More scrappy goodness- a prelude and an ode to QuiltCon 2015

Although come and gone, I busted out the scraps again and again in the days leading up to QuiltCon 2015.

Made a few lanyards. I missed out on the swap, since I decided to attend late, but that didn't stop me from going to the solid scraps and some special scraps ( vintage Japanese Kimono silks) to make 2. And like I couldn't help myself I quilted both densely with metallic thread from Superior Threads. I can't say enough about how pleased I am to have given metallics another try.

Made some QuiltCon buttons which were well received. I gifted most and traded a few. Each was unique and most had a bit of sparkle compliments of some awesome Superior metallic threads. (I'm sensing a trend here).

I didn't make a tote or a duffle but I did sew some clothes, and not from scraps. I liked the top well enough that I made it in 3 different fabrics.  A pinstripe white and black (with a bit of sparkle), a Vera Wang lawn shirting in mustard and gray and getting a little fancy,  a navy blue and cream constructed from  3 different Cotton and Steel  fabrics pieced to showcase the back detailing. I visited the Cotton & Steel booth at QuiltCon

Front

Back

with Aexia Abegg (@alexiastitches on IG)
look at her pockets!!! This is her fabric.

The pattern- "A little something Xtra" (custom fit from the standard tissue paper pattern) by Dana Marie design co. Can be made in three lengths (top/tunic/dress). I like the tunic length with skinny jeans. I do plan to make the dress as well.

Met lots of talented friends from the world over

Deb Trail, Rachael McCormack and me at early morning coffee
(you can find Deb @deb_trail and Rachael @rachelwoodenspoon on IG)

Christine @ccpquilts, Kathryn @kupitis, me and Teresa @Treelotta in front of
 Kathryn's Michael Miller Challenge Quilt

                                   

Susan @susansantistevan, Christine, Teresa, me, Kathryn in front of my
Colorado 4x4 Quilt sent from the International Quilt festival MQG special exhibit - Houston to Austin
compliments of the Modern Quilt Guild

"Fade to Gray" at QuiltCon, 2015
I promise it will be coming back to Denver after  being gone for almost a year.

While at QuiltCon, besides meeting friends,  and marveling at all the creativity, I won a ribbon.

"Read between the lines"
3rd place ribbon for use of negative space.

Since many have been sharing judging comments about their quilts, I will as well:
"Good play of dimensions. Quilting is great and compliments design; great attention to detail, especially in binding; good use of negative space; dark fabrics shadowing under light".  I love that note was made of the binding since it took a bit of encouragement and more than a few tries to get that to work. Seemed like such a minor detail at the time and yet to took a major effort to pull it off. I did go back and look for the fabric shadowing and well…. I guess no matter what if you put bright pinky oranges and dark grays under lighter (almost white) fabrics you will see that now and again. I'd liked to say that there was something I could do to make that better, but even trimming the seam allowances doesn't always solve the problem. It's not blatant and if it's the one thing the judge chose to point out I can live with that.

Because all the quilts are amazing, and professional photos are just better,  you can see them all, here.  https://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/congratulations-to-our-2015-quiltcon-winners/

Lastly,  sometimes you have to escape quilts and find another medium to work in,

A visit to the Modern Art Museum.
Wonder what the MQG might say about this for their new logo?
Transparency paper on a light box.

Thank you to all the lovelies who made these memories with me! Friends new and old. It made the days more special, sharing them with all of you! I know we all left with ideas galore. I look forward to seeing what monkey business you all get yourselves into!