Talking your ear off: part 1

Seems with all that’s going on this year, I’m having trouble focusing on any of my own projects.
Luckily, there’s a round of BAM conversations to distract me. It’s been especially nice to spend a little time with a new fabric palette each month and figure out what I want to ‘say’ within that context.

For February, I’m intrigued by A’s print choices. Jewel-toned diamonds, graphic flowers and purple! Well, I like purple.2016BAMNewConvoFOnce I decide to use pink kitties as my signature fabric, I make my Half Square Triangles with the Magic 8’s Method, which incidentally you can find here.2016BAMNewConvoG1As I lay out my blocks they seem to work best along the right-hand side. Actually, one even creates an unexpected house motif. Along with my finish, here are a few of my favorite parts:

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Are you a Square, or do ya’ got Rhythm?

This month, our Quilty Improv Group explored the fifth Score, “Rhythmic Grid,” in Ms Sherry Lynn Wood’s book.
As I looked over my meager stash, I found a lovely bag of ‘destash’ scraps with blue and aqua 2” strips, reds and pink 5” squares, plus a bit of extra fabric. There isn’t a lot to work with, but that makes it more interesting, right?
2016SquaresGotRhythmASkimming the instructions, I started building my grid by adding red strips to blue squares.

2016SquaresGotRhythmBAs I laid these out in my normal 18” format, I realized that they were too predictable, so I switched to a diagonal. 2016SquaresGotRhythmCStill an expected layout, but I’ve yet to work the blue, stripped red squares into the Score. Here are some of the options I played with:

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2016 Birthday Crane Cards

Okay, I’ll admit it.
I just can’t stop making these darling little cranes. My soft case is always at hand, filled with cut papers ready for any occasion.
My annual birthday card client also needs a new design for 2016, and I’ve considered using little cranes in the design. I punch out tiny envelopes and my client LOVES them.

2016BirthdayCraneCardsHere’s a funny coincidence: Isn’t curious how color coordinated I can be? I went to buy more cardstock wearing this lovely new scarf.

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A New Year, A New BAM Conversation

I just couldn’t stay away.

The round robin format that started last year with our ‘yes, and…’ conversations continues and I am able to share little pieces of my creativity with my sewing friends.

Losing no time in January 2016, I start with MN’s fabulous conversation:2016BAMNewConvoA

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Let’s start with a finish

It’s true.2016StartWithFinishList

I’ve not wanted to sew or paint or cut paper or much of anything this year, in light of recent events. However, I sat myself down and looked at my Quilty Project 2015 list, even though I knew it might depress me when I counted how many open projects I have to list already for 2016.

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Adding to the BAM Conversation

Let’s start another conversation.
My Modern Quilt Guild also started an Improv Round Robin after Ms Sherry Lynn Wood’s presentation this summer and I signed right up since I’m always happy to play with other quilter’s fabrics.

2015BAMAddingtotheConvoAFor my September 2015 start above, I came across the ‘orphan block’ I’d originally made for the St Louis swap last summer, (I ended up making another block for that project) and it was perfect! My fabric pull included similar colors, plus some coral and, after ‘adding some shinies’ to the block, it was good to go. Easy Peasy!

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Adding to the Conversation

Our Quilty Improv Group explored another chapter in Ms Sherry Lynn Wood‘s new book. This month, the third Score, “Yes, and,” challenges us to an improvisational round robin conversation. The idea is to listen to what is presented (be it starting fabric or patchwork passed), to affirm and then respond in the moment. Well, within 20 minutes, that is.

Centered, ready at our sewing machines with our chosen fabrics, we begin. Truth be told, I pulled my fabrics just minutes before everyone arrived. I did plan my signature as this little tiger print in teal, orange, lime and pink, that I’m using for another BAMalot “yes, and” group. The rest of my fabrics are similar color scraps: pink/orange strips, partial fuchsia blocks and orphan blocks, including my first 2 Tula City Sampler blocks before I changed up my fabric scheme.

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