Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Just make my day

  A very wonderful and day brightening email came last week.  This quilter found my blog via searching for watercolor quilts.  No surprise there, but what she created with the information and tutorial was so inspiring to me.  This just made my day.....think Clint Eastwood and arms full of fabric.

  Christine said....."you gave me the information, inspiration and confidence to have a go - especially useful were the tips on fabric selection.  Here's a pic. of my first attempt (indoor shot as here in S.E. England it has rained all week!)."





 I think she has a natural eye for value.   She did an amazing job with this first piece.  Her future plans include a cascade piece and then a full size quilt   Her next step is to collect more fabrics for variety.    Great job, Christine, and thank you for letting me share this here.  I do hope you will share future projects, too.


   More variety makes it easier to blend value for a watercolor.  
I set up a couple of photos to show the different fabrics I would typically use in a project.  The lightest fabrics on the left are what create the "glow"  in the watercolor. The next row is a medium light group   And the third is more medium value.







   This photo shows the range from medium to dark value.  Variety is  just as important.  It does not mean you need 50 cuts of one fabric, rather a few cuts of at least 50 fabrics.   And don't be afraid of the dark values....they add depth to the entire piece.

Thanks again to Christine for sharing and inspiring me.  I may not be able to teach locally right now, but sharing on-line is a great substitute for me!

  Health update......I have been referred to the Spine Center for testing and a specialist.  I know that is a good thing, but it scares the dickens out of me.   Also, I started some meds for nerve pain  and hope it will improve my functioning for now.  I am dreaming of being able to sew a little....it would feel so good to play with fabric again.    That would just make my day.....happy stitching.

22 comments:

Nicki said...

Good morning & thanks for sharing Christine's beautiful first watercolor with us. She did a fantastic job. I like the darker areas in the corners. Seems like she has an eye for color and is a natural with watercolor. The spine specialist sounds like a good thing to me. I know it's hard to be patient when you are in such pain. Hugs & prayers for you during this journey.

Mary said...

Christine's work is beautiful and it's so good to see you posting again.

Heide said...

What a beautiful watercolor quilt.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Christine definitely has an eye for the values and your tutorials gave her a good push to try this.

Specialists scare me too but they really get to the heart of the problem more quickly. I hope your specialist has great insight into some treatment for you.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

What a gorgeous piece for a newbie - but she had a good teacher. Hope there are answers as well as a solution for you soon. Always in my prayers

Dana Gaffney said...

Christine did a really good job getting those values right, I hope she keeps going and keeps sharing. I think it's a good step in the right direction to be seeing a specialist, they'll know what to look for and how to help you.

Quilting Babcia said...

Your blog just keeps inspiring new quilters, and Christine's first attempt at watercolor quilting is wonderful. Waiting for the appointment and a definite diagnosis and course of treatment is so difficult. I hope the spine specialist will be able to quickly diagnose and start you on a positive treatment soon.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Great quilt top from her. Value and I just don't see eye to eye, so to speak. I have other talents than that. Hope they figure out the problem at the spine clinic. Sometimes something minor causes major problems.

Béa said...

Very beautiful quilt, congrats Christine and all my best wishes for you <3

TheYvetteRene said...

I can't believe that the quilt you posted is Christine's first attempt at a watercolor quilt. It's gorgeous, PERIOD. Whether it's her first or her hundredth. Honestly, I'm scared to even try it. I suppose someday I'll grow a set and give it a go. And, of course, praying for you at the specialist...

Gene Black said...

Christine did a great job with the values and with creating a shape.
I am glad to see that you are following up on the problem. Specialists scare me also. I think it is because it sounds so "important" that is must be a big problem. But that is not always the case. And as Wanda said, they can focus on that one problem and find the answer sooner.

Sylvia Anderson said...

Good morning Debbi and happy to hear you are on your way to getting a diagnosis of the problems you are having with your spine and what they will be able to do for you to correct this problem. Our son was on medication for nerve pain for several months before his surgery, and it did alleviate some of the pain, so, hopefully it will do the same for you. I know how painful this is for you and will continue praying for you.

Siver_Angela said...

Какая же красота получается.

Lindafromnm said...

What a beautiful quilt! Christine, you are so talented and I look forward to Debby sharing your future projects. Thank you for sharing.
Debby, I so sorry you have to go through these tests and doctor's visits but if it can help you get back to sewing it will be worth it. I love and look forward to your blog. You are an inspiration.

Barbara said...

I can sympathize about the spine specialist. I had to have a neck surgery about ten years ago, and I was scared spitless, right up until the time I went under anesthesia. It did help for the problems I was having, and while it took a long time to heal completely, it was the right decision. Hopefully, you'll find some answers and a solution to your symptoms. It's nice to receive emails like that, and kudos to you for providing the inspiration.

MissPat said...

You are an inspiration to many of us. I started a scrappy watercolor trip around the world but mine is no where as illuminated as yours. It's on hiatus right now as I work on other things but I will get back to it. Good luck with the specialist.

MissPat said...

You are an inspiration to many of us. I started a scrappy watercolor trip around the world but mine is no where as illuminated as yours. It's on hiatus right now as I work on other things but I will get back to it. Good luck with the specialist.

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

How rewarding to be the inspiration for others! Still having some nerve issues here--surgeon is very confident it will clear up eventually (just what happens when you move nerves around or "free them up" in my case)--but yes, it's not really something we like to "mess around" with or wait on or...anything! Still keeping you, and your doctors, in my thoughts and prayers!

Auntiepatch said...

Good job, Christine! One of these days I'll start one!

Janet O. said...

You are a great teacher, and I am sure it must feel good to know when someone has benefited from what you share.
I do hope you receive some positive information from the specialist and testing!

Mystic Quilter said...

Didn't Christine do a good job - no wonder you're pleased, you should be!
I cringe when told I need to go see another specialist, but they're the experts and I hope you get some answers.good luck with the meds for nerve pain, I take two presently - both actually epilepsy meds - mine work very well indeed - as I have both the latter and the former (nerve pain) I find them invaluable. Hope it eases some of the pain for you Debbie.

Marle said...

Christine`s watercolored heart is amazing! I have never even tried to do anything like that. Many thanks to you Debbie sharing this Christine`s quilt. Maybe some day I`ll try...

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