My Quip – Test 40 - Progress

Good Day,

Progress on Test 40 continues.

Sewn, we decided that the each completed block size should approximate seven inches square. At present we are completed 120 blocks. The direction for each block will be dependent upon our overall and final design.

As Andy and I are always in a learning and discovery mode, we approach our designs from many different angles. Test 40 actually began with the thread... a new variegated thread from Aurifil. I extracted about 19 colors from the thread. After settling on seven colors, then then we discussed and examined possible styles of construction that may compliment the thread. The design of our quilt, Test 40 starts with color of the thread which will be used in the quilting.

I stumbled upon Maggie Ball's technique, published in her 2008 book Bargello Quilting with a Twist after we had decided that we would attempt a Bargello-style quilt, without restricting ourselves to a sine or cosine curve. I like the innovative way that Maggie Ball’s simple construction technique allows for the idea of design and in some way, kaleidoscopic assembly. I like the idea of optical illusions and so I have been able to create a design that may provide that effect.

As to the final quilting to highlight the thread, I am drafting a number of stylings that should compliment both the thread and the quilt design. Presently I am examining a combination of the use of flagging tape by artist Megan Geckler and the classic simplicity of the quilt work of quilt artist Yoshiko Jinzenji.

Stay tuned for our work in progress.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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My Quip - Test 40 - OP and Bargello

Good Day,

Our first design for Test 40, inspired by the work of Maggie Ball, is completed. We're both pleased. This new design has the essence of our previous OP Designs. OP is our reference to Optical Art. Test 40 combines the elements of OP (Optical Art) and Bargello.

This is the first block that will be a foundation for Test 40. This block contains and is a pieced construction of six of seven solid color fabrics. The colors are extracted from a new variegated thread by Aurifil, No. 40. All fabrics are from Robert Kaufman Fabrics designs and 100% Kona cotton.

When finished Test 40 will approximate a quilt; Width - 70" (178 cms) and Length - 84" (214 cms). Our guesstimate is a Queen Quilt.

As I mentioned our inspiration is of the work of Maggie Ball. Ms. Ball's book Bargello Quilts with a Twist was published by KP Craft Books, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2008.

Stay-tuned to the work in progress on Test 40 and our other quilts.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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Q104 – Blue Chambray – Quilt and Wall Hanging

Good Day,

Blue Chambray, celebrating the birth of my Grandson, has been completed.

The fabrics are “Ooh La La” by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda Fabrics on a coordinated light blue background fabric. The final dimensions of Blue Chambray are: Width – 37 ½ ” (95.25 cms); Length – 46 ½ ” (118.1 cms).

The quilting, in the light blue background, are bubbles. Bubbles may represent merriment, fun, and childhood joys. Blue Chambray was quilted on our Longarm Quilting Machine.

Here are more images of Blue Chambray.

The choice of the fabric is in keeping with the décor of the Grandson’s stunning bedroom, expertly created by his parents.

Names and dates have been masked out for the purposes of privacy.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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My Quip – Hoveround – Lesson Learned

Good Day,

Getting The Pack prepped and ready for their morning scramble is at times quite a chore. Getting them to pay attention, get their business over and done, and keep them all walking in the same direction is certainly a mind-boggle when I haven’t fully awoken.

Well it is Monday morning and the street activity is enough to send one back to bed for at least another couple of days. First The Pack was interested; north, south, east, and west in a couple of cats meandering home from the nightly sojourns. Then the squirrels’ acrobatics in the oak trees heighten The Packs’ concentration. Next the neighbors seem to have all exited their homes at exactly the same time… a suburbia line up at the starting lines.

Three pickups of earlier riser appointments. Next the two riding lawnmowers chopping the week’s growth of green lawns. Now a school bus, empty but for its dry run of the start of the scholastic season.

The Pack is attentive and yapping at every and any distraction, while tangling my legs in the weaving of their leashes. Promise of a great breakfast does not hurry up Taylor, Bella, Tinker, and Radar. And then the topper… The Pack is astounded. The old Dude from a couple of streets over has traded in his three-wheeler and comes put-putting down the middle of the street, strapped into his new motorized Hoveround. He waves… The Pack howls. And I just shake my head. Good morning, and breakfast.

And what did my early morning comic adventure have to do with quilting? Lesson learned – Don’t wear 6-inch heels on one’s Hoveround… But it is just the start of another day into Andy’s and my throes in our learning and quilting experience. Enjoy,

Andy and Jim

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My Quip - Quilts Shipped - A Splash of Color

Good Day,

Two of our Quilts SB quilts will be on display at the 2012 Splash of Color in North Carolina. A Splash of Color Fiber Art & Quilt Show 2012 is sponsored by the Cabarrus Quilters Guild.

Splash of Color will be held October 5 & 6, and so you have ample time to mark your calendars for the event.

The location of the Splash of Color Show will be at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC Hwy 49 North, Concord, North Carolina. Check it out.

Our two quilts have been packaged and boxed, and shipped. Simultaneously, our special display Evolution, 26 of our quilts, are now enroute to MQX West 2012 in Portland, Oregon.

The finishing touches are being done to Blue Chambray...

The next two on our docket, I Really Love Lucy and Who Did Desi Adore? have moved up our list of quilts and wall-hangings in progress.

Stay tuned for news, updates, and progress.

Enjoy,

Andy and Jim

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My Quip – Kedgeree and Blue Chambray

Good Day,

Supper recipe when I cook for the adventurous me… Not sure if others may dare. Kederee, originally a traditional British breakfast from the days of colonial India. Smoked herring, chopped onion, turmeric and curry powders, basmati rice, butter, yoghurt, hard-boiled eggs and chopped chives.

The embroidery of name and birthdate completed, and we’ve begun the quilting of Blue Chambray, bubbles and parallel diagonals.

The fabrics are “Ooh La La” by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda Fabrics on a coordinated light blue background fabric. The final dimensions of Blue Chambray will approximate, give or take: Width – 39” (99 cms); Length – 48” (122 cms).

You'll have to check back time and again to check up on our work and status.

If you are interested, and would like some more information of available quilts, regarding costs, shipping, and insurance, please check our Quilts SB Etsy shop.

Andy and I are moving at a steady pace with our quilt and fabric wall hanging work. Keep abreast of all updates. I have added a “Follow By Email” capability at the bottom right of each posting under The Grid. You can also become a Follower of Quilts SB. Click on the “Join this site” to follow Quilts SB. I’ve added another means to follow the images of our quilt creations via Pinterest.

Check out my new experimental format of my Blog, Quilts SB Test. Certainly would appreciate your feedback.

To see previously posted quilts, there is a visual Grid presentation at the bottom of the Quilts SB page. Move your cursor over any mini-picture found there and click to see an enlargement. Move your cursor to the "Q#" link to see the quilt's details. If the quilt’s title is highlighted in yellow or in red, it has found a home in a collection and is no longer available.

If you have any questions and/or comments please feel free to get in touch with me via email.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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My Quip – Who Did Desi Adore? and I Really Love Lucy

Good Day,

We thought that you may have an interest in checking out our original quilt and wall hanging currently in progress: Who Did Desi Adore? and I Really Love Lucy.

 

Who Did Desi Adore? should be a finished wall hanging with the dimensions of 24” (61 cms) wide and 36” (91 cms) in length. I Really Love Lucy may approximate 64” (163 cms) wide and 96” (244 cms) length.

And this is the 1944 portrait by Harry Warnecke, the source of our inspiration.

Who Did Desi Adore? and I Really Love Lucy are two of our 22 quilts and wall hangings currently in our queue.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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My Quip – I Really Love Lucy – Progress Update - 96 Blocks

Good Day,

Well 96 - 8 ½” blocks for our original I Really Love Lucy quilt design have been completed. Each block is composed of nine Robert Kaufman Kona solid colors.

The block construction is paper-pieced in three parts. Then the three parts are pieced together to create each individual block. Each block, including the drafting of the paper-piecing copy, took approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to complete. And yes that is 120 hours, just to sew and create the blocks.

The next stage is the composition of each set of four blocks.

Just a quick update…

Enjoy,

Andy and Jim

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