Plan
I have a plan for the New Year. Will I follow it? Yes, because that is my nature, but also no, because I see plans as fluid and flexible. No doubt I will make art. Creating art is as essential to my being as breathing. I will meet my self imposed completion of Pelicans on Patrol in time to enter it into SAQA‘s Illinois/Wisconsin regional show titled River Song.
Pelicans on Patrol
Several people commented on my last post stating they were looking forward to the big reveal of the pelicans appearing on the quilt. The contrast between the water and pelicans isn’t quite as strong as I thought it would be, but I am hoping by densely quilting the water will help distinguish them. I may even use a darker shade of blue thread in the quilting to enhance it. That’s the plan, anyway.
No, there won’t be a border. Although I am pleasantly surprised by how well the backing looks turned around to the front of the quilt. I did that to help me avoid catching the outside of the backing in the quilting. Also it gives me something to hold onto as I quilt.
I purposely designed Pelican on Patrol’s background to be pieced an extra 4″ wider and higher than the final required dimension. This allows for the natural shrinkage that comes from quilting. Also, it provides me with sufficient wiggle room to play with exactly where I want the final 24″ x 16″ to be. I even created a white paper frame to play with the best cropping. Such a simple plan, but I trust it will be helpful for me when it is time to take rotary cutter to quilt.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
Thank you Angela, the facilitator of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, for providing participants with our January color (pink) last week! What I particularly love about the RSC is how I can work on it a bit at a time each week.
This week I made the nine pink “solid” blocks. I was shocked to see how very few pink scraps I have. Turns out I needed to source some from my stash in order to intuitively piece an 18″ x 18″ square that I cut up into nine 5.5″ blocks. My plan next week is to start on the seven pink broken heart blocks. It always takes me a while to get into the rhythm of piecing a new block.
I plan on spending at least half a studio day a week quilting my 2024 Rainbow Scrap Quilt. I’m still working on quilting the “sashing”. My goal is to quilt the squares according to the 2025 color of the month. So, pink is up first.
Yes, that is me, with my Dr. Spock ear pods, listening to an audiobook with my beverages safely on the other sewing cabinet, so I won’t inadvertently knock them over while I quilt.
I like having a plan, but am perfectly content to break it, or as I think of it moving on to Plan B (C, D or E). How about you? Do you make plans or resolutions?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
I’ll be interested to see how you work out bringing those pelicans into the forefront — as I had to look twice to find them! What tiny bits it’s taken to make them, given the overall size of the quilt.
I also admire your uncluttered sewing space. Have you hidden your creative mess behind closed doors, or are you unlike the rest of us and have no ‘mess’ at all? 😉
I am also curious about how to make the pelicans pop more. I had hoped my white satin stitching around their perimeter would differentiate them more from the background. I may paint shadows around their edge. That is what I did to the top of the log to give it more depth and curvature. I may create a shading with a bit of hazy blue water reflection. Just letting my brain drift and hoping for inspiration.
Guess I’m unlike the rest of you, at least some of the time. It depends on what I am working on how clear my work space is. I need those tables cleared to quilt “the monstrosity”. I was embarrassed that you and others would see how I always have three beverages going in the studio.
It looks like you have a great plan for the year. Your sewing studio looks very neat and tidy! I have UFO’s to quilt and ideas for new projects floating around in my head. I hope to get into my sewing room this week to get going on them.
We couldn’t call ourselves quilters without at least one UFO, right? Mine is sitting right in front of me. Today it is draped across my ironing and work table as I prepare to mark the next channel for quilting. Sometimes the best plan is just to enter the studio/sewing room. I’ll think of you when I enter mine.
I do like a tidy studio. I have hint (my word) of OCD. Fabrics and threads are organized by color and value, tools hang on designated hooks on a peg board… well, you get the idea.
great projects and start for rsc
Thank you, Maggie. I must confess the SEDOSO poked fun at my plan, what plan attitude.
I can’t wait to see your Pelicans on Parade all quilted up. It is beautiful! I agree with you about plans: Great to follow and for keeping you focused. However, life is ever changing so it pays to be flexible. Happy New Year!
Sue, you get me. Do I sense a sister of another mother? Let’s join threads and leap into the New Year as we sit behind our machines.
The ever evolving plan leaves plenty of space for creativity. It must work as you always get so much accomplished. You look happy and productive in your sewing space. Welcome to the new year!
Ah, you missed the eye-roll, Angela. The SEDOSO came into the studio just as I had finished several hours of quilting. He asked me to sit down. I panicked. We have a very precarious family member. I thought for sure there was bad news. Turns out the SEDOSO just wanted me to pose for a picture. I am fortunate that I no longer work outside the home and we are empty nesters. Also, we have one home. I’m blown away by people like you who work outside of the home, stay engaged with the quilting community, have a second home and create your own work. Kudos!
I like your first statement about following/not following your plan – its brilliant!!!
I’m so glad you understand the importance of following, or not, a plan. Flexibility is key to minimizing frustration.
Pelicans on Patrol is one I wish I could see in person! I would just love to look at all those pieces up close and then step back to see how it makes the whole. Looks like you’re off to a good start on the new RSC project. You have a beautiful space to create in,too!
Diann, my work can be seen locally, but also around the US and sometimes outside the US, too. I post the exhibits I am in on my What’s Happening page. I update that page weekly. Who knows, perhaps one of my pieces will be close enough for you to see.
This year’s 2025 RSC quilt will also be made up of little pieces. What a surprise, right? The broken heart block measures 5″ sq. so most of the pieces are based on 1″ sq units.
I host an open studio every November as part of a town wide artist group. This year I am thinking of exhibiting all the RSC quilts in my studio. I redo what is hung where just before we open our home. It is a treat to be able to invite people into our home. We feel very fortunate to live here. Yes, we chose the home with a studio in mind. 🙂
I love Pelicans on Parade! I spotted them right off, but agree that the darker blue threads on the water will help distinguish the birds a bit better. Broken-Hearted is a great design and will be a fun one to watch.
Cathy, those pesky pelicans can be seen better in some lights than others. I am grateful to hear you found them. Still I plan on giving them a boost.
Can’t wait to get started on Broken Hearted. I hope to make the first heart block this weekend. But oh, those pesky plans seem to have gone awry, already. Where does the time go?
Your studio looks so spacious! Love the pink blocks. Thanks for sharing in my Sew & Tell Party.
Yes, I am fortunate to have a spacious studio. I love the natural light. Figure if I am going scrappy, I might as well go truly scrappy. My rule of thumb when separating my scraps is to determine the what color is in the majority and toss it in that bin. Therefore, high contrast, multi color prints tend to leap out from the fray. Fingers crossed those prima donnas will blend in as the blocks progress.
The three guys look great on their river! I’m sure you will find the perfect way to let them pop, with thread, or quilting, or both! You look great in your studio too, I love to see how quilters are settled. Thank you for sharing your creative work in progress, and Happy New Year!
Thank you for your confidence in me, Frédérique. The pelicans are definitely showing up better than they did last week.
Yes, isn’t it fun to peek into other people’s studios. Such creative use of space.