What made you decide to join Project QUILTING?

In November of 2010 I was at the Quilts by Barb Quilting Retreat. Kim did a presentation about Project Quilting. She displayed the some of the unique and wonderful quilt projects the she and Karen had created during Season One. They were so cool. I particularly liked the Nursery Rhymes Challenge. I decided I have to do that! I want to have fun too! I also offered to sponsor Project Quilting with prizes.

What was your favorite part about Project QUILTING?

My favorite part about Project Quilting was the excitement of the challenge, the brainstorming, and the process of creating and seeing all the wonderful quilted projects. I loved taking photos of each step and seeing how my projects all came together. Then posting about how I did it.

Which Challenge in Season 2 was your favorite? and why…

My favorite challenge was the Hardware Store Challenge. I called my wall hanging quilt Connectivity. I compared electrical wires to a group of quilters. I really connected with this project. At this point in the season, I was comfortable with my creating process and had a good time management plan in place.

Which Challenge in Season 2 was your least favorite? and why…

The second challenge, not because of the challenge, I liked the What’s in a Name Challenge, but because my brainstorming was working right that week. I had a very busy quilting schedule and I just could not put the time I needed into the project.

After Challenge 2, I managed my time better. I came up with a schedule for the week. Remember, I work full time at home (quilting) and I was determine to make it fit into my busy schedule! Because I wanted to have fun!

On Sunday, I would Read the challenge and think about it. Sometimes I would surf the Internet for ideas. I didn’t look for quilts or quilted projects. I would look at all sorts of other things that pertained to the theme, but not necessarily quilts. This gave me all sorts of ideas. I would sketch ideas and write notes, as they came to me. I started following non quilt blogs – photography blogs, cooking blogs, and gardening blogs.

Monday, I would pull fabric out and look at it only for a few minutes and just imagine the project in my head.

On Tuesday, I would take photos of the fabric and the drawings
and post a blog about it.

Then at the end of the day on Wednesday I would start to cut and sew!

Thursday after my customer’s quilts were done, I would quilt my project.

Finishing touches, bindings, and photos on Friday or Saturday. The schedule really helped me, as most times, I was done by Friday.

I posted about every project, taking pictures of the whole process!

Which Challenges did you come up with your idea immediately and which took some marinating?

Challenge 5 - Flying Geese – My Fly Bag - I based my project on the artwork of graphic artist MC Escher (Maurits Cornelis Escher). I found the two pieces of his artwork on Google images and decided I could place triangles in a similar pattern to create a cool design on the front of a quilted bag. I used yellow-orange and blue-purple for my complimentary colors set against black and white. My original plan was to make a small passport bag for myself, but I was having so much fun with the triangles, I decided I had to make a larger bag AND the passport bag.

 

 

 

 

 

Did you try any new techniques for your projects during these challenges and if so, what were they?

Yes! Zentangle Quilting on the 1st challenge – My primary colors Baby Quilt. My definition of Zentangle Quilting is repetitious patterns, designs and shapes. I had fun with this quilt, as I just created all sorts of patterns in each block. It was not completely new to me I had done it before, but not on a finished quilt – just on practice fabrics.

How does everyone find the time to make such beautiful pieces!?!?

I’m not sure, if I would say mine were beautiful, but they were fun! It just happens when you give yourself time to create!

How has Project QUILTING made you a better Quilter?

I was forced to manage my time better, thus resulting in more creating time!

What didn’t you like about Project QUILTING?

The “one week” time frame. I think two weeks would be perfect! You could order fabric online or run to the fabric store if you had more time.

Did you find the judges comments beneficial, annoying, or inconsequential? Why?

I was pleased with the judge’s constructive critiques.

Do you think the judging format should be more structured, less structured, stay the same? and why?

Maybe a form for each area like …Color, balance, piecing, binding…just an idea.

What was your favorite piece that you created for the Project QUILTING challenge?

My favorite was my last project - Spinning Spiral Flower Bag. I think it was because I was really enjoying the whole process.

What were your top three favorite pieces that someone else created for the Project QUILTING challenge?

I loved the wall hanging: A Mother Never Forgets, because Jennifer really put her whole heart and soul into this one!

I really liked the cloth basket, Organizing Papa, because I felt Sally put a unique twist on the project by using hardware pieces and making a very useful final project.

Welcome to Toadvine was from the 2nd Challenge - What’s in a Name! Christine made this project very whimsical! Very creative!

What changes would you make to future Project QUILTING Seasons?

Two weeks for a challenge.

Is there anything you’d like to add or comments you’d like to share with me and my readers?

If you haven’t tried one of the challenges – try it! It is fun! Take the time to have fun again!

 

~Marcia Wachuta of Marcia’s Crafty Sewing & Quilting, Boscobel, Wisconsin

 

 

Thanks for taking time to fill out my interview questions Marcia!  I highly recommend people heading over to Marcia’s blog and checking out her ‘May for Me’ Project!

Well, Baby #3 seems completely happy in my belly so I won’t miss out on this week’s WIP report.  I haven’t accomplished a super lot but I do have a few things to share…

the Bloom Quilt:

I have not made any more progress from last week….

Patchwork Squared Modern Solids Quilt Along

I'm not a huge fan of quilts that end up as a square (thanks to my sister-in-law, Karma) so I decided that I would add three more blocks to my final project.  I loved the freedom of choosing our own middle block but at the same time I also loved the examples that were given to us.  So, I decided to start by making both of the blocks showed to us from Ryan and Amanda Jennings. 

Here's my Tonganoxie 9 patch that was taught by Amanda Jennings. I’m actually really happy with how it turned out.  It’s far from perfect but there were LOTS of tiny little squares we had to work with which really isn’t my thing.  I love the final look of the block though so that’s what prompted me to make it. Okay - this is the block that Ryan showed us that he did for the first block.  You may look at it and wonder what's off about it...well, I made it at 4am.  I'm 40 weeks pregnant and tend to wake up at odd times.  I decided I would work on the block.  I did great, until the last seam.  I was supposed to sew what is now the top and bottom edges together but I did it upside down.  Instead of having a grey middle diamond - I have one with all four colors.  Oops.  I still think it looks cool so I'm not going to rip it out - but, these are the types of things that tend to happen during the wee hours of the morning... My blocks so far…the next two blocks will be posted on Thursdays – can’t wait!

Quilted Art Tote Bag

 

Finished!

 

Off Season Project QUIL-TING Challenge – It’s All in Your Initials

All the buttons are sewn on!  I love how it looks with them all so squished together like this.  I’m at the point with this piece that I’m going to let it marinate in my mind for awhile.  It may be done – it may not.  I have until NOON on May 8th to determine this…

Block-A-Palooza Quilt

I still have them all basted.  I trimmed one down and was going to start quilting it but got distracted by the fact that I should probably get my bills in order first.  If this baby continues to hold out this is going to be one of my ‘patiently’ waiting projects. 

Runner #1:  Block 6, Block 13, Block 11

Runner #2:  Block 10, Block 2, Block 14

Runner #3:  Block 7, Block 12, Block 3

Runner #4:  Block 16, Block 8, Block 9

Runner #5:  Block 1, Block 15, Block 5, Block 4

Goals for this Week: – since I failed at this goal last week I’ll keep it on as my main goal for this week…

• Keeping it simple with – HAVE THIS BABY!

A look back:

• WIP Wednesday – Round 1
• WIP Wednesday – Round 2
• WIP Wednesday – Round 3
• WIP Wednesday – Round 4
• WIP Wednesday – Round 5
• WIP Wednesday – Round 6
• WIP Wednesday – Round 7
• WIP Wednesday – Round 8
• WIP Wednesday – Round 9

How Far Along: 40 weeks

Size of baby: 7 1/2 pounds and 20 inches

Heart rate at Last Doctor’s Visit(4/21): 135

Measuring at Last Doctor’s Visit(4/21): 39 weeks

What to Look Forward to at the Next Doctor Visit (4/27): I’m hoping I won’t be going to my next visit but if I do…I hope to find out I’m more dilated than 2cm and another membrane strip…

Total Weight Gain/Loss:+Maternity Clothes: ~36 lbs no change from last week – woo hoo!

Gender: It’s a GIRL; name will be chosen when we see her!

Please – keep suggesting names…we really don’t decide until we meet her…

Movement: I can definitely feel feet and knees…sort of weird…

Sleep: pretty terrible – but I’m starting to things done in the middle of the night…

What I miss: champagne, beer, being able to walk without pain, sleeping on my back, my ankles

Cravings: nothing really – I’m tired of eating in general

Symptoms: heartburn, terrible hips, ridiculously emotional, an enlarged stomach, anxious

Best Moment of the Week: Jared, the girls and I have been walking the orchard a lot lately.  I’m really enjoying all this family time together.  Watching the girls just run and being able to chat casually with Jared has been so nice.  We are all so ready to start the next phase of our little family.  Anyone that knows me knows that I’m a planner – all this waiting and not knowing is literally driving me crazy!

Still time to get in on the Baby Pool!

What made you decide to join Project QUILTING?

I was a judge for the first season of Project Quilting because I had too many commitments, and it was so fun to see what people came up with. Since winter is somewhat slower for me, I knew I wanted to join in on the fun.

What was your favorite part about Project QUILTING?

Other than winning? I liked reading the challenges and the initial design process when I had many ideas to sort through. I also really enjoyed completing a quilt and loading the photos up to the Flickr account.

Which Challenge in Season 2  was your favorite? and why…

My favorite challenge was Hardware Store because it all came together easily for me. Most of my time on this project was sewing the silver cord through the drain cover and I found it relaxing.

Which Challenge in Season 2 was your least favorite? and why…

My least favorite challenge was the Flying Geese challenge and I think it’s because I’m not fond of working with contrasting color schemes. I interpreted this to mean that we could only use the complimentary colors but some others interpreted that you could add some other colors as long as the contrasting colors were the most prominent. I might have enjoyed this one more if I hadn’t been so literal. It also took me awhile to come up with a layout (I had over 21 pages of ideas) and maybe it would have gone better if I’d picked a different layout.

Which Challenges did you come up with your idea immediately and which took some marinating?

With the exception of the Flying Geese challenge, all the other ideas came pretty quickly.

Did you try any new techniques for your projects during these challenges and if so, what were they? 

I incorporated fabric mosaics into a quilt for the first time (the What’s in a Name and Large Scale Print challenges), a folded piecing technique (the Flying Geese challenge), and used two new binding technique (pillow case for the Be My Valentine challenge and facing for the Hardware Store and Flying Geese challenges).

How has Project QUILTING made you a better Quilter?

I think I was more critical when I was making these pieces since I knew that the judges were going to be looking very closely to them. I made some more conscious decisions with how I wanted to quilt the pieces instead of just quilting in the ditch.

What didn’t you like about Project QUILTING?

After the first few weeks it started to get a little time consuming as I was working on custom quilts on the off weeks. The next challenge would be posted and I’d think “Already? Didn’t we just do one?” I don’t think this should be changed, however, as I think that 6 is a good number of projects and 12 is a good number of weeks.

How did you find the time to make such beautiful pieces!?!?

Well, I don’t have kids, I don’t have a job outside of the house, and my husband is self-sufficient. I knew for the first season that I didn’t have time to commit to it so I didn’t participate as a contestant. Even if you can’t do all of the challenges, I urge people to try to participate in one or two, or get the idea started even if it means finishing after the deadline.

Did you find the judges comments beneficial, annoying, or inconsequential?  Why?

I found the comments mostly helpful although there were a few times when I wanted to respond to a judge’s comment.

***Note from Kim – This is something I recommend doing on your personal blogs!  Makes for a great read!***

Do you think the judging format should be more structured, less structured, stay the same?  and why?

The only change I’d suggest would be having a chance to respond to the judges regarding their comments or have the opportunity to answer their questions before the actual scoring.

What was your favorite piece that you created for the Project QUILTING challenge?

I really like how “After the Rain” came out, I like the simplicity of the design but the fact that it also has movement and texture. I think I’m most proud of “Sometimes I Dream of Flying” which was my largest and most ambitious project.

What were your top three favorite pieces that someone else created for the Project QUILTING challenge?

My absolute favorite was Quilties “Buttonwillow” by Quilties for the What’s in a Name challenge.

I also really liked “I’ll Remember You” by Moran for the Be My Valentine challenge and

“Geese of Gettysburg” bySpringWaterDesings

What changes would you make to future Project QUILTING Seasons?

I’d like to see more emphasis on traditional quilting layouts so quilters who don’t want to make art quilts will also participate. And possibly some way to communicate with the judges, but only if they also think it would be helpful.

Is there anything you’d like to add or comments you’d like to share with me and my readers?

Winning the prizes was really great, but the best thing about Project Quilting is that I now have 6 really great quilts. I encourage your readers to participate in the challenges if for no other reason that expanding their horizons and making some great quilts.

Here’s a blog post I wrote about winning project quilting:

http://forquiltssake.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-i-got-from-project-quilting.html

And my regular blog address: http://forquiltssake.blogspot.com

Website: www.forquiltssake.com

Etsy store: forquiltssake.etsy.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForQuiltsSake

 

Thanks for taking the time to answer some more in-depth questions on Project QUILTING Pam!  Fantastic job last season!

I’m due with Baby #3 in just three days – April 25th. I’m going crazy! One of my etsy teams has started a baby pool on when they think the new little one will arrive and it seems to be helping with my miserable-ness. So, I thought I’d create a little fun for my blog readers.

If you want to enter the pool all you have to do is leave a day, exact time AND an email address (very important if you want your prize!). If you guess the correct day and within the correct hour I will send you a coupon for $10 redeemable at either of my etsy shops:

www.kimscraftyapple.etsy.com

www.theapple.etsy.com

for anything that is ‘ready to ship.’

If you guess correctly to the exact minute – I’ll double that to $20.

Here’s a background on previous babies and where I’m currently at:

Due Date: 4/25/11

Daughter 1 (Mercedi):

3 days late but induced due to high blood pressure (not happening this time – blood pressure is completely normal) - once I got the first dose of pitocin I had Cedi 4.5 hours later

Daughter 2 (Capri): on due date (and I still confuse her birth date!) - from the first thought of, 'Huh, is that a contraction? I had Capri 5.5 hours later'

I was checked yesterday (4/21) - 2 cm...

Also, I wouldn't guess later than May 6th - Doctor won't let me get 2 weeks over cooked.

Good luck everyone! And have fun!