My Quip – ‘Ey Lucy, I’m Home

Good Day,

And how exactly do I work through my process of designing our Lucy Quilt?

Well, how my mind works to even come up with the initial idea is beyond me.

The first notion is that I check out a number of graphic and photographic images online and on various sites anywhere in Internetland. And I am always aware of my immediate location when I chance outside to walk the Pack, at any time of the day or night. I also have the pleasure of having my PC desk and set-up at an open window where I can gaze out at the great conservation area that is our back yard.

Check out the graphic possibilities created by the pool screen enclosure and overhead, the window frames, and the blinds’ cords. Also, the subtle curves of the printer, the pool and even the floating mat. And the juxtaposition of the greens and the shades of colors in our conservation area.

But I digress, sort of… I spend some time just about every day, surfing the Internet for graphics and photos that may take my fancy. I am looking for that key that may trigger something visually inside the mixed brain I sometimes call my mind.

And then I found Lucy, the 1944 portrait by Harry Warnecke as presented in The New York Times. Bingo, an immediate thought was triggered.

Of course I may set the portrait as a background screen image on my monitor. I study it for a while. The next step is to break the image down to colors and shades of color. Some time ago I found a Google gadget! that can separate the colors and shades thereof from a downloaded image. This is a great tool, that I use quite often.

Not including the black, 13 fabrics have been acquired, all which will be, all-things-being-equal a part of our Lucy Quilt. This definitely does not exclude the possibility that I may add or subtract fabrics as I progress into design stage.

Keep abreast of all our 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” in the right-hand column to follow Quilts SB.

I’ve added another means to follow the images of our quilt creations via Pinterest. Also check out our new Quilts SB Page on Facebook. Link over to Quilts SB and become a Fan, albeit “Like” us.

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

And if you are interested in commissioning us to create you a special Quilt, please contact me via Email. Some of our Commissioned Quilts include NC the coast; Dogwood Steps; Continuation; and Deer Lake.

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

Enjoy... Oh and by the way, the Sous Vide-ed Turkey Tenderloin was grrrreat… if I may say so myself.

Jim and Andy

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Q87 Update – The Happy Bug Quilt – Goes Home To New Jersey

Good Day,

And The Happy Bug Quilt has now flown home, to its new home in New Jersey…and accompanied with a companion pillow.

Previously I had written and posted, prematurely, that The Happy Bug, in its unfinished form was waiting just for the right person to take it in. See my previous Posting at The Happy Bug Quilt.

The name and date have been embroidered in celebration of the little one’s birthdate.

The dimensions of The Happy Bug Quilt are 42 ½” by 42 ½”, (108 cms by 108 cms). There are eight fabrics, including the backing of 100% cotton. The Happy Bug is our adaptation of Kimberly Einmo’s design Cross Bows.

Here are more images of The Happy Bug. Check out our freehand and free-form quilting of butterflies, in keeping with the theme of the Happy Bug fabric.

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

And if you are interested in commissioning us to create you a special Quilt, please contact me via Email. Some of our Commissioned Quilts include NC the coast; Dogwood Steps; Continuation; and Deer Lake.

Keep abreast of all our 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” in the right-hand column to follow Quilts SB.

I’ve added another means to follow the images of our quilt creations via Pinterest. Also check out our new Quilts SB Page on Facebook. Link over to Quilts SB and become a Fan, albeit “Like” us.

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.

I'm not sure if I have missed any, but enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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Q95 – Dogwood Steps – Quilt – Heads to New York

Good Day,

Our newly designed Quilt – Dogwood Steps – has been completed. It is now on its way to its new home in New York. Consulting with the new owner, and inspired by the workings of Yoshiko Jinzenji the classic and bold design of the fabric has given Dogwood Steps its own life and personality.

Dogwood Steps is a large constructed quilt capable of fitting a King or Queen sized bed. The dimensions are Width – 98.5” (250.2 cms) and Length – 97.5” (247.6 cms)… but the construction of this quilt allows it to be displayed in either direction. Dogwood Steps Quilt top is constructed of 1,188 pieces from two fabrics. The 1,188 pieces will make 46 rows of pieced squares in a “step-progression”, either vertically or horizontally.

Here are some images and close-ups of Dogwood Steps.

The construction of the back of Dogwood Steps permits a completely reversible and complimentary Quilt. Just take a gander at the images of the reverse side.

And then some more images.

The design of Dogwood Steps is based on our Quilt Coral Steps. At the request of the client, some adaptations and variations were worked to the scheme of Coral Steps to produce the final design of Dogwood Steps.

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.

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 – Two New Quilt and Wall-Hanging Designs Completed

Good Day and A Merry Christmas Eve,

Last night’s supper was a wee bit of a surprise to me; a Spicy Shrimp and Black Bean Corn Chowder. Pleasantly surprised. Onion and bird’s eye chilis; chicken broth and tomato purée. Corn, black beans, culantro, sugar, and salt. Filling and really, realy good.

We are all wrapped in fabric today. Dogwood Steps Quilt is off the Longarm and the binding has been attached. This is one enormous quilt. All-things-being-equal it is heavier than NC the Coast. And it looks fabulous.

The first strip of nine blocks, for our Blue Diamonds Quilt, has been completed. Thanks M for your comments and thoughts. We are both really pleased with the overall design.

I have completed a new design for the construction of a new Bargello quilt. The new quilt is called Rán… and no, not for Ran the movie. It is in thought of a Norwegian Sea Goddess. As we work on this quilt I will reveal bit-by-bit my reasons and warped thought process. Our target date for Rán is March.

I have also completed a new design for a completely new quilt which will, all-things-being-equal, be a new challenge for us. The thought for this wall-hanging is a mosaic-type quilt. It is of the American Eagle. All-things-being-equal we will try for completion in late spring.

The fabric for The Amulet is on the table. Next task is to scan all fabrics and rearrange those which will create The Amulet. Stay tuned for the updates.

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

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 – What to Expect From Quilts SB in the Short

Good Day,

And I can guarantee that the majority of our readers are busy trimming, wrapping, cooking, baking, and washing, and cleaning up for the upcoming Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa Celebrations. Many more than likely, you do not have time, because of being “extremely” busy, to breathe, and to read our Blog. Wrong.

It appears that of late there has been more and more readers and visits to Quilts SB… and we thank you very much. Last night Quilts SB received 3 ½ Stars at Top Listed.net and was ranked the highest ever at Rank 8 of the top 50 Quilting Sites. This morning, we received 2 Stars and a Ranking of 23. (It is almost like monitoring the Dow Jones number.)

I thought I would bring you up-to-date at what Andy and I are working on at Quilts SB and what Essbee projects are in the line.

1. The backing has been completed for Dogwood Steps. This California King-sized quilt has been now loaded to the Longarm and we are tackling the quilting. The next steps are the binding and the label. We are very, very pleased at what we are seeing.

2. As mentioned in my last Posting, Q93, Dino in the Window has made it to its new home in South Carolina. We’re waiting for the “Show and Tell” pictures.

3. All 63 blocks for Blue Diamonds, our original design inspired from a Paul Klee painting, have been completed. Now starts the placement phase of the individual and unique blocks. All I will tell you now is that the matrix will be a construction of 7 blocks wide and 9 blocks in length. This one we’re keeping a real mystery.

4. The top for our Civil War Reenactment 1 Quilt is completed. It is next in line to be quilted and in keeping with the tenure of the Civil War era we will be quilting the complete quilt with the Baptist Fan pattern. Next, and waiting to be quilted is Mondrian I. Our idea is to create a possible beveled glass effect in the quilting pattern. All-things-being-equal it should work.

5. And then there is Tampa Lightning. It, too, is waiting in line to be quilted. We are going to try something new with a horizontal quilting line pattern that should give credence to the Lightning effect.

6. Approvals have been received from Richard Tsosie - Silversmith, Goldsmith, and Lapidary Artist, to use one of his creations as the inspiration for our new quilt, The Amulet. The fabrics are spread on the table. Next starts the fabric scanning process and arranging to create our inspired original design.

7. I am now working on a new design based on the work of textile artist Gunta Stöltz. This one will be a trip, especially if I can sit still long enough to develop the parts of the construction and design.

8. A key task is the prep work that will be necessary to prepare our portfolio of Evolution for MQX 2012. Obviously there are critical deadlines to get Evolution ready for its journey to Providence, RI in April and Portland, OR in October.

9. We are also looking at deadlines for three competitions for the first half of 2012: MQX East, Providence – February; Under the Sea, IMQA, Kansas – March; and Star Spangled 2012, HMQS – April.

10. All thought and work has been completed for the announcement in the upcoming new publication of The Local Dirt. All-things-being-equal printed copies of The Local Dirt are targeted to be available December 29.

Our work is cut out for us, but we are enjoying it… And there is fabric in every nook and cranny of this house.

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

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 – Blue Diamonds – Updates – Preparing for MQX 2012

Good Day,

Blue Diamonds is progressing very slowly. There are 1890 unique pieces. Each one of the 63 blocks is not, and I repeat not, a duplicate of each other. Hence there is one heck of a lot more time involved determining the color and shade combinations and mirror imaging for, and cutting and sewing each block.

Blue Diamonds is our original design inspired by the works of Paul Klee, especially his 1923 work "Twin Tents". At the moment, we haven't come up with a quilting design that would complement the embedding of the Blue Diamonds in each setting.

The above image is of scraps left over and cut from the fabric prepared for Blue Diamonds and settings. It looks like a deflated Piñata, or at least one that had had been its beatings.

Two new projects, currently underway, Dogwood Steps and Dino in the Window are in the quilting – waiting mode. The backings have been chosen and quilts – sandwiches are in progress.

The quilting design has been tossed around for our Mondrian I. Our hopes are to develop and affect that which will give the individual squares and rectangles in the design a quasi – beveled effect.

Our Civil War Reenactment I also is in line to be quilted. We will be developing and using the Baptist Fan method of quilting.

And of course we are creating our portfolio of quilts and wall hangings which we will be preparing for the Special Exhibit of our work at the MQX 2012 shows in Providence, Rhode Island and Portland, Oregon.

Christmas and Holiday Quilts are still available. If you are interested contact me by Facebook message or via email.

See My Quip or visit our Quilts SB Etsy site.

And do you need a new Quilt? Give a Quilt for the Holidays. Check out our posted On Sale and our currently available quilts at Quilts SB Etsy. Stay-tuned for an extra discount on Christmas Quilts available, after Thanksgiving. We are planning to start our 2012 Holiday line shortly.

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

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 – Dogwood Steps Update - Progress

Good Day,

The top of Dogwood Steps quilt is just about 99% completed. This is a stunning quilt. We are both extremely pleased at the symbiotic relationship of the fabrics.

Dogwood Steps currently is measuring 100” by 100”, 254 cms square. All top pieces, minus the binding have been sewn.

You can see a preview of the bolts of the two fabrics at My Quip.

Stay tuned to see our final design and construction. This will be a beautiful quilt. You may be astounded.

We are always looking for new designs and quilt challenges. If you are interested in commissioning your quilt please contact us.

Check out our newly posted Twisted Basket and our currently available quilts at Quilts SB Etsy.

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

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 - Dogwood Steps Quilt - Progress Update

Good Day,

We are working on a new commissioned quilt, Dogwood Steps.

Dogwood Steps will be a California King-sized quilt and a large under-taking. The design of this new quilt will be based on our quilt, Coral Steps. Coral Steps is our adaptation and inspired by the works of quilt artist Yoshiko Jinzenji.

Preliminarily the quilt top will be about 100” (254 cms) square. The Dogwood Steps quilt top will be constructed of 1,188 pieces from two fabrics. The 1,188 pieces will make 46 rows of pieced squares in a “step-progression”, either vertically or horizontally.

You can see a preview of the bolts of the two fabrics at My Quip.

Stay tuned to see our final design and construction. This will be a beautiful quilt. You may be astounded.

We are always looking for new designs and quilt challenges. If you are interested in commissioning your quilt please contact us.

Check out our newly posted Twisted Basket and our currently available quilts at Quilts SB Etsy.

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

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 – Dogwood Steps Quilt

Good Day,

And here is the first of my brief and momentary updates of some of the quilts we are currently working on.

Dogwood Steps is a commissioned quilt that will, upon completion, make its home in New York. Dogwood Steps will be similar in form and design to our Coral Steps... Coral Steps is our adaptation and inspired by the works of quilt artist Yoshiko Jinzenji.

Here are two of the fabrics that will be incorporated into Dogwood Steps.

Dogwood Steps is intended to be a California King sized quilt, so you can image how large the final result will eventually be.

If you are interested in commissioning your quilt please contact us.

Check out our currently available quilts at Quilts SB Etsy.

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

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 - What's Up With Our Quilts?

Good Day,

Andy and I sat down and attempted to brain-storm about our new quilt projects. We've sort of put them in a scheduled order... but we know that this schedule may change from time to time. (And don't well-meaning to-do lists always seem to change?)

And here goes:

1. Sleeve and label for Tetrishead.

2. Sleeve and label for MEM911.

3. Ship NC the coast to its new home in North Carolina.

4. Complete design and construct top for Dogwood Steps. Dogwood and offsetting cream-colored fabrics has been received.

5. Quilt, bind, and label Mondrian I. Top has been completed.

6. Prepare quilt packages for Jacqueline de Jonge class.

7. Decide on Civil War Quilt patterns. Re-production fabric has been received.

8. Design for one Baby quilt has been decided. Prime fabric has been received.

9. New (second) Baby quilt to be designed.

10. Mauk II top under construction.

11. Design first Paul Klee inspired quilt.

12. Design third Windows Cathedral Series - Winchester Cathedral wall hanging quilt.

Check out our current available quilts at Quilts SB Etsy.

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

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 – NCBB Just Done – Tetrishead Composite – Dogwood Steps

Morning,

Well this is a precursory announcement that NCBB, North Carolina Blue Bargello is just done. The quilting and the binding has been completed. Now the clean-up… the catching and trimming of all those stray threads and the checking it twice sort-of deal.

My first composite of Tetrishead, of our Cathedral Windows Series, has been prepared. Thirteen plus one fabrics are on the table for Tetrishead. All fabrics are shades of white, grey, and black. All-things-being-equal Tetrishead, as a wall hanging, will be about 42” (107 cms) wide and 50” (127 cms) long.

All top fabrics for our new commission, Dogwood Steps have been received. Dogwood Steps will be a California King-sized quilt and a large under-taking. The design of this new quilt will be based on our quilt, Coral Steps. Dogwood Steps begins construction shortly.

Mondrain I, (see Mondrian I Progress Update), is sitting by the sidelines just waiting to be scheduled to be quilted. I haven’t as yet decided on the quilting design. Any suggestions are definitely invited. The design for Mondrian II has been printed, and now I have to choose the coordinating fabrics.

Check out our current available quilts at Quilts SB Etsy.

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

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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