Living This Creative Life

I have two favorite quotes. The first one is by Emile Zola, "If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I would tell you that I came to live out loud". I don't know who the second one is by, but it goes like this, "If you're not living on the edge then you might as well jump". Both of these sentiments sum up my personal philosophy of this experience we call life on earth. Enjoy!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Block #85 in the Machine Quilting Challenge


Good Evening,
Boy, it's been a busy couple of weeks - sorry to say that when the proverbial s**t hits the fan, this blog of mine is usually the first to suffer!
But, an end is in sight. I've been busy packing to move and am now done with it all except for what we need to use for the next few days. The movers arrive bright and early Wednesday morning and we move to a flat in an old mansion downtown that is about twice the size of where we are now and just 12 blocks from where my hubby works and 10 blocks from where my daughter lives! I'm so excited. A new studio space that is almost twice as big with three walls of wrap around windows and a west facing view!

I've finished my first article for Quilting Arts and am working hard on a my first design CD that I plan to have complete for Road to California next month. I managed to sneak in a few minutes of quilting before I packed up the last of my studio this morning, so here's a new design.

I call it Tracks, cause it looks like the tracks made by tires or hiking boots. It's really easy to do and makes a nice interesting filler or background.

Here's how you do it. It is a series of ups and downs and back and forths all about 3/8" to 1/2" in size. They are stitched in rows with one or two big waves in them and the rows are stitched right next to each other. Beginning on the left side edge, near the middle, stitch a 1/2" straight, horizontal line. Turn and stitch up 1/2" forming a 45 degree corner. Stitch over 1/2" forming a second corner then stitch back down forming yet another 45 degree corner. Continue stitching these open ended squares/rectangles forming a line that moves from the left side of the block to the right side of the block with at least one curvy undulation in it. Once you reach the opposite side, stitch another row either on top of or under the first row, keeping subsequent rows about 1/8" t0 1/4" apart and following the undulation or wave of the original row.

Hope you enjoy this stitch -out. I'll talk to you again on Thursday or Friday from the new house!

Till next time,
Heather

1 comment:

me said...

I just LOVE this design! It's very cool that it is geometric stitching, but curvy... l just adore how it looks.

I had no idea you were moving- but it sounds like a wonderful move! You must be a tiny bit masochistic though, moving this time of year!

It's so exciting to know we are going to see you regularly in QA magazine! We can say we knew you when... lol

Hope your move goes smoothly and that your holidays are wonderful in your new home. Can't wait to see photos of your new studio space! xo