2/2/17

Project Quilting 8.3: Tune in to Texture

There isn't much news to share from the Three Cats Ranch today. Yesterday was a run-around day. First up was a haircut, and then a trip to the grocery store. With snow in the forecast, the grocery store was mobbed. Sadie knows what to do when there's snow in the forecast. Just snuggle down and cover your head.


Aside from running around, I spent all of my sewing time yesterday finishing up the thorns for the Saguaro Cactus quilt. This is my project for the third challenge in Season 8 of Project Quilting. The theme was "Tune in to Texture." The first thing I thought of was this macro image I took of a Saguaro cactus on a visit to Saguaro National Park some years back. My quilt was designed to recreate the texture in the cactus.


Here's what I came up with. It finished up at 9 x 12 inches. I used a Shiva Paintstik to deepen the green for the recessed areas of the cactus skin and then stitched over those several times with green variegated thread. Then I used a Shiva Paintstik to create a dot for each cluster of thorns. Those ridges were also stitched with one line of brown thread. After that, I used two strands of different colors of metallic threads to straight stitch hand embroider the thorns.


It's a small quilt, but the thorns still represent many hours of stitching. Here's how it looks from the back. I picked up that backing fabric at a quilt shop in Tucson, Arizona, many years ago.


This morning I had breakfast with Erik and then made one more quick stop at the grocery store. They had some nice baby bok choy when I was in yesterday, and I decided to go back for a few. Now that the quilt binding is finished, I can get back to doing my most important job, which is


providing aid and comfort to my cat.


Also, I've started another batch of bagels. This time I'll give them more rise time up front, and I'll remember to use baking soda when I boil them tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll get a better result than last time...although last time they were plenty good enough to eat. Which we did. With great gusto. Also...a little housework.

Finally, it's time to make the next block for the Solstice Challenge, and so I'm hoping there will be some time left over to get into the sewing room before day's end. We're supposed to see a combination of snow and freezing rain beginning this afternoon and into tomorrow morning. Right now, it's blustery and miserable outside. It's a good day to stay inside and stay warm.

16 comments:

Shirley said...

Your cactus turned out just great! How creative. The fabric on the back is so perfect. Lovely photos of Sadie.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I know what a beast that thread is so kuddos in using it in this project - thorny situation for sure. Cute little piece and like the backing as well as binding. I got my run-arounds done today with scattered snow squawls that weren't suppose to happen. BUT I am done and ready to go back to hibernation - it's cold out there!

Quilting Babcia said...

Love you rendition of the saguaro cactus, the backing fabric is fabulous! Sadie the Lady sure lives in the lap of luxury these days lol!

claudia said...

Sadie is smart like Smitty. I want to curl up and hide my head as well, and we don't have the scary forecast you all have down there. It's still cold. I have been spending much more time inside by the wood stove.
The Saguaro Cactus turned out great. You are so talented!
Stay safe and warm! That freezing rain doesn't sound like much fun!

crazy quilter said...

Sadie is a very savvy kitty! I guess her nose was cold or the sun such as it was , was in her eyes! Glad you all are staying warm. I adore your cactus! Fabulous job on that one!

Dana Gaffney said...

Sadie looks like she really doesn't care what the weather is doing, just don't tell Smitty about the coming weather poor guy.

Debbie said...

Cool cactus!! Lots of thorny texture too. And the back is a super print.

piecefulwendy said...

The cactus quilt looks good! Sadie is like my Max, enjoying being covered up and tucked in. Hope you have a productive day stitching while the snow is falling.

Diane Wild said...

Nice cactus. I've been toying with the idea of a cactus quilt incorporating bead work. I'm with Sadie. Have a great weekend.

Brown Family said...

Sadie has the right idea! The cactus project is interesting. You did a lot of hand work on that one.

Kate said...

Interesting textures on your cactus, which was the point of the challenge. The backing fits in with the front really well. It's been cold here, though no precipitation. It's still nice to come home from work and cuddle with a quilt in the evenings.

quiltzyx said...

Yep, it's definitely a cactus. Great job Barbara!
Glad that Sadie has plenty of quilts to snuggle up in.

AND, I am so proud of you - going to the grocery store twice in ONE WEEK and not a peep in the news about any madwoman running over everyone in the store with her cart! Hope you got yourself some M&Ms.

Trish Frankland said...

I love the cactus, and I double-love the backing fabric which ties it up with a big bow!

Mel Beach said...

You did an amazing job of capturing the cactus in your quilt both the lines and texture!

quiltingbydawn said...

Great capture of the catcus texture!

PersimonDreams said...

This is fantastic! Great job portraying texture! Thanks for joining in ;)