Saturday, October 4, 2008

I can't seem to stop

I had to put all of the green strip sets up on the wall to see how they were working together. There were a couple gaps so I put in a couple little blue sets. Here are 2 of my design walls in the basement. I can't seem to take any of them down and use them for their original purpose. I guess I will have to make some more sets and finally make a decision if I am going to sew any of these together or just let them live in photos.
I think this is my version of painting. The strip sets are kind of like big brushstrokes.

The older I get the harder it is for me to make frivolous art and quilts. I see this huge pile of quilts that my family will need to divide up and I feel like they have to be useful quilts more than art hangings. I know I need to just remember my motto "to thine own self be true" and make what my heart says to make.

19 comments:

Jeanne said...

Wow! I love the big workroom view! Gives us a size perspective for your work -- bigger than I realized -- and a peek into YOUR creative world. They DO look like brushstrokes.
Jeanne :)

Kay Koeper Sorensen said...

Your "useful" quilts are ART quilts.
K

Featheronawire Sally Bramald said...

I adore the multi-coloured one!

Sequana said...

You're a real stripper, aren't you?

I so envy those design walls..
*sigh*

Joyce said...

Love your wall paintings. Definitely, you should quilt what you want. Otherwise what's the fun of it????

Paula said...

Even your "art" quilts can be placed on a table and enjoyed by family. I say do what you love. I mean, if you make utility quilts, your children will look through them years from now and say, "this doesn't look like mom." You're right, be true to yourself.

Elaine Adair said...

Your humble basement is a Quilt Gallery - just lovely with the 'brush strokes'. Inspirational!

Cathi said...

Having those design walls must be SO inspiring!
I agree with Paula -- make what you love!

Anonymous said...

I agree "Make what your heart wants to make." Love the photo of all three pieces... Gives us a good perspective as to how large the pieces are.

Can your blog archives be put on a DVD? IF SO~~ I will be looking for it in Wandaful quilts. (*._,*) Your tutorials, sharing your latest creations and photo's are all brimming with inspiration.

A drizzling rain here in the mountains this morning ... Ruined our Apple Day Festival but there is a chance that the sun will come out this afternoon. Local gardeners, artistians, musicians, APPLE venders take up several city blocks in town to sell their bounty.

J~MT

Vicki W said...

Well, now I know what I am doing with the bins of left over narrow strips that I am using in my mini log cabin blocks!

Elsie Montgomery said...

Wall space... wow. I agree, this is wall art, as are all your quilts.

I've too many windows. Nice for light, but no place to put anything more than one quilt.

Those strip pieces are great. Feels good to use them too. Yesterday I tried putting two of my strip-pieced blocks face to face, sewing down 1/4" from both sides of a diagonal line, and making HST's with the lines going at 90 degrees to each other. I'll try and post that later, but it is an interesting alternative.

Thanks again for inspiring me!

Gene Black said...

Gorgeous. Frame those babies, they ARE Art! I have seen (and done) paintings that weren't as visually appealing and stimulating.

Dixie Redmond said...

Beautiful. I love the bits of blue in with the greens.

meggie said...

Go with your heart. I am always reluctant to make 'useless' things. Too practical, I suppose.

Unknown said...

Of course you know that I love them!! If it makes your heart sing, go with it!

quiltmom anna said...

Hi Wanda,
Your colors are beautiful as always- and what a lovely space that you have to reflect on them.
Keep making the quilts that bring you pleasure- they will give other people pleasure too.
Regards from a Western Canadian Quilter,
Anna

Clare said...

Looks like an art gallery. Beautiful colours.

If we didn't make what our heart tells us, quilting would be still stuck in a rut and none of your beautiful quilts would have been made.

jacquie said...

clare hit it on the head...it does look like an art gallery. i love how you gave us this peek. it would be so great to have this much design wall space.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous.....it's been ages since I've worked with woven fabrics/strips/larger format.....good grief, your work is inspiring me!