Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Happy--Artsy Fartsy Challenge


Artys Fartsy was the name of the game from Island Batik and Aurifil this month.  The challenge was to create a quilt with thread being our main focus.  They encouraged us to think of it as fabric is our canvas and thread is our paint.  Our only rule was to use at least 3 different weights of Aurifil thread...challenge accepted!




I had several early ideas for this project.  One included a thread painted phoenix, but that was not to be for right now.  My inspiration this month came from work.  About two months ago I started working at a new place of employment with some of the most uplifting and fun co workers you could ask for (but don't tell them, they might get swelled heads).  All around the office there are signs with words of positivity.



I wanted to create something bright, whimsical and full of fun.  I searched the internet for different sayings and landed on "think happy be happy."  I knew I wanted the project to have lots of quilting texture and decided on lots of blank space and a bit of raw edge applique.

I pulled scraps left over from a strip set of Moroccan Bazaar, solid white and black and got to work.



The applique went together super quick, which was good because I knew the quilting would not.  I started off by stitching around the color rectangles to help secure them to the fabric with Aurifil's Monofilament thread in clear.



Next up was densely stitching in the background of the rectangles so that the letters would pop and stitching inside the stars.  



I used eight different Aurifil threads in 50wt; Yellow, Blue Grey, Shining Green, Orange, Red Plum, Very Dark Eggplant, Turquoise and Medium Red.  I used Black and White for stitching down the applique letters.







Then the long haul quilting set in....filling the white background in pebbles, double pebbles and swirls, stitched with 50wt White thread.



Quilting friend and fellow ambassador, Gail at Quilting Gail , recently held what she called a quilting marathon (26 hrs of stitching).  Filling this background with pebbles felt like my own personal 10K (6 hrs) of stitching.  I have no idea if it really took that long, but it felt like it.




It was TOTALLY worth it!  I just love all the texture.

The gray of the spools let you know it is 28wt.  The purple was used to underline the work "Be"

After the background was completely filled I could add a bit of fiber bling to the project.  Instead of all the words being appliqued, I decided that the first and last words would be stitched with a kind of scribbled look.  I used a slightly heavier weighted thread, 28wt, in Deft Blue to help the words stand out against the background stitching.


I also decided to add a little hand quilting to the project...something very new to me.


28wt Mustard outlined the gold stars and 12wt Neon Orange helped my little orange shooting stars have tails.  I'm guessing hand quilting is a bit easier if; 1) use use the proper needles and 2) you don't machine quilt the snot out of the piece first.  But it's totally doable.

Over all, this little piece came out just like I imagined in my head.  I can't wait to hopefully hang it on the wall at work.  It's totally easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right?  Actually, I think permission to hang was a given when they hired me.  I was happy to get to take this little quilt out into the community to snap a few pictures.
















And even local celebrity, French Creek Freddie, got into the quilting action.


I"m pretty sure this statue was just screaming for a quilt picture.

Saying that I'm happy this turned out is an understatement.  It's one of those rare moments when the stars a line and a project comes out just how you wanted it too.  Now back to work.  I have two secret projects to finish for next month so that I can share them with you.  A huge thank you to Island Batik for these beautiful fabric, Aurifil Thread for this awesome challenge and the thread that was provided in the box and Hobbs Batting for the 80/20 batting that helped bring this quilt to life!

And always remember....



16 comments:

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Bravo. Bravo. Bravo. This is an amazing project. It's going to look great in your office. I can't imagine all the work and time it took to do all those pebbles, but it turned out wonderfully.

Kathleen said...

This is fabulous, Tish. I couldn't imagine where you were going with this when you had the clues on your site and am so happy to see the results. So much fun to be in a great nw work environment - yeah for you!! I love love love the quilting.

Emily said...

Oh my gosh, Tish, this is fabulous!! I love everything about it--the bright colors, the great message, the script letters, the hand quilting out from the shooting stars!!!!! (And I'm not an expert in hand quilting, but it is indeed easier when you don't "quilt the snot out of it" first!) Love it, and I bet your coworkers will be thrilled to have it on their wall!

Nancy J said...

hours and hours, and the end result is " Fabricadelishious"!!! The pebbles, the words, a keeper and one to display for everyone to view and OOH and AAH as they look. Love it all.

Julie said...

Love it! It was quite an undertaking during the summer when so many of us have low sew mojo. Great use of your thread selections. You’re definitely good with these challenges!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Wow, your quilt is stunning! Love the dense quilting around the letters, and the background is... amazing! 😍

Karen said...

A wonderful project and an important message. Bravo!

Vicki in MN said...

Your work place will surely be an even happier place with your quilt reminder hanging up! Great texture indeed.

piecefulwendy said...

Wow, all those pebbles! Sure is fun, though! This will definitely be at home at your workplace! Nice finish!

Stitchin At Home said...

This is beautiful! The stitching is gorgeous and I love the saying!

Sharon said...

Your quilt makes me feel happy! Brilliant job, and thanks for sharing. Happy quilting! 😁

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Tish! Not only is it a fabulous project, but I love to hear that it turned out just as you envisioned it. Nothing better than the satisfaction of giving life and legs to a dream. I'm equally as happy hearing that your coworkers are a dream to be with. Yippee and big {{hugs}} for you. ~smile~ Roseanne

Lisa J. said...

What an awesome quilt Tish. It's just beautiful. You quilted it so well and it's such a nice saying.

Kate said...

What a great quilt for the challenge! Congrats on a very bright and happy finish!

Louise said...

Happy, jumpy claps from here!! Hooray! It turned out so, so great, Tish. Artsy fartsy fiddle dee dee! :)

KaHolly said...

Tish, honey, this is really over the top awesome! Congratulations on such an enormously challenging finish!

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