Boring title, but accurate.
As a birthday/Father's Day gift I made a quilt for behind my husband's desk at work. I've told him it'll give his employees something to groove on while he's droning on talking without being so obvious as staring out the window (I was joking, but he said there are sure to be a few who agree). Seriously, I thought it would add some vibrancy to his otherwise austere office. It's only propped up on a bookshelf here - it is straight and flat. I thought I'd leave the background junk for scale.
Outside the Box from The Modern Quilt Workshop
45" x 45"
Loni Rossi prints plus Micheal Miller Fairy Frost and black, water-spotted batik
King Tut quilting multi-colored thread
Played around a bit with the quilting. Meandered in the background, squiggled in the blocks and followed the lines in the floating squares. Much more heavily quilted than my usual style. I wasn't sure at first, but after washing I really like the way the texture looks in life as you move around it. Couldn't really capture that in a single photo, but here's a quilting detail:
I didn't want to buy more batting with so many large scraps around so I finally tried zig-zagging them together. Easy as pie and it works perfectly. You just feed them through abutting each other with a wide zigzag stitch and you've got what works like a single piece.
Lizard Ridge is coming along. Just finishing the 10th block. Let's just ignore that pesky seaming for now and call it halfway. Still in love with the Noro colorways, which is what keeps this project interesting.
Summer of Lace is underway and I've got two projects on the needles so far. Going to keep this post short so I can go and knit right now. Somehow all that "slow summertime knitting" has not come about yet, but I think we're getting our groove now. It's only week two, so I have hope.
Icarus in Misti Alpaca Handpaint Lace. Triangular shawls just don't look like much on the needles, especially straights, but I think this will be beautiful.
Hanami Stole in Filatura Di Crosa Superior cashmere and silk laceweight that's so incredibly soft. I love the beaded edge.
We presented the Kindergarten teacher's quilt at the end of the year picnic and I was thrilled to see the kids so excited about finding and showing their blocks to the teacher. She says she'll hang it for next year. This scene made the work worthwhile.
A party needs a skirt. Emily likes a touch of glam.
That dangling middle tooth finally fell out! We were all getting pretty tired of seeing her push it out between her lips (she's got a good dose of boyness when it comes to gross behavior). Now I've got a classic gappy 6-yr-old. She was pretty excited about school letting out. Can you tell?
Off to do something rather than think about what I might do. ACTION is my goal this summer!
Nancy you continue to inspire! Love the quilt for your husband and lizard ridge colors are fabulous. I just couldn't get into it when I tried it. I'll watch yours grow and enjoy each picture! The lace is gorgeous too. I know what you mean about lace still on the needles.
Posted by: Ruthanne (in Seattle) | July 01, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Your latest quilt is wonderful! It's just manly enough for your hubby!
I just love the quilt you made for your daughter's teacher - what a great idea!
Posted by: Jody | July 01, 2008 at 06:35 PM
What a great choice of quilt pattern for an office! Very striking without being too *quilty*. You have such a good sense of design and color, Nancy.
The Noro blocks...lovely. But how can you go wrong with Kureyon? ;-)
Posted by: Jan | July 01, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Love, love, love the quilt! We're sitting here right now looking at wallcoverings for my husband's new office. I may have to be a copycat!
The lace is wonderful too! That's all I want to knit right now.
Posted by: Maria | July 01, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Love the quilt, the knitting and the skirt, don't knw how you fit it all in, ut I'm glad that you do!
Posted by: joanna | July 02, 2008 at 04:23 AM
What has happened to all that slow summertime knitting? Summer is 1/2 over and I haven't managed any either. Lovely blog as always, and I always thrilled to see Emily's reaction to new skirts and in this case the end of school as well. I love her exuberance about life. I think the quilt for the teacher was a fantastic idea and I can tell how excited the kids are to show off their "squares." That will be a very treasured gift.
Posted by: Julie | July 02, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Such a wonderful quilt and the quilting is amazing. Love the picture of all the kids gathered around the quilt. So fun to see them so excited. And your daughter...great skirt...even better expression...joy!
Posted by: Jacquie | July 02, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Man! You do more in a week than I do in a year! Action! That is my new motto for the summer as well. We should start a Ravelry group. Ha! That wouldn't take too much time away from what we are thinking about and wanting to do, would it?
Posted by: Teresa C | July 02, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Wow! You are so productive! The husband quilt is quite manly; don't you find it hard to do crafty things for guys? I love the way you used your batting stash. It is so satisfying to use up stuff that one already has. I have been making progress on stash-using projects, and hope to take some pictures this weekend so I can share.
Posted by: ellen | July 03, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Absolutely stunning projects as usual!
Posted by: Moni | July 04, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Just found your blog.....Such wonderful colors - beautiful quilting, wonderful knitting, adorable sewing...you are quite the artist. Thanks for sharing. You are an inspiration.
Posted by: Bonnie | July 08, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Wow you have been busy! I love the quilt, and how cute is that little skirt - looks like it will be much loved!
Posted by: joy (austysmum) | July 11, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Can we swap daughters - mine is now 13 and officially a grouchy horrible over-opinionated brat? Also I love the quilt - that is fabulous, really lovely. I am so tempted by Lizard Ridge - it looks delectable and the shawl and stole are lovely - very summer garden colours
Posted by: juliet | July 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Of all the beautiful quilts you've made (that I've had the pleasure of seeing), the teacher's quilt is my fave.
I'm sure she loved it.
Marissa
Posted by: marissa | July 22, 2008 at 06:38 AM
So much loveliness here! I especially love the picture of your girl in her skirt...she looks so happy!
Hope you all are enjoying a great summer!
Sheree
Posted by: sheree | July 31, 2008 at 06:16 AM
Why can't we adults wear such fun and girly skirts? *pout*
Posted by: Tracey | August 01, 2008 at 08:51 PM