Snow Days

Before the snow melts I thought I should do a post. This picture of the fish swimming in the snow was taken on Saturday, they were completely buried a couple of days later.

These roof panels in the green house came out in a wind storm we had this fall (and we haven't fixed them yet) so the greenhouse is full of snow (view from the deck)

I have done a few projects. Simple valentine heart that I redid a number of times to get it right, 6" tall.

I made a case for the new GPS we got as Dave's 30 year anniversary with BP. I made this block as an experiment then had nothing to do with it, so I was thrilled when I thought to use it for the case.

Back side, opened out. Case size when closed is 4-1/2" x 6-1/2"

I've been wanting to make something with fabric selvages, I have a project in mind so I started some blocks, each one is 9".

And Milo, King of the quilts.

Jelly Roll Quilt

53" x 61"

Here's a quick quilt, there are some variations but I worked from the instructions for Jelly Roll Race.

I started with a pre-cut Jelly Roll of (40) 2-1/2" strips of fabric (the whole width, aprox 44"). I added a 2-1/2" square of brown to each strip and then sewed them into one really long strip (about 1600" long).

You cut off 18" from the top to offset how the strips line up. Next you bring the top and the bottom together and sew a very long seam. Yes, when you get to the bottom you have to cut the 2 strips apart. You continue this folding and sewing until you have your completed top.

I have to admit this really wasn't that much fun, sewing those really long seams. For me the joy of piecing is seeing what unfolds as you combine your shapes, and you just don't get this until you have your finished product.

Of course as soon as I put the quilt on the chair after my photography session, Sophie cat had to try it out.

And Milo on another quilt, so color coordinated.

A Good Start

Dahlia Quilt

30" x 33"

How's this for starting off the year, finishing a quilt. I'm not a big one for resolutions but I do want to put a dent in the pile of all those partially done projects.

This quilt was started in July at the Sisters Quilt Show, when I took a class from Melinda Bula. We worked from a pattern and spent most of the 2 days just cutting all the pieces, it is all fused on.

I did a good portion of the machine quilting on my guild retreat in October, and finally did the last of it. I debated different bindings, I was really planning on using orange piping to bring the center color out to the edges, but then decided that wasn't what it needed. I used Melody Johnson's Escape Hatch Finish

Engaged

Kim is engaged! No wedding plans yet, may not be until 2013.
Kim and Drew Christmas 2012, wearing the great hats I bought them (I wonder if they will ever wear them again?)

I asked Kim to send me some pictures of the two of them together, these are some great shots.

Their dream is to live in San Francisco. They both have great jobs in Seattle and are moving into a new apartment with a 1 year lease, so that is on hold for now.
This is Pickle, the new addition to their family.

What Knots November Meeting

OK, I've gotten out of the blog habit, but I have intentions to do better. Here are the pictures I took at our November meeting, sorry, I just didn't take pictures in December. New Years resolution and all that.

Gail wasn't able to attend so Kathleen brought the last of the commission T-shirt quilts to share, this one King size.

Yvonne shared this Crazy Quilt.

Yvonne also showed this one that was completed earlier in the year, she just forgot to share with us.

Ann created another Mile-a-Minute Quilt, great use of scraps.

Anara's sports themed quilt for her brother.

Fall Crafting

Felt coasters made from pattern from the Purl Bee (follow link for the directions). They give you a pattern for both the inner and outer leaf, but I found it much easier to cut the inner leaf to the pattern, then just rough cut the outer leaf. After I did all the embroidery, I trimmed the outer leaf following the lines of the inner one. This was much easier than trying the line up the 2 together.
I have the best spot for stagging photo shoots in the fall.

And some of my dahlia's are still blooming, this is Fire Magic, one of the late starters. Notice that the lilac bush in the background is already loosing it's leaves.

House Quilt

Another completed project. I won these 9 house blocks in a raffle at the Moonlight Quilter's Retreat in October 2009. During the 2010 retreat I sashed the blocks and this year I finished the quilting.

I really wanted to photograph this quilt outside so the colors would show true. I had the inspiration to tie the hanging rod onto the deck rails. The quilt is straighter than it appears.

What Knot October Meeting

Getting Things Done

I'm feeling compelled to finish things, this doesn't happen very often so I'm trying to go with it. I started this quilt in 2006, and now it's done.

Sun and Sea

54" x 54"

I didn't sew the top of this second quilt, I volunteered to quilt and bind it, it's a Community Service Quilt done by the Moonlight Quilter's Guild.

44" x 58"

Fall decorations on my kitchen counter.

Heron

(I do have some more dahlia pictures, I'm just waiting for the last plant to bloom and show me what it is.) When I went to refill my coffee this morning, I glanced out the window and saw this real heron contemplating the fake one.
He then decided to move closer, then walk around the pond.
I caught him posing in a sunbeam. These birds are very skittish, so the pictures were taken through my dirty kitchen window with a telephoto lens. Hopefully the goldfish are smart enough to stay deep this morning and not provide breakfast.