Next Round Robin Update

Whew!
I've got alot of catching up to do! Striking the balance between projects underway, home life, and finessing two jobs has not left much 'posting time' since the holidays came & went--and noted by the poor orphan Wednesday on Whidbey posts.  I'll try to correct that in the next week--starting with this quilting post.
Projects have continued, but certainly not at my previous pace! Even though the number of hours worked a week are far less than the previous 'job-that-ate-my-life' schedule, I often find myself happy to read, watch a movie or sleep when I finish the day--rather than fire up my studio space.  The sleep part has been a surprise--I still like to get more than I've been accustomed in recent years--go figure! Several have said that starting a new job had that effect on them--so maybe it's only temporary. Occasionally still hear the 'lazy' message rattling about my brain....

Anyway, one project worth noting is the ongoing Round Robin with my group of special friends.  When I last posted, I had finished three, and today I'm offering up three more.  Even though they aren't particularly large, they can be taxing:  you want to be creative, not make mistakes, & contribute something that you think your buddy will like.  This group of twelve projects is very diverse--that's good but also challenging the old brain cells & technical capabilities. Here are the recent three that have gone on their way (and remember you can click on photos to make them larger):


This one is going to be quite elegant & lovely.  Mary is an outstanding embroiderer as noted by her center block (the beige section).  Even though several of us have contributed it still remains fairly small & will be a batik beauty when it's finished.

I added an asymmetrical border--something I'm trying not to do too often, as I've been told by those that follow me that my asymmetry is not always appreciated! 8-)  I've been intrigued lately with tessellations & all the possibilities.  This is not the best example, but it is a tessellation none the less.  I'm hoping that it's not too bright--pastels are not my forte. It will be fun to see how this one progresses.

The next one is also lovely & will likely be fairly large when it's completed.  Sally started out with the center block of four 'fireworks' blocks in Asian fabrics--always so striking to look at--as a tribute to our friend Andrea that passed away last year.  One of the challenges to each other with this project has been to add things other than just another fabric border--i.e. embellishments of all sorts.  That can be tricky as you are 'adding on' to someone else's work as opposed to having only your own work at risk. No chance for a 'Mulligan'. 

The outer triangles from the previous person were begging for something to be added & I had a great applique idea that unfortunately didn't come off very well.  Too late, I realized that there was not enough contrast with the background--it should have been added on a black background to stand out.  Since I couldn't 'undo' I needed to brighten it up--so added paint & thread to help.  Alas, I think not enough...

Andrea was always in love with anything gingko so the Asian appliques included some of those, plus some maple.  Here are some sorry attempts to show some detail...

The third one is shaping up nicely & is intended to be a tribute to the Pacific Northwest--earth, sea, sky, mountains, animals...   When I received the blue & brown themed piece you could easily consider it finished as is.  It looked self contained--except that it was wider than tall.  So I decided to add two borders; one top, one bottom with a hint of sky on top & ground on the bottom.  There was a nice inner border around the center block with three-dimensional triangles.  

I mirrored that pattern in a larger version, using some of the required fabrics provided--and added several of my own, again three dimensional.  This one will be fairly large when it's finished & will be cozy! It already has cool embellishments: beads, stitching, and some origami flowers among the ferns.

So, there we are!  Three more--or half way through. Hopefully more soon...