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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My Quip – Sous Vide Time Today – Evolution Is Set – Tampa Lightning Gets Quilting

Well today is definitely a catch up day.

And it is a day to Sous Vide supper… The menu – Applewood smoked Turkey tenderloin with Tomato-Onion Chutney, Grilled Asparagus, Baked Sweet Potatoes, and a Green Salad.

This is what happens when the pollen count is so bloody high that I have to be cooped up indoors.

Evolution, our special Quilt and Wall Hanging Exhibit for MQX East 2012 in Providence, Rhode Island is now in four organized piles on the dining room table. MQX East 2012 is April 11-14 at The Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. The Public Quilt Show is Thursday, April 12 through and including Saturday, April 14.

Andy is finishing his final review of all our 25 quilts and wall hangings that will make up Evolution. All-things-being equal, I will be able to group and package them orderly together for their trip to Providence.

Blue Diamonds is now on its way to Rhode Island.

I have been playing around with ideas for quilting Tampa Lightning. All-things-being-equal we’re exploring this quilting process on both our Longarm and Domestic machines, and a combination thereof. The 21 batik fabrics are each separated with a fabric of a beige light sand hue. The backing and separating sashing of Tampa Lightning is the same fabric that we used on our original quilt design NC the coast.

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 Quilts SB.

Enjoy... Will let you know how the Turkey Tenderloin turns out.

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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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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Q91 – NC the coast - Quilt

Good Day,

And our newly completed quilt, NC the coast is now bound for its new home, North Carolina. This blue Bargello quilt is a work of art. We are so pleased how this has turned out. It should please its new owner who asked us to present a work that would capture for them, their love of the North Carolina sea coast.

Presented with three elements: the NC coast; the waves; and the color, blue jewel, our composition does present the foundations in their quilt, NC the coast. And NC the coast is topped off with their signature, the blue embroidered hearts.

NC the coast is a constructed four-by-four grid of Bargello waves. The waves, their foam peaks, and the watery depths are composed of 16 fabrics in a progression of varying shades to provide that inevitable movement of the sea. The backing fabric is a beige light sand hue highlighted with swirls of corresponding colors and shades that offset the waves lapping on the shore.

The dimensions of NC the coast are: Width – 92.5” (235 cms); Length – 103.5 “ (263 cms). All fabrics and batting are 100% cotton.

And here are more images of NC the coast.

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 - 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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