Thursday, March 3, 2011

Miscellany again.........

There were inquiries about what do I 'do' with the journal quilts.  For me it is the process of making them, the learning and surprises as I am making them, and my growth as an artist that is most important.  The product is pretty to look at though and I remembered I had this basket that was my mother's when I was a child.  I think it will hold about 40 or more of them and I think it would be nice on my coffee table.  It would be a conversation starter for some guests; others would look at it with that 'what are those?' look on their face, afraid to ask.  I'm a little bit of a rebel and challenger when it comes to guests in my house.  A lot of people don't why I have 9 wallhangings on my walls.  That's OK and I don't have to justify why I don't buy generic pictures to hang there instead.

I finished a third tote so the pile is growing.









This programmed machine embroidery is for another water bottle cozy.  I need to make a few more cozies while the construction is fresh on my mind.

By the way, if your name is 'anonymous' and you have a question for me, there is an email link on my right side bar.  I can't answer your questions otherwise.

32 comments:

Unknown said...

Great way to display your journals! That basket is perfect. You know I just love your totes. Mine is used every day and when I go on retreats it gets tons of compliments!

Gene Black said...

Ha ha! I am a rebel that way too. After all, I don't have to 'do' anything with them unless I want to. Art for the sake of art is just fine with me.

HollyM said...

I don't hang generic pictures on my wall either. I like the idea of having the basket full of journal quilts out for viewing and conversation.
do you ever sell your totes?

Brita said...

Just so there's color everywhere, doesn't matter if it's totes, journals, wallhangings or paintings. That's what I love!

Terri Stegmiller said...

What a great idea to keep and display your journal quilts in a basket. They look wonderful in there!

hetty said...

I love your idea for displaying your journal quilts! I think I might have to replace that boring coffee table book with a nice basket of quilts.

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

The journals do look great in the basket! I am a huge basket fan, love them, and this sure adds that dash of color....better than any generic art for sure!

Cedar Ridge Studio said...

Great idea. The basket is a great place to display and looks good.
I bet you love ot see the colors.
May Ann

Pamela Kieffer said...

I like the idea of displaying journals in baskets. My trouble is I give them away to fast. I will either have to slow down with the giving or speed up on the making.I am one of your big fans.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Being a rebel is good! I used to have wall hangings everywhere when I quilted before. In this and time I have pictures.....but they are slowly disappearing as I have the creative pull again. I really enjoy your journal quilts and displaying them in a basket is perfect. I think that I really want to work on something like this for all the new techniques I like to try, it would be better than a block sitting in a drawer.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

you are displaying your journal covers really neatly - I bet some people will want to take one home with them. I too have wallhangings on my walls - in each room of the house. Come to think of it I do not have one commerical type of photo on my walls - I like some of them but I do not buy them.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

VivJM said...

I just love your idea of the basket of journal quilts - so much better than a "coffee table" book. Yummy!

Needled Mom said...

I am sure that a basket of journal works would make a great conversation starter. As well, they look fabulous!!!

Vicki W said...

I love the idea of having the journal quilts out in a basket for people to look through. I may get mine out of the box they are in!

Maria said...

What a great way to display your journals.

Sue said...

I love your journal covers and displaying them in a basket is a great idea! The bags are looking great as well. :) Thanks for including an occasional machine embroidery into your quilting projects as I'm pretty much still a newby to that craft as well. See, you are all around inspiring to me! :)

Sally Trude said...

I was asked the same question and was left a bit speechless. I said they're as useful as my cats, but at least I don't have to feed them. So you can think of them as a basket of kittens!

You can also say that you use your journal quilts to inspire others. I read your blog every day and followed you over to the journal quilt challenge. I've really enjoyed the learning, the process and the forward momentum. Thanks!

Char said...

The basket of journals is a great idea. I might have to put my mug rugs in a basket in the family room. I agree about the pictures, I'd rather have nothing on my walls than that.

colorquilter said...

I have had the same question asked me about why I have quilts on my walls. The first time it was asked of me, I didn't know quite what to say as the question puzzled me. To me, it was so obvious; doesn't one display art?

I am glad to be in the quilter's world of like minded people.

Sheila said...

Your journals look nice in the basket.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I don't think you're being a rebel at all - it's a lovely idea for displaying your artwork. But you did remind me of the story I heard today of the lady who said she was tired of guests to her home who upon seeing the litter box, asked her if she had cats. She said the next one who asked - she would say, "No, it's for guests." LOL

Teje said...

Hello! Your quilt journals are so beautiful and a special basket is perfect for them! I love your idea to have wonderful quilt 'pages' to look and enjoy - without needing some purpose for them!
Sunny wishes from Teje

Cathi said...

That basket is the perfect way to display those journal quilts! It must be fascinating watching people's reactions.

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

Well I am catching up once again and you are just a quilting force to be reckoned with. Love the cozies and the journals and the totes!!! I am in the mood to do some fun things as well so I think those cozies may just do the trick. Thanks again for a simple tutorial.

dls said...

Yeah, Wanda..... I like it that you are a bit rebellious and when it comes to hanging things on the wall, you go girl! Just shows your creativity and unique personality!

I am the same way... very eclectic and don't want boring stuff on my walls.

Gari in AL said...

Isn't it funny that someone would ask what you do with what you make? My BIL asked what I do with the quilts I made but I think he was hinting that I hadn't made them one. ;-)

Michelle said...

I'm always looking for new ways to display my quilts. I love the basket idea for displaying the journal art quilts, I'm going to try to join in on making these every so often I've been wanting to do more of that to force some learning of new techniques. I have quilts hanging on curtain rod and on quilt rack and a quilt ladder, but how are you attaching a series of like 9 smaller quilts onto your wall?

Calicojoan said...

I used to make fabric postcards. They were my little creative bursts and I loved them. A friend questioned what I was going to do with all that "stuff". I was irritated at the time, but realized that for those who have no creative outlet, they really don't get it. The personal satisfaction, is what artists live off of. I am glad I got whatever it is I think I got! :-) Love your quilt journals, and am considering moving up to that size myself. Keep up your inspiration, I live on it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Wanda, I treasure my Journal made by a
true artist!! Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Wanda, I treasure my Journal made by a
true artist!! Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

Your basket looks just like the one I use to carry my supplies to my monthly church quilt meetings. It use to belong to my grandmother and I love that basket.
cindy

Diane in NH said...

Beautiful and fun creations!