"Modern in the City" Exhibit

The International Quilt Festival was in Chicago last weekend. They invited my Chicago Modern Quilt Guild along with the Naperville Modern Quilt Guild to participate in a Modern in the City challenge. I was so impressed with what my fellow guildsters did and want to give you an opportunity to see these amazing pieces. So, sit back...

City Links by Sarah Shulman

Where the Heart Is by Nicole Weldon

Bright Lights by Amy Strunkmeyer

Picasso in Piecing by Judy Tucker

Six Corners:  Milwaukee Damen & North by Jennifer Benoit Bryan

Chicago (by train) by Erin Davis

Somewhere in the City by Laura Hartrich

View Below by M A Cramer

Windows by Eileen O'Regan

Bean in the City by Shannon Dangerfield

Emily Lang

Two Cities: One Heart by Peta Minerof-Bartos

City Block by Ruth Hild, Naperville IL

Rush Hour by Anita Marsh, Oswego, IL

 I was called away from IQF with a situation regarding my father, who is at the end stages of his life. He has been a musician and piano tuner, and I thought this piece entitled "Tuning Fork  #11" by Heather Pregger of Texas was appropriately the last picture I took that afternoon:

Tuning Fork #11 by Heather Pregger, Texas

I was pretty pleased to have "City Spokes" in such fabulous company

Just catching my breath...

All deadlines have been met, my hand project is coming along ever-so-slowly, and I'm getting ready to dive into that big pile of Pepper Cory shot cottons. So in this wonderful breathing space, I've been doing little things. Like these zippered pouches.  And then I found this little free down for a Reversible Box Tote by veryshannon.com.  It's deep, it stands alone (especially with Soft and Stable in it), and is perfect for keeping my new car - Tuxedo Black 2013 Ford C-Max - organized. 

And occasionally I whittle away at my stack of batiks by making some unlined Mors bags.

Sewing in a different space

Guild buddy Emily B invited me over for a sew date, and we made these fabulous Molly Market Totes.  A day with a friend (who is 40 years younger than I.  Whatever...) plus a completed project?  Who can ask for anything more...

And a picture of the progress on my hand project...

From a Vest to a Tote

I keep thinking that I'm able to make clothing. I made this vest. And even though I didn't wear it, I started on a new one from some fabulous fabrics. Both vests have been sitting in my closet for three years. Vests just are not a good look for me.  And now? This vest is a tote. Much better...

Design Floor Wednesday

The Design Wall is already occupied

Ready for a Sew-in

with great thanks to the Good Organizational Fairy Cristina...

When Quilting Makes the Quilt...

 This simple napping quilt (65" x 85") is a basic design with quiet colors - the bride's request was a palette of white, blush, and tan.  Using 4.5" x 8.5 bricks in a herringbone design with these fabrics created a very plain quilt top.  But then Frank from T and F Quilting Studio worked his magic, and the quilt is now something that I am proud to give to my cousin Jerry White's daughter as her wedding present.  Best wishes to them as they start their lives together!

The back is even simpler than the front

 When Natalie's older sister Erin was married, I used the same size bricks for her quilt.  Natalie's quilt has some of the same fabrics that I used in Erin's quilt.  

This last shot is significant because my cousin Jerry has the same carpeting - a brownish/pinkish woodrose - in his house.