Two guilds, two workshops

I had the opportunity to take two different workshops Friday and Sunday.

FRIDAY.  Jean Impry, Garden Party.

I created a bouquet by fussy cutting flowers and leaves from various fabrics.  We arranged our bouquet, stitched them down, then the fun started.  We were to quilt (with black thread) around the various blooms multiple times and add some detail.  All this is done before adding batting and backing!

Design in process.  No details yet.

I've added the details,  I have a few flowers yet to finish, but I ran out
of bobbin thread so it was time to go home!

Close up of flowers.  The 'wrinkles" are intentional.  In fact that was a hard
part for me.  I kept smoothing out the fabrics so they would lay flat.

SUNDAY.  Patricia Beaver, Crayola quilts.

I don't consider myself a painter, but I was able to use crayons to color in a design.  I looked at design ideas on line - googling free, public domain, coloring pages - had it enlarged at a local copy place and today we traced, inked, and colored!.

I omitted the pumpkin from the center.  I'll probably quilt it in.
This is approximately 36 inches in diameter.

Close up.  The colors are very subdued so it didn't photograph well.
I may use a heavy weight thread and quilt over the black swirls.
What I won't do is embroider them by hand!

I'm happy with the results from both classes.  But tomorrow I have to get back to my deadline quilt!

Thanks for checking in.

Martian invasion

At our local show I purchased an Amy Bradley Designs pattern, "Planetary Party".  I used some of her aliens to make a quilt for my nephews.  I originally wanted them to use her creatures as inspiration and draw their own, but they're still pretty young so that didn't work out how I imagined.  Instead I selected one of Amy's designs that looked similar to their drawings.  Meant to be a Halloween quilt, it really isn't, but I like it anyway!  AND . . . it's done and mailed!!!

The quilt is long and narrow.
It can hang on a door or be
used as a table runner.  It's
about 20 x 58 inches.

I hurried Monday afternoon to sew down the sleeve
and label so I could get the quilt in the mail.  I was so
proud they would get the quilt before Halloween.

Then while loading these photos I remembered . . . . . THE EYES.
I forgot to make eyes for the Martians!  I'll have to get the quilt back 
later and add them.

I couldn't decide how to make the eyes.  I didn't want to add
a button or something similar.  I'd like to make them some
type of thread embellishment.  I'll have to think on that some more.

I've had this background fabric in my stash for over 20 years.
It's one of the original fabrics by Mary Ellen Hopkins.  It was
perfect for this quilt.  ME always said "Use your fabrics because
when you die they'll use them for Halloween costumes."  I finally
used it for a Halloween quilt.  That's a much better use.

OK, now I need to start a quilt that is due November 9.   Of course it's last minute.  It's the only way I know to work!

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BOM BJ's Quilt Basket

I've been working on a BOM from BJ's Quilt Basket in Bend, OR.  I've actually done fairly well keeping up.  If I lived near Bend the participants meet the first Saturday of each month for show and tell.  It's impossible for me to attend but the shop mails my instructions and fabric each month.  It's not a mystery.  I just liked the pattern and decided to participate.  So where am I? . . . . I finished the August blocks last week and received September blocks this month.  I already have September done!!  Yea for me!  

I have to admit I'm still behind.  The February block was applique.  I wanted to wait until after my Philippa Naylor Empty Spools class thinking I would use techniques learned in her class.  I've gotten started, but I have quite a way to go.  There are four small applique blocks in the body of the quilt,  BUT the border has LOTS of applique.

"Timeless Tradition"
http://www.bjsquiltbasket.com/BOM.html

August blocks.
Each month we've made one 12-inch and two 6-inch blocks.

September blocks.
Since there are only 3 blocks each month, I'm concentrating on accurate piecing.

One of four applique blocks.  I can't decide whether to make the flowers
match in each block or do a variety.  The pattern calls for four different
flowers in four different colors.

I'm still working on the BOM from Fat Quarter Shop.  I'm keeping up with it as well.  I'll post an update when I finish the September sections.

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Quick Curve Ruler

I purchased the Quick Curve Ruler a couple of years ago but had never unwrapped it and put it to use.  Mission accomplished!
I needed (wanted) a table runner for a birthday present so I decided the time was right.  I have a few questions about getting things to line up but for a first attempt it's not too bad.

16 x 44.5 inches

back side to show quilting

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White whole cloth finished

Two weeks ago I met with friends for several days of sewing.  I had finished quilting my white whole cloth but needed to sew down the binding.  I then attached hot fix pearls.  I'm excited how it turned out!

Started September 2012, Cindy Needham Whole Cloth Design Workshop.
Finished July 2015.  Yea!!!!

I used this as a UFO Challenge for my guild.  Of course, even my application was a UFO.  I didn't ever get around to submitting a photo.

38 x 38 inches

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Catching up on BOM

I spent yesterday and today catching up on a BOM program I started with BJ's Quilt Basket in Bend, OR.  I found the shop when I was investigating attending the Sisters Quilt show.  The trip ended up being postponed to another year, but I really liked one of their BOM's.  I'm doing Timeless Treasures, 90 x 90 inches.  It's a non-mystery BOM.  Obviously, I don't get to attend their monthly meetings to see what everyone else is doing, but it's still fun.  I have completed all of the pieced blocks so far, but postponed doing the applique until after I took the class with Philippa Naylor.  Now I'm ready!

Each month I make one 12 inch and two 6 inch blocks.

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Independence Day sewing

Today I spent time at my machine catching up on BOM for one of my guilds.  This year the person in charge allowed us to select one block, then each month she gives us a color and we make our block in that color.  When I finally picked the block I wanted to use I cut out several anticipating colors that would probably be used during the year.  The following months I just cut "kits" rather than sewing only one block each month.  Today I sewed 6 blocks together.  (Actually 4 complete blocks and two half done blocks.)  It's supposed to be secret, but I don't know of any guild members who read my blog so I think I'm OK.  Here's what I have so far.

The upper left is very dark blue.  The brown was one of

the early blocks.  The square around the center does not

"pulse" like some of the others.  I don't know yet if I'll add

sashing strips or put it together like this.  We still have 5 months.

The green and gray are not finished.  I decided I didn't like the center square.

The block is called "Supernova".  17 1/2 inches.

Thanks for checking in.

Happy 4th of July!