Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Other Stuff


This is the cutest dang pincushion!

The Infomercial Quilt


I've been so busy making quilts I haven't had time to blog! I named this quilt the "Billy Mays Infomercial Quilt" because when I was finished, I still had more blocks and pieces, so I made pillows. You know in informercials they always say "But wait! There's more!"?? That's exactly how I felt!


This was made from a Bali Pop and some of my hand-dyed fabrics. My own design. (The bubble border is from a photo editor - to hide the ugly stuff on the wall :)


More pics soon!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Ah, Sand!


Heading out to the beach for a couple of weeks. I'll be working on samples, though !!! Here's one that's ready for quilting. It's made from one jelly roll. I like it a lot - very soothing. The back is dark aqua with seashells (I'll post a pic of the back when I'm home from vacation.) The sashing is a jacquard - sheesh what a nightmare!! But the results are lovely. I'll use it again but use scads more starch than I did in this one.
My new Bernina 630 is sweeeeeeeeet!


Thursday, April 30, 2009

Playing Around


I made these string pieced blocks today. I think they're way fun! I'm doing these in "quilt as you go" style (except - oops - forgot to add backing!!)



Here's what the block looks like before trimming - they clean up nice, don't they? I keep a basket of 2 1/2" strips and "not 2 1/2" strips - I used the "nots" for these blocks.




What about THIS mess??!! Can these blocks be saved? I thought the strip/solid mix was a great idea - but it's not looking good so far! But ... I suspect that creative quilting will save the day! (That and a terrific border!)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Again, weeks have passed!

The past weekend was spent at The Olde Green Cupboard at our semi-monthly retreat.  It's so much fun!  I worked on samples for my 3rd quarter classes.  I'll be doing a series of quilts based on Jelly Rolls (and other 2 1/2" strips).  I got tons done!  I'm going in search of a new digital camera so I can post pics of the finished quilts.  (I think my students will like these classes, particularly since they'll be able to use fat quarters as well as Jelly Rolls.)

I brought my hand-dyes to show - lots of folks wanted to buy them but I won't sell since they're so labor intensive.  I WILL teach them how to do it, though.  It's easy - just labor intensive!  But WOW the results are worth it!

I bought a new Bernina yesterday; Artista 630.  Didn't want to go top-of-the-line since I don't have THAT much interest in the embroidery function.  I wonder how new quilters manage! Damn, but the machines have gotten expensive!

I'm planning my 1Q2010 classes now ... amazing!  Will I be this organized when I start teaching Philosophy?

Monday, April 6, 2009

Sometimes Life Gets in the Way

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted.  Well ...  nevermind that.

I did NOT retire last year; the economy had the bigger trump card!  Ah, well - having a regular paycheck is a GOOD thing.  I've also started teaching quilting classes and "care of your Featherweight" classes at Olde Green Cupboard, one of our local quilt shops.  I'm making progress on my retirement quilts, though.

Now that I'm teaching, I look at patterns, fabric, and books much differently!  I want to encourage all quilters - even those just starting out - and I want to continue to grow as a quilter in my own right.  I'm finding that teaching gives me a whole new insight to my own work.

I've been dyeing fabric for the past week.  I always love the results.  I'm going to use most of it in the samples I'm making for my 3rd quarter classes.  That's unusual!!  It's not becoming MORE STASH!  A success!!

I'm also de-cluttering around the house (See:  "Throw Out Fifty Things" - Gail Blanke).  Having been a stasher all my life, this is quite the challenge!  But I'm making progress.  I'm keeping my list so I can see my progress.  I'm also decluttering to quilt stash - by actually finishing things.  Decisions need to be made; will this ever be a finished project in my house?  While that seems a simple enough question, it isn't.  I tend to use UFO blocks in other mysterious ways so it's really a stretch for me to say it will NEVER be finished in my house.  Yet ... I've managed to "get rid of".

Right now I'm working on a quilt from the Waffles pattern, my Kaffe fabric "5 & dime", and about 6 or 7 "jelly roll" quilts for 3rd quarter classes.  I'll post pics as I get them!