Monday 19 July 2010

June Journal Quilt


This is my Journal Quilt for the month of June for the Contemporary Quilt Group monthly Journal Quilt challenge.  It is 10" x 7" and is entitled "Inishmaan" which is an island off the west coast of Ireland.  It is based on the watercolour painting that I blogged about a while ago.  If you follow the link the post also refers to the workshop I took with Alicia Merrett which has also inspired this quilt.  

The quilt includes my own hand dyes and some commercial fabrics (batik) and also a colour catcher from the washing machine.  Having made this small quilt I am in awe of the effort that Alicia must put in to make her own quilts as they are very intricate.  I assume that with practice the process would speed up but it did take me quite a long time and a lot of to-ing and fro-ing to the ironing board.  I think an ironing pad would have been a better idea.

Do you ever get those low times when you know you should be busy with the next project but you just can't think what that is?  I am definitely in the doldrums creative wise at the moment.  I have been enjoying making the book from Carole's course and I'm still doing bits and pieces to that but I am all at sea to know what I will do next.  I have to make a journal quilt for July so I really need to get my mojo working again.  The sketchbook project is languishing too although it is buzzing around in my head, I just need to sit down and do something!  Mind you, our house is looking a bit neglected at the moment and my workspace is a total mess so maybe if I had a tidy up my brain would get uncluttered too!

Talking of clutter, I think my brain is cluttered with all the inspiration I have been finding around the web and in exhibitions over the last months.  I think it's a case of input overload.  Do you ever feel like that?  Usually I am so inspired by all the things I read and am itching to try things out but just now I don't know where to start.  I'm sure that will change very soon.  It's probably a reaction to finishing the quilt for Festival. 

18 comments:

ju-north said...

I know what you mean about input overload! I look at wonderful work on blogs and want to try everything and end up doing nothing! Thanks for your comments on my blog - you might just have given me a push to do something!

ju-north said...

PS Think your quilt looks very intricate and interesting! You must be pleased with it!

carole brungar said...

Hi Julie! I think your journal quilt is very clever, you've made a great job of it! :) Hope your week is going well!

Bea said...

I'm sure if I had a exercise trainer he/she would tell me to move my ironing pad from the left of my sewing machine and tell me to get up off my, you know what, and MOVE to the ironing board. But, I don't have a trainer so therefore my ironing pad, a muslin wrapped around batting is right next to my machine.
Love the journal piece.
I've just realized that my summers are so busy that they are competing with the studio, BIG TIME.
I have to accept it and get on with what has to be done but I'm not getting enough time in the studio. The ideas and project just get added to the list. sigh :)Bea

Linda Vincent said...

This is delightful Julie; beautifully neat, perfect colours...and a great representation of your painting.
I know exactly what you mean about input overload and not knowing where to start...happens to me all the time!

Gina said...

Your journal quilt is lovely Julie. I hope your creative mojo returns soon... but I recognise that feeling!

Shirley Goodwin said...

Nice work! And I also find Idea Overload just as annoying as Creative Block.

Thanks for your good wishes - unfortunately, I have regular sick days but just have to live with it.

pam said...

Julie the journal quilt is lovely - I do not know how you have the time to do all the pieces you do - have a nice relaxing week and from all the photos you took at lindisfarne there must be a creative piece waiting to pop out!!!!

Sandra Wyman said...

Love the JQ

I always feel this way after I've completed a major project though at the moment chance would be a fine thing!

Heather said...

I know just how you feel Julie. My mind is like a dustbin at times, full of stuff but nothing useful! Have a tidy up and work on your most urgent commitment and I'm sure creativity will return. I love your journal quilt - the colours are so summery.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Beautiful quilt Julie, those greens and yellows are very similar to my FOQ quilt. I love the fabrics you've used

Your mojo will bounce back ... just go with it ...

silverpebble said...

Julie that quilt looks like a stained glass window - how did you do that?

Anonymous said...

I agree with everyone else Julie, the jq is beautiful...I love your colours and appreciate how it is pieced. Well done!

I also agree that after a big project you are left with a void..lots of things to fill it as you're on an inspiration high, but not the energy to get cracking. A bit like me at the moment after the exhibition! I keep looking at things and thinking "this is what I'll do next, no, I won't, I'll do this" Not sure what the answer is, but if you have any good suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them!!

Jan said...

Julie tat is so lovely ,I teasure the peice of material you sent me ...love Jan xx

sweetypie said...

that is brilliant well done julie

Mrs Mac said...

Scrumptious!

Kate North said...

Gorgeous journal quilt -hope you find your creative energy again soon...

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I love this quilt...this is the third time I have returned to study your soft edges and colors. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

I am Bea's blog post friend :O)!