En Provence Quiltville Mystery 2016

I'm a little behind, but I do have all my strips cut for Bonnie Hunter's 2016 mystery - En Provence.  I have two deadline quilts I need to get finished before I can concentrate on this year's quilt.

As you can see, my neutrals are white with black.  Other colors are light and
dark purple/violet, aqua, green, and my constant an orange red.

Here's the link to see what everyone is doing. http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/11/en-provence-mystery-monday-link-up-part.html

Thanks for checking in.

Sewing on a rainy Saturday and cutting for En Provence Mystery

Yesterday Bonnie Hunter posted the first clue on her En Provence Mystery.  I immediately cut out my strips to make 221 four-patch units.

I sewed a few strips together using a quarter-inch foot with guide.  I usually
don't use that foot, but thought it would make sewing the strips easier.  It did.
I made up 10 of the 221 units I will need.  My neutrals are white with black.

However, I have to do things in order.  I needed a small "thank you" gift for our guild meeting Monday night.  I couldn't make a decision, but finally settled on small pin cushions.  I have one that I keep on my sewing machine and like having it there.  It's small and stays out of the way.

The base is supposed to be a tea light holder.  These are a bit larger, but it's
what I could get at my local $1 store.  The cushion part is about 2 in across.

Thanks for checking in.

En Provence Mystery Bonnie Hunter, Quiltville

I'm getting my fabrics together for Bonnie Hunter's 2016 mystery - En Provence.

I used the fabric at the top to gather fabrics.  I did this once before and liked
the results.  Last time this focus fabric did not appear on the front of the quilt.
Not sure what will happen this time. I plan to use the orange-red as my constant.

I'm undecided on my background.  In the photo I have assorted whites or assorted white with black.  I've got 5 days to make a decision.  I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks for checking in.

Two finishes!

I'm back after 2 1/2 months.  Where does the time go?

I started a tradition of gifting tree skirts to nephews and nieces when they marry.  This year I had two weddings - May and November.  I'm proud to say I have both skirts finished!  I wanted to give them at Thanksgiving so they could be used this year.

This is the third time I've used this pattern.  Diamond Log Cabin blocks.
6 vertical, 6 horizontal.  Different fabric combinations make it look different.

I tried a different version of a feather.  Curls.

The bride requested black, gold, and cream as her colors.

I first saw this design on Pinterest.  I was trying to figure out the piecing
process when I found out it's in one of the French Braid books by Jane Hardy Miller.

I originally purchased the Christmas boot fabric as a possible backing.
I'm glad I was able to use it on the front of the skirt.
FYI:  The bride and attendants wore boots for the ceremony.
 I thought this was perfect for them

I used the same curly feather in one round, a holly leaf in one,
and generic fills in the rest.

 I've been working on other projects.  One I can't show here until after December 8.  It's an opportunity quilt for one of my guilds and they are not having the reveal until then.

I'm working on a T-shirt quilt for a friend.  I said I would make it after I retired - 5+ years ago!  I finally got started when I realized I could get rid of two boxes from the studio if I just got it done.

Today I embroidered three labels:  Two for the tree skirts and the other for a friend.  I need to keep practicing the process until it becomes natural.

Thanks for checking in.

Update on projects

Just a quick update on what I've been working on.

I started a tradition that when my nephew's (so far no nieces) get married: I give them a tree skirt for a wedding present.  This year I have two weddings. I decided to revert to something I did when this generation was 5 - 8 years old.  I laid out all my quilt tops, had them select the one they wanted, and quilted it for their birthday that year.  I decided to do this for tree skirts.  I will see the couples this weekend so I will show them "tops" I have made and let them select the one they want.  I have three done.

The color for each photo is not true, but I think you'll get the idea.

This was the first one I made.  I saw it on Pinterest and figured out 

the pattern.  It has lots of good space for quilting.  That will make all 

the difference.  Otherwise I think it's a little plain.

This is my second design.  I first made this pattern years ago for my parents.  It
is a "quilt as you go" design.  I found the technique frustrating and decided then
I would never make it again.  I finally made it a couple of years ago, but just made
the blocks and put it together like a regular quilt. (Much better)  I left one set of seams
unsewn for the opening.  This is now the third time I've used this pattern.
It's becoming my favorite pattern!

this was actually a kit for a quilt - from my stash.  I decided to make it
up.  I'll cut into the top to make it into a tree skirt. The center
is a panel, the outside a border print.

I have one other pattern to put together.  I would really like to complete four skirts before Christmas this year.  Two for wedding presents, one as a donation for a tree auction fund raiser, and one for ME!  I'm making great skirts for family and the one I use is an old, plain one I made about 40 years ago.

I'm also making a quilt for one of my guilds to use as an opportunity quilt.  Photo to come later.

Thanks for checking in.

Works in progress

I'm currently working on a couple of projects.

1.  I'm making a quilt to be used by Old Town Quilters of Nipomo for their opportunity quilt.  It's a pattern from 6 Halves makes a Whole Lot More by The Quilt Branch.  A friend made it previously and I quilted it for her.  I liked it so much when I was approached to make an opportunity quilt this was my first choice.

2.  I would like to make at least 5 Christmas Tree Skirts this year.  Two (maybe 3) for wedding gifts, one as a donation for a tree auction in November, and one for me!!  I actually started one yesterday.  I ended up changing the border from my original choice, but I'm hoping I can salvage this one.  the other border did not do anything for the quilt., but even now it didn't turn out like the vision in my head.

 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.