Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The Fog Lifts

Not necessarily in this arrangement.

After four tries I think I may have figured out how to do this. But getting my head to switch to a new way of thinking is the difficult part. What motivates this work?

Is it to play with fabric? Is it just to make a new bedcover? Is it to use up the fabric that I was sent? Um, I guess it's yes to all of the above.



Piecing is messy. I haven't gotten that part worked out yet. I usually would drape fabric over the railing, but that has Christmas lights and garland on it, so I can't use it.



My fourth block attempt yesterday was to use contrast the way I am comfortable using it, and to devise my own central panel design. I am making the frame parts first and then making the central strip to contrast with those frame fabrics. I like the log cabin the best of all traditional blocks because it is so thrifty.
Today I will make my solids fabrics more accessible, as in precut strips, so that I can grab them quickly while decision making is happening.
So now I think I am better equipped to continue in this vein. I will still use the learning blocks in the final work, or as pillowcovers. It doesn't matter. This quilt is not for competition, or to use as a teaching tool, or for anything where I might have to make excuses. That's a good thing.

16 comments:

  1. Surrealistic pillow... Colours have demands. Purple and lime seem to be yearning for solids ore subtle shadings. I love the center piece below the log cabin block. It is like a landscape, partly hidden by a column. And I love the way how you use the green striped material.
    Is there a slight dissatisfaction in your posting? An experiment has no built-in result. It is exiting to watch! Thanx for sharing such a delicate process!

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  2. Stopping by on this Christmas Eve to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    xo

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  3. Anonymous8:28 AM

    GORGEOUS!!! Oh, so gorgeous...

    In Indiana right now, the view outdoors is *utterly* beige, rainy (!) and dull-dark-days-before-Christmas (the clock tells me the sun has risen, but I see little evidence).

    If anyone else is in the same sitch, I highly recommend regular application of the embiggened first photo to counteract SAD. Honest, it really, almost viscerally, lifts the spirits. Try it.

    Thanks yet again, Melody. Merry, happy, joy, joy....

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  4. Merry Christmas, Mel from Charlotte, NC! Love the bright colors and pattern!

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  5. Yes, marvelous... and to expand beyond your favored mode is not always fun but has a way of opening up a whole new world. I like them each on their own.

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  6. Your piecing is WOW as always. Following your blog inspires me. Thanks. Merry Christmas.

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  7. Your piecing is WOW as always. Following your blog inspires me. Thanks. Merry Christmas.

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  8. Yowza!! What fun! Just playing with colors and fabrics is it's own reward, don't you think? Hope you and Dave have a wonderful Christmas.

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  9. Anonymous1:09 PM

    Now last block is Merry and Bright ! I love it Melody.
    Thanks for being such a fun and faithful inspiration and Merry
    Christmas... May All Good Things Come to You in 2009.Linda M, BC

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  10. Wishing you a Merry Christmas Eve from a faithful reader!

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  11. Anonymous8:24 PM

    merry christmas (or should i say feliz navidad in honor of your beautifully colorful mexican chalet) melody & dave!

    it's been fascinating to watch you work through your doubts with this current quilt project, and now finally seeing you find your "melody" voice in this combo of solids and prints. wonderful!

    as a new-ish reader, i appreciate all you share here.

    enjoy your christmas!

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  12. It's fun looking closely at these blocks and knowing I have some of the same fabric - and that you probably gave it to me!

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  13. Without fail, I love what you do.

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  14. Wow, this is great, fun, inspiring too. Happy Holidays from a faithful but fairly quiet reader.

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  15. Love the design work and your unbelievable use of color! Always inspiring and happy during the oh so whiteness of winter here in Wisconsin.
    Happy to see your studio looks like mine when in the midst of a project.
    Merry Christmas!

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  16. OK, I just LOVE the colors in this block/quilt!!! I'm starting on a graduation quilt for my grand daughter and it's so boring compared to this! I might have to rethink!! And I thought I was doing so well in going back to traditional piecing/colors but I just can't do it! You have to have bright(s)!! So glad I stopped by before we head to Florida! Now I'll have something to plan on the way down! Again you've inspired me!

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Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com