Friday, August 2, 2013

So What's Your Point?

Life is on overdrive these days. Just when I think I have caught up on things and have a little breather, something else arises that needs my attention. How did I become so busy in my retirement years?! Oh, I know the answer "quilting, quilting and a little more quilting."

Many Most of my activities are related to quilting - teaching beginner quiltmaking; writing for American Quilter magazine; leading the Central Florida MQG; making blocks for a bee; and making quilts: one more to finish (Bloom) for the September 26, 27, and 28 Quilt Fest of Jacksonville; and two quilts to finish as gifts. Top that with being notified that Lifelong Learning College classes for winter term (January through June) are being scheduled so I need to choose dates, and it's enough to think I just might be a little overcommitted. What can I do? Resolve to carry on!

Pictures I'm sharing here are of a quilt made in 2001. You might be thinking, "old news," but this is a quilt I've never blogged about - "So What's Your Point?" It's already on it's way to Ohio, a gift for my cousin's youngest son - that would be my first cousin once removed - and his new bride. Though the quilt is 12 years old, it's never been used except to lay across a bed that no one slept in. Besides, with dozens of quilts in our closet, and living in a climate that seldom calls for a quilt, it just makes sense to give it a good home.

"So What's Your Point?" is the result of a tumbler swap with my friend in Switzerland, Edith. I chose to arrange my tumblers in this colorwash manner.
So What's Your Point? 73" X 94"
It's one of the earlier quilts in my free motion quilting experience, with all quilting accomplished by "bobbin quilting." With this method, a decorative thread is wound on the bobbin, and quilted with the back side of the quilt facing up. That way, instead of trying to get thick decorative thread through the eye of the machine needle, threads perform better through the bobbin.  

I used a variety of threads - metallic, rayon, perle cotton - in different areas, wherever I quilted a different design.

Quilting designs include pebbles, swirls, echos, waves, leaves, petals... some of which can be seen better from the back.

An obligatory photo of the back reveals a very blah backing. Whatever possessed me to buy such dull-looking fabrics?! They must have been on sale.

This past week found me on a label-making binge. It's so much more economical to print out a whole sheet of Printed Treasures labels at once, than figure out how to get small pieces through the inkjet printer.


 73" X 94"
I'll admit that it was somewhat difficult to box up this quilt and send it on its way. But I'm reminding myself that I have about a hundred more where this one came from! And, hopefully Matt and Celine will enjoy and appreciate it, especially during quiet winter evenings at home.

Linda

21 comments:

  1. I so relate to the feeling of being busier now than I was when the kids were little. But in a very good way. : )
    Your "So What's Your Point" quilt is great. Love the name. It's not far removed from lots of the modern quilts out there now. A lovely gift. The photo over the fence is great BTW.

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  2. This is a beautiful quilt and looks so current! Love your idea for multiple quilt labels!

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  3. Oh, Linda, that's gorgeous! I'm glad you showed us some close-ups of those fabulous colors. I'm glad you're having fun, even if you're busier than ever!

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  4. Matthew and Celine will love it! And if it's being loved and used, what more could we ask? I have started 'moving' some of mine along too, for others to enjoy!

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  5. What a great quilt, Linda! You truly are a "modern quilter" if you made that fantastic design 12 years ago...long before the MQG began! I can sure see why it was hard to turn it loose!

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  6. Wow, I love it! And I didn't know you've been FMQ for that long. No wonder you such an expert at it. And I didn't know that you've known Edith for that long either.
    And it seems that quilting is like a full time job for you ;), a job you love by all accounts.

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  7. You ARE one of the busiest ladies I know, that's for sure!! Love your quilt and it will be happy in it's new home. I know, though. I am gifting one of my favorites very soon, one that I lovingly pieced a very long time ago. I found it's 'soulmate', so to speak!! Have a great weekend. Monday is a holiday up here in Canada.

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  8. I love the look you accomplished with this quilt!

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  9. It's beautiful Linda. I never would have guessed it was an older quilt. The colours pop!

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  10. Had to chuckle at your post... we often ask "when did we have time to work full-time??" Wonder where the time goes now, and how much more can get crammed into a day! But it's fun to pursue an interest in quilting and to share it with others. Bobbin quilting.. interesting how you used a variety of threads. Lovely quilt.

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  11. An oldie but goodie! I love finishing up a UFO.

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  12. Your What's Your Point is a beauty. Hard to imagine that it's that old. It looks as modern today as what we are seeing out there now. You were way before your time - I guess the mother of modern quilting but just didn't know it yet!

    I agree that I'm way busier now than when I worked 50-60 hour weeks. I enjoy what I'm doing as I see you do too.

    Hope you are feeling better and the sinus infection is gone. Love your FMQ.

    BTW, thanks for becoming a follower on my blog. I was so tickled to see your smiling face there!

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  13. They will love it, it's a gat quilt. So happy you have found a place in Florida. Makes me smile. Can't wait to see bloom.

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  14. It's gorgeous and I can't imagine the new couple won't be thrilled to spend cozy evenings together wrapped in your love. :o)

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  15. It's a beautiful quilt and your cousin will love it. I need to find someone to send some of my quilts too!

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  16. What a gorgeous quilt and I bet it's going to be loved. I hope you get visiting rights, it's sometimes hard to farewell a quilt we've made.

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  17. That's a generous gift, and what a lovely quilt! I need to start making labels the way you do, that way they might actually get made and sewn on!

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  18. we all have many quilts we can share with others. the couple will surely love that gorgeous quilt.

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  19. What a neat colorwash effect. They're going to enjoy this one!

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  20. This is a beautiful quilt, and I love the effect of different color blocks washed together. I loved seeing this "old one" I never knew you had.

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