Road Home Quilting: Quilt It Challenge

I started this as one my final project attempts for Quilt It Challenge! I wanted to go ahead and finish this dream project, a whole-cloth table runner.

I know you can't see it very well. I chose the new Connecting Threads variegated thread Denim Blues, which is great! Except I put it on closely matching large print fabric.

This is a Mary Engelbreit house in the woods. Love her art! Maybe I should spend more time on some thread painting to help the picture show up better? However, I'm having trouble deciding where the negative spaces should be....

What I am proud of - and why I wanted to finish this Challenge- is the free hand feathers. Not traditional feathers as I have been practicing, but more stylized to fit the "ME" picture. And it worked! At last I know how to talk to my machine:)

But this runner did not want to be finished! LOL Ran out of blue denim binding....

I still say variegated thread is a great choice for adding visual interest to whole-cloth works. Can't wait to use all my new CT variegated threads [Item No. 21289: I received set of 10 for Mother's Day!] on more whole cloth projects.

To be continued.....

If you have met Cristy Fincher and her mother Sharon Schamber, then you know I can't really find words to describe what special ladies they are.

nice people: Cristy & Sharon

This summer, I've been privilege to learn from Cristy and Sharon. Here are some quilt details and comments form Sharon's trunk show at July's MQG. I know you have already seen all these major award winning museum quality quilts in magazines, so I'm just posting details for Quilt It! Challenge inspiration Pinterest board, and (as I was too excited to hold still long enough to get great pics - sorry) some fuzzy looking quilts that I still can't believe I saw in real life!
One of the many reasons for this Thankful Thursday post.

Tiniest yo-yo daisies ever.

Spiral maze echo quilting, I see a spider web.

Don't know what you call this (except for Amazing!), but it makes me want to go to the beach.

Sharon says Quilting is sculpture, not just holding 3 layers together.

I want to try this next Quilt It! Challenge block.

An applique block with embroidery.

Sharon may spend 50 hrs. on an applique block.

Whole cloth design; borders/frames are quilted

Can you see the feather shells border?

This is my favorite: very tiny pumpkin seeds with even tinier stippling.

This one is for @SewExcitedQuilt. Something new!

Sharon says embroidery needles won't bend in freemotion quilting like quilting needles do.

A quilting sampler.

Are you warn out yet? I am. Time for a break.

Alex is making raspberry tea:)

LUV this traditional design. Surprise, it's not English Paper-Piecing.

Have you tried Sharon's Piec-lique technique?

This epaulet edging has hand stuffed cording.

Sharon develop this technique when she was a wedding dress designer.

What did you do in a former life that contributes to your quilting?

Seriously, tell me! I love those stories:)

Sharon says UFOs are like Ex-husbands. Why would you go back?

Here is an exception. Once Upon a Time is all hand made, needle-turn applique, this quilt waited 14 years for finishing.

And then won NQA best of show.

Sitting Bull's portrait in quilting.

I think Sharon would say the secret to her infinite design styles is having enough technique to go wherever you imagine. At least, that's what I learned from her quilts.