Wednesday, September 17, 2014

"you can't rush art"

There is a line in the movie Toy Story 2 where the artist who is repairing Woody says, "you can't rush art". We've quoted that movie a LOT in our house over the past several years and I feel like that one line sums up this quilt project precisely. In fact, I may have found the title for this quilt!
I started this one to just play with my solid scraps and to do some mindless sewing. It's come a long way from the first blocks. It's taken turns that I didn't plan on and I always enjoy that...to "just see where it goes". But then. THEN! I get to a point in the project where I just want it to be done already. I'm at that point with this quilt. I want it to be done, but I know that it isn't done. I guess I need to learn some patience. And quick! Ha!
 
See this little strip? It finishes at about 1" wide. This will probably be my favorite part of the whole quilt! I have a small scrap sickness. (I realize that's not news.)
I feel like I've been able to throw off some of my color inhibitions (I actually used brown and hunter green) in this project. In addition to that, I was able to push myself out of my improv box a little bit. Now if I could just find some more sewing time to see this through to completion, I'd be one happy camper. Or sewist. :)

48 comments:

charlotte said...

I love it. And wow, so many solids.

Seamingly Sarah said...

This is beautiful. I wish I had that many happy solid color scraps laying around. I tend to lean more towards prints, but have looked for more white after starting to follow your blog.

Susanhusan said...

I love it! I guess I have to start collecting solids :)

Kim said...

It has a real Amish feel.
Nicely done.

Happy Sewing

Carmen said...

That little strip is my favorite too! It's something unexpected that catches your eye.

Chancy said...

I love that little strip too!

Svetlana said...

oh my!!!! this is STUNNING!!!! perfectly perfect in every single way.

Beth said...

Awesome progress.

Carla said...

It's official! We all think it is awesome the way it is....so....maybe you ARE done already!! I'm just sayin...
LOVE

Sarah Craig said...

That is crazy gorgeous, Amandajean!! I love it!

Maria said...

Love it !!

Lauren Deel said...

This is phenomenal! I just love it. I can't wait to see how you choose to quilt it, and I'm so glad that I will get to admire it again once you do. :)

coastal gray said...

I hear you on hunter green, I've committed to a quilt with it..... Looking forward to seeing how you quilt it.....

Jana Machado said...

I'm definitely calling this quilt a piece of art. So cool :-)

Sandi said...

Amazing quilt! I love it.

Timi said...

It looks fantastic!!! :o)

suzanprincess said...

I love this quilt, as is--it looks finished to me! I have NO solids in my extensive stash, but after seeing this I will have to get some, or more likely, many.

Karen said...

Stunning!

margaret said...

this shows so perfectly what can be done with scraps, I dream of one day having one like this

Unknown said...

The quilt is gorgeous ... and that ChAiR not to mention the teensie 9-patch at the top of the design wall. :) I'm inspired!!

mo-rie said...

I love this bold quilt! It is so much more fun to play with scraps than to cut into yardage!

Anonymous said...

Hi! This looks fantastic and so ready 'painting' on your wall! I haven't used much solids but now lately I think them day and night so next Project is absolutely with bright solids (and one painting is my inspiration for that). Those little squares are my favourites, too. They are the one Special spot among all the beautiful colours. x Teje

Suzanne said...

Your quilt reminds me of the screen shown on TV when they do a test if the emergency broadcast system. I even see a TV in the center. It's a fantastic example of what trusting your instincts can do.

Lorna McMahon said...

I have been using a lot of solids lately and look forward to having enough scraps to give this a try one day. Thanks so much for the inspiration! You are a master of using the scraps to make quilted art, Amanda Jean.

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Gorgeous! It looks done to me!

Kris said...

Love this so much and especially that little ladder of squares. I too think it is done but I see more pieces off to each side. Maybe a directional change in strips for around the outside? Good luck and it will come to you.

Terri said...

Looks like a fun project to work on! Love all the bright cheery colors.

Unknown said...

Your favorite part is mine, too. What is it about a little line of sqautes like that?! But it is definitely a happy quilt, it show that you are enjoying the process...

Unknown said...

This quilt is so cool! I love the color, of course. I'm a color person. But it's not like anything I've ever seen. I just love it! Can't wait to see how you finish it.

Karen said...

I love it--and all the solids are terrific together! Is that sweet little strip to the left on the wall waiting for a home, too? That one you've already put in the quilt really is an unexpected delight.

Cheryl Arkison said...

You could stop right now and just send me the solid strips? I've got my own solid scrappy project underway. (All thanks to you!)

Sew Hungryhippie said...

I love solids! Well done :D

Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge said...

Love playing with scraps... and I'd love it even more if it turned into something as lovely as this!

liz said...

I'm in love. Looks finished to me. Gorgeous!

Kathleen said...

I agree with Suzanne - it looks like the emergency broadcast system screen from TV. Standing by for how you quilt it! Really, it is just beautiful. You have a knack for scrap :)

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Completely understand the desire to be done with it. Like many have already said I love it the way it is and think you could just call it done because it's great as is. I really like the little narrow pieced strip in the midst of all the regular strips and how the same type of pieced strip off to the left echos that. I think you could just add white in an off center way around the edges and insert one pieced strip set of different sizes on each side and it would be fantastic without needing to piece anymore blocks. Whatever you do though will be great.

Heather said...

I love this ! Inspiring !

janequiltsslowly said...

Well done! You are getting there. Wish I could improve like this, but I get hung up on the straight and narrow. I need to relax & just sew. I also suffer from "small scraptis" but I am not looking for a cure.

Julie said...

An artful display of color and design. Simply beautiful!

cityquilter grace said...

so beautiful...i love working with solids....

Anne Hayward said...

Wow so many solids and scrapy what a fantastic use of all those stray bits, fantastic work well done can't wait to see the finished quilt, quilty hugs

Sharon said...

this is so pretty! it think it is difficult to effectively pull off "improv" piecing, but this is so nice. Love the bright colors!

Anonymous said...

I love this quilt. It is really beautiful. I need to push myself to try some improve like this. I love that little strip of bits to the left of the quilt. And those little ninepatchs are to die for.

Anina said...

So lovely! I do love solids. Congrats on using brown and hunter green. I'm not quite there yet.

Anonymous said...

'small scrap scikness'... That is a great line! Amanda you are able to use scraps like no other.

Qnique Quilter said...

Love you design.

Anonymous said...

Another quote: "Art is partly communication, but only partly. The rest is discovery." -William Golding, novelist, playwright, poet, Nobelist (1911-1993)

So you're still discovering!

Live a Colorful Life said...

I need to pull all of the solid scraps out of my overflowing scrap basket and start something like this. I just adore it!