Marathon Quilter

current project photo

2009-11-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I finished those curved parts and spent time putting the pieces up on the design wall. As you can see....I am missing some curved parts....and have another 18 "bowtie" (the middle piece) cut waiting for their curved parts. Oops!!! Clearly I did NOT cut all my curve pieces out.

Sigh. I always keep all left over fabrics from a current project together, so it's not a problem to pull that bag out and cut more. I just feel deflated that I am not as far along as I had first thought.

As long as I have to cut more , I am also cutting 1.5 inch strips for my dil and the postage stamp swap-so it's become a cutting marathon.

My dil so liked my hexagon project that she asked for a pattern to make a hexagon wall hanging herself. And, because of course she has zero fabric, and I have more than enough- I am cutting strips for her project to include with the pattern - all of which I hope to send off tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest.

What a bonus to discover this about her-I have already sent my Janome Gem machine to her as she also wants to sew clothing. My sons have married creative and charming women. I feel so lucky to have both of them for dil's.

I am cutting some new fabric too for the curve parts..may as well use more fabrics that I bought for it as long as I have to cut anyway.

I am delighted to have this up on my design wall - just the balance to the gray rainy stormy weather that has arrived and seems to be staying around.

More Houston photos to come...for now it's back to cutting and doing laundry.
It's a relaxing Sunday- hope yours is the same!

close up photos...

2009-11-05T07:13:00.000-08:00

One of the things I did at Houston was take close ups of quilts that really caught my eye-in terms of being able to examine the stitching and fitting together of the quilt-all my photos by the way will enlarge if you click on them. Again, I have not tracked down the name of the quilter.

The zipper quilt was part of a special exhibit...I really need to pull my notes out!
I think a day of wrapping up should be granted when you come home from vacation-there just never seems to be enough transition time between coming home from a trip and diving back into work and home life.

I have finished my circle blocks-step 0ne. Now for some serious pressing time to be able to start pinning for the next step. Actually these are pie shaped "blocks", the half way mark of the finished blocks. However, I have arranged them as circles on the design wall for fun. In fact I have arranged them in all sorts of improbable arrangements, just to have that color play and shape to enjoy as I plodded through the stitching of the curves. Once these parts are all pressed, comes the real fun of arranging them with the middle "bow tie" shape piece and see how I want my blocks to go together.

And speaking of time zooming by all too fast:
No matter what, I am making sure I do some stitching each morning-five minutes is better than none and right now some days/evenings that is all I can manage.

Rain is supposed to hit us today and last for several days..ugh. Yesterday was so beautiful with colored clouds as the sun faded - pinks and deep rose-feathered clouds...it looked like a painting.

Working out in the yard until the light faded was such a pleasure. I don't mind raking leaves in the non-rain!

Houston Quilt show photos

2009-11-04T07:30:00.001-08:00

I am running late this morning so I will post a few photos and could not locate the quilter info on them-sorry! One is called Bridging the gap and the other is the dancing dead...I took a close up of that fabulous dead quilt-great applique and quilting.

I am managing to sew a little each day on my curve blocks...with 5 left to go-woohoo! I have to celebrate the small steps as I have so much going on right now...I am spending about 30-40 minutes in the garden - as much as my arm/back can tolerate, though thank goodness for drugs to offset even that little bit creating more pain than I like to admit. I will only take over the counter stuff...I hate taking pills and just prefer to deal with the results of my drive to try and get my garden to bed for the winter...we are having a dry spell and I know I need to take advantage-when the rains come..it will be wet world to the max around here...and I will be sorry sorry if I don't jump on what I can outside now.

oops...sidetracked myself there...sorry. I will post a few photos - with luck- every day...I really tried to take only photos of quilts I loved or inspired me..though I had to take a few because either I knew the quilter or my son really admired them.

Many, many quilts were tagged with no photography allowed- all of Paula N's incredible kaleidoscope blocks for example...none allowed....I will track down a link to hopefully share what I am mentioning..like I said...I am running even later now!

hurray for photos

2009-10-31T21:19:00.001-07:00

Back from Houston and finally downloaded and sorted through photos...but first I wanted to post what I am currently working on...and...a photo featuring both Alice and the quilt I gave to her daycare provider..holding up her quilt -who is hidden behind the quilt.

photos of Houston quilts at some point tomorrow.....

It's Tuesday...

2009-10-06T15:57:00.001-07:00

There is nothing like being ill to make you appreciate the simple things like being able to breathe through your nose. I have had a mild flu bug experience and am thankful to be feeling much better this quickly. This has been my second day home from work and each day I have been able to get some quilting stuff done- yesterday I quilted and trimmed the strip twist top shown in the last post. Today I have cut the binding and am half done sewing it together - I have another hour to work on it-and then I am going into the office.

It's great to be on track to finish this quilt by the weekend-my personal deadline for it. I leave a week from tomorrow and I want to finish several things before leaving town.

I was trying to remember when I last finished a quilt and it's been quite a while now. I have been on a break from quilting since mid August when the FABS +2 all met at my home and we had a wonderful quilty time together.

As Autumn makes itself felt here in chilly evenings and colder mornings-I am wrapping up all the outside chores and looking forward to being inside more as the weather continues onto the wet and cold season.

Hard to believe with the sunshine lately that those wet days will soon be here-it has been frustrating to be ill and unable to be out in the garden. Digging in the dirt really soothes my soul.

Once this quilt is done I will post a photo- due to my bad arm..and weakness from the 'flu...I did straight line quilting instead of free motion. I am happy with the design I came up with.

I am working on string blocks-none finished yet-another easy going project to get back into the quilting mood.

I have one special project I started and am itching to get back to...now that makes me smile, as it means I surely must be on the mend! Don't you always feel you don't have time to be ill? And yet, resting and healing is as important as everything else we do with our lives.

There is joy in every day.

finally a flimsey finish

2009-09-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

I finally buckled down this morning and did the last joining seam to have this top be finished- or as my pals say, finished to a flimsey. I am going to piece together some leftover batting and see if it will work to sandwich with this top. I will use various fabrics from this top and piece a back for it as well. This was my version of the strip twist pattern we all did in August at our FABS + 2 retreat.

I love that it all came from stash/scraps and my dil gave me a wonderful compliment about how serene it feels to her.

I am flying out October 14th and want this in the hands of the person I made it for. I can't even remember the last quilt I made this year- surely a charity quilt for WrapThemInLove. I added a link for this charity - I have been a group leader in my area since 2000 making and sending off quilts for wrap'm as we say.

And here is a photo of Alice, from a recent spending the night with us. She enjoyed her ducklings so much in the bathtub, they had to get dried off and come play in the living room with her...my, she is getting so grown up at nearly three point five. Time is surely speeding by!

I am flying to Texas where I will visit my other son and his wife, and he and I will spend two days doing the Houston Quilt Festival...this will be my first time to enjoy the venue, and I am thrilled my son wanted to come along and do the show with me. I have the very best boys!

back in the blogging groove too

2009-09-16T06:34:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we returned a new office chair I was test sitting and brought home another one. A new chair was urgent (I gave away the old one it was too painful for me to sit on anymore!) and my aunt decided to make it a gift to us. The first one the guy said his wife used and she quilted and it was the best chair - well, it did inspire me to use my sewing machine, but, no way was it great for me sitting at my machine and back it went.

The new chair is more comfortable, but, I haven't sewn sitting in it yet. Nope. Last night, I got off the computer and back out to the garage. I set the timer for an hour. I may be a grown up, but I find motivating myself to do certain tasks daunting some days. M had the house filled with moved furniture as she was vacuuming everywhere...sheessh...she was home all day except for our lunch/chair break and she had to do that when I came home from work? anyway.....

I escaped to the garage where I had made a giant mess while she was gone. I had big plans to do so much in those two weeks..but of course various other things interrupted that train.

I cleaned/cleared enough for her van to fit back in on her side of the garage. I realigned various boxes/bins/stuff up on my side set of shelving..new labels so I actually know what is in the top most ones too. I only added 25 additional minutes too. It is truly amazing how much you can get done when you set a time limit.

I went through the paint can collection and resorted-more to the collection to take out to the special disposal site. That reminds me...there is a huge bucket container of something I need to ask M about...in the 10+ years I have lived here...it's never been used. Surely it can go too?
Maybe I will just take it away and not ask.

Every year I go through parts of the garage...one of the most helpful tricks I have employed is dating each container that houses "stuff"-it makes me think when it's labeled 2002...gee...is what inside really needed? if I haven't opened it that long?

It is always good to sort through and purge and reorganize- it is just such a time sucking task.

Of course I love the results, which is why I put in the time. When the cold and the rains arrive I don't want to be out in the garage still putting stuff away. It's going to take a few more sessions though to finish up what is left.

Another good habit I have returned to is reading through the Liberated Quilters Ring during my morning coffee time. Nice to catch up with fellow bloggers/quilters and be inspired by what they have done or are doing. Talented, creative, and fun stuff!

yikes...I am going to be late chatting here so long...!
have a joyful day

coming up one month from today...

2009-09-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

My son called to remind me I had not sent the address for here. I leave October 14th for Texas.
I will be visiting my younger son and his bride of two years now-and he and I will be attending the International Quilt Festival/Houston for two days. I know it's a huge show, but, I think two days will be plenty for him to keep up with me as I will try and see it all !!

They live in Killen-close enough to Houston to make it drive-able. I have put him in charge of finding a hotel/motel room for Friday night. He thought he needed an address for "the quilt show"-to get an idea of what would be "nearby". Details, details.

I am pretty excited about seeing him and the quilt show is truly a bonus on top of that.

That's 30 sleeps away from tonight.

strip twist blocks done

2009-09-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

Last night I stitched the last section on the remaining blocks and then realized the light strip was too wide. drats! I ripped them apart and cut down and restitched. After pressing, I called it a night.

This morning I zipped them together, put them up on the design wall, rearranging as much as I could. This quilt put together as is, will come out about 45 inches by 60 inches. Large enough for an adult to snuggle under on the sofa.

That was my goal..an adult size snuggle quilt.

I could add borders, but, as I don't need it larger, and I really want to get it finished and given away I will just stitch the blocks together and let the binding add a final color touch on the edge.

I am thinking about quilting designs....probably something with curves..

Time to get out of here and to the day job...life is joyful

ending the evening on a sewing note

2009-09-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

Alice's visit today was so short, I failed to get any photos! We managed to get to the park and I pushed her in the swing until I was sure my arms were going to fall off :-) that girl loves to swing!
higher, higher she sings....and with her infectious laugh, well, you can't help but keep her going.

I put her down for her nap and while she settles down I am in the next room with an ear tuned in.
There were the usual sounds and small fussing and pretty soon, quiet. When we got her up ( her momma arrived while she was still sleeping) I realized she had gotten up to find "her" pillow. She cracks me up...I made a flannel pillow case for a small size pillow when she was old enough to use it in her porta crib...I guess a regular pillow just won't do now! There was the regular pillow tossed on the floor and her small flannel covered pillow on the bed...and her frogs still clutched in each hand.

M called to say the Folk Music Festival in Sisters was so much fun she was spending another night so she could spend all day enjoying the music. That meant I did not have to push to get the garage back in order - and as I had already picked up the house for Alice's visit-plus did laundry and changed the sheets on the bed- grocery shopped after Alice left- well...the evening was mine to do as I wished. I cleared the sewing table of odds and ends dumped on it from Alice's bed and finished up all the blocks that were almost done. I now have 36 blocks up on the design wall- with another 12 left to do. The strip sets ran short, so I need to make up the last side for these blocks. I have the fabric cut and ready to work on in the morning.

I am happy to make some progress on this project-it doesn't have a deadline as such, I just want to get it finished so I can hand it over to the person it's meant for.

And, it's only Saturday night- a whole day tomorrow to find some time to finish the last twelve blocks and start putting them together. Once it's a top, I will post a photo.

happy weekend everyone

ready to string together and mail tomorrow

2009-09-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

Meeting a swap deadline by the last possible day- again. oh well...at least they are going out and in return I will get the same amount back -totally different fabrics I hope *vbs*.

The red box holds the extra square I cut for myself and is a running review of what I have already sent out in the past. Last swap I pulled and cut from my Hoffman florals.

the stack in front needs a thread pulled through to hold it together and it's ready to mail..the rest as you can see just need the small stack added to the one on the left and then they need to be threaded up. I noticed someone last time had used small just right sized plastic bags...slick! As I have no idea where they found those bags..thread will do the job-just a bit more labor involved.

From previous experience of mailing these, I know a priority envelope will fit it all as one layer just right. This time I am going to remember to pop something extra for the swap hostess...she is the best and most kind/patient gal ever to work with. I have two other packages to send back to a business so one visit is going to really take care of two things needing to get out of here.

M called, she is over in Eastern Oregon headed towards Bend on Hwy 7...not sure how far she will get before camping for the night. At least I know Baker and the road - she plans to show up home sometime on Saturday. The time has flown in some ways...and not so much in others.
This year I did not make any real big plans to get anything major done. I still have to wrap up the garage and keep weeding..I nailed my guy down about a date for the load of soil to come and we may work some deal out to help me with the weeding. What two grown men could do in 4 hours would take me ...goodness knows how long! Of course I am a very thorough weeder...I dig out root systems and do some pruning too along the way. I love working in my garden...so it's easy to spend hours and not have so much done to show for all the time spent.

However, I need to come up with a new plan..there is no way to keep up with the weeding with my day job - so I am going to have to reduce all that available vacant dirt by putting down landscape cloth and using rock. I will put down a heavy mulch for the winter and see how it goes next spring. I think a neighbor and I are going to do some veggie growing partnership thing. She doesn't get enough sun and I don't have enough shade...and in the back..with plenty of sun I will grow the squash that was overwhelming in the front box this year. (plus next year I want to add pumpkin).

It's a lot like quilting- you can buy lots of fabric and have plenty of ideas/patterns..but it still takes much more time to actually make a quilt than you think. I don't mind a stash of fabric-within my space limits, but, too large of a garden quickly gets out of control weed wise and that is a stash that I really do not enjoy!

Well, these stacks are not going to thread themselves-time to get to it and off the keyboard.
I will read blogs while I am working with my needle however.

It's been a great day for me...hope it has been for you as well.

cutting trumps sewing

2009-09-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

I am in the same pickle as last swap time: cutting under a pressure deadline. I promised myself I would NOT do this to myself again...however...it is always such a surprise when I allow a deadline to be a month longer away than it is in reality!

Clearly I need to put these swaps in my daily calendar! So I switched from sewing , and started cutting seriously last night.

As I am currently on my own in the house, the kitchen table is cutting station number one and a portion of a kitchen counter is cutting station number two. The narrow cutting board is now the stacking station using half the stove top/counter space. I am not planning on sharing photos of this arrangement- I am sure you can mentally "see" how I have taken over other spaces to give myself enough elbow room.

I am 2/5's through cutting as of last night. I need 780 more 1.5 inch cut squares and then consider whether I should cut extras.

Yes, I am cutting 1.5 inch squares for a postage stamp swap we do on a quarterly basis. No, I have not done anything beyond collect these lovely little stacks that I receive and have added to as I cut for the swaps.
I have been seriously considering hand stitching them together. only briefly however. but recurringly. it could happen. maybe...

I had cut three stacks from the strip twist quilt project-my starter set. I pulled leftover fabrics from the small green pail next , once those fabrics were exhausted I moved on to the bag of scraps next to it. This is stash busting on a small scale when you are cutting a couple of 1.5 inch strips from leftover pieces of fabric. I have a few more scrap containers in the house before I would need to go hit the scrap bins out in the garage.

They will end up being 50 fabric squares in 25 stacks. plus a stack for myself. They have to be mailed off this Friday.

No problem. No meetings and visiting Alice tonight to cut into, well, cutting fabric time.

Yes, last night I had a meeting two blocks from Alice and handed over 3 binders of guild job notes (3 years worth) woohoo! More paperwork finished and out of here.

Naturally I had to swing by and say hello to Alice and her parents. We set Saturday as my day to have her while they do other grown up things. She won't spend the night, but, we will have tons of fun until her mommy comes and takes her back home. I find being a grandma to be every bit as fun as I always imagined it would be- in fact, way more.

Alice is my gardening helper and we should have no interruptions Saturday to having fun in the dirt- unless it rains too hard. You never know at this time of year...FALL seems to be wanting to come right now...and I really wish it would hold off...another month please.

Anyway...I do have 6 completed blocks up on the design wall and will share once I have a few more up - plus I noticed I seemed to have not cut enough strip sets despite cutting "extra" I thought. So, I will have to do additional cutting and sewing to have enough blocks for the quilt size I want.

It's nice to be back in the quilty groove again and the blogging groove as well. I have slowly been working my way around the Liberated Quilters and catching up a bit.

So much fun stuff to look at and read!!!

The clock is ticking away and it's time to get off the computer and ready to head out the door to the day job.
What a joyful day I plan on having- hope you do the same!

checking in

2009-09-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

I hit the halfway mark tonight working on my FAB retreat blocks. Over the last few months it seems I have done everything and anything but sew/quilt. It still took me until 9 pm to sit down at the machine and really get sewing.
Tomorrow my group (only two of us able to attend) will be working on charity quilts at a local quilt shop. I have that project cut out and ready to work on. It will be a set of string blocks and a change of pace from what I am currently working on.
With the heavy rain this morning it signaled a break from working outside taming the weeds and gave me a chance to run a few errands before heading over to Ikea with my dil. A shopping expedition and my dil was very successful in finding the perfect lamp for their living room, plus a wonderful curio glass cabinet for my son and some other odds and ends. I went to check out office chairs and work tables. I did not find a chair that suited me and will have to think some more about what table configuation will work best for what I have in my mind. I did do some shopping as they always have some amazing deals. I found a set of wine glasses that were just right, for example. My wagon worked perfectly to load up the larger stuff and haul it home. We realized however that the glass cabinet would not fit in her car, so as I am headed their way tomorrow anyway, we left it in my car.
Tomorrow after sewing at the shop my son is doing a turkey in his bbq and I will make mashed potatoes and the vegatable. This is how I managed to declutter my freezer of a turkey gift from Christmas! M has been gone for over a week and has another 10 days before coming back home.
It's going to be nice to sit down with family for a meal together. Alice is now sleeping in her big girl bed at home and has gorgeous butterfly sheets she chose on it, along with all her assorted quilts/blankets/stuffed animals. Her mom and I are plotting a room make over to go along with the bed change-and found a few things at Ikea that will work. Being a mom of boys, it is so delightful to have a little girl to buy and make things for...I am always finding something Alice must have.
It's getting late and Zoe long ago headed off to bed. I suppose it would be a good idea - I find it nice to stay up late and enjoy the peace and quiet time. I think a little blog reading sounds good.
I recently read this book, as my boss listened to it on cd and wanted someone to discuss it with-and I had to tell her I was not happy with the ending. It made sense, but, I still did not agree with it. I do feel however, it was a beautifully written book.

Off to read what you have been up to...

Iraqi Bundles of Love

2009-08-25T16:27:00.001-07:00

Tonya mentioned the link that led to my tracking down the next link-here is that link (scroll down)
Inspired by reading a link that led me here, I have two boxes , one medium size and one large size priority flat rate packed and ready to seal. The large is 13.95 and the medium is 10.95. I point the prices out as he quotes a 11.95 figure which, I believe is no longer valid. The reason they are not sealed and being sent on their way (that happens tomorrow) is, I am taking them to guild meeting tonight.

I belong to a small guild (140ish) members who have huge hearts when it comes to giving back.

I think a physical example of what I am sending will inspire them to go home and do the same thing. Many of our members do NOT go on the internet-so giving them an online address won't cut it. Of course I will give that information out to many of our members who are internet savvy.

Along with the boxes I will provide address copies and I printed out his one page - what to send, the link above. The great thing about this project is the deadline- September 7th. I do so much better when I have a cut off point to get something done.

I only scratched the surface of my stash of bonus blocks and a few ufos given to me that would not work for young children but are perfect for this type of donation.

I wrapped my bundles in yardage of fabrics as well. I am so tickled at the idea of creative women across the world enjoying my fabric bundles.

He said you could also send yarn, ribbons, sewing supplies of all kinds, buttons, notions..whatever you have extra or no longer need will be put to use by someone who doesn't have the chance to go shopping like we do.

I hope this inspires you as well.

wow, two posts in one day...

featuring Alice in August

2009-08-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

Alice and her daddy came by during the FAB retreat-as you can see Daddy and Alice read together quite a bit. Later, after Daddy left there was a popcicle break with friends and
playing with scraps and dinosaurs.

I am playing catch up on life stuff going on...but...quilting will be showing up soon!
and blog visiting/commenting too :-)

Life is good! choose a joyful day

a bit of the FAB retreat and more

2009-08-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Various FABS have been posting their photos and how they enjoyed the time together-the links on the left will take you to LJ -( Linda), Norma, Pam, and Pat. Though I believe Pat went from here on to another vacation time.

We had bonus visits from Pat's daughter, Michelle, Norma's mom, Mayvis, and my son and his daughter also dropped by. I would say it was a lively full house of people having lots of fun!

There was sewing, and laughing, and talking, and eating, and some fabric shopping, and some more fabric shopping, and eating out and eating in and in general just having the best of times together.

It's hard to pick which photos to chose, so I am going to post a few and then consider whether I need to post more.

I am putting up the various friendship blocks we each received...a fun little bonus to play with.

Two of us chose wonky houses, Norma's includes the one with the appliqued house-we all tried to swipe it by the way! just too cute done by Linda.

The other wonky houses are for me-the stars are Pat's, the single block is what Pam asked for, and that leaves Linda's with her in the photo as well.

I will save more photos for a later post that include Alice and the fun she had visiting.

I actually have worked on an idea inspired from the Sisters Quilt show and just need to do the small amount of hand quilting to be done.

Thanks for stopping by- it's been too long since I took some time to post...I will see if I can't be a bit more chatty here :-)

much later today....

2009-08-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

I have taken an extended break from quilting and blogging- obviously! All sorts of LIFE stuff has been sucking up my time and then, there has been playing Farm Town over at Facebook. Apparently I needed the down time.

Later today- the FABS+2 will be arriving for supper at my house, after shopping at Fabric Depot. This week I finally sprung into action to get ready for our first fabulous Fabs retreat. All sorts of cleaning and clearing out has been acheived.

I just need to hunt down one more surprise that I put away for this long awaited time.

I have cut everything for the pattern Norma posted about here. Scroll down one post . All my fabric came from my stash or was fabric given to me and I look forward to seeing how it works up. My plan is to give this quilt to someone who could use a good cheering up. (their choice of colors)

My friendship blocks have been ready for a week, I just need to snap a photo before handing them over.

And, while I was gearing up for this quilting retreat, I went ahead and finished cutting the rest of the template curved block parts from my Freddy Moran class in July. I have a feeling this retreat will get my quilting groove back.

I have enjoyed not quilting and not even being in blogland much-a break has been a good thing.

I am still mentally thinking several quilt inspired ideas out - all from the fabulous time I had at Sisters in July. I played with one idea and I need to do a bit more before I can decide whether it's going to work or not.

Mostly family and work and house stuff has really kept me busy-that and the recent heat wave really drained all energy to do anything once I came home from work. So glad that the weather has cooled off -

I have stayed up too late sorting through various stacks and containers in here and tidying up as I went along. Each time I go on the hunt for something I bought and tucked away in a "safe" place I swear...never again. It's off to dreamland for me now.

a little Tonye and Kathy

2009-07-15T05:30:00.000-07:00

I attended two lectures during my week at Sisters leading up to the Quilt Show on Saturday.
One was by Tonye Phillips (artist-quilter) and Kathy Deggendorfer (artist-watercolor), called "We've Been Framed".

Both women live in the Sisters area and are amazing artists- together they have created wonderful art. Last year Tonye's quilts really caught my eye and I took many photos of her beautiful and amusing quilts. This year I captured a bit of their magic together.

The High Desert Gallery does fantastic framing of their work, plus, many, many other talented artists. One of the owners was at the lecture and spoke briefly of the archival treatment they do when framing fabric and watercolor together...imagine the idea you could take apart the framed art work and the fabric would be able to be used!

Anyway..they did a lively and entertaining lecture with a terrific slide show. Many of their framed works were there and they introduced new bags they had designed for sale. I chose to buy the bag with the Scottie dogs...just too cute!

Here is one of my favorites of what they do together-and they encouraged us to follow their path, stalk an artist and team up your quilting with their art.

And, because this was a time when I kept running into people at the right time and at the right place...I found a glass artist to team up with. She lives in Portland and has a mother who also is a quilter. I came home and cleaned off the sewing table and hung my inspiration from her. I pulled a few fabrics...I set my machine back up from taking it along on vacation...now I need to play with the many swirling ideas/designs in my head!

I am also going to keep up on my class quilt. I have a lot more cutting to do before I can do any more sewing. I will wait a bit to share those photos.

I am so glad we cleaned house for the dog sitter before leaving on vacation! Everything looks just like when we left (ok, so the kitchen table is covered in "stuff"!) so I can ignore house chores for a while. LMAW, little miss alice wonderful will be spending Saturday night-so I won't get too much done once she arrives to play. That means I need to make the most of my time this week and not spend too much time playing on the computer!

I will save my class fun for another post.

a few of the promised photos...

2009-07-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

here is Michele, myself and Doni-whose blog I don't have handy, sorry. We try and meet each year in front of the library to view the quilts at Sisters Quilt show together. This year was the most fun ever! I believe Gwen and Freddy are well known enough to be recognized-this was during their very amusing trunk show at picnic at the park the evening before the Quilt Show.

This is Bonnie Hunter and of course me..we were successful this year in finding her! She was most kind and gracious to chat with us and have photos taken-she is quite beautiful and the nicest gal to talk with.
I was lucky enough to take a class with Freddy Moran- doing her dot.com quilt featured in the first book she and Gwen did together...not the same as the one behind us. I had to go back another day to get this photo as I forgot my camera class day! I did finish two blocks and had a fabulous time. Gwen came in and between the two of them, all my books were signed -except for one I forgot to bring by Gwen. And, Gwen admired my K is for Kindness quilt I had at my sewing area and recognized Tonya's free form letters immediately. She had the nicest things to say about Tonya by the way- and looks forward to Tonya's book. I managed to sign up for a two day class in March of 2010 with Gwen teaching at the Stitchin' Post quilt shop. It's possible there are still openings...you know I am so excited to have her teaching in my backyard so to speak and I know the time will fly until then.

I have more photos to share of quilts and something else by Gwen...that needs to wait another day or so.

Happy to be home, filled with terrific inspiration and just so dang happy I had the best of times!
I met wonderful online friends-walked many miles admiring beautiful quilts, and in general each day was filled with joy overflowing. A week in Sisters/Bend is just wonderful to renew your quilting spirit.

fast check in

2009-07-10T22:18:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful day of listening to lectures and sneaking in on Freddy's class to have my photo taken with her. Today I remembered my camera and made up for not having it the other day.

The picnic in the park event was so much fun despite rain drops finally convincing us to dash off -luckily after all of Gwen and Freddy's quilts had been shown and the entire program pretty much was over. Stunning quilts to see in person. I hope to take photos tomorrow in better light and without trying to take them over the heads of people. I did take a few of the Gee's Bend women singing...oh my...they are delightful women.

I have yet to sew at my hotel...it seems by the end of the day I just do not have the energy to sew. If I was hanging out with a quilting friend, maybe it would be different..but M has been reading up a storm and it seems so much more relaxing to just do my computing and enjoy the quiet.
I picked up two new books..Jean Well's latest, Intuitive Color & Design and Ann Johnston's
The Quilter's Book of Design. Glorious color and ideas...as if I needed even more! but could not resist tangible reminders of the direction I am going with my own quilting and what makes my heart sing the loudest. Yes, I even bought some fabric..and a frog pattern that will have me stepping way out of my usual style of piecing...as in doing the "a" word. stay tuned on that.

No way to share photos on this computer..but I am taking plenty and eventually will get some up here. For those of you who wish you were here...I say save up your nickels and make yourself a promise that you are entitled to come be inspired and surrounded by an astonishing number of like minded people. This has been the best year yet that I have come up and enjoyed many more days of what is to be explored leading up to the Sisters show tomorrow. I have signed up for a class with Gwen Marston in March here in Sisters at the Stitchin' Post quilt shop. Two days of playing with solids and making up blocks. You can see I am setting the stage for having fun next spring already.

It's been an action packed week and the only thing I have lacked is getting enough sleep. I am not unhappy about that...just getting a bit tired. Heading home on Sunday and will be happy to be back in my sewing room - ready to actually sew away instead of being sidetracked by other stuff. Hoping to meet up with several online quilters tomorrow as well. Fingers crossed it stays on the cooler side and I actually recognize everyone I hope to meet!

vacation time !!

2009-07-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

gosh...it's been ages since I posted! Alice had a birthday, then other family stuff...getting ready for vacation...leaving for vacation...and here I am on vacation checking in.

We are staying in Bend and I have been enjoying the Stitchin' Post offerings this week. I had a class with Freddy Moran yesterday that was totally delightful. Gwen was teaching next door and popped in to sign books. I had all my books by them with me with the exception of one.
Plus, Gwen admired my small quilt K is for Kindness that I had brought to show fellow quilters-and she recognized Tonya's free form letters right away. She and I made sure we told everyone Tonya's blog address-and Gwen said meeting Tonya was delightful.

Tonight I have the Gee Bend's presentation and tomorrow morning and afternoon lectures to enjoy. I forgot my camera yesterday! but will take it tomorrow for sure. I am using my new laptop without a way to upload photos, so that will all have to wait until Sunday night if I find time.

Life is good! Meeting up with a few fellow bloggers on Saturday...we are meeting at 10 am in front of the library...look for me in the tyedye dress...bright and bold. We plan on being there early and leaving after lunch time. Hope to meet up with Bonnie and friends at the park-if we can find them!!!
I plan on actually doing some sewing in my hotel room tonight...it's been too much fun enjoying the sights to do any sewing up to now. There is just so much going on to enjoy seeing and doing around here.

birthday pie

2009-06-20T17:07:00.001-07:00

My son and granddaughter Alice stopped by for birthday pie this morning. The birthday guy said banana cream pie was his favorite and it was enjoyed by all. This pie came from a local Marie Calendars restaurant-and I was happy to not have to make it myself. He opened his gifts and we enjoyed a short but lovely visit.

After they left I finished altering straps on M's sandals - four pairs are now the proper length and much appreciation was given. I used a leather needle on my Bernina and it worked well enough.
A fiddly job but better than paying some shoe repair person, it's my frugal side winning the day.

I did some much needed housework- boring, but oh so nice to see the results. I also washed up some flannel and have it folded away until I decide what to make with it.

The day has flown by and it has rained off and on as well. It was a good day to do inside tasks and take breaks to enjoy reading online or chatting with a friend when I had the chance.

I am doing the last of the paperwork sorting/filing/and writing up directions for the incoming person for my Washington guild recent position I have concluded. I can not believe the stacks I managed to accumulate! My goal is to stick with this tonight until it is a done deed.

With luck, I will wrap up in a few hours and then watch a movie with my sweetie.

I have a few ideas in the quilting realm for tomorrow.

And, next Saturday is Alice's big 3 birthday party. Last count was 15+ children invited and I have volunteered to ride herd , err, I mean help with the adorable little ones. If the weather improves I will be out in the garden..things are sprouting and growing and it's looking very green!

Have a joyful rest of the weekend!

another Thursday

2009-06-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

I have been spending the majority of my non day job time out in the garden. I finally planted the peas the other day as I wanted to use an additive my aunt gave me to help the seeds sprout faster. Meanwhile, many of the other seeds are sprouting and it's looking more like a garden every day. fun!

I still need to weed out around the roses by the front gate and the clay soil dried out enough last week to make it feel like I was trying to hack through cement! We have been having enough moisture lately that it would make the job easier- if I had any time to spend weeding-which I do not as of today.

Tonight I have my guild meeting where I present the proceeds of a very successful result of selling raffle tickets for our opportunity quilt. The winner of the quilt will also be given her quilt, as it is back from being part of the quilt show at Paduach. I still have paperwork to sit down and do before handing over my guild "job" to the new person. I leave from work to drive up for this meeting-no gardening time today/tonight.

Tomorrow- I am leaving from work for Mt. Vernon, WA. I am joining my friend Ellen as we sew together during a quilt in for the Wraptheminlove charity quilt foundation. My kind of retreat!
I am taking up two current quilts I have close to being done to work on and then will do whatever needs doing to help out there-as it is headquarters for the foundation and the final stop before the quilts head out around the world. I hear there is a stack of quilts waiting for labels-for example. There is always binding to be done as well. Whatever I need to do, is fine with me. The company will be terrific as her mom will also be with us.

I am taking my sleeping bag and will camp out there as well. I expect to be home by supper time on Sunday.

You know those weeds will still be there waiting! as well as other chores...but I could not resist going off to play and quilt for the charity that is dearest to my heart and the one I most support.

My computer time will most likely be just posting to the charity blog as we have invited fellow quilters to sew along with us.

We also have a yahoo group, I am one of the moderators-let me know if you are ever interested in joining that group. It's a private group which keeps out the spammers .

ok! off to the day job and on with a joy filled day- fill yours with joy too.

vacation stuff

2009-06-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

I have been on the go during my sister's visit with us and then back to work life has been even busier. I am spending far less time at the computer and much more time outside when it is not 91 degrees! It was our high yesterday and oh my-trying to keep hydrated and keep plants watered even with a sprinkler system has been challenging. Oregon late spring is so often exactly like this, rain and coolness then like flipping a switch, we are in the high temperature numbers. It goes from don't plant we still may have a freeze to oh no...hurry and plant and beat the heat.

anyway-I am finally uploading a few vacation fun photos. a photo of my sister and myself. a photo of her modeling my sewing efforts-my version of "wrist warmers" inspired by the local Saturday Market where we saw some truly fabulous works of art ones and butterfly pants like Alices-in Patty size.

When we were visiting Alice I was told her favorite pants are now the butterfly ones I made-months ago. Patty spoke right up wanting a pair too. I actually had a pattern for jammie pants that worked out great. M got a pair too in a different flannel fabric-all from stash.

Stash is good for stuff other than quilts!

And last of all, Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach where my sister and I spent the night on our own-a special time together just the two of us.

Next post I will get back to other stuff going on...but not much in the quilting mode.

I am having issues getting these photos where I wish...oh well...got to dash off and get ready for the day job.
Enjoy your day!

finished charity quilt

2009-05-25T18:30:00.000-07:00

I put the last stitches in this quilt last night. We have been on the go all day today- we went out and visited a friend who has three new baby goats, plus a two month old foal. Sweet animal babies! We ate breakfast out, then came home to do various things. It was over to my sons for a wonderful meal of grilled steaks and the best potato salad with plenty of yummy desserts we brought along. A very good time was enjoyed by all. We came home on the early side to be able to take care of the dog and wind down for the evening. My sister and I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles together, we just completed a 1,000 pieced this afternoon and are about to tackle a new 750 piece one in a short while.
I did the last of the stitching last night when my sister and M were relaxing and reading. We are all huge readers and have already swapped some books and made promises to finish the current book so the other person can have it next. I am currently reading a book M really enjoyed and will pass it along to my sister for example. It's called The Book Thief by Markus Zusak- I am halfway done so should easily finish it before the week is over. I said I would post a photo of the finished guild charity quilt and so...here is both a photo of the front and one of the back. The front is the side with all blocks and black/white polka dot sashing. I used the rest of the go with fabric from the kit given, plus the extra blocks and a bit of stash to bring it up to size. The stash also yielded the perfect fabric for the binding- I am pleased with how it turned out. I did simple straight line stitching so you hardly notice it- but can really see the fabrics.
A visit to Saturday Market on Sunday has resulted in a few sewing commitments for M and my sister to be done before Sunday when my sister flies home. Stay tuned to see what they fell in love with and of course, I had to say I could make them for a lot less! Although, honestly the gal did an awesome job on hers. Mine will be a similar idea/style but with my own approach to fun.

hurray for being on vacation the rest of the week is what I have to say!