Thursday, June 26, 2014

Arcadia Geese : :

Arcadia Geese

I really appreciate those of you who cast your fabric vote the other day, your enthusiasm is contagious and was the gentle jolt I needed to get sewing again. thank you.

Arcadia Beginnings

Arcadia Geese Making

Arcadia Geese

Unsure of a good first step, I reflected on other times when I really wanted to start a new quilt without having a solid design plan and decided those that began best were those set out with an open making rows style of quilt in mind. I've made two now. Kaiden's Making Rows quilt, a favorite from last year's quilt making. And more recently, a Rapture Making Rows quilt using Pat Bravo's beautiful collection. This unhindered design as I go process is the best kind of instinctual work. It lends itself so well to the times I want to sew, but am preoccupied with other thinking or even just daydreaming. These days I'm both relying on and finding a comfort in what my hands have learned to do when my head and heart are elsewhere. It might not be much yet, but it feels satisfying, and so I am grateful.

Busy

I'd love to know what you're all working on. I don't have much time to reply like I usually try to do, but I read each and every comment left here and always find them so helpful!

So, what are you stitching up these days?   Maureen

37 comments:

  1. So happy you're up to sewing, I hope it helps you heal!

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    1. I do that with my material only i use rubbermaid containers :) sort by 'like materials'

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  2. Muscle memory. Sort of like knitting a sock under stressful situations, you don't think about it, you just "do". Very pretty fabric.

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  3. Sending you a great big hug as you pick up the pieces and make something even more beautiful. May you treasure your creation as it helps you to heal.

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  4. Right now I'm working on a quilt for my daughter. She came before I finished it so just getting that done. Times when I want to feel a finish, I have been working on some pillows for our new sofa. Glad you are back to sewing, I do find the muscle memory and repetitiveness of the activity meditative in a way. Sort of like yoga, without the awkward positions and sweaty foot smell :)

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  5. Deadlines..... Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap... Warm Wishes Swap... Cookies for my stepson's wedding this Saturday... Busy Busy Busy...

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  6. I'm working on a Diamond quilt. Lot's of cutting going on! LOL Love to see your projects! You're a great inspiration!

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  7. a beautiful start!

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  8. Your flying geese are beautiful. My favorite way to make a quilt is off the cuff. Sometimes I have a vague plan in mind and it all changes along the way.

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  9. I'm finishing the quilting on a customer's quilt so I can get my daughter's wedding quilt back on the frame! Hate deadlines, but I guess a wedding can't be put off because I'm not finished with the quilting!!!

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  10. Working on a prayer quilt binding need to get it to patient. Praying it brings patience and peace!

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  11. two wonderful on-a-whim things: Flowering snowball along with Mary @ Molly Flanders, and a "checkerboard" cushion cover...first cushion project ever...very fun :) Your busy-ness is shaping up beautifully!!! flying geese must fly into my future soon!!!!

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  12. Love the prints and mix of colors. I've never made flying geese!
    Small projects lately for me ... Potholders this week:
    http://www.handiworking.com/2014/06/sewing-geisha-girl-potholders.html

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  13. I've been working on a quilt for my oldest son (for years) that uses the flying geese method for putting the pieces together, but it's a Dutchman's Puzzle quilt. Maybe I'll actually get it finished one day. I keep stopping to work on other things,

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  14. Thanks for the nudge. I've drawn out three ideas for my modern quilt guild challenge but am not happy with them. Think I will pull out the fabrics and just start over.

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  15. I've spend the past few weeks cutting and sorting my scraps. I discovered some forgotten blocks among my scraps and am now working to make them into a scrappy quilt. It's been fun, like putting together a puzzle!

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  16. I'm finishing a quilt top right now. It's for a baby gift and I'm getting antsy because I'm toying with hand quilting it. (I don't machine quilt; I don't know if mine could handle it, so it's old school or tying for me).

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  17. You have inspired me to try to "hang loose" when quilt planning. Thinks and best vibes going your wa

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  18. So glad you are feeling up to sewing again ;c) It's such a great outlet for you and I truly look forward to your posts each day. I'm finishing up a wedding quilt that I used your herringbone QAYG pattern. I just have to bind it! Next up is a baby quilt (baby due beginning of November). So I'm plotting that out right now. Best wishes to you and your family ;c)

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  19. The geese are looking great, I think the yellow ones are y favourite :o)

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  20. So glad you chose the Arcadia fabric and your geese are just lovely! I'm helping out at a 4-H sewing camp this week for girls 9-12 who are learning the basics of sewing and have made a simple garment! They have their little fashion show tomorrow and they are soooo excited! We also helped them make a small simple stuffed bear. At home, I'm quilting a baby quilt for a policeman and they are having their first child a boy! The fabric has police cars, ambulances, and such! And like you, I have so many beautiful stacks of fabric just waiting to be attacked, excuse me, to be planned and cut! My Mom passed away almost five years ago and I still miss her sweetness and I inherited her little stash and 4 unquilted tops which are beautiful. I try to add a little of her fabric in all that I make, whether a quilt, a bag or tote, etc. My thoughts are with you during this time.

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  21. Don't you feel the greatest design is impromptu?...after all, it is what comes from the work of our hands and the creative juices of our minds. Patterns are lovely and inspiring but it is fun and freeing to just let go and create from within. I am doing just that and creating for the first time an "impromptu quilt". I couldn't wait to purchase some of Anna Marie Horner's new fabric, Pretty Potent ~ I am currently just creating a bunch of different blocks....and it totally looks amazing! Thinking of you Maureen.

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  22. I am working on some small gifts - some coasters for a friend and a lap quilt for my dad! I love that Acadia! So happy to see you cut into that - love the flying geese!

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  23. I just recently lost my mother. and I found that quilting helped me not to focus so much on how much I missed her. It has helped me so much. But I find that every time I finish a quilt, I can hear my mom say, ooh, I love it. It's mine. LOL.. She was my inspiration and still is. I quilt for her even though she is no longer here she will always be such a big part of me. I know that you will find comfort in quilting and keeping busy. and plus you have to keep showing us your amazing talent..

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  24. Trying to finish a quilt for my daughter.

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  25. I need to pin and quilt three baby quilts! Volunteering to set up tomorrow for our 5 guild quilt show this weekend. I love your fabric choices and creativity! They inspire me to step outside the box!! Sewing and quilting have always provided me with creative joy and a place for healing! I am so sorry for your loss.

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  26. I love flying geese. You might look into Eleanor Burns QIAD's method of doing flying geese - it is very quick and easy.

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  27. Do you ever find what you work on reflects your state of mind? I'm working on a scrappy x and + quilt and was having a very discouraging week. All the blocks I made that week were either dark or very loud. The quilt is naturally very visually stimulating but it was getting frenetic so I had to consciously choose to make several low volume blocks to tone it down. Strangely enough, not only did my quilt calm down but I did too - after a long walk, a good cry, good counsel and some marathon prayer. I actually like that about quilting. I can look at a quilt and remember how I was feeling when I made it. It's like a visual diary. The quilt I made after sept 11 was very therapeutic for me but I put it away and I never want to see it again. At least not until I need to talk to my grand kids about it one day. Then I'll pull it out to remember.

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  28. I cant read a pattern, trying now but I always feel better just going with my instincts..

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  29. I'm tackling Noodlehead's Super Tote pattern and doing some QAYG panels for it. Hoping it all comes together well. Totally understand that some need "daydreaming" projects. I have a perpetual hourglass project for when I want to sew, but too tired to do a lot of thinking. Wishing you the best.

    Kate

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  30. I love your style of "improv" quilting. I hope to be able to do that someday!

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  31. It's going to be another awesome quilt! I'm working on an applique baby doll quilt for my granddaughter.

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  32. Love the quarterfinal by Riley Blake.

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  33. Haha! You're kidding me! The very first thing I did with Arcadia was cut out flying geese! Haha! I think I might even have some of the same combos. I can't wait to see what you end up with! Mine's sitting in a pile right now, waiting for other work to clear up, sigh.

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  34. Those flying geese are beautiful! Glad you are sewing again!

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