Work Quilt #3 - All Done!

The 3rd "Work Quilt" is now finished...


This one is more minimalist then the previous two.


Just three different shot cottons were used. Two for the quilt top, and one for the patches.

A simple grid pattern was first machine quilted, then overlaid with another hand quilted one.


The patches are all stitched with an x inside of the border... reminiscent of a barn door.


In fact the whole quilt took inspiration from the local farm land... the colors reflect those found in the fields during the late fall and early winter. The stripes represent the various strips of land colored by the different crops. The stitched grids represent the straight, (but not perfectly straight) plowed rows. And the patches reflect the dark red barns that dot the land.


After everything was stitched and quilted and bound, the quilt was then machine washed to bring out all of its texture... that's the best part!


Below is a photo of Work Quilt #1 and Work Quilt #3 happily gracing my living room, and I'm lovin how they look, and the warmth that they add to the room.


But now I have to temporarily say goodbye, and pack them up, (#2 as well) and ship them off... for all three quilts have been invited to partake in a little photo shoot... but that is all I am telling... at least for now!

(Please wish them safe travels and a quick return!)

Patching Things Up

I'm now on the final layer of Work Quilt #3... sewing a few patches here and there... which will be followed by some more hand quilting, and a good wash in the machine to bring out the textures. Hope to have it all completed in the next few days.... but someone has been stealing my attention...



(Ellie Mae wishes you all a very Happy Valentines Day!)

What's New

I started Work Quilt #3 last week... This one is definitly influence by the colors and lines of the winter farm fields around me, and will be a bit simpler and more subdued then the previous two Work Quilts. So far I have pieced and machine quilted it and am now just beginning on the hand stitching layer... lots more to do on that!


By the way, someone recently asked me what a "work quilt" is. In case you are wondering too, it's just a name that I have given this new series. It seemed fitting as I am being influenced by the work of old utilitarian quilts, antique patched and mended textiles and from the rural countryside surrounding me.... all of those influences share a very basic honesty, no frills mentality that is resonating very deeply within me these days.

Speaking of winter farm land... check out these super wooly sheep...


Hubby found them grazing on a nearby hill along a road we seldom travel... he knew I'd adore them... and I do.


(Note to self... drive down that road more often!)


I've also started a new blog, Worn and Weathered where I can post pictures of the old, and sometimes seemingly abandoned structures around me, such as the one above... a place to record the visuals that are strongly pulling at my heartstrings and offering me a lot of soulful inspiration.


One more local shot to share... Passed by this farm the other day with the greatest Purple Martin birdhouses that I have ever seen... I get such a kick out of the three different sizes... economy, standard and luxury.

And last but not least... My Silly BooDilly Etsy art shop is temporarily closed while I create new work. Hope to be restocking by March. In order to focus more fully on my stitched work, I have also decided to shut my BooDilly Etsy fabric shop... anyone interested in purchasing my fabric can now do so directly from Spoonflower and do it at Spoonflower prices! This is a much better deal then I could have offered and I think it's a win win deal!