Here is the final version...another finished quilt top!! Thanks for all your votes...this was the overwhelming majority winner!!
Since I had a second panel, and the fabrics were still out I decided to work on another quilt, using the same panel, but different pattern. This is a variation of 9 Patch Pizazz. which is definitely a work in progress!! Not sure I am happy with the deep fuchsia along the left side...What do you think?
Speaking of progress, so far this month, I have finished hand stitching the binding on 3 quilts!! Watch for pictures in a future posting. In addition, two other quilts went to a wonderful long arm quilter this month. So that leaves me five more that need binding, which is where I am headed now...I want to machine sew the front section of the binding on at least four quilts before I leave in a week for vacation at SunRiver.
Here's your chance to vote on the layout of the blocks that surround this panel...
Yes, this really is posted sideways...for some unknown reason, every time I import this one picture it rotates it....I give up! This first picture represents the original layout from the pattern, option 1, in Asian Fabric, issue 10, page 56. I was struggling with the randomness of the blocks (1/2 green & 1/2 pink), so I made some different ones with the same fabric surrounding all four sides of the square. 
Option 2 is with the green blocks on the bottom and left and the pink blocks on the top and right.
Option 3 is alternating green and pink blocks. Option 4 is green on sides and pink on top and bottom...but that picture won't load at all. Something strange is definitely happening with Blogger tonight, but I am determined to post!So cast your vote for option 1, 2, 3 or 4!! Do it quickly as I hope to finish this quilt this weekend!
There will be two additional borders once the blocks are added.
Welcome to my sewing room!! Won't you come in and sew for a while? View from the door...this room will never be this clean again...
Last evening, my first free evening without any homework, I went into my sewing room to work on something...I wasn't quite sure what to start with, so I ended up organizing and cleaning up, since it had been such a long time since I had been in there. So here are a few pictures of my sewing room. Did you know that Treadmills make the perfect storage for quilt tops? I hear there is another purpose for them...
View from sewing machine...yes I really have that much fabric (only 1/3 is visible)...but I am on a diet...Wow, what a busy summer so far. Since my last post I've been to the Oregon coast twice, written two papers for school, visited Crater Lake and southern Oregon...all of this to say that I can't believe it has been so long since I posted. I've been working on putting binding on several quilts...that's my big quilting progress so far...but the GREAT news is NO SCHOOL till Sept 12, so I should have lots to post about quilts I'm working on.In case you are near Lebanon, Oregon on Tuesday, August 5th, I'll be presenting at the local guild meeting. It will be a presentation on the Tokyo International Quilt Show.
I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted. But considering what life has been, I guess it is no surprise. Since I last posted, dad has moved from the hospital to the skilled nursing facility for four weeks and is now back home with home care. My son has left for the summer, to work at a conference center on the Oregon coast. Yes, I am having my first empty nest! He'll be back in September for one more year of community college. I survived the worst class so far, Financial Accounting, in my MBA program and have moved on to Economics! I am so ready for our break in August...I'll be taking a week off to just stay home to sew and catch up on life!!Last week, I drove to Idaho to visit with my sister who is moving from Japan to N. Carolina, via Idaho, where they had items in storage and a house to put up for sale. Here a few photos from that trip.
A picture from Central Oregon of the snowcapped mountains. Yes, I did stop in Sisters and purchased a project for my niece, beautiful batiks with simple black lattice strips. Hope to work on that in August, when we have summer break from the MBA program. I promise to post pictures as soon as I start to work on it!
A family picture at Brunea canyon (I think that is the name??) Me, my sister Jay, her daughter Jessica and her wonderful new husband Remy.The Stichin Post in Sisters, Oregon is getting ready for the outdoor quilt show. If you are in the area, this is definitely worth it. Over a 1000 quilts are hung outdoors, so the entire town becomes a quilt show. Here are my tips : Plan to arrive early...by 8 or 9am if you can. Park in the middle of town if you can, so you can go back to the car for iced cold drinks in the cooler. Plan a change of shoes from tennis shoes to sandals in mid-afternoon. Don't forget a sun hat, sun block, sunglasses, camera and extra battery. Food in the park is a great spot for a break and lunch in shade. Realize that you probably won't be able to see it all. Plan to spend the night in Bend or Redmond, as Sisters is always sold out!
I'm off to Las Vegas tomorrow for a week conference for work. It is 108 degrees there today!
HOT, HOT, HOT is what these flames say to me...notice the wide binding, similar to what we might see on a blanket. This is not uncommon to see in Japan. 
Incredible quilting details!
This quilt was quite large for a mola type piece. The technique used is reverse applique, where you cut out pieces of the large top fabric (black) place the colors behind and then roll the edges of the black under, as you stitch the black to the colored fabric. I am assuming the large circles are constructed then added in to the large black fabric piece. Remember you can click on the photo to see a larger more detailed version of the photo!
I can't imagine attempting
a quilt of this size and detail, all by hand! 
An interesting twist on the Storm at Sea block! Amazing how a few changes of color creates the secondary design.
Incredible piecing and quilting details!!
Life is a bit crazy... since my last posting...my dad has had surgery and transitioned to a skilled nursing home, busy at work as normal, and my MBA program has been nuts as I'm in financial accounting, definitely not one of my areas of strength.
All of that to say, I've only been in my sewing room to vacuum once in the last month...no sewing of any kind...which means I am in significant withdrawals! I even have new quilting magazines stacking up that haven't been opened! I'm feeling guilty that I have nothing of my own work to post...I have a major school project due on May 23rd, which if I manage to get it done, I will have the entire Memorial day weekend with no homework!! First time since January!! And it won't happen again until our month long break in August. I am looking forward to hours and hours in my sewing room that weekend...not that I can even begin to remember what projects are there!I've been keenly aware of color combinations in nature this spring...the cherry blossom pink & bright green new leaves, pink & brown bark, punchy red and yellow tulips, soft white blossoms against a tiny blue flowers, the pink and purple heathers...so interesting to think of color combinations for possible quilts!!
Here is the final version...another finished quilt top!! Thanks for all your votes...this was the overwhelming majority winner!!
Since I had a second panel, and the fabrics were still out I decided to work on another quilt, using the same panel, but different pattern. This is a variation of 9 Patch Pizazz. which is definitely a work in progress!! Not sure I am happy with the deep fuchsia along the left side...What do you think?
