Farmer's Market, summer color, Liberated Quilt Making II

Gwen Marston's book, Liberated Quiltmaking II

 I'm working through Liberated Quiltmaking II by Gwen Marston. I finished this top in batiks, a study on the log cabin block, I chose a four square center. I'll keep you posted on my next project from the book.
It's Saturday, time to have an adventure, colorful, if at all possible, right?! The Folsom Farmer's Market! Gorgeous veggies, fruits and flowers were everywhere. We got Thai basil and lemons for pesto and tangelos for fresh fruit, I love that citrus smell.
 Remember to visit your local farmer's market, a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

Published in Art Quilting Studio Tropical Punch....

Art Quilting Studio is due out June 1st. I just got my complimentary copy for getting my article and quilt, Tropical Punch, published in it.
It's a good magazine, the editors choose interesting quilts with different techniques, textures and hand stitching.
Sujata Shah of the The Root Connection, has an interesting post to check out. She had a wonderful visit with Gwen Marston, who wrote the book Liberated Quilt Making II, published by AQS. I admire both these ladies' quilts. I'm currently working through Gwen's book getting fresh ideas and inspiration; that liberated style based on tradition.
Yes, to keeping the inspiration flowing!

Embellishing Hand Embroidery and Beads....

Over Memorial Day weekend; and yes, in memory of so much sacrifice, we have a lot to be thankful for,
 I got some embellishment done in the way of hand embroidery on my art quilt and beads added to my newest sewing kit; I just had to put a few more beads on.
Little steps are how I get things done.

By the way, in the world of beading and quilts there is a fine artist, Thom Atkins.
I've heard him speak and I've had the privilege of taking an embellishment class of his; excellent. If you need some WOW! take a look at his work.

Crazy Quilt style Strawberries n' Chocolate embroidery.....

Strawberries n' Chocolate sewing kit is finished. I've added final hand embroidery, glass pearls and beads. The needle keeps are made of felted wool. The pocket is roomy. The ties are wine colored, crushed velvet. It is just the right size to keep supplies for your current project at hand. It has a nice feel being made of silks and formal fabrics.
Scrumptious all around, will soon be up for sale in my etsy shop, crazyvictoriana.etsy.com

Fun Color Inspiration and Art Quilt Progress..

Fountains @ Roseville, CA beautiful family shopping.

One of many fountains among the shops.

Anthropologie @ the Fountians...

Hand embroidered textile from India @ Anthropologie, beautiful..

Home-decor findings, here and below, Anthropologie.

Peet's Coffee, good coffee and snacks..

Binding has been sewn onto the front.....

Yesterday I took a long time deciding on binding color for my new art quilt. Then I got it sewn on the front and pinned to the back. I won't talk about unpicking because I got the wrong side up.
It's Saturday! I needed to get out of the house and have an adventure so off to the Fountains; a shopping center. We had lunch there and visited Sur la Table where they had samples of brownies made in a Wolf convection oven they have for sale. I accidently took 2 samples, they were delicious. We had to visit Anthropologie; clothes and houseware, for color inspiration. Their store decorator does such a fabulous job. I left full of inspiration and brownies.
Where do you find inspiration?

Fun Color Inspiration and art quilt progress.....

Saturday! We went out for an explore and scenery change...

One of the beautiful fountains @ the Fountains at Roseville, CA

Anthropologie @ the Fountains, loads of color inspiration...

Hand-embroidered Indian textile, I love that texture...@ Anthropologie

Fun home-deco findings, Anthropologie...

Home furnishings @ Anthropologie...

Pete's Coffee shop @ the Fountains.

Fountains at Roseville, Roseville, CA, great shopping all around.

Yesterday I sewed the binding to the front of my newest art quilt.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the 'right' color for the binding for my new art quilt. I finally decided and got it sewn onto the front. I'll hand sew it down to the back next week. Today, Saturday, is my day to get out and see something different. So off to the Fountains@Roseville, CA we went. Once there, we stopped at  Sur la Table.They had delicious brownie samples that had been baked in a Sub-Zero-Wolf convection oven, they were delicious. I accidentally picked up 2 samples. I always visit Anthropologie  for color and design ideas.S

Cultural Fushion...embroidery added on Elderberry Wine Art Quilt...

Today I'm adding embellishment; hand stitching, to my art quilt, Elderberry Wine.  Hand embroidery adds beautiful texture.
I've also found an interesting book; Cultural Fushion, by Sujata Shah. The book is a collection of 15 
modern quilts by Shah using traditional, contemporary and artist ideas to make her unique style.
What really draws me to this book is the fabulous, fearless way she uses color in her quilts.
I'm buying her book today, I will write more on it and I plan to use her book as a spring board for  experiments and projects in the future. Say yes to inspiration, no to 'the same old, same old'. If you need some ideas for color use, I highly suggest you look at this book.
This is Work in Progress Wednesday.

Cannon Beach, Oregon, Center Diamond Quilt shop.....

Batik fat-quarters from Center Diamond quilt shop, Cannon Beach, Oregon

We stayed at the Surfsand Resort

 I'm back after two weeks of vacationing and fun. There was a wedding in the family; a "destination" wedding at Cannon Beach, Ore. The wedding was on the beach, beautiful and a little windy. It was good to see the relatives of course. I visited the quilt shop in town, Center Diamond Quilt Shop, great variety with a big section on beach themed fabric.
After the wedding, my daughter, grand daughters and I went on an adventure visiting old friends and sight seeing in Portland, Ore. We were in the Pearl District, and went to Powells City of Books, they have a coffee shop; everyone goes there. Then there was the fun Trader Vic's; a restaurant with a 'Tiki' vibe. The weather was good and seeing all the volcanoes in the area was awesome; Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens etc.
I've made progress on my newest sewing kit, Strawberries N' Chocolate, with embroidery and embellishment.
Good to be back. Happy Friday!