Rollercoaster
Life is a rollercoaster. At least that is how it feels to me at the moment. Last weekend’s open studio was a success with more people coming than in the past and even some sales of several of my small works. Thank you to all who nudged me forward to complete my 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt, so I could share it at the event. I did. Hosting an annual open studio is the peak after a long rollercoaster climb. The next day is the plunge, or at least a leveling off. Why? Because then it is time to pick up and deal with the post administrative tasks.
The Plunge
My plan, now that I have a few weeks pre holidays and post open studio is to tackle quilting that behemoth of a quilt. The Senior Executive Director of Studio Operations cleared the floor of furniture, so we could set out the various layers of the quilt. Much to our collective horror the batting is a total nightmare. Rode the rollercoaster to the bottom, heart in mouth, with that discovery. A new batt arrives next week. Not the same kind.
The Climb
The rollercoaster is back on an upward trajectory. I have started a new quilt based on Rosemary Williams photo. The working title is Pelicans on Patrol. The impetus for the is piece is a SAQA Regional Exhibition. The challenge is to make a 24″ H x 16″ W piece based on the Mississippi River Basin. The bottom 5″ H x 16″ wide section must be blue and relate to the top portion of the quilt. This is because all the quilts will be hung side by side and that lower section will unify the exhibition. My lower section will be the pelicans.
Although I could have started by piecing the top, I have opted instead, to thread paint the pelicans. The tall one measures 4″ H x 2″ W and his neighbor is 3″ H x 2.5″ W. I just have their beaks to go. I will piece the background, then appliqué the branch and pelicans onto the top. Think I might use a faux trapunto technique to give the branch and birds a bit more dimension. Tip: When a quilt must measure an exact size make the top oversized to allow for squaring up and facing.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
Does ordering replacement batting count as working on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt? My answer is yes. Of course, my mind is in constant drift mode pondering what to tackle for 2025. Fortunately, I maintain a rainbow quilts Pinterest board for inspiration. One thing is for certain, I will be making a wall quilt and not a bed quilt in 2025. I’m ready for a more serene kiddy rollercoaster ride in 2025.
I’m linking up to the following posts:
