January Block Completed - Indigo

Whew!

This block was both very quick, and very hard.  I challenged myself in several ways technically, and it definitely went to a place artistically I did not expect.  I can say with confidence this is unique and I think very interesting.

I started with the inspirations sent my M and my own thoughts from life, as I posted in my January inspiration blog.  I had some sketches and a plan, and started stitching.

Then, I got part way through and realized I wanted to make 2 blocks, one in blues and whites, and one in shades of brown and teal.  So, what to do...  I know, lets try a reversible block!  Now the challenge is, how to make it a exact copy and make the quilting and any embellishments work.

First I decided on my circles of plowing, like the fields of a farm from a plane.  Then, the separate sizes of blocks and how the fabrics would work together for contrast and accent.  I started the circles with a paper template and then did a needle turn edge and machine blanket stitched them down on their blocks.  The lines where each block is joined reminds me of the roads and country trails between fields.

I then decided to do a simple straight stitch quilting in the circles, in a travel stitch back and forth.  By varying the direction of the lines in the circles it again reminds me of the plow lines in fields of the farms around me.

Lines of quilting in the circles - like plowing fields

After getting the circles quilted I had to decide if I would use the ribbons sent.  I thought and thought, and kept thinking about how interesting gatherings could be.  In my inspiration picture the folds of land remind me of the shades of bronze and white available in the ribbons as the light hit it.  So, a quick running stitch and run with gathers, and I placed the ribbon randomly along edges and valleys.  It is stitched down with a simple running stitch, to give it lots of texture.

Gathered ribbons add SO much texture

The longest part ironically was adding random beads and knots in the silver thread in a few places on the blue/silver/white side of the block.  Hand stitching of any kind always take a lot of time for me.  It makes me think of the farmhouses in the fields from above.  With various buildings and vehicles gathered around.

Beads and knots - otherwise known as farmhouses and out buildings

Now it is time to decide what to send M for February!  While you might think I would be inspired by Valentines I think I will stay away from reds and pinks for now.  Paint chips?  An interesting picture of a fly eye?  A scrap of zentangle drawing?  Time to compile!

blue/silver/white side of block

Browns and teals side of block

Sneak Peek - Molly

Almost done

Inspiration - Molly

I've been meaning to get this posted for a month now. I really have no excuse other than "life happens". But within all the chaos and business I know it is necessary to find time for my own creative pursuits and allowing myself to release some of the stress, anger and sadness that comes with life through my sewing. 

The package from Indigo arrived well before January 1 and to be honest I sat and stared at it for about 3 days before I opened it. I didn't want the anticipation and excitement to be over. When I did finally open it I was excited and a bit apprehensive about what I found. To start was a lovely cats with an almost Indian feel to the design, inside were the words: tumultuous, storming, fierce, sweating bullets, frightened, bravura, spirit and heart. All have significance in my life right now, those words juxtaposed with the art on the card make me think of where all those things will get you: peace. If you can just stick it through til the storm is over. 

The fabrics enclosed, along with the ribbon, go together and yet they don't. They each have different feels and textures, colors that coordinate but not patterns I would ordinarily use together. 

As I have pondered this selection I am closer and closer to knowing what I will do. But I'm not there quite yet. It will definitely push me out of my comfort zone design wise. And that is a good thing.

January Inspiration - indigo

 Whew, January is finally here!  M and I are slowly working through our long distance stitches project - I am so excited to actually start sewing!

For the holidays I went to Alaska for a couple of weeks.  On the way there it was cloudy so my view from the plane was very blah, but on the way back I got to see sunrise above Washington from the air.  Living in farm country I am fascinated by the patterns farming and ranching makes to the ground.  It always reminds me of potential organic quilting designs.  In eastern Washington contour plowing creates fabulous wavy designs following the topography of the land for miles.  Imagine my surprise when flying over mid Washington to see perfect circles on large plots of land!  I of course first imagined aliens and crop circles but it occurred to me it is most likely due to the way that area uses the hundreds of feet of revolving sprinklers.  I missed getting pictures of the circles, but I did get a few good pictures of farms from above.  You can see below the wonderful patchwork it makes of our land.

When I got back in January that I got my inspiration box.  Inside I find a this mix of blues and a white fabric, silver metallic thread, white and bronze ribbons and a fabulous selection of beads.  I had previously gotten some tone on tone fabrics with the idea of doing something with the farm patchwork idea.  The fabrics create a very interesting blend.

Included in the box were some inspiration words;
cozy
winter
silver linings
new

Oh the potential!  Did some delighted texting and decided to do 12 inch blocks.  As I am doing a quilt-as-you-go method, I am seriously thinking about piecing both sides.  We will see.  I see a side with a modern design, and a side with a 4 patch variation.  My creative brain is percolating away!

What do you see when you look at the pictures below?

see you next time!

Materials for Indigo's January Block

Inspiration picture - farmland from the air in Washington

Inspiration sketches