Creative Quilts

The beginning of something wonderful!

2010-01-13T13:43:00.000-08:00

This photograph is the first thing to inspire me to jump into a project in a very long time. As an artist, a creative dry spell is like having a long term illness. Sometimes you find just the right stuff to get you motivated. This feels like mega doses of vitamin B!

My plan is to print this out on fabric, expand the design into the borders and quilt the detail with wonderful Floriani thread.

I so appreciate the chance to quilt one of God's beautiful creations and could never have drawn, painted, imagined such a beautiful scene. He IS the ultimate artist.

This photogaph was taken by Bobby Trotter on the Beech Gap Trail (North Carolina side of The Great Smoky Mountains). Thank you Bobby, for allowing me to use your beautiful photograph.

Stay tuned for updates!

Quilter's Roadshow - Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Townsend, TN

2010-01-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spent the day at Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend, Tennessee.

The Smoky Mountain Quilters held a special work day in conjunction with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains. This included presentation of quilts to 3 soldiers as part of the Quilts of Valor program, demonstrations by fellow quilters, and a bed turning (display of quilts) by Merikay Waldvogel - famous quilt historian. It was a great day even though the temperature barely broke 20. These are some samples of my machine quilting demonstration that will soon be small bags and glasses cases. These are perfect little items for so many things! They are available for purchase for only $7! Let me know if you'd like to buy 1 or 10! Free shipping!

I am working up a class in Free Motion Machine Quilting to be offered on a Saturday in March. Please let me know if you are interested and I'll put you on my list. It's fun and easy and I take a different approach to teaching it. We will focus on relaxing, having fun with it and making it beautiful! No Shoulder Crunching! If there are a few people in your area that would like to get together for the class I would love to come where you are! It's easy to work out the details!!!

The desire to paint....

2010-01-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been inspired by the beautiful colors of Lumiere paints by Jacquard. I have no painting experience but do have brushes and fabric...so off I went into the world of the unknown....

Painting on fabric can be addictive....

This went on for several hours.

I can see these embellished with stitching and beadwork...

Inspiration!

2009-07-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday I spent part of my day at the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville, Tennessee. I am not sure what other people take pictures of at a quilt show...but I get great inspiration from the textures created in quilts like you see here. The middle one is Renae Haddadin's awesome quilt. She received the blue ribbon for Longarm Workmanship (something like that). I got to chat with her briefly as she was demonstrating. She's a true visionary of the machine quilting world...I really admire her work. The other two pics are small portions of very pretty quilts. As I strolled through the mostly traditional works of art I was a bit uninspired. Mainly because I find having to stay within the squares confining. I much more prefer to venture outside the lines and create wonderful texture.

I found a booth that offered silk hankies, fabric paints, videos on making art quilts and the most wonderful set of books on art quilting that I've ever come across. Karen Pharr Studios (www.karenpharrstudios.com) I made a wish list. I purchased one book and 2 videos. They have proving to be great purchases and I'm loving the inspiration and stepping outside the lines. The book is called Raising the Surface with Machine Embroidery by Maggie Grey. What an amazing book. More to follow!!

Don't Cover up Your Daisies

2009-07-22T03:42:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday. I thought about making a card with a cake on it or candles. I opted for grass. I started with a beautiful piece of orange and some pieces of fabric that already had fusible webb on them and cut them in little pieces of grass. I playfully added them and they were flowing nicely. I used different color threads to mock the shape and create blades of grass all along the bottom reaching for the sky. I was looking forward to playing....

Then I thought - I'll add a little bunch of daisies in my grass...I used to doodle patches of daisies as a kid and thought I'd add a little patch in here. So I carefully stitched the petals and the stems and the accents... and EWE! I didn't like it. Suddenly this project wasn't so fun and I had to cover them up because they didn't look right. So I covered up the daisies and tried to make it look like it was meant to be this way. Mistake! Doing that changed the whole piece and my whole frame of mind about the piece. I didn't like it after that. I actually wanted to start over. That's not allowed.

So as this project is meant to do, I learned something. Not only did I learn that I should have gone with the flow - but that I should not cover up the daisies in my life and let them be. They are beautiful where ever they grow even if they are imperfect. God put them there for me to enjoy.

Postcard Journaling

2009-07-21T03:07:00.000-07:00

I'm Blocked! I didn't realize it until I left a wonderful artists studio yesterday filled with beaded work, handmade books, quilts, dolls, jewelry, purses, journals and quilted postcards..I know there was so much more.

I realized I have become a little afraid in my work. I have gotten so wrapped up in my "real" job, family and chores that I have forgotten to play.

So I've begun this little exercise that is supposed to take only an hour of my day to help me be more creative and stop overthinking everything.

I'm calling it postcard journaling.

I've never made postcards before but they look like fun. Quick little projects that don't have to be perfect and I can get my "completed project" fix. Hopefully it will get me out of my box.

This is the first installment called "Just Keep Swimming"...(from the movie finding Nemo)

This started as a scanned piece of art from a child's fingerpainting, printed on fabric and machine quilted. The fish is from an obnoxious piece of fabric with fish and mermaids on it...He's better out of his box as well! I have to get some tyvec for the back and finish the edges... tomorrow is my birthday - maybe I'll make a cake!

2009-04-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

These little glasses cases originate from my designs in Photoshop. They are printed on fabric, intricately quilted and assembled. Contact me if you are interested in making a purchase. They can be made to order. Currently they are only available for sale through this blog and at The Village Tinker, in Maryville, TN.

The Village Tinker, located at 417 W. Broadway Ave.,

across from the Maryville municipal building.

2008-12-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

Lately I have very little time for big quilt projects. These are some textured pieces I'm working on. Adding a different thread color adds depth and luminosity at the same time.

I've been turning these into cosmetic bags of all shapes & sizes. Great Gifts!

75th Anniversary of TVA

2008-09-03T11:13:00.001-07:00

This is one of 3 identical 100" x 100" quilts made to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Authority. It features black and white photos of memorable events and places depicting life before and after electricity was brought to the southeast in 1933. I had the pleasure of working with Darlene Bakos on this quilt and we were very proud to have this quilt displayed in the West Tower of the TVA facilities in Knoxville, TN. The other 2 sister quilts will have a life of their own. One quilt will be donated for a charity auction and the other will be donated (recipient yet to be determined). The quilt was designed and quilted by me and expertly pieced and bound by Darlene Bakos.

2008-09-03T11:09:00.001-07:00

The Space Quilt was designed and pieced by Darlene Bakos and her sisters. I had the pleasure of playing on the surface of this quilt with many colors of threads and quilting designs.

My Beautiful Contrary Wife

2008-09-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

My Beautiful Contrary Wife - Received honorable Mention in the Smoky Mountain Quilters annual quilt show, May 2008. This was entered in the 2 person team category and was a collaboration with my friend, Darlene Bakos, of Gingersnap Quilts. It is a combination of my design, Darlene's magnificent piecework, my machine quilting, and Darlene's excellent binding skills.

The quilt is covered in feathers and pebbles and is set in the medallion style to give me lots of room to play with my machine quilting.

This quilt has just been accepted to the AQS Des Moines, IA show and will be in competition there in October.

2007-10-14T05:42:00.001-07:00

Honorable Mention-Pacific International Quilt Festival
2007, Santa Clara, California

Diamond Feathers Nine

I had the pleasure of quilting this quilt which was expertly pieced by Darlene Bakos. We were honored to be among some of the quilting elite in this category.

TRADITIONAL:

First Place: #2024 Sugar & Spice by Renae Haddadin

Second Place: #2078 Butterfly’s Delight by Mildred SorrellThird Place: #2004 Kachina by Marilyn Badger & Myrna Ficken

Honorable Mentions (3):
#2007 Diamond Feathers Nine by Darlene Bakos & Debbie McMurray

#2093 Victorian Elegance by Ann Westbrook

#2058 Big Bird Blues by Claudia Clark Myers & Marilyn Badger

Linda's Basket Quilt

2007-09-23T06:29:00.001-07:00

This beautiful quilt is my client's first quilt! Amazing!

This quilt won 3rd place in the Smoky Mountain Quilters annual quilt show in Knoxville, TN in 2008! Way to go Linda!!!

2007-09-23T06:27:00.001-07:00

Interior Corner of the basket quilt.

Freehand Feathers

2007-09-23T06:26:00.001-07:00

Corner on the Basket Quilt - echo quilting makes the design stand out.

Farmhouse Square

2007-09-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

Quilted by Debbie McMurray, perfectly pieced by Darlene Bakos. Currently a part of the exclusive Blackberry Farm Quilt Collection.

2007-09-13T07:30:00.001-07:00

Farmhouse Square Back

Quilted by Debbie McMurray, perfectly pieced by Darlene Bakos. Currently a part of the exclusive Blackberry Farm Quilt Collection.

Dancing Pinwheel

2007-09-13T07:29:00.001-07:00

Quilted by Debbie McMurray, Pieced by Darlene Bakos. Private Collection of Blackberry Farm

Feathered Star Hovering Hawks

2007-09-13T07:26:00.001-07:00

This is the central portion of this large quilt. and is surrounded by Hovering Hawks blocks.

Quilted by Debbie McMurray, perfectly pieced by Darlene Bakos. Currently a part of the exclusive Blackberry Farm Quilt Collection.

2007-09-13T07:25:00.001-07:00

Close up photo of the corner of this Feathered Star Hovering Hawks quilt.

Quilted by Debbie McMurray, perfectly pieced by Darlene Bakos. Currently a part of the exclusive Blackberry Farm Quilt Collection.

Smoky Mountain Bearpaw

2007-09-13T07:23:00.001-07:00

Quilted by Debbie McMurray, perfectly pieced by Darlene Bakos. It is now a part of the exclusive Blackberry Farm Quilt Collection.

2007-09-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

Smoky Mountain Bear Paw Back
Quilted by Debbie McMurray, perfectly pieced by Darlene Bakos. Currently a part of the exclusive Blackberry Farm Quilt Collection.

2007-08-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

Sierra's Quilt

This quilt is a gift to a very special friend.

2007-08-16T10:14:00.001-07:00

This T-Shirt Quilt was made for a senior on his way to college. Bright orange and black make a stunning background for his shirts.

2007-08-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Liz's Stars Quilt for her son and his wife.

Beautiful design made by her out of Thimbleberry fabrics.

Border design is quilted in Piano Key style with straight lines in the little stars and randomly placed feather designs in each of the larger stars.

Check out the detail on pics below.

2007-08-16T10:08:00.001-07:00

Star Detail - Free form feathers

2007-08-16T10:06:00.001-07:00

Star Detail - Free Form Feathers

2007-08-16T09:59:00.001-07:00

Star Detail - free form feathers

2007-08-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

Star Detail - free form feathers

2007-08-16T09:56:00.001-07:00

Star Detail - freehand feathers

2007-08-07T09:20:00.001-07:00

Another Mayde Creek Quilt!

Claire't shirts and memorabilia combine for a great tribute to her childhood.

This is a variable style t-shirt quilt custom designed to include all 41 items.

Laura's Childhood Memories

2007-08-04T05:07:00.001-07:00

Childhood Memory Quilt for Laura

Items include baby blanket in the center, dresses, t-shirts, monogrammed sweater and frilly baby outfit.

The quilt measures 60" x 70" and is heavily feathered in the background.

Trip to Trinidad in the Park

2007-07-24T13:10:00.001-07:00

Trip to Trinidad is a beautifully colored variation of Trip Around the World. This quilt contains 1599 squares with a 10" border. It measures over 100" square.

It was masterfully pieced by Darlene Bakos of Gingersnap Quilts.

I thoroughly enjoyed quilting this beautiful quilt using variegated threads. It was quilted in free form fashion using my Gammill longarm quilting machine.

Trip to Trinidad Border Detail

2007-07-24T13:07:00.001-07:00

Trip to Trinidad features a free form border treatment of my own wavy fern design. If you look carefully you can see one of the randomly placed sunburst patterns in the blue area.

This was pieced by Darlene Bakos of Gingersnap Quilts. I machine quilted this in a free form manner using my Gammill Longarm Quilting Machine.

Trip To Trinidad

2007-07-24T13:03:00.001-07:00

Trip to Trinidad photographed in the park. The colors are stunning. This beautiful quilt has been expertly pieced by Darlene Bakos of Gingersnap Quilts.

I had the opportunity to quilt this masterpiece free form using a variegated thread on my Gammill longarm quilting machine.

Tribute to a Father

2007-07-17T05:58:00.001-07:00

Dad's Clothes is a commissioned quilt made to honor a beloved father.

Each of the fabrics in this quilt are his clothing items. They range from red plaid flannel to brightly colored Hawaiian prints.

His photo in the center reveals a lovely smile and a warm heart.

Families Are Like Quilts

2007-07-17T05:12:00.001-07:00

Families are like quilts, lives pieced together, stitched with memories, and bound by love.

This quilt was a gift for a 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was my pleasure to make this quilt in a random star pattern with photo transfer. I marveled at the stories of love and God's presence as these families adopted each other and bound together.

Blazing Star Wall Hanging

2007-07-16T15:15:00.001-07:00

Blazing Star Wallhanging expertly pieced by
Darlene Bakos of Gingersnap Quilts, Maryville, Tennessee.

Heirloom Machine Quilting by Debbie McMurray
of Creative Quilts, Alcoa, Tennessee.

This quilt is now in the private collection of
Blackberry Farm.

Blazing Star Back

2007-07-16T15:10:00.001-07:00

Heirloom Machine Quilting by Debbie McMurray of Creative Quilts, Alcoa, Tennessee.

Swirled Feathers in the corners surrounded by pebbles. Intricately quilted in the central portion in a serpentine pattern.

This quilt is reversible and resembles a snowflake on the back.

Expertly pieced by Darlene Bakos of Gingersnap Quilts.

Diamond Feathers Nine Wins 3rd Place

2007-07-16T14:36:00.002-07:00

Diamond Feathers Nine won 3rd Place in the 2 Person Quilt Category at the Smoky Mountain Quilters Quilt Show and Competition, May, 2007.

This quilt is expertly pieced by Darlene Bakos of Gingersnap Quilts, Maryville, Tennessee using reproduction Civil War Fabrics. It was then longarm machine quilted by Debbie McMurray 0f Creative Quilts, Alcoa, Tennessee.

www.gingersnapquilts.blogspot.com

2007-04-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

Claire's Quilt

This is a graduation present for Claire. Her many years of swimming are reflected here on this quilt. There are 54 shirts and an art block on this quilt.

Congratulations and Best Wishes Claire!

2007-04-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

Susan's Cat Quilt

Congratulations to my T-Shirt Quilt Class student Susan for her completion of this beautiful quilt.

It features kitty cat t-shirts. She chose a cute kitty face fabric for the front and there are paws on the back.

She let me quilt and bind it for her using variegated thread.

2007-04-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

Worlds Greatest Grandpa

This is my most recent commisson - made for a family in the loss of a wonderful man.

This memorial quilt features clothing items, hats, memorabilia and a very special photo in the center.

All the fabrics used in this quilt are grandpa's clothing with the exception of the green and yellow (green bay colors!) requested by the family.

2007-04-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

Diamond Feathers Nine
Cross Section of Blocks

Exquisite Pieceing by Darlene Bakos of Gingersnap Quilts.

A simple pattern of nine patch pieced with alternating quarter square triangle blocks can result in the illusion that the blocks are placed on point.

I feathered this quilt heavily within each block. This quilt has about 24 hours of machine quilting in it.
A full size photo will follow.

This quilt will be entered in the Smoky Mountain Quilters 27th Annual quilt show at Pellissippi State Community College in Campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, May 18-20, 2007. It will be offered for sale.

2007-04-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Diamond Feathers Nine
Border Detail

The inner border is a repeat of the detail in the diamond within the 9 patch block. The outer border is quilted with feather reaching for the center from the corners.

2007-04-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Diamond Feathers Nine
Exquisitely pieced by Darlene Bakos of Gingersnap Quilts.

This quilt is 75" x 85" and features fabric reproductions from the Civil War.

She is heavily feathered within each block and features a diamond in the center of the nine patch, also intricately quilted.

Esmerelda & Rubi Detail

2007-04-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

Esmerelda & Rubi

Up close and personal! She was a joy to create.

Esmerelda & Rubi Back

2007-04-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Esmerelda's back is Red Hot Satin. She is very proud of her feathers!

Esmerelda & Rubi (Emeralds & Rubies)

2007-04-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Esmerelda & Rubi has been selected as 4th place Winner in 2007 AQS show in Paducah!

She was designed and quilted by me and pieced and bound by my quilt angel, Darlene Bakos. She is superb at piecing and it is ALWAYS perfectly matched at the corners.

The challenge dictated that only red and green fabrics could be used. She is feathered to the hilt.

It's MS. Pansy

2007-04-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

Ms. Pansy has gained a little more personality and is catching a few rays. After seeing this in photo I will add more wool to the top to ground the triangle and make the center more subtle by toning down the bright yellow. Even though the yellow thread matched the center perfectly, I don't think Mother Nature intended for her middle to be so prominent. Reminds me of my own middle.

2007-04-09T03:10:00.000-07:00

The Pansy Quilt is almost finished. I added some glitter her petals and finished her background. She's almost ready for binding and some bling here and there. She's patiently waiting on the design wall - speaking to me about her beautiful yellow center. Beads...maybe some more thread. We'll see.

The Pansy

2007-04-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

The Pansy Quilt is evolving.

It began as a beautiful photograph of the Pansies in a flower pot on my front porch. The depth of color and the beautiful center demanded attention. Each layer of thread I add leads me to another color of thread that needs to be added and so on.

Random Acts of Creativity

2007-04-03T04:21:00.000-07:00

Random Acts of Creativity describes my artistic life. Between the full time opportunities that come with a quilt making business and the every day events of life with boys into sports lies a wannabe artist. One who would spend hours photographing beautiful sunrises and sunsets and painting them with thread.