Sunday, August 12, 2012

Inspiration Sunday (3) - via the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach

One of the things that always catches my eye as I walk around the exhibits at a quilt show, is the diversity of borders.  Some of the borders that caught my eye this time:

The "Galactic Daiquiri" by Cherie Gooler of Santa Rosa, California.  It is machine pieced, hand appliqued, and machine quilted.


I can only assume that she hand appliqued the border, just look how gorgeous it is!



I love how the quilting design in the lighter area goes perfectly with the design of the red fabric in the next area of the border.

This next one isn't so much a border as an edge, but it is really cool!  I can only imagine how long it must have taken to finish it.  "Barcelona Crow's Nest" by Pat Delaney of Abington, Massachusetts.



Just look at those loops!  If you are interested in learning how to do this type of edge, try to get your hands on the January/February issue of Machine Quilting Unlimited magazine.  There is a tutorial by Sharon Schamber on how to do a very similar loopy edge.

I also really enjoyed the light colors of this quilt - I think it is called "quiet quilting".  And just look at all the different free motion motifs in those blocks; this quilt was just amazing.

What treats will I have for you next Sunday?

Jen

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Quick trips and Idle times - WIP Wednesday

This is what I am working on for the next three days:


No, you are right, that is NOT a quilt.  It is a picture I took of Yosemite Valley in 2005.  Today Ashley and I are headed back there for a quick trip.  It is such a beautiful place, full of surprises...


I really can't wait to share the experience with my eldest.

But, I won't be completely idle.  The car ride is at least 6 hours, so I will have plenty of time to work on these:


My little hexies for my "Christmas" table runner.

And, I did have time to start working on my backing for the medallion quilt.  Here is a sneak peak:



This Wednesday......

Completed Projects:  Basically all my blocks from yesterday's post.
On-going Projects:
  • Handstitched goodies - there are so many projects I want to return to, and I still need to complete my backing for the medallion quilt.
  • Design something for the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop - I have my idea, I have my fabric, I need to put it in motion
  • Vintage Holiday Quilt Along - actually started August 6th.  I already need to catch up, luckily the cutting is all really similar for each block.
  • Totally Groovy Quilt Along - the sewing starts soon!
  • Star of Africa Bee -I need to do the July block in PINK
  • "Tree" themed quilt for the guild - the guild is having a quilt show in October and each member is asked to make a small quilt with a "tree" theme.  I am going to make something similar to Ashley's teacher's Thank you quilt below.

Back Burner:

I am determined not to forget these projects!  Keeping them in this category reminds me of them on a weekly basis.
  • Batik Stripe Quilt - still sandwiched and ready to be quilted!

  • Thank you quilt for Ashley's teacher - awaiting quilting

  • Red, White, Blue New York Beauty - piecing in progress
  • Urban Nine Patch Tablerunner - I actually started quilting this one this week, but then I hated everything and ripped it out!
  • June UFO - "A Christmas Something for myself" - English paper piecing in progress.  It will be a table runner of hexagons.  This is the hand project I keep in the car, so I will do a little at a time, but progress is slow.
  • July UFO - tile batik quilt - piecing in progress
  • Charity quilt for the guild - I'm going to miss the next meeting, but need to bring it to September's
This week's stats:
Completed projects - 3, blocks that is.
New projects - 0
Currently in Progress - 6-ish

Linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday's and Handmade Parade at There and Back on Friday
WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced There and Back

Monday, August 6, 2012

Building Blocks Tuesday

I've decided to rename my Tuesday posts, at least for now "Building Block Tuesdays".  I will have to make a new button soon.  Since I am participating in so many Bee's and quilt alongs right now, it seems fitting that I have a special place for all these blocks I am making.  So, here they are for this week:

Here is block 9 for Quilting Gallery's Beginner's Quilt-Along. Another block with HST's!


It's hard to believe it, but I am actually starting to go outside the group of fabrics I set aside for this project.  I was hoping to use up all the scraps of Joann's fabrics from my stash of pinks, and I have made a serious dent in them!  I may have to resort to pulling out yardage at some point!  Not to shabby!

Check out what the other participants blocks look like at the flickr group site.  

Also, here are the first blocks I've completed for the "How Far Will You Go? Quilt Along".  This one is called "Oh Susanna" and we had to make two.



I must admit more than once I caught my self singing "Oh, Susanna!, oh don't you cry for me, cause I come from Louisiana with a banjo on my knee...."  Mind you that is the only part of the song I know.

And finally, my block for June for the Star of Africa Bee from Confessions of a Fabraholic  I first heard about the Star of Africa Bee from my friend, Tina, at Holy Scrap!.  It sounded like the coolest bee ever - a small group, comprised of people all over the world, and you have to make blocks representative of "where" you come from while still staying within the desires of the queen bee for the month.  "Where" you come from is loosely defined.  It can be your country, your province, your town.  Your choice.  I loved the idea!  But the bee was full.....until recently!!!  They needed a substitute and I was MORE than willing!  I jumped at the chance!

The Queen Bee for the month of June wanted warm colors.  When I think of "warm", I think of orange, and yellow.  The first thing orange that came to me that represented the U.S., was Arches National Park in Utah, more specifically, the Delicate Arch.  It is very orange!  I set about to do some research and discovered that it is one of the most photographed landmarks in America.  The trouble with most of the photographs is that they contrast the orange of the arch with a magnificently blue sky.  So drawing from various photos, I think my block ended up more "cool" than "warm.  But I like it nonetheless, and I hope the queen bee does too.


The July colors are even harder - PINK!  I am really going to have to rack my brain this week to come up with something for the new queen bee in pink!  I am leaning heavily toward cherry blossoms at the moment, I just don't know whether to set them in Washington, D.C. or Northern Michigan.  Maybe by next week we will all know!

Until then!

I am linking up with Plum and June's Let's Get Acquainted Monday Link Up too!

Jen


Beginner’s Quilt-Along
How Far Will You Go? QAL

Plum and June