Singing Sisters

I just had to show you this picture.
This was taken at our quilt show April 26th.
My sister, Judi playing the guitar, has a group called The Potluck in The basement singers. They entertained at our quilt show, at one point the sisters were asked to join the, to the right of Judi are my sisters; Lil, Brenda and me. Brenda and I are members of the guild. The singing quilting sisters maybe :)

"Washday Blues" FFFC #32`

"Washday Blues" is finished. You will note a bit of happiness for this hard working gal in the water bucket.

Continuing with my 'woman' theme, and thinking about my Mom and grandmother and the hard work those pioneer women did, brought this one to life. My grandmother had a scrub board and washing machine like this one.
I've used the analogous hues of red to
yellow orange, and the compliment of blue.
The background is woven fabric. Lot's of hand stitching and a bit of machine stitching to finish it off.
This piece has been sold.

Quilt Show

Here is a picture of my 2nd place win, it is a Pam Bono design called, Daisies in The Cabin, probably the most intensive pieceing I have attemped in my short quilting career.
The other picture is of my younger sister, Brenda. Pineapple blocks, with the most gorgeous wool applique, so textural that folks just had to reach out and touch it!

Quilt Show Results

Whew, our annual quilt show is over. It is such a tremendous amount of work but so worth the effort.
The place was like a beehive, I believe the best show we've had, the walls of the auditorium were awash with color, the glorious melodies of the Potluck in The Basement Singers floated throughout the building while folks enjoyed Strawberry Shortcake.
Viewers Choice awards were presented, I tied for first place with Barb O'Brien.
My Daisies in the cabin took second place, and my younger sister tied for third place with Josie.
The scissor sharpener fellow was very busy! A first time for him to attend.
Here is a picture of the my first place entry, TITLE: “Tancho, Keeper of Fidelity”
QUILT MEMBER: Rhoda Forbes
SIZE: Wall hanging
PATTERN: Designed by Rhoda Forbes
METHOD: Raw edge appliqué, thread painting, machine quilted. The appliqué pieces are all made from my hand painted fabric. The background is 100% cotton commercial fabric.
STORY: Tancho is the Japanese name for the Red Crested Crane. I have always thought they are the most graceful birds. A pair of cranes mate for life, only when one mate dies do they seek out another. Thus the title ‘keeper of fidelity’. The chrysanthemums, apple blossoms and bamboo seem a fitting setting for this crane. It is all alone, perhaps it’s mate has died and it is seeking a new mate , or perhaps it is reflecting on the wonder of the passing of it’s lifelong mate?

Walking The Dog on A Parisian Windy Day

This is a piece that I just finished for the Fast Friday Fabric Challenge. My series is women.
Our challenge was to show planes, shadows using muted shades and yest use saturated colors. I think I met the challenge.
The inspiration for the buildings was from a painting by Edouard Toudoze. I played with the figure a lot before she found her spot in the composition. I did know pre sketching but just cut with scissors, pamela allan style.
I used oil pastels for the bricks, shading etc. They worked very well, I let them cure overnight and than heat set them. I am trying to define my style and I think for this one I would call it embroidered applique. A lot of embroidery stitches were used and no machine work.
I look forward to your comments.

School Zone

This one has been 'on the burner' for awhile :) I finally got it off the sketch pad and done in fabric.
I'm open to suggestions for a title for it, if you have any suggestions. Can you spot the three dragonflies?
I did some 'sashiko' type stitching on it, and quite like the effect. The fish are all done with my hand painted fabrics.
I did two rows of flying geese, to portray the fish movement, one row got slightly covered.
I look forward to comments.
This wall hanging was sold at the show April 26th.

Still Life #4

I have finished another one of the pieces done in Pamela Allan's class. This was our 'independant study'.
I had a lot of fun with it, the raven is a true northern raven in the winter. He is all fluffed up to ward off the cold.
I have one more to stitch in this series, all with Ravens.
I will tell you the story of the raven, from our point of view.
My husband passed away 4 years ago, since then we have relocated. My youngest grandaughter and her grampa were hooked at the hip. When walking to my house after school, there is a raven that waits on the snowbank, and hops along all the way home with her, she's sure it's grampa. That's why I had to do a series with ravens, and why not still life!

Indoors on a Rainy Day

I have finished another piece that I started in the Still Life class.
Got a bit wild with the binding, it is the same fabric as the flower centers and I quite like it.
The course with Pamela was so informative, and I am enjoying the end results of my work.

Sweeping the Garden Path Under the Moonlight

I just finished my FFFC. The challenge was to use a split complimentary pallette and include an S curve.
My split complimentary was yellow/green and red and blue/violet. I tried to use different hues of this pallette. The S curve can be seen in the path and in the woman's form.
This was another great challenge. I did a lot handstitching, a carry over from the Pamela Allan class.
I reversed the order of the top three background fabrics, and realized it after I had much of it stitched in place...sooo I added a moon and some highlight of the moon shining on objects.
Hope you enjoy it.

Still Life

I am still working on the projects in Pamela Allan's online Class. This still life is from Lesson 2. It is now completed, with all the stitching in place. Many of the fabrics in this piece are recycled clothing.
The raven is there, you might have to enlarge the picture to see it well :)
Cold and stormy up north today. I yearn for spring, and color. Have you ever noticed the varying colors of green in the spring, it's a feast for the eyes.
I look forward to your feedback.
Have a great day.