Bada-Bum!!

In my house a bada-bum is given (like a drum roll, or a ta-dah) whenever we accomplish something or we just want to receive some praise show off. In my daughter's case it's usually given when she wants to show of her outfit or a cute hair style, in my case I usually want my husband to notice something!


I have finished adding color to my Peacock Quilt and I lurv it! I'm definitely, positively, 100% in love with the process and will be pursuing it further.


It took a couple of hours to tint it but it was so relaxing and vegitating (meaning I didn't have to think about it, or anything at all for that matter.) This is pretty much how I spent my afternoon (after running a 5k this morning - pictures soon) while waiting for my migraine meds to kick in: color in, paint with textile medium, heat set, repeat, and repeat... and repeat. You get the idea.


I'll have to do a tutorial on the process... maybe... if you're nice to me... ok you twisted my arm! Tutorial to come soon. If you are interested that is.

Now all I have to do is decide on the border. I'm thinking a scalloped border ... although I dread doing a scalloped binding. Anyway I think a scalloped border would go along very well with the whole elegant grandeur of the peacock theme. I'm also thinking this little guy is either a king or a prince - I can't decide which. You do know that the pretty peacocks are all boys right? The name of the quilt will be .... wait for it ... King Julian or maybe Prince Julian, maybe king Benjamin - the most noble king I know but somehow I don't see him as being a showy kind of guy.


Now I have to wait 7 days, 7 whole days! before I can wash it. I want to wash it in hopes of the "poofiness" coming back. When you heat set the color you have to press it with an iron and the "poofiness" has been flattened - somewhat. I am a little nervous about washing it, that is why I'm waiting 7 days - exactly what the instructions on the textile medium say to do. I'm not taking any chances of the color washing out or worse, bleeding.

Peacock quilt update

Well I am on the fence as to whether to send this quilt of to my partner or not. After stalking browsing through my partner's blog I have come to the conclusion that this certain person prefers more traditional pieced blocks over artsy blocks and quilts. In my mind trapunto is very traditional... but I can't decide if my chosen subject is too artsy for my partner's taste.

I think that who ever receives this little quilt will appreciate it (hopefully) and all the hard work that went into it. But if it's not your taste, it's not your taste and there is nothing you can do about it. If you are like me you won't display it (at least not anywhere prominent) but might keep it tucked away because you still like it and appreciate it... or you might let your kids claim it.

Soooo.... I have decided to finish it up and hope to get some feedback from my unsuspecting partner. Once it is finished I will decide what to do with it. Besides there is plenty of time to whip up another quiltie if needed.

front before washing the blue ink away

reverse of quilt

Tips about using water soluble blue marker:

• spray ink with a spray bottle until saturated
• let it air dry - do not use iron or blow dryer to dry - heat will set the ink
  
• allow to dry completely - it may look like the ink is gone but it may reappear!
• once dry look it over to see if the ink has reappeared anywhere on the quilt - if so, wet again. If not, you are done and can know use an iron on your quilt.

Doll quilt possibility

Here is an idea I am playing around with for the DQS7 (Doll Quilt Swap 7).

I think I may be biting off more than I can handle, and I'm not completely sure it fits my partner's taste.

My plan is to quilt the design first and add color later. I've seen quilts done in this manner that are stunning. Of course, the quilting skills are phenomenal! I don't think my quilting skills are quite there yet but I think I can do a decent job. Of course there is always the special "file box" for butchered quilts. (The trash can!!!)


This is what I"m talking about:

Quilt by Irena Bluhm: By the way she is missing this quilt! So if you have seen it anywhere please contact her!
And these from Helen Stubbings:

Irena also has books on the matter

DQS7!!!

It's that time again! Sign-ups for the Doll Quilt Swap 7 (DQS7) are now underway over at the Flickr Group. I joined the last swap for the very first time and it was so much fun. The swap was very well organized and had great swap parents that kept things running smoothly. I met a bunch of creative ladies and men too! So if you are like me and need the motivation of a deadline to finish a project why not join me and sign up? You don't have to be an expert quilter to participate, you'll be matched with a partner of similar abilities and likes. But hurry, sign-ups are only going through this weekend and are being limited to 200 participants!

Here's a look at my quilt from the last round. The one I made and the one I received!