Minimalist Design, Maximum Impact, A Class Taught By Pam Beal

Once In A Blue Moo, AP # 81

Once In A Blue Moo, AP 81
| Cindy Anderson

“Once in a blue moon” is a well-known idiom. The phrase refers to the occurrence of a second full moon within a calendar month. This phenomena only happens about once every thirty-two months.

The phrase “Once in a Blue Moon” was the inspiration for today’s art quilt. Initially begun at the Pam Beal Minimalist Design, Maximum Impact class, this project took on a whimsical nature with the addition of an unusual embellishment and fabric strip.

Once In A Blue Moon Moo, AP # 81

A quick glance at the above photo reveals the presence of a vertical navy blue section of fabric with the word Moo repeatedly printed on its surface. This piece of fabric gave me the idea to call my project Once In a Blue Moon Moo. 

A careful tour of the 7 3/4 x 7 3/4” art quilt will reveal:

  • the presence of a multi-colored barn with;
  • a stylish, wood-grained, teal door;
  • sporting a teal zipper pull to act as the door’s handle;
  • a chimney fashioned from a tiny teal fabric scrap;
  • a grassy base represented by the fringed, teal, horizontal, fabric strip;
  • cleverly applied hand quilting using both matching and coordinating colors (note the stitches used to represent smoke arising from the chimney);
  • as well as a machine applied zig-zag stitch to secure raw edges.

All of these added elements helped to make this special art quilt a great addition to my portfolio. I hope that after you have examined each of my design elements you too will be able to grasp my vision.

Thank You for sharing your time!

Tropical Punch, AP # 79

| Cindy Anderson

What comes to mind when you think of tropical punch?

How about bright colors and a fruity taste.

I titled today’s art quilt Tropical Punch because it reminds me of the bold colors often found in the tropics. This sparky little specimen measures 8 x 4 1/4”.

Tropical Punch, AP # 79

Started while in attendance at Pam Beal’s class Minimalist Design, Maximum Impact this petite work of art features:

  • curved lines of fluorescent orange fabric,
  • two lime green buttons,
  • three shiny orange beads,
  • random rows of hand quilting,
  • unusually pieced sections of lime green fabric,
  • and a vertical strip of floral fabric.

All of these elements help to accentuate the quilt’s flashy name.

I think Tropical Punch, AP # 79, in spite of it’s small stature, delivers a huge punch!

Thank You for visiting!

Hoo Knows? AP # 77

| Cindy Anderson

While attending Pam Beal’s class Minimalist Design, Maximum Impact,I began a number of small art pieces. Some of them have already been shared.

Blue Door, AP # 66

1973, AP # 74

X’s and O’s, AP # 75

Wise Old Owl, AP # 76

Today’s small art piece was also started in that class. Titled Who Hoo Knows?, AP # 77, the quilt measures 15×10”.

Who Hoo Knows?, AP # 77

Keeping with the theme of minimalism, this petite specimen has a limited color pallet. The soft minty teal (how’s that for a technical description) adds a pop of color that grabs your eye and draws it toward the center.

Of note are several special embellishments. Except for the zig-zagged raw edges of the sparkly grey fabric the rest of the quilting was hand stitched. Added for surprise elements were three teal and black beads along with a sassy, teal owl. The colors of the items were chosen to mirror the minty fabric frame.

Naming this mini quilt proved to be a challenge. Often times a name will come to mind while I am creating my art. In this case I wasn’t inspired until I added the owl. Given the difficulty I had in choosing the name I decided to select Hoo Knows?. Hoo, because of the sound associated with owls and the added owl bead. Knows, because of the phrase, “Who Knows?” I know it seems kind of corny but that’s ok! Who cares!

Hoo Knows was added to a background of black fabric. A layer of Warm & Natural batting is sandwiched in-between. To the quilt’s raw edges a binding of matching black fabric was added.

What do you think of my latest art piece?

Thank you for visiting!