End of May Update

The last month I've been busy with lots of projects, but not much finished for "show and tell".

I took two one-day classes at Kiki's Quilt Shack in Fresno, CA.  The days were fun and I learned more stuff about my Destiny.  The two class projects were a garment bag and a pillow.  It's not the projects, but rather the ideas I glean that make the classes worthwhile for me.

We "made" fabric for the body of the garment bag.  Fun Process!

We created all the designs some embroidery, some just using the machine.

The same instructor will be returning in October for a 4-day Destiny Education event.  I'm not sure how many spaces were up for grabs, but the workshop sold out in 2 minutes.  (I was in the first minute!)  There is so much I can do with the Destiny.  I know I have only touched the surface.


I did push my embroidery design skills.  I used software and drew a logo my sister wanted embroidered.  I also transferred it over to my Silhouette Cameo software so I could cut the fabric with my electronic cutter. I purchased a design from Fabric Confetti and read her directions for cutting the applique pieces.  Following her directions gave me the best results ever from the cutter!  It made the process much easier than having to cut around the stitching by hand.

14 Pot Holders designed from scratch!

I took a class from a local instructor through my guild.  I'd seen her technique for a Pineapple quilt but this was my first attempt.  It was a fun day - but I'll have to finish the class project at a later time.


Most of my time right now is devoted to Seven Sisters Quilt Show.  Bonnie Hunter will be teaching classes June 24 - 28 and the show is June 29 & 30.  I'm putting the finishing touches on our program (36 pages, printed professionally) and organizing the files to print over 300 name badges.  I'm one of the co-chairs so there is a lot to do behind the scenes!  The contracts are the scariest part for me.  What if I forget something!!  We won't have enough pipe & drape OR tables and chairs OR electrical power to all the vendors.  It's a great show.  If you're in the area of San Luis Obispo, CA, come check us out.

All of this was in addition to two trips to visit my dad and a weekend conference.  Whew!

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Challenges

I enjoy challenges proposed by quilt guilds and friends.  I recently entered one in a guild challenge and today finished one for our show challenge in June.  (www.sevensistersquiltshow.org)

For the guild challenge we were given pieces of the Pantone and Kona colors of the year.  Each had to be used together in a quilt.  There was no size restriction and we could add any other fabrics.  I'm pleased to say my entry was selected Viewer's Choice.

I gave myself two additional challenges:  use the Quick Curve Ruler and the coordinating quilting ruler.  This is the second quilt I've made from "Mini Wonderful Curves".  

Kona Tone 48 x 48 inches

Our regional quilt show, Seven Sisters Quilt Show, will be June 29 & 30, in San Luis Obispo, CA.
The quilt below is for our challenge "A Touch of Red".  The perimeter of the quilt could not exceed 80 inches.  I designed the Hawaiian style applique block then converted it using software and cut it on my Silhouette Cameo.  It didn't cut perfect, but it was much better than my hand cutting.  I fused the red, button-hole stitched around all the edges, then echo quilted.

Red  11 x 29 inches

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Sizzle and Tush Cush

I just returned from a four day quilting retreat in the mountains.  It was a small group, but we had a relaxing time AND got a lot accomplished.

I am all caught up on my Sizzle blocks.  I could not download block 5 until I got home, but I finished it today . . . . Yea!!!

All 5 blocks.  Each is 20 inches square.

Block 5. Finished today.

Block 4.  You were supposed to inset the center circle, but
I wanted to make sure it matched, so I will be using applique!
(Basically I chickened out.)

Block 3.  I have a hard time selecting which fabrics to use.

Block 1.

Block 2

Last month I took a guild workshop with Becky McDaniel.  We made her Crazy Cushion, which another guild member has renamed "Tush Cush".  Becky will be at another of my guilds next week so I wanted to have mine done.  I got it all put together at the retreat.

I'm not sure why the photo rotated back to its original position???

The pattern calls for "big stitch" quilting with pearl cotton.
I chose to do it by machine with contrasting thread.

I almost finished piecing my Halo Medallion, but I'll post that later.  I forgot to take the fabric to make the corner stones.

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Wild flowers on the CA Central Coast

We've had rain this year which means LOTS of wild flowers are now blooming.  Of course there is a name: "Super Bloom".  There has been lots of discussion as to when the peak will occur, but last Thursday I took time to drive out and view the scenery.  It was wonderful!

I drove out Highway 58 past Santa Margarita to Shell Creek Road.  although it was lightly raining (barely had to use the wipers) the flowers were amazing.  Because of the rain, and it was a weekday, it meant a much smaller crowd.  I then drove further to Carrizo Plains National Monument.  I had never been there and even without flowers the scenery was beautiful.  Soda Lake was calm so the reflection of the clouds in the water made for great photography.

It was a great day!!

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Best of the Valley Quilt Show

Today I went to Best of the Valley Quilt Show in Lindsay.  This is opening day and I'm always excited to see if I won a ribbon.

Yea!!  Three quilts entered, three ribbons!

"13 Days of Halloween" was awarded Best Machine Embroidery.

66 x 64 inches

All That Jazz (Ringo Lake Leftovers) received an Honorable Mention.
This is the raffle quilt for Seven Sisters Quilt Show in June.

41 x 41 inches

Twirly Balls received 3rd place in its category.
This is a Sue Garman design.  I took the class in 2015 but just finished it in February.

50 x 50 inches

The show continues this weekend.

Thanks for checking in.

Guild Challenge / Worldwide Quilting Day

I spent the weekend of Worldwide Quilting Day working on a challenge for my guild.  The challenge is to use the "color of the year" tones (Pantone, Living Coral, and Kona, Splash) in the same quilt.

We had to use provided solid fabrics of both colors along with any other fabrics of our choice.  The quilt could be any size.

I have had mixed results with the Quick Curve Ruler so I set out to conquer the tool!!  I'm happy with the results.  I used the mini version and made one of the patterns from "Mini Wonderful Curves" by Jenny Pedigo and Helen Robinson.  I made "October Eves" last fall, but it's waiting to be quilted.  This one is first in line as it's due at guild in April.

I have the quilting ruler for both the regular and mini QCR - so that is the next challenge!

"Winter Jewels" Pattern
50 x 50 inches
I need a name!
The background is really navy blue.

Yes, the tool was a challenge, but the hardest part of the process was selecting colors and fabrics to make each block different.  This is not my usual form of piecing.  Most of the time I decide what I want, cut it all up, and start sewing.  I had a friend visiting.  Not only did she provide assistance in the selection process, but she kept me going.  I might have stopped at a table runner otherwise.

Just thought:  I could name the quilt "Konatone 2019"

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Two finishes!

I finished two quilts today!!

On Ringo Lake was the 2017 Bonnie Hunter Mystery.  I finished the quilting in January, but finally got the binding and label attached today.

78 x 78 inches

I practiced ruler work on the inside portion.
Feathers in the border.

This next quilt is a donation for a fundraiser in April.  I'm happy to have it completed a month in advance!  A friend suggested that Red, White, and Blue quilts do well at silent auctions.  Hopefully this will help.

49 x 64 inches
I've started adding a narrow border that matches the binding when
I have pieces that go to the edge.  It makes it easier to keep my points!
They always seemed to disappear when I attached the binding.

I quilted lines 1/4 inch from each side of the diagonal seams.
Very light quilting, I wanted it to stay soft.

Thanks for checking in.