Too Much of a Good Thing can be Wonderful!

(mae west)

I tend to get mad at myself for not being content with finishing existing projects. I am always planning the next one, and looking at new fabrics and new patterns and new ideas. BUT THEN, I met this delightful woman who gave me permission to want more!

This is Marilyn Doheny with one of her stunning pieces of art.

In fact, one of her sayings is something along the lines of, if you are not wanting more, you are not reaching the limits of your creativity, and if you are not creating, you're really not living to the fullest. (She said it all poetry-like, but all I heard was it's ok to want more!)

I took a great class with Marilyn last Sunday, and as I told my husband when I returned, it was life-changing. Well, quilt-life changing, but still and all. She is amazing and her techniques are so freeing, you cannot help but become an artiste! You need to get her to your local quilt store or guild. You will be amazed at her quilts and her art, and even more amazed with her spirit. She is so inspiring.

ok, so, do ya wanna see some stuff I made? well, let me start by saying that the idea of this class or workshop was to make fun "critters" and flowers out of strip sets (strata) that are cut with a special angled wedge ruler, which are then appliqued on a background. the magic is in the fabric selection and the whimsy of it all.

My quilt is going to be loosely based on Alice in Wonderland. It is mostly going to feature the quiltilicious fabric from Tula Pink called Flutterby, (see earlier post) although there are more non-flutterby in this picture than others.

Here are some butterfly wings. Trust me. Imagine the body at the bottom of the arc. Then, I made some flowers, some caterpillars, some bees. BUT I can't show you those cuz they are supah top secret. (naw, I just forgot to take pictures and I am too lazy to do it now.)

Work has been way too hectic this week, so I am anxious to get back to this funnery.

But I am going to sidetrack from this project (Marilyn says it's ok, ha ha) because I am going to introduce LuLu (my Hello Kitty sewing machine -- see earlier post) to quilting tomorrow. Lulu and I are going to work on a Swell jellyroll and see what happens. I don't really have a pattern in mind. I am sewing with my friend who has the other Hello Kitty machine now. She is working on her first quilt, a red, white and blue rail fence. She and I picked out the fabric when I picked up my fun, sunshiny sunflower quilt from the long arm quilter last Saturday. I can't wait to show you that one, but first I have to bind it and wash it - it has raw edge applique that needs to get all raggedy.

Here is a bonus quote from Mae West:

when choosing between two evils, I like to choose the one I have never tried before.

I guess that's why I keep trying new patterns. good justification, eh?

oh, and here is a fun blog. It's super cute. trust me. although I read the title of it, and thought it would be something different. see if you agree.

oh, and go here to enter for a chance to win a beautiful quilt!!