Friday, July 28, 2017

RSC17 week 30

NOT MUCH BLUE

There is beautiful blue sky today, but only a little blue in my latest quilt projects.  That's okay, because I'm working on a new little blue project for next week.  It's very simple except foe the amount of ripping involved.  So it's not ready for you to see,until next week.

I just completed a really cute flimsy, the Fence Rail Star quilt by Jenny Doan at MSQC.  I loved its size, about 42 inches square, and the deceptively easy pattern.  I found lots of colorful jelly roll strips in my kids theme stash, so it used lots of one of a kind strips and lots of color.


After completing the rail fence blocks I took a photo of the entire layout.  I had to refer to it constantly to make sure they twisted and turned properly.  Even when I finished it I saw a glaring mistake.  Fortunately, the lucky little one won't know the difference.  It does have monkeys in it and that's what counts.  It still needs a white border.  However, I really was lucky to find the perfect backing in my stash.


Monkeys plus bunnies makes it really perfect for snuggling.


GENTRIFICATION

On Tuesday I published the result of my Ad Hoc Improv Quilts Challenge Two on Ann's blog, Fret Not Yourself. The challenge was to combine two different blocks into one quilt. I had eight blocks of little wonky houses which I had made using the stack and Whack method.  They were not done with any purpose in mind but just to try out the method.  They were cute and colorful and easy to make but I need to something to contrast with them.  So I got out my ugliest dirty looking scraps and improv pieced them into 8 inch blocks to match the little houses.  



My inspiration came by chance.  In June I happened to see an MSNBC interview of Richard Florida who has written a book about gentrification called  The New Urban Crisis.  In several large cities like New York rundown buildings have been bought cheaply and refurbished.  The neighborhoods became more desireable with the addition of new restaurants, boutique shops and an influx of more affluent tenants.  This caused real estate values to rise dramatically, making rents unaffordable for former tenants who were forced to move away from their homes, jobs and way of life.  Thus more inequality,  segregation and poverty have resulted.  


This dilemma is what I have attempted to show in my quilt.  It's represented by the contrast between the new houses and the empty lots.  The black strips with "fencing""  divide the blocks along their sides, and the lime green strips represent the bright new face of the neighborhood.  I'm going to add  more to it for the third challenge.

So that was my busy quilting week.  I appreciate Angela's and Cynthia,s faithful linkups every week so we can share what is working or not working for us with friends who understand.  Check it out at RSC17 at soscrappy  and




24 comments:

  1. You did a great job of combining disparate elements for Gentrification. Such a fun quilt, but not a fun problem in the cities. Happy stitching this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Both quilts are cute. I especially like the first one! Then again, I'm soft on house blocks. You go girl!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the Gentrification quilt. Your inspiration from the story translated really well to fabric. The baby quilt is cute and sure to be loved. The backing is perfect, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love your rail fence star quilt, Paula! Fun and colorful! I couldn't find the spot that was bothering you, but isn't that how it always is? We are our own worst critics! Your Gentrification quilt has a powerful message - a side to gentrification that I didn't know about.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LOVE that Rail Fence Star quilt, Paula!! Nice work on your Ad Hoc quilt, too. I had no idea there was such symbolism involved before reading further into your post. Thanks for sharing the story behind the quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I give in Paula, if it has a glaring mistake I certainly can't find it. Who is teasing now? Wait until next week to see the blue project indeed. I'll be watching for it! (giggles)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your improv flimsy is terrific! And speaks so well to the challenge growing cities face. The baby quilt is darling and is sure to be appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You have been busy. You are going to have some darling quilts to snuggle under.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a fantastic, well thought-out project, Paula! My heart goes out to families in housing crises...

    ReplyDelete
  10. The rail fence stars is so bright and happy - perfect for a little one. Your housing project tells such a good story.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What wonderful quilts. I love the simplicity/complexity of the fence rail star. What a great idea. And I love your salute to Richard Florida from the Creative Class.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great quilts. I like the way the first one shimmers. It must be the right amount of yellow without taking over.

    ReplyDelete
  13. such a colourful quilt must check out the video and have a go at one myself. Really liking the second one too and like how you shared your thoughts on what it all means.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the story behind your house/ vacant lot quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the story behind your house/ vacant lot quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great inspiration and result on your Gentrification quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love both of the quilts and the story behind them.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love it when quilts have a great story! And you are absolutely correct - no quilt with a monkey in it is bad :)

    Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap! Always love to see you there.

    ReplyDelete
  19. A couple of cute little quilts, I see houses in both of them.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Detroit is facing that same gentrification I think. Although it is fantastic that wealthy Detroit-lovers, like Dan Gilbert, are buying up derelict buildings and repurposing them in the downtown core, it is sad that there still is such a problem in certain areas of Detroit. The buildings were abandoned. I like both your quilts and the message behind them.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Some gorgeous scrappiness happening there.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I think your Improv quilt came out great! It represents a sad story that too many cities are facing these days. The younger generation in my family is running into the "affordability" problem trying to find housing near where they work. And there are no easy answers.
    The baby quilt is cute! Great idea for a charity quilt, I think!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Paula, those are two great quilts...and the mistake is not glaring unless you made the quilt. It took me quite a while to find it. The little one will just be happy to be cuddled in love.

    ReplyDelete