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!!
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!
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!
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.
