Productive Monday!

My youngest granddaughter started this quilt at the beginning of summer.  She had sewn the squares together in pairs.  Even though she came over weekly, more important things---like going to the pool, movies, playing games, etc.---got in the way and so the quilt wasn't finished.  I cleaned my sewing studio room yesterday and found the pile of blocks.  Sometimes you just want to do something that is mindless, so I decided to finish the quilt for her (I sorta didn't want her sewing over pins on my featherweight anyway).  I looked through my stash and found the perfect borders, have loaded it on the longarm and am almost finished quilting it.  The charm pack was given to her by Diane when she came to visit, and everything else is from my stash or scrap bags, including the batting.  This would be a great baby gift or charity quilt as well.  I am going to make her a pillowcase, and although it would be a great Christmas gift, I think I might just give it to her now-----on second thought, I might just save it for Christmas!  I am going to make her brother one as well---I will look for a "guy" charm pack---maybe solid colors.

Anyway---I have had a productive day---although my legs are hurting---from cleaning and then standing all afternoon.  It feels good to have accomplished something quilty today!

Take care----"talk" to you later!!!

Sorry!

I really did go out to the garage to die   dye, but it was too darn hot.  I couldn't even breathe in my mask---so I put it off for a cooler day!  I got up early today, and after church, decided I would tackle my quilting "studio".  There really isn't much I can do in there----everything is crammed in, (I really need to figure out a way to retake my hubby's "office" for studio #2).  I went to Wally World and got some 3 drawer things and put organized my fabs a little.  Rearranged stuff on shelves---worked in there for about 6 hours.  It does look neater anyway, but still crammed.  I am going to taken the sewing table tomorrow (my legs hurt and I am sleepy now), so we'll see how that goes.

I also decided to enter two quilts in the Modern Quilt Guild Show----thanks to the urging of a quilting sister.  Wouldn't it be a blast if it got accepted?  I really don't expect to win, but it would be nice to have it juried in.  I will hang it tomorrow and take some pictures. 

Well, just wanted to check back!  Later!!!

Dye Job!

This is 25 yards of fabric that I intend to dye tomorrow!  Maybe not all 25, but as much as I can before the heat gets to me.  There are several quilts I want to make, and I don't have much of a variety---so it looks like a "dye job" is in order.  Now that I have started dyeing my own fabric, I can appreciate the costs associated with hand dyes.  It is VERY time intensive, although for me, it is worth the wonderful colors.  When I am in the middle of rinsing all these by hand though, I want to just go to a good quilt shop (or internet store) and order some :c)!!  This is the best "dyeing weather", HOT, but my goodness, the heat is intensified in my garage with my breathing apparatus on as I mix colors.  Oh to have a "real" dyeing studio with air conditioning!!!!!!  I need to lose about 10 lbs anyway, so since it is expected to be about 93, I should at least get rid of 5 before the session is completed :c)!!!!!

On the quilting front, I have finished quilting "Make a Joyful Noise", and so now I am sewing down the binding.  It is funny how when you are quilting a quilt, every little "oops" is so obvious and then once done, it doesn't seem so bad.  I really am liking this quilt---lots of texture and it really does "make a joyful noise".  I am considering entering it into a show, knowing it will not win, but I am interested in what judges would say. I have to think a little about that.  I will post a picture soon though.  I purchased some equipment to hang quilts for photography as well as display, so I need to complete the sleeve and then hang it for a picture.

The Founding President of the Guild was asked to do an "artist talk" at our local visual art museum in connection with the Gee's Bend Quilt exhibit.  She wasn't able to fulfill this invitation, so she asked me to take her place!  I am "too" excited!  I love talking about quilting, AND I get to show some of my quilts!  I spent today thinking about what I wanted to convey to the audience, and then picked out quilts that would support those thoughts as well as be consistent with "Gee's Bend-type Quilts"---improvisation and spontaneity.  It  was interesting to see how my quilting has evolved, without a lot of forethought.  My problem is I may have too many so I will have to prioritize.  Maybe quilting is intuitive, since I haven't really had any formal teaching, so I am not sure where my color sense and style as come from.

One of the stories I have been asked to tell is how I got into quilting.  I wish I could say I learned by way of the women in my family, but that isn't true.  My brothers and sisters are actually old enough to be my parents and my mother had a different view of what she wanted me to do.  Instead of learning "traditional" women tasks, I was encouraged to read, spent time at summer camp learning how to ride a horse, and took ballet.  I was never taught to do things like cook or sew, nor did I have responsibilities around the house.  It was okay with my mother if I just sat and read a book or wrote a story.   I was a "daydreamer" who had dreams that didn't involve traditional roles---I wanted to be a judge----tell people what to do and right the wrongs of the world.

My interest in quilting came through my love for history and the fact that a quilt in a family was a link to the past.  I am all self-taught and spent about 3 years just reading about quilting and "collecting" quilting gadgets before I made my first quilt.  The fun part is that I do have that first quilt which I plan to show.  You can definitely see my growth :c).  Hopefully my "story" will be interesting---whether it is or not, it will be "my" story.

Well, just wanted to "check in".  More to follow!  Thanks for stopping by!

Status Report!

 This is my latest fabric purchase---isn't it perfect for "Spidey".  I had been watching it for a long time and decided to take the plunge-----30% off!  I got the remainder of the bolt---more than enough with a little left over for the scrap bag.

I am working on "Make a Joyful Noise"----all my hand dyes.  I am using my new CL template---and originally even thought it would be worthy of submitting for a show---but now I don't think so.  The circles are not even---which for me isn't bad---but not good enough to submit.  This will be my practice piece but definitely I will use the template again.  I really like the effect of the circles.  I also used wool batting.  The brand I am using isn't working as well as I thought.  It is really shredding on the edges.  I don't know if that is suppose to happen or if it is specific to this brand.  I purchased it at AQS for a good price (about 50% less than regular price), so maybe the quality isn't as good.  Since I have never used wool batting before, I don't have a frame of reference.  Next time I will purchase a better brand and see if that makes a difference.  Also using So Fine thread in the top as well as the bobbin.  I really like that look, but the top shreds as well.  Oh well---as long as the tension keeps looking okay, I will deal with that.

I see where I went wrong---I didn't load the quilt on evenly so my rows are off as you can see.  I am going to have to work on that.  I am almost finished, so I will see how it looks after I am done.  Either way, I still love it!

Well---just wanted to check in.  I am spending the day looking at the Olympics and finishing this quilt.  Not a bad Sunday!

xoxo

Spidey!

I have wanted to make a spiderweb quilt for a really long time!  I love the pattern, mainly because it is scrappy and uses strings.  My husband and Grandson are at the Little League World Series (his team is playing) and since I am hanging out along with Coal----I decided I would begin one.  I went up to my fabric closet and found the perfect fabric for the center.  I remember buying it at G Street Fabrics in Silver Springs on one of my visits to my son at least 8 years ago.  I am not even sure I purchased it specifically for a quilt, since at that time I was also still sewing clothes.   I don't really know the type of fabric it is----100% cotton with a weave much like linen.  It was only 36 inches wide, so it must be very old.  I have another piece of like fabric in a different pattern.  It though was perfect---but alas, not enough of it.......so I did what most quilters do---I pieced some together so I ended up with JUST enough for the 30 blocks I need for the quilt.  It is going to be smaller than I would like, but I am going to add a border and make it a good size twin.  I would have had more fabric if I had pieced it on paper, but I am a heavy handed presser and the fabric as the foundation stops it from stretching out as much, since I have a lot of bias edges.  Anyway----I am almost half done and am enjoying the process.  Below is what a corner of my sewing "studio" looks like.  You simply cannot make a strip quilt without messing up your space.  I do try to put everything back in the bags when I finish for the day, but alas, once I get started the next day, back on the floor everything goes.

For more "order" I could have made the strips the same size---but who likes order in a quilt?  Certainly not I------I go for "movement" or more aptly---chaos----it is much more appropriate for my type of quilting!

Don't you love it!!!!  It looks like those are black polka dots, but the color is weaved in and more rectangle in shape.  I have seen this type of fabric in textiles sold at places like Pier I Imports, but again, for the life of me I can't think of the name.  I purchased it from a good fabric shop, so I guess it will hold up----I washed a small piece and it worked out okay---so all should be well.  I believe that any fabric that can be washed can be put into a quilt---this is no exception.

Please Answer---

I am a Follower of  "Giraffe Dreams" and she had a really interesting post in which she asked her Followers to answer five questions.  I am asking you to do the same thing.  The questions are:

I am ----

I wish -----

My friends think I'm ------

Books are ----------

Top (or near the top) on my Bucket List is ------

My responses were----

I am ----re-evaluating what I want to be when I grow up (now you all know, I have 5 adult children and 7 grandchildren ---my oldest granddaughter is entering her second year of college)

I wish ----I were more organized.

My friends think I am -----  self-assured.

Books ---  helped me to dreams and strive (for better)

Top (or near the top) on my Bucket List is ----  to attend the Houston Quilt Show.

Thanks for participating!

July Finish!

I finished the "Zig-Zag" quilt.  It isn't trimmed yet, but I will do get the backing ready and try to stat tomorrow.  I plan to quilt this and several other quilts for myself and Diane, so the next two weeks will be spent at the LA.  I really like how this quilt came out, but I must say it is a little confusing.  You really have to pay attention but if you do, it comes together nicely.  It is an interesting way to make a "zz"---this was made from two jelly rolls.

Now to figure out how to quilt it.  I think probably just a nice tight stipple will do.  I really don't want to take away from the graphic nature of it.  Sometimes simple is best!

Well on to more quilting---my Mo-Jo is coming back!

A Lazy Saturday!

So----this morning I got up really early!!!!  It was expected that the temps would reach a high of 104 degrees, so I was up, planting some new flowers, weeding and watering the plants.  I was done in a couple of hours, just when it started to get warm.

I didn't clean the house, although I did was a load of clothes---instead I did some quilting!!!!  I worked on my zig zag, and am now finished with 50% if it.  To give me some variety, I started working on a new "Spontaneous Combustion".  This time, I am even more "spontaneous".  I have strips, and some wonky blocks, some triangles, etc.  I am not following any course, but instead just letting things "fall as they may".  I am liking what I have at this point---essentially only one block---but who knows what will happen next.

Of course, this is going to be a large quilt-- so who knows when it will be finished!

It is interesting how my preference in quilting has changed.  Although I still love brights and batiks, I am liking solids more.  I really prefer my hand dyes though but I am beginning to like solids.  I also am enjoying the "modern quilting" phase, although quite frankly, I don't think it is so much modern, as returning to the spontaneity of such quilts as the Gee's Bend, and other like quilts.  Again this supports my husband's contention that nothing really goes "out of style", but that everything comes back around.


Wonder if calico's will come back?

Almost Ready for Harvesting!

My "crops" are almost ready for harvesting!!!!!  I am so proud of myself!  I read somewhere that gardening is such an empowering hobby.  I also think that it is interesting that there is a large percentage of quilters that also garden.

I was up early this morning, watering, pulling and fertilizing the vegetables as well as the flowers.  It was nice and cool, although it is my understanding, it is going to be about 100 degrees today with a possibility of rain. No fireworks, much too dry---but I don't think the kids will mind.  We are going to grill, but not start until later.  I am going to use some of my spices I got while in DC---they smell wonderfully so lets hope it taste as well.

Well, I do want to quilt a little today.  Have a great and safe 4th!

Vacation is Over!!!!

I got back yesterday afternoon!  It was 110 degrees here!!!!!  My goodness, but it was just as hot almost in DC, AND without electricity!!!!!  My son's home was in one of the areas that is without power due to a relatively mild storm.  The issue is however, there are thousands of trees---old trees---so it doesn't take much to blow one over.  He said that if history repeats itself, they will probably not have any power for about a week.  They and their pets (a dog and a cat) have gone to a friends to wait it out!

I am getting myself settled in.  My "Mo Jo" feels like it is coming back, and I know the restful time I had really is helping.  I have posted pictures of my fabric I picked up.  The first pictures is how I packed it (and my clothes).  I didn't know they had these bags for packing, but they work wonderfully.  You can get so much more in your suitcase!  I really did a juggling job since they weight limit is 50 pounds.  One bag weighted exactly 50 pounds (even though the bag itself probably weighted 40 pounds)!  I had to borrow a bag from my son for the fabric to use as a carry-on.  Next time I will use these "freeze dried bags" as my Grands call them, and carry a much smaller bag!

The two pieces on the left are designated for quilt backs.  The other's are 3 yard lengths that I have no idea what I am going to use for.

Well, just wanted to check in.  I am back to reality---washing, cleaning and getting ready for work!  I so enjoyed myself and I am going to try really hard to not wait so long before going back for a visit!