A Blast From the Past

23 inches square

Here's an oldie from 1989.   I was looking for something in the linen closet the other day, and ran into this.  I'd forgotten I even had it!  I made this for my Mom, and it was made for a specific spot in her apartment, as I remember.  When Mom passed away 9 years ago, I got this back.  I stuck it in the linen closet and forgot about it.  I think the pattern is Old Maid's Puzzle and it was 4 blocks, but I made the 4 patches that come together in the center into one large patch. When I look at this, I think of "Miami Vice" and remember all the soccer games where I sat and did the hand quilting.  I'm not terrible impressed with it now - I think the contrast is too low.  But it's nice and summery and I'm enjoying it hanging in the hallway.

Here's a better shot of the hand quilting.  I used a peach thread, which barely shows.

I'm making Very Slow Progress on the Disappearing 9-Patch/I Spy quilt.  One more session of trimming the rest of the blocks and I'll be ready to get them up on the design wall.  Then the fun begins! 

I thought this carousel horse from the local county fair was pretty cool!  It's a Sea Horse!  I love that metallic turquiose and the fin-thing on the back of the saddle.

I hope y'all are having a great summer!

Challenging. . .

I got my challenge quilt "done" in time.  It's not completely done, as I have some more stones to sew on.  But I don't seem to be real motivated to do that, so I figured I should just show it anyway.  The binding is on and so is the label, so I think that's pretty good!

"Stones Rock!"
20 inches by 28.5 inches

I just ran out of time to get all the stones on . . . probably because I stalled so long on this one.  I went to the bead store and bought real stones - they're just polished and drilled so they were easy to attach.  Interestingly, all the stones ended up being some form of jasper.  They just really appealed to me.  Oh, I forgot to take any detail shots of the cool stones.  Ooops.

 

This shot is for Kate of Katekwiltz blog, who asked me how I handled the ruffled edges of the rock wall section.  My friend V., who helped me A LOT with this the last day, suggested that I do a basting stitch and then gather that section before sewing the border to it.  It worked pretty well.  There's still puffiness there, but no tucks.  I won't be quilting in that area, and I think it looks OK.  I would have liked the border to go right up to the "rocks" but it didn't work out that way.

I'm not 100% happy with this quilt, but I met the deadline and the requirements, so I can live with it.  It really was a challenge this year.  I think maybe I need to take a year off of doing the guild challenge, and just work on my own stuff for awhile.  Some days that's all the challenge I can handle!

Here are my Block Lotto blocks for July.  It was a fun block to do, and very easy.  If you're interested in the pattern, just go visit the Block Lotto link in my sidebar.  I'd love to win this month!

Here are some other Block Lotto blocks from a previous month (don't remember which one right now).  I thought these were fun and easy, so I used these for a demonstration I did at the local county fair.  This only needs some more white fabric between the rows and a simple border (black & white?) and it is ready to pass on to someone for quilting.  It was fun doing the demo at the fair - seems like lots of people want to come see the quilts, and almost everyone has some quilting "family" story they want to share.  That was lots of fun!

Building A Wall

We're finally getting some nice weather, and some flowers are starting to bloom.  This is the first white foxglove that I've had here; mostly they're purple.  We have an abundance of foxgloves this year - they're everywhere in the yard.  I love them, and I love that they just happen - I don't have to do a thing!  Yes, I'm a lazy gardener nowadays.

I'm finally getting started on my challenge quilt.  I've been thinking about it (and stalling) for quite a while now.  The challenge this year is to do 'an element of nature', using textures and fibers, etc.  There are no requirements for size or color for this challenge, which is challenging in itself.  I've had 3 different ideas and couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to do.  My initial thought was Trees or Leaves, but I though maybe too many people were going to do that. I also thought of Grass, but I've waited too long to do that one - no time for all the embroidery that I planned on doing.  So, I've finally decided on Rocks.

First off, I printed some photos of rocks on fabric.  I had some great rock photos from our trips to Nevada and the ocean, both of which are great places to find rocks.  Then I made a trip to the bead store to buy some polished and drilled rocks.  I'm not sure where I'm going with all of this yet.

  

When I visited a new local quilt store I saw this Texture Magic and had an idea that this could work too.  I had to play with it first.  I used some ugly scraps that I found.  You quilt through your fabrics and the Texture Magic.  Then you steam it with the iron and it shrinks up 30%.  It reminds me of Shrinky Dinks!

Then, using my photo of a rock wall, I started building a fabric rock wall.  I was surprised to see how many fabrics I had that would work for this, and my friend M~ let me use some of her Stonehedge fabrics.  My technique: I just looked at one of the rocks in the wall, and tried to copy it by cutting with my scissors.  I had a hard time getting them to be rock-y enough, but not too round or square.  I used a charcoal fabric for the background.  Black seemed to be too stark.

More rocks!

Then I decided that putting batting between the background fabric and the Texture Magic would be better.  It would fill the "rocks" nicely.  Then I stitched around all the rocks.  I did one continuous line of stitching.  It was a giant puzzle.  I had to do quite of bit of backtracking to make it continuous.  It took me two sessions of stitching to finish this!  But, finally it was done.  Time for the next step!

Making the magic happen.  In other words, steaming the fabric with the iron. 

Here it is - all crinkled/poofed up nicely.  I think it looks pretty much like a rock wall, all things considered.

Now for the rest of the quilt.  That will be the real challenge, because I only have a vague idea of what I want to do.  And the project is due Friday at noon.  You know what I'll be doing this week!  *grin*



Purple foxglove



M.I.A.

Yes, I've been Missing In Action this month.  I've had such a busy month! 

My quilt studio looks like a disaster happened in there.  There's stacks of fabrics everywhere, and there's stacks of plastic bins (with more fabric in them) stacked in the way too.  My design wall fell down.  I had a piece of flannel pinned to the wall over the closet and when I was looking for a book, I pulled the pins out.  Rats.  The problem was that, when I moved in 4 years ago, I just unpacked the books and shoved them on the shelves in the closet with no organization.  I was going to get back to it one of these days and never did.  So I took the opportunity and organized my large quilt book collection. Much better!  Now the design wall is hanging from a curtain rod and can be pulled back out of the way to get into the closet.  However, I just need to find a stronger curtain rod, because this one is cheap and is bowing badly. 

But in spite of the fact that I've accomplished very little this month, I do have a few finishes and other things to show you.

Back in September, I started playing around with a Halloween version of the Scrappy Trip pattern by Quiltville.  I cut my strips at 3 inches, instead of 2.5 inches, just to show off the fabrics better and have the quilt go faster.  So these blocks will finish at 15 inches. 

I was making myself a kit of something to sew for after I have surgery on my former broken arm, but that surgery hasn't happened yet.  I wanted needed something to sew one day, and finally hauled this out.  So far I have 5 blocks made (I did one after I took this picture).  It's taken me 3 weeks to get this far, as I've had so little time in the quilt studio.  I have to make 20 blocks total, so I don't know if it will be done for this year!

I finished my applique from the class with Gwen.  But then I wondered: does this need some leaves on it?  What do you think?

I finished my wool basket project.  Now I just need to decide what I'm going to do with it.  Initially I was going to frame it, but I can't find a needlework frame of the right size.  So, the way I see it, I have 2 options.  1. wrap it around a stretched canvas and staple

OR

2. make this the center of a wallhanging.

I can't decide what I want to do right now, so this will be percolating for a bit.

I finished the June Block Lotto blocks and posted them just barely in time!  Wow, the whole month has just flown by.  I'm not quite sure where it went.  But I almost missed this!  I'm hoping to do better for July.  I love the way these blocks turned out.  I love the colors, and the block is easy, fun and has some interesting possiblities for setting. 

Here are some of the potholders that I've made for my guild's quilt show this fall.  The red one in the back is my first attempt at chenille.  I think it came out pretty good.  The black and white was a practice Disappearing 4-Patch and the cow fabric is on the back of those.  And then 2 selvage potholders, with some selvages that my friend K in Calif sent me.  I think they're so cute! 

I have 2 more potholder in process, and will probably be making some more too.  The ladies in the guild had never heard of using selvages before, and I think they thought I was a little nuts.  Now they're giving me selvages!  Yay!

Last September, I started this Disappearing 9-Patch I Spy project.  It was supposed to be for a guild challenge, but I didn't get it finished in time.  Now, I've finally got all my 9-patch blocks for my GD's quilt made and sliced up.  They're ready to be trimmed to the same size and put up on the newly-functional design wall.

I'm still stalling on my guild's "Element of Nature" challenge and it's due mid-July.  I know I'm not the only one that hasn't started yet.  But I mostly know what I'm doing and am all ready to start.  I just need a few days with no other commitments.  I've had jury duty this week, so that has pretty much kept me either busy or too distracted to do anything.  I'm hopeful for next week!

This is a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly that DH found in the front yard on the rhododenron.  At least I think that's what it is, based on what I saw on Google images.  If you know better, please let me know.  Isn't it beautiful? 

Gettin' Wooly Around Here

Here's my first blooming Rhododendron of the season.  We've had the coldest spring on record, and things are slow to get going.  Except, of course, for the pollen, which is about to kill me.  It's pouring tonight, and still cold enough to need a sweatshirt, with the heat running.  June???  Hard to tell!  But by Saturday, we're actually supposed to be in the mid-70s for the 1st time!!  Maybe DH can get his poor tomato plant in the ground soon, instead of on top of the china cabinet!  (otherwise the cat will chew it.  Dumb cat.)  And I really don't mean to complain.  At least we're not having floods, tornados, snow or any number of ugly weather events that other places are experiencing.  Not to mention way-too-hot temps!  Guess I'd better not complain, huh?  Sorry 'bout that, chief. 

Here's where the Wooly comes in. . . .

My sister sent me this table mat - just because!  I love it!  It's perfect for the table where we eat all the time.

Look at all the fun she had!

Now I just have to keep the cats off of it.  Apparently, her cat Zoe was on it and it smells like her, which the boys find very interesting.  Lots of sniffing going on, and some sitting/laying on.  So far it's only on the coffee table.  Maybe when the good smell wears off, I can actually put it on the table.  *grin*

Here is some wool applique I've been working on.  I've really been searching for the pattern,  because I'm ready for the next step.  I just could not find it!  After searching through everything twice, I finally found it "hiding" on the cutting table.  Egads, I hate when I do that.  But now I can get this done!  The pattern is from the book "Farmhouse Quilts: Baskets & Patches" by Liberty Homestead. 

My friend K~ did the embroidery for me in exchange for some pottery.  I used some hand-dyed wool (grape!) I bought in January, and the base fabric is a light blue linen that I was originally going to make into a top.  I'd rather do quilting with it!  It's really nice to work on. . . I love the way it feels.  I can't decide if I'm going to frame this or make it into a little wallhanging.  The pattern is for a pillow, but I don't want to make it a pillow.  And it's not very big, so a pillow that small will get lost at my house.  Soon it will be . . . something!

Here is the state of my applique from my class with Gwen Marston.  I decided to go with fusible (Misty Fuse), and I'm doing a running stitch around the appliques.  Very folk art-y and fun.  I don't do much hand work, and haven't done it for quite awhile.  So, this is something different, and I'm enjoying it.

Now I'm trying to decide which stitch to use on the outside edges of the flowers.  Can you see the stitches?  I'm tired of the blanket stitch, and think I'll go with more of the running stitch.  But I think I'll increase the number of threads I'm using so the stitches will show up better.  This is getting closer to done, and I'm starting to consider border options.  I haven't quite decided what size I'm going for here.  So, I'll be thinking of all the options for my projects while I finish up all this stitching.

And really, all of this handwork is "busy" work while I avoid working on my challenge quilt.  Ahem. . . .cough, cough.  Just a little stalling, eh??

Hello Again!

Happy Memorial Day to those celebrating it.  It's good to remember and reflect on the sacrifices our men and women in uniform have made for our country.  I come from a military family, so I understand what some of those sacrifices are. 

Stars for the 4th - 1989

Here's an oldie that I don't think I've shown before. 

I loved my class with Gwen, way back on May 13 & 14, and my visit with Grass Roots Sharon, who very generously had me as a guest in her home.  It was Quilt Heaven!  We ate, slept and talked quilts for 3 days!  And Sharon has quilts all over her house - all of them finished!  It was so much fun - thanks again, Sharon!

We had a blast with Gwen.  There is nothing like a room full of quilters having a good time to really get you going.  And a huge Thank You to Lee of Two Thimbles Quilt Shop of Bellingham, who got Gwen to come give the class.  Lee did a bang-up job of making everything perfect for this class.

Here are a few of the inspiration samples Gwen brought for Friday's Liberated Log Cabin class:

This was her latest one - a "summer spread" (no batting).

Of course, I loved the plaid one!

Here is what I got accomplished in class that day.  I can't wait to get back to this and do more on it.

Saturday's class was 19th Century Folk Art Applique.  Now, if you know me, you know I'm not really "into" applique.  I do a little, but it really doesn't excite me much.  But I just couldn't pass up this class!  I've always loved Gwen's approach to applique and I've always loved Folk Art.

This is Gwen's latest Folk Art applique piece.  All of her pieces are about this size, about 18" by 24" or so.  I can't remember what she called this - it's some tree that grows in the Midwest, that I had never heard of before.  I love the quilting she added to the fruit.  I guess this tree has very textured fruit on it and she wanted to capture that.

Gwen taught us how to fold and cut paper free-hand for our "templates". Lots of fun and very freeing.  Here's what I've come up with so far.

view 1



view 2

At the time, I couldn't decide which way I liked it better, but I've decided to do a combination of both views.  I may add something to the middle of the flowers, but that's it.  It's not too "purty" at the moment, but the possiblility is exciting me.

I also got to meet "in person" with Nifty Quilts, who was also in Saturday's class.  Check out the piece she made in the Folk Art class - it's super!

Next up for me is my guild's challenge.  We're supposed to do "an element of nature" - an art quilt.  I've got some ideas floating around in my head, and just have to get them transferred into fabric.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

More hand-me-downs and a Naughty Cat

Here's more of the goodies I got from my sister.  This top is all put together and ready to go.  I think it's small enough that I can quilt it myself.  She washed it before she gave it to me, so some of the fabrics shrank more than others.  Which means, it's a little bumpy and I don't think it's gonna quilt out.  But so what?  Finished is better than perfect, right? *grin* 

Oh, and that light spot on the quilt top near the bottom left?  That's actually sunlight! Yay!  It hasn't happened too much in this neck of the woods lately.  We've had a very wet, late spring this year and all of us are more than ready for spring to show up.

Here's a closeup of the two blocks in the quilt.  I love that stripe!

Here's an odd collection of patriotic blocks.  This is just wallhanging size right now.  I need to add more blocks to it, obviously.  I made the Ohio Star in the upper left corner, and the three tiny blocks.  I don't remember when, but I remember the blocks.  Isn't that funny?

Sunday was a glorious spring day here, and my azalea just burst into bloom.  I love the color of this one, and it's where I can see it when I'm sitting at the dining table.  I actually got out and did some yard work.  That felt good.  I have more plants to get in the ground still.  Soon. . . .

Here is the naughty cat.  DH got in the cupboard where we keep the pipe cleaners and apparently didn't close the door securely.  Dunkel just helped himself! He loves pipe cleaners.  You can see the bag on the step below his tail.  Somehow he got it out and across the room and up the stairs.  Smart kitty.

And here's the rest of the pipe cleaners!  I think Dunkel had a good time with them.  (Please ignore the fir needles . . . they're everywhere all the time.  A constant battle.)

I haven't done any sewing lately.  My quilt studio is a total disaster, and I'm supposed to be cleaning it up, but I'm kind of in the mood to ignore it.  No inspiration, somehow.  I have made some pot holders (no photos yet), as my guild is making pot holders to sell at our quilt show this fall.  They're fun and pretty easy to make. 

However, I'm taking a 2 day workshop with Gwen Marston next week (Woo hoo!!!), and I need to get in there and get some stuff together to take with me.  I'm having a terrible time deciding what fabrics I want to take with me.  I've wanted to take a class from Gwen for about 25 years now, and I'm so excited to be able to do this.  So, I guess that's some motivation, huh?  'Cuz I know when I get home from the workshop, I'm gonna be all inspired and will need a place to work.  Time to get to it. 

What do you do when you need to get inspired?  Please share what works for you.  I could use some inspiration! 

I know I'm pretty late but . . . Happy Star Wars Day!  'May the 4th' be with you! (get it??)

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.  We're going to have dinner with the rest of the family tomorrow.  Should be a grand time!

My sister came to visit last weekend.  She was cleaning out her quilt stuff when I told her I'd like any bright plaids she might have.  So she brought me 2 bags full of fabric - and they weren't all bright plaids! - plus another bag with unfinished projects.  This was just one of the projects.  There's 50 blocks here, and they just need putting together!  Woo hoo!  I'll be sharing the other projects with you a little later, as I don't have photos of them yet. 

Shade is wondering why the Easter Bunny doesn't bring kitty treats?