Hummingbird quilt

This started with a picture of the  cali lily that someone posted on instagram. It was gorgeous but I didn't do it justice so decided to change the focus from just the flower and added a hummingbird. I have a published pattern with one this was an easy task.

The background is a simple white batik with a hint of blue and quilted with an overall stipple. 

I'm watching a series on PBS called Rare. A National Geographic photographer is going around the world photographing every animal that is on the endangered species list. He calls it the ark project and the show is really amazing. My point though is that he when possible takes the photos with both a black and white background. Some animals look better with a white background and some black. It's surprising how much different a piece looks depending on the background. Auditioning different fabrics is oh so important. If you haven't seen Rare you should. Its on the Pbs app or online so you can watch it anytime anywhere. Go here to see it.

Bird love

 

The bird center where this is going is celebrating its 30 year anniversary this year so there are 30 birds in this piece.

 And there are the names of 30 birds quilted in the background.

How cool is that! I am very proud of myself that I did not mispell any words.

I've learned my lesson and now write all words on paper and have it near my sewing machine for reference. 

For the love of birds

I am making an art quilt for a local bird center that is having an art show. 

The theme is birds by the numbers.

Finding public domain bird silhouettes on the internet,  traced them on fusible. I then cut a heart out of paper and put the birds inside, forming a heart.

There will be more - I'll show you the finish next week.

Mountain valley landscape #2 (Camels hump)

I enlarged the pattern I made my last one like this 200% and like it because you can really do some stand out quilting. The finished size ends up being 33" by 20". I published the pattern and detailed tutorial available for download in my Etsy shop here or on craftsy here

It's really mostly lines quilted in different directions with a few areas of squiggles for contrast.
See the pinkish looking hill to the left of the road? I saw the design on Pinterest I think and really like it for a contrast to the horizontal lines. It's just a series of circles at the bottom and close lines quilted vertically on top of them. It reminds me of those big bales of hay you see on fields that are rolled.

Go forth - get out and enjoy the summer!

Then go home and quilt

;-)