Sunday, August 26, 2007

Falling Forward

I had a mini-creative crisis yesterday as I worked around the other Four Seasons Quilt swappers' blogs. I've been crazy busy for the past couple weeks: I went to Chicago (pre-storm) to promote my textbook for the sales reps, finished summer grading, began a yearlong city leadership program, tried to finish an article, wrote my convocation speech (day of!), and kicked off our term; the kids went back to school, including one starting kindergarten, and we planned a back-to-school bash; etc. So, I'd let my little fall quilt sit unattended for some time, and when I zipped around the blogosphere, I saw that many of us seem to have come up with similar quilts. For a while, I started off in a new direction, and then decided I didn't like it and came back to the original plan. Here's where I am now:



I abandoned the border, as it seems I can neither read directions nor measure correctly (which may come from working on projects at 4 am), and my quilt was too big. But, luckily, I realized this after adding the borders (sigh) and found my seam ripper right where I left it--on the floor near the pile of fabric I keep meaning to put back into my stash. (I am so far from being the queen of organization that I have no idea how I accomplish anything.) I went light with the leaves so that they'd show. I was too lazy to find a leaf pattern in a book, since I was so happy to just be sitting in air conditioning after a 3 hour outdoor birthday party in the heat and humidity, so I drew these free-hand. I really liked the results. They aren't as light as this photo suggests, as I'm still learning the iMac photo editing program. They're more golden with a darker gold, tan, and purple leaf pattern, which will be accented with the blanket-stitch that's coming next. I'm thinking of quilting it with the word "fall" as the repeating pattern. Now, on to a whirlwind of cleaning in prep for the "lemonade tea party" coming in a few hours.

7 comments:

atet said...

It looks lovely! I think sometimes it's just a matter of great minds thinking alike when it comes to these swaps -- and for some reason it's time for small squares in fall colors!

Judith said...

Yes it looks like a lot got the same idea. I love them all by the way.,

Angie said...

That is the cutest little quilt! I just love it--your leaves 'make' it!! :>

Carol E. said...

After reading your previous entry I went to Amazon and ordered two of R. Ray's books, the first 30-Min Meals and the 2nd one. I figured I'd keep one and give the other one to my daughter. Do you happen to know which one is "better" , however you may define that term?

Quilting Pirate said...

I love the leaves to your autumn quilt!! Such a simple and perfect touch!!

Birdydownunder said...

love your 4 seasons quilt and it doesn't matter if there are similar ones because they don't all go to one person.:)

Laurel said...

I love the simplicity of the design in the background to set off the leaves. Sometimes simple squares in well chosen colors are best. Great job! I am very impressed by the volume of quilting you do with small kids in the house. You must have so much energy..