Oldest PHD (UFO)

      Opening my cedar chest is something I rarely do. I opened it to look for a few things I couldn't find anywhere else. Wow, I had no idea I would find these 5 sampler blocks.

       I made them more than 28  years ago. I remember because I drafted the blocks myself with no instruction and then used templates and scissors to cut the fabric. I had been quilting for two years when I got my first rotary cutter. I remember not finishing it cause the fabrics weren't lively enough. Never mind the fabrics back then left alot to be desired. I am really glad I learned the lesson of having enough contrast, both in scale of print and value of color.  Some matching fabric was still with them and I raided the church's stash for the navy. It looks a little too dark in the photo -darn. Anyways Friday when the girls were here I made the alternate Thirtysomething  star blocks. Still have to get the borders on. . .

      When I found the blocks I immediately knew I had to do something with them quickly. The gals on the yahoo group,  Stashbusters are all about finishing up those old UFO's. Thanks to them, I like to think that I have none older than 5 years. Not counting the tops up in the warehouse, and those don't count. (My house, my rules.)

Mark is home cause of the holiday but he is relaxing watching tv for the night so I am going to go  put a quilt on the frame down in the studio. Have a good one.

Two finishes

         It's always nice to report a finish. Today I have two to report. I made these blocks a year ago or more. I never gave it a name, but I kinda see it as a split Bear's Paw. I was inspired by the Rosebud block. Since I have made it, I did see it somewhere else though.  This isn't how I planned to arrange them, but I wasn't keen with the blocks after I made them. I guess I am just not fond of the 1930's pastels. So rather than make more, I set them on point with the alternate plain blocks. Then it needed the pieced border, but I ran out of muslin. I finally got some more muslin 2 months ago and just now got around to finishing the top.  I might have to actually quilt it to convince my hubby (and me) that it'll make a nice little quilt. At least I can check the top off my list.

Also finished is the quilting on the orange star tabletopper I pieced earlier this year. I will add it to my pile of quilts to bind. I need to start thinking of tackling that pile. With one top quilted and one top completed, I still have 104 tops to quilt. Yikes!

  
         I planted some old flower seeds today. Some annuals just come quick enough from seeds or don't transplant well that I find it best to start them from seeds. I spent little on flowers this spring. With such a mild winter, lots survived or reseeded. I have  lots of flowers I want to move to the prairie next year and then I want to rework much of the flower garden. I've been feeling pretty good lately and love the garden work. I just wish it were kinder to me and my back because then  I could dig in the garden all morning and quilt the rest of the day. Wouldn't that be grand?

Quilt Festival Time

I am waiting here for a delivery and should be getting some work done. But I remembered it is Blogger Quilt Festival this weekend so thought I'd hang out here for  a while. I participated once before and was amazed at all the links there were to quilty blogs. Amy asked us to share a photo of any quilt. Could have a story, or be a favorite or taught us something - whatever. 

 I made this quilt about 4 years ago. I enjoyed it for only a short while before I had to send it off to the publisher for photography. It's featured in my latest book, S is for Scraps. I really like the quilt. The quilt never came back to me, because one of the editors at Martingale bought it.  Now I am trying to decide if I like it enough to make again. It's not like I need it or there aren't other quilts I want to make. And, it's rare that I'd make the same quilt twice. Probably all in good time. Patience is a virtue and I wish I had MORE. And where is that delivery man????

Dress Rehearsal

I finished my Thirtysomething Stars quilt; unless I decide to border it. It is an enlarged version of my quilt, Dress Rehearsal from my book, Thirtysomething. I thought it would be a good idea to make a few Thirtysomething quilts with some fresh new fabrics. Some of the first quilts I made almost 20 years ago and it shows.

I've made several of this quilt, always changing values of the sashing, background, border and setting triangle fabrics.  It's a popular one in classes and I have seen it in every style of fabric made. That is always fun.

I wasn't able to make it to quilting at church this week because I was on my way  back from Michigan. I hope they made progress on the raffle quilt. The girls moved quilting from last night to tonight. I'm going to go look for something to work on.  Sew long.

Quick trip to Michigan

I'm back from my trip to Michigan. Darn, I would have liked to stay longer and have more fun with the ladies.  I had great driving weather and little traffic for the drive over. I stayed at a lovely Bed & Breakfast in Grand Haven. I wouldn't mind staying there again. The 24 ladies in class were a fun bunch. I was pleased with all they got done, even though only one actual  block was completed by most of them. They had much of the other work done, just not together. This was my "Savor the Scraps" class where they learn the basic Thirtysomething unit and 3 different borders.  I didn't have the camera ready in time for show and tell at the meeting in the evening when they all showed them, but here are a few. And there was a great crowd for the evening program. What's not to like about my job? Thank you Lighthouse Quilter's of Grand Haven, MI.

Paperwork piled up in the few days I was gone. So I hope to take care of that tonight so I can get back to some quilting. I want to finish the Dress Rehearsal/Thirthysomething Stars quilt first.  I had it along when I went quilting last Friday. It has sashing and it's diagonally set, so it was difficult to work on with all the distraction and without spreading it out on a bed, flannel wall or at least a clean floor. So I put it away and worked on a handful of bowtie blocks using the extra squares Sue cut last month. For all the kits I have together, few are cut out so I am going to have to get in the mood to do some cutting soon so I will have a greater variety to choose from when the mood strikes to do some piecing.

Having more fun

Does everyone equate having fun with shopping? With Quilts 'n Such in Delavan closing it's hard to stay away, but fabric is down to 50% 0FF I only bought staples- light backgrounds, blacks I was out of and a few quilt backs. I emptied 10 bolts and Lucrecia emptied 11. Sue has lots of control.

 I have the quilt with orange stars on the frame. I will probably finish it tonight. I like how I decided to quilt the small stars.

So far I have only attached the sashing to each of the Thirtysomething Stars. I need to get back to getting ready for class in Michigan next week or I'd finish this too. I still might have a chance before I go.

He told me to have fun

             Sue brought back quite a pile of scraps after she finished her top last month. I sorted through the box and made these few blocks for another sampler/orphan quilt with reproduction fabrics.Well, some for me, some for church.  Then I decided that later I will make a random width log cabin with the rest of the scraps in the box. Some of the scraps I made, so it's just another ongoing project that doesn't count as a PHD. 

        Before we left for the show on Sunday, Mark told me to have fun. So I did - buying more fabric. I thought I'd fill the void Sue made in my drawer when she used my Civil War fabric for her quilt. That is why I had her use it. So I could add all these new prints to my palette. Most of the gems in this drawer are fat quarters and halves.  I can add a triangle from each to the charm quilt, too. Just about ready to get back to that.

        The show was good, but the vendors not so much. I really don't care to buy bundles or kits and lots for modern quilts  too. Then we had lunch and hit the two shops before they closed at 4. That was worth it.

        At first I didn't think I'd care to go to the show because I didn't want to be buying more fabric I didn't need. Silly me. I wasn't thinking how a girls just gotta have fun. And NO, I don't feel any guilt for all the fabric I have that is not being used. I really don't understand it when I hear other women say that they "will never use it all". Who said they had to? I get so much pleasure just having it to say nothing of the good time I had buying it. Then comes all the plans and hopes and dreams. Well, I feel I get my money's worth before I even cut into it. I did when it was $8. per yard anyway.

another puzzle together

Really, it isn't because I like blue. It's just that we have very limited choices. I chose the solid blue to calm it down. The scrappy blocks were so busy that I had to include some plainer blocks, too. Once I decided to use the blue, the other decisions were easy to make - like replace the blocks that didn't contrast  with the blue. I will be quilting this one before I take it in to church.

I also put together 5 more kits for church. 2 of them are orphan blocks with all the blocks the same size. That one will probably come back soon. I can't make it to the church meeting this month because I will be teaching in Michigan. I will have to drop things off there before I go.

I'm going to the Sun Prairie quilt show with the girls tomorrow. Sure do wish I could think of some fabric I just gotta have. I don't really want to be buying fabric just cause it is pretty. But then, Mark must not care or he wouldn't bring home storage cabinets for me to store fabric in.  I guess I know what I am doing tomorrow. And to think we will be going to one of my favorite shops besides. I can hardly wait.

104 and counting

      Yesterday I took this quilt off the frame just in time to take to quilt club.  It's the only longarm work I did in the last two months. It's one of the options for my Twin Peaks class. Most of my classes I offer at least 3 variations for the project.

      Last night Judy reminded me that when I got my longarm, I had over 100 quilt tops waiting to get quilted. It would seem I hadn't made a dent in that pile. I just counted and I still have 104 quilt tops waiting. That is not counting two antique tops.   I also have at least 4 tops waiting to quilt for church. I hope to get to those soon. I don't really track what I do for church.  Otherwise in that time  (3 years) I probably pieced over 3 dozen tops for myself, wrote a book, quilted a few for customers. . .
Not as much as other years, but that is okay. I'm still having a good time.

Now where is that mistake?

       Now what do I call this? Is it a "convergence" quilt? Or is it a "strips that sizzle" or "strip tease" quilt. It's actually a bit of each. I guess I don't need a name because it is not going to be published anywhere but here. I'm glad I did it and I'm glad it is done.

       Oh, and seriously, I did drop a piece when I was sewing it together and didn't know how to sew it in place without having to arrange the pieces on the wall all over again. I guess I should learn a lesson from that and take a photo next time before I start sewing.

       Next on the agenda is making a dent in the pile of orphan blocks from church.  There are probably almost 100 blocks. Here is the first batch I considered using together - mainly because most of them are scrappy blocks.  Block sizes: 8", 9 1/2", 10", 11 1/2" & 12 1/2"

 And here is the first pile of rejects that I had originally considered, however briefly. Yes, some of the blocks are in both photos. Imagine that. These came in at 8", 8 1/2", 9", 9 1/2", 11" & 12 1/2".  Did you know I like puzzles?

Meet Shirley

I've had a busy week working in the garden between rain drops. I didn't get much quilting done as I suspected. My people had  few dr. appointments. I did a lecture for the Oconomowoc quilt guild. It was a small group but very supportive of another Thirtysomething book. In fact supportive of all my books. Thanks again ladies.

I brought this top home from church last week and hope to get it quilted soon. The blocks are from  Judy Martin's book, Knockout Blocks and Sampler Quilts. Sue donated the blocks and I found the sashing fabric in our stash and another gal put them together.

My convergence quilt is coming together. Tonight the girls should be over for quilting, so I hope to get it done then. I don't think I will border this one.

Shirley would be happy to meet you. It is the name of this tulip. I first saw the Shirley tulip when I went on a garden walk with my mom whose name is also Shirley. We both liked it. When we saw it the petals were white with lavender brushed  edges. Very pretty and I was glad I found some for my own garden.  I was very disappointed when they came up the first year because they were this creamy yellow color (below). I was ready to rip them out. But gradually they changed color to the lavender in the  picture above. So I guess I will keep them. They make for a nice reminder of mom.

Busy season

Every spring I am especially busy cause of the garden and it is a bit bigger this year so you can imagine what I have been doing. Yesterday was quilting at church. I forgot to bring the swap blocks for Nancy.  Sue passed out directions for her block. She decided on the Bear's Paw  instead of  using this pinwheel  block.

 I adjusted the measurements on this block so the pinwheel could float  and the background of the blocks could all be trimmed making the blocks all the same size and ideal for a group project. I will post a tutorial  later when I have to make the block again. This was my sample block to check measurements and it will go with the orphan blocks for church.

I was in South Bend, Indiana last week for a lecture and workshop. It went well and was lots of fun. Joan, my hostess made me very comfortable. She even let me have a peek at her studio (for the longarm business) and her sewing room. It is always a treat for me to see that. The next lecture is just an hour north of here and it is the same lecture so I am already packed.

I haven't done anymore with my convergence quilt, except move the pieces around on the wall. I still have  a few more units to make, then it'll be time to make my decision. Here are just two of the possibilities. And yes I really do already like it more than the original quilt top that I cut up.

I think I might like an off-center arrangement of some kind for this thing. Then again, I might decide to add an alternate plain block or...

Still Converging

I hoped to be further along with my convergence quilt to give you a better idea of what I was talking about.
This is a picture of the top that was. Never quilted that is. And not even a top anymore.  As much as I loved the colors, it was kind of useless and not to attractive.

So I treated the quilt top as fabric yardage and fussy cut a bunch of triangles out of it.  I had to fussy cut to avoid having a seam 1/4" away from another seam. That could have been poor planning on my part. Had I cut triangles an inch larger, that may not have been an issue. I only did this once before so we could call this an experiment.

Next I chose some other fabrics that coordinated and maybe even enhanced the original selection. I picked some colors that were lighter and some that were darker. I cut strips, did some sewing and cut more triangles the same size.  Then I sewed pairs of triangles together, one of each kind and that is as far as I got. I will play with them a while before I decide how I want to arrange them. Stay tuned to see what comes of it. Then you can tell me if I should label this a tutorial. One with pretty vague directions. It's been fun so far.

Convergence quilt

       I just had to share. Lily doesn't really cuddle yet, but now at least I can hold her up to 5 minutes at a time before she wants to get down. Behind me you can see what I have been playing with. It's my version of a convergence quilt. I've made one before, where I cut my ugliest quilt top into 4" triangles, added some complementary fabric and sewed it back together randomly. It turned out great, but I didn't keep it or even get a picture. I'll show more details next time.

I should mention that Martingale has published about a dozen of my patterns that you can order individually. 
Go to www.shopMartingale.com and click on epatterns and search the quilting category for Bong.

No doubt my quilting skills are getting rusty. I haven't touched my longarm since Feb. I will plan to do a little warm up on some comfort quilts before I get back to doing my own  - some day. It's spring, what can I say?
My garden is mostly cleaned out.
On Easter, Mark and I took a hike in the neighbors woods and came across a coyote den. We think there is another coyote den even closer to our house cause they always sound so loud when they howl with the ambulances going by on the freeway one mile away. The thought of an ambulance being called is sad, but I have to laugh every time I hear the coyotes call with the siren. Call me chicken, but after seeing the den, I don't know that I will be comfortable hiking in the fields and woods around here by myself.

I am going to go do a little sewing now. What a plan!

Since the warm weather wasn't here to stay, I stayed in and did some more sewing on these blocks. Here I am trying to decide if I want to set the blocks on point or straight. Also I am not sure what color I want for the alternate block, but I don't think I want it dark. If I make it as big as I'd like, I will need another dozen blocks. I'll make a few red blocks next.

 And I was still busy with my other job taking care of my people with more cleaning and doctor appointments. Add to that our only drug store closed (with no notice) and it took 3 1/2 hours one day to fill 5 prescriptions at 3 pharmacies in two towns in opposite directions from me. Apparently there is a national shortage of one drug and the script has to be filled exactly as written. No substituting tablets for capsules. I sure hope the other 15 prescriptions I will have to fill won't take as long.

Glad to be me

I've been too busy to do any more than a bit of sewing this week. If I wasn't working outside, then I was helping Lisa or Brian because both have had some health issues. Also my new furniture was a great incentive to get some spring cleaning done both here and at Lisa's cause she got my old stuff.

 This is a first for me.  I had a pieced border that needed a quilt. I made a border, but didn't like it with the quilt I made it for. Here it is with my second choice of blocks.  I guess this means I put another kit together. I thought I would dedicate some time for a change to work on this quilt from start to finish.  Silly me. With spring here, I can see now that isn't going to happen. This is the time of year when I can't decide which I'd rather do - work outside or work on a quilt. Such problems.  I wish everyone was so lucky.

One Marvelous March

It hasn't been easy to stay indoors this month and quilt. It's been an unusually warm month here and I have enjoyed getting some yard work done early this year. I have spent little time at either sewing machine, but managed to make these stars that I used for a demo. This was not part of the plan to use those yummy orange fabrics I showed a few weeks back. That plan is still pending.

Besides the yard work I still try to get a walk in once in a while. This photo was taken from my neighbors yard.  The willow trees are now more green than yellow. My house is behind the willow on the left in the midst of this wildlife sanctuary. The spring peepers (frogs) have been making all kinds of racket in the marsh for the last week. They chirp at night and many of the birds are back and singing all day. I wish I knew which birds song sounds just like my land-line telephone ringing.

It is supposed to be warm for another week and I plan to be busy. I hope I can get a few hours in stitching.

Sew much for setting goals

 The girls are here for quilting Thursdays this spring.  Sue finished her triple 4-patch using my fabric. She is thinking maybe she will quilt this one next winter (always by hand) and piece another one this spring. I hope so.

 Shaggy brought along this tablerunner.  She made it several years ago for a challenge we had. The only rules of the challenge I remember were to use the scraps from the small boxful I gave them and that they could add at least one more fabric. I remember being careful to pack brights in her box, but I was really surprised when she produced this. I guess it is still waiting for quilting, but at least it is basted. I won't always have photos of everyone's work because really this is my blog.
 

Nothing from me this week. I had to do some cleaning at my people's houses and I forget what else. I guess the goals I set for myself last week didn't help me at all. They weren't even successful at making me feel bad for not working towards them. I attempted to work on some of those projects I thought I could finish quickly, but with one, I couldn't locate more of the matching fabric I needed. Don't know how that happened cause I am so organized. And with the other project I picked up to work on. Well, I cut the pieces too small. Sooo, I put them away and dinked around with some ideas for another quilt.

Then I went shopping and ended up at the quilt shops in Milton and Janesville. I guess those are the places to go around here if you like the Civil War reproduction type. Which I do. And I don't get there often enough. Does that give you the idea that I spent $. Well, I had a good time and I had to replace the fabric Sue used, right?

A closer look

About the only quilting I did this last week was work on Joy's sampler. I got it done for her a week ahead of schedule. I really enjoyed working on it, but I would have enjoyed it more if it were custom quilted. Working from the back of the quilt, you don't get to see the blocks or the fabrics too often. I'd say she did a great job choosing fabric while she worked exclusively from stash.

In case you are wondering if I ever finished the Birds-in-th-Air quilt, I didn't cause as always I got hung up on the border.  I have  the flying geese border made and I was at the point of choosing the other border fabric. I decided a rust color was the best choice. I sat down to finish it, but calculated that I was 3" short of fabric. And that is with fussy corner blocks so that the yardage I had would work.  It is my guess that the fabric shrunk those 3" because I don't ask for 3" short of a full yard when I buy it. I can't really be mad cause I didn't buy it specifically for that quilt. With 20 quilt shops within an hour's drive of my house, I have no idea where I got it (in the recent past) so I am not going to go hunt more down.  I packed it away and will watch for it over the next several months. I may very well locate more or finally decide on using something else. I just don't have a need to finish that quilt now so it can sit on the shelf as is.

I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all the little piles of phd's sitting around the sewing room. My goal for the week is to finish up a few of them that should go quickly and to get another top done down in the quilting cave. I don't usually set weekly goals so it should be interesting to see if it helps.  Wish me luck.

Quilting My Life Away

The quilting is complete on the pink Triplicity quilt. It has been for a week now, but too busy to snap the picture. Too bad it's a little too long for the wall. I still have the binding to do but that will wait and I will do a bunch at one time. Glad to scratch one more top off my list.

 This morning I put Joy's quilt on the frame. She made a beautiful sampler called Back to Nature. She only wants a feather panto quilted across it. I knew she'd like it simple.

We weren't too productive at church on Tuesday. A couple of the gals had car trouble and arrived pretty late.  I thought there would be lots of show and tell because we missed last month, but I guess not.  Half the blocks are done for the next raffle quilt, though.