Sunday Quilt Inspiration: T R A I N S

First, some trains...

Then some train quilts...

Painted and Quilted and Framed...Oh My a Finish!

I'm not sure which should be listed first, since I both paint and quilt these pieces at the same time. In fact, sometimes I paint then quilt too soon. I can't seem to wait when there's something in my head wanting to get out. 

I've discovered that not waiting can be a bad thing: the needle picks up the paint and the thread dredges through that small, tiny little drop. You can't imagine how much paint can get carried from one stitch to another and another and another.

In other words, it makes a mess. Take the stitches out, right? 
That requires touching the paint and spreading it around via the seam ripper. Bigger mess, that. Okay, so let it dry. Ha! removing stitches that have been stitched and painted on...let's just say it ain't easy and it sure ain't fun!



Honestly, the best option is to stay out of the paint while it's wet. And since it's rough on the needle once it's dry, it's probably a good idea to stay out of the paint altogether. Such a difficult idea to stick with.


But handling the paint and the needle just right means creating a three-dimensional effect, which I really like. On this painting, the largest cotton boll has a high relief that protrudes from the background plane, but it also has a sunken relief caused by the quilting process.  

My goal is to learn more about how to create a variety of reliefs and to learn how light plays on the piece as a result of the quilting and relief work. 

I experimented with the quilting by creating interlocking circles and then echo quilting the shapes that these circles created. I also experimented by playing with size. This one is 12" X 20" and my sweet husband made the frame for me. 

At first I didn't like the piece. I thought the background and the painted sections blended too much. But now that it's finished, it seems to be growing on me. I honestly believe that seeing through my camera lens is what changed my mind. Somehow it has a different look and mood. 
Definitely it has improved my mood!

Thanks for visiting. Please make suggestions and leave comments. I'd love to know what you think.

Linking up with

My Quilt Infatuation

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Pin It Weekly #202

Pin It WeEkly #202! the four year AnnIversary is only 6 weeks away! we're shooting for 25 pins a week until the anniversary! Stick with us and HAPPY WEEKLY.

Lili Collins is a follower who loves movies. How do I know? I've seen her Pinterest boards. My surprise! Of her 45-50 boards, all but about five are of particular movies. You really should see this. I spent too much time (of course) on her movie boards. Then I found this!

Lesa Bolman has 20,000 followers! Her board "That's Clever!" one reason why... 

Love these balloons with glow sticks inside.

Karen Ristau has a board titled "Best Friends." How sweet is this? 

Carolyn Phillips has lots of quilt boards--and I'm going back to check those out--but she also has an "Altered Books" board that I want to share with you.

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: G R E E N

I spent most of today working on a green baby quilt. 

It's been one of the easiest quilts I've ever worked on. I started with scraps a few days ago and have finished the quilting. Only binding and label left to go. Since I have so much green in my head, I thought I may as well go with it. 

 

Green quilts? Oh, there are a few!

Twelve fantastic quilts and I've barely scratched the surface. If you'd like to see more quilts, visit my "Heart, quilts" Pinterest board.

What have you been working on lately? Any particular color?

Have a great week of happy quilting.