As you know, on Thursday night, I was all "ZOUNDS! I must complete my Bloggers Quilt Festival entry!" But at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday night, BSP and I were both in PJ's, bedside lamps on and I said "Babe, I'm just going to go downstairs and get the Ikea catalouge and a quilting magazine - be right back!."
And so I toddled downstairs, pajama clad, got the Ikea catalogue, and then went into my sewing room for the quilting magazine. But, instead of reaching for a magazine, for no particular reason, my muse told me to pull out this fabric:
Yup. That's a coral pink silk tulle. I bought it on a whim a couple of years ago. I had no idea what I would ever use it for, but, when it comes to fabric, I just buy it and worry about what I'll do with it later.
So, coral pink tulle in hand, I unerringly pulled from my scraps stash two lengths of fabric that were part of a a scrap bag of batiks I purchased for $5.00. I thought I would just quickly run a seam up them to make a fat quarter sized piece of fabric
(I know! Dusty rose and gold - I never thought I'd use that!) But, I draped a piece of the tulle over it and liked what I saw.
And then I wondered what it might look like if I sort of drizzled some of the same yarn I used for Coneflowers in Leslieville over the dusty rose batik, and under the tulle.
And then I wondered what it would look like if I added some of this patterned burgundy silk:
An hour later, BSP came downstairs to find me, and there I was, in my pj's, tacking things down with clear filament thread.
I looked up rather guiltily and said "I'm sorry honey - I was minding my own business and this fabric just kidnapped me right out of the living room!" BSP (long-suffering and endlessly patient) said "I was only reading anyway. Carry on."
And so I quilted into the night:
(All pics are clickable. The entirety of the quilt is quilted with gold emboridery thread)
I had to stop eventually, and get some sleep, but luckily, the next day was a Saturday, so I got up early and got right back to it. And when I was done, I had a new quilt that I called:
The Paths to My Bliss. No. 1
(the quilt is not quite so pink as this picture would have you believe - more like the one above)
I brought it upstairs and showed it to BSP who said "You're not giving that away! We're going to keep it!" And grabbed it out of my hand and started walking around the house to decide where to hang it. I said "Hold on, before you decide, I think there's two more where that came from. "
And just think. About this time last year, I was proclaiming to anyone who cared enough to listen that "I don't like art quilts. I don't get them." I think it may still be true that I don't "get" them, but apparently, I'm compelled to make them anyway.
The Universe. S/he's a tricksy one, isn't she? Likes her jokes, s/he does...
Posts
I'm not an art quilter, but that's a neat effect!
ReplyDeleteThe Universe is smiling, not laughing. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is absolutely gorgeous! Whether you want to or not, you have the gift for art quilts:-) I love the layering and the sheer effect on the top showing only hints of the gold. The larger linear details, is that yarn or thin strips of fabric?
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand BSP's desire to keep this:-)its stunning! And another two in there? Can't wait to see them!
Oh wow, this is stunning! I love the layer of tulle...I love tulle over everything! I want to make dresses with countless layers of tulle! And then wear them around the house because I have nowhere fancy to go.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the colors are perfect and bonus points for using fabric you'd probably never otherwise use...or buy. Pink and gold...someone's treasure on its own...but paired with the tulle, it's a treasure for everyone! Or it should be because it's so beautiful!
very nice indeed! you did wonderful things with that fabric.
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Oh, how fabulous!! Love the colours, lov ethe effects you got, love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is really a chef-d'oeuvre!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty!!!!!!
If you sing as you quilt, it must be splendid! And if you sing when you quilt, I can understand that your quilting is so "abolute":)
WOW! That's beautiful! You have a talent for this for sure!
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me....
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful, I'd love to get right up close and schmooze with it! You are definitely coming into your own in a huge way - you're not a halfway kinda gal, are you?!? Hubby's comment on the quilt was, "It looks like a slide of blood cels under the microscope" - so you get Geek Points too!
ReplyDeleteUniverse: "She says she doesn't get art quilts, eh? We'll just see about that! Muwahahahha!"
ReplyDeleteSeriously, there's a logical progression from the quilting in the borders of this one to your current work. It's lovely to watch it unfold.
How gorgeous! You are seriously talented!!! I'm not much of a night person, but I do enjoy a good late night quilting session. So fun!
ReplyDeleteYour adventure into circles is very interesting and your quilts are stunning!
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am concerned, your last several quilts were "art quilts". Keep up the great work and let your creative juices flow. Having an appreciative, significant other is a big bonus. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely LOVE this! The colours are amazing.
ReplyDeleteoh wow - that is soooo beautiful!!! i just love it
ReplyDelete