Karen Lewis
Showing posts with label Karen Lewis. Show all posts
horseplay
Today I'm sharing another project that ignited my creativity, reinforced my style and encouraged me to push my skills. I am so happy with this finished table runner, which now sits pride of place on top of my fabric cupboard (no longer covered in mess!).
I created this runner in the summer as part of the #justjudecollaborates series of makes organised by Judith Hollies. It's actually made using the Horseplay cushion pattern by talented designer Kerry Foster of PennyDog Patchwork.
The fabric pull took a long time. I really liked the fabrics Kerry used in her original version. It was a struggle finding a print combination that would work, and having decided that it would ultimately live in our dining room/my sewing space, I wanted it to not be too fussy. I picked out some pastel solids but then added in more deeper jewel tones of mustard, blue, turquoise and raspberry. Now if you told me that list I wouldn't be convinced it would work but somehow combined with the pastels it looked pretty. Thinking it may be too flat, some pastel prints were added in the mix and I hit on a combination I really love.
The darker print that Kerry used in her cushion adds such depth to the pattern so I knew there had to be some contrast. I tried a dark solid grey but again it was too flat with the other solids. Then I unearthed one of my favourite Karen Lewis prints from my stash, Trellis in Coal from Blueberry Park, and may have squealed! (I must ask Karen if there's a chance Trellis could be re-released!)
Of course the grid pattern of the print wouldn't stay perfectly symmetrical as some pieces of the pattern are curves, but the intersections look like sparkles and it fit so well with the theme I was going for.
Stitch Gathering 2018
Real life wobbles, true friends and bunches of creativity! //
There is something so special about spending time with kindred spirits; especially those people that understand fabric love, why we cut up fabric and sew it back together, the procraftination brought about by a quilt needing to be basted, etc. Quilt retreats are the place where we can enjoy talking about sewing and actually doing it! Earlier this month I went to the Stitch Gathering, organised by lovely Jo Avery of mybearpaw. I taught in 2017 and was thrilled to be asked to teach again this year.
Jo has this fun tradition of people making a 'ticket' when they attend, this year it was dog and cat blocks. They will be made into charity quilts, which is great! This is my resting cat block, using Jo's block pattern, made with appropriately themed fabric she sent me. I spent ages choosing the background fabric, digging through my stash looking for the perfect bright print. The red disco dot shouted at me and is a good mix of fun and cat sass.
I'm going to write a bit about the day, but before I do I feel the need to share that it wasn't so easy for me. I've been struggling with anxiety for a while now and it has this horrible way of either totally jumping out of nowhere, like a massive spider; or creeping stealthily, clawing it's way into my thoughts and building up slowly before it attacks. I notice that more now, aware of what is going to happen. For the few days leading up to the retreat I saw it coming - I doubted myself, I worried about plans, I checked the door was locked too many times, I cried for no reason, snapped, etc.
And this wasn't scary; I know lots of the wonderful people that were going, I've done it before, everyone is supportive and I love teaching. I told my friend, she gave me a few loving and wise words for me to think about. It really helped and I used all the tools I know and have, to deal with those irrational thoughts and feelings. I am functioning with anxiety. I'm sharing this because if I don't, it will seem like another 'oh it was amazing' post and it WAS but it feels important to write how it felt before I went, as a reminder to myself that I CAN and DO do these sociable things and that during and after the event it is all GOOD!
Here is the gathering!
The morning was my opportunity to be a student, always eager to learn and especially when my friend Karen Lewis is the tutor. I have wanted to take a class with her for a long time and it was super exciting to get to play with cutting lino, fabric paint and stamping. Here's a glipse at a couple of my attempts and I will be doing more of this. So much fun and possibility. Karen is an awesome teacher!
In the afternoon I taught an improvised English Paper Piecing / applique class 'Bloom in EPP', everyone came up with such brilliant ways of combining shapes and using epp in a slightly different way. This is one of my favourite classes to teach because it's so different and really allows people to explore their creativity and also learn some new ways and tricks for stitching! I was a bit wired on caffeine, excited seeing all the epp combinations and completely forgot to take any pictures but here is a shot of some of my original blooms:
Or course it was amazing to be able to see friends, meet new people and be around inspiring creatives. There was a brilliant show and tell (again failed with the photography) and it's so nice hearing about peoples process and stories of quilt making.
Another nice part of the retreat is the swapping! This year I took part in the pincushion swap and my partner was gorgeous Natalie. I know she likes flowers and purple, I was seemingly influenced by autumn too as I picked out these rich fabrics.
pretty and novel stash
This week I got a squishy fabric parcel from Fabricworm and I had stuffed that envelope full of sale goodies!
I'm trying to shop smart and after assessing what I already have in my stash I knew I needed some more good blender prints and I'm lacking fun prints for fussy cutting so I was on the hunt for those too.
First I couldn't resist this sweet fortune teller print, which is lawn and so beautiful to the touch. The Aneela Hoey print was one I had seen someone use and fell in love with it and Blueberry Park is always fabulous as it plays so nicely with other fabrics.
left to right: Fortune Teller in Light Pink, Sleeping Porch by Heather Ross; Jenny's Plaid in Smoke, Stay Gold by Aneela Hoey; Flowerbed in Glacier, Blueberry Park by Karen Lewis and Trellis in Coal, Blueberry Park by Karen Lewis.
And I picked out some random prints that just drew me in with their cuteness! Like this playful cat border print and prints with hot pink in them:
Finally how great are these funky sewing themed prints?! I think these will make cute pouches and pincushions. Actually I'm sure that both these fabrics will find there way into lots of my projects, I can't resist those charming illustrations!
Notions in pink and Machines in blue, Thimbles and Threads by Robert Kaufman
I may have done a little black friday shopping too so there will be more to come! Did anyone else succumb to the sales?
Speaking of... quickly pop over to my Etsy shop because there is a discount on my patterns through Cyber Monday, click here for the sale! (no code required, discount has already been applied). A great excuse to pick up patterns and use up some of that fabric ;)
linking up to Sunday Stash with Molli Sparkles
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