January 2022

The first half of January I was working on Rhododendron Trail (Bonnie Hunter 2021 Mystery, Quiltville.com).  When that top was complete I finished the applique for "My Garden", the red quilt kit I got at The Quilt Show.  Both quilts are now in process of quilting.  I did quilt and bind two small Bear Hugs (my guild's charity quilts). No photos, but that's two finished and out of the house.

My Garden. top finished.

Rhododendron Trail. Top complete.

I made Valentine's to send to the great nieces and nephews. As they're aging I need to find things appropriate for the older children.  

This one was so cute I kept one.

I found this block when sorting through tubs.
Now it's a pillow.

Two days were spent in virtual classes: 

Adele Scott - ruler work.  Great class. I learned some tips on using rulers in my quilting. She's offering the class again and offers repeat students different designs. I might take her up on that.

Kathleen Riggins - swirls.  Kathleen lives in Canada so outside the virtual world I would be unable to take a class from her. She taught variations on swirls that look amazing.

I think these designs are great. Now to use them on an actual quilt.

Thanks for checking in. 

Guild class

Sue Bleiweiss presented a virtual workshop to one of my guilds this week.  Garden Life.

She has an unusual method of applique fused with Misty Fuse.  Rather than make a small quilt - what would I do with it?? - I made a table runner . . . and it's finished.

Table runners have become my thing.  I can try a new technique and the finished product is useable.  I have a hard time gifting my projects unless I plan to in advance, but I'm trying to get over that!

13 x 42 inches

Sue does not do much quilting after completing the top.
I chose to add some thread work to keep the pieces down.
I stitched both sides of all the black lines.

Thanks for checking in.

November projects

These were projects I worked on in November.

Guild class with Mel Beach

A type of reverse applique

This is the back.

Pumpkin made during a guild meeting.

Sorry it took forever to write a minimal description for this post.

 

June finishes

I'm continuing to make progress on my friendship group WIP (Works in Progress) Challenge.  It's all about working on some of our UFO's.

Sizzle:  

The quilting continues.  I'm not completely done with quilting the blocks, but I've moved on to the background until I can finalize the "what to do" for the blocks.  It made me feel like I was making progress.

Midnight Hibiscus:

I now have the nine blocks complete!  I am changing the sashing and borders from the original pattern.  (Bonnie Hunter, "Emerald City")  I started the quilt in a class last year when Bonnie was the guest teacher for Seven Sisters Quilt Show.

This is only 4 of the 9 blocks.  Blocks are 24 x 24 inches.
All 9 blocks are now sewn.

Speaking of Seven Sisters . . .  June 27 & 28, 2020, would have been our 14th show.  It was a sad week.  I kept thinking of what I should have been doing that entire week: Take a class from Sue Spargo, be on site for pipe and drape installation, hang the show, welcome vendors, welcome attendees, mingle and have fun, take down the show.  As chair, I'm on the grounds all day starting Thursday until the show is dismantled Sunday afternoon.

I did start and finish a graduation quilt for my great-niece.  I told her the end of her senior year may not have been what she expected, but she'll never forget it.

63 x 78 inches
Modified the idea from a Sue Garmon pattern.

  

I'm trying to incorporate ruler work into all my quilts right now.
The white and blue fabrics (columns) were quilted with rulers.

You might say I made two graduation quilts.  I finished 35 blocks for the first one, then thought it was too boring. So I came up with this instead.  It ended being larger than I originally wanted because when I was designing I forgot to add the outside border twice!  The border is on top AND bottom, right AND left sides.  Oh well.  The borders are very wide because the print was larger and I wanted to use it all. 

Another heart stopping moment.  I washed it and it bled.  I knew the pink was a hand dye, but I thought it was OK.  After 4 washings, the last of which happened after I rubbed boiling water and dish soap into the bad spots, the quilt is acceptable. It is on it's way to the recipient.

I've been busy the past few weeks learning about Zoom for my guilds.  I'm disappointed that none of the 4 guilds of which I'm a member have had a virtual meeting.  My last guild meeting was March 11.  My Soroptimist club immediately went to Zoom, but the quilt guilds have been slow to respond.  I've been involved with several round tables and meetings AND I'm proud to announce my first guild will go virtual with small meetings this month and our first full guild meeting will be in August.  Yea!!  Happy dance!!

Thanks for checking in.

I hope you are staying safe.

May Finish COVID-19 #6

Yea!  Another finish!!

This is the sixth quilt finished since the shelter in place began.  Combine it with the two I finished beforehand and I've had a productive year so far.

This quilt was not on my WIP challenge with friends, because I had forgotten it.  When I took a couple of days at the very beginning of SIP to sort in my studio, I found the bag containing pieces and fabrics from a guild class I took last May.

The class was taught by a local instructor, the quick and dirty Pineapple block.  It goes together very quickly because there are not a lot of seams that need to match.  There are some and, yes, I missed quite a few of them

65 x 65 inches

.

I'm trying to incorporate some ruler work in each quilt. (I need to practice.)
The rope in the inner border was done completely free-motion. No marking.
No ruler. I'm actually excited that it turned out so well.  The corners were tricky.

When I started the quilt I used fabrics from my stash and had no recipient in mind.  As I was finishing it, I decided to gift it to my brother.  His first grandson was born last October.

It is nice to have it finished.  Now I can put the fabrics back.  Ready for the next quilt.

AND speaking of next quilts.  I got out my project from the Bonnie Hunter class last June, Emerald City.  A comment from Bonnie during class gave me the name "Midnight Hibiscus".  Tonight I finished the 1080 half square triangles.

Doesn't look like much, but they're there!

Thanks for checking in.

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!

Thanks for checking in.

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.

Thanks for checking in.

Twirly Balls Finished!

My first finish for 2019.  Twirly Balls is complete.  (To be honest, I still have to attach a sleeve.)

I started this quilt in June 2015 during a guild workshop with Sue Garman.  Sue was teaching hand applique, but I contacted her and she graciously allowed a machine appliquer into her class.  Since the prep work is mainly the same, I learned a lot.  Watching her hand applique tiny circles was amazing - just not for me.

Sadly, Sue passed in January 2016.  Friends and I did the 2017 BOM for The Quilt Show as a tribute to Sue since it was her pattern.  Mine is not completed, but it's on my list for this year.

Twirly Balls
Pattern by Sue Garman
50 x 50 inches

The background fill came from "Fill Harmonics" by Sue Heinz
I used a ruler for the piano keys border.  I'm not giving up on ruler work!

 Thanks for checking in.

Two more finishes (almost!)

I took a guild class with Peggy Martin, Quick Paper Piecing Feathered Star and I've been working to finish one quilt for a guild challenge.

I haven't quite finished the binding, but I'll have it ready for the next
guild meeting.  I used the floral fabric to pull my coordinates, then fussy
cut it for the center.  Rather than quilt a design in the setting triangles,
I quilted around all the black.  It needs more, but I'm not sure how
far to go.  I'm taking a class next week on Thread Painting, so I think
I'll take it with me and discuss it with the instructor.  Other than
the foundation quilting there's not much quilting in this quilt.

I introduced this quilt in my last post - but now it's quilted.

The guild challenge was to use only solids - fabric and thread.
I couldn't decide on what to do and then while cleaning/organizing
the studio, I found an old class project.  I was about to throw it away
knowing I'd never finish it when I realized - it was all solid fabrics!
Sooo ..... I cut it into half-square triangles, put with black, and
went to the design wall.  I originally planned to quilt feathers
in all the black, but decided on lines instead.  I used a stencil I had
in my drawer - equilateral triangles with fill lines.  I still need to
do the black around the center.  I held off to think about what I
wanted to do.  I'm going to add more lines.  I'm excited - this challenge
is not due until November and I'm finished!!

Thanks for checking in.

Threadology with Philippa Naylor

Last week a friend and I went to Superior Threads, St. George, Utah, for four days with Philippa Naylor.  It was not a class to make a project, but rather four days to learn her techniques:  precision piecing, curved piecing, applique, and finishing techniques.  I learned a lot!!

The building seemed to be camouflaged.  It
blended in with the mountain.  Mother Superior
told us the red dirt would make any building
red, so why not just start with that color.

These is what we made for Precision Piecing.
1/2 square triangles, square in a square, mitered borders.

Our curved piecing sample.  My first border matches my background so
the star would appear to float in the sky.  I'll add another border for more practice.
Philippa had this pattern for us, but gave us instruction on how to make our own.

I tried to take photos so I could remember the techniques.
How to prep a sharp corner for applique.

How to make a narrow rouleau strip.

After the workshop, we stayed two extra days and went to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.  I had been before, but it was about 40 years ago.  It was Barb's first time.  The two parks are very different but each has something special.  We did a little hiking and lots of "ohh"ing and "ahhh"ing.  It was interesting to see the changes in the desert scenery throughout the trip.

Zion National Park.  You are at the bottom looking up.

Bryce Canyon National Park.  You're on top looking down.

Of course we visited quilt shops.  The shop in Hurricane, UT, told us of an event in the history of Panguitch.  Quilts saved the town!  The town celebrate this historic event every June.

Thanks for checking in.

Gwen Marston workshop

I had the opportunity to take a three-day workshop with Gwen Marston.  Liberated quiltmaking is not my style, but I couldn't pass up this experience.  Gwen is delightful and so open to sharing.  I've always felt like a fraud when it came to art quilting, but she gave me encouragement to just "do it".  I'm excited about my end result.

30 x 33 inches
I'll quilt with straight lines and heavy thread.
The "drip" at the top was not planned.  Nice!

 Thanks for checking in.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe - Empty Spools Seminar

I'm not sure where I've been but I notice I haven't posted for over a month.  Hmmmm.....

I just returned from a 5-day workshop with Victoria Findlay Wolfe at Empty Spools Seminar.  Victoria is an amazing teacher with wonderful and exciting ideas.  The workshop concentrated on Double Wedding Ring, but she inspires you to look beyond the basics.  She would get ideas while talking to us and then show us how to incorporate them into our "blocks".  If you get a chance to take a workshop or even attend a lecture with Victoria, don't miss it!

This is my first quilt made during the workshop.  I had to work
to keep it from being symmetrical!!

Victoria making comments/suggestions on my second quilt. Notice:  It's
too big to fit on the design wall AND the pieces kept falling off.

When I got home I could put up the entire quilt so I could see what I really had.
I can now see places to make changes based on suggestions the final day.

I have to put these quilts on hold for a while.  I have some deadline quilts I need to get finished.


Thanks for checking in.

Allietare!! Bonnie Hunter Mystery 2015 CLUE 3

Here's my progress on clue three for the Bonnie Hunter Mystery.  I actuallly had them sewn Friday night at a group sew, but just now got them out to press.  We're getting lots of pieces.  I have no idea what the result will be, but many participants are already posting possibilities.  The mysteries are a lot of fun.  It's amazing to work with a group of quilters from around the world.  If you haven't done one before I encourage you to start this year or at least make plans for next year's.

Check out progress of other participants.

description: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2015/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html

120 four patch units.  There are extra cut pieces as well.
I was worried that one of my gold's was a differnt color than the
others, but it seems to blend in OK.

Thanks for checking in.

Allietare! Bonnie Hunter 2015 Mystery CLUE 2

Week two and I'm still on track!  I finished sewing my pieces and cut the black and green as well.

The address below will take you to Bonnie page that shows progress made on clue two.  It's fun to see people participate from around the world.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2015/12/allietare-mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html

I'm doing my quilt in Christmas themed fabrics.  Red, Green, Gold, Black.
Most do not have Christmas designs.  All you have to do is put
red and green together and you get Christmas.  My constant gray is
a green fabric with white swirls.

Thanks for checking in.