Now that the end of our second Mystery QAL is just around the bend I decided it was time to share my own project. Over the last three months I have been busy designing, and creating my masterpiece. This wonderful little art quilt originated while exploring the Five-Sided Made-Fabric technique taught by Victoria Findlay Wolfe in her book 15 Minutes of Play.
Late in 2017 I challenged myself to create each of the 32 projects listed in the book. Although my progress has been slow, I have enjoyed and learned a lot from each of the sections.
Creating my own fabric from scraps is a technique I have used many times. I have not, however, tried Victoria’s version. On pages 40-41 she provides directions for a Five-Sided Made-Fabric. As the name suggests, each of the blocks begins with a five-sided center.
along with scraps from my overflowing bins, I fashioned together nine blocks. All nine were then combined to create an art piece I have called Five-Sided Center. Art Piece # 45 measures 23 1/4” x 23 1/4”.
My new art piece was sandwiched with a layer of Warm & Natural batting and a cotton fabric backing. I quilted my piece on my conventional sewing machine using a variegated thread and a geometric straight-line pattern. The raw edges of Five Sided Center are protected by a facing. A hanging sleeve and label were added to the back.
This is my Mystery QAL art piece.
Five-Sided Center, AP # 45
Thank you so much for visiting today! I hope that you have enjoyed reading about and seeing my latest art piece.
Back in December of 2017 I challenged myself to travel through Victoria Findlay Wolfe’s 15 Minutes of Play. In her book I found 32 different projects that I wanted to attempt. With five months of 2018 almost gone I’ve made barely a dent in my challenge.
So far I have used two of her techniques to “make” fabric
Free-Pieced Made-Fabric Page 30-32 and
Paper-Piced Made-Fabric Page 36 (see photo below)
Bits and Pieces-Day Six Paper Pieced Block
I also skipped ahead and created a Sawtooth Star block (see page 49). This mini art piece was entered into the Project Quilting Season 9, Challenge 9.1 competition. Even though my entry did not win a prize I had a great time making it. I also really enjoy having it on display in my home.
PQ-Season 9, Challenge 9.1 Flower Garden
My New Project
Time to pick up where I left off. Once again I’ve combined two projects into one.
My Mystery QAL entry and
Learning how to make Five-Sided Made-Fabric following Victoria’s instructions on pages 40-41.
Making the blocks, with the five-sided center, was really very simple. I had a stack of pre-cut red fabrics leftover from a previous project. To turn them into 5-sided blocks all I had to do was trim off a few corners. I trimmed each one differently to make sure no two blocks were the same.
The remaining pieces, for each block, were taken from my over-flowing stash of fabric scraps (one of these days I’m going to get them organized). I tried not to complicate my choices by applying a bunch of design rules; all I wanted to do was have fun.
So Much Latitude
Other than the required 5-sided center and the occasional addition of the Mystery QAL fabric, no other rules applied. I even got to choose the finished block size and the number of blocks to make. For this small quilt I decided to make 9 blocks measuring 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″.
This is how my Mystery QAL #2 project looks now.
Five-Sided Center, AP # 45
The Finishing Touches
I’ve already chosen the fabric that will be added to the back and have my batting all ready to go. The three pieces will be sandwiched together and quilted. As of right now I haven’t decided what stitch pattern I will use. I need to get busy and finish this up because the 2nd Mystery QAL ends on June 30, 2018.
Making Progress
Now that I have attempted four of the thirty-two projects, in 15 Minutes of Play, I only have twenty-eight to go. Woohoo! I’m on a roll now!
Thank You so much for sharing your time with me today! I always look forward to these visits.
We went on an excursion recently to parts west of our home. Our destination was a restored log cabin hidden amongst the trees in a quiet part of Missouri. The purpose of our trip was to relax and unwind with family and friends.
I began telling the story, of our adventures, several weeks ago. So far in the rendition there has been part one, part two, part three and now the final installment, part four. Without any further introduction let’s get this final chapter rolling.
Cabin from a Distance
Going On Vacation Is HARD Work!
You know it’s hard when you make plans to go on a vacation to anticipate just how successful it will be. So much time is invested in making the preparations to leave that it’s not unusual to be exhausted even before you lock the door behind you. Then there is the travel from your home to the destination; whether it be by car, train or plane, that adds even more stress. Let me tell you, this was a stressful 8+ hours of travel.
Let’s Head Out
At the front of our caravan was a Suburban and trailer. That vehicle was loaded down with 3 adults, 2 children and a dog. Bringing up the rear was our truck carrying 2 adults and 2 dogs. Of course there was all the luggage, toys, food and beverages that also had to be loaded onboard.
Before leaving we had been keeping a close eye on the approaching weather. Not knowing exactly when we would make our acquaintance, with the looming winter storm, made us a bit uneasy. We were on the road and headed west pretty much within our projected time-frame. Our hope was that we might be able to skirt the storm and avoid potential delays.
The Winds Were A Blowin
Hopes and reality are two different things. We did not miss the storm. Nope! Instead we ended up adding an additional 2 hours to our travel time. While passing through the wintery mess we encountered almost everything you could imagine. There were strong, blowing winds, rain, sleet, snow, and ice to contend with. All of those conditions made for dicey driving conditions.
Along our route we passed by many, many vehicles stranded off the road and in the ditch. Some of them must have happened not long before we passed because we could see people inside with bewildered expressions on their faces. Thankfully we kept our vehicles on the road and safe. We were so thankful when we reached our destination and the long ordeal of travel was finally behind us.
Fun, Fun, Fun!
Over the course of the next six days we managed to sandwich in as much activity as possible; saving only enough free time to sleep. During our vacation we experienced the building of a swing set for our grandchildren, numerous celebratory meals, hikes, rides on four wheelers, a trip to Liberty and Hamilton, Missouri along with the wonderful companionship of our family and friends.
When I look back at the oodles of photos and videos and contemplate the many memories that surely will be with me for years to come, I simply must declare this vacation a complete success.
Before signing off I thought it would be fun to assemble a montage of the photos I have shared. Please enjoy!
Swing Set
Mr. B
Miss A
Quilting Is My Therapy
Quilting is My Therapy Interior-1
Quilting is My Therapy Interior #2
Quilting is My Therapy #3
Quilting is My Therapy #4
Hammerhand Coffee
MSQC Mural #1
MSQC Mural #2
Missouri Star Quilt Company Main Building
MSQC Interior-1
MSQC Interior-2
Chocolate Muffin Brownie
Deli Sandwich
MSQC Man’s Land-1
MSQC Man’s Land-2
Quilting Is My Therapy Tee-Shirt
Missouri Star Quilt Company Brochure
Cattail
Leichen
Grass
Fungus
Texture
I side view of one of the logs
A Fish? or Just A Rock?
Side View of Fish?
Solids from Penny’s Quilt Shop at MSQC
Bold Prints from MSQC
A Little Tula Fun from MSQC
MSQC Charms
Quilting is My Therapy Purchases
A Bench Fashioned from Leftover Log Cabin Logs
Mr. B, Ms. A and Beaker the Energetic Corgi
A Wrap-Up
All-in-all we have very fond memories of our trip to the restored log cabin. The lack of pleasant weather didn’t keep us from having a wonderful time. By the time the last day arrived we were all exhausted and ready to head home. Who knows whether the opportunity to travel to MO will arise again? If it does, awesome! If not, we had a grand time!
Thank You!
Thank You so much for taking the time to visit today. I’m so glad that you were able to stop by. Before I sign off I have one more thing to include. I just have to share this funny excerpt from the conversation between my husband and myself in Hamilton, MO:
