Thursday, November 12, 2015

Online Trunk Show!

Have you seen the Trunk Full of Quilts linky going on over at Whims and Fancies?? How much fun is that? I have been over there several times this week enjoying all of the sharing that is happening and I can resist no longer, I must participate :)

Online Quilt Trunk Show | Whims And Fancies

If you haven't seen this (and how is this possible, so many great bloggers participating!!), or haven't checked recently on new links, check it out! So much inspiration and so much fun seeing other people's progression in their quilt making journey :) Here's mine! (A little note about where to find 'the rest of the story' about the quilts shown. For the first two, click on the caption and you will be taken to the final blog post for that project. For the remaining quilts, just click on the picture.)

Yup, microfiber suede and . . . ready? That striped fabric is Burlap!! Not kidding. And not one stitch of quilting in that huge space. . . This quilt still lives on our bed in the summer.
This quilt taught me two very valuable lessons. It was the first pattern that went totally awry and quite honestly, I didn't even realize it until it was completely sewn together. . . And it didn't matter, I lived it anyway! Secondly, this was the quilt in which I really fell in love with quilting! I was starting to figure out right about here that the denser the quilting, the more I like it :) This quilt is used by my husband daily. Every time I look at it I have to resist the urge to grab it and quilt more, specifically something in those squares! ;)

http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/01/out-of-square-quilt.html
This quilt was my first attempt at curved piecing. LOVE this quilt. It is currently folded up next to me, sometimes I use it as a pillow for a nap. . . Why is it still folded up? Because it definitely needs more quilting! I'm thinking that will happen in the first months of 2016 :)

http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/01/first-finish-of-2014.html
My first pieced backing!!

http://www.quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-favorite-to-date-qayg.html
My first commission and my first QAYG!
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/01/ride-wave.html
First use of shot cottons (these are Kaffe Fassett) and first use of contrasting quilting thread. . . really contrasting - BLACK! :)
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/02/doing-happy-dance.html
My first (and only) scrap quilt and my confirmation that maybe patterns are not my thing. Click on the picture to go to the final post - it was quite the ride this one!! And I LOVE it! I sleep under this one every.single.night!! :)
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/03/ta-da-triangle-log-cabin.html
A lot of firsts with this one! First triangle quilt, first attempt at improv (none of those logs are the same size as are none of those inside triangles), first quilt made with Oakshott Cottons. . . this is when the love affair started ;)
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/05/halographic-hexigonal-triangles-its-wrap.html
First online QAL! First time using rulers while quilting on my domestic! Yes, I now use them often :)
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/08/spin-finally-finished.html
First show quilt! First time using double batting (wool and cotton). To read about my first show experience, go here.
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2014/12/pastel-nightmare-over.html
Biggest lesson on this one - don't enter a challenge if you hate the chosen fabric!! I don't do pastel. :)
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2015/01/whole-cloth-heaven.html
My first 'live' class! First truly successful use of stencils First use of 'scribble quilting' - LOVE!! :D
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2015/04/triangle-transparency-blog-hop-shock.html
First pattern testing! Yeah, me!! ;) And first use of light table for quilting. Definitely won't be the last!!
http://quiltparadigm.blogspot.com/2015/08/family-tree-quilt-finished-for-reals.html
Family tree quilt. Recently added more stitches to this one. Lesson? Sometimes more stitches is exactly what a quilt needs and sometimes the quilter just needs a little more time to develop her skill before adding those stitches :)
There are SO many more quilts I could add to this show . . . I am restraining myself :) If you want to see more, click the tabs above to see pictures of all of the quilts I have finished. This little trip down memory lane spans a little over two years (my entire quilting journey to date). I have recently had several conversations with different people about my quilting journey. A common question is, how did you get to where you are so fast? There is only one answer to that, practice. Time on the machine. I am lucky. I can quilt every.single.day. And in the beginning, I did! :) There are still times that I will slap a practice sandwich together and just quilt. Sometimes I just need to stitch :) What I regret the most is throwing out those initial practice pieces. I really wish I could show you how I started out and promise you - it looked just like any beginner - bad tension, toe hanger stitches, jerky movements, nests, oh the list just goes on and on! So for those of you who think you can't, or stop because those initial pieces are so 'awful', please, keep going or just give it a try! It's not for everyone, I get that. But please don't say I can't before you even try! OK, stepping off of my soap box ;)

Climbing back on. . . ;) Chuck that fear aside! Most times I had no idea that I wasn't supposed to be able to do what I was doing! LOL Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss and most rules were meant to be broken!! I'm off the soap box, go forth and quilt!! :D

Go check out the linky party at Whims and Fancies!! I promise, you are going to see amazing quilts and read very amazing stories!! And if you are so inclined - share your trunk full of quilts!! :D

Until next time, keep on quilting!!
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35 comments:

  1. All of the quilts in your post are wonderful. It really is amazing that you managed to accomplish so mush in a mere two years. I, too, sometimes am way over my head in the water before I realize I should have taken a swimming lesson or two before I dive it. Somehow the words "can't do" just do not fit into my vocabulary well unless they are followed by the words "just yet." It occurs to me you think much like that too!

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  2. Great reliving seeing the ones I already had seen, and fun to see the first quilts you made that I hadn't seen before. I need to get on the Trunk show wagon!!

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  3. I love seeing your quilts, your quilting just inspires me so much!

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  4. What an amazing journey and body of work in just a few short years!! I will definitely need to look at these in more depth. I am so attracted to your dense quilting, and I love the humor in your posts.

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  5. Judy, I had no idea that you began quilting only recently. Seriously fooled me there. Your quilts and your quilting are so advanced! You know how much I love your quilts and it is really fun seeing a bit of your journey all in one blog post!
    Hahaha - you told me about the microsuede and burlap quilt and I just couldn't imagine it. I'm so glad you shared it in this show. Hey - at least it is an attractive burlap. I was picturing something like potatoes come in. :)

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  6. So many pretty quilts! Thanks for sharing your trunk show. And thanks for pointing me to the linky, I hadn't seen that yet :)

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  7. Oh wow so creative and your quilting is fabulous! Really love the shot cotton quilt and the scrappy quilt but they are all wonderful! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous work

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  8. From firsts to show quilts = how we grow when we challenge ourselves. The family tree just caught my eye.

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  9. Oh my, the quilting on these is amazing! thanks for sharing

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  10. Your quilts are amazing. There is so much quilting inspiration there for me to use on some of my quilts. When you say you use rulers with your domestic machine are we talking a normal sewing machine. I've never heard of anyone doing ruler work with a normal machine. Is it easy, do you need special rulers?

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  11. Wowzers! These quilts are so gorgeous and the quilting on them is amazing. Thanks for sharing your beautiful trunk show!

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  12. Wow isn't it brilliant to trace from there to here. Beautiful quilts and quilting!

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  13. So many bright, wonky and beautiful quilts to look at here. I'll come back to study closer that quilt in picture number three with those wonky squares. Thanks for showing us.

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  14. What a beautiful collection of quilts!

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  15. That "live class" quilt looks like a wood carving; it has such depth to the quilting. What a great display of quilts. Thank you for sharing.

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  16. Beautiful quilts--I must admit a special fondness for the scrappy!

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  17. I like the direction you are going. Mad quilting skills for sure!

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  18. These are all just gorgeous and no wonder you sleep under that beauty! :)

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  19. Gorgeous quilts. I love all of the brights!

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  20. Gorgeous quilts. Love the bright colors and the beautiful quilting. It's hard to pick a favorite out of this set.

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  21. Your quilting is really lovely. Thanks for a great quilt show.

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  22. oooo la la! Ride the Wave and Scrappy Bargello are my faves!

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  23. Wow!! Gorgeous quilts with incredibly stunning quilting! Thank you so much for sharing!

    -Soma

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  24. It was fun to look back over your quilting journey, Judy. That show quilt is one of my favourites. So my style!

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  25. It really is amazing the skills you have honed in such a short time! I've been back at this thing for 5 or 6 years and still haven't gotten a feed dog cover for my Kenmore, lol! But look out, cuz when I finally do.... :) Seriously, you have a wonderful trunk full, so glad you decided to join in on the fun!!!

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  26. Thanks for sharing. Love the quilts with Oakshott fabric. It has such a wonderful lustre.

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  27. You've certainly accomplished a lot in your short quilting journey. So many great quilts here!

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  28. It is so fun to see some of my favorite quilts of yours here, Judy, along with a handful of quilts that are new to me. Getting to see how we have all evolved has been one of the best features of this trunk show.

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  29. Such quilty goodness! What a great variety of quilts you have challenged yourself with. I love the scrappy quilt, and also the pink circle quilt. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!
    Wendy

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  30. Oh my goodness, your quilts are oozing with the most glorious of colours and design. Love, love, love that hexie quilt! What a glorious quilter you are....the quilting is amazing! Soooo much inspiration filled within your trunk of quilts!

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  31. Judy, I LOVE your trunk show. :D Every quilt is fantastic. I adore it when quilters use non-traditional fabrics as in your first. You may hate pastels, but you made that challenge come out fantastic. I really need to find a ruler foot for my Sapphire and try using them with my domestic quilting.

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  32. Wow!! I am blown away by your Family Tree quilt! Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilting journey!
    Susie

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  33. Burlap?! Oh, my sister would *love* that! :) I had no idea your quilting journey had started so recently - your work is so fantastic. Whenever I am stuck on a quilting design I look at your work for inspiration. I love that whole cloth quilt. Oh heck, I love all your work! Thanks for sharing your trunk with us.

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  34. Love your trunk show. You are a very accomplished machine quilter. I love fabric challenges and like you I don't work with pastels but sometimes it is good to try things outside your comfort zone. I think you did a great job of the quilt. Thanks for sharing your work.

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  35. Fantastic post, Judy...honest and inspiring! Love the 'lessons learned' aspect of every project. (Though, I am still wondering what would inspire you to use burlap in a quilt?) Great trunk show. :-)

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