Great Progress

SUMMER VACATION FUN!!

What a perfect day off! Spent the entire day in my sewing room...first I made binding and attached it to this quilt. About 10 years ago I purchased the top in Payson, Arizona...was suppose to be old, but now I'm not so sure. What do you think?? It was hand quilted by the local senior center ladies.

Next, I added the borders to the Ruby Tulips. This is from the 9 Patch Pizzazz book. Another top finished!! Now I'm trying to decide on binding--green or the red/black fabric? I like to cut bindings at this point, so I don't use the fabric in another project!

This afternoon I finished piecing the center section above. Several months ago, I became bored with matching all the points and set this one aside. Hopefully, the borders will be added tomorrow.

Update on the count...3 quilts needing binding-all ready to have the binding attached to the back by hand--great fall projects, 15 tops to quilt, 4 projects in process and at least 20 projects ready to start...along with way too much fabric in the stash to begin to quantify! On Thursday, we are going to SunRiver for 4 nights. Of course the sewing machine will go with me, along with my current scrapbooking project.

12 step program time!

Ok, so I am finally at a point of admitting it (1st step)...my addiction to quilting is really there. However, I don't see it as a problem (denial eh?). But the projects stacking up in my sewing room are screaming at me due to lack of attention.

So how to deal with it? Last night I joined the Stash buster ring. Great first step. However, this afternoon I drove down to Thimbles and Threads in Junction City, Oregon supposedly just to pick up the latest Asian Fabric Magazine to send to my sister in Japan. Three and half yards of Christmas plaid, the perfect back for another project I purchased two weeks ago and of course one yard of the incredible burnt orange and gold floral Asian from Quilt gate later ..I drive home thinking of all projects I want to work on...

I've been saying for months that I am on a fabric diet, but that has worked about a well as other diets...really good for a few days, until that temptation jumps out and grabs you!

So now the twelve step program...I use to know all 12 steps of the AA program, as I sponsored an Ala-teen program...not sure I remember them all...my next step will be an inventory of all the projects in various phases (collecting fabric--but not ready for a project, fabric collected but not started, various block phases, tops to be quilted, waiting for binding, etc.)

So here's the first and smallest list:

Quilts needing binding:

• Navy and Burgundy Applique (see last post)
• 30's blue quilt (also on last post)
• Red, White and Blue scrap quilt (purchased in AZ years ago)

More lists to come during my vacation next week. I'm even starting to plan ahead and think about which projects to take to Sun River...but will I be able to avoid all the great shops in Bend and Sisters??

It's been one of those days

Making good progress on several projects, even though I had a few setbacks. The first photo is the applique quilt that had the dark pencil marks, I wrote about previously. I worked on it for several days one section at a time. It also has one burgundy fabric that bled even though it was pre-washed. Most of the marks are out and I think one final effort once the binding is on will remove the last marks. It was quilted at a senior center, that previously had done great work...but this time used very thick and dark pencil lines to mark it. I tested all kinds of products but found that Spray and Wash with dual power worked the best. Somehow as I was attaching the two ends of the binding I twisted them...that was a new one for me....out came the ripper!

The bottom two photos are of an old 30's family quilt that I'm working on making binding out border fabric. The border is about 4 1/2 inches but only on three sides. So, I decided to trim it down and piece binding for the 4th side. Don't you just love some of those prints!

It's another perfect August Oregon day...80 degrees, blue skies with just a light breeze...oh this is why we live here! I'm off to make a peach cobbler with peaches from this mornings farmers market.

Asian Quilts from Sisters

Here a few of my favorite Asian fabric quilts from Sisters for my sister in Japan! Wishing I was there ! Only 5 months until it is time to go to the Tokyo show! Can you believe the green birds...someone actually did a stack and whack with those "darn birds" that I wrote about in a previous blog. I still have the fabric...but am not motivated to use it in that way!

Good Intentions

It is one of those picture perfect Oregon summer days with 80 degrees, clear skies with puffy white clouds and a light breeze. What a change from the humidity of Texas. We arrived home after 11pm last night from a wonderful week in Fredericksberg, Texas. Loved the quilt shop there, with such wonderful and friendly staff. Wish I could remember the name, so I could add a link... It's just been that kind of day!

Three hours ago, with the fourth load of laundry in the dryer and 3 more to go, I sat down at the computer to pay a few bills. Once I was done, my reward would be an afternoon of sewing...But, I decided to check my the comments on my blog...oh how I love to see them! Then of course I had to look at the blog before me, to see if she made it back to England, then I had to read a few more...and here I am three hours latter!!! Yes, I had the best intentions to do the things I "should" but of course did the the things I enjoy first! Oh well, there is always tomorrow morning to sort through all that mail and pay those bills.

The two quilts above are from the Sisters show...so summer like! Has anyone seen a pattern for the second one? The label looks like it might be Big block with something after it. It was made by Linda A...from Bend. Can't quite read the entire name.

Now it's time to head to the back deck, with an icy cool beverage and enjoy this wonderful afternoon with the three new quilt magazines that came while I was away and to finish reading "Girls of Riyadh", one of my airport purchases. More about the book next time.

More quilts from Sisters Quilt Show

While reviewing my photos this morning, I just couldn't resist sharing a few more of my favorites from Sisters. As always, if your quilt is shown, email me and I will be glad to update the blog with your name, quilt title, etc. Remember to click on the image to see the larger version which shows off the details like the beads on the hat of the last picture.

Sisters Quilt Show

The Sisters quilt show is a one day event where over 1,000 quilts are hung on buildings around the entire town. For the first time, the main highway was closed and traffic diverted! This was a wonderful change which eliminated the noise and dodging of traffic! As always the quilts were incredible! The day started out cool but by 11am it was HOT! Here are just a few of my favorites...the penguin quilt was an award winner in the youth category. Definitely a future quilter with lots of fabric fun ahead.

As always there were wonderful vendors with lots of temptations. Two of my favorite were Denim and Silk, located in one of the shops in Sisters. They have beautiful denim jackets with silk cuffs, collars and linings. One is now at the top of my wish list for my birthday! Check out their web site at http://www.denimsilk.com/

My other favorite find was Fourth Corner Quilts from Ashland, Oregon.

Delightful old quilts without the normal outrageous prices. Looking forward to visiting the shop next time I'm in Ashland.

http://www.fcfquilts.com/

I've been enjoying a few rainy days here in Oregon. The grassfields are being mowed and the straw baled which has caused my allergies and asthma to go out of control, so I've not sewed much. I've just finished a minky baby quilt. I was using leftovers from another quilt as I hate sewing with minky since it slips all over the place. I end up pinning every seam and it still slips. Next we are off to Texas for a week with friends in the Hill country.