Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Workshop with Wendy Mathson

One of my guilds hosted Wendy Mathson yesterday and today.  Her presentation at guild last night was fun and informative, but the workshop today was great.  I've always been intrigued by Storm at Sea quilts, but have never made one.  These are Wendy's speciality.  She's a great instructor and has created tools that make accurate construction of the blocks attainable for just about anyone.  It was a full class and the designs on the board at the end of the day were varied and interesting.  By simply changing fabric placement the quilt looks entirely different.
This will be the center.  I'll square it off with white corners and add
borders.  The white background is all one fabric, but there
are about 18 reds in the quilt.  It's about 21 inches square.



I can check off one item from my "to do" list.  I finished quilting the 30's quilt for a friend.  It's a utility quilt so I kept the quilting simple, but I used wool batt to give it some texture.  I'm pleased with the end result.


Thanks for checking in.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Updates: Celtic Solstice and the patio

I started quilting my celtic solstice.  I'm doing the ditch work right now and there are a lot of ditches!!

Two weeks ago I purchased an outdoor heater for my patio.  Then we had a heat wave!!  Today I put it together knowing cooler weather is approaching.  Of course, one screw was defective (no threads!)and I can't get the holes to match up on top, but it's ready for my brother to hook up the propane tank.  (I draw the line at electrical and fuel related tasks.) 
Contacting the toll free number regarding the defective part was quite an experience.  I'm not sure what country I was connected to.  I was finally able to give them my address.  Now to see if the part actually gets here.



Several years ago I purchased the "Soroptmist" Rose at one of our conferences.  I've managed to keep it alive in pots . . .   and it's blooming!  Roses don't do well here, but I have three that the nursery told me would survive in our weather.  So far they are blooming.  (You can't really see them in the patio photo and a new photo wouldn't help as I "dead headed" them this morning.)

Thanks for checking in.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Red, White, and Blue BOM

Three friends and I are traveling to Boston this fall.  We'll be staying with Barb's sister, so we came up with the idea of making her a quilt as a thank you.  It was decided to make the Fall BOM in red, white, and blue fabrics dividing up the blocks and applique.  I just finished my four blocks.  I can hardly wait to see the whole quilt put together.
I can see fireworks in my four blocks.
Thanks for checking in.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Fall BOM

Yea!  I've finished my blocks for May.  I'm not looking forward to the applique center, but I'll get on it soon.
Blocks 9 and 10.

Thanks for checking.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Heart of the Valley Shop Hop

Friday and Saturday I traveled the central valley of California to participate in the Heart of the Valley Shop Hop with two friends.  It was our usual 1 1/2 days of visiting quilt shops and having a great time in the car between stops.
Each shop gives a gift to participants along with a pattern.

I didn't have a theme for purchases this year.  That always helps me to focus
quickly when we enter each shop.  This year I just wandered around.  I found
a few kits on sale but also purchases a machine embroidery design and two new
rulers:  Bloc-Loc which will be very helpful with 1/2 square triangles and Quick
Curve Ruler to use with a pattern I purchased.

The same group will be traveling the Central Coast (California) Shop Hop in 4 weeks.  If you haven't participated in a shop hop, find one in your area, get a group of friends together, and GO.  They are fun!

When I got home Saturday evening I pinned my Celtic Solstice mystery.  I meant to start the ditch quilting today, but our local hardware store had a sale in their garden section so I had to plant my purchases.  My eyes were bigger than my flower beds.  I still have two pony packs to put somewhere.

Thanks for checking in.