Fabric Strips

Years ago, I learned a technique invented by Sharyn Craig. Half log cabin block.

I use her 'old' method. I have seen recently she has a new one, like from a few years ago, where she cuts the strips to the sizes needed.

I guess that was her tweak for her first method. When using her first method some of the blocks come out wonky.

I have figure out a way to use her old method and still get a pretty square block so I am sticking with that.

These are not quilts to put into a juried show. Not all the seams coincide. These are the quilts I make to use up all the strips I have. I guess they become memory quilts because I remember the other patchworks I've made using those fabrics.

I love putting all the colours together. I've made several using this method. Love them.

These are blocks I found while reorganizing the shelving in my studio.

They were already made, just sitting in a shoe box. I think I originally wanted to make this one large which is why they were still in the box...waiting for me to make more.

I decided to sew them up to whatever size it gave me. Turns out it's 40" x 50", or 104 cm x 128 cm approximately.

This one will be quilted in a few days. Then the relaxing part of sewing on the binding- one of my favourite steps in quilt making.

Umbrian Colours

Thanks for checking my blog while I and the group of 4 Canadians were on the Journalling Trip.

The travellers have a very good collection of memories in their journal. They definitely have plenty of ideas to pick from when creating their next art works- either quilted blankets or textile for the walls.

I am happy I had such a great group of ladies! That makes all the difference to the success of the trip.

I leave you with these lovely colours of Umbria.

If you are reading this and wish you had participated then you can think about it for the summer of 2018.

Sarebbe bello! 

Read some testimonials from my travellers:

"It was a most amazing trip, in an amazing region of Italy! Sandra introduced us to fascinating people that we never otherwise would have spoken with. She packed each day with unique activities. The beautiful accommodations surrounded by olive trees, history and art. I highly recommend it!" (L.P.)

"I have travelled in Italy several times. Sandra’s trip was by far the best organized and most interesting trip I have experienced. Bravo Sandra! I can’t wait to travel with you again." (C.C.)

Remember that I also do a trip for quilters and textile artists in Verona, Italy.

The next Verona trip is April 21-30, 2017.

Verona Walls

Art critic, novelist, painter and poet, John Berger, says "The process of seeing is less spontaneous and natural then we tend to believe. A large part of seeing depends upon habit and convention."
(quote taken from his BBC series Ways of Seeing.)

Start seeing as you walk along that same street. The street you walk along every day.

I see this wall every day as I walk in Verona, Italy, and I love it. I love the colours. I love the curve in the road where the wall is. I love the view of the Adige River near that wall.

I have enjoyed transferring my photographs onto different types of fabric in the past.

I plan to transfer these onto silk and use them as a background for an art piece.

(see art work from contemporary artist Franco Guerzoni, born Modena 1948- )

Triangle Shadows

I notice shadows. I have always noticed them, even as a young child walking around on hot summer days in Montreal.

I remember them on the floor at my grandmother's house.

Shadows are dark. Sometimes light. They look blue on the snow.

They move. They grow.

A later addition: Click here to see an installation by Peabody Essex. Now that's a shadow! It's a different kind of shadow- a static one - but nice!

Australian Textile Artist

                                       

Lucky me.

I got an email from Australian textile artist and author, Dijanne Cevaal, who will be passing through Verona, Italy, next week.

We met in Parma, Italy, in 2011 and I haven't seen her since although we have emailed. I also signed up for an on-line course of hers.

I am looking forward to catching up and hearing all about her works and her adventures worldwide.



To see more of my posts related to D. Cevaal click here , here , and here.

(Images are taken from the internet. All works/particulars by Dijanne Cevaal)

Knitting Beautiful Colours

The yarn I bought at the Frolic in Toronto before I left is fabulous!

It is hand-dyed. It goes from orange to purple is a slow progression. Most yarns I have seen have a colour transition that is too stark.

 I only bought one ball, 115 grams, so my project is small.

I made a cowl and had to undo it as it didn't go around my neck twice without choking me!

I had to rip it out. If you repeat rip it rip it rip it...kind of sounds like a frog sound. That is why knitters say they "frogged" a piece. So you see undoing work is part of knitting.

It took one week to make and ten minutes to undo!

Knitting while waiting for the train.
...on my way to Mantova.

I am starting again.

Easter Colours

I learned how to make the Ukrainian Easter eggs (Pysanky) when I was 6 years old from my best friend's older sister.

I continued to make them when I had children and passed on this tradition to them.

Coloured eggs made ages ago by my little children.
We kept them all from year to year.

This year, I wasn't going to get all the supplies out but my daughter asked for them.

She wanted to teach her boyfriend. What a sport he was! His egg was great!! (shown below)

He did say it was really difficult controlling the kistka (tool for drawing with beeswax). He now appreciates the craft even more.

I guess that is always the case. After one realizes how much effort it is to make a quilt or how long it takes to hand stitch a panel there is always that extra awe.

Warm

Warm colours of the 'red' sand on this cold snowy day.

Be warm.

(photo of the red sand dunes in Phan Thiet, Vietnam. I was there at Christmas)

Having a Great Day

I am having a great Friday!

It started with a breakfast with my husband at my favourite place. Then 2 hours of knitting and chatting at the Purple Purl. Then baking for tonight's dinner party. The house smells fabulous!

Something I saw at the knitting store this morning reminded me of something funny.

Bunting (knitted) hanging at the Purple Purl.

In Italy, I often see prayer flags of different colours hanging from the balconies.

Here is one example (top right side)

The coloured, rectangle flags are sometimes used to bless the surrounding countryside. The wind takes the blessing and carries it everywhere. All who are touched by the wind are uplifted and a little happier.

I saw something like it in Umbria except the colours were different.

After I uploaded the images on my computer I realized it was a clothesline of rags!

I hope on whichever day you are reading this, that you too are having a great day!

Venice All Day- Day 3

We made it down to the train station by bus before they closed the streets for the marathon!

Venice

Off to Venice for the day!

Perfect weather too!

Exploring. Being inspired. Seeing beautiful colours...

Burano

...and letting all that stuff get into our heads.

We worried when a few got separated...

but we all arrived at the train station on time

to return to Verona for a nice dinner together.

Velvet Colours

The stain glass windows at the Cathedral in Tours are stunning!

They say they are some of the best in the world.

Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours, classical Gothic façade, built between 1170 and 1547.

The façade has lost its ornate statues which were
destroyed by the Protestants during the religious wars.

There is some Renaissance architecture as well seen in one of the towers (right).

What an inspiration for a patchwork design.

Look at the colours and shapes of the glass.

The red windows reminded me of Austrian quilter's work, Birgitt, that I met recently in Vienna.

Birgitt's quilt was made for her daughter. It is entitled, "Life is Colourful".
She designed it herself.

Her quilt is hand pieced and hand quilted.

detail

The label on the back was embroidered.

The embroidered design is an angel
in a tree.