Showing posts with label dead simple quilt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dead simple quilt. Show all posts

Sunday, April 15, 2012

UFO's MRL Style

Let's face it.  This baby is Kicking My @!#.  Alright, to be fair, it isn't all him/her...it is his/her's sisters, the consistently indecisive "is this Winter or Spring weather" we are experiencing, and my full time job all ganging up on me.  Whoever is to blame I am constantly tired and unmotivated.  At 32 weeks pregnant I suppose no one has any right to judge my "laziness" but at the same I am more than a bit disappointed in my lack of motivation and yet even that disappointment fails to get me moving on my list of projects.

Well, with that said, I was able to get my bum in gear to go to the playground with my girls yesterday and took some decent shots of them playing.  It was during my review of these shots that I came across some older photos of quilt tops I have started and left unfinished.  WINCE  Unfinished Objects...oooh they can sting.  Ick I hate being faced with the fact that I may have bit off more than I can chew...awful feeling really...

Remember any of these?

Dead Simple Quilt


The Flight Across

Hummingbirds & Hexagons

Spinning Stars Pink Block with Loulouthi

And some of you know these are just the ones I have "somewhat finished."  [Anyone remember the Across the Sea quilt?  Yup, still have that in my sewing room waiting to be finished...  Oh and Helen don't even MENTION the Tumbling Blocks.]  Eeeew, makes me cringe.  These are all at different stages, some have quilt backs prepared, some are mid-quilting, some I never found backs for, and the Spinning Stars doesn't even have a completed top yet!  Yuck, yuck, tsk tsp Rebecca Lynne.

Alright.  I am going to set my sights low.  Rebecca Lynne, let's compromise shall we?  Why not finish one of these completely before Baby No. 3 is born.  What do you think?  H&H is already half quilted...I should just set my mind on finishing that quilt and at least something will be complete!  I'd love to have The Flight Across with me in the hospital as it is really meaningful to our lives since we moved here...so maybe that can be low goal #2.  See?  Already jumping ahead...first things first...

In an effort to be positive: I still LOVE these quilt tops, the worst is when you put so much time into a quilt top and then aren't into it anymore.  I don't suffer from that affliction yet thanks goodness.  If I can get my act into gear hopefully I won't reach that stage with these quilts!

Wish me luck tackling these UFOs!  Anything you are trying to get done these days but can't seem to pull the trigger?  I'd love to hear...

- rebecca lynne

Friday, October 21, 2011

Excuse me? A TGIFF Post

**UPDATED TO ADD NEW PHOTOS BELOW!!**

As Miss E would say "What the whaaaat?"  I have another quilt top finished!?!  Are you KIDDING ME???

You may remember that I finished this one last week.

1 last week + 1 this week = 2 Quilt Tops in 2 weeks

WHAT???

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Dead Simple Quilt Top


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Quilt Top Stained Glass Shot


If you are new to MRL and interested in learning more about the Dead Simple Quilt feel free to check out its progression here.  As always it is raining here (ugh, seriously usually I don't mind but lately there has been no respite from the rain) so I wasn't able to take some sunny shots of this quilt.  It is actually softer looking in different lighting.  I will just add some later but I did not want to miss out on Ms. Erin's guest TGIFF Post!

Have a good weekend everyone!

- rebecca lynne

p.s. Interview went well.  Thanks for all the support and well wishes!  It is nice to have possible job options isn't it?  We'll see what happens...

UPDATE on Sunday October 23, 2011 --> Finally some sun.  These photos show a more accurate coloring of the fabric...


Dead Simple Quilt

Dead Simple Quilt

And a shot of the added selvage...I love this Miscellany piece here!!

Dead Simple Quilt

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Dead Simple Sewing & the MRL Studio


Wow, another Wednesday...and as my usual readers know I have been away so I have not much to show for it.  But, I am working on this and you can see a bit last night's progress on it here...

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Dead Simple Quilt Along Sewn Strips
I made a slight cutting error but was excited to resolve it by adding some selvage on a few squares.  Heh heh, see no problems just creative opportunities!

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In the meantime I thought I would cross some things off my To Do List.  One of which is to write a post about my studio space.  A few weeks ago Helen posted about her studio space and I, as usual when it comes to things Helen, drooled at the serenity and organization of her creative spot. Via email I told her I would also post about my studio...as per usual Rebecca Lynne style it has taken me a bit to get my act together.  Helen, slowly but surely I do complete my promises...

I am a clutter person.  I am not a hoarder, nor do I abide by filth (detergent/white vinegar + baking soda = my favorite formula)...but I definitely generate clutter.  Fascinating that someone so into Excel Spreadsheets, To Do Lists, and extremely anal Legal Files still ends up with piles of this or that everywhere...I think it is because I am a visual person and I like to see things to jog my memory or motivate me to work.  That is just how my brain works best!  A few years ago a New York Times Article spoke about the value of a cluttered office, how it is the sign of a flexible and creative mind.  As you can imagine I received the article multiple times from friends and family vindicating my clutter tendencies.  I couldn't find the article but I did find this book which talks about the benefits of mess.  Whatever your take on it, keep in mind You Don't Have to Live Here, I Do.  

Without further ado...
This is an overview of my studio from the doorway as it stood last night while I sewed my Dead Simple Quilt.  Yup, there is a lot of STUFF!
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This is the corner directly across from my sewing machine.  I have a small design wall there where I keep some things up to inspire me.  The fabrics in the upper right are some of my absolute favorites and these are all the bits I have left of them...  The TV and DVDs are my usual distraction while sewing.  I have 4 versions of Pride & Prejudice and I basically watch it on a loop.  
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plastic suitcases to hold beads and beading supplies, suitcases to hold old photos and scrapbooking materials
Right next to my sewing machine is an Asian inspired apron smock thingy that Lauren picked up for me.  I use it to hold my supplies.  Yes, this photo was taken before the wedding and you can see the veil in progress!  Um, notice the fabric hanging over my chair?  Usually whatever I am currently cutting or piecing lives here...I literally reach behind me and grab it to sew.  The beautiful white plastic bag?  My garbage.  Hahahhaaa...hey it works and saves space from having a garbage can under my feet.
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You can see this peeking out from the corner in the photo above.  I found this printer's tray at an antique store nearby and started to use it to store spools of thread.  As per usual Rebecca Lynne style it was all beautiful and color coordinated...hahahhaaa...now I mostly stack the thread and matching spool I am using most that week on top.  I know at least one of you who is cringing at this lack of organization!

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Here are a few views of my sewing table.  Ikea desk style.  My favorite piece of ironing equipment aside from my Rowenta is my small little blue ironing board.  I heart it so much!  It wobbles, is completely bent and annoying, and yet for $5 who can beat it?

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This is a small  textile piece of mine mounted on canvas, it is a small study for a much larger 7 yard screen print I have upstairs in the house.  It is screen prints of 18th Century Dress Patterns.  I just like to remind myself of where I have come from and all that I have learned.

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Lucy - remember the door in your Hot Mess photos of your sewing area?  Yeah, well here is mine.  This used to be a pile of crap with things stacked up top of each other in moving boxes...but I asked the Mr. if I could get shelves and am so relieved he agreed.  This was a Huge Step Forward in this room!  My Lush Cluster supplies are up top (mostly behind those photos of family) and moving down are WIPs, (see the ATS Block?), books I am currently reading, my knitting supplies, and fabric I am debating what to do with but want to see out in the hopes I will have an "aha" moment.

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My small attempt at studio organization...my chalkboard WIP list.  This really has been stagnant as of late...I must get on it!

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And of course what everyone is really interested in is Where Is the Fabric?  In these chalk labeled drawers and bins of course.   

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On top of the shelves are my "to be quilted's" and Solid Fabrics.  Inside the shelves is my own unique way of organizing...sometimes by color, sometimes by project, sometimes by collection...

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The Japanese Fabric is taking over as of late and are all living on top of these bins right now. Like everything it has its moment in the spotlight right now, and when it is over I will place it in a bin, label it, and another fabric of the moment will take over the lids of the bins!

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Large library of Art Books on Left; Books I am currently obsessing over on Right

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And none of this would be complete without showing you Ms. V's toys.  She does occasionally come visit for very very very short periods of time.  Basically, she can stay as long as she forgets about the spools of thread but once she heads for that printing tray...it is all over!

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So what keeps me from going crazy with all this stimulation going on in this room?  This.

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A blank design wall waiting for my latest crazy inspiration!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday.  Don't forget to check out all the amazingness in case you don't already...

- rebecca lynne

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Dead Simple Quilt: Finally a Layout

Flora Inspired Palette

Remember this loveliness?  Hmmm...mmmm...  Well, I still love it oh so much.  But I've decided to add these:

DSQ Patterned Fabric
Top to Bottom: Miscellany Flora, AMH Garden Party Teal, Love & Kisses by Prima

Together I am hoping these bundles of fabric lust will equal...

DSQ Computerized Layout

I'm not a huge lover of the rectangular shaped quilt.  I started with this layout as a balanced square at 12x12 rows...but shifted it to 12x13 as a challenge to myself.  That 13th row may get "lost" by the end.  I don't know why but I prefer square compositions.  Strange?  Perhaps.  I've just read in Adventures in Design, a great book highly recommended by Piecemeal Quilts (without whose advice I would not have the teal in this design!), that square compositions require you to create direction.  That a square "...needs you to fill the space; it's in limbo until you take action." (p. 24)  Hunh, who knew?  Well I like taking action - so let's do this Square.  

I've already started cutting and can't wait to sew all these lovelies together.  What compositions do you prefer to create?  Have a square versus rectangle preference?

Linking up to Lily's Quilts!  If you haven't checked out the Dead Simple Quilt Along check yourself...you don't know what you are missing!

- rebecca lynne

p.s. For my newest followers...if you are interested in creating a similar computer layout using nothing more complex than Word or Pages feel free to download my layout tutorial.  

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Dead Simple QAL and Preen




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Source: Preen Spring 2012 Collection via NY Mag


Does this remind anyone else of anything?  Or am I just going mad?  Most likely it is both.

How about this...


Dead Simple Quiltalong

Uh Yeah!  I thought so too!  I wonder if Lynne from Lily's Quilts knew how trendy she was being...  Ha!

If you haven't already decided to join the Dead Simple Quilt A Long then you may be missing out on the trendiest QAL of the upcoming year.  Hahahahaa, come join the fun!

- rebecca lynne

p.s. I don't always post on Saturdays to give myself a "break" - but when I saw this I just had to!  Off to feed the babes...have a great weekend.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Dead Simple Quilt QAL Fabric

Flora Inspired Palette


Kona Wheat, Kona Peach, Kona Melon, Kona Gold, Kona Everglade, Kona Charcoal

I'm just going to be quiet and let the fabric lust do its magic.

- rebecca lynne

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Download Kona Solids Palette Layout Tutorial

Flora Palette for Dead Simple QAL

The link will redirect you to a Google Docs where you may Print or Download & Save the tutorial.
Simply click on File > Download as > PDF (or whatever format you'd prefer...).

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS!

Dead Simple Quiltalong

I really DO mean what I say (or type...).  I asked for feedback and advice about the palettes on my last Dead Simple QAL post and I got it.  Whew!  Some amazing input, thank you so much!  First, I learned that basically nothing I could possibly pick is wrong...so that gave me the confidence to just plow ahead and play with what felt fun.  Secondly, I was given some great suggestions which I put into play as you can seen below.

Thanks to Lynne from Lily's Quilts for sending most of you helpful folks and Annaliese from Pewter Acorn Quilts who gave me a great brainstorm.  After visiting Annaliese's site (and you should too because she'd love some palette feedback as well!) I realized I had to make templates with my colors.  I loved her samples from Design-Seeds, but when I saw them in template format my favorites changed.  So...I went to the source... 

I visited the Robert Kaufman website to pick swatches of the solid cotton Kona colors.  This really gave me perspective, and was so much fun!  Here is what I came up with:

Sacre Coeur Palette from Design-Seeds that many of you loved.  I came up with this out of the Kona Solids:


Then so many other people loved the Teal Appeal and I played around with these colors.  It was hard to find the right mustardy color...so I ended up changing the shades a bit from my original...




Lastly, piecemealquilts suggested that I add some aqua to the Flora Inspired palette.  So I did and I think it looks awesome!  Adds a bit of something to it don't you think?




Ultimately I think I am going to choose between Flora Inspired which I find so squishy I just want to wrap myself up in it and Sacre Coeur which is totally different for me and feels fresh but soft.  I might add more raisin to Sacre Coeur or play around more with the color balance in Flora Inspired.  But at least now I have a clearer direction.

Thank you so much!  Anyone else want to play palette games?  I'd love to stop by and see...  Leave me a link!

- rebecca lynne







Monday, August 22, 2011

Dead Simple Quilt Along hosted by Lily's Quilts

Dead Simple Quiltalong

I've recently written about my new infatuation with color.  I've also had this yearning desire to fix the lack of solid fabrics in my stash...I have always quilted with pattern, pattern, and more patterned fabrics and completely neglected the addition of solids to my designs.  But, with all of the modern quilts I have been falling in love with lately I am growing more attracted to the combination of solid fabrics amidst patterned fabrics. (for instance the Spinning Stars Quilt I am working on)

Therefore, isn't it just oh so appropriate that Lily's Quilts has introduced the idea of starting the Dead Simple Quilt Along!  This QAL is going to all about palette.  The focus of the quilt will be the palette and not the piecing.  As I told Lynne of Lily's Quilts - I am All For It!  This QAL is going to be great for a beginner but also fun for an experienced quilter so I encourage you to stop by Lily's Quilts and join the QAL which I believe will be starting some time in September/October.

To choose a palette Lynne mentions the use of Design-Seeds and a few other palette makers in her post.  I had never heard of Design-Seeds and now am obsessed with it.  What a cool palette creator!  For those of you on a computer and not a reader you can look right and see the little Design-Seeds widget I added for inspiration.  Cool right?  Here are some of my favorites from the archives...

Design-Seeds sacre couer

Design-Seeds color {yarn}

Although the QAL is scheduled to start in Sept/Oct I am already obsessing over my color palette.  Do I choose something to match my guest room which is really in need of a quilt for some TLC or do I just enjoy myself and not stress about matching and pick some colors that are really stuck in  my head right now (to name a few, gray, teal, purple...so not my normal picks but for some reason they keep jumping out at me right now!).  I've started messing around at kuler and these are some palettes played with:

source

source

Hmmm...what do you think?  Too too?  Should I go with more monochromatic color scheme...really wanted to use some grays so I tried this...

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Then I went over and signed up at Colour Lovers to see how that worked... and this is what I created there...




And then for something completely different...




Now I feel that I am at more of a loss than when I began!!!  Have I gone too dark?  Have I gone too deep...as in off the deep end?  Any opinions are greatly appreciated!


- rebecca lynne


EVENING UPDATE:
After walking away...I decided to look at some new inspiration...my stash.  I'm leaning towards Option #3 Flora Inspired.  Any thoughts?  

Option 1 - Old Sturbridge

Option 2 - Poppy Sunrise
Option 3 - Flora Inspired