Straight Line Quilting

It doesn't sound very complicated, but it adds such a nice dimension to a quilt - especially when curves in stitching or gradations of fabric are present.   I'm doing one such thing now.   Varying size strips of 2 batiks were stitched together - Ricky Tims style.   I started quilting the gradations, but then saw some straight line quilting and decided I wanted to try that.  It's not stitch in the ditch - it's straight lines across the quilt; 1/4 inch apart.

This is the general look with the 2 fabrics.   The color isn't exactly the colors of the fabric as the 2 different batiks tend to meld together better than this.

Another view - you can see some of the stitching - it looks crooked because of the gradations, but it isn't.   This is just to be a background for some dimensional leaves.   In the orange sections I will portray - lichen.   How?   I'm not sure yet - but I have a couple of ideas.   It needs to pop off the quilt and be dimensional.

Much better colors of the background - and these are the thread embroidered leaves I will be attaching.

Reverb10 for December 23.

Prompt: New name. Let's meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

Easy - my alter-ego name is "EJ - my initials without my last name!   Why?   I think it sounds like someone who is cute, spunky, energetic, creative, popular (everyone wants her around).  

Reverb10 for December 22

Prompt: Travel. How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

Easy:   My big travel was a cruise.   We were aboard the Carnival Glory for a trip to New England, Canada, Nova Scotia etc.   It was our 40th anniversary celebration with good friends of ours.   We had a fantastic, supper, wonderful, unforgettable time together.   I'd do it again in a heartbeat.   It was noteworthy as I went out of my comfort zone to travel in a different way - one where I gave up control, just different than I had done before........and most thought I would never follow through on.

Next year?    I don't know - we're hoping for another joint trip - maybe to warmer weather!!!!   Having said that - I'd still like to go to Alaska sometime!!!