Louise Baldel"s Challenge Efforts

Louise shared, "After washing, I began with my small pile of scraps and worked with them as best I could.  I decided not dye your fabric and used it in all it's natural glory (very challenging as you know).  I have some additional ideas up my sleeve but will share them on March 1st.  I now have the top together and will quilt it soon."

Love what I see so far! Can't wait to see it after it is quilted.  Louise must have an amazing stash!

Challenge Fabric Quilt- Top Done!

I actually finished this quilt earlier in the week and was letting rest to see if I felt it was done. I'm declaring it just that. I actually began quilting it last night and had to make myself quit at one this morning. I was on a roll but boy do my shoulders hurt.  Hope to finish it today! I used the challenge fabric eleven times! So I am pleased. My husband, Tom, doesn't usually like my work so I am happy to report that he loves the pieces I've made this month. I find that very interesting.

On a different and yet similar note, I have gotten emails from both participants in the challenge and others either apologizing for calling the fabric "ugly" or asking if I am upset because people are calling the challenge fabric "ugly." First, I don't find the challenge fabric ugly. It's simply a piece of vintage fabric and I have memories of curtains made with similar fabric hanging in my grandmother's house. Maybe that is why I held on to the fabric when I got rid of others. That said, I take no offense when someone calls it "ugly." Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I also know calling it ugly does not reflect on me. I am just happy that I figured out a fun way to use the fabric. I truly cannot wait to see what everyone does with it. So worry less, play more!

Foto/Fiber 2012 and Me

The count down has began for Foto/Fiber, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society lead by Virginia Spiegel. The 2012 fundraiser will sell 90 photographs by Virginia, Karen Stiehl Osborn and Cynthia Winslow beginning on February 15. There are also artists providing 90 bonuses and I am one of them. I am donating three bonuses. Here is one of them--three 1/4 yard pieces of silk made in the Soviet Union (the back is a toned down version of the front) purchased in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and an ATC I made called "Memories of Kyrgyzstan." I hope you will support this worthy cause.

Does Anyone Else Find This Funny?

I was going to make this my Wordless Wednesday posting but then I realized you would be clueless. Today as I walked to my mailbox, I discovered this plastic envelop with two rocks and a postcard on my driveway. It's an advertisement for a cleaning service which really made me laugh. I understand the logic behind including the rocks but how effective? When I opened it to recycle what I could, grit from the rocks got all over my kitchen counter. More marketing? So do you find this funny or is it just me?

Quilts in the Attic and Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble has my book! It's the same price as Amazon and it says it is eligible for free shipping. This is pretty cool considering the official publication date is February15th. Thanks to everyone who has purchased the book! I autographed my first copy yesterday (very strange experience) and I'll be traveling to the Kalona Quilt and Textile Museum in April for a book signing. I will actually get to meet three of the people who have stories in the quilt--Marilyn Woodin, Janette Dwyer, and Merrily McKim Tuohey. Can't wait!

Challenge Fabric Quilt

Just create to create. Create to remind yourself you're still alive. Make stuff to inspire others to make something too. Create to learn a bit more about yourself.  - Frederick Terral

Barbara Beardsley is joining the challenge. I've also provided a link to Anna's blog. Just remember she doesn't have the fabric yet.

1. Rayna Gillman
2. Kristin McNamara Freeman
3. Janice Paine Dawes
4. Sherrie Spangler
5. Marti Porterfield
6. Denise Frank
7. Carol Esch
8. Mary Ann Mauney
9. Martha Ginn
10. Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone

11. Kathryn Schmidt

12. Irene Armock

13.  Del Thomas 

14. Gail Pierce

15. Louise Baldel

16. Bonnie Smith

17. Anna Mowicki

18. Barbara J. Beardsley





My Lunar New Year celebration was quite fun which is good considering I am now a year older. I really appreciate the chance to have an intimate learning experience about another culture and the opportunity to play with this wonderful group of artists. Who could ask for anything more?

Challenge Fabric Quilt Conitnues

While I continue to play with the challenge fabric quilt, I decided I needed a break so I started quilting the beige and black quilt. I love how quilting brings a quilt alive!

I am also pleased to announce that Anna Mowicki from the UK is joining the challenge. Anna now completes the group. Anna has several blogs so I am not sure yet which one to link to so I'll keep you posted.


1. Rayna Gillman
2. Kristin McNamara Freeman
3. Janice Paine Dawes
4. Sherrie Spangler
5. Marti Porterfield
6. Denise Frank
7. Carol Esch
8. Mary Ann Mauney
9. Martha Ginn
10. Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone

11. Kathryn Schmidt

12. Irene Armock

13.  Del Thomas 

14. Gail Pierce

15. Louise Baldel

16. Bonnie Smith

17. Anna Mowicki

I am off to celebrate the Korean New Year! Happy New Year. Once I eat my rice soup, I'll be another year older and hopefully wiser. Make it a great and creative day!

Not the Quilt Police

If you look up the word challenge in the dictionary you will find--1. a summons to take part in a contest or a trial of strength, etc. 2. a summons to prove or justify something. 3. a stretch; stimulate. The fabric for the challenge was given freely and without any strings. I can only hope the gift is honored. I have no interest in admonishing or judging what someone else does. It is part of the reason I kept the rules simple. If you have a problem with something that someone is doing or not doing then it's up to you to comment. Not me.  I want to create. I want to be involved in a community/group of people that would like to play with me. I am not nor will I ever be the quilt police. Now it's time to go play! And to those of you who want to spend their time complaining, please go create instead.

Challenge Fabric- Carol Esch

I love the direction that Carol is going. Can't wait to see what she does next. This challenge is definitely more inspiring than I thought it would be. I'm excited! Hope you are too!

Challenge Fabric- Day 4

When I dug around for dyes, I came across a package of Putnam dye which has to be at least 30 years old. This one was "forest green" so I thought I would give it a try and I am so glad that I did! This is the color I got! I'm continuing to play.

I am also pleased to share that Louise Baldel and Bonnie Smith are joining in on the challenge! I only have two more pieces of fabric available and tomorrow is the deadline for joining in on the fun so act now!

I know Janice and Marti have posted about the challenge. Here is a complete list of those what have accepted the challenge (never thought it would be this many!):

1. Rayna Gillman
2. Kristin McNamara Freeman
3. Janice Paine Dawes
4. Sherrie Spangler
5. Marti Porterfield
6. Denise Frank
7. Carol Esch
8. Mary Ann Mauney
9. Martha Ginn
10. Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone

11. Kathryn Schmidt

12. Irene Armock

13.  Del Thomas 

14. Gail Pierce

15. Louise Baldel

16. Bonnie Smith

Challenge Fabric Quilt-Day 3

Digging around looking for some other means to manipulate the challenge fabric, I came across some very old Putman brown dye. I wasn't even sure it would work since the package was pretty hard. When I first stirred it, it looked more purple than brown. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Success! I replaced the brown I was going to use with the dyed brown fabric.


After seeing Rayna's dye job, I feel I was definitely not adventuresome enough. Do check it out! I want some! Sherrie is tea dyeing. Marti got a great pink with Pebeo Setacolor transparent paint. I am certainly in with some great company!

I am also happy to report that Gail Pierce has joined the challenge. There are now 14 people participating! I may get rid of (oops share) all this fabric yet! It's off to the post office before the really nasty weather that is suppose to hit here happens and then make into the studio.

Challenge Fabric Quilt Day 2

Not much got done because we went into Chicago to see my youngest son's new place and eat Cuban food. The restaurant, 90 Miles Cuban Cafe, is quite funky (inside and out) with great food and wonderful murals outside. I thought it so appropriate that our table had an old Singer sewing machine on it. We sat on the patio where an old Cuban movie from the 1960s was playing. It reminded me so much of a movie I saw in Georgia that was made in the late 1950s. After lunch we headed over to Salvage One (60,000 square feet) which is always interesting and provides food for thought. Unfortunately, prices are too high to take anything home. Anyway, too tired to do much on the quilt.

I am pleased that Del Thomas will be joining the challenge!

Challenge Fabric Quilt- Day One

I will admit that when I began Rodney Atkin's song If You're Going Through Hell kept popping up in my head. His advice is sound,

"If you're going through hell,
Keep on going, don't slow down
If you're scared don't show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there."

I've been at this long enough to know that you just have too keep working. The challenge fabric has actually been used four times so far. I was also surprised at how many fabrics I had in my stash that worked. I fell in love with the piece once I added the turquoise. I love words and there are two pieces of fabric with writing on it which also made me happy. I'm itching to work on it so more. I also can't wait to see what everyone else does.

The people listed below have joined me (scroll over their names and you see who is linked to their blog if it isn't apparent on your screen) in this challenge. I have had some people who have asked questions. I just want to remind everyone that January 20 is the deadline to join. I just don't enjoy standing in line at the post office. Deadline to finish is March 1. The rest of the simple rules can be found in earlier posts.

Denise figured out that she does have a blog which she opened in 2008 but never did anything with it. Now she does! Her name is now linked to her blog.   She lives in Canada and mail takes longer so she hasn't gotten the fabric or the book yet. Carol spent yesterday playing with the fabric. Here is what she shared with me, "Well I  painted over some of the fabric--slight mess but interesting mono prints onto other fabric. Then I wanted to try decolorant on black so tried some of that after seeing yours and that was part of my day. Stayed in pjs until after 4.  I am not sure what will come of this.   A process.  It may have to sit for awhile. We will see." I know Marti was playing around with different teas. Martha blogged about her strip sets which are quite impressive. Sherrie is getting her feet wet and shared her beginning baby steps. The fun has begun!

1. Rayna Gillman
2. Kristin McNamara Freeman
3. Janice Paine Dawes
4. Sherrie Spangler
5. Marti Porterfield
6. Denise Frank
7. Carol Esch
8. Mary Ann Mauney
9. Martha Ginn
10. Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone

11. Kathryn Schmidt

12. Irene Armock

Fabric Challenge

Last night I brewed some incredibly strong coffee in an attempt to change the challenge fabric. Here is my result. Not quite so white and not too much of a change either. Going to dig around and see what dyes I have to try next or maybe I will just start slicing and see what happens.

I'll recap the simple rules:

1. The challenge fabric must appear in your finished quilt. After all, that is the point.
2. You can do anything you want to the fabric (dye, stamp, etc.).
3. You must use Rayna Gillman's book, Create Your Own Free-Form Quilts: A Stress-Free Journey to Original Design, as your inspiration.
4. You must take photographs showing your process. I'd like to see at least three and especially photographs of any changes you make to the challenge fabric.
5. If you don't have a blog, send the photographs and thoughts to me and I'll post them here. If you have a blog, then please share it so we can watch and comment on your progress.

I believe in deadlines. They sure motivate me. I've asked that all the quilts be completed by March 1.

The following people have joined me (scroll over their names and you see who is linked to their blog) in this challenge and whining, "What was I thinking!":

1. Rayna Gillman
2. Kristin McNamara Freeman
3. Janice Paine Dawes
4. Sherrie Spangler
5. Marti Porterfield
6. Denise Frank
7. Carol Esch
8. Mary Ann Mauney
9. Martha Ginn
10. Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone

11. Kathryn Schmidt

12. Irene Armock

Rayna, Janice, Marti and Sherrie have all blogged about the fabric. I cannot wait to see what everyone creates!

I still have fabric. I know hard to believe but it's true. If you are interested in joining in, the deadline to sign up is January 20.

Closing thought:

"There are no failures - just experiences and your reactions to them." - Tom Krause -

Struggle, Struggle, Slash

I just wasn't happy with this quilt until I decided to cut the blocks apart and sew them in a different arrangement. I love that this was so easy done! "Feel the fear and do it anyway!" Now I am happy. I'm sticking a fork in it and calling it done! Time to quilt it and move on to playing more with my indigo fabrics. The windows were pieces left over from demonstrating discharging in Georgia (country not state). It feels so good to be using these long kept treasures.

Many of you have asked how I created the discharged block in my other quilt. I dug around and found the cheap foam stamp that I used! These foam rubberstamps can be found at Michael's, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, etc. When I was purchasing them, they sold for $1.00.  I am sure they are more now but still inexpensive. I found that they are great for discharging with bleach. I honestly don't remember the brand of fabric I used.  From the feel and look of it, I would guess it is Kona black, but I always like to pick up black fabrics so I can see what colors are created when the fabric is discharged. That is part of the fun. I have some green fabric from Georgia that discharges to a very nice purple! I really wish I had bought more of it when I was there. I had no idea if I could create this block when I attempted it, I was thrilled with the results and surprised when none of my students in the workshop wanted to try creating designs with the stamps. I can only hope they played when they got home.

I am so excited that the challenge fabrics are making their way to their new homes. Today Irene Armock joined! I can't wait to see what is created!

Working, Working, Working

I'm not sure I like the bottom piece on the quilt so I may remove it today.  I also started playing with more indigo pieces. I love the piece of fabric with question marks on it.

The tan/grey piece has been an interesting journey. I am thinking about taking it apart and trying a different placement so that it is a square. I want it to be bigger too. My studio is an absolute mess and I'm suppose to be taking photos of it for Virginia Spiegel's Foto/Fiber 2012 fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It never stays clean for long and especially when I am creating. I did manage to put away all the browns, reds, etc.

I am also pleased to announce that Kathryn Schmidt has joined the fabric challenge. I'm being good and waiting to start until people have their fabric.

More good news! Amazon now has my book Quilts in the Attic: Uncovering the Hidden Stories of the Quilts We Love in stock!  I love how quickly things can change.  I have a call with my marketing person today so I want to make the most of my studio time.

Continuing to Play

 I am still playing! I think I'm sticking a fork in this quilt and will begin quilting it today. Since beginning this wonderful journey, I have gotten some emails and decided to answer the questions/concerns expressed in them.

• I have never met Rayna Gillman. However, I know when I do, I will like her.
•  I am not receiving any money for the sale of her book nor am I working for her.
• I am not trying to recreate a Rayna Gillman quilt nor do I think my work would be mistaken for one of her pieces of art.  I think the quilts that I am creating look like my work. Hopefully Rayna will weigh in on this.
• Rayna knew nothing about my fabric challenge until I announced it. I offered this on my own because I thought it would be fun to see what others would do. I happen to like playing with and supporting other artists. People were free to join in (and I'm thankful that they did) or not. I felt it was my right to create my own rules.

This quilt is a real challenge and one that I am enjoying. It is far from done.  It also looks better in person than in this photo. So far, no purchases have been made. I wish I could say that my scrap bin is getting smaller.  I'm really messy when I work so my studio is once again a mess, but it's a happy mess.





And as you can see, I've started another indigo piece. The panel is a Dutch wax print cloth (Hollandaise) from West Africa which I purchased from one of my favorite vendors at International Quilt Festival in Houston when I lived there. It is approx. 12 by 16.5 inches so the size is presenting me with a new challenge.  I am so excited that I am having trouble sleeping and I work on these quilts in my dreams! I certainly hope you are having fun too.

Too Two Much ATC

I belong to Arts in the Cards which is an amazing group of artists. I am so honored to be a part. The group is celebrating its second anniversary so the theme was "Two." I have had a lot on my plate (all good) lately and apparently more distracted by it than I realized. I failed to sign up on time (the "Too late?" reference on the card). You have to be quick with this group or someone will execute your idea (and probably better than you could) before you get a chance. I love this about the group! I actually had more ideas than I knew what to do.  My list of thoughts and ideas was longer than what I put on my card. So here I am hair on end and too many ideas! Life is good!

Ping Ponging

Okay, the bathrooms did not get cleaned yesterday. However, I did cook dinner! I am continuing to play and dig through my scrap bin. I rally had intended to make just one quilt but as you can see I now have three in progress and the indigo is still resting until I decide whether to make it bigger or not. Too many ideas. I call this ping ponging since I seem to jump from one thing to the other. Decided this time to just go with the flow and see what happens. I know eventually I'll get it all together.

For those of you joining me in playing with the challenge fabric, it's in the mail!

Indigo Quilt

I can still remember when I first read the word "indigo." I was in third grade and trying to decide between a career as an artist or the person who got to think up the names for the different color's of paint. Of course, I decided I could do both. I just couldn't decide which one I wanted to do during the day. I've collected indigo fabrics for more than 20 years. Again, I pulled pieces out of my scrap bin and started there. This is what I accomplished last night. I'm thinking it's done and I'll start quilting today, but who knows what will happen once I get back into the studio. I do know it's time to play with all the indigo fabrics I have collected. I have been thinking about making an indigo quilt for more than a year. Feels good to be finally doing it!

Challenge Quilt Two And Challenge

I dug out these orphan blocks that I had made for a project long ago abandoned to begin the next quilt using Rayna Gillman's book. However, when I go to digging around in my scrap bin, I came across a Bold Over Batiks!  panel that I had bought nearly 15 years ago. As a sidebar, here's a little known fact, I was one the who suggested the exclamation mark for the business' name. Anyway, more digging turned up fabric that went well with the panel but the black and white log cabin squares just didn't seem to work. So I've simply set aside the blocks and I will get back to them later.  Here's what I've done so far. I am continuing to have fun.

Here is the list of people who have signed on to make a quilt using the challenge fabric posted on January 5. If I missed including you, please let me know.


1. Rayna Gillman
2. Kristin McNamara Freeman
3. Janice Paine Dawes
4. Sherrie Spangler
5. Marti Porterfield
6. Denise Frank
7. Carol Esch
8. Mary Ann Mauney
9. Martha Ginn
10. Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone


I plan to get the fabric in the mail to you on Monday. Thanks for wanting to play with me.

If you want to participate, just let me know. There's still plenty of time. I can't wait to see what everyone creates!

Challenge Quilt-Done!

I burned the midnight oil and got it done! The finished size is 24.5" x 20.5"(in case you don't remember it began as a 29.5" square). I've put three different sleeves on it so I can hang it in different directions.  I hope the maker of the original piece is pleased. I truly encourage everyone to make time to play and don't be afraid to share. This was an interesting journey for the piece and for me. I am going to call this piece "Rebirth."

There is still time to join in the challenge (see posting for 1/5). I have at least 15 yards of the fabric so there is plenty to share. I'm thinking I will send each person 1/2 yard.

The rules will be simple:

1. The challenge fabric must appear in your finished quilt. After all, that is the point.
2. You can do anything you want to the fabric (dye, stamp, etc.).
3. You must use Rayna Gillman's book, Create Your Own Free-Form Quilts: A Stress-Free Journey to Original Design, as your inspiration.
4. You must take photographs showing your process. I'd like to see at least three and especially photographs of any changes you make to the challenge fabric.
5. If you don't have a blog, send the photographs and thoughts to me and I'll post them here. If you have a blog, then please share it so we can watch and comment on your progress.

I believe in deadlines. They sure motivate me. I'll wait to decide on the deadline once I know how many people want to play. I want to get going so I am hoping to get the fabric in the mail early next week.


Happy creating!
Karen

Challenge Quilt-On to Quilting and A Group Challenge

Creativity is essentially a lonely art. An even lonelier struggle. To some a blessing. To others a curse. It is in reality, the ability to reach inside yourself and drag forth from your soul an idea.
-Lou Dorfsman

Okay, everyone seems to be voting for no border, so I will begin quilting it today. I have also pulled out my box of blocks that I have created over the years and have not used. I'll begin playing with them. They are me! Unlike this present challenge which wasn't even made by me. Some asked if this made it easier for me. I don't think so. I actually feel it was the opposite--more difficult. I don't create things with murky colors. I am happy with it. Thanks everyone for your input. I have decided to spend the month of January exploring more from Rayna's book.

I am also considering offering a challenge. I have some 1950's fabric that I purchased to support a nonprofit quilt organization. I have never known what to do with this fabric and this could be a fun way to use it. If I get enough interest, I will offer it. Interested?

Challenge Quilt Next Steps

First, I want to thank Rayna Gillman for all her kind words and for posting my adventure on her blog. Next, I want to thank everyone else who has sent me words of encouragement and openly shared your opinions. I'm blown away! This is such a great way to start the New Year. Please consider joining in on the fun. I promise you won't be disappointed.

I am amazed at how different it looked once I squared it up. I agree with Rayna that a binding would take away from the design. I had never planned on putting a binding on it. However, I am considering a border. So what do you think?

Challenge Quilt- Stick a Fork in It?

I do like how the tea dyeing worked. I usually use instant tea for tea dyeing but I didn't have any so I used Tazo Chai. I do like the pink undertones that it had. Now the lightness in the grey bothers me. I'm just not sure what to do. I have to say this was a lot of fun. I know now what I would have done differently. Isn't that what learning is all about?


Am I done? Which one do you like best? (I simply turned it upside down.) Which just gave me another thought. What about this version?

Think I'll trying squaring it up and see what it looks like all cleaned up.  I am looking forward to your thoughts.

Challenge Quilt Day One

Since I have also challenged myself to use what I have and not go shopping, it took me a while to find fabrics that would work. I was surprised at how many I did eventually find. I used the front and back of one fabric which I always find is fun to do. Can you find it?

I added the pink first and realized that instead of just two lines of pink, I should have added three. Then I had an aha moment and realized that I could turn pieces around (top become the bottom) which I did. I also cut off the pieces where I moved things up or down and added them back into the quilt. I definitely think it is getting more interesting but certainly far from finished. The floral fabric (detail) is also really bothering me so I think I'm going to tea dye it and see what happens. So what do you think of the quilt so far?

New Year New Challenge

I love this time of year because people seem so full of hope. It's like we've been given a clean slate. I have been spending all of my time lately writing--mostly answering questions (marketing for my book Quilts in the Attic, Teacher of the Year  (17 questions and) and the Foto/Fiber 2012. I am also working on a website. I haven't had one in years and it's time. Anyway, while I do feel writing is being creative, I have missed being in my studio and playing with fabric. I decided to give myself a challenge so I dug out an old UFO. It was one given to me more than 15 years ago. I challenged a friend at one time to create something interesting with it but she passed so I'm doing it in her honor. The top is approx. 29 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches. I am taking my inspiration from Rayna Gillman's book Create Your Own Free-Form Quilts  which has been getting a lot of well deserved buzz. I am considering this play and have no expectation of creating a piece of art. I just want to see where I can take this top and hopefully honor the unknown maker. What challenges have you given yourself for 2012?