Checking In!

"THE Motherland" (I intend to keep the capitalization of THE as is), is about 90% completed.  I need to add the two borders and then it will be ready for quilting.  It is a BIG wall hanging---but I think I have the perfect wall.  I like this quilt, but am still undecided about the quilting---that will come though.

I also have been harvesting from my "garden".  I have never grown a yellow tomato, neither have I seen one in the store and this is my first one!

Isn't it pretty!  and it seems luscious!  So fresh!  I will let you know how it taste.  I also have a purple tomato plant and that one is beginning to turn purple!  Can't wait!

Well thanks for stopping by!

"A Whole Lot of Creating Going On"!!!

I am working really hard to finish this quilt.  Because I am trying to "match" colors---not really-- but I am trying to make sure the colors beside each other are  complements.  The process though, although not "matchy" is taking much longer than I anticipated.  I would like to have it completed by the August Guild meeting, so I have a "deadline".

I have named it "The Motherland".  All African fabrics and Lino's.  It is going to be large, but because of the type of fabrics, I really would like it to be a wall quilt.  It will really depend on the size though.  My home doesn't have a lot of wall space, so I may just fold it up and put it on the sofa as a "art object".  I'll see.  After the top is done, I will try it on a wall and see if I should add a border or just leave it as is.

The creative process though leads to "creative chaos"!!!  My "studio" looks horrible.  It is funny---it was the formal dining room.  I had french doors put in to separate it from the rest of the house and when I first moved in it seems like more than enough space.  Not anymore---with the longarm, bins of fabric (both scraps and bolts); batting; book shelves, and all the other "equipment" I need for my hobby---it really only holds one person at a time (a full size person anyway).  One of my grandchildren can come in when I am in---if they are small and younger than 12 :).  I am trying to figure out how I can take over the living room or better yet---the husband's "office" which he rarely uses anyway.  I already have taken over the closets for fabric storage (in addition to a part of the linen closet and one closet in my grandson's bedroom....I might as well finish the transition :).

 I  am not really sure if the pictures really show how chaotic it was, but I am almost positive that many quilters create in the same environment :)!  I have already started straightened up a bit since I am almost finished, in preparation for quilting this top!   

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great remainder of the week-end!

Update!

I hope everyone had a fun 4th of July.  Mine was pretty uneventful, given what usually happens.  This year, only a very small area in our yard caught fire (from innocent little sparklers) and we easily put it out  and a fountain tipped over and sent fireworks shooting at us (mainly me) as I sat in the driveway watching.  No injuries and no harm done!!!!!!

I love making desserts, and made a Salted Caramel Bread Pudding for dessert!  Too good!!!

I will definitely make this one again!

On the quilting front---I am still quilting my finished tops.  This is a picture of "African Abacus".  I need to complete the binding and sew it down by hand.  I decided to try a wide binding that finishes to the same width as the black sashing in the quilt.  It is a great look and really "ties" everything together.  I found a formula for insuring the correct cutting width (desired finished width x 4).

I used the " Egyptian Eye " board, but loaded the quilt on length wise so the design is vertical.  I like the look.  It actually mimics the shape of the quilt blocks but because it doesn't exactly line-up, it looks like a shadow I think.  I originally thought about lining it up with the blocks, but the dimensions are off and I was afraid it would look too messy.

"I Believe....." is all quilted!!!!!

The orientation is all wrong---but you get the idea.  I literally JUST took the quilt off the frame and haven't even trimmed it yet in preparation for the binding.  I have a couple of "oops" places on my quilting---my DH says to stop pointing out errors all the time---but generally I am pleased with how it turned out!

Now on to the next one in line!  Have a great remainder of the day!!!!!!!