All Hail Cesear King of the house

Last weekend, I couldn't figure out what the lump was inside my shoe...after shaking out my shoe, I realized it was a little present from Cesear the king of cats of North Carolina! All Hail King Cesear, King of cats...or at least that is what he would like you to believe!!


It has been a few more crazy weeks with too much homework, family crisis and of course work, ... there haven't been any positive or quilting topics to post. Who wants to hear about kidney stones, trips to the ER and visits to the doctor, etc., so I haven't posted. I had hoped to spend even half a day over the long Thanksgiving weekend in my sewing room, but it just didn't happen. Perhaps over Christmas or New Years. I do have some Christmas quilt photos to share next time!

Coming soon to a mailbox in North Carolina

Coming soon to a mailbox in North Carolina will be a box full of fabric for my sister! I'm just back from a quick visit to her new home, after a conference in Florida. We spent five days, resting, taking walks, enjoying the geese on the lake and playing in her fabric stash. We picked out four projects from fabrics we had purchased during our Tokyo trips for her to work on over the next few months.. Of course, there is always something else you need, so I promised to send fabrics from my stash. On top are the various black scraps for a simple Asian fabric quilt. Then there are the three inch squares for a pagoda project similar to my August 20th post. A bit of cream and gold for an inner and outer border and then the red accent fabric for the Asian squares.Every Tuesday and Thursday, my sister (below) and her friend (above) spend the day stitching and having sewing lessons for her friend. While I was there I did a quick lesson on machine applique using three different stitches and two different methods of preparing the applique. Then we practiced making half square triangles, for an upcoming project. Wish I could spend every Tuesday and Thursday sewing with them!!
My sis (above) took quite a fall last week while in Iowa, visiting her daughter and my special favorite niece! So yes, she really does have black eyes... thankfully there were no major injuries. Unlike my dad who fell just a few days before, fractured his hip, had it pinned and is now in Rehab.

Today, I had a good afternoon in my sewing room, working on the 9 patch pizazz on the design wall which was previously posted. Have three of the four sides ready to stitch. Am hoping to wrap it up next weekend and will post pictures when it is finished. I also stitched the binding on two more quilts while in North Carolina...watch for pictures during the Christmas season.

Long Arm quilters

Isn't this a great bag? Two of my quilts came back from my favorite long arm quilter this week, in this great bag. When I take new tops to Jean I'll use this bag and get a credit towards thread. In addition, by taking a picture of the bag I'll be in a drawing for a batting credit.

Over the years I've used several long arm quilters...I actually got a total of five quilts back this week from two quilters. But my best quilts go to Jean, because her work is so magnificent! I so appreciate the care and creativity that Jean uses with every quilt. For more information check out her web page www.santiamriverquilts.com

Once you are on the web page, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link to see more of her work on various quilts on Webshots. If you enter Jeanne in the search box, you will see the four quilts Jean has completed for me.

This evening I attached the binding to the front side of the Hot Shots quilt. I'll post a picture soon...but we must have some sun light in order to get a good picture...since the rain has started, it may be a while (or next May as those who have lived in Oregon would understand).

School is keeping me busy, but I have managed to complete the binding on two Christmas quilts and am hand stitching the binding on a third Winter Snowman flannel star. I have 6 more waiting for the binding to be hand stitched down and two more that need the binding cut and then attached. I'm not sure why I continue to attach the binding by hand to the back...probably an old habit that I just need to break by trying some other methods. The quilts seem to just stack up at this point, since I rarely sit and watch TV.

Time to go watch some Beaver Football & stitch away on some binding!

Searching for pattern

While traveling this summer, with permission at a quilt shop that was closing in Long Beach, Washington, I snapped this photo. They were out of the pattern and would not be ordering any more. I was thinking it would be a great way to show off some of my favorite Asian fabrics. Any one have ideas on where I might find it? I was thinking it might have been in Asian fabric magazine, but haven't found it, yet.

Life has been a bit crazy since my relaxing vacation that seems so long ago...school has started...I'm in a graduate level finance class that is more than a stretch for me...you know they just didn't cover all those ratios in my undergrad Art degree...plus it's been over 30 years since I've done algebra!! Many nights I wonder why oh why am I doing this, when I would much rather be in my sewing room!!

I've made a few quick trips for work and checking in on family. Had a brief visit to family in LA, which included a funeral and several visits with another family member that is ill. It's so hard to see someone who was so vibrant and full of life change so much.

I have two quilts to pick up at the long arm quilter...can't wait to see them in a few weeks...promise to post pictures as soon as I can! Sorry to say, my postings will be less for a bit longer, until this class is over...I'm sure you don't want to see pictures of calculators and text books!!

Sun River Summer Fun

Back from a great week at Sun River resort...one of my favorite places in Central Oregon. Here I am sitting on my favorite bench, which is about the half way point on my twice daily 5 mile bike ride.
Wonderful wildlife!
This fawn made an almost kitten meow sound, as it coming running up, looking for the rest of the group.
The wonderful Deschutes river and the geese!

Sorry for the lack of quilt photos this time...It has been a great week off, with little quilt progress. Stitched the binding on only one of the quilts. The light was not great in the living room at the condo we rented, so I didn't make as much progress as hoped. Will start on another this evening, but books for class on Saturday will arrive tomorrow, which signals a major change in my free time activities.

WOW...Progress!

Here's the stack of six quilts that have the binding sewn on the front and now only need to be hand stitched to the back, that I am taking on vacation with me. There are two flannel on the bottom, two orientals and two Christmas ones on the top of the stack. Last night I put the label on another one and worked on hand quilting a block that will be a pillow. Such a sense of accomplishment! I'll post pictures as they are finished.

Here is the latest view of what is on the design wall. Check the previous posting for the first version. This is much closer to what I am looking for. This was an attempt to use up the second panel of this design that resulted in the purchase of six more fabrics...what kind of diet & stash buster is that?? Who knows when it will get finished, as I go back to school in less than two weeks!


I'm off to Sun River in central Oregon later today for the week! For those of you not near here, that means driving through Sisters, Oregon and a stop at the Stichin Post, one of the many great shops in Oregon. I am on a fabric diet, but need purple thread to sew on one of the bindings ...let's see how I do! Last time I was there on my diet, I came out with an entire new batik project!! Oh well, at least it's not putting pounds on my body, just on the shelf in my sewing studio!

Quilt tour...my accomplishments

It's been a busy week! A friend came and helped me hang quilts in my house...something I have been wanting to do for several years! The Blue and Pink quilt is in my bedroom. I really like the quilt hangers which I found in a local quilt shop, since you don't have to add a hanging sleeve to each quilt!! My plan is to change out all of the quilts several times a year... Remember you can see the details on each quilt by clicking on the photo, then a larger version will appear.
The teapot and tea cup quilt are in the sitting area in my bedroom. I was making two of these quilts one for me and one for a dear friend, who passed away before I could finish them...so the moral of the story is...don't let those projects pile up!
This flag quilt is in the bonus room, which has a red, white and denim blue theme. I have finished putting the binding on this one in the last few weeks.
This is another one that has had the binding added in the past few weeks. A interesting story about this quilt is that I purchased it as an "antique top" in a Quilt shop in Payson, Arizona about 10 years ago. It was only $50. I truly doubt it is an "antique"...so much of the fabric is matching, I am guessing it was made in the 80's with both new and old fabrics (shirting used on the light sections). It was hand quilted by the Tualatin Senior Center.
Here's a quilt I made for my mom, while she was going through Chemo. When she passed away, it came back to me. Now it hangs by the treadmill, which also makes a great temporary hanger for quilts!

In addition, this weekend, I have sewed the binding on the front of 5, yes five quilts, so they are ready to take with me on vacation the first week in September! I'm making great progress as I try to catch up on sewing and scrapbooking, before it is back to school on September 12th!