19 February 2024

Always Late, but Still catching Up With the Prompts

 A little catch up post here for the latest challenges that I've been working on! I finally got the Positive Thinking quilt finished up. You can read more about it here if you like. This was an amazing outcome for a little seed of an idea that didn't seem super promising right at the beginning. For one thing, the color palette felt a little iffy to me!

And look at it now? It's the sort of thing that makes me so resolved to always try and meet these challenges, slow though I might be. It's just a good thing in terms of stretching ourselves! Just can't believe some of the quilts that I end up with by giving a little time and effort to an idea that maybe didn't feel genuinely inspiring at first. You know, because it didn't come from the heart. More like determination to see it through by hook or by crook? 
The free-spirited Sun of My Life quilt!
This quilt top is a result of working with the AHIQ:Sun prompt. Had to use up few yellow fabrics in another quilt before my mind would give me permission to start in on the 'real thing'. It's been quite the journey and yet, I'm so, so, so happy with the way it turned out. And with barely any yellow included? Isn't that interesting? These colors mixed with the improv. background, larger scale applique flowers and a funky sun? Too much fun. I find myself wanting to make more of these. Yes please!

Another sun 'cuz apparently one isn't enough!
Of course, I can see all the things that should've been done differently with the improv. pieced background, but how to successfully plan that part out  beforehand? Obviously more experience would help. You can read more about this project over here if you want. This has become a very late night for me trying to get these posts up so gonna have to keep this short and sweet!

I still intend to start a quilt with intended improv. borders like Janie has suggested for a new challenge. It feels like a good one! Really, really looking forward to this one after contemplating a half dozen possibilities.  Have to clear up my list a little bit and also, give time to one or two more starts before I dive into the brand new prompt. Just can't quite let a couple other ideas go in the event they languish too long and fizzle out on me....

p.s. I'm pretty sure these small, darker brown hourglass blocks were the abandoned parts from an earlier AHIQ prompt. I did eventually meet the challenge, but these hourglasses were the wrong size and had to be discarded. Love that they ended up in another AHIQ challenge attempt! 

05 February 2024

AHIQ News! Progress on Bramble Blooms QAL, Design Decision 3 Coneflowers with Raw Edge Applique, Borders Next..

Auditioning my design layout....

Raw edge machine applique started..

Ready for first border...

 

Hello AHIQ'ers!

I'm posting my progress on the Bramble QAL hosted by Audrey at Quilty Folk

Linda @ kokaquilts inspired me to get going and make some progress. I found a couple of tutorials that made sense to me on raw edge applique and gave it a try. 

Stop in to my blog and get more progress report. Check in to Quilty Folk for more tips on the project.

Have a great day, I'll be by to visit.

24 January 2024

The Peace Quilt

My sister and I both have December birthdays.  We are 11 years and 11 days apart.
My little sister is no longer little.  She made this quilt for her 37 year old daughter with ovarian cancer.  Alexis is autistic with TBI and daily migraines. She has always lived at home.  She loves peace signs.
Improv with love as my sister and I collected peace sign fabric.  I found the flannel backing at JoAnn's for $4 a yard..Bingo. I have not visited this site in forever.   Happenstance had me find it and a place to post Alexis' new happy...peace..quilt. xoxo

 

23 January 2024

Audrey and Mary Improv QALs on their Blogs

 Life is crazy here for Kaja and me. Fortunately, Audrey Easter is leading a Bramble Blooms QAL and Mary Marcotte is posting monthly improv blocks. Both are talented and enthusiastic. I suggest we follow one or both of them this year.

Please continue to post your progress here as time permits. 

All the best. Ann

23 December 2023

Free Improv Class!

 Apparently, I haven't been busy enough. I say that because I decided to host a free improv class on my website. My plan is to use the class to build a set of smaller classes. This means that "free" students will serve as my guinea pigs, so to speak. I'm going to ask for feedback in the hopes that I can improve the smaller classes before offering them online at a cost.



I'm finally back with you all to tell you about the class because I know what a dedicated group you all are, and I trust your opinions. Of course, I understand that not everyone is going to be able or willing to participate, but I hope some of you will try.


Quilt top: Marilyn's Dress, 2023

My plan for the class is to teach different concepts that I have put together while working on several quilts. It seems that while I am always trying to come up with something new, I also have some tried-and-true ideas that I lean on when I'm stuck, or I just want to get something (anything!) done. 


Citrus Sherbert 2023

If you're interested, go to my website marymarcotte.com and click on the tab Improv BoM 2024.  hope you'll join me! If so, I'll see you in January. 

Let me know what you think,

Mary

03 December 2023

AHIQ Quilt Project Finish for the Holidays! New Binding Choice in Sunflower Batik

Sunflower Batik binding sewn onto Two Hourglass Blocks with a Wild Geese Border table mat.

This small table mat had a solid purple binding sewn onto the front as can be seen in the previous post. Now the binding is a yellow/brown Sunflower Batik.

Happy Holidays AHIQ! 

I had to share my new binding on my scrappy table mat project. As you can see in the previous post, my first binding choice was a solid purple. Then I found a beautiful Sunflower Batik at a local fabric store and I knew that would be more bright and cheerful for the binding. And now four are finished for gift giving.

See you in January.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone!

17 November 2023

Improv Piano Key Border Pieced, Binding Pinned Down on my HotMat Small Quilt Project


 Hello ADHQ Friends!

It's almost Thanksgiving, we have so much to be thankful for.

I finished piecing the final Improv Piano Key border on one of my HotMat small quilts and I've sewn down the binding on one side and pinned it down to the back side, almost done! I had to post my progress now because things are going to get busy around here till after Thanksgiving. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!