5/16/14

Bloggers Quilt Festival: Shine On

AmysCreativeSide.com

It's here! The Blogger's Quilt Festival for Spring, 2014. Thanks to Amy's Creative Side for posting this semi-annual event. 

Today I'm showing off one of my recent creations called "Shine On". Here's the completed quilt:


This is from a pattern by Frieda Anderson called "Duluth Trees". 


It was a new challenge for me because the pattern gave only minimal instruction on how to piece it. I stuck with the applique templates from the pattern, but used a piecing technique I'd learned in a workshop earlier this winter called "Transforming the Traditional" and taught by Lura Schwartz Smith. In the workshop, we were taught a method for doing free form curved piecing, and this seemed like a good place to try it out.

Here's how the quilt looked when I was finished piecing and fusing:


It seemed as if my eye was drawn to the upper right-hand corner only to find...nothing! And so I decided to add a moon to the sky, thus:


Then, I used my quilt scraps to make a pieced binding and my "Shine On" quilt was complete!


It is free-motion quilted on my domestic sewing machine. You can see the quilting a little closer up in these next three images.




Here's how it looks from the back. (You didn't think you could get through a post on Cat Patches without seeing a cat, did you?) 


Incidentally, that backing fabric was also used on the front. The background was pieced using the wrong side of the same fabric. It seemed perfect to me! I'm planning to enter this quilt in the 2014 Oregon State Fair this coming August. Wish me luck!

This is my 7th time participating in the Blogger's Quilt Festival. I started blogging in July of 2010 and started participating in the quilt festival as soon as I discovered it. Unless I miss my guess, that would have been in the Spring of 2011. You can see my previous entries into the Blogger's Quilt Festival right here:


Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoy the rest of the show. Now head on back to the festival and give my fellow participants some quilty love.

Blogger's Quilt Festival Stats:

Finished quilt measures: 25 x 37 inches
Special techniques used: Free form curved piecing, applique, free motion quilting
Quilted by: Me! On my domestic sewing machine.
Best Categories: Small quilt, Applique, Home machine quilted, Art quilt, 

22 comments:

Lynn - JnL4God said...

Good Job Barbara! Good luck in August too!

Dana Gaffney said...

So nice to see it again, I love this one. I can't wait to see how it does in August.

Jeanie said...

I love this quilt. And it really did need that moon in the corner to balance it perfectly. Great job!

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Great last pic!! I cracked up. Such a very fun finish too Barbara as I loved your color choices.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I just think this is just over the moon - pun.

Calicojoan said...

I love Freida's designs. You did a fabulous job! Your state fair will have one bright and cheery entry!

Anonymous said...

Those are really tiny pieces in the binding. I've never thought to go so small, but since I like the look, I'll have to try it.

Tami C said...

You did a lovely job on this one! Good luck at the State Fair!

Quilting Babcia said...

Love it! And good luck at the Fair!

quiltzyx said...

I really love the colors in this quilt! It was funny, as I was reading "It seemed as if my eye was drawn to the upper right-hand corner only to find...nothing!", I looked to that area of the quilt, and guess where my mouse was pointing?! Yep, exactly where you put the moon!
People at the Fair are going to LOVE this one too!!

Rachaeldaisy said...

What a fun quilt! You were so right to add the moon, it lights up the forest like a real full moon would.

sherry said...

good choice of colour for your quilt…the quilting around the trees is nice

Karen said...

This is a great choice for the festival. Love all the gorgeous stitching you have done in this quilt.

What Comes Next? said...

love the addition of the moon - just the right touch!

Unknown said...

Beautiful quilt that is very nicely done!

Dolly said...

I like SO MANY things about this quilt. I was first attracted by the color.....so tranquil . Then the subject matter just echos that feeling. The quilting is beautiful, and you topped it all off with a great cat ! SCORE !

CitricSugar said...

Great work! I love the free-pieced feel and your fabric choices.

Anonymous said...

It is a really beautiful quilt! I love the contrast of colours and the different shades of blue for the background. Well done!

Krista@sewwhatscooking.com said...

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog. Love your quilt. This is really something!

Kim said...

It's a beautiful art quilt and I am always amazed at your pretty quilting

Kate said...

I'd say this is one of my favorite's you've made, but I can't think of a quilt you've made that I don't like. Good luck with the fair entry this fall, I'm sure it will do well.

Writingmom said...

Fantastic! Love the colors and the trees. Just lovely.