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And finally, let me share the 2017 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Heart of Jade

Greenery for me is not just a single color because it reminds me of all the greens in nature, thus the super scrappy look).

For this piece I tested a new pattern and technique for a friend (Yanicka) who developed this new technique to make these super cool and modern design: it is NOT paper piecing, it is much much simpler! For the pattern and more information, visit Yanicka's blog!

I had so much fun with the praire point border: I love having those 3d elements that give more depth to the piece!!

Heart of Jade, 18'' x 18''

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How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 5

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!


DAY 5. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"Beantown" by Chris Inspired by the work of Charlotte Ziebarth and Wen Redmond (http://chrissquiltinguniverse.blogspot.com/)	"The Squash" by Shannon Inspired by the work of Paul Daschel (http://imworkingonaproject.blogspot.com/)
"Anita's Studio Window" by Anita Inspired by the work of Grace Martin Taylor (http://quiltlovefordomesticfelicity.blogspot.com)	"Minnie Kusama" by Alida Inspired by the work of Yayoi Kusama (http://tweloquilting.blogspot.com/)

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Art with Fabric Blog Hop - Yayoi Kusama

This is the third time I run this blog hop... and this season I decided to add a twist in my search for inspiration in fine art pieces.

I wanted to focus on WOMEN ARTISTS!

I don't have any formal training in art... but I studied art history in highschool... and I don't think I EVER encountered a female artist in my studies... how is that possible???? There are many women depicted in paintings, sculptures, drawing, but why only male artists made it into art history books (at least the ones used in my school)???

So for this edition I decided to pick not one but two female artists whose work spoke to me.
On Wednesday I shared about Kara Walker...

My project is actually much bigger than today's piece: the beauty of these challenges is that they open my eyes to work and ideas that have infinite ways for me to grow.

For todays artist I choose a powerful and talented woman: Yayoi Kusama.

She is a Japanese artist and writer. Throughout her career she has worked on paintings, collages, soft sculptures, performance art, and environmental installations, most of which exhibit her thematic interest in psychedelic colors, repetition, and pattern. A precursor of the pop art, minimalist and feminist art movements, Kusama influenced her contemporaries such as Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, and George Segal and exhibited works alongside the likes of them.
In 2017, a 50-year retrospective of her work opened at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. The exhibit featured six Infinity Mirror rooms, and is scheduled to travel to five museums in the US and Canada. You can read morea about her story on her Wiki Page
You should listen to Yayoi Kusama herself telling her story in this short video and in this BBC interview. Her work is so fascinating and how she channels her struggles with mental issues in art pieces that express her inner state is totally amazing.

Her work seems to me to interact very easily with my absolute love for Disney and to create a quilt that will include several artists, following the style of a recent Italian publication (Discover Art History with Disney Friends)... which as mentioned does not seem to include any female artist at least in the titles of the different volumes :( :(

Minnie Kusama, 20'' x 20''

My plan is to build 12'' blocks (like Minnie Kusama and Kara De Spell) surrounded by a fun sashing border that somehow relates to the main block. The yellow in the sashing is constant throughout the quilt, and I will be practicing free motion quilted feathers in those spaces.
Each block will be constructed mostly with raw edge applique and quilted individually.
Each block is finished by envelope turning it before quilting... and then I add a border of blanket stitches and a row of crochet border that will allow me to join all the blocks in a big quilt!

Having each block finished individually has several advantages:

1. I can practice my FMQ in a small scale, without the frustration of managing a big quilt
2. the blocks are really fast to assemble, so I easily get the satisfaction of a "finished" project
3. once a block is quilted I can use the piece as a place mat, mini quilt or table runner until I actually have enough blocks to make a quilt! No unfinished objects hiding in a drawer waiting for the next step!
4. the quilt can keep growing until I am bored or I run out of artists! And I can even switch blocks whenever I want, since joining crochet blocks is super fast and can be undone very easily

I don't know how a quilt like this will hold up in the wash, but I am willing to test it for many years to come!! 

Have you ever mixed techniques like this (crochet and quilting)? What do you think about it? Any advice?

Check out today's other amazing artists participating in the blog hop!

Shannon: http://imworkingonaproject.blogspot.com/ 
Chris: http://chrissquiltinguniverse.blogspot.com/
Anita: http://quiltlovefordomesticfelicity.blogspot.com  

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 4

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!

DAY 4. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"Wings Alight" by Renee Inspired by the work of Kesley Montague (http://www.quiltsofafeather.com/)	by Carol Inspired by the work of Laurel Burch (http://www.quiltedfabricart.com)
"To Be a Bird" by Jennifer Inspired by the work of Laura Wasilowski (http://www.inquiringquilter.com/)	"Springing Into Street Art" by Kat Inspired by the work of Olek (http://www.katknapcrafts.blogspot.com)

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 3

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!


DAY 3. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"A Study in Triangles" by Abigail Inspired by the work of Kels O'Sullivan (http://www.cutandalter.blogspot.co.uk)	by Bea Inspired by the work of Krøyer (http://www.beaquilter.com/)
"Kizette" by Janeen Inspired by the work of Tamara de Lempicka  (http://quiltartdesigns.blogspot.com/)	"Kara DeSpell" by Alida Inspired by the work of Kara Walker (http://tweloquilting.blogspot.com)

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 2

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!


DAY 2. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"Enna Holding Flower" by Marian Inspired by the work of AMB Illustrations (http://www.seamstobesew.com)	"It's Time for Tea" by Judy Inspired by the work of Pepsy Kettavong (http://judywarner.com/time-for-tea/)
"Opus 20" by Adele Inspired by the work of Cecile Chaminade  (http://adelemogavero.com/)	"Jubilant" by Sharon Inspired by the work of Robin Meade http://www.yellowcatquiltdesigns.com

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Art with Fabric blog hop - Spring 2017 - DAY 1

Every quilted project is a unique piece of art, full of love, creativity and inspiration.

However, have you ever thought about how "traditional" art could be reinterpreted in a quilted piece?
(by "traditional" I mean anything that a non-quilter will label as art, like paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture from all countries and all time periods).

To explore the endless possibilities of art-inspired quilted pieces I decided to organize another edition of this Blog Hop!

This edition has a special theme...

WOMEN!


DAY 1. Here are today's amazing pieces!

"Portrait of a Poodle a la Modigliani" by Lee Anna Inspired by the work of Modigliani (http://lapaylor.blogspot.com/)	"Reason & Passion" by Andree Inspired by the work of Joyce Wieland (http://quiltinglearningcombo.blogspot.com)
"Hanging by a Thread" by Joan Inspired by the work of Janet Stever (http://www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com/)	"[The American Context #16] American Gothic" by Luke Inspired by the work of Grant Wood http://www.lukehaynes.com/blog/

Make sure to click on each picture and visit the blogs because these wonderful artists shared their story, inspiration and useful tips that can help you create your own beautiful art pieces!

Very unproductive week (and a link party)

Between being sick and a ton of snow to shovel, I didn't do much this week!

The Ongoing Project List:

1. Play with Me QAL - many people keep sharing their projects!! (see below)
2. WGACA projects
1. Jane T - no progress
2. The SK project - no progress
3. Mirror Mirror Afghan - no progress
3. Block Swap Adventure -  paused until Feb
4. Charity Quilts for DC General Homeless Shelter project - no progress
5. American Quilt (previous known as Americana QAL) - no progress
6. Project Quilting (#3)- waiting for the announcement 
7. Gyleen's BCP Mystery QAL (Bricks, Cobblestones and Pebbles Mystery 2016) - clue 3 and 4 done! (see below)

The EverythingElse List:

1. the 31000 Xs project - no progress
2. Spirit cross stitch project - no progress
3. Alice in Wonderland quilt - no progress
4. As You Wish -  no progress
5. Crazy optical illusion - no progress
6. Memory quilt 2 - no progress

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You may remember the story behind my AMB Tiny Quilt Challenge (Vincent), where I was inspired by the work of Adam Lister and we ended up setting up a trade: I made him this 'Pigeon' wall hanging and he promised me a painting from him. It arrived this week and I temporarily hang it without a frame next to my Konfettinsky. Isn't it beautiful??

Right: Adam Lister's Café Terrace at Night (after Van Gogh)

See a close up picture on his Instagram 

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And speaking of my Vincent quilt... pictures of all the quilts entered in the exhibit have been shared!!

Check all the wonderful minis of the
Tiny Quilt Challenge Exhibit here!

Maybe you didn't get the chance to visit the Road to California show?

Here some highlights from the Road to California show!!

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I am following along with a Mystery QAL on FB. This is my progress:

Gyleen's BCP Mystery QAL, clue 3 and 4

As usual, I am following my own path. For clue 3 I kept the four colors theme with the brick being a constant Mickey Mouse fabric. For clue 4 I wanted to mute down the colors and I went all neutrals. However I wanted the transition to be more "interesting" so I added HST in the nine patch! I don't know if it is going to work in the final layout, but I like what I see so that's the path I am taking! It is a very fun mystery!

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I also spend some time making some extra postage stamps 4x4 squares for the extra swaps in our Block Swap Adventure group.

I decided to play with the scrappyness and have some blocks that are neutrals and some that are dark.

I love this project because collecting 1.5'' squares and sew them up in such a simple pattern is very relaxing as it doesn't require much brain work :)

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While I cannot share pictures of the quilted Feb block of my QAL (Play with Me), I can certainly share the fact that a pretty large number of people started sharing their completed January projects!

Please click this link to visit the page with the linky and check out the amazing work of these ladies!!!

It has been so fun to see how people mix and match colors! 

If you didn't join, it's not too late!

Visit the QAL page for more details.

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And last, but not least, I want to remind you that I am working on charity quilts,
and I would love your help!! 

Quilts are for a quilt drive to help the kids in the DC General Homeless Shelter. 

And you can help me by donating orphan blocks, partial blocks, or fabric (scraps, strips, leftover, uglies, whatever). 

If you are willing to mail them to me, I could use them to make more quilts for these kids!!! 

If you are up for a loving donation, please send me an email at tweloq[_at_]gmail[dot_com] or leave a comment here with your email address so I could give you my mailing address. I promise that your donation will be used to make some kids happy and feel more loved!! 

No progress here... so sad... but I plan to spend more time on this in the next couple of months. I have many pieces ready to be quilted, just need to find some inspiration!

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How about you? What are YOU up to?

Link it here and share it with me!!

An InLinkz Link-up