Checking In

Yes, I'm still here.  But how did it get to be the middle of August already??!  Wow, the summer is just flying past, and I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I posted.  Need I mention that I've been pretty busy?  I mean, who hasn't been busy, right?  But really, this is ridiculous.  It must be because I'm on the downhill side and gaining speed.  But downhill of what?  I'm not sure.

We haven't been traveling to fun and exotic places, but we've been busy.  The Potter had his big summer event and did very well.  So well, in fact, that now he's scrambling to have enough pottery for his two big events in September plus a LOT of custom commissions as well.   Plus the stores he's supplying are wanting more stuff too.  He's hardly been out of the pottery studio for two months.  I've been telling him that this is a good problem to have, but I'm not sure he believes me.

I did take a day trip over to Vashon Island a couple of weeks ago to celebrate some quilting friends' birthdays with lunch out and a trip to Island Quilter quilt shop.  If you're in the area, I recommend a trip over there.  The island is beautiful, Vashon (the town) is cute and fun, and the quilt shop is wonderful!  Lots and lots of great fabrics and everything is $9.99 a yard.  Even the new fabrics!  The Hardware Store is a great place to eat too.

My sister visited us last weekend for her big 6-0 birthday.  We dyed fabric, played in the pottery studio, went to see Despicable Me 2 and generally had a great time.  And we ate really well too!  Lots of fun was had by all, except for the kitties who were pouting because The Kid and The Dog were visiting too.

But, I have managed to get in a little sewing here and there amidst all the summer fun.

I've shown this panel previously here way back in June.  I'm supposed to make this into a Quilt of Valor.   That blog post prompted Sue over at The Magpie's Nest to offer me a collaboration!  She sent me some blocks that she had and that she thought might work with the panel.  Wow!  These are just a few of the 40 or so blocks she sent.  It looks like it might take some creative planning, but I think these will work just fine.  Thanks, Sue!  This is all the farther I've gotten and I need to get busy working on this.  It's supposed to be done by early October, and at the rate I'm going, that will be a challenge.  

I finally decided to add a small border to my Low Volume quilt top.  Just enough to finish it nicely, I think.  So now this is at the flimsy stage, and I'm working on making a back to go with, so I can get this to my quilter P.D.Q.  It needs to be done for the guild quilt show in early October.

Here's a better view of the small border.  I think this lower-volume print goes well.

Of course, this is the way my photo shoots usually go. . . . 

because of this not-very-wee-anymore beastie.  He's such a help.  Yeah, right.

Yesterday I found that we have a visitor to our back deck.  Froggie has taken up residence in my "bird bath", which is really a plant pot saucer (made by The Potter) that I filled with water for the birds.  They usually get a drink of water and/or take a bath here, but now Froggie chases them around the dish whenever they get into the water, which upsets the birds terribly.  It is hysterical to watch!  

Here is where the bird bath lives, on the back deck.  I believe Froggie is not a tree frog but is one of the many, many frogs that live in the pond.

Looking up from the deck, here is how far away the pond (that big shiny white blob in the distance) is from the deck.  What a long trek for a little froggie!

Then, last night, I discovered that Froggie has a friend now.  (And isn't it amazing how dirty the water got in just a few hours?)  They're just hanging out in the water or on the deck.  I wonder how long this will go on?  

The fun never ends around here!

Projects and a New Puppy

#1
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

I tried something new last week - Artist Trading Cards!  The local art gallery put out a call for ATC's, which they will be using as a silent auction fundraiser.  DH (aka The Potter) didn't find out about this in time to do pottery ATC's, so he did his in paper art.  I thought I'd do some fabric ones, natch!

#2
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

I flailed around for about 3 hours, trying various things, but nothing was working for me.  I had in mind to use my hand-dyed fabrics.  I finally gave up trying to be "artsy" and fell back on free-piecing.  Fortunately, I had a little bucket full of tiny scraps of the hand-dyes (I can't bear to throw away anything big enough to use!).  So #1 was easy.  #2 is made from scraps of scraps of scraps!  I had a bag full of batik scraps that I actually bought, and made a little bag from them.  This ATC uses the parts I trimmed off of that.

#3
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

I'm so glad I took the design class from Gwen Marston recently, because that was a huge help in making these.

Tonight we get to go to the Preview Party.  It will be fun to see all the ATC's.  I understand there are something like 70+ ATC's made by over 18 artists.  Whoo hoo!

Meet Bailey, my newest Grand-dog. She is a 6 month old puppy, a mixed breed that includes Lab and German Shepard.   She is faster than my camera!

Here she is in a more quiet moment.  She seems to be a good dog, and everyone is having a good time with her.

Son #1 says that training his daughters is harder than training Bailey! 

Orange
14 x 23 inches

I finished my Color Challenge quilt in time for the Big Reveal at the summer picnic.  I didn't win any prizes, but I think I would have won for Smallest Quilt!  I kept it simple and just quilted a random plaid.  Random is hard!

Here's a peek at the back.  I used "orange" fabric, of course!

I'm having trouble with focusing on anything right now.  Just kind of pfutzing around, looking at this and that, trying to decide what to work on next.  I'm enjoying the summer.  We have had beautiful weather, so far.  So, I'm happy!

Wishing you a happy, creative week!

#3

I've been working on another Small Study since my class with Gwen Marston, and it's finally done!

My Small Study #3
9.75 X 12.5 inches

I started with that central square of fabric, which was a 6 inch square, and picked all my colors from that.  I was trying to only use that 6 inch square, but ended up finding the rest of the fabric and using a little more.  This one was difficult to do, as I was trying to not repeat my previous efforts too much.  I think I did OK.  It was nearly over-done before I finished, but I kept simplifying and it finally jelled for me.  I was missing Gwen's input!

Here's an F.Y.I. - Gwen will be teaching in this area again next tyear.  She's teaching a number of classes (multiple days) at Quilted Strait quilt shop in Port Gamble in April 2014.   Candy and I are already signed up!

We, along with the whole West of the U.S., have been experiencing quite a heat wave the last few days.  Since it's been so nice, I decided it was time to dye/paint/sun print some fabric again!  So, that's what Candy and I did this morning.  The day started out cool and cloudy, but eventually the sun came out.  I don't think the sun printing was too successful, though.  But it was a beautiful day - not too hot and a nice breeze.  It was really pleasant out in the yard.  Ahhh . . . summer!  (Finally! as my DH would say!  He's been anxious for the rain and cool weather to stop and for summer to get here.)

Here is part of what we did, drying in the sun.  The sun moves very quickly here this time of year so I spent quite a bit of time moving my dyeing boards around to try and keep them in the sun.  I think that's why the sun printing didn't work too well.

Many of these fabrics were re-dyeing or over-dyeing some less-than-successful pieces from some years ago.    When Susan Purney Mark spoke to my quilt guild a few years ago, she told us not to be hesitant about re-doing pieces.  She said sometimes they're just not done yet!  So, what the heck, I thought I'd give it a try.  I sure wasn't using them like they were, and I probably couldn't make them much worse.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?  Well, I haven't even ironed my pieces yet, but I *think* I improved at least some of them!  I'll know more tomorrow, after I iron them and really look at them in good light.  

I hope all of my friends in the U.S.A. have a stellar 4th of July!  Happy Independence Day!

Fun with Gwen Marston

Warning: This is a very photo-heavy post!

My Small Study #1
8.5 X 10.25 inches unfinished

My 3-day class with Gwen Marston was so much fun!  We were learning how Gwen made her Small Studies quilts and how to make our own as well.  These are the Small Studies in Gwen's book "37 Sketches".  We only had 10 students in the class, so we got lots of attention from Gwen.  We had long discussions, got to see lots of her newer quilts, and learned how to make the "parts" she uses to make her Small Studies.  

My first piece, above, uses one of the wonderful hand-dyed pieces I got from Kelly.  Those pieces are just the right size to use in a small study - I even have a little bit left of that yellow/orange.

Below are examples of some of the parts we learned.  (None of these examples are mine.)

inserted squares
a great example of utilizing a striped fabric well

curved inserts

inserted strips

we learned triangles of all kinds

more inserted squares

log cabins, of course!

strips with & without inserts

more strips

It was a good thing the class was 3 days, as it took most of a day just making the parts.  Gwen says hers take about 17 hours each - just the top!  After we all made a bunch of parts, the real learning started - how to design a quilt and put them all together!

Here are everyone's pieces that were up on the design wall near the end of the third day.  (I'm sorry but I didn't get the names attached to the pieces.  If you know who should be credited, please let me know so I can give credit due.)  Many people managed to make 2 or even 3 pieces in the 3 days.  All of these little "studies" are approximately the size of a piece of printer paper, some are a little smaller and some a little larger.

Aren't these all fantastic?!  What a fun, creative group of women we had in this class!

And now, I'll show you what I was trying out for my second piece.  I was really struggling with this one - I was rushing, trying to get done before the end of the class, as I wanted Gwen's input on what I was doing.   I managed to get two pieces done in 3 days.  (these little parts take a long time to construct.)

first attempt

I was trying for a kind of Amish vibe here - I wanted to do simple.  Not too successfully.  So I decided I needed more parts.  Back to the sewing machine!

2nd try - not there yet!

I made some log cabins, some inserted squares and someone gave me a 4-patch to try out.  Gwen told us that trying out some other parts, even if the colors are wrong, will give you a good idea of something more you could do.  We also laid our partial pieces on top of her little quilts for more ideas.  It really worked well.

now I'm up on the design wall, taking suggestions from anyone

I made still more parts!  Getting closer, but not quite "it" yet.  

My Small Study #2
8.5 X 9.5 inches unfinished

After moving some things around and some trimming, it's finally done!  

I would say this was a very successful class.  We all made good pieces, had a wonderful time and I learned a lot. I was exhausted at the end, but it was a good, happy exhaustion.  Candy said she had a great time too.  

I'm already working on #3!

Today is brought to you by the color . . .

Orange
15 by 23 inches

I have finished the top for my challenge quilt.  This year the challenge was to pick a color (we drew crayons from a paper bag) and then make a quilt using that color as the dominant color and using the color opposite on the color wheel as a secondary color.  I drew orange.  At first I was a little disappointed, as I've never liked orange much (aside from Autumn and Halloween).  But lately I'm liking the new oranges more.  And I thought it's not much of a challenge if you go with safe colors.  So, even though I had the option to re-draw a crayon, I decided to go for the orange challenge.  I also had  to use some of the opposite color on the color wheel, which in this case is pure blue.  We could use black or white too.

This design came to me one morning as I was waking up.  I had the idea of a paint chip card.  I used Lazy Gal Tonya's Unruly Letters.  I don't know if this is "challenging" enough or not, but I'm happy with it.  Simple is good.  *grin*

I have waaayyyy over-bought fabric for this!  Each one of those rectangles represent at least 1/2 yard of fabric I purchased for this. Plus I bought about 1 1/2 yards of the solid orange.  Not to mention 1 yard of the blue.  Yikes.  I think I see another orange quilt in my future.  hee hee!  I'm considering a zigzag or chevron quilt.  It's kind of calling to me.

So, I have one month to finish the quilting and binding on this one.  Think I'll make it?  It's never a sure bet.

Yes, I'm all packed up!  Tomorrow starts my 3 day class with Gwen Marston at Quiltworks NW in Bellevue.  Whoo hoo!!   I'm taking the Small Studies class, and it's all about design.  It sounds a little scary but I know it will be loads of fun too.  And my friend Candy is stepping out of her comfort zone and will be taking the class as well.  This is gonna be so much fun!  I'll be exhausted by the end of the weekend, but it is soooo worth it!  I can hardly wait until tomorrow.

At Long Last . . .

I have something to show you!  Yay!  I've actually spent some time in the quilt studio and have gotten some things done.  My friend Candy came over and helped me get the quilt studio picked up and organized again, so I had room to sew.   I'm finally feeling more inspired, and have been sewing.  Now the room isn't as picked up as it was.  That's the way it goes, isn't it?

Apparently, I still cannot take a picture straight.

Here are all my blocks, so far, for the Country Threads On-Line Sampler.  I am all caught up now.  Yay!  I actually have June's blocks done at the beginning of the month . . . . amazing.

The blocks for March

March had 3 blocks, 2 at 12 inches and one 6 inches.

April's blocks

All of the blocks, so far, have had a 12 inch block and a 6 inch block.  April's block was the easiest so far.

May's blocks

June's blocks

By the time I finished May's blocks and the 12 inch block for June, I was pretty tired of pinwheels!   (Seven of 'em, if you're counting)  That 6 inch block was supposed to have pinwheels where the 4-patches are.  No way was I making 5 pinwheels that finish at 2 inches!  I really like this little block with the 4-patches.  Keep it simple.  The 6 incher looks washed out next to the indigo in the big block, doesn't it?  I'll have to do a few more in those muted colors to balance it out.

There are going to be a ton of half square triangles in this quilt, and I'm afraid that they're being saved for the last step.  Not looking forward to that !  I'd rather do a few every month instead.  I have been saving whatever HST's I have left over from the flying geese units.  Maybe that will help!

One of the ladies in my guild really liked this panel.  So much so that she bought a whole bolt of it!  She passed them out at the last guild meeting, and we're supposed to make it big enough for a Quilt of Valor and it needs to be done in time for the quilt show in October.  I'm still thinking on what I want to do.

A couple of weeks ago, I was the lucky winner of the giveaway over at Pinkadot Quilts blog.  I won some of Kelly's hand-dyed fabric scraps and this darling pincushion!  Don't these make your mouth water?  Ooooo, not sure what I'm doing with them, but I'm enjoying petting them for now.  Maybe I'll take them to play with in my class with Gwen Marsten in a couple of weeks.

Here is Shade getting in the way helping me in the quilt studio yesterday.  He stubbornly insisted on sitting on the very end of the ironing board.  He really didn't fit very well, but he was gonna do it!  Silly kitty.

Yesterday I saw this squirrel laying on the fence outside of my kitchen window.  He lay there long enough for me to get the camera and take about a dozen pictures of him.  This is the best one.  He had been lying kind of behind that sprig of lilac so that he was obscured, but eventually he turned around and I could get a good shot of him.  After a bit, he grew tired of the paparazzi imitation I was doing and got up and left.  I wondered if maybe he was sick.  I don't think I've ever seen a squirrel lazing about like that!

We're supposed to finally have some warm weather this week.  It's about time!  But I think I'll still be sewing.  I've got more in the works and I have the time to sew this week.  Happiness is a busy quilt studio.

I hope you have a creative week!