WINTER SUNFLOWER

 Sunflowers are gorgeous in the summer time.  So vibrant and strong in their stance.  However, winter sunflowers are quiet, dark and bent.  They have lived their lives and are now left to feed wildlife during the cold winter days before the seeds they drop begin anew in spring.  I photographed this one in a field nearby.  It is the subject of "Winter Sunflower".

I sketched it out on tissue paper the size that I wanted it to be.

Construction begins with quilting the background.  Then the stem and the pod are added.

More leaves are added.  It begins to take shape.   More will be coming I hope you will take this journey with me once again.

TOURNESOLS

TOURNESOLS

 19"X35"

An Original Design

Raw Edged Fused Applique

Machine Quilted

Making Sunflowers always is a joy for me.   I love all the movement you can create as well as the mood you can set.  These three a blowing in the wind but glorious in the sun.

It is available for sale in my Etsy shoppe here.

THE JOURNEY

SUNFLOWERS

 I love overdyed fabric but have no time to do it myself so always look for pieces when out at Quilt Shows or in fabric shoppes.   Here is one that I have saved for exactly this piece.  I have quilted it so it is ready for the flowers.   

 Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers and I have planted a few in my yard this year.  I have done them in the past so I do not use a drawing but instead just free cut all of the pieces and construct it on my teflon sheet.

Had to include a partially open one.......which will be even better once quilted.

 I like place them on the quilt knowing in my mind what will still be coming.....you will have to wait to find you. 

Now I add their stems and may add a few of their leaves that are behind their stems before fusing and quilting.

I am happy when working on sundlowers....they have so much personality...joy in the beginning and then sadness at the end.

CONEFLOWERS

 "CONEFLOWERS"

21 1/2" X 10 1/2"

Original Design

Rawedged fused applique

Machine quilted

 Details of quilting

I like to make small quilts for two reasons.  The first being that they will be great for gifts or in my Etsy Shoppe for someone who can not afford the larger pieces but still would like a fiber art piece.  The second reason is it spans the gap between quilts when you have nothing in mind to start yet.  I have though about a few ideas but am distracted with everyday life right now.  Summer likes to do that because it is the time you can find many fun things to do all around you.  So this....does not take a lot of thought....and makes you feel good all at the same time.

THE HICKORY TREE

 THE HICKORY TREE

17 3/4" X 26 3/4"

Original Design

Raw Edged Fused Applique

Machine Quilted

Couched Yarn Binding

This quilt will be for sale in my Etsy Shoppe.....you can go there by clicking on it in my sidebar.
I will post the journey of this piece tomorrow.

Leaves

I am beginning a new piece.  I purchased this beautiful piece of fabric when in Madison at the Quilt Expo.  I did not want to cut it up so I am making it my new background.   I have it all quilted and ready to go.   You will have to stay tuned to see what is placed on top.

"Lily Pads & Cattails"

 "Lily Pads & Cattails"

28 1/2" X 19"

Original Design

Rawedged Fused Applique

Machine Quilted

 Detail shot 1

 Detail shot 2

 Detail shot 3

Lily Pads & Cattails  and Reflections side by side

I really enjoyed working on this newest art quilt titled "Lily Pads & Cattails".

It is another quilt inspired by a lake we go to each year that I love.  I take a lot of photos when up there and Lily Pads & Cattails is the result of one of them.  

I am evidentally into a new series because I already have another one planned in my head and will begin to work on it soon.

I placed this quilt next to my previous one titled "Refections".   It is interesting to see what they have in common as well as their differences.  

"Shoreline Reflections"

 "SHORELINE REFLECTIONS"

27" X 17 1/2"

Original Design

Rawedged Fused Applique

Machine Quilted

I have finished "Shoreline Reflections".  It was a serene journey making this quilt.  Taking me away from some of the chaos in my life right now.   I loved working on it.  Thinking of a secret place I like to go where these lily pads float.  A great place to meditate. 

Lily Pads

Work continues on my Lakes edge piece.  Every year when we go up to Minocqua Wi. I take photos of these areas of the lake.   Just so beautiful in the mornings when the lily pads open.  

I am not finished yet and this photo shows me some weak areas.   But I am pleased with it so far. 

What do you think?

Progress on the store is continuing.  We are having our closeout sale now and it is meaning a lot of hours and work as well as bookkeeping.  However today we are closed and I am enjoying some time in the studio.  So nice to escape the pressure and sadness saying goodbye to customers we will never see again.   However....it will be so nice when finished and I can really concentrate on my art.

Thank you for continuing to visit my blog even if I am unable to post each day.

"Pears"

"Pears"

12" x 12"

Rawedged fused applique

Machine Quilted.

I finished Pears and now have completed all my 12 X 12 inch quilts.  (Nine in all.)

I liked giving myself a challenge.  It keeps me focused and working towards a goal.

Next will be a larger piece and I am excited about starting it.  I have been thinking about it through this entire process of working on the twelves and hope that it will work out like I envision it.

I have posted all of these small quilts in my "Quilt Shoppe" so if you have not seen them all you can find them there.  Click on the "Quilt Shoppe" in my side bar.

I will be putting these in my new Etsy Shop which I have not opened yet.  I have to find the time to

set that up soon.

"Carrots"

 "Carrots"

12X12

Rawedged fused applique

Machine Quilted

Couched yarn binding

I am happy with this and how well the leafy part worked out.  Now to start my final and the 9th !2 by 12.

Spent the last couple days mulching the backyard.  It has been very hot and humid so we got up early to do it each day.  It looks great and we used the Free Mulch from the City Garage.  Our front yard
is nicer mulch for a more formal look but the back looks great with this chopped up stuff since we have so many full plants.  Huge job though and I am glad it is finished.

"Radishes"

Finished "Radishes" my 12X12 inch quilt in my series of quilts in this size.  I bound it in a yarn binding keeping it earthy and natural in feeling.  Two more to go and I am finished with this size and the challenge I gave myself.

A Little of this & that

 Finished quilting and binding "Coneflowers".
 

 Finished quilting and binding "Flight".

Then this morning we went out to lunch with our friends Mel and Heide.  After lunch we drove up to Manitowoc to the Gardens Along the Lake.  It was 48 degrees and drizzling.  Could not believe the change in the weather but we tried to make the best of it.  Had to take a photo of these old trees with branches of strange shapes.

 This one layed on the arbor.  (Notice the parking lot.  We were the only ones there in this awful weather.)

 Most of the flowers were just beginning to bloom.  I loved this varigated leaf yellow iris.  I have to find these somewhere.

 The Koi pond and waterfall was just beginning to have lily pads and blooms in it.

 These dark red velvety iris were stunning.

 Mel and Bob were troopers with collars up and hands in their pockets.

When I got home and headed to the studio, my buddies Ozzie and Watson were waiting at the top of the steps for me.  They almost match!

 I did some sketching of radishes....

and a Kohlrabi.  Then I cleaned up the studio which needed it.    Perhaps my final 3 twelve by twelve's will be one of these.

Quilted Sunflower

 Finished the quilting on my Sunflower quilt.  Love the looks of it.  Now I will keep it on my design wall for a bit to be sure I do not want to change or add anything.  

The detal shows the quilting a little better.  I used Superior Cotton on the stem and Sulky Polyester on the petals to make them glisten a bit.  Switched back to Superior for the browning petals.

Thursday our counters go in.  It will be a long day and I have to empty all the lower cabinets on Wed.  I think I will use that time to purge the things I find that I have not seen or used for over a year.   A good time to reorganize all the abracadabra (my mother's expression) under the kitchen sink.