RSC17 week 13

A TIP AND A FINISH

I finished my red projects last week, but I had a major finish to keep me busy this week.  However, before I forget, here's a tip I've been meaning to pass on.  Free sturdy storage containers.

These a just a few of the handy free containers I've saved from recycling to use for my quilting storage.  Left to right, a fresh strawberry container holding short strips,  a Rubbermaid square (not really free, but a nice tight lid).  This holds all my open basting pins, because I use the larger ones.  Third is a donut hole box which is the perfect size for my rolls of thread.  The last is a food container used for neutral 4-patches, which I may use someday. 

So don't throw out those plastic food containers.  They are great quilting containers and FREE!

I'm also including my latest Summer quilt blocks.  These feature two of the beautiful Kaffe Fassett fabrics sent by Cynthia of Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework.

Isn't this the most gorgeous teal and blue fabric?  This is going to be a corner block on my quilt.

This HOT number will have to claim a center spot on the quilt.

THE REVEAL:  I entered the quarterly Ad Hoc Improv Quilts challenge run by Ann of Fret Not Yourself and Kaja at Sew Slowly.  Several years ago I was inspired to make a wall hanging symbolizing Hope.  When their challenge was Chinese coins pattern I made a number of false starts and then remembered  Hope.  So my project became Seeds of Hope, buried deep in rich soil and waiting to sprout toward the sunlight.  

I found all the dark scraps I could and included the bright patches to repellent the life in the seeds.  The sun was attached with Modge Podge on a scrap of old tie dye for sky.  I used Grunge fabric strips for their earthiness.   It measures about 16 X 30 inches.

The backing came from my stash, showing the flowers that bloomed.  It also became the binding.

The quilting was done freehand,with my walking foot.  It represents God' life force moving in the seeds.  

The border is a very rough idea of vines or leaves.

Here is a good view of the overall quilting.

After a rough week and a rush to finish this, I'm really looking forward to April for the new RSC17 color and the new AHIQ challenge.

Wishing all of you a lovely springtime.

See what all the colorful scrappy fun is about this week at 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy  and

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

AIHC CHALLENGE, MARCH 26

This is the end of the quarter for our first Ad Hoc Improv Quilts challenge, using Chinese coins.

For me it's a continuation of a quilt design I had in mind several years ago.  There was a group collecting small wall hangings to auction off, to benefit Hospice.  This was very meaningful to me because my husband was cared for in hospice until he passed away in 2010.  Just when I had my design and fabrics ready to use, they announced they were closing the auction because they had reached their $250,000 goal.  I was disappointed but kept the fabrics and the idea in mind.

I began my improv by challenging myself to stick to neutrals or b/w fabrics.

This  did not inspire me at all.  I stared at it with some variations for a week before dumping it.

Then I remembered the old challenge, which I had called Hope.  I began fresh with many layers of dark pieced strips, with an occasional bright spot added.

I turned it vertically and it became Seeds of Hope, planted deep in good soil and working their way up,toward the light. The sun was attached with ModPodge on this tie-dyed remnant

The layers start with gray at the bottom, the bedrock, and the hole is filled with lots of good mulch and soil nutrients.  The seeds are reaching for the morning light.

I found two lengths of green for the border and ended up with less than an inch to spare.  

This morning I found just the right backing fabric in my stash.  I've gotten it pinned but not quilted yet.  That will involve sinuous vines creeping upward. Sorry I did not get this entirely finished.  A health problem interfered last week, but I'm fine now and ready to quilt it and self bind it with the backing.

Here is my progression so far and I hope to have it finished this week.  The backing represents all the flowers that will brighten this useless space and bring hope to those who see them.

I'm very happy to be linking up with Ad Hoc Improv Quilter at Ann's blog, Fret Not Yourself.  Please check out the fascinating things shared there by really talented people.