Chemo Quilts = 4 more

T'is the season for charity quilts.  Always needed, this time of year they help a lot.

I like to make theme quilts.  The kids get to pick their own quilt, so it is fun to guess which one will go first.  I think the Cat Theme will attract a girl; Outer Space = boy; Sweet Treats = either boy or girl, young or teenager; simple shapes for a Young Child.

Cat Theme

Outerspace Theme

Sweet Treats Theme

Simple Shapes for a very Young Child

Fun Wear

Fun Wear - Pajamas

For the top I used a knit top I already owned.  So, I would say the top is 'embellished', not created. 

However, for the bottoms, I started with a pattern I altered for myself many years ago.  I eliminated the side seam, lengthened the legs, then added a band at the bottom.  This way, I could make the legs long enough to cover my ankles when sitting, yet keep them off the floor when standing.  The placement of the pink pocket was dictated by a flaw in the fabric.  The others were added 'just for FUN'.

Continuing the conversation, since I started with a pattern, is this an original design?

PS.  All of the fabrics, pattern and the top were items I had 'on hand'.  Nothing was purchased for this specific project.  I usually have lots of flannel around since I use it to back my Chemo Quilts.  Of course I always have lots of cotton fabric.  I've used this pattern before, but never in this particular way.  I made them now because I wanted more 'Warm Wear' + I wanted it to be fun to wear.

Ann's Tea Room 11-29-2014

Happy Accident

When I first printed this, I noticed that the ink did not cover the parts of the fabric that were over printed by the manufacturer.  I thought about turning the fabric over to reprint 'clean'.  However, I decided this lacy look was perfect for my tea room.

Ann's Tea Room Entrance

Ann's Tea Room

The chairs and table are covered with an assortment of old linens:  Nana's hand embroidered pillow cases, odd lace curtain [also used one on the entrance], place mats sewn together, and other old pieces I never use.  Fun to get them out.  I think a young lady like Morgandy is just the person to enjoy this.  She also gave the opinion that the hand embroidered pieces looked hand made, but the lace on the chair looked like it was machine made.  She is just learning to hand sew with her mother.  She appreciates hand made things more than machine made.

Tea Table Setting for 11-29-2014

The Menu

Morgandy Reading the Menu

She will be 6 on January 23, 2015.  As a kindergarten student, she could read most of the menu.  She was quite serious about the menu.  Her father does her hair. I love these young guys who are active parents.  It is so much fun to watch. I started taking care of her when she was a few days old.  I am used to seeing her every day.  This interruption for school is sometimes hard to take.  Like most children now-a-days, her life is also filled with classes and other extracurricular activities.  Love vacations because she is around a lot more.

Morgandy's Sandwich Choices

Morgandy's Dessert Choices

This of course, was her favorite part.  She also likes the Camomile Tea better than the Afternoon Tea. She often comes over for a simple tea in a mug and a little snack.  All occurring at my kitchen counter.  This was a fun treat for both of us.  She was stuffed, but wanted to finish the plate.    I fixed the rest in a take-away for her.  She was happy with that.

Hope you all have someone special you can pamper once in a while.  This was soo much fun!  Took me back to Tea Parties my daughter and I used to have with a stuffed animal [s] and/or a doll [s].

Blue Rose

Blue Rose at IQA Oregon

This quilt started backwards from the usual way I work.  I started by creating the center of the rose, created the 'petal parts' plus the 'petal edges', then stitched down the background.  As often happens, the designed changed along the way.  Unfortunately, I have lost the name of the QA member who graciously sent me this photo.  Thank you  so much.  I LOVE 'seeing' my quilt in the show.  Could not do this without your help.  Hope I can do the same for others sometime.

Rose Bud + Center

Each petal section was quilted before it was attached.  This gave the body plus dimension I wanted. I used the black to further extend my limited amount of blue satin.

The Method overview

Sketch, Petal detail, and the rest of the satin.  I sketched the 'petal edges' in curves on the satin.  This way I was hoping to get as much usable satin as possible.  It worked.  

Blue Satin laid out on freezer paper

The rest of the blue satin was cut into strips, edged with gold paint, then gathered to complete each of the petals. The petals were sized according to the lengths of 'blue satin edging'.

Method of Strip Piecing on the Paper Pattern.  

I wanted the colors to get lighter as the rose grew.  I also wanted the strips relatively vertical.  In hind sight, I wish I had made then radiate outward from the center..  The problem was, I could not figure out how to do that and still get the color change I wanted.

All the Petals pieced, then ironed on the freezer paper for ease of turning under the edges.  

Layout with Outside Strips Stitched down.

Now I stated adding the completed petal sections.  I tucked the blue satin edging under as I went. Then machine appliqued the outer edge. All of the pieced were marked with a number.  This was necessary to match up the satin with the strip pieced petal.  Finally, it was ready for quilting.  Lots of quilting completed my project.  I thought it was going to Houston after Oregon.  Unfortunately, I was wrong. 

Blue Rose

41 1/2" x 64"

Besides some unexpected medical challenges, plus necessary unplanned work, plus the endless hours to complete this quilt,  I had no time to make anything else.  Hopefully, I will plan better next year.

The Drones Quilt Project

My Block

a scant 10" x 10"

How this project started is copied from
http://www.popularresistance.org/radical-quilting-contribute-to-the-drones-quilt-project/

"The idea for a Drones Quilt came from some women in the UK who started the project as a way to memorialize the victims of U.S. combat drones. We believed that there were lots of anti-drone activists in the U.S. who would like to make our own version of a Drones Quilt, and so the idea traveled across the Atlantic.

The idea is to collectively create a piece of artwork which connects the names of activists with those killed. The names humanize the victims and point out the connectivity between human beings.

Plans for the American version of the quilt include creating educational materials, photographs and information which together with the quilts will create an exhibit which will travel the country, informing and educating the American public.

Sadly, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, only about 20% of the drone victims have been identified, so there are many, many victims whose names are not known."

Several months ago I saw either a video or a television program interviewing Drone operators.  Most said it was similar to a computer game:  they had a target assigned, the object was to send a Drone to blow up the target.  It did not feel 'real' to the operators.  Then one of the operators sent a Drone going to the assigned target.  Just seconds prior to the 'hit', two boys on bicycles drove into the target area.  The operator saw them explode.  That became a nightmare for him.  The reality of the 'game' sank in.  He quit his job.  At the time of the broadcast, he was in therapy.

When I heard about this program via my local Brunswick Peace Works, I knew it was for me.

I hope my block does not need explanation.  However, because I am so close to it, I can not experience it with fresh eyes.  PLEASE leave a comment about your reaction to my block.  All comments will be appreciated.

I will mail it as soon as I know that it is understood as is.  Otherwise, I will make another.

For more information on Drones and this project in particular check out these links

warisacrime.org/content/drones-quilt-project

www.dronesquiltproject.wordpress.com

dronesquiltproject.wordpress.com/how-to-make-a-block/

For more personal information OR to send a block, PLEASE contact

leahbolger@comcast.net

and/OR mail a 10" x 10"  block to

Leah Bolger, 3740 SW Western Blvd, Corvallis, OR  97333

VIEW MORE

http://www.popularresistance.org/radical-quilting-contribute-to-the-drones-quilt-project/

http://www.veteransforpeace.org/who-we-are/member-highlights/2013/04/04/us-drones-quilt-project

http://wilpfus.org/news/updates/drones-quilt-project-memorializes-victims-educates-public

Blue Rose

 Blue Rose Center

Below is the third sketch I made for this answer to the Fast Friday Fabric Challenge.  It was my turn to create the challenge.  Something Blue with black, white and one other color also allowed, but not required.  The main thing is that one should think 'blue' when looking at it.  When the 'Coming Up Roses' exhibit was announced, I decided on this blue rose.

I wanted to create something dimensional.  This is my first try after seeing the wonderful dimensional flower quilts by Barb Forrister at Houston last fall.  I also attended her demo and got to meet her.  What a thrill.  She makes it look easy.  However, I found I ripped out a LOT.  If I had more of the blue satin, I would have just cut more.  Having a limited amount of fabric really pushed my creativity.  

College of Working Parts

Clockwise from top left: sketch,  blue satin strips to enlarge the 'bud', top of one of the 'petals' showing how I stitched the petal over, then held it in place with gold thread, back of the 'petal' and 1/2 yard blue satin [- a small chunk].  

I have been experimenting with different ways to finish out the quilt.  I have already thrown out three tries.  Because of my fabric limit, I try ideas out using other fabrics.  However, for me, the blue satin is the only fabric from my stash that works. Perseverance is the name of this game.

Quilt of Honor

Quilt of Honor

My idea was to have these large stars as the 'flow of interest'.  Unfortunately, it got tooo tooo busy.  I bought a lot of red-white-blue fabric, but very little red fabric or blue fabric.  Lesson learned, I hope.  

Layout on my Bed

My bed is the usual place where I lay out my designs.  I have to be confident that I can get it sewn before I meed to use my bed for sleeping OR take a photo for reference.  I take a lot of photos.

My Design Plan

I redesigned this today.  The next 'Quilt of Honor' will have bigger stars and smaller background pieces.