Sunday, May 31, 2009

Three at once

Some might call it an inability to concentrate, but I prefer to think of it as an ability to multitask. I was busy this weekend.
I cut squares out of the first piece of string fabric I put together. There will be much greater variation when all the pieces are made, but I just couldn't wait. There will be pieces with dashes of brights, too.
I had put only 2 of the checkered borders on this I Spy. I always get bogged down when I get to the borders because the fun is over by then. But I bit the bullet today and put on the remaining 2 checkered strips and the green border, and then pieced and attached the outer border. Just have to piece the backing, sandwich, quilt, and bind!
I also went through two boxes of t-shirts that my sister sent me almost two years ago! She asked me to make a quilt of them as a memento of the various military assignments her husband has had over the years. I was going to have it ready when they returned from overseas this summer, but they came home several months earlier than expected and I had not even started! There are so many shirts that I think I'll make two tops -- one with black and gold fabrics added (the colors of the US Military Academy) and one with red, white and blue. I've sorted the shirts into those two groups and now I'm going to wash and prep them.

And for your viewing pleasure, found art:
The beautiful new Champaign Public Library has funky air vents. Aren't the different sized holes so much more interesting than row after row of identical slots? And wouldn't that be a great quilt -- each block representing something artistically interesting in the building!

23 comments:

Brenda said...

I'm all for multi-tasking! great projects, and good inspiration at the air vent.

Beena said...

I love the blue string pieced blocks, and the I Spy quilt. Sounds like you had a really productive weekend! I envy you!
I really do like the uniqueness of this air vent. It's very modern. Usually, they just look so cold and "utility-like". Way back when, some of them had very ornate scroll work. I guess it isn't economically practical to do that anymore. Which is too bad. Just because something is functional, doesn't mean it can't be aesthetically appealing.

Clare said...

I love the blues. That is going to be one wonderful quilt.

I love metal work like that.

Twisted Quilts said...

The blues went together beautifully. I also like the black and white border on the I Spy, interesting. Love the AC vents, I thought it was a quilt at first.

Joyce said...

I really like the multi-borders on the I Spy quilt. The t-shirt one looks like a big project! Or projects..

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Multitasking is the term for women because we are the best at it.

I love the border on the I Spy.

The T-shirt quilt(s) project looks like a big one. I'm sure it will be fun when you get to the layout stage. Fusing all of the shirts is not the fun part.

Belvie said...

I really like the checked border on that I Spy quilt!

You have a nice collection of T-shirts to work with. I want to make a T-shirt quilt using my son's track T-shirts. Only problem is his are really worn since that was his wardrobe through undergrad and grad school.

That's an interesting vent cover. I haven't seen unique ones like that before.

Tonya Ricucci said...

ooh, cool vent cover. I can see that as a way to put together words for a quilt... I think I have words and letters stuck in my brain.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I've made one t-shirt quilt and it turned out great.

Nylon tricot fusible interfacing - cut in 16" squares and fused to the backside of the t-shirt fronts - I then trimmed them down to 12" squares before laying out the design. Machine quilted like a dream!

Good luck (LOVE the blues and LOVE the skinny checkered inner border!)

The Calico Cat said...

Love that I SPY, you've got some great prints! (Aren't squares easier than hexagons!) & your borders PERFECT! :oP~

The Calico Cat said...

I forogt - I am saving onsies for a baby t-shirt quilt... :o)

SueR said...

Love that I Spy, and the blue squares too. You've really got a boatload of tees, can't wait to see what you do with them.

Libby said...

I love the productivity! It definitely looks like youve got your work cut out for you with those t-shirts. I love t-shirt quilts, but the preparation part definitely takes a while! They will love it though, I'm sure.

Magpie Sue said...

Love the air vent. Wonder how long it will be before someone does make a quilt like it?! I also love the hamburger print in your I Spy quilt!

YankeeQuilter said...

That checkered border is great! Those vents are a hoot...did anyone see you taking photos? My Dh sometimes gets embarrassed and walks on like he doesn't know me when I take photos of things like air vents!

Elaine Adair said...

Oh yes - the grating is PERFECT for a quilt!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

ART Everywhere! Very cool. Hey I lvoe the blue quilt blocks!! Awesome. can't wait to see what you do to finish them! the tshirt project looks like a BIG project. good luck!

laura west kong said...

Love those blues ... and the checkered border on the I-spy. 1/4" black and white check is one of my favorite fabrics.

That grate would make a GREAT quilt design! =(^_^)=

sewkalico said...

You have been busy again! The blues look great and your quilt with the fun border is just fab. I shall be interested to see how you tackle all those t-shirts!

Rachel said...

I love your blues. That is going to be such a nice quilt. And your eye-spy one is great. The little one who gets that will really enjoy looking at all the fun pictures.

meggie said...

Some very interesting ideas here!

Cathi said...

The air vent is intriguing! What a great quilt design!! Love the blues and your I-Spy quilt. I'm really curious to see what you do with the T-shirts.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

I spy a cute kid's quilt! I made a t-shirt quilt a year or two ago. I can say that it was a big success, as I saw it being used the last time I visited my daughter.