The Old and the New

Completed Quilt:  These were blocks made by my friends in the What Knots, and I've had them since 2006.    I used the "quilt as you go" method where each 12" block was layered with batting and backing and quilted on my regular machine.

Then the blocks were attached together.  On the front that was just the matter of a seam, but on the back it required a sashing strip to connect the blocks.

So this is what the back looks like.

And here is the quilt artfully posed.

Since we are now empty nesters, we have to indulge the cats.  We bought them this cat tree and some new catnip to entice they to use it.  So far only Milo has climbed on it on his own.

This is the best time of year for lovely sunset views, and we've had several.  In another month the sun will be setting farther north, which is behind those trees on the right side of the picture.

A new tool I was compelled to purchase is the Quick Curver Ruler by Sew Kind of Wonderful.  It was on sale at Fabric Etc and the designer is going to be doing a workshop for my guild.

This Poinsettia block is a free pattern on their web site and I had fun practicing my machine quilting on it.

Picture in the snow before it went to it's new home (a Christmas gift)

Any picture can be clicked in for a larger view.

2012 Wrap Up

I need to finish up 2012 before I can dive into the new year.

What Knots annual Christmas party/luncheon, hosted by Marian and her daughter Martha.

One of the party activities is that everyone brings a block, made to that year's theme.  It originally was Christmas until everyone that was in the group at the time won the blocks, since then we've been changing up the theme each year.    The above quilt is Georgi's, made from the blocks she won.  We always enjoy seeing these quilts each year and remembering all who made the blocks.

Here's is Ann's quilt.

Ann and I were the last 2 to get Christmas blocks (the same year) and here's what I've done with mine.  Yes, nothing, but everyone was very helpful with ideas of how to arrange them.

A number of friends received these owl pin cushions as gifts.

And here is Milo in a favorite spot under the Christmas tree.  I had my left hip replaced just before Thanksgiving so I had a great excuse for not doing too much holiday prep.  Dave really stepped up decorating the tree and doing the garlands around the windows.

I did get everything put away and am now ready to dive into the new year,  full of resolutions like more exercise, more creativity and just being a better person.

July Flowers

We are finally getting some warm weather, so the flowers are starting to bloom.  Here is today's bouquet.

 Shasta Daisies, Yarrow, Bachelor Buttons, and Sweet Peas.  I have 2 volunteer Bachelor Buttons in my flower garden, and both are my favorite blue.  There are a lot of purple sweet peas in the mix this year, last year I had none.

 Milo thought he should be in the picture, but then got bored with the process and decided to take a bath.  Or he could be saying "Not another one"

 Sophie also had to investigate.

 Close Up

We bought this flying pig at the Seattle Garden Show in February.  Dave likes to move him around to different locations on the deck rail.

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.

Leaves

Leaves in the pond

Leaves on the gravel

Piles of leaves everywhere

This Feverfew decided to bloom again, it hasn’t frosted yet so lots of plants are still hanging on.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea (there is a huge bee on the dahlia at the top of the picture, he wasn’t inclined to pose properly for me)

And of course Milo….

Fall Projects

 

On the blog of one of my local quilt shops, Two Thimbles, they’ve been posting pictures of fabric pumpkins that they’ve been making.  So I felt inclined to make a few too.

Joann’s has all their “Autumn Collection” decoration sat 70% off so I was able to snag the silk leaves for cheap.  I’ve just made these 3 so far, but I’m tempted to make more, they are simple and fun.

When I was on the quilt retreat and being very patient with my work, I took out the bad machine quilting I had done on this small quilt, re-quilted and finished it.  Looks lovely with this Smoke Tree, don’t you think?

This is a small quilt, 31” x 43”.  I’m sure I saw a similar design somewhere and wanted to try it out, but I can’t remember what inspired me now.  I’ll turn this in at the next Moonlight Quilters meeting as a Charity Quilt donation.

Silly picture from my morning photo shoot, the reason I included it is to show all the animals following me around.  You have to look closely, on the far left is Jessie dog, Milo is sitting on the rock and right behind him on the deck that white patch is Sophie.

Cats and Stuff

Milo poses and shows you some new fabric I bought.
Dave had piled up all the couch cushions to move the couch, and Sophie kitty thought this would be a great place to hang out.
I've had a fairly successful round of quilting on my B-Line frame and I thought I'd take a picture of the progress. The minute I put the quilt on my work table, Milo was up on it.

Detail to show you the quilting. I haven't done the borders yet and there is some quilting that I think I want to try and take out, you'll see the whole quilt when it is done.

I go back and forth about how I feel about my work. As I was quilting I was pleased with what I was doing. When I first took it off the frame I hated it. Then after it sat a while I felt better about it. I really love this quilt top so I hope I can come to terms with the finished product.

Orange

I grew mini pumpkins in the garden, they are such fun. I have them all over the house now, here are some lined up on the kitchen window sill.
Here's the pumpkin colored paint going up on my studio walls. It's really fun. When I walked by the doorway this morning I noticed a glow. At first I thought a light was on, but it's just my lovely walls. Two walls are painted, I'm going for another color for the other 2, it's going to be quite exciting.

There's more orange here in Milo kitty, but don't these two look cute, matching curls. I don't think Jessie appreciates Milo on her bed, but she tolerates it.

A Few Pictures

I took a few more pictures today and downloaded all that I have taken this week.

Did you celebrate National Marshmallow Toasting Day on August 30? We did, and made S'Mores out of them.
We are going to have quite a crop of apples this year. Our tree is grafted with 4 different kinds of apples (and no, I don't remember what they are). I made several Apple Crisps this week, and broke my Apple Peeler/Corer, so I ordered a new one so I can deal with this bounty.

Arty crop of a Dahlia picture.

I'm not sure if it was all the rain or the fact that we fed them, but the Goldfish are showing themselves finally. We've hardly seen them all summer.

Lots of Goldfish!

I had spread some batting and a small quilt out on my bed to measure and cut the batting. Of course Milo had to sit in the middle of things.