Pigs Might Fly

The "Cotton Robin"

2012-01-03T20:41:00.000-08:00

I can't post a photo of the center square I made yesterday for the Round Robin that Julie is hosting... it is a secret. Originally I had said I'd like country colors in my quilt, but I changed to all blues and greeny-blues in the block I made. My favorites!

I love the idea of working on a quilt with new friends from far away and close to home... there will be four of us working on each of the quilts, but nobody will know whose quilt they are working on. We send our current quilt to the next name on our list (not it's owner), but we won't know whose quilts we worked on, or who worked on our quilt until they all return "Home" this Summer! Lots of fun and surprises, yes?!!?

Number Five, white courtesy telephone, please.

2012-01-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Everyone !! I've been upstairs cleaning up my sewing space so I can work on baby quilts, charity quilts, and Judy's UFO Challenge. Speaking of challenges, I've also decided to try Denise's 12-in-2012. Pairs of knitted socks, that is.

The number in the UFO Challenge that Judy (or Vince... or maybe even Speck) drew for January is "Five". My number five is the Bonnie Hunter Mystery "Orca Bay". Hooray! I've already got it out... on my cutting table, in several bins, and some little baskets. All ready to go. I didn't take a picture, but I'll add it tomorrow.

2012 UFO Challenge...

2011-12-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

I didn't do really well as far as UFO finishes were concerned in 2011. I had some bespoke quilts to make: John and Kaylin graduated from High School (that is two large quilts), three of Erin's friends had babies (I actually made five lap/twin sized quilts - two older siblings were gifted their own quilts as well), and three charity quilts that weren't on my UFO list were made up and given to the Guild. Hmmm... that is ten quilts that I hadn't counted on, so I guess my "miserable" showing of only two UFO finishes isn't really all that bad!
OK, so for this year I'm going to list the ones I didn't finish from the 2011 UFO list. I take that back... I'm going to list SOME of the UFOs from last year, and swap out a few for ones I really want to finish (unfortunately, I have more than 12 UFOs). Here goes, with more description and photos to follow.

1.) Chicken Quilt - pieces and pattern in bag.
2.) 2006 NB Shop Hop - Three blocks made, directions and fabric in bundles.
3.) 2007 NB Shop Hop - Bundles for blocks in bag.
4.) Judy Martin BOM from Petaluma - Ten blocks finished
5.) Bonnie H's "Orca Bay"
6.) Blue/White Snaill Trail -
7.) "Olivia" Quilt -
8.) "Funky Chicken" - Two blocks made, Eleven to go.
9.) Cathy's "Bento Box"
10.) Stars and Courthouse Steps - in a bag, status unknown.
11.) Log Cabin Single - most strips cut, in a bag.
12.) Bright Strips - cut out, don't remember much about it.

OK, so there it is... the ugly truth. I'll have to replace the list on my sidebar so I can keep up with what I've completed. A Happy and Productive 2012 to Everybody!

October Was Productive

2011-11-10T07:48:00.000-08:00

Got some pieces finished, so I have something to post... finally!

Kaylin's graduation quilt is back from Kerstin's, and has been "Gifted" to her! She (Kay) was back from school in California a week or so ago, and I gave her the quilt. She was thrilled! Her University's colors are blue and gold, so Here s blue and gold... without being too 'in your face' about it.

Here is a close-up showing off the design, and Kerstin's beautiful topstitching. Lots of tiny teal and pin-dot batik HSTs, but the result was worth it! Don't you just love the Blue fish batik? It is so Kaylin!

This one is "The Road Not Taken", a Drunkard's Path Sampler that Kerstin, Vicki and I were working on together starting in 2009. We were trying to improve curved piecing skills here, and I accomplished that; I'm comfortable with sewing curves now. I'll probably not do another DP, but it was a good experience. Now that it is finished and sashed/bordered, I like it... in progress, I hated it! Background too fussy, wrong colors - all of it. Right now I have no plans for it's home, so it will probably stay a flimsy until I make some sort of decision.

Frankenquilt !

2011-10-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

The rains have started up here in the PNW,
and the animals are coming in with muddy feet. The kitty spot in the window gets lots of use, and the way up appears to be across Nan- Nan's teacart. I have a few pieces of antique furniture that I'd rather weren't too badly damaged by water (actually mud), so I decided table runners were in order. This is the first one: "Frankenquilt".

Miss Parker thinks it is a nice addition, but she objects to the colors, even though grey does go with everything.

Only One New Baby This Year.

2011-08-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

This Summer, Erin and I only made one special Baby Quilt.

Amanda chose periwinkle, lime green, and yellow for her quilt colors, and Erin went through the stash... finding fabrics she liked. We did a Disappearing Nine Patch with two borders. Very quick and satisfying... and cute, too! DNP has become my "go-to" baby quilt.

Kids and Quilts

2011-04-06T15:37:00.001-07:00

When Erin and I made the baby quilts for the "New Moms" last Summer, she asked if we could make one for Claire, too... so she wouldn't feel left out of all the new baby goings-on at their house. Of course we made Claire her own special quilt. I posted a picture of the baby quilts a while ago. Mom Sarah sent me an eMail saying it was really sort of hard to get the quilts AWAY from the kids so they could be washed (the quilts, not the kids!) Don't Claire and Grant look happy and snuggly?

Twins' Quilts are FINISHED!

2011-03-13T23:39:00.001-07:00

I'm pretty excited this weekend. I finished the Graduation Quilts for the twins. They've been sent to Kerstin for topstitching, and will be presented to the kiddos on June 4th at their party. I know this is a bit of a risk, but the chances of either one of them looking at my blog are so slim that I'd rather my friends see what I've been doing than worry aboout it.
Kaylin's is the top one; the dark blue batik was purchased in Roseburg last year when Kerstin was up for the Sisters' Quilt Show. It is fish.

John's is the second one... "Super Surfer". The light blue came out with a very green cast in the photo... it is actually a pretty true blue, but I had to take the picture in the house. It was raining, DUH! It is OREGON in Winter.

And now, for something totally different...

2011-02-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

It is String Hearts for "Block Lotto"!

One of my "Bloggy Friends" mentioned she was making some string hearts for her Block Lotto group... and it looked like so much fun, I emailed Sophie to see if I could join their group. I thought one or two blocks a month until I manage to finish Kaylin's quilt would be do-able. These heart blocks are a bit addicting, though. Very quick to make and really good stash busters. All those little bits that are too narrow for the strip bins, but too big to throw out... what a good way to use them! This one is my first (and the one I like least - the strings are too wide and the colors need to be brighter).

February's UFO is Number Ten

2011-02-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

Well, I figured out which UFO I need to finish for February!

Judy L. drew #10, and for me that was the "2006 North Bay Shop Hop." I had managed to put all the blocks for the quilt (still unwrapped) as well as the backing and setting fabrics for it into a bag to keep everything clean and tidy. Nice Fall colors in the fabric selection and I chose an interesting setting pattern, too.

I liked the idea of making this quilt "someday" and reliving memories of the Shop Hop trip Kerstin and I took... driving around to the twelve different quilt shops, miles and miles apart in the North Bay, to collect all the blocks in one day. It wasn't getting any closer to becoming a completed quilt, though, hiding in those bags-within-a-bag.

So far I have completed two of the blocks, and on the third one I'm doing a "new" thing for me... needle-turn applique. I'm glad I have joined Judy's UFO challenge. Soon I will have two quilts from the list finished! YYAAY!

UFO #10 for the Challenge...

2011-02-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

OK, at least I looked it up. Number ten on my UFO list for the challenge is "NB Shop Hop - 2007". I'll have to go upstairs and see which one that is! I should have put Post-Its on the bags containing the numbered UFOs! Definitely a "to-do" for today... right after I finish planting the apple trees.

The kids have District Swim Finals this weekend - so not a lot of sewing will get done. I am going to be a "Bad Auntie" and take Kaylin some fabric scraps from her quilt as a teasing sort of joke! Tee Hee! She thought it funny when I did it with Alex, but we'll see her reaction this time around. (Johnny just looked a little confused when I brought him three miserable little fabric pieces and told him it was his quilt.... boys??!??)

Two Down, a Gazillion to Go !

2011-01-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

This is the Christmas Quilt, made from "Friday Block Party" 12 inch-ers ... I decided that I had done enough blocks in that colorway to make a throw that would see use one month out of the year. At least that is the plan when we have the insulation and the nice new window in. Right now my Christmas quilt is covering the open space where the window goes in the East wall of the living room. Our lovely pink insulation and the bare studs can be seen in the photo as well - but HAVING insulation is nice and cozy! No wonder it was so hard to keep our house warm last winter, there was NO insulation in the walls at all.

Next comes the January UFO, #6 on my list from the last post - for Judy L's "UFO CHALLENGE". I started this one as a BOM in about 2006 (?? is that right, Kerstin??) in two different color ways. I really like the Asian fabrics, but some of the blocks aren't my very favorites. Makes a nice throw, though. Since I had to put away all my Christmas stuff, I need a throw for my couch. This little throw is small enough that I may decide to try topstitching it on my machine, but right now it is in a bag with it's binding and backing... ready to go down to Kerstin in California. ALL DONE!
I'm still working on Kaylin's Grad quilt, but I've moved the deadline to Valentine's day... I think that is possible. I chose a block for her quilt that I used to complete this one, since I had only seven - and one didn't really match the rest. Kaylin's blck is the one in the upper right of the photo. I'm getting pretty good at HSTs; there are 200 of them in her quilt!

Judy's UFO Challenge List

2010-12-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Quilt is back from Kerstin's! It is one of those finished projects that I'm not sure I like, but it may be growing on me... Right now it is hanging over the open space where the window goes (there is a reason for all those tapestries in European Castles!!) in the living room, and keeping the cold out.

Since we have so many unfinished projects, Kerstin and I decided to join the Patchwork Times UFO Challenge instead of doing a BOM this year. She is a much more prolific quilter than I, and has many more UFOs (many more finished quilts as well!) but I have at least 12 that are needing anything from "just one more block" to "cut out and ready to go". There are at least 12... perhaps I'll have to choose which to put into the monthly challenge!

First order of business, though, is to finish Kaylin's graduation quilt! The goal is to have it completed by January 1st... wish me luck!

Here is the list of quilts to finish so far, I still haven't been to look at the box(es) so I won't have a complete list until a bit later.

1. Drunkard's Path Variation BOM
2. QA - Marty Michell (butterflies)
3. Cathy's quilt - Bento Box
4. Snail Trail -Blue and Cream
5. Country Stars
6. Green Asian Stars - Jan. Drawing, FINISHED 1-27-2010! picture on Jan 31 post.
7. Six-Inch "Strings"
8. Black Fossil Fern Stars
9. NB Shop-hop 06
10. NB Shop-hop 07
11. Chickens - not funky
12. Funky Chickens

Pigs Are Flying!

2010-11-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

This is the FBP Block for last week... called "Farmer's Daughter". It is a 10" block, but it had been so long since I had done and FBP block that I swapped colorways, using the 9-inch "Baby" colors instead of the Jazzy "Kids Prints" that were supposed to be for the 10-inch blocks.

I'm taking a short break from Johnny's quilt; the twins graduate from Roseburg HS this June, so I've got TWO special quilts to do this year! The blocks are made, so today will be setting them... and tomorrow I can put the borders on. That means Monday the quilt will go to Kerstin in California for topstitching! I really like this one, it is definitely a Man's quilt... Batik brown and blue, with a sand colored BG and just a hint of bright green to make the colors pop. I'll post a picture of one block, just in case he looks here... HS Senior boy? I don't think so!!!

Long Time No Post...

2010-07-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the R/W/B "Album" block from week 26 of Friday Block Party. Just a few more of this colorway and I'll have another UFO wrapped up! Really like the red bandanna fabric I used for the inner square... only had a smidgin of that, so this was the perfect spot.

I did manage to finish the Lap Quilt I was making from Christmas fabrics, and sent it off to Kerstin for quilting - again, without taking a photo... will I never learn???

When Erin came to Oregon for her Summer visit, three of her teacher friends at ASK (school) were pregnant, and she wanted to make baby quilts for them... like the one she had made for Wendy's baby. Cool idea, yeah?
Oh, and since one of the new Moms already had a darling two year old, could we make a quilt for Claire as well? (Note how the focus has changed from she wanted to make quilts to "we" need a quilt for Claire, too???) Not a problem. The really good thing about baby quilts is that they are really SMALL, and fast, and I can quilt them on my machine at home.

This "Dancy" red quilt is Claire's. The red polka-dots aren't... dots, I mean. They are a swirly batik.

The tiny rail fence with the moons and stars is for Claire's new baby brother.

Comin' Right Along...

2010-06-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

Another FBP block makes it into the Christmas Quilt! This one is "Lover's Knot" and it is probably the quickest block I've ever made (well, certainly in the top 5, anyway!). I think I can actually get all the blocks made and the sashing at least cut before Kerstin gets here. We will be working on getting my borders to fit (and lie flat) so they won't be giving her fits when she quilts my tops!

Been thinking, though, that I may just go with a giant "Star" setting... put the blocks on point and make the star from the setting triangles. Since this will be a lap quilt, nine blocks would be fine. I'll have to look at my stash to see what setting fabrics I have that would work.

Christmas Catching Up...

2010-06-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

Lots of garden catching up going on here at the farm... but it is still too cold and wet to put in my corn! I've been outside weeding and preparing beds for when the plants can go in (if at all this summer! The weekend was beautiful and I thought we had gone right into summer - now it is again low fifties and raining. Sigh)

Since it felt like Winter anyway, I thought I'd do another catch-up block for the Christmas Quilt. This one is "Eight Hands 'Round" from week ten. Didn't much care for the block, too choppy, but I liked the little star in the center... and the Santa with his 'shades' struck me as funny.

Two More for FBP.

2010-06-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

Too bad I didn't make a list, because I got lots of things done (or partly done) today.

Put kiln wash on my shelves, attacked the weeds in the spot where I'm going to plan the corn and squashes, helped Henry put the cowling back on the Ford tractor, printed some glazes so I can make tests to see if I like them, and made TWO blocks for Friday Block Party!

I'm not very happy with the photos I'm taking of the blocks... crooked and the odd lighting changes the colors! YYEEcch! That is something to work on: take good pictures, after all, it isn't "Rocket Surgery"!

I like the way the individual R/W/B blocks are coming out. This one is "Puss in the Corner from week 17, wuilte a while ago. I'll have to put them all together and take a shot of them... hopefully they will place nicely.

At first I didn't like "Broken Wheel". Maybe I just didn't like the name. Since it was a 12" block, I decided to just do it anyway, and be one block closer to finishing a quilt. It might make an interesting quilt on it's own, but it wasn't very interesting to make. That makes seven blocks for the R/W/B quilt, I'm a little more than half-way... 13 on point is my goal, but I haven't got a clue for the setting or borders.

Back to the Future.

2010-06-10T08:18:00.000-07:00

I took R0ssie's "Process Pledge", so I'm allowing myself even more freedom to blog about what what I'm thinking while I'm doing my quilts. Since I rarely sketch anything, I probably won't be letting you see any design options before I've made my decision, though.

Friday Block Party choice for last week was a nice starry one, so I decided to do it in my Christmas fabric... and get closer to a finish with that one. Kerstin will HATE it when I'm done and I send it to her.... it is just too "Christmas" for words. Maybe the sashing will help tone it down a bit, but probably not since I've got light colored stars in the intersections of either green or red print 2" wide sashes (no color decision there, yet). I haven't decided on the borders.

I could have sworn I was almost finished with the blocks for this quilt, but I have only eight of the twelve blocks finished! I think the "Quilt Gremlins" are removing blocks from the box in the night!!! If that is happening, why don't they take the ones I don't like?

I'm getting very close to "being so done with this one"... why does that happen with all the quilts I make? Before I finish I begin not to like a quilt very much, and keep going just to finish it. By the time I've finished any quilt, no matter how much I liked it when I started, and how much I like the fabrics - the colors, the block pattern - I don't like it at all when I'm done. I think it is the worst quilt I've ever made. What is up with THAT???

I like this block a bunch, and with the BG "L" shapes, the big block of background fabric would become the primary focus if it was used for a big quilt. Hmmm... this block might be a possibility for Kaylin's graduation quilt, since I have two to make for next June and I need to get started on them ASAP!

Flashy, Splashy, and Just "So Alex" !!!

2010-06-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here is Alex's quilt (in it's natural habitat - Alex's room) after I presented it to her. Kerstin quilted roses in each of the diamonds: black ones in the dark blue diamonds, and verigated ones in each of the colored blocks. I bound it last Friday and took it to Alex's party on Saturday...

Johnny spirited the quilt out of the car and stashed it up in his room (across the hall) without her knowing it was even in the house. Later, while Alex was out greeting guests, we crept up and spread the quilt out on her bed. She never missed us!

Her friends were in on the deal, so Todd (one of the Dads) asked if he could see her newly painted room. Several others wanted to see, too, so up they went. I expected a "patented AlexScream", but heard nothing. They said she stopped short and was SPEECHLESS. Very unusual for our Alex. "OMG!", she said... "it is BEAUTIFUL!" No scream, but the appreciation in her voice was thanks enough.

And now for something totally different.

Mulligan Again?

2010-06-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

I really didn't like the contrast in my March block for the North Bay BOM... it was the last post. So I took a "Mulligan" and did it again.

This version is much better. The green looks far more 'dotty' than varigated in the photo - it is really pretty solid. Using solid colors with the Batik print background will work better than using prints. I have lots of bright colors left from Alex's Graduation quilt that I can use in this one.

I finished Alex's quilt and sent it to Kerstin for Longarming (is that a word? I know, I know... 'don't verb your nouns!' Thanks, Mom.) I'm really excited to see it, when it returns I'll bind it, take a picture, (and post it of course) then take it right over to her... Graduation is Sunday, so it won't be too early to give it to her.

So, What Else is New?

2010-04-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

I'm surprised that the "Drunkard's Path" blocks for our North Bay BoM are not as difficult as I had originally thought they'd be. Curved seams require more pinning and slow speed sewing, but they are no more challenging than other blocks. I made my templates from Styrene that I purchased from the Radio Control hobby shop. Ever so much cheaper than purchasing the templates! Mine aren't clear, but I don't find that to be a problem.... what I do find to be a problem is my awful fabric selection. I'm determined NOT to buy any more fabric in 2010, and still make my quilts. I have nine (yeah, nine!) of the big plastic totes filled with fabric stash. Plus the smaller 25 quart ones that hold my projects in progress... about a dozen of those I think. I'm afraid to count. I do NOT need to buy anything.
The goldy-greenish-swirly fabric I used for this block is really pretty but the photo makes it far too similar to the background (which probably wasn't the best choice ever... but I needed to use something that I had a few yards of - and the brown and pale green was it). The name of the block is "Way of the World"... and my world is looking pretty confused. Muddy, actually - but I do live in the Pacific Northwest, and we do have a bit of rain. I need to use fabric that is much less 'busy'!

The other "Big Deal" up here on the farm is Alex's Graduation quilt. I can't show a photo of the block(s) because there is always the remote possibility that she might see it, and I want the top to be a surprise. So here are the colors, anyway - all 2" strips. The fabrics are "Spray Batik" from SewBatik in their "Nuance" collection. Alex loves tie-die and bright colors; when I took some scraps over to show her, she was pretty excited! Now that I'm getting used to putting the diamonds together, the top is coming along faster. I should be able to send it off to Kerstin by the end of the month... I'm actually shooting for the 17th, but I'll be happy with the 30th. So will Kerstin!

Two More For FBP...

2010-02-26T21:24:00.000-08:00

These two blocks are the latest for the "Friday Block Party"... the first is called Something-or-Other "Moths". While it is a very nice block the way it was designed, I didn't put the two little tan corners in the large corner squares. Those corner squares would make a secondary pattern that joins the moths if one were doing a quilt, but I found it too distracting on the single block. I did like making the Moth block, it went together very quickly, and finished at 9". Yeah, I could have made it into a 12" one, but obviously didn't.

This one is also an FBP block, but it was designed as a 12" one, so it will go into the r/w/b quilt... when I get a sufficient number in the collection. The only white in this block is the tiny white dots in the blue star print. That is OK, though. I wanted a non-traditional look. I'm not really sure what the quilt will turn into, yet, anyway. Just keepin' my options open.

Two months gone, and I'm still caught up!

The "Path" Less Travelled

2010-02-21T08:41:00.000-08:00

This is the second of the Drunkard's Path Variations for our BoM. I like it a whole lot better than the red one from January. This month my fabric choices are better... the busy background needs to have "quieter" color choices. Do you think I can remember that? Doubtful. I'm getting better at the curved seam part, but need to pay more attention to the match-up of the pieced blocks. I may have to take that one awfyl seam out and re-do it. We'll see how much it bothers me later, right now it just jumps out!

Curved Pieces?

2010-02-19T21:01:00.000-08:00

While driving up to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show last Summer and chatting about what we'd like to learn to do, Kerstin and I decided to do an online BoM this year to try and improve our curved seam piecing skills. We thought we'd open it up to our friends as well - since it is always fun to see what other quilters make! In my case, those cuved piecing skills were non-existant. I had never done even one curved seam (at least on purpose... some of my straight seams do tend to curve a bit - but that isn't the same). Drunkard's Path seemed to be a logical choice.

Since my goal this year is to refrain from purchasing ANYTHING, I decided to do our project using my Batik and hand-dyed fabrics. I had a lot of the minty-green and coffee brown fabric, so I chose that as the background. I'll use a different batik for the alternate color in each of the Drunkard's Path blocks; no two will be the same fabric because I don't have very large pieces. I may have guessed wrong on the suitablilty of so many different batiks... January's color choices make for a VERY busy block. I'm not sure I like the January block at all, but I've made some pretty ugly blocks before, and once they were sashed and combined/hidden in a quilt, they semed to loose their "WTF???" factor and blend in OK. One can only hope.

The blue-green fabric in the upper right of the photo is my choice for February. That may be a better call, less visually confusing.

What's Goin' On Here?

2010-02-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

I'm working on an online BOM with some of my friends this year. We decided we'd do a variety of Drunkards Path blocks...Kerstin is choosing the patterns. We are trying to develop some curved-seam piecing skills. I've never done curved seams before and neither has Vicki, but she finished her January block quite a while ago, and had some good advice: use a small rotary cutter to cut the template blocks. Good advice, which I followed! So far these are not as hard as I had thought it would be... but not easy, either. We'll see how the whole block turns out tomorrow.

The DP Block looks pretty funny when it is pinned. Kind of sqwunchy. The instructions said to use three pins, I used five and eased the pieces together. I hope to get better as the year progresses.

This last photo is the Friday Block Party selection for this week... Week Seven. It is not a 12", so it isn't Red, White, and Blue. I had several ten inch blocks from last year that were made in bright whimsical Kids' Print fabrics. By Summer I should have a bright colored quilt for a child. That would be pretty cool!

So, What Is It That I HAVE Been Doing?

2010-02-05T20:03:00.000-08:00

Well...
So far, I finished Marjory's quilt (well, that was actually last year. I sent it to Scotland before Thanksgiving - but it was missing for over a month, and I thought it was lost for sure.) I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to making a do-over. It was a pretty special quilt for a really special friend. The quilt eventually showed up in Edinburgh, and all ended well. Marjory did like the quilt, had even friends in so she could show it off. That makes me really proud.

Now the big project is Alex's Graduation quilt... I LOVE the fabric I got from "Sew Batik"! They are so beautiful and have a wonderful feel. I'm doing a quen sized quilt for her, and she really likes bright tie-dye... so that's what she's getting.

I've joined the Friday Block Party again this year... Hetty G. is our leader, and we have lots of new members. Fun!

This is the sixth week block... Marsha Hohn's "Sickle Variations". It is a tiny block, only 8" square. I have two tiny blocks from last year, and one more in the "first five" for this year - that's the next picture - and all are in the same color family, sort of pink and green and blue. I think they'll make a nice "Little Girl" quilt - but I have nobody in mind as the giftee. Maybe later I'll decide on somebody to give it too.

As I said, the next photo is of the first five FBP blocks: I have a lot of trouble posting words and pictures together, so I took one shot of all five together. I like them. I already decided the 12" blocks will be combinations of red, blues, and white or cream...at least until I have enough to make a quilt. That way I won't have a gazillion blocks with no home, and no completed quilts to show for my efforts.

This year I'm officially "Not Buying That", and completing at least some of my UFOs. I have parts of three or four quilts that need to be finished, only one or two blocks each will finish them... then they can probably become donation quilts.

November BOM ...

2009-11-12T18:51:00.000-08:00

This is the block that Tamara chose for the November block for our NorCal BOM... my blocks are going to become a Christmas Quilt. With that in mind, I've taken the liberty of swapping out a few of the "less Christmas-y" block choices, and replacing them with ones I liked better.

I liked this block going in, though. My background is pretty busy and it takes a strong block to stand up to that holly print! This block is called "Solomon's Star". Thanks, Tamara, I like this one a lot.

Four More Random Blocks...

2009-11-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here are four more random blocks... I'm still doing catch-up blocks for Friday Block Party.

Not that I have to, I just feel badly that I made a commitment and then flaked on it. How hard is it to make a block a week and post it to a blog that I don't even host? Donna has been really sweet to pull a number of a block for us all to do each week, and there isn't any pressure from anybody to do each and every one. I just think it would be really neat to have 52 blocks in a box at the end of the year! Some of the people who are doing the FBP blocks have different colors or specifc prints they use for the different sized blocks... so they can actually make reasonable looking quilts with the blocks they've made and some of us never even thought of anything that organized! The blocks are all free from Marcia Holm's Quilter's Cache. Some of the blocks really neat, some are not the most interestingto make, and some have wildly complicated directions - the "This isn't as hard as I'm making it look" variety - but making a block a week really does improve our piecing skills, especially those of us who are beginners! I know my points have gotten much more accurate and I'm not intimidated by HSTs or small blocks with lots of pieces.

Color choice is another matter - sometimes it is on, and other times not so much. I have a lot of scraps (Kerstin will vouch that I simply cannot throw anything out) and fabric that is pretty dated... but making "scrappy" quilts this year and teh weekly FBP blocks is using up a good deal of that stash. I'm not officially keeping track of yards in/yards used, but the last fabric I purchased was the back for Marjory's quilt (which I had sent directly to Kerstin and didn't even see until it was quilted onto the top!) and the fat quarters I bought at Sisters in July. Oh, no... I forgot...there was the FQ I bought at the Pacific NW Quilt Expo, but I sent that directly to my Friendship Bag Swap partner... so I'm not sure that counts either.)

Let's see, what blocks do we have in this post? "Footstool" is the first - not sure why it is called that... I'm not seeing it in the block, but whatever. I changed the direction of the hourglass blocks, so I may have inadvertently made another block entirely!

Next is "Rotunda", though my bright color choices and the elephant print make it a bit hard to seee the tradional block pattern.

The one that looks blue is actually black-and-white print, and red-and-white print ... appropriate for "Dewey Dream" (yeah, 'Black and white and red all over' - sorry, couldn't help myself!)

This very last block is not a catch up, it is the current FBP block for week 44 - can you believe it!?? the year is almost over - called "Gamecock". I can't leave well enough alone, though, so I did what my friend Hetty suggested, and swapped out the center square. It was supposed to be the BG color, but I used a blue one. It does make the birds' heads a little harder to see, but the block was way too white the way it was designed!

Lovely Rainy Weather !

2009-11-01T11:56:00.001-08:00

I do love the rain... it makes the trees so happy! Everything is cool and private because people stay inside their nice warm, dry houses... and I get a chance to stay in and quilt, or knit, or cook, or paint! And when I go outside for a walk, everything smells so fresh and good!

I've been catching up on projects for a while... I finished Marjory's quilt, made a pincushion for Sheila, pieced all the Hawaiian Shirt pillows (now I still have to actually quilt them - that is a bit intimidating, still) and I'm catching up on the NorCal (Christmas Quilt) BOM and the Friday Block Party missing pieces. I had a lot of trouble posting these four photos to the FBP website with comments next to the blocks. The formatting got all wonky, and I had to re-do the post five times to get it right...so I'm just going to post these, and not actually comment on them next to each one.
The first one is Something-or-other-swallows (the pattern I used for Leena's quilt last year), the second is Fool's Puzzle, the third is Blind Man's Fancy, and the last one is Album Star. Maybe the order they'll come out - I don't know!

Poor Martine!

2009-10-25T16:51:00.000-07:00

My wonderful Friendship Bag Swap partener, Martine from the Netherlands, sent her swap present to me before the "must-be-sent-by" date... but it took a very long time to arrive, and she was afraid it had been perhaps lost in the mail. And then I told her I was going to post the photo I took of the sweet little bag and the lovely things she had put inside. (Yes, I did thake the picture before I had eaten ALL the wonderful chocolate she sent - and I did share with Henry as well, but not with the kitties!) What else could go wrong? The picture is out of focus, making it hard to see the lace and the pretty fabrics Martine used! I did say I was going to post to the blog, tough, and I'm already two days past when I said... so I'll do another , clearer photo next time.

Just look what was inside... a pretty laser-cut card (with a letter from Martine), a box of chocolates all dressed up in a raffia bow - each of the chocolates has the photo of a different scene of distinctive Dutch Architecture. There is a kit to make a Garden Themed wall hanging along with the fabric and embriodery floss to complete it... and a small bag of wee tiny buttons (smaller even than doll-sized) for embellishment! How nice of her to fill the pretty lace trimed bag with such an assortment of goodies!

THANK YOU, MARTINE!

FBP and Friendship Bag

2009-10-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

For some reason I called this FBP Block "Fool's Puzzle", but I think it is called "Fools Square" on Quilter's Cache. Since it is small, I went with the very bright colors and funny aminal prints that I had used in some of the other blocks. Donna (QuiltPixie) reminded us that the only folks who care what we actually do with the blocks we make are "us" - as in the individual quilters. I'm thinking I'll take all the bright kid-friendly blocks and add some of the kid prints that Erin had left over (and left with me) when I helped her make the quilt for Wendy's baby... I'll make a donation quilt for a small kid. I really like the bright blue and the bright green bubble print! This block was supposed to have HSTs in the corners, but I didn't like those, so I took them off and went with the solid blue print corners.

Now that Florence got her bag, I can show you what I made... my first bag ever. The bag was dead easy, and I'll probably end up making bags as Christmas presents, or as wrapping for Christmas presents... they were that much fun!

I put some tea, biscotti, and a fat quarter of darling Halloween Fabric inside Florenc's bag - she said she liked all the little extras, so that made me feel pretty good about sending them off to her.

Last of the pillow blocks for now... maybe.

2009-09-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

This block is called Morning Star 2, from Quilter's Cache... it was way back at week #8 in the FBP blocks, and I don't know if I had even started by then! Probably had, but I didn't do this one. I made it out of some of the Kahala Shirt Fabrics for the kids' pillows. Hoped to hae them all finished and given as "Birthday Presents" yesterday - that didn't happen... I still need to practice more on my quilting. I'm getting better, though. I'm still reluctant to put the quilting on these, as I know they'll be around for a long time - and while I don't need perfect, good is really necessary.

I made a little bag to send off to a quilter in Florida as part of a swap. The bag was fun and I got some quilting practice in on it, too! My "water" pattern is getting better. I loved the Halloween fat-quarter and just had to put it in! It was the ONLY thing I bought (Oh, no... I got a book, too... forgot) at the Pacific Northwest Quilting Expo last week. I was pretty proud of myself for not spending a fortune! I did colect a bunch of cards and wrote on the back what I wanted from each of the vendors, so I can do all that shopping later, tee hee.

Playing catch-up yet again!

2009-09-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

I made three FBP blocks ... well actually two new ones and ripped/fixed one ... today.

This first one is actually the current block, so it isn't a catch-up at all.

Titled "Nelson's Victory", I used bubbles, white tone-on-tone ocean waves and blood red. Problem here - there wasn't enough of the perfect blood red! I had another red, but it was too dark; didn't look quite bloody enough. So, Scot that I am... I sewed some tiny red strips together to get my last 3 1/2 inch square. Yay me! The windy morning made for an oddly-shaped block.

This next one is a catch-up block from the week I was in Palm Desert with my Dad. It is called "Double Quartet" and is really tiny - well, for me it is tiny (8") because I don't usually do small blocks ... I tend to re-size them to 12" when I can do the math.

What did I learn from this block? Never sew when you are mad at somebody. You'll just have to take a do-over ! The Do-Over did come out a bit better; I really like the reddish flowered Chinz pattern, and the middle green is my "most favorite" color ever (no fair telling the 'teacher police' about my grevious grammar errors, you guys!)... Anyway, I wasn't about to let this block go and waste fabric just because I had a burr under my saddle. I suppose the solitude did me good, as I'm not as PO-ed as I was. The block is still wonky, but it will do.

This last block is the "Castles in the Air" for FBP that I posted a while back. "Jack" (yeah, the Ripper- thanks, J!) and I spent some quality time and I got the blue blocks where they belong. One more of the Hawaiian Shirt Fabric blocks, and I'll be good to go for the 27th! Just puttin' the pillows together! Cathy and Duck will get theirs later, but they are OK with that.

Castles in the ... OOOoops!

2009-09-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

I was pleased with this block, week 35 for Friday BlockParty, that I made using some of the grey Kahala Hawaiian fabric from one of Spud's shirts. I am making the kids each a pillow using the fabric, and thought I'd use some of the FBP block patterns since I don't have projects in mind for them.

After I took the photo, I noticed that there was a problem with the block. I've reversed the top center and left middle blocks. The blue fabric should be on the outside. Oh, well. More quality time with the seam ripper.

More FBP Blocks

2009-08-25T08:56:00.001-07:00

Starting with the very first of the FBP blocks (wk#1) as my first make up... I didn't join the group until the fifth or sixth week, I think. This one is Broken Dishes Variation, and the tomato red Batik reminds me of Catsup. I was putting more fabric into tubs so I could locate it easier, and came across a whole stash of Batik I didn't know I had! How cool is that! I got a bunch more fabric and didn't have to spend a dime... no complaints here.

Back to the "Block Party"

2009-08-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have been a BBAAADDD player in QuiltPixie's Friday Block Party! I got Side Tracked and Off Track and now I'm having to Back Track! I know I don't have to backtrack, but I think I need to - for me. My skills and ability to focus would be greatly enhanced by doing the rest of the missing blocks. My goal is to finish all the "missing blocks" for FBP, but not to stress too much about when they get finished, short of sometime this year. I'm going to attempt completing one make-up block a week. I know I don't work anyhere near as fast as Julie or Roz, so I won't be doing eight in a week! Tee hee! Sometimes I may get two, and the regular block, but I'm not out to set any speed records! The premise of the Party was/is to have fun... and that's what I'm going to do.

This first block, week 33, was actually posted Thursday at FBP... before the Friday deadline, but I didn't get it posted here. I did it in Christmas fabrics, because I didn't like one of the blocks from the NorCal BOM... my colorway will make it a Christmas Quilt using those blocks. This elegant block is called "Northumberland Star". I followed the directions exactly (yeah, unusual for me...) and found I really didn't like the inherent "Wobbly-ness" of the bias edges. I do like the overall look of the block, but I don't think I'll be making a whole quilt of them.

This next entry, week 34, is a small one (9" finished) called "Rally 'Round". Since I made two other 9" blocks in very bright juvenile fabrics (mostly froggie prints), I stayed with the theme - maybe I'll have enough small blocks for a Valley of the Moon Quilt, eh? I really liked the finished block, but I was so un-focused that I spent a LOT of quality time with my seam ripper!

Wedding Quilt

2009-08-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

Eric and Eizabeth got married on July 3rd. I knew they were getting married sometime this summer, but I didn't know exactly when and that made it really hard to make a present for them. I wanted to do a quilt, but didn't know what sort they'd like. Then I remembered that I had a very appropriate 30's Sampler Basket UFO; it only needed a few things to make it a finished quilt and give it a great "forever home". Is that silly, to think of my quilts like they are dogs in need of homes where somebody will love them? Anyway, today I sent "Something Old, Something New" off to Eric and Elizabeth in Minnesota. I only got this partial picture because the room where I took it is really tiny, and I wanted the picture "right now"! The basket blocks alternate with the bordered nine-patches so they seem to be set on point, but they are not - I alternated the orientation of the baskets as well to make it even more informal. There are half blocks on the outside edges to make the chains more prominent. I really like the way this quilt turned out and hope they like it too... they don't know it is coming to them!

Little Quilty Bag for Design Wall Monday

2009-08-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

When Erin goes to Kuwait we'll be able to "talk" on the computer! She got a little camera for her computer, but it didn't have any protection in the big computer bag... so I made her a little "Humbug Bag" for it! I did some straight-line quilting to make it more protective, and added a carrying handle out of the binding.

Her camera is so cute! John Lassiter (of Pixar) and company are Mac folks, and I just realized why Erin's camera looks so famliar! That is "Wall-e" poking his head out of the bag!

Since I finished Marjory's quilt (binding is all finished, too), I guess this IS what is on my design wall for Monday... or would be if I had a design wall. I'm starting a UFO tomorrow; an almost-finished table runner. I'm going to start learning machine quilting on it.

Northern Beauty

2009-08-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

Here is what I've been working on for the last couple of months. Marjory is a friend who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.... she just redecorated/renovated her bedroom and I had planned to make her a quilt as a birthday and thank-you-for-keeping-me gift.

In Edinburgh, a "Listed" dwelling requires a good deal of red tape if you want to do anything at all to it... you have to go to the Heritage Commission (or somebody important) if you want to make any changes at all. That said, Marjory is re-doing the interior and changing out some of the colors inside the flat. I finally decided on the design for her quilt: feminine and semi-Georgian, in the greens and pinky-red florals she has chosen.

There are a lot of pieces in "Blackford's Beauty" block (the name of the pattern I did the variation upon) and making this quilt took me quite a long time. I changed the center square after I had made the 12 blocks because the blue/lavender print I had chosen, even though it is one of Marjory's favorite colors, didn't have enough snap. I'm happy with the quilt now, though... tomorow the quilt is off to the longarm quilter's - then back to me for the binding, and finally on to Marjory in Scotland! I do hope she will be pleased.

Sewing, but not Quilting...

2009-07-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

Last night I made this cute pillowcase for Marlene (actually, her dog Sam will probably end up with it... not really her colors!) I loved the print, all the sweet doggieness of it

Yesterday I spent cutting the sashing for Marjory M's quilt... when it finally got cool enough to go upstairs. We are having a heatwave... and I don't do heat! That's why I moved to Oregon... much cooler than California- NOT. Temps have been in the low 90s all week, and next week they are to go higher - triple digits, as I hear it. Not good for me at all... I can hear the coast calling me!

Sisters Saturday

2009-07-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

Kerstin came up to visit last week, and on Saturday we headed off to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Since we had heard of the Sisters show for years, we were really excited to finallly be able to go... but had NO idea of what to expect.
WOW! What an amazing day! Quilts were hanging everywhere... over 1200 of them, according to the flyer that we picked up at "The Stitchin' Post". Quilts in every conceivable style, and all absolutely beautiful! The crowd was immense, and everybody seemed to be having fun looking at the quilts, greeting old friends, and making new friends as well. We decided we'd do the whole festival next year instead of just coming for the show... classes, picnic and all.
There were so many wonderful activities scheduled... I don't know how people could choose what to do!

Several streets were closed off to cars, making for a wonderful walking and quilt-looking experience. Quilts were displayed outside and inside some of the shops as well. There were thousands of visitors to the town as you can see here, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves in spite of the very hot day! Fun to walk down the middle of the street and see so many quilts - Heaven! Don't let anybody know that it isn't always rainy in Oregon... they'll all want to move to this beautiful spot!

A Guild from Washington brought two "Quilty Cars"... the members had made quilted covers for their mini-van and PT Cruiser... Way fun! The windows have screens over them, and there is velcro closing the doors so the cars can actually be driven with their coats on (NOT on the freeway, of course... but in parades). I'm trying to talk Kerstin into making a cover for her van... so she can drive it in Petaluma's Butter and Eggs Day parade!

My current favorite quilt pattern is "Snail Trail" and there was a whole section of just Snail Trails! Scrappy, Batik, Two-Color Traditional, and Modern Colorway... very cool! Not all the quilts were hung by theme, some were arranged according to fabric type, some by pattern, some by color. It was a beautiful show!

On the way home we stopped at one of the "Open Farms" for the Oregon Lavender Festival"... nice surprise as we wern't expecting to have any more excitement after the Outdoor Quilt Show! I got two more lavender plants, one a pale pink "Melissa" variety, for my garden... and Kerstin got some lovely hand lotion - Lavender scented, of course!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Swap

2009-07-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

I got my swap package from Marcel (Aunt Pitty Pat) in Kansas, but she hasn't received hers yet, so I can't show you what I sent her! The challenge was to select a small gift for each of the letters in the word "Friends". She sent me a terrific selection of goodies... the tiny pink radio really does work, too! Swaps are lots of fun, I got to meet some really interesting people and make friends with crafters and quilters around the world. Now the challenge will be to remain in contact with these wonderful ladies.

I'm BAAAACK...

2009-06-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

I'm back from California... and ready to GET QUILTING! No sewing machine at my Dad's house, so I did a lot of knitting (and a LOT of ripping out... I've knitted enough to have finished the blue cable pullover, but I'm not quite finished with the back... does that make sense? I think I ripped 6" at least four times - but I like what I've got now, and it actually follows the pattern!)

While I was away, Nova finally got her Swap package, so I can show you the "Funky Chicken" potholders I made for Leah and Nova in the Kitchen Swap.

This one is Nova's ... She wanted some bright colors... so the lime green was my color choice for her! You can't see the "Useful Bowl" very well - it is dark brown - at the top center of the picture, but I sent her one of my handmade pots, too. I just love the chicken pattern that I got from Kerstin!

And this one is Leah's. Her kitchen is black and white and blue. I sent her a sturdy tea mug as well, hoping it would survive family use. We were both surprised that the packet of tea survived Customs. The popsicle molds will probably have to wait to be used until Australia' Summer rolls around in October/November.

Marjory's Quilt

2009-06-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have been working on several projects at once... two of them I can't show yet, as they are for Terri's "Kitchen Swap" and since I just sent the boxes out on Friday (and my Partners live in Australia), I don't want to show you what I made until they get their packages! You'll just have to wait... dum, da, dum-dum; dum da, dum-dum... dup, ta da da, dum, dum, dum! (Yeah, VERY few would recognize that as the "Jepoardy" music... but it was.)

I've also been working on the Friday Block Party pieces, the Norcal BOM, finishing the QA BOM from several years ago,on working on the pillows for the kids... and on Marjory's Quilt. Marjory lives in Scotland, and I'm making her a quilt to go in her "new" bedroom. She lives in a wonderful flat quite near Arthur's Seat in Edinburg. I can show you a picture of the block that makes up the quilt. There are 12 blocks in the quilt and the soft pink is repeated in the sashing between the blocks. I'm thinking of green cornerstones for the sashing... making it a bit like a "journey" quilt as well. I really like the pale greens in this quilt and I think the lavender center block really ties it all together.

The block is called "Bradford's Beauty", it is a straightforward, traditional block, and I used Bonnie Hunter's excellent scrappy tutorial to help with the construction. Bonnie gave her quilt three borders with 4Patch cornerstones, and I think I'll do the same. Of course, I'll send Bonnie a picture of my variation when I'm finished.

I really like the Fuschia patterned fabric that Sheila picked out. I added the lavender print to the centers beacuse that is Marjory's favorite color. I was actually a bit surprised that Marjory had chosen a dark pinky-red and pale green for her window seats instead of her favorite blues and purples, but it made it easy for me to find lots of good greens from my stash to use in her quilt! I'll show more pictures later... I have to go mow some more of my yard! Spring really does make the grass grow, doesn't it?

Swap Package Arrived!

2009-05-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

I have two swap partners for Terri's "Kitchen Swap". This is my first swap, so I was a little unsure of how things were to play out. My partner Nova, from Queensland, Australia, helped me out with the logistics of swapping.

And look at what she sent me! All sorts of wonderful little packages wrapped up in bright "Sunshiney" paper! I was really happy to receive one of her wonderful tiny bags... mine is in teal and brick floral prints. She repeated the prints on the tea towel she embellished and the potholder as well! There was a book of biscuit and tea-treats, and she included a yummy looking Lemon Cake receipe as well. Henry has already requested that one for his Sunday Dinner treat. My treat was a wonderful ginger-Lemon tea and some wonderful smelling lemon soap! (Not sharing either one of those, sorry, H.) THANK YOU, NOVA... you are the best.

I sent my boxes off to both my swap partners this morning, but Dave at the package store said it takes five days to Australia, then customs has to do their look-see... so Leah and Nova won't get their presents for a while. :( I want the packages there NOW, Dave... right now!

Who am I ???

2009-05-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

These were/are growing in what might loosely be termed "the front lawn". I mowed around them, thinking they were really pretty. I have no idea what they are, though - so I decided to ask my "Quilty-Blogfriends". So many of you seem to know so much about flowers! There is a longish crocus-like leaf, then a bouquet of five-petaled white flowers on a stem... very short (maybe stunted? lack of care???) about 4-5" tall overall. Are they a wildflower, or just feral? They are not growing in any of the semi-cultivated flowerbeds, just in the lawn.

Ideas, anyone? (probably a really common weed, and I'll be really red-faced for asking you all! tee hee)

Baby Steps...

2009-05-12T11:56:00.001-07:00

It seems like everybody but me knits! I have knitted, I've made scarves for my tribe, and I made a cozy sweater to wear in my office (loosely termed 'the Refrigerator') at school. However, I was always told that I was "doing it wrong"... obviously by people who didn't know any better - and whose shops I didn't end up patronizing, because I DID knit! I had the sweater to prove it, complete with an interesting twist in the knitting.

I joined a group of women who meet at a church in Roseburg to learn to "knit RIGHT" (sorry, using a book only works if you already know how, or are far more focused than I am) and actually learn to follow a pattern in a book like everybody else can do. I always wanted to make a sweater with a pattern in it, and I love cables... so after I did a sampler and felt comfortable with the basic knit and purl stitches, Lorna suggested I try a simple cable pullover.

Hah! Easy for her to say, she's a knitter! I got started, though, and I'm coming along fine... the cable is starting to turn, and it actually does look sort of like a sweater.

MIA ? Not Exactly...

2009-05-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

I just haven't been blogging, but I have been quilting. I did these two blocks for the Friday Block Party group... Sorry ladies, I'm not caught up again (story of my life - a friend used to say I'd be late to my own funeral... I told him I sincerely hoped so!).

Anyway, I did a variation of "Cross and Crown" for week 16, and my own very flowery version of "FlyFoot" for week 17 - at least I think those are the proper weeks.

I really like this Victorian flower print, and the plain boring beige works quite nicely with it, I think. Is it my imagination, or does this one sort of look like a Chinese Fortune Cookie? I added a 2" strip to all the sides, so it could go in the 12" block pile.

This one looks like a Stone Henge, or a quasi-Japanese Temple.That's probably because I switched the placement of the long side strips (I didn't like the more choppy look of the goldy squares and then the blue stripes and THEN the goldy stripes). My ironing job made the block a bit wonky, but I straightened it out after I took the picture. I added 2" strips to the outside so it would finish at 12" (not sure why, now that I think of it... the blue is overpowering).

I'm making two "Quick Nine-Patches" as presents for friends (one moved, and the other is getting married); I'm involved in two "Swaps"- I've been assigned really nice ladies for both swaps; making Pillows for the kids from Spud's Hawaiian shirts; and working on Marjory's quilt. I'll try to be a bit more consistent with Blogging - I love to read everyone else's posts, and it seems like I should be sharing what I'm doing as well.

Queen's X, Not It !!

2009-04-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

This is a small block for Friday Block Party: "Queen's X". Since it is a small one, I decided to go with the fabrics I used in "Leap Frog" (even though the orange is reading as pink here - wazzup with that?) and maybe have enough small blocks for a charity quilt later. I forgot to turn two of the striped fabric blocks in the HSTs 90 degrees to make all the stripes go the same way (slow learner sometimes... oops). I "fixed" that by keeping the stripes in each diagonal the same - at least that's my story... and I'm sticking to it!
I realy do like the "bubbles" fabric. Wish I could remember where I got it - NO I don't, 'cause then I'd want to go get more of it, and I don't have a specific project that needs to be completed using just that fabric... I can substitute if I need that blue!

First Finish for 09! No Kiddin'!

2009-04-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

There is a front moving in, and it was pretty windy... but I got a shot of my "Bears in the Farmhouse" quilt before the rain.

I did the Quilt Along with Judy Laquidaria and friends... and all I have to do is piece the backing and off this puppy goes to Louisa for its turn on the longarm!

Thanks to Judy and her deadlines, I actually finished a quilt... not only that, but it was done in one day under a month! (well, I'M impressed anyway) I like the way it came out, too. I waffled on the fabric selection; resolving to use only my stash. I wasn't happy with the stripes I chose... they were too 'regular'. Then I found that wavery sort of stripey fabric that I couldn't live without... but all the rest is "pre-purchased".

You can't even see a dent in the boxes, Kerstin! There are still SIX! I guess I'll sign on for the next one of Judy's QAs, it is fun to do quilts with other people... lots of encouragement from new friends as well.

Cheers, all. I'm off to find backing for this quilt, then maybe to the Post Office with the box for Louisa!

YYAAAY! I'm done!

Random Seven

2009-03-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

My friend Marlene, over at Country Girl on the Chesapeake Bay had a post about a "Giveaway Meme" that she was/is doing. I told her I'd like to do that, too... but I didn't know what a "Meme" was (still don't... but I'm going to look it up just as soon as I post this). I did look it up! It means to use something from somebody else's mind to spark the creative impulse in your own mind... so that's what I'm doing: using Marlene's idea and carrying it forward.

Anyway, the deal is that I'm going to give away seven "things" to the first seven readers who respond to my post (assuming I have seven readers)... one to each person, not seven to one person! And one for Marlene P. as well - so you don't have to be the first seven, M... that makes eight - but Marlene wasn't expecting that part.

All that YOU, fearless reader, have to do is comment on this post saying that you'd like to be on the receiving end of what I decide to make for you. Oh, yeah, and then respond off-blog (email, please) to me letting me know where to send your gift.
And another caveat: you have to pass on the goodness by posting that you'll give away seven things to seven people who read your blog... sometime within the coming year (by Dec. 31st of 2009).

What can these "things" be? Well, anything that I choose to make for you... it will be something you'll like, because I don't do shoddy work. And it won't be something I bought - because that isn't the point of a gift - it has to be from the heart... which is why I've got a year to figure out what to make for you - just for you.

But if it really isn't your style... it is OK to re-gift the gift - but you can't sell it! Ever. No matter how rich and famous I become (like that's going to happen!), and the $$$ you'd make from selling the gift could keep you in fine style at a Bermudan Resort for quilte a while, the "thing" I make for you must never be sold... it can only be passed along, OK? That last part is my caveat, not Marlene's. But I like it. This is in the spirit of giving and renewal. No selling.

OK, That's it, I think.
I'm going upstairs to finish the borders on my Bears quilt now.

Frogs on Surfboards!

2009-03-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

"Leap Frog" was the name of the block Donna picked for this week's Friday Block Party... and what could I do but look around for some froggie fabric! I thought I had another one, but this one worked just fine. Not my usual colors, or print! But I like the way the bubbles work with the waves, even though the colors are way too close to the same. The very bright orange "X" pulls the surfing frog print to the fore, I think. I didn't like the block at first, but it kind of grew on me. Now I think it is pretty cool.

Must have been in a blue funk today; I thought our Block of the Month for March was too similar to the February block. Given that I'm doing a Christmas quilt and I don't have a LOT of Christmas fabric in my stash - yeah, I know hard to believe... but true! With six boxes of fabric, I actually have very little Christmas-y stuff. I didn't want to do two blocks that were very similar stars and had almost the same fabrics as well. Anyway, I was looking for a good block to use for Marjory's quilt and thought I'd try this one, "Love in a Mist" from Quilter's Cache to see if it was suitable instead of doing the actual March block. I may do the March Block anyway later... when the season rolls around and I can get some diferent Christmas fabrics. This block might work for Marjory's quilt, though... still not sure. I'll audition some more blocks before I decide.

Lookin' Better...

2009-03-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

The Quilt Along "Bears in the Farmhouse" is looking much better, now that I've got more of the bright red in the sashing and borders. It was looking a bit dull before they went on. Now, two more borders and it will be finished. I've never made a quilt this fast before. Peer pressure (and knowing Judy is watching) is a wonderful thing.

The rain stopped long enough to take the top outside to snap this picture. I do love the rain! I guess that is one reason why I like Oregon so much... the trees. Without lots of rain we'd not have all the forests, and I'd not be happy without my trees.

Ooops...

2009-03-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

I forgot to show you what the Friday Block looked like from this week... week 11. It is called "Chimneys and Cornerstones", or something like that. I like the Aunt Grace Fabrics, even though the raspberry one looksmore intense on this page than in actuality. Guess I should mess with the color intensity and re-post it. Maybe... but I'm really lazy, so that probably won't happen.

Cheers, All.

Bearpaws Sashed!

2009-03-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

I got the sashing done on my "Quilt Along" Bears Quilt... now I just have to do the 2 inner borders, and post the photo to the Flickr Page, and I'll be good to go on the next step. I can do that!

I decided not to go to the fabric store, and used some red that was in my stash, and goldy cornerstones. I'm liking it better now... the all-one-fabric red sashing ties the patches together better than I had envisioned, even. I'm going to stick with the red (hope I have enough) for the next-to-inside border as well. I'll show you when I get the next two borders on. Then comes a row of HSTs (I think) and a row of stripes... I may have to bind with dark brown - depending on how much red I've got left!

More Bears!

2009-03-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

This week's Friday Block Party was a BearPaw variation called Bear Tracks, froom Quilter's Cache. I didn't like the way the Aunt Grace fabrics looked using that setting, so I put them together in the traditional setting... with only one block the nice secondary pattern wasn't evident.

I've been setting the Bears in the Farmhouse and have decided that complicated as I thought it was, Bearpaw is probably one of hte easiest blocks to do! I think John's Graduation quilt will be a BearPaw, but that's not for sure, yet.

Bearpaw Madness!

2009-03-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

I finished the 12 blocks for Judy L's "Bears in the Farmhouse" Quilt along. Doing the HSTs wasn't bad, deciding where each of the colors should go was, indeed!

I purchased (can't bring myself to say 'buy' these days - especially where stash is concerned) the stripes because I loved the subtle colors. I think I should have gone with the snappier pink, yellow, and white stripes that I'd originally picked from the stash. They made the ecru/brown even darker, though. I think I've gotten this quilt awfully dark, and I'm not sure how to fix it. There was so little yellow in Ye Olde Stashe, that I'd have had to get more to finish, so I did an array of reds instead.

I was thinking I'd switch back to yellows where JL has reds in her design; this quilt is beyond subtle to really somber. Even though there are no yellows in the scrappy HSTs, do you think the yellow border(s) would "punch it up" or make it even muddier and more confusing?

Not a Quilt

2009-03-05T08:47:00.000-08:00

Em asked what I was loading in the kiln... I belong to a group of potters in Roseburg (about 40 miles South of here) and it was my turn to load the glaze kiln. Gabriella and I unloaded yesterday afternoon, and here are some of my pieces that came out of this kiln. More "pot stuff" is on my Wanderer blog.

Fancy Stripes and Bear's Toes

2009-03-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

Fancy Stripes it wasn't, and Donna had a much better idea... use a square for the center and strips for the stripes... finishing with triangles in the corners. I really like that idea, it would be a real quick one for a Valley Girls' Quilt to have Kerstin take home with her! I really do like the white background with the blue and brown on it... note to self - don't buy fat quarters, they are just toooo small. Well, actually, don't buy anything - this is the year of "Make it do", isn't it?

The HSTs in the next photo are for Judy's "Bears in the Farmhouse Quilt Along", but I have to go load a kiln right now, so I didn't get them all ironed - hence the basket of triangles. They are all sewn, but I'll have to press them when I get back tonight. OOoops! The HSTs will be pressed before midnight, but wanted to be sure I could put this on Mr. Linky and be included in step #3.

How do I get a double space between paragraphs? I don't seem to ba able to figure that one out.

Busting my... Stash

2009-02-19T21:29:00.000-08:00

I've about given up on the "Lucky Stars" block... first I re-sized it (Yeah, Kerstin, I did the math) and it came out wrong - the rectangles were 1/2 inch short. So I decided to do the stupid thing in all squares and HSTs... and re-cut the fabric to make up the gazillions of HSTs (at least I was using up fabric!). No luck! I wound up in the same boat as Vicki: I had a "King Kong" block! Oh, well... maybe a nice pillow?

I may try again, but I'm pretty discouraged with that block - maybe I'll just see what Miss Donna has in store tomorrow. It can't be as difficult as Lucky Stars ...even though it is a really pretty block - and in the right hands (like Julie in the Barn) downright gorgeous.

I am re-affirming my attempt to "Bust My Stash" this year... I put my name on Judy Liquidaria's "Stashbusters" page. And then I went out and bought three yards of a really pretty stripe that I liked better than the one I chose for the "Bears" Quilt Along. BOOO HISS!!!

As the kiddos say "My bad, Mrs. S" (I hate that phrase, it seems like they are saying what they know they are expected to say... but they are sort of laughing about getting caught out). I really am sorry about purchasing more fabric when I already have so much - but I can't seem to help myself. I guess that is what an addiction is, isn't it? It is funny to look upon my foible as an addiction, but I'm pretty sure if I didn't hoard fabric I'd find another outlet for my addicive personality - perhaps even more unhealthy.

OK - I PROMISE not to go into a fabric store unaccompanied by somebody who knows about my pledge, and who will STOP ME BEFORE I BUY AGAIN!

Bushfire Project

2009-02-16T09:41:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I made a few Wonky Star blocks for Tia Curtis' "Bushfire Project". The idea is to collect quilt squares for her Alice Springs Quilt Guild to make into quilts for the people who were burned out of their homes by the gigantic Bushfires that are ravaging Australia. Several of the members of Friday Block Party have participated in the Bushfire Project.

Next thing, I'm going to figure out how to put the Bushfire link on my blog by way of helping the project get more exposure. Second item for this post is to put up my (tentative fabric selection for the Bears in the Farmhouse "Quilt Along" that Judy Liquidaria is doing.

I still need to catch up with Tamara's NorthBay BOM (one left to make) and do the missing Friday Block Party ones (five, I think!)...yikes! I'd better get moving!

Friday Block Party

2009-02-12T15:51:00.000-08:00

I've joined another Blogging Group "The Friday Block Party". Each Friday this year Donna will choose a block that we will all make, I assume by the next Friday. We are to post photos of what we've made on the FBP blog, so all of us can see the blocks as they come together. This one was week six: Patch as Patch Can, from Quilter's Cache.

Imagine that! 52 blocks at the end of the year... that will make quite a few quilts, won't it? Especially since our Tamara has declared this "The Year of the UFO" (as in FINISH the darn things!), tee hee. Not that I have any UFOs, of course... and I have a wonderful Orange Bridge in San Francisco that I'll sell you, really cheap!

This block is Montana Valley, week 5. It is also from Quilter's Cache. I'm not really wild about the colors I've chosen (I do like the dragonfly fabric, though), but one of my goals is to use up a large part of my giant Fabric Stash!!!

I think there were five or six boxes of fabric that Kaylin and I sort of hid upstairs... not that I shouldn't have tall those boxes of fabric, it just seemed a bit excessive when we were unloading the giant Penske truck(s) to bring that much "stuff"with me. Did I think there were no quilt/fabric shops in Oregon?

Apparently "Packing Light" isn't in my vocabulary!

Other Blocks?

2009-02-12T15:43:00.000-08:00

I don't think I showed you Leena's quilt after I completed it... it is somewhere in SoCal now. I'm better able to locate my quilt pictures now that I've put them on the laptop. Good thing to do when it is dark and cold, yes?

Almost Caught Up...

2009-02-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

I got the third block finished yesterday afternoon before I made a run to the store. In the early 1970s I moved from Redondo Beach to the area between Sebastopol and the Coast, and made the realization that you don't want to forget an ingredient when you live in the country... unless you have nothing better to do than drive 30-40 miles and back to make a trip to the store. Messes up your whole day. Now I try to make lists and go to Roseburg or Eugene once a week.

As far as the block is concerned... I like it - very clean and simple. I think it will be a nice addition to the "Christmas Quilt" that this BOM will become, that inspired by the December Block title and the fabric / color choices I've made.

My points are getting better, I think. I've decided I don't like "Strip Piecing": too pencil-fiddly! If I wnted to draw I'd get out my pastels and go outside... well, maybe not today - it has decided to snow again.

Now it is Back to the Future, making the initial December block, and I'll be all caught up!

First Block!

2009-02-02T08:04:00.000-08:00

Last night I finally made my first BOM block... I thought I'd better do the January block (the second one) before I did the December block... not exactly sure why, but I can be an eccentric old lady now, can't I?

OK, Ladies - I'm started. This will be fun, Kerstin, you are right!

Saturday already?

2009-01-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

Kerstin says I'm a big girl now, because I'v started a blog, but I have to go make some blocks so I can post them.... OK, OK - I'll be back later!

Starting out

2009-01-13T12:11:00.000-08:00

OK, Beginning Blogger that I am, I'll have a steep learning curve... but it will be fine (Kerstin said!) and I can join the 21st Century. Hello, World!

First things first, I'm getting my upstairs room cleared out enough that I can actually see my sewing machine. We moved to the farm rather quickly (30-day escrow) and we two packrats had lived in our little log house for 20 years - of course, we also had a 2-story garage that was the same footprint as the house...and that's a LOT of "stuff" to move! Every available inch of space under cover is filled with our posessions, making living a bit cramped. I'm sure that some of our things will be damaged by the humidity, even if they aren't actually water-damaged. It is WET in the Winter up here in Oregon! We knew that, as we've owned the farm for six years... and it is gorgeous without so many folks around. Very peaceful - and now that I'm retired, I may actually finish some quilts... the only draw-back is the never-ending battle with the packing boxes.