Capturing Memories with Memory Quilts

Do you ever have a project that you know will be fantastic, but you just can't find the time to get it done?  Well, for two years I have been planning and imagining how wonderful this memory quilt was going to be.  I was hoping to complete it for the wedding--I had envisioned it as a backdrop behind the wedding cake.  Then, I thought, it would make a great first anniversary gift. Needless to say, I missed that date.  But one sure fire way to complete a project is to make it a class sample.  So this past year I offered a trapunto by machine class, and yes, I was able to get it done.

The Anniversary Quilt

Details of the center.

The quilt also features, shadow work trapunto, photo transfer, 3-D machine embroidery designs by A Bit of Stitch, lace and ribbon embellishments, and my husband's and my flowers from the wedding.

Even though the quilt didn't get finished when I thought it was appropriate, it was finished in time to share a memory with two important people in my life, Jacob and Brooke.  Congratulations on your first two years.

Fayette Fun Festival

This May, Brett helped me to set up a booth at the Fayette Fun Festival.  It was an opportunity to display my work and sell my patterns and designs.  It also provided an opportunity to meet our new neighbors, since we had recently moved into the area.

The front of our outdoor booth.

My Peacock Shawl

 

 

 

 

 

I digitized the peacock feather for machine embroidery, then I free-motion, thread painted the bird with my sewing machine.

My apron from an apron challenge and a variety of mixed media quilts.

More mixed media quilts.

This is my Peacock Passion quilt.  It is hand painted on silk, machine pieced and quilted, and decorated with a variety of embellishments. It is an original design of mine.  The other quilts are photo transfer quilts, using family photographs.

Testing out my new logo.

We met a lot of people that day, made a few contacts, and held up under a few gusts of wind.

Research and Development

As mentioned in the last post, I had plenty of time to think about my next project.  With the encouragement of my husband, I began to create more patterns to use with the classes and workshops that I teach.  My Inspiration Journal pattern combines basic quilt piecing techniques, the sewing machines decorative stitches, and free-motion quilting or machine embroidery (in a variety of formats) to complete the translucent applique.  

Inspiration Journals with translucent applique, each pattern contains PDF's and
all three machine embroidery designs in a variety of machine formats.

This project is great to introduce a variety of techniques that today's machines can do in one workshop! These featured patterns are currently available through Linda Bratten Creations.  Keep an eye out for more patterns and designs in the future.

Rocked by Rocky

During February, Winter Storm Rocky hit our area hard.  We were without power for two days.  Fortunately, we still had running water, our propane stove to cook with, and a fire place to keep us warm.   

But having no electricity slowed down my sewing opportunities.  So I spent some time researching and dreaming of various sewing and quilting techniques I would like to try. My husband kept the bird feeders filled, and the birds arrived in flocks. I guess Rocky was hard on them also.  But it provided me with lots of photo opportunities.

The cardinals always remind me of my Mother, since they are her favorite bird.

All were welcome at the Bratten Buffet.

It was an adventure for a while, but in all honesty I love my modern conveniences.  The experience has fostered in me a new respect for the quilters of the past who did everything without electricity, but still produced beautiful items.  Appreciating all I have been blessed with, Linda

2013 In Review

This past week I have been making plans and sewing for my classes in 2014.  However, before 2013 slips by I would like to take some time to reflect on some major and minor events that were noteworthy.  I hope to have 13 flashbacks from 2013.  So here is the first. . . .Starting off early in 2013, I took the advice of my students and began working on my Meandering Methods, a No Mark Method of Free-Motion Machine Quilting, Workbook.   After many meals in front of my computer, and with the help of my good friend Sheri, I was able to complete it!

The finished workbook!

This workbook contains the information that I present in my Meandering Methods workshop.  The feedback from my students using it has been great!   

So now I am currently finishing my workbooks for Nature Inspired Quilting Motifs and Fun with Feathers Workbooks.   

My students continue to motivate me to be a better teacher, and for this I am very appreciative. -Linda

Down in the Country

Last week, my husband and I were able to escape to a wonderful little place that I want to share with you.
We spent the night at Julia's Shady Rest Bed and Breakfast. It has a rustic appeal, with big city pampering. It is about 45 minutes East of Kansas City, MO, and only 6 minutes north of I-70.  It is located between Odessa and Lexington.

Julia's Shady Rest Bed and Breakfast

We arrived early in the evening, and realized our mistake.  The place is gorgeous!  We regret not being able to explore the lake and surrounding area more than we did.  Here are a few of the things we found appealing.

Imagine watching this while relaxing in the country.

These guys were pretty interested in us.

 

The view of the lake from our room.

In addition to being able to spend some time in the beautiful surroundings, you may want to explore the local points of interest.  They are located near wineries, orchards, and if you are a interested in the civil war, you will need to visit Lexington, MO which has a historic battle site.

Did I mention that it was a bed and breakfast?  The breakfast spread was wonderful.  Julia is a fabulous cook, and when I come back I am definitely requesting her homemade cinnamon rolls! (You can't eat just one!)

So pick up the phone and make your reservations for a relaxing weekend get away--just be sure to arrive early enough to enjoy the beauty of the place.  Tell them Linda sent you!

Fun with Feathers--In Color!

I have been having fun with my free-motion quilting techniques.  In order to improve your machine quilting you have to practice!  I was focusing on different kinds of feathers for my Fun with Feathers class.

First, I practiced creating feathers on paper. 

Some of my practice feathers on paper.

 

More practice on paper!

These drawings then became a “pattern” or guide for me to use when practicing with my sewing machine.

I started with a blank quilt sandwich, and then free-motion quilted my feathers using my sewing machine.

Lower your feed dogs and doodle with thread.

The feathers all stitched out.

I had so much fun making the feathers—the mixed media artist in me couldn’t help but coloring them in with Derwent Inktense water-soluble ink pencils!

Then I diluted and mixed the colors using plain water and a paint brush. 

Fun with Feathers--In Color!

What do you think?  Hopefully, this inspired you to doodle some feathers with your sewing machine!