Thursday, July 29, 2010

Pre-clean and sorta flat

I know I am not the only one who cleans the house before the maid-service comes over....in that same vein I am now de-cluttering my sewing room a bit before having some help come in to work on a better plan for the closet.
So as I de=cluttered I also found some projects that weren't quite UFO's...more like DFI (delayed for inspiration....)First was my take on V's (Bumblebeans) waverunner project. This was a lot of fun but as it grew it started taking on a life of it's own. I swear if I even looked at this it stretched out of shape. Ya, I know it is supposed to be liberated but I just wanted it to be sort of flat...that isn't asking too much is it?

Yesterday I did a bit of work...trimming here, inserting a bit there, using an entire bottle of Mary Ellen's Best Press and lo and behold - I pretty sure if I get is basted quickly I can "quilt out" any fullness. (That is my definition of "sorta flat...")
I confess however to being a border person and so kept looking at it this morning and thinking what if? So instead of cleaning like I planned...I put on this Gwen inspired border. I used 5 different grays...I didn't even know I had 5 grays! (BTW...the borders are on the bottom and left sides of the quilt...cannot get this to load correctly and I have run out of time and patience!)The photo above is another "unearthed" project...I was trying to use up some of the batiks that have been "aging" in the stash. This is one of Bonnie Hunter's patterns...Scrappy Trip Around the World.And then there was this...one of the antique/vintage liberated type blocks that were hiding in the muslin.....I remember putting this block on my design board when I challenged myself to be "free-er" in my use of stripes. It helped!

12 comments:

Loris said...

Having help to organize sounds like fun to me. Great idea to take advantage of it with some de-stashing. Preparation is always a good thing. I love the Trip Around the World...beautiful colors.
Maybe take some before and after photos with your organizing. It will make you feel accomplished :-)

beth said...

I was sort of organizing yesterday and came across some of my projects that are still waiting. I sure love that waverunner!!

Sharon said...

Good for you to de-clutter and finish up some DFI's! I think the border on your Waverunner is a great touch - I like it! And the Scrappy Trip is gorgeous! My fave colors.

I think your antique striped block is wonderful! Love the freedom in it. Thanks for sharing!

And yeah, before & after pix are a great idea!

Tonya Ricucci said...

whee!!! quilts look great and I love that stripey block!

Debbie said...

The gray borders look great. Really sets the whole thing off with the little bits of color poking through.

Nines said...

MMmmmmm lots of eye candy.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Yes, I've been speeding along with my latest 3 quilts, and there's a bunch of scraps scattered here and there, so I must follow your lead really soon, and sew some of that stuff together.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Sio! Love the waverunner! yes, it's at rick to CUT off the wavy bits before you put them together... know that your blocks lay flat before you add on... You seem to have worked it out! It looks fantastic! love the border, I am so glad you persevered on it! Quilt it out, and it will be just fine...
All looks great my dear. ;-)

Diane said...

Lovely finds! I've got several works in progress lost somewhere in my house. It's so aggravating. Good for you for tidying up!

Lady of the Cloth said...

Love that trip around the world, of course, it's my favorite colors. I've made several batik quilts and so far, I don't even have one for my own bed! My family and friends are happy though! Isn't it a wonder what we find when we get into that fabric closet!

Liz said...

All of what you have shown are beautiful! Thank you for sharing AND inspiring me to finish a few more of my projects. (I hope) Liz

Darcie said...

LOVE your wave runner project! Love.