Finished!!!!!

The binding is on, another one is finished! This quilt only took me 10 years to complete. Don't expect me to tackle another applique project anytime soon. I started it in a class, because I wanted to learn new techniques. It has lots of memories stitched into each block. The blocks traveled around the country with me, to doctors office visits, lots of time in the hospital during my husbands transplant, vacations and even went on the three week road trip my son and I took after my husband passed away.

This is the quilt that I sent to a senior center, where they marked it with a big thick 1st grade pencil. After of hours of careful cleaning, most of the marks are out! Spent last weekend in bed, with a horrible cough, etc. Am finally back to semi-normal and posting again.

The navy and burgundy colors were planned to go with my living room furniture, and hang over the fireplace. But, I moved two years ago and no longer have that fireplace or furniture!

Temptation over took me...I caved

On our way to Sun River, Oregon for the holiday weekend, I just had to stop in Sisters, home of the Stichin Post. Of course, I was just stretching my legs from the long drive and going to wander for just a few moments. I kept repeating...no new projects, no new projects...as I entered the store...

Then I saw it! The first picture is from the pattern I purchased. The second and third picture are the fabric I couldn't leave without! Visions of a completed jacket by the end of the weekend danced in my head, as my sewing machine was in the car!

I'm a bit frustrated with the pattern already...no measurements are included, just s, m, l, xl cutting lines. I grew up sewing, doing the whole 4H thing, so I know how to adapt a pattern, etc., but that doesn't mean I want to spend hours doing it. I gave up sewing clothing for quilting many years ago! I don't even hem pants anymore...why do that when I could be working on a quilt!

So, I checked their web site and they recommend making a muslin version first...as if I had extra time! I've emailed the company asking for basic measurements and will share a response along with additional pattern information, if and when they respond.

So, after seeing the pattern, of course I had to have the fabric. Surrounded by 5 college age guys trying to drag me out of the shop, I decide that $25 for 2.5 yards is not that bad. Quickly I select one of the many beautiful hand painted batik fabrics. I did resist buying several! I proceed to the cash register, constantly under attack from the guys and surrounded by lots of noise and chatter... Distracted, I just sign my credit card slip. Later at the house, I realize the fabric was $55. not $25! So much for my new trifocals improving my vision!! Now I'm thinking that muslin version is not such a bad idea...or even better, a piece of fabric from my stash, since I would need to go into a shop to buy the muslin!

At the end of the long weekend, after lots of fun in the pool, biking and just relaxing my sewing projects came home untouched, other than working on the binding on the red,white and blue quilt. I did manage to finish quite a bit of scrap booking, including a new special small project that is a prayer album. I'm off to Las Vegas, for work at the end of week, so there won't be any progress for at least 10 days...oh how I need more time off to sew!!

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.