Do You Doodle?

That's the first question that Sherri Lynn Wood asked of the class last Friday morning.  After an interesting and entertaining presentation by Sherri Lynn to the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild the night before, I could hardly wait to take her workshop on Doodling with fabric the next day. Here's the project that I made...course, I've got more doodling to do before it's finished...crazy, huh!

With only six quilters present, our class was a small one, so we had room to spread out and got close-up-and-personal input from our attentive instructor. I especially enjoyed the evaluation exercises spread out over the day. Here's our small beginnings, all grouped together, awaiting input from the class. 

Several hours later, our projects had grown in size and we were beginning to feel a flow to our work. Some of the questions that we were to ask ourselves included: What surprised me? What did I discover or learn? What was satisfying and dissatisfying? We gave each other constructive feedback and it felt like we were truly creating modern art!

Here's Sherri Lynn showing us one of her completed Doodle quilts. It looks pretty in the photo, but believe me when I say that, in person, it is even more  beautiful and happy!

Sherri Lynn's first book, detailing her methods for improvisational piecing, will be available for purchase later this month, but our guild was privileged to get to purchase it early. Of course, I snatched one up!

 The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters is a gorgeous book full of beautifully photographed quilts and tons of detailed pictures of the techniques used to make those quilts. I own several books that describe improv piecing but this one is, by far, the most stimulating how-to. Here's a glance at the table of contents...

 Reading Sherri Lynn's book from cover to cover will be a delight and I already have a good start! In her book, she outlines 10 different scores (Her term for deciding a set of rules or limits to work within as you create an improv project.) to help the quilter jump into this exciting and modern way of creating a quilt. 

Honestly, I don't know when I've ever taken a workshop that was more fun or purchased a quilting book that has gotten me more excited to try new things!

In fact, I'm seriously considering going through the book, chapter by chapter, and creating a project. Anyone game to join me? Get the book and let me know!

Fitness Friday on Sunday 3

Gravel is not fun to walk on.  It gets in your shoes if you have the cute sandal-ie kind like I do. I like to use them for walking in the summer though, so I have to stop and empty my shoes at least once every time I go out.  Oh, well.  My toes keep air-conditioned that way!  This week I made my goal in Jacquie and Kate's exercise challenge, so I got to add 10 pieces of fabric to my Improv Road. Each block uses 3  pieces of fabric. 


Next week, I'll do a little tutorial on how I am making the blocks.  The materials I am using so far include: Maisey Check by Lucy Cousins, Bird Swing, Wee Play by Sand Klop, Ta Dot by Michael Miller, aqua Cobble Stone, Plume by Tula Pink, Wall Flower, Bicycles by Erin McMorris and an unknown grey polka dot.  My colors reflect the pavement and gravel I walk on along with  the sun shining in the blue sky overhead. There's been lots of sun....I need to add more yellow!!

Marble has been busy exercising with the binding for the Baby Munki quilt. I will sacrifice just about anything if it helps him in his mole catcher training!