Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Liberated!

I sometimes find it amusing how affected I am by the seasons .... I guess we all are to some degree.  I am not saying I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - but Spring and Summer definitely changes my quilting palette a bit.  With Spring finally here (although we could use some warmer temps!) and the flowers blooming, the grass turning green again, the dreaded danelions everywhere!... I find my worktable covered with less of the subdued tones of reproduction fabrics and more of THIS!
Doesn't this just scream Spring and FUN??!!
I have been working on my Liberated Log Cabin blocks.  They are so much fun and very liberating!!  This is from Gwen Marston's book Liberated Quilmaking II.  "Liberated" because Gwen's technique shows you how to design blocks without templates or patterns.  Yahoo - lots of fun!
My blocks start with a 4" four patch block... you can cut this either straight or wonky.. up to you!
Next I added strips around the 4" block.. any size, doesn't matter - totally up to you!  I tried to make these strips all the same fabrics.  Then I trimmed this block down to a wonky shape... size doesn't really matter! 
The next round is done this same way - this time I used two different fabrics.  Again, any size.  I think I cut my strips from 1 1/2" to 3" wide - just to give you an idea.  And again, trimmed the block to a wonky shape with my ruler and rotary cutter.  Very liberating, indeed!
The final round is done with all different fabrics - so much fun!
Finally the completed block is cut down to a 12 1/2" block.  This too is cut wonky - as you can see by the way my 12 1/2" ruler is placed on the block. 
Done!  Now onto the next one. Fast, Easy, and Fun!
 
Wait until you see the blocks all sew together.  All different, each one unique!
 
And this quilt is on my 2014 UFO list.. so I can sew and cut without any guilt! LOL
 
I hope you find some liberation in your quilting today!
 
Deb

Linking up this week at Linky Tuesday, Let's Be Social, and WIP Wednesday.  Stop by to see what other quilters are creating this week!  You might find some inspiration!
Also linking up at the Small Blog Meet at Lily's Quilts - stop by and meet some new friends!

 

29 comments:

  1. What beautiful fabrics and they definitely scream SPRING!! Looks like you are having fun! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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    1. Yes, it is a very nice change! Thanks for hosting the linky party!

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  2. Wow! I really needed that blast of colour... luv it.. luv it.. luv it! :o)) Great blocks.. I'm going to have to throw caution to the wind and have a go. Thanks for the colourful kick up the bum.

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    1. Glad I could inspire some liberation! The colors are fun and I am looking forward to getting them all sewn together. Stay tuned!

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  3. Love your blocks! Liberated log cabin blocks are just fun. I know I'm affected by the seasons too.:)

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    1. They are sooo much fun - especially after some of the very detailed hand applique I have been doing lately!! thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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  4. Wow! Beautiful fabrics and fun blocks - I need to dig through my stash and try this!

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    1. You really should - they are fun and fast... definitely satisfy that need to do something fun and colorful! And no pattern needed. Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. Super fun! Beautiful and fresh

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  6. Your blocks are lovely. I'm always looking for a way to use all my scraps, so what do you plan to do with all your trimmings?

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    1. Ahhhh........ you ask an interesting question. Wait until you see!!!! :-)

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  7. I know exactly what you mean! In january I kept pulling blue fabric but this month it's all been yellow! You're wonly blocks look great!

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    1. Thanks - these are so much fun to make. I now have them all sewn together - I will post an update shortly.

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  8. Such happy liberated blocks! I'm definitely affected by the seasons, but I don't see it as much in my color palette...

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    1. Yes, they make me very happy when I look at them! Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. Those blocks DO look fun! And happy! You are going to have one scrappy, happy quilt, Debra. Looking forward to seeing all those blocks together!

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    1. It definitely makes me smile! I will post an updated progress on this one soon!

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  10. I like the quilt in your blog header. So whimsical looking!

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    1. Thanks, Karen. That is a portion of a commissioned piece I made several years ago. You can see the full quilt on my website: debraharryartquilts.com. Thanks for visiting!

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  11. Log cabin blocks are definitely on my list of blocks to do one day soon… maybe the QAYG though. Love your colour palette!

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  12. Indeed they sing spring!! Love all the colour and your block is gorgeous. Carry on!

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  13. Hi Debra! Popped on over from the small blog meet! That pile of fabric is so bright and cheery! It makes me want to pull out my brighter colors too and start something new. :)

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    1. Hi - thanks for stopping by! I stopped by for a visit to your blog and am following now. The colors are really needed now after such a cold and gray winter! They make me smile!

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  14. I agree - Spring needs to turn up the temperature some. We're having problems setting out plants and then worrying that they may be damaged by colder temperatures. Your colors shout spring and your block looks fun. Can't wait to see it in a quilt.

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    1. I know... it is slow coming. This quilt has given me the boost of color I need right now! I will post the progress of this one shortly. Stay tuned!

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  15. Hi Debra, I am visiting from Small Blog Meet.
    I like your "Liberated Log Cabin block", I have done something similar not too long ago and yes they are fun and quick to make. Love the fabric pull, I will be watching this one...:)

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    1. Hi, thanks for stopping by and visiting! I will post photos soon of the progress. Nice to meet ya!

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  17. Okay....as soon as I post this comment I'm going to dig out my Gwen book.....you are having the exact kind of fun I want to have right now! Thanks for the inspiration! )PS>>>I added myself as a GFC follower!!! YAH!!!!

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