martha Sielmans New Book, People & Portraits, A Review

Recently I got People & Portraits by Martha Sielman. This gorgeous book is a mouth watering collection of art quilts by various quilt artists, ( these people can't just be called quilters). There are 21 featured artists, each with information about their process, inspirations, and much more. The book also includes 7 galleries of more gorgeous quilts in 7 categories. The book is loaded with colorful eye candy in all styles from the quilt artists. It'd be a great addition to any quilters or anyone who enjoys quilts, collection. Just flip through the pages and let your mouth water.

New York. Beauty Table Topper

Here's the New York Beauty table topper, still to be quilted, but it's done, the whole thing is made from scraps. I'd hoped to reduce my scrap bag with this project, however, the scrap bag just got bigger instead of getting smaller. Oh well. I used the sheer, non fusible interfacing for the foundation on this instead of paper or muslin. I ll like it because it can be left in the piece ( you have to take out paper) without adding extra weight of muslin. It nearly too pretty to be on my kitchen table but that's its intended home.
Never one to be idle for very long, I'm planning a one patch project that goes from darks to light then back to dark. Have to wait to see how, or if, it turns out like I think it will. Often, what I see in my mind and what the actual project turns out to be is completely different. Stay tuned on that one,

Possible future quilt project

This 12" sample is a for a background made from a single clam shell shape done In colors from dark to light. If I make a larger project I'll used a bigger template. These are from a 1.5" calm shell template. There are over 100 pieces in the sample. At this point the pieces are just glued on. Had to take a break, my neck began to hurt. I'll probably sew the pieces down at some point. Thought you might like to see what I do on a cold, snowy day at the end of March when it's supposed to be 60 degrees & sunny outside. Instead we have 35 degrees & snow flurries-- for days now.
Enjoy.

Crayon Show Quilt Finished

Tis show quilt is finally done. It contains t
4 shapes, heart shaped leaves, triangle shaped bird beaks, squares & rectangles in the quilting. Techniques used therein include machine appliqué, fusing, colored pencils, thread sketching, glitter and machine quilting. It measures 29" by 27". I'm entering it in a traveling show of the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society's Presidents Challenge 2013. I hope it gets in. It will be the first time I've entered a piece in that venue.

Update on Show quilt

I have quilted the challenge quilt, did it in a pattern of intertwining squares & rectangles. I'm impressed how well it turned out, will bind in black to finish it. It's encouraging to have a project turn out well.

Challenge Quilt

This is my second attempt at a challenge using colors of a basic crayon box and three shapes, any shapes. It contains painted elements with watercolor pencils & fabric medium, & appliqué . I still have to quilt it yet. That will add more shapes to the project. I plan to bind it in black to complete the crayon colors requirement. If its chosen for the show, it will travel with the show for a year. That would be a first for me, to have one of my works in a traveling show. Wish me luck

Quilting Top

To practice free motion auditing designs before you commit needle to fabric, draw them out. I use an Idraw app on my IPad. I can easily erase it once I'm done or keep it for reference. You can ALS use pen & paper for practice. Practice like this gets your hand /eye coordination going thereby making the free motion quilting easier to do. good luck.