Buzzing

Quite a bit going on here in the sewdio this week.  Having submitted my application for a booth in Lacombe, I've been putting together pieces...some of which, truth be told, began as samples for larger items.  Here's the run-down:

1. She's Come Undone:

I didn't like the quilting on "the tree piece" that I did in Pamela's class.  Specifically, I didn't like the quilting in the sky section.  Oh, it looked alright from the front, but the threads weren't "playing nice" on the back.  I also didn't like the fact that the roof of the building lined up with the 'horizon'.  Something needs to be done about that -- likely adding to the roof so that it covers the horizon line!  The piece remains (for now) in a state of "undone-ness" -- but at least I've given it a "proper" title: "Lost in the Woods":

Sky undone -- with bowl of threads to prove it!

2. Still Considering Contrast:

Remember how I was hoping my class with Pamela ("About Contrast") would give me something to use for our current 15 x 15 theme, "Contrast"?  Well...the best laid plans (as Robbie Burns would say)...

But I'm not one to last long without ideas.  The lovely sunny weather has brought forth beautiful shadows against the snow:

From my front window

One of my favorite walks

I'm thinking about the blue-on-white...and came up with this sample today:

A Walk in the Woods  (C) 2014

Of course, there are some folks who'd rather view it this way:

A Walk in the Woods (C) 2014

Either way, it's 9.5" x 6.5" matted to 15" x 12" (or the other way 'round!).


3. The Glasgow Rose:

CRM, circa 1893

One Example
of the Glasgow Rose

Made famous by Charles Rennie MacIntosh (McIntosh), the Glasgow Rose has long been a favourite motif of mine, and one I've wanted to use in a piece.  Turns out that a special exhibit of the International Quilt Festival (Portland) is featuring roses this year...so my mind is in a whirl.  At a minimum size of 25" square -- large for me -- well, let's just say, if it gets finished and entered on time, it does.  And if it doesn't?  'Twill be a learning experience.

For now, I'm sampling:

Freezer Paper Stencil
in Sketchbook

Freezer Paper Removed

Stencil, Stamps and Spray

A Bouquet Overlaid on a Water-colour Background

The 'grid' or squares and lattices, was an other of the well-known MacIntosh motifs.  I'm pondering using the grid mainly as a quilting design...but perhaps with some cut-back applique judiciously placed...

Playing w/ Grids
Using Bleach and Coloured Marker

4. A Thing of Beauty:

And at last, on the knitting front, the first sock of the latest pair of socks for my daughter is finished!!  It'a a bit big for me (her feet are longer than mine) but you get the idea.  I'm very pleased with how it's turned out.  Pattern:  "Elm" by Cookie A. from Clara Parkes' The Knitter's Book of Socks.  Yarn: "Twig" from Madelinetosh Sock.

Hooking up now to WIP Wednesday on The Needle and Thread Network...because I might just be too busy tomorrow!  :-)