Thursday, June 12, 2008

Stuff I'm working on

One million layouts later and I'm no happier... all suggestions welcome! I've been playing with the layout for my Stroop quilt (and I didn't think to photograph each time, wish I had). I quickly tossed the words down on the background just for this photo, to give you an idea. The light was streaming in and the black borders on the words were unfolding, but at least I managed to get my toes in the lens!

I have tried putting the words across the fabric horizontally and I've tried them going helter-skelter (which ended up being my least favorite look), but nothing quite works. I don't know whether it's simply my usual doubts in the throes of any project, or whether I just need to keep trying. I'm thinking I may want some small squares of color in addition to the words, and that may help. I have border and binding ideas, but first I need to figure out the center!

Friday I spent the day stitching with my friend Bunny. We've "known" each other for a long time through our Project Linus quilts, but didn't meet face-to-face until last week. Bunny invited me to her house to work on Priority Quilts for Ami Simm's Alzheimer's fund raising.

We ended up doing lots more talking than stitching, and it was so much fun! Bunny made a mask quilt and I decided to play around with a pieced black-and-white background that I think will be perfect for a colorful applique on top. I still haven't stitched rows together, but I laid a few out and added some bright scraps for the photo so you'll see what I'm planning.

I also pieced a Yellow Brick Road quilt for Here's a Hug. The Central Illinois chapter of Project Linus is making blankets for children whose mothers are in prison. The mothers have specified their children's interests and favorite colors, and we're making quilts for each child. Someone donated a YBR outdoor themed kit to us and it perfectly fit the interests of one of the teenage girls. There's a tiger print for the border, but I'm not sure whether I'll use that or find another fabric.
Yellow Brick Road quilts are awesome in their efficient use of fabric, but they are not that interesting to make. Still, sometimes I want nothing more than stitching row after row after row of nice, straight seams.

I'm off tomorrow for several days -- my daughter Valerie is graduating from college this weekend! We're so happy for her, and are eager to see all the California family who will be there to help us celebrate. One of my nieces says it's a real possibility that she'll deliver a baby while we're there, too! The more, the merrier!

23 comments:

Mary Johnson said...

I had my Wonky trees out a couple weeks ago playing around with a layout but seem to be having the same problem. I orginally wanted a larger quilt and then thought since I was struggling a smaller one using the trees I already had made would be best but I'm still undecided how to set them all together so I put the blocks away for now.

meggie said...

You have so many projects on the go at once!

Wouldn't it be lovely, if the baby arrives while everyone is together!
Congratulations to your Daughter.

Bunny said...

Cheri, I love the b&w background. "Small world": I have about a yard and 2/3 of what I think is that same zebra fabric in your 'here's a hug' quilt! Let me know if you need more. However, I think that tiger fabric might be great. Bunny

Tracey in CT said...

I think maybe the color words needs a little something more. strips of color around each word maybe? Or spiky triangles of solid colors on black background interspersed witht he words? A free pieced rainbow?

If your brain works like mine does, you'll probably dream the solution some night!

Bunny said...

Did I say 1 and 2/3rds? Silly me. It's about 2 and 2/3rds yards. Bunny

Joyce said...

I think your letters need more colors. Maybe you could add trees or wonky stars or some of each. You could also have blocks that contrast with the letters or blend so that people have to search for the words. With wonky I always think more is better. More colors, more pieces, more patterns. Or they could be a border around something else.

Paula, the quilter said...

or you could use your letters as a border around a medallion or a piece of fabric you just don't want to cut. You get the idea...

Toni said...

I'm lost on giving you ideas for your color blocks :(

You are busy and doing great charity work--you go girl!!

Have a safe trip this weekend and congrats to you and your daughter!!

susan said...

i like how it is laid out there, maybe you could add colorful blocks in betweent the words?? i like it as is actually

Donna said...

I wonder if the strope quilt is just too simple? Whould words about position (such as up and down, corner, side..) in the "wrong" places help? Or, as I type this, I wonder about making 2 or 3 borders around each colour word, in a selection of the colour names you've used, and then use the black/black &white to "fill in the holes" making the piece into the size and shape you want -- that is don't use the B/B&W to surround every word, but as "filler"...

I don't know, a couple of ideas...

Cathi said...

I love the idea of the black and white as a background for some colourful applique!

I like Quilt Pixie's idea of framing each word with 2 or 3 borders.

Norma said...

I think I would just scatter blocks of random color all around between the letters.....nothing too uniform, just splashes of each color. Whatever you do, I love those color words!

Congratulations.........as a parent it is your acomplishment that she is graduating! And maybe a baby...........what fun.

Norma said...

I think I would just scatter blocks of random color all around between the letters.....nothing too uniform, just splashes of each color. Whatever you do, I love those color words!

Congratulations.........as a parent it is your acomplishment that she is graduating! And maybe a baby...........what fun.

Helen in the UK said...

The words are wonderful so far, but you're right ... the setting is make or break!!
I think you definately need some more colour added somehow, but I'm not sure how - sorry :)

sewkalico said...

What about a few squares of each color that the words spell in the centre, put together all liberated and loose... and then the words frame those color squares? Just a thought. (Maybe I need to do you a drawing LOL)

Congrats to your DD!

Clare said...

I agree with Joyce - you need more words/colours. How about white done in black with a white background and vice versa and then use the same black background for the rest of the quilt. If you want to break the black up, you could always put the black and white background fabric round as a thin border before doing, say, a bright red big border, or even a thinnish red border, then the fabric and then another colour to throw the centre out.

Definitely solid black background for the words though.

Tonya Ricucci said...

my first thought was: needs more color. I thought it would be fun to do more color names (in different wrong colors) but I also like the idea of bordering the words in color. more more more. and hey, yes do take more photos as you audition. thanks for the post about Gwen's book too. you can come over and read my copy but then that will just make you want one of your own that much more.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I didn't read the other comments on purpose - I'm seeing the words as segments of the border for a black and white pieced quilt...

jacquie said...

I would love to add random color blocks..different sizes...kind of like here's the word green...find the green...I'm always teaching...what a great way to practice colors! Have fun with it!

Laurel said...

Does the stroop quilt have to be squarish? What about a long skinny wall hanging where the words are stacked one on top of the other in a long row with colors between? Could be fun for the right long narrow space of wall.

Michael5000 said...

I notice that you've arranged the words in order by fabric color, rather than word color....

jillytacy said...

Looks like you've been busy quilting! I like the idea of the strope quilt. I think adding some blocks of colors would be good. If it were me I'd arrange it by Roy G. Biv. I just can't help myself when it comes to rainbow colors. I can't wait to see this when it's finished. What a cool project!

Lisa said...

I love your Stroop quilt as you have it laid out but I know how frustrating it is when you just don't feel it is right. Good luck with the planning. Maybe you need to put it away for a week or 2 and see what comes to you when you're not working on it.
Hugs