A little over a year ago, this former News addict made a change. This girl who was tuned in to NPR almost constantly (who was so into it that she donated an old car to the cause) decided to disconnect a little from the constant stream of News that bombards us daily. Much to my children’s relief when riding in the car or relaxing at home we now listen to music instead of the News and I feel lighter for it. Because of the intensity of my job, I felt I needed a break from being so bombarded in my free time . . . and I am happier even if guiltily uninformed.
In May we took our kids to Washington DC and visited the Newseum which I would highly recommend. It had me thinking again about the minute to minute stream of News we now hear about from all over the world. With this running through my head, the colors of our Bonaire trip still fresh and inspiration from my Denyse Schmidt quilt I came up with this new design.
Monday Musings-Creative Inspiration Plus a New Quilt | Entropy Always Wins.
I knew I wanted to use concentric circles and thought I would use bias tape. This concept failed fairly quickly and I moved on to folding my fabric in quarters and drawing quarter circles with a compass. Truth be told this gal has never taken any formal quilt/sewing classes and I’m kind of a Macgyver in my constructing. I started by making and quilting my quilt sandwich with random straight lines of 5 different colors of Aurifil blue thread then machine embroidering the circles on top. (I have no idea if this is how it’s supposed to be done but it seemed to work.)
The quilt is made out of several text print fabrics. The solids are Peppered Cottons and it is backed with Ikea Numbers fabric. I’m calling her “Wait, wait, don’t tell me” in reference to my previous NPR addiction as well as to the fact that sometimes I’m happier not knowing every detail of the goings on in the world.
Hillary
Entropy Always Wins 
Wait, wait, don’t tell me you did this so fast! You just got back from those trips! You amaze! I love the message here. The circles as constant streams of information in varing degrees. I love the color choices as possible metaphors for serious, fluff or sensational news. What a wonderful statement here. I am probably reading too much into it, but the bullseye begs the question, “Is all this information hitting the mark?” The text fabric ties it all together brilliantly! Wonderful!
I should of let you write the description behind this quilt because YOU hit it right on the mark . . . the globe with the media streaming around it and the horizon of my recent Caribbean trip incorporated. Yes, yes!! Wishing you luck with kindergarten. I totally get it as my oldest starts high school next week (yikes!). I am way more nervous then he. xo
ahaha!! you are the Mc Gyver of the quilts!! same here! ne lessons and total impro most of the time but, oh my God how you are talented!!! this quilt is a so fabulous!
You are so sweet Sophie. My MacGyver reference had me wondering if I was dating myself because my kids have no idea who that is. Anyway, glad to know we are muddling through this whole thing together. Can’t wait to see what YOU make next.
Glad you’re making quilts and not stressing over the how or the why. Love the title. And I especially loved the story as the parallels run deep. Keep creating. It’s good for the soul.
Thanks Stephanie. Now when you become famous at the MQG show this fall with your beautiful quilts can I say I know you? I’ll certainly be cheering you on. Wishing you peace and creativity (though you need little extra help with that). xo
“Simplicity is beauty.” I like your geometric patterns.
The beautiful again!!!!
Pavlina
Thanks so much Pavlina. Yes I am a self professed big geometric addict. Look forward to seeing what you are up to next.
Hillary
I decided to unplug years ago as well. I occasionally will still browse around the internet, but we got rid of TV in the house and don’t listen to NPR in the car. I love your description of being a MacGyver of quilting. I think this turned out so well, and I love the detail of text prints being incorporated along with the name. Another wonderful finish!
Thanks Yvonne! We have been no TV for years and years too but the NPR thing had gotten a little out of hand. It’s always so refreshing to pause and look at our daily habits and see if they are really serving us. Loving you recent quilting!
Hillary
If it seems to work, it is how it’s supposed to be done. MacGyver skills are great! They show an active brain and lateral thinking.
I have never been addicted to news. I much prefer music on the radio, with just the occasional news bulletin and my newspaper subscription through the iPad. News is rarely happy. The balance is between keeping (reasonably) informed and letting it get you down.
Thanks Carla!