Some Gifts

You may remember this as a top from a post a few months ago. It was recently quilted by Susan Atwell of the Fat Quarter Quilt Farm. This was a gift for new son-in-law Adam, the hockey player. After I made this top, Adam retired from playing, and is now on sports radio in Corpus Christi, Texas. These were the team's (Corpus Christi Rays) colors. They also happen to be the Chicago Black Hawks team colors, so it was a win-win! One of his former college teammates plays for them. This was his Christmas gift from me this year.

The border and binding used up many of my black strips.
Jessi asked after some of her quilts that she used to have in her bedroom. She asked if they could go home with her - they drove from Texas! - and I was happy that she asked, and happy that it freed up a bit of space in the quilt/linen closet.

This was maybe the fifth quilt or so that I ever made in the mid-90s. It was also the first quilt that I ever machine quilted. I remember going about it fearlessly, and really didn't encounter any problems. It was quilted with invisible thread which I still really like. I think that it gives a hand-quilted appearance because only the texture is noticeable. People don't seem to quilt with this type of thread much anymore, do they? Do any of you have experience with the invisible threads? I remember that this was nylon, but I know that Superior makes a polyester, too. Perhaps this is the new generation of these threads?

Just some simple, straight line quilting. Free motion still scares me silly!

This was Jessi's graduation gift. She went off to college in North Carolina, and became a marine biologist mainly because of her love of dolphins.

I also machine quilted this one, but used an invisible thread here, too, but with a bit of sparkle to look like light reflecting on the water. I used a walking foot, and had no problem with these narrow curves.

Another gifted quilt that I made recently was for my niece, Betsy. She and her husband, Richard, welcomed their first child, Fiona in October. They are both art majors, and seem to enjoy modern and 60's retro designs. This fabric had to be purchased for this quilt. I certainly don't have anything like this in my stash! Her is the back where I was able to use leftover strips, and one width of yardage.

This was inspired, and, frankly, copied from something that I saw online, but can't recall where. Susan quilted this one, too. It was fun to use fabrics that are completely different than what I normally use, but I am anxious to get into the sewing room, and work with some of the dark, and depressing that I so love!

Timeout

The Puss-In-The-Corner blocks are in timeout until I decide how to proceed.  My screensaver has been cycling thru quilt pics and this pinwheel on-point has been calling to me.  Check out the quilt at Liberty Star, Renee Plains' blog.

Each block is constructed from 16 half square triangle units.  I'm using the hst quick piecing method - each square set produces 8 identical hst!  My hst's finish at 1 3/4".  My usual method would be to cut one light/one dark square at 2 3/4" (add 1" to finished size) to produce two hst's.  With this quick method you cut one light/one dark square at double that measurement - 5 1/2".  Since I need 16 hst, I cut 2 light and 2 dark squares at 5 1/2".  Draw lines point-to-point (one line NW to SE and one line NE to SW).  Sew 1/4" on each side of both lines.

Cut the square in half horizontally and vertically (2 3/4" cutting line for this example).  Cut each smaller square along drawn line to yield 8 hst.  Trim each unit to 2 1/4" for finished 1 3/4" unit.

I've been contemplating my quilt resolutions for the New Year.  I want to commit to completing a top from my 'Bucket List' next year.  I have less than a week to make my pick!

Sunday night update

Today's progress.  These blocks remind me of a line from You've Got Mail - "Don't you think that daisies are the friendliest flower?" 

Work in Progress

Albert is snuggled up with Oregon Trails (Lori's January 2010 quilt-along - Cheddar Cheese and Crackers) guarding the Christmas tree from cat attack.  My doll quilt is still just a top, but I'd love to get it hand quilted soon.  Can't wait for Lori's new quilt-along!

I've started sewing some blocks with the Sarah Johnson fabric from my last post.  I originally thought (and am sticking to) Puss-in-the-Corner blocks with scrappy 4's and constant focus fabric in the middle/corners.  The plan was alternating PITC and 16 patch (two sets of two 4 Patch blocks) set 'on point'.  I made about 10 PITC blocks and put on the design wall (which is currently the spare bed).  I wasn't happy with the clamour of the scrappy 4's.  I don't have a pic of that layout, but here's some of the scrappy 4's:

The next attempt was to use the same layout with a more controlled PITC 4's.  I'm  leaning toward this design:

Here's a last photo with the more controlled PITC 4's with common alternate:

This morning was a sewing session with Elle (granddaughter) working on a Christmas surprise for her mom.  Elle doesn't realize what a treat it is to sew on a Featherweight!  We have a couple more evening's worth of work, but we should make the Friday night deadline.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Giant Daisy Quilt

My husband and I both enjoy decorating, and we are big fans of Sarah Richardson, a Canadian interior designer. She has had a few series on HGTV. On the last series, she bought a farmhouse and completely renovated each room. For one of the bedrooms she found this fabulous cheddar, or maybe chrome yellow, quilt. Isn't it dynamic? I know, the pictures could be better, but they were taken off of the television. The entire bedroom design was based on this quilt. I mean, how could you not? Quite a bit of hand quilting, too.

Haven't been doing any sewing at all lately. I've been busy, but hope to have some time free up soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Three Fabric Quilt

I like scrappy quilts - lots of variety in fabric.  Making a quilt with just three fabrics doesn't fit my profile.  My current project is inspired by an old quilt I saw a couple years ago.  I worked out yardage requirements before I visited PA Amish country this fall.  Sauder's didn't disappoint!  I found two Judie Rothermel fabrics - the green Twelve Oakes yardage in a 5 yd cut for $1.99/yd and the yellow Butter Churn and Cheddar for $2.99/yd.  The red Turkish and Treasures was pulled from stash.  The block is #2026, New Irish Chain or On the Square, from Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns by Barbara Brackman.  I've changed the block construction for strip piecing, so progress is moving along!  

I've had alot of 'sitting idle' lately.  I've used the time to design a new, scrappy top!  Haven't started sewing, but I've included the focus fabric to peak your interest - an 'oldie but goodie' from the Sarah Johnson Shelburne Museum Collection.

   
Hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday!

Thanksgiving?

Where has this year gone?! It really is hard to believe that it's time for Thanksgiving. I've never displayed this quilt before. It was made from a kit, and I purchased it at an auction for $30. It isn't a beauty, and the quilting is fairly crude, but it has slightly Fall-ish colors, so up it went for the next week or so. After that, it will be time for Christmas again - is that right, or did I sleep through the summer?! The tablerunner was whipped up a couple of years ago using Seminole piecing methods - great for squares on point. I've only made a few quilted items, as I really prefer to make quilts themselves. This is on the chest that sits in front of the quilt. You can probably see the stitches without enlarging!
The handsome devils in the photos are, in the background, my great-grandfather in his Civil War uniform. Yes, great-grandfather! Our family has very long generations. I am the youngest of parents who are the youngest. And, no, I am not that old - I'll be 52 shortly. On the left is my dad, and the blond little boy is my husband's dad. My husband doesn't like personal photos displayed; he says that we know what we look like! But, these are nearly always right here in the dining room.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Houston, We Have a Problem

Only one day to enjoy the show!  The vendors alone could take a day.  Life has 'smacked me in the face' this week, so only popping in to share a few of my favorite contemporary quilts from the show.

Sunflowers by Chris Serong and Susan Campbell from Victoria, AU - beautiful quilting!

Port of Cassis by Lenore Crawford from Midland, MI

Sognare Venezia (Venice Dreaming) by Pauline Barnes from West Midlands, England

Rhinosceros by Pam Holland.  Unfortunately, my full quilt pic had issues.  I just love this guy's face!