construction zone

I don't know if this ever happens to you, but sometimes I just get in the mood to work with a certain color and then I have to figure out what to do with it. This time it is black and white with just a bit of red.

First, for those who follow me on Facebook, I have almost finished this red moon quilt. Don't you love the simplicity of the halo and the soft drama of the red?

moon quilt--quilt--Ann Brauer--40x40 inches

Then I decided to work on a couple black and white flames. Again a simple statement. But then how to put them together.

quilt--Ann Brauer--wip

Is this too busy? Does the red detract from the simplicity? Yes, it needs one more and I haven't quilted it yet but I did want to see what happens?

quilt--wip--ann brauer

Should they be hung slightly apart? Does this make it easier to examine each one? Interesting question.

What if I hang them like this? Another coastal scene. I do find it an interesting arrangement, don't you?

quilt--wip--ann brauer

Of course I could create just one long wall hanging. Maybe a table runner. Or over the sofa.

quilt--ann brauer--wip

And of course I could include the moon quilt. What fun this would be? Very different. For a large wall or a corporate office.

quilt--wip--ann brauer

And finally this interesting arrangement. The moon stretching beyond into space. Almost a feeling of motion here isn't there? But is the yellow distracting? I know I need a third but should I remake the other flames also?

quilt--ann brauer--wip

It would make a great statement on the back wall of my booth. Maybe in a formal office setting. And of course the quilts could be sold separately--yes, I am always thinking about that bottom line--if you know what I mean. Oh I wish I had time to make all of them. It is hard to decide isn't it? What would you choose? Do you ever play like this with your designs?

I got it!!!

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me "How long does it take to make a quilt?" I could probably retire. A good question. A fair question. But one that is so impossible to answer. For instance, there is a quilt I have been dreaming about for years. Maybe even decades. I will sketch it out during quiet times at craft shows. Play with the design in those early morning hours as I gradually awaken. Visit art museums and ponder how can I make it.

Now I know there are many methods of making quilts by now and some of them would allow me to create the design. However, with no offense to those who use these methods so successfully, they are not my methods. I don't fuse. I don't reverse applique. I don't paper piece. All of these methods would work--and there are many other methods that might also work. But they are not MY method.

So I continued to ponder and dream until finally it hit me. Yes, this just might work. I knew the colors. The concept. I could see a couple of tricks that might help. It has been a long cold spring. Shelburne Falls has been quiet. I might as well try.

quilt--Ann Brauer 2015

Nice colors. Although this is taking forever.

quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

Yes, this is finicky.

quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

Is it even going to work? Should I continue or put it in the UFO pile? I sleep on it.

quilt--2015--Ann Brauer

It only works from a distance.  I peer in through my window. Yes, my neighbors shake their heads and wonder.

quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

How many breaks can I take? When will I finish?

quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

Still so much to do. So many questions to answer. Can I keep the colors the same on the bottom? It was the end of the day and I was impatient--probably not my best idea. Sigh.

quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

So much more to do. So many more questions to answer. So many problems to solve. But the reward was showing the image to my DH and having him say "Wow". 

What do you think? How do you begin a new project? How long does it take? And what is next?