Morse Code - A few fun swap projects

So I participate in many swaps, in part because I love making things and in part because I love being challenged in my art to go beyond and think differently.  To that end I have been playing with how I can use Morse Code to convey messages as well as be beautiful art.  My first attempt was a very structured project that I had a weekend to figure out as a make up project for a swap where someone didn't get anything.  I took her love of Harry Potter and Hufflepuff and made something a little quirky and cute, but very formal.  

HufflePuff in Morse Code

For my next swap, all I knew was she liked blue and didn't like anything overly formal.  I still wanted to play with the Morse Code, but I knew I needed to be a little more fluid with it.  I played with her full name, played with sizes of Dots and Dashes, and really struggled for a long while (lesson learned, make way more dots and dashes than you need, in all different sizes and fabric), and played with about a few dozen different layouts before I finally came upon this one and was really thrilled by it, but it felt a little plain, so I knew I was going to need some interesting quilting.  I sketched out several designs again (I do a LOT of sketching), and then I realized I really just wanted something simple, that didn't distract too much from the circles, but made it feel finished.  Thin lines in two different blue variegated threads helped me complete it and I really love how it turned out.  I plan on exploring this more for the holidays and look forward to posting about how that turns out soon!

She(e)rri in Morse Code - an extra E snuck in there somehow...

New Work In!

So the end of the term has come and gone and I got the last of my pieces back from the studio.  All of the photos will be uploaded to the Quilting and Ceramics pages, but a few of my favorites are displayed here!

I found this itty bitt wrench just outside a bike shop and I have loved it for necklaces ever since. Here is for the ladies with the wrenches!

Working on a secret stalker quilt, front is done but who boy is the quilting intimidating me. 

I'm still loving the monster jars, this one is a mini! 

Trying to pick pieces for a bike art show. So many choices, so little display space. 

Quilting on the beach

I took a long weekend to head up north and enjoy the weather.  It rained a bit, but the beach was magical as always.  I got to work on some quilt bindings and get some good photos of some of the things I do.  

Fireflies on the beach seem appropriate.

I also got a chance to walk a lot on the sand, and think a lot about what I want my future to be.  It was a much needed respite.

I also got a chance to take some good photos of my first full sized finished quilt.  It was just before it started storming big time, but I love how these photos turned out.

I love it when people put their quilts to use, especially on the beach

I also took a few photos of my ceramic pieces, although I think they might look better in a more industrial setting, these are a few that shined at the beach.

Sunshine over Michigan Farmland

Blues Dish

Even Monster Jars like the beach in the summertime.

I will be posting my next minis soon, but wanted to give you a few photos in the meantime.

Happy Summer Almost Fall

Lana

Mini of the Week

So after my fun with the skull and devil, I decided to challenge myself to make one mini quilt a week for the foreseeable future. I have about a half dozen sketches so far, so it's a design and creation challenge for myself. To start it off, I picked one of my favorite subjects. It was a fun and quick design and I got to practice my French knots and learn how to make a bunch of half triangle squares using the magic 8, which made this go a LOT faster than the devil.

Lobsters are my absolute and total favorite.  He ended up about 7x11

I need to bind him still, an dim thinking of doing a pillow case binding with a hem around the edge since he isn't going to be quilt quilt. It would save me some time for sure.

So what critter do you think I should do next?