what if

what if # 160: reverse collage applique

i have been thinking a lot about positive negative lately and building an image in reverse and so today after playing with the idea of a reverse applique star i thought what if the reverse applique was placed over some crazy collage to give the image more interest. random scraps and fussy cuts arranged on a backing and then covered with a star cut out. and what if i add some dimension to the mask with crayon. regular crayon, scribble on and ironed into the fabric, between the pieces of brown paper to absorb the wax. i have done that before. it fades slightly with washing but work fine for shadowing.
crazy reverse quilting? maybe this falls into cqr? shall i try this with dots? i think so.

what if #156: crazy dots

...so what if i combine crazy and dots?  layer one technique onver another?  works for me.  foundation pieced crazy square free pieced to background.  applique dots outlined in magic thread.

what if # 150: crazy cat block

what if the crazy is only part of the block? foundation crazy mini block (3" square) free pieced into larger block (9" square), applique face and ears, embroidered details. cotton cat on linen ground. braided tail attached separately. couldn't you see a whole quilt of these?

clare has done a nice variation over here.

what if #124: nine patch variation

oh, what if (?) i play around with the pumpkin patch idea and turn it into a pumpkin (nine) patch. after all it is halloween.
i like nine patch configurations. they are great for samplers. this one is a sampler of pumpkins. they come in so many shapes and sizes. and now fabrics from so may friends.
9 freehand drawn and hand stitched pumpkins appliqued inside the boxes of a dobby woven linen window[pane plaid. 13" x 13". 

what if the only crazy thing about this one is the face?

what if #116: crazy illusion

....the original concept grew out of what if (?) there is just an illusion of seams and patchwork. i achieved the base piece by ironing scattered freezer paper shapes on a gorgeous yarn dyed ombre*** plaid. and then applying a thin layer of soft scrub with bleach, the discharged area of the plaid is a ghostly pale version of the original.
then... since the illusion was pleasing i thought what if (?) i quilt each shape with variagated thread to give the illusion of changing color. i didn't have the muted colors i wanted so i just thought what if i dip my existing colors in tan dye? so i did.

7" square, cotton discharged plaid stitched to linen twill.

***Ombre

n. A French term meaning "shaded." Usually a multicolored stripe, with colors graduating from light to dark. The color effect is woven into the fabric. Generally produced by arranging different tones in the warp.

what if #113: crazy leftovers

this block is inspired by asking myself what if(?) the crazy block was made from thread scraps instead of fabric scraps. it will take awhile to finish so here it is in process. 7" square, drawn design to be filled in with thread ends, and a few fabric scraps for good measure.
many of you have asked for my address to send your block. i hadn't asked for you to send them to me, i just volunteered to send you one. but if you want to shower me with gifts i will wecome any with open arms. so no rules. swap or not. whatever. so much fun this CQR. great things!

what if #111: crazy meeting places

somehow when i was looking at my sketch, i thought if i crop it it sort of reminds me of crazy patchwork.
.....i thought, ok, what if (?) i use bleach to discharge the tree branch lines, cropping the design so it is abstract and crazy. like a mosaic. it looked good and i wanted to keep it simple, so i said what if i just use that simple kantha stitch?
then it seemed appropriate to decorate the intersections somehow. simple cross stitch. X marks the spot. what if i couch those  Xs to keep those crossroads secure? what if the kantha stitches changed direction in the blocks of blue?
......i like this one for its simplicity, the ragged patterned discharge(torn paper stencils) and the wild texture. and of course the functionality of the structure.
but most of all i like it because it symbolizes the different paths that have crossed in the process of this shared "what if" environment. thank you all for being here.

center discharged 5" square quilted to 7" chambray square. cotton. indigo thread used to stitch dark indigo sections.

what if #109: crazy markings

.....i couldn't resist. what if (?) i draw the embellishments. this is a quick answer but i think i will go back and do it again on a real patchwork. or i guess i could also color this in! ha!
block is 7", marker and crayon on textured linen.

what if #108: crazy vintage

.....i have a lot of old stuff. when i think of crazy quilting, i think of  of tradition and vintage and patchwork and recycled scraps.

.....i was thinking about the lace embellishment on the patchwork seams and thought what if(?) i make the patchwork the embellishment and the lace the patchwork. this will be a fragile piece. made from very brittle old pieces and recycled worn patchwork. maybe it should be framed. i think it will bring the  traditional  and something new together. and i like that it will be repurposed into something non functional. except to look at.

block is 7" square, old lace and sheers, old patchwork applique borders, linen twill foundation

what if CQR is more?

.....today i want to say more about CQR. the group has produced many wonderful pieces that to me represent small journeys on a personal level. perhaps i should clarify my objective here.....
my reasons for starting this challenge was to demonstrate a thought catching and questioning process. i picked Crazy Quilting for several reasons.
1. it is a form of quilting which is my focus
2. its roots are in recycling and personal expression which is close to my heart
3.it has a recognizable style which seems to have a large following
4. the style included repeated techniques
5. i knew it would create a stir

...i was curious and asking myself about style. i think of style as a culmination of technique and ideas over time. hopefully it evolves as a personal symbol of achievement and a method of communication. but i thought to myself, what if style is also a stopping point? is it a place where we collectively rest and forget to go forward?  a path to over and over? so i put myself out on a limb with that question. and then i asked what if just the techniques and the materials change? What does it become and where does it lead? Crazy Quilting as it is has nothing to do with this question except i used it to make a point. a jumping off point. an exercise in questioning. I am thinking that eventually it will turn into AQ. Alternative Quilting. jumping off from anywhere.
I am just getting back to the internet after technical problems. I am very excited with the group's work and its atmosphere for sharing ideas.
i have chosen today to feature Karen's new block, because she has no blog and besides being exquisite, it illustrates very well what i was thinking. and the photo presentation just says to me what if we see with new eyes? a beautiful block, thank you Karen.
I have set up a photo album and will start loading in pics from those who have no blogs first, so you can see the work that is being done.i finally have some time to review all that has been done.