Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Big Mistake [Botanika Improv Quilt] & WIP

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.  ~John Powell

even the photo is ugly
What was I thinking?

Bleh.

Are you as disappointed with this as I am?  I was literally crushed.  But, I think I have made a recovery.  You can see some of my newer blocks below...some of my favs anyway...

Here are a few things I learned from this mistake.  I'm now creating blocks in groupings...like little families.  Changed up the borders, they don't need to be so uniform.  Have fun, this doesn't need to be strict and serious it is supposed to be whimsical and free form.  


DSC_0014
Wonky Flowers
I am in love with this Wonky Flower block.  It is finally what I was thinking in my head and very fun to make.  I didn't worry about lining up so much as making it screwy and that was cool.

C'est Moi
C'est Moi
C'est Moi needs its bottom border and I think I am going to thin out the peachy frame to make it more delicate.  But I just love that graphic, don't you?

DSC_0006


DSC_0004


Remember our friend the Bird?  He used to have a crown...  I started doing all these crazy things with borders around him...I actually sewed them on and everything.  It was horrible.  So, I went back to the drawing board realizing there was a reason we all fell in love with him in the beginning!


DSC_0144


Here he is restored to his former glory with his crown.  No it isn't sewn in yet, but don't worry...I am not going to change it this time!  And I like the little bit of gray/green strip at the bottom now, adds a bit of interest to "The King."
The King
The King [He's a bit wrinkly from all the seam ripping of borders, needs an iron]

I decided he needed a Queen...or at least a girlfriend.  This is what I think I am planning for her...
DSC_0041
Friend for the King

Botanika Grouping
Trying to work with Groupings.  Love the little Butterfly tucked in there!  But there is a lot of white, may need to change this layout a bit.  
This is my design board now with everything on it.  I am trying to throw it all up there and see what relationships pieces have with each other.  I don't know, I kind of like the mish mosh with not as much white as I thought I wanted originally.  Looks kind of interesting.  What do you think?  Do you like the white or do you think it should be closer together with less white between?

Botanika Design Wall



My Other WIP Tally's Include...

Working On
- new! Tumbling Blocks Challenge [need 260 more finished blocks]
DSC_0083


- new! Across the Sea QAL [need to sew blocks together]
Across the Sea QAL
Some of my Across the Sea Blocks
- Hummingbirds & Hexagons: Top Done [needs backing & quilting]

In Limbo
- I don't even have the energy to go there.  Let's just leave it at LOTS.
Finished
- Feeling Fussy Fabric Swap Pieces were cut and sent out

How are your WIPs faring this week?  Drowning like I am???  Linking to W.I.P. Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!  Be sure to check some other folks out!

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced


- rebecca lynne

5 comments:

Live a Colorful Life said...

I like the white. I'm enjoying following the process on this one!

Melinda said...

Wow! I was so excited to come back and see how this one has progressed! You know, it looks like a visual representation of 'free thinking'. Like all your thoughts just floating around in your brain at once, in a good way!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I'm really enjoying following your process on this quilt - it's really interesting, keep up the good work! Well done for knocking another 40 blocks off the tally - that's impressive! I like the white as you've got it - it gives the eye somewhere to rest as it moves round the quilt but there isn't so much that it feels stark (or, forgive me, like a modern art gallery...you know the ones, great triple height white walls with a teeny tiny picture stranded in a sea of white!). Keep moving on the blocks...move it, move it, move it!!!

Amorette said...

wow, busy busy, congrats! i love that you went back and did the groupings, and i love the bird with the crown. the AB fabrics in your across the sea QAL top look excellent too! all around wonderful!

Kimberlee, The Spunky Diva said...

I like the groupings. I have never been a fan to 'to' much white. Which is always relative anyways. I love the fussy cuts you have. Visiting from WIP.
~ Kimberlee at The Spunky Diva