Sunday Quilt Inspiration: Crosses

I think I've used crosses for SQI before, but there's a reason for a repeat: I have made the cross. Well, Richard made the cross, I just put my two cents in. First off, I chose the wood from some of the scraps in his shed. He figured out the woodworking and built it, sanded it, clear coated it, buffed it and turned it over to me.

I designed and cut some foil adhesive paper in gunmetal to decorate it with a Bible verse from Psalm 86:11. "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth." 

\After several attempts I was finally able to get the foil cut deeply enough to weed out the negative space in and around the letters. Then I tried to figure out how I wanted to set them on the cross. There was much anguish over that. 

Firstly, I'm not a graphic designer so I have no idea what I'm doing. Secondly, I could see the finished project. Thirdly, the wood is cypress with natural peckers or holes in the grain. I wanted to keep the natural formation of the wood but had to avoid those holes.


Finally, I worked up the nerve to finish the piece. The moment I looked at it in the viewfinder of the camera, I knew that I'd have to fix those letters that I had so carefully stuck to the wood.

"O Lord" is definitely too much on the left. An hour later--picking up each letter without damaging it is tedious work--I had moved the letters over to the left. 

Better, not thrilling, but I couldn't chance moving them again. Once was harrowing enough.

So a quick trip outside to try to take decent pictures turned up this. One against a tree and one against the green wall of the closed in back porch. I like the natural color of the cross against that green. Richard may have to make another. 

This one will go to the church fair in a couple of week to be auctioned at our silent auction. I plan to add a quilt, and a well-known local artist is donating one of her beautiful paintings. One of my duties is to set up and "run" the auction on Saturday and Sunday then announce and contact the winners.

So now a couple of cross quilts to help inspire you: 

This last one is my cross quilt made in 2015 and sold at our local quilt show. You can see on my "Trunk Show" board.

Pin It Weekly #252

I have a Silhouette Cameo machine. Now I'm not so excited because it's not my machine. It's actually Stacey's Cameo 3, but she doesn't seem to want to deal with it. 







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It's taking space in my studio, so I've decided to use it. The problem is that I haven't the slightest idea how. Uhhm, Pinterest, please. 

And so these pins. Mostly tutorials. A few project ideas. And a couple of lettering thingies. I have to start somewhere, right?

I have a feeling that I'll go down a rabbit hole when I get started with a few of these. Oh well, one rabbit hole or another. Does it really matter? 

Where are these? All in my "Silhouette, Cameo 3" board. Along with another 20 or so pins. I was a bit discerning when pinning because, well, that rabbit hole is pretty big without digging it deeper.

Pin It Weekly #212

I've been pinning a little lately. Most of that would be ideas for craft booths, signage, and items. My guild is having its biennial show in five weeks, and I've decided to have a booth. Hopefully I'll be able to sell some of my smaller quilts, pillow covers, and other small items. 

All of the items I have for the booth are quilted, from small purses to medium quilts, so there are those ideas. 

But~ because I've borrowed Stacey's Silhouette machine to make those signs, I've started pinning ideas and tutorials. 

My only problem or question now is whether I can learn how to use the machine in time to rework and make some of the ideas that I really like. I have decided that this is going to be a fun thing for me.

I'll enjoy the process and the time. If things go well and I have some sales, wonderful. If not, I'll be okay, plus I'll have some Christmas gifts ready for wrapping.

Win-win, don't you think?