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Clean Sweep

I got an early start in the studio today so that I could clean up to start the next project. I started by folding and sorting all of the batiks that were covering every surface. Here are my piles with some semblance of order.

Here they are in their bins and  stored in the Ikea cabinet.

After a good sweeping of the scraps on the floor, I felt ready to forge ahead. First, I had to do some grocery shopping, get in a power walk in the rain and have lunch. Then, the creative block set in. I have had this piece roaming around in my head and showing up in my doodles for weeks. It is my attempt to abstract the hillside housing of Israel.

I decided to go with a simple square in a square — actually a wonky square in a wonky square. This is what I have so far. The fabric is all fused so I will eventually overlap and seal to batting.I used bright blue with yellow for the sky because the sun shines every day in Israel! But, I think I need to vary the sizes a little more.

I am unblocked and having fun with this. I had to quit to come up and watch Top Chef. New season, great food.

And now, a little mom brag. Lisa has one of her signature patchwork pillows in the new Stitch magazine, put out by Quilting Arts.

7 Responses to “Clean Sweep”

  1. Judy says:

    Congrats to Lisa!!! Wow!!! Lord, how proud you must be of all of your kids! That pillow is just dy-no-mite!!

    You know I love your new quilt………funny thing, I just scrolled up to the Ikea bins where your fabrics are stored: they remind me of your quilt! They are inspiration in themselves, with your fabulous fibers peeking through the holes!

  2. terry grant says:

    That theme of hillside dwellings is so universally appealing! I have photos of hillsides in Ecuador that I keep thinking need to become quilts. Have you tried a more solid sky? The contrast with the square in square blocks might be welcome.

  3. Reva says:

    Speaking of your brilliant daughters, I finally got to Life and Limb this afternoon. The book, which I bought, doesn’t really do justice to the photos (most of ’em are way too small!), but it’s lovely and a nice documentation of their project.

  4. jenclair says:

    Love the zip of color with your houses on the hillside! Congratulations to Lisa – her pillows are always charming.

  5. kathy says:

    Congrats to your daughter on her work being featured. That is so exciting. I too really love how this piece is going. Love the idea of abstracting it a bit.

  6. Deborah says:

    I like the beginnings of your hillside quilt. Great job. Lots of potential for interesting quilting on that foundation. I saw Lisa’s quilt and thought of you! What did you think of Top Chef? I think they need to mix up the format a bit… I’m growing wearing of the same old same old.

  7. Kristin L says:

    I really like your wonky hill houses. I agree the sky needs to be more varied. Maybe all the sky pieces don’t need yellow either.

    Congrats to Lisa on her pillow publication too!