I had a fun week in the studio. But before I tell you all about that let's take a look at the featured selection from last week's party. There were several scrappy style projects shared but Alycia's Pringles quilt in progress was the one that was randomly selected.
She had a huge growth spurt all due to the AC going down and repairmen needing supervision. I'm sure her dogs would have done a fine job on their own... or not. ;) If you want to know more about how it all started and the dimensions of the pieces she is using head over to Alycia Quilts. What a fun scrap-buster!
I started the week out with a new wall decor plan... Using some of the "African fabric" from my stash closet I created some new quilted wall art pieces. I used wool batting scraps and did some quilting and then wrapped them over 8" x 10" canvas boards.
Below shows them in context, on the wall... I wish I didn't have the electrical cord there but I've gotta have light! And having it overhead without needing to rewire the house requires an extension cord. ;)
Pleased with the way it looks I was on the hunt for my next "creative" project for the 100-day challenge. Someone recently asked me what the 100-day project challenge was... "The 100-DayProject is a creativity excavation. It’s about unearthing dormant or unrealized creativity by committing to a daily practice every day for 100 days."
My personal challenge is broad and forgiving... It doesn't have to be the same project every day... It doesn't have to be the same activity every day... It only needs to be something that you make with or put together with your hands. It doesn't need to be ALL day, either! Ten to 15 minutes... or 4-5 hours... whatever works. Now, this fits into my wheelhouse!
Anyway... I was looking for my next creative project. I had finished 2 books and made their 9-patch blocks and was cleaning up from that quick project and putting away fabric in the stash closet in the guest room. (See my thoughts on these two books here.)
I've been enjoying seeing the Irish Chain Patchwork quilt made in the early 1940s by my great-grandmother when I have need to go in there...
Several readers chimed in that they would be interested in a sew along making Lala's Irish Chain quilt. Well then... let's do that! It will be a beautiful thing!
Watch for details later this week! Start gathering your supplies now... I'll be waiting for you... and my delivery of fabric. Here's what you need for fabric:
3 yards of background fabric
1 jelly roll of 40 2-1/2" strips (or lots of assorted scraps)
3 yards of main color (this includes patchwork blocks, border and binding).
Backing of your choice
I had to order additional light blue fabric from Connecting Threads for my main color. Yes, I settled with the light blue ;) It was the most popular choice on social media and here on MLS. As a few pointed out... how can you go wrong with either? LOL! More than that... I decided that I would keep the quilt, using flannel rather than regular batting to make it a lightweight summer quilt - Dave liked this idea as well. The same blue fabric will be used for the backing.
The "summer quilt" we currently have is 20-ish years old and looking a little tattered and worn. I will repurpose in some manner... maybe later during the 100-day challenge.
As I cut the pieces for Lala's Irish Chain, I listened to The Italian Ballerina. Very good book. The story told of how a small Jewish girl was saved by two American soldiers during WWII.
I then started a short (5 hours) audio book by Louise Erdrich, The Birchbark House. It was recommended on the Modern Prairie blog.
"The Little House on the Prairie books only tell half of the story of life on the prairie and manifest destiny. To read about the experience of the indigenous people who lived on the prairies, read The Birchbark House series by Louise Eldrich.
It is the story of a little girl named Omakayas. She is a member of the Ojibwe community, is the same age as Laura Ingalls, and lives near the same area where some of the Little House books take place.
The story is filled with Omakayas’s stories of nature, her family, handcrafts and food that were vital to the survival of the people living on the prairies. It’s a wonderful companion to the Little House books."
As a lover of Laura Ingalls Wilder and the LH books I felt it was worth checking out. A few hours in now, it is evident to me that it was definitely written (and narrated) for a younger audience, but still interesting. Have you heard of this series?
That's all for now. Let's get the party started!
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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I love your African pieces on the wall, Melva! They are really pretty. The Irish Chain project is going to be a fun one, too. I wish I could join in, but I have plenty to work on right now. The Birchbark House is a favorite book from my teaching days - that's wonderful that you read it! I definitely think Louise Erdrich gives her readers a realistic view of native people's lives.
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