I think my family is beginning to worry about me. For decades I have been plodding perking along, making quite traditional style quilts, and being quite content with them. I did not jump on the batik bandwagon, despite having many friends who were over the moon for them. Oh, I have made quilts using batiks that turned out quite well–the green quilt pictured on my banner that I made for my son, and a blue and cream batik quilt that I had on my bed for at least three years.
For the most part however, I stuck with my traditional quilts and color schemes. I remember when I finished the blue quilt above, overhearing my son say to his sister "That doesn't look like Mom's typical quilt style, does it?"
So what has gotten into me lately? I don't know, but I am sure having fun. I am a firm believer that one should make quilts that tie in with one's decor, so that they will be used and loved and actually fit in to one's home in a complimentary manner. Make a quilt that will get used, reflect your taste, and match the decor. That is what I normally do. If it doesn't "go", I give it away or it sits on a shelf. So, that being said, I will not be decorating my home with these bright colored batiks. They do not fit in with my home decor in any way, shape or form. This will be a big relief to my family, who are expressing their opinions by being completely silent, or by making comments along the order of "Sheesh. Enough already".
What I am going to do with these exuberant and irrepressible fabrics (that I probably love precisely because they are so unlike me), is to enjoy every moment of working with them, and then—–Use them in my new office! They are my Alter Ego I have decided. My office has three shabby file cabinets that would greatly benefit from being covered up, and lots of wall space that is crying out for some vibrant color. Batiks are exactly right for the atmosphere of the company I am now working for. Global, artistic, and nontraditional.
Oh my gosh, what a quilting opportunity. I can change out the coverings and wall hangings to reflect the colors of each season. Guess I better start shopping for Fall.
22 responses to “No Need for Concern”
Are you makign a pickety sticks runner with batiks?? You’ve lost your little mind! ^_^ Go with it mom, it’s kind of nice and zen, a refreshing break from Moda.
Are you makign a pickety sticks runner with batiks?? You’ve lost your little mind! ^_^ Go with it mom, it’s kind of nice and zen, a refreshing break from Moda.
Nicole, so cool you have a new venue to decorate with your alter ego! You must be liking this job.
Sara’s comment made me laugh out loud. Yeah, we do kind of get stuck in Moda, don’t we?
Nicole, so cool you have a new venue to decorate with your alter ego! You must be liking this job.
Sara’s comment made me laugh out loud. Yeah, we do kind of get stuck in Moda, don’t we?
Like you, I have a tendency to limit my quilt making to fabrics and colors that fit my home decor. I let myself go when it comes to baby quilts. Right now, I have my eye on a new Moda line (Legacy) that does not “fit” me but I think I will have to just do it!
Like you, I have a tendency to limit my quilt making to fabrics and colors that fit my home decor. I let myself go when it comes to baby quilts. Right now, I have my eye on a new Moda line (Legacy) that does not “fit” me but I think I will have to just do it!
Wow, I’m loving this latest start!!
Wow, I’m loving this latest start!!
That is really beautiful! Sounds like it would go perfectly in your new office environment!
That is really beautiful! Sounds like it would go perfectly in your new office environment!
I have a different philosphy than a lot of people. I surround myself with the things that I love. Most of the artwork on our walls come from Alaskan artist David Totten. Beautiful charcols of sled dogs and sled teams in action. When my husband lived up there for 2 years to work at Elmendorf AFB (2002-2004)he was out on his motorcycle one weekend and came upon Tottens studio, then in Willow Alaska. He stopped in and visited with the artist and made a number of trips back. Consequently we purchased 5 large charcols and 2 smaller ones. All of the dogs in the pictures ran in the Ididerod. Beside his signature on each picture is a pencil sketch of a sled dog. We also have one of his charcols that is even smaller of “Rocky” a squirrel that lived in his yard for years. These cover a lot of wall space. My large entry wall is covered with a “Wizard of Oz” quilt used in the 2008 Oregon Walk for Life raffle that my sister in law quilted, then won in the raffle and in turn sent it to me as a surprise. Across the top in applique’ yellow brick fabric letters it reads “There’s No Place Like Hope”. As you can tell Nicole, my home lost any true sense of Decor years ago. With so many beautiful traditional AND non traditional fabrics and patterns that I love and can’t wait to get a chance to make I will display whatever appeals to me, match or no. What ever we did though, it must be okay because everyone that visits our home says it has a cozy, warm, homey feel and they could stay for days. Hmmmmm….that makes it sound like a museum. Ah well. All of your quilts are truly beautiful and could be proudly displayed any place you want them.
I have a different philosphy than a lot of people. I surround myself with the things that I love. Most of the artwork on our walls come from Alaskan artist David Totten. Beautiful charcols of sled dogs and sled teams in action. When my husband lived up there for 2 years to work at Elmendorf AFB (2002-2004)he was out on his motorcycle one weekend and came upon Tottens studio, then in Willow Alaska. He stopped in and visited with the artist and made a number of trips back. Consequently we purchased 5 large charcols and 2 smaller ones. All of the dogs in the pictures ran in the Ididerod. Beside his signature on each picture is a pencil sketch of a sled dog. We also have one of his charcols that is even smaller of “Rocky” a squirrel that lived in his yard for years. These cover a lot of wall space. My large entry wall is covered with a “Wizard of Oz” quilt used in the 2008 Oregon Walk for Life raffle that my sister in law quilted, then won in the raffle and in turn sent it to me as a surprise. Across the top in applique’ yellow brick fabric letters it reads “There’s No Place Like Hope”. As you can tell Nicole, my home lost any true sense of Decor years ago. With so many beautiful traditional AND non traditional fabrics and patterns that I love and can’t wait to get a chance to make I will display whatever appeals to me, match or no. What ever we did though, it must be okay because everyone that visits our home says it has a cozy, warm, homey feel and they could stay for days. Hmmmmm….that makes it sound like a museum. Ah well. All of your quilts are truly beautiful and could be proudly displayed any place you want them.
i made the bottom pattern for a baby quilt in brown, gold and orange batiks. gorgeous and fun to make.
i made the bottom pattern for a baby quilt in brown, gold and orange batiks. gorgeous and fun to make.
My style is that I make what I like at the time and use everything at one time or another. That said, I have never made a batik quilt even though I have been collecting them. But I know that eventually they will jump off the shelves and tell me they are ready.
My style is that I make what I like at the time and use everything at one time or another. That said, I have never made a batik quilt even though I have been collecting them. But I know that eventually they will jump off the shelves and tell me they are ready.
It’s always nice to try something new! All of your batiks are lovely!
Have a good week!
It’s always nice to try something new! All of your batiks are lovely!
Have a good week!
Nicole,
I love all your beautiful quilts including the batik ones.
I have a large collection of batiks and the hardest part is actually cutting into them.
The colors are glorious and I love color- The bluey purple quilt in your last post is splendid.
It looks like you are having fun exploring and experimenting with new fabrics- its a great way to be quilting…
I look forward to seeing all your quilts – they all are lovely..
Regards,
Anna
Nicole,
I love all your beautiful quilts including the batik ones.
I have a large collection of batiks and the hardest part is actually cutting into them.
The colors are glorious and I love color- The bluey purple quilt in your last post is splendid.
It looks like you are having fun exploring and experimenting with new fabrics- its a great way to be quilting…
I look forward to seeing all your quilts – they all are lovely..
Regards,
Anna
Okay, you win, I am convinced. And, I really think that it is fun to read that you are enjoying something so much, patterns/use/everyone’s ideas be what they may…this is very beautiful!
Okay, you win, I am convinced. And, I really think that it is fun to read that you are enjoying something so much, patterns/use/everyone’s ideas be what they may…this is very beautiful!