A Mostly Quilting Post ~ Parsonsfield / Bramble Blooms Improv

 

Hi! Today is a beautiful Fall day, some sun, some clouds, some wind--but warm at 60*. The bad news is my computer restarted itself and I lost all my photo edit apps and the ability to move and rearrange for my blog. Was NOT expecting that. So please excuse these unedited pics. [now I know why bloggers just give up. It's immensely discouraging to lose tech apps.]

First up is Lori/ Humble Quilts sewalong, a small quilt she calls Parsonsfield, named after her inspiration town in Maine. [herein called PF]. I believe PF is based on an antique quilt. I rarely do quiltalongs nowadays but I was intrigued by the very soft palette, what in the quilt word is called "low volume''. 

Not at all my usual but a chance to learn a new skill or point of view. Of course I am way behind but here is my  center. The pic is much yellower that in real life.

And here are the Four Patches that make up the corner sections.

First batch was perhaps too dark?

Second set I made with little or no value contrast, kept it very pale.

This is what I've done so far. 

This photo shows correct colors, btw.

These are fabrics pulled for the setting squares/ triangles, and stripey border.

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My other possible project may be another Sewalong, from Audrey of Quilty Folk.  Long time readers may recall she was the designer behind the 365 Dotty project. Audrey is a gifted teacher and uniquely talented quilter. So her project is a wonderful chance to [again] expand one's skills. The premise is to self-design, using improv[isational] methods, along her guidelines.  BBI -Bramble Blooms Improv

First we were to choose a neutral ground of three fabrics. I picked my text stash, a favorite of mine. This is as far as I got, but I tried. I made an effort!

Step Two we are supposed to sketch a flower design to applique in on that ground. This will form the central medallion of the quilt. I had no time to sketch yet but pulled some ideas from my artwork and older quilts.

This computer drawn painting--the tulips would look so cute in red and white stripes, right?

Or a photo:

One of my sub blocks, on Pokeberry.

A fun oldie that turned up during the fall airing of the quilt cupboard.

Made many years ago---my design or from a book? No clue. I was very inro stuffed work, 3-D applique, working on my own, no internet groups etc.  [I can't fix this orientation right now.]

Then I was thinking---do I really want flowers? Or what? [edit: I reread Audrey's instructions and realised there is a design/ learning reason for the center to be FLORAL, ooops. But I will leave the other ideas, below. (I'm not so good at following rules, sorry.)]

I leafed through this book by Blackbird Designs for some alternate inspiration.

He'd be a whale not a codfish! Note the scrappy back, I like the addition of the pinwheels. hhhmmm.

I also have a Minick and Simpson book, and some Cheri Payne booklets for ideas. Not to copy, just creative input. or I can look though my deck flowers drawings.

 [I believe that creativity can be learned. The most important aspects are OBSERVATION and INPUT. Nothing in/ nothing out. 

I am always looking, on the alert for ideas. I have friends who rush through stores or events like markets; then say they ''are not creative''. Yet they can be! The gift is there, just needs focus, attention, awareness.]

 As for Bramble Blossoms---that's it so far. This may be an imaginary quilt, lol, but I definitely plan  to follow all the tutorials.

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Last week I showed some of my autumn quilts. I forgot to add this one, which comes out in November. A gift from a friend who does beautiful work. All her quilts are hand quilted. This one with its subtle Fall into Christmas color range is the softest loveliest flannel, a favorite of mine.

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This week Mo had a brief sleepover with my friends. He was a good boy! He brings his own bed and dolly.

Watched cartoons, Bluey is his favorite. He learned about Bluey cartoons from our favorite IG Pug @pugloulou

He was a bit miffed with me on arriving home.

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Garden reminder: If you follow along with me and my indoor bulb growing, and you summered your Amaryllis outdoors, now is the time to dig up the bulbs and dry them out. Trim the leaves. Let them hibernate until January when we'll restart them for beautiful big blooms.

Have a good weekend. 

love 

lizzy 

gone to the beach...............