Contemporary Traditions

Be Attitudes

One of my customers brought this quilt to me for quilting . It is called the Be Attitudes quilt and comes from Art to Heart. I love the quilt so much I bought the book and started on a couple of the blocks in my spare time. Enjoy the photos…

Kaleidoscope in Greens and Purples

I quilted this top for the local quilt shop. Isn’t it lovely? I like how the top seems to sparkle with all of the different colors and values.

I quilted continuous cures in the center using light and dark green threads.

The light green border has hibiscus-like flowers in it.

Eye Candy

I have some eye candy to share with you, but first I want to post a link to an interesting news article I read.

In studying the History of Art I've always wondered why it is so many of the Masters were so disturbed, or disturbing (Van Gogh, Picasso, and others). Is the disturbing aspect what made them Masters or did being a Master make them disturbing? Or is it just that their disturbing work creates more interest in the public and so they became more well known? I think that a lot of it has to do with an intense ability to focus on an idea and bring it to completion. But is the disturbing aspect an integral part of it all?

Well, I read this article in The Telegraph yesterday that suggests that there is a gene that relates to both genius and madness. The gene, which is called neuregulin 1, plays a role in brain development but a variant of it is also associated with mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. So that may explain the relationship somewhat. I just find that interesting.

Now on to the Eye Candy!

This is the quilt I am quilting right now. It is an exciting quilt full of color and pizzazz:

Civil War Sampler

I recently finished quilting this Civil War Sampler for a friend. Isn’t it lovely?

I quilted a Baptist Fan on it using Signature 100% Cotton thread.

Rain Lilies

My yard is sprinkled with Rain Lilies this week.

Rain Lilies lie dormant for most of the year below the grass. A few days after a rain they appear like magic. The blossoms open slowly at dusk, gradually expanding during the night to appear in full flower the next morning.

Both the rain and the lilies are welcome sights here in San Antonio.

Elmer’s Glue

Someone asked how I prepare my Elmer’s Glue bottles with a smaller spout. It is very simple and here is how I do that…

Supplies and tools:

Elmer’s Washable Glue; any size bottle will work.

Papermate mechanical pencils, 0.7 lead; only one pencil is needed per glue bottle.

Sharp scissors.

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The process:

Remove the orange cap from the Elmer’s Glue bottle. It twists off and then takes a little jerk to to get it off.

With the scissors cut off about 1/16” of the top of the orange cap. You don’t need to cut off much but you just need to make the hole a little larger.

Next, remove the black tip from one mechanical pencil. It easily screws off.

Take the black tip and push it into the orange cap so it is tight inside the cap.

Replace the cap on the bottle.

The bottle will not close now. I’ve heard that some will use a knitting needle cap to cover the top when not in use. I just leave it open. The glue in the cap dries and I use a pin to open it up when I’m ready to use it.

I use the glue to baste seams before sewing, to baste bindings in place and to hold appliqué pieces in place before sewing. The glue washes right out in the first washing.

Back to school sales are a good time to stock up on Elmer’s Glue. Between my sewing and the kids’ crafting we can never have too much glue!

Happy Gluing… I mean Sewing!!

Sunflowers

My guild has a special project every month. Those participating make blocks of the chosen pattern and then a name is drawn from a hat for the winner of all the blocks. This month’s block is called Whirling Sunflowers. I like it… it’s perfect for fall, isn’t it? And there are a variety of ways to set it.