A Pink Panther squatter?

A friend crocheted this fellow.  I was hopeless to resist his cuteness so I asked if he could live with me - no name yet but he took over the swing and then actually blended in with that little quilt and then the flowers added to the mix --- he made a home for himself.  Yes, he's going to stay.   

Strings, BOM, and a Finished Disappearing 9 Patch Quilt

Isn't it rewarding to make something like this from bits and pieces destined for trash?  Admittedly,  I was inspired by another gal on Internet - no one that I've ever met, but THANK YOU!   I used strong brights -- not many wishy washy values were used and I included a black on the base of each triangle.  Here are some of the choices and my all-over free-motion quilting.  The white is not a bright white.  

Below is the result of Guild BOM preps, where our Committee decided to do Disappearing Nine Patch blocks.  That was a great idea, and when we asked among members, "has anyone done this?" and everyone said "NOT done recently."  We learned differently so now we needed to have something to ADD to our idea.  Our little group had several weeks planning when I discovered 12 D9Patch blocks, long forgotten, possibly due to Covid issues.  One of our group said, "it's too bad we seldom see the finished quilts from the BOM entries" and ... I just happened to mention... "well, we CAN show this quilt - what do you think?"  The response was "YES"!  which meant I had to do some fast production.  We don't get back to meetings until late September, and we will have a finshed quilt to encourage participants.

Here is the bargain-priced backing which is totally "matching" my colors used for the blocks.  What do you think?  Would you be encouraged to submit a block if you could see it in a finished quilt?   This finished about 60" x 75."  It would make a great college quilt, esp. in school colors.  

Not too bad ... DLC

 I made THIS ...

turn into this.  Yep, a Disappearing Log Cabin. 

What happend to June? or July? And today it's August.  huh????????   This simple post is to assure bloggers who visit, that I'm still here, simply being overly busy with who knows what???  Our Guild  annual Quilt Show was held in conjunction with Oregon Trail Days, and my only job was finishing 3 quilts for that show.  I've signed up to be part of the new quilt year BOM committee, and am already working on that entire year when we re-group in September.  Some amazing person in a previous year organized the BOM easel equipment, instructions, binders, carrying sleeves, reporting format and handed it all over to me, and I'm most grateful and appreciative for excellent instructions, organization and equipment.  

Because of the distances members must travel, we meet in a variety of places, and so we have to haul stuff from here to there.  For me, I travel about 120 miles to/from each meeting, altho 2 or 3 times a year it meets in my town, but then others travel the 120 miles or so.  We are fortunate that we have NO traffic in our wide open spaces.  

Stay cool!

A good day at the Guild Quilt Show

 

I've posted this Pineapple (Zippity Blue Dah)  previously -  won a First Place - I'm happy!  Note there are 2 separate blocks, altho the only difference is in value placement.

This QOValor has also been previously posted - won a Second Place - I'm happy!  I used bits of my deceased husband's shirt in this quilt.  I had also MADE that shirt, and cutting it up was not as emotionally easy as I had heard.  The recipient is someone my DH appreciated, so that will help.  

60 degree triangles, and a copy

 

Top one, all sandwiched and ready to quilt.  Above is one completed years ago and given away.  I liked the first one so much, I made it again, almost the same. These are equilateral triangles altho the triangle border was done with a Tri-Recs ruler because I had misplaced the 60 degree ruler.  Duhhhh, but it works just fine, but don't forget which is which.  

I have no idea how life became so occupied that it's been 2 months since my  last post.  Quilt Show preps, plans and sign-ups for next year guild obligations, range fire concerns due to terrible drought,  yards and garden improvements, picnics, family emergencies and  happiness, just like everyone else, life goes on.   

Our Guild Quilt Show is winding down during nearby town celebration of Oregon Trail Days and I'll pick up my 3 quilts tomorrow, bring them home.  I've shown them all on this blog.  Then we hang them at our local bank for Heritage Days.  

Disappearing Nine Patch Quilts (one version)

 

This easy disappearing nine patch goes together quickly.  There are 12 blocks, and each "color" in the 5 part uses a fat quarter with very little waste.   The center of the 9-patch is the purple.  The white background needs about 1 yard.  I am using what is available - note the border.  I thought the pink/red stripe would look awful, with the chunks, but as it frequently happens, the boldness ADDED so much to the ordinary quilt, and it's all used up now.   On the back is a pocket with a little critter nestled inside.   This goes to an expectant mother, a niece.

That worked so well I made another one using the same layout.  The soft pink was the center. I had enough for a border this time.  Again, there is a pocket on the back, housing a small critter.  This goes to a grand niece.  Although I didn't time myself, I think it would be reasonable to make the top in one day.  I force myself to take physical breaks every 30 minutes to avoid my chiropractor's concerns.  Again, you need 5 fat quarters and 1 yard of background to get the center together, for 12 blocks of about 11 in. each.  The are quilted in big loopy loops, swirls, hearts.  I started at one corner and did the entire center at one long sitting (didn't tell the chiropractor!)

Three more small baby quilts/mats went to a niece social worker, and she provides a home to a constant stream of babies.  Many quilts leave with the baby when both have a new home.    

I have often wondered what became of various quilts I've made and forgotten, so I'm hoping to use this Blog to remember their existance.    

Quilt of Valor - from recent Trunk Show

 

This is a plain, quarter log cabin with just one set of blocks.  I've made it often enough to know there will be 51 blocks.  I have someone in mind for this QOV.  Several items you might notice ... 1) there is a small "design adjustment".  You previously may have read about my "Sassy" photo.  Yes, occasionally I am a little sassy, and want to do things my way ... just because.  I won't admit if my "design adjustment" is on purpose or accidental.  2) .. that slight red/white strip next to the red squares is from my husband's shirt - yes a shirt I had made for him.  I don't know who came up with the idea of using a departed love one's shirt in a quilt but for me, it was not an easy decision.  Perhaps if I give the quilt to someone I love, then it will be OK.  There are 11 more shirts to consider decisions.

.   

Steps - a Rebuilt Log Cabin

 

 

 This was one part of my recent Trunk Show and posted several years ago.  Photos were generously taken by a friend who uses a different kind of photo app, so I had to fiddle to get the photos on my blog.  There is probably an easier way, but I'm managing one photo at a time.  My quilt is a "Rebuilt Log Cabin", a method not invented by me, but I sure love the oddness.  Border is plain ole bargello, which makes a splendid finish to this quilt.  

Codyrumple

 

  

I am loosely spelling the above old English Word, suggested by another quilting blogger.  Basicly, the word means something like "embarking on an unknown journey, destination unknown, time needed who knows, not sure when the end happens, but you DO know you're going to have a wonderfully good time."  That is exactly what happened when I made this quilt.  This is my favorite block (Kaleidoscope) and the options are endless, colors no limit, it seems everything looks good, you can exchange blocks from various other strip units.  The resulting "circles" that appear are always a surprise.  Last weekend I was asked to present a Trunk Show and kind Cindy,  quilter and guild member,  took a bunch of wonderful photos, including this one.  (There are about 20 more).  The above quilt was not quilted until I was asked to do the Trunk Show, and then I panicked because I ran out of time, but friend Carol quickly did the beautiful  machine quilting, almost a first to me.  

Yes, that's me, being sassy.  

  

Preparing for a Trunk Show/Teaching a Class

 I'm still here, and am busy making preps for a Trunk Show and also leading a Strip and Slash class in 10 days and I don't want to post new/ongoing projects just yet.  I cornered a friend into taking some photos from the Trunk Show - hope they turn out OK.  Many of the quilts to be shown have been posted on this blog.    

I'm packing for our upcoming  All Day Sew and I've decided I want to make something scrappy like this one again.  Good grief - I give them away and then miss them so much that I need to remake them?  I'll probably break down some triangles into smaller ones.  It looks like I used a 60 degree angle ruler in the body but that border looks like a Tri-Recs size.  (New sewists - Note - the 2 versions of triangles are not interchangeable but only appear to be the same.)

Pickle Dish (aka Trilobytes) Finished, Double T Star Finished

Pickle Dish (aka Trilobytes) DONE

This was more of a personal challenge than a perfectly finished project.  After a few false starts, paper piecing techniques from long ago kicked in.  My colors/values were good, and piecing skills were better than anticipated, but my machine quilting leaves something to be desired.  I tried to use each and every good color thread/type possible which caused continuous uneven tension issues on the back.  I started with determination and patience to get the tension right after each change of thread, but impatience overwhelmed me and finally had to finish best I could.  It looks good on the top.  It's about 50" x 50". 

And now, a finish to a 2011 UFO!!!!!!!   Piecing was good and due to its size, I was possibly afraid to actually quilt it.   But here it is, finished under pressure for an upcoming Trunk Show, it is DONE.  It's about 84" by 94", and called a Double T Star block.  All those brown vertical zig-zags were done with ruler work, and all MQ'ed on my DSM.   I had apparently learned Eleanor Burns' method for making Flying Geese.  The binding is a faux flange. 

"T" blocks, dated UFO, and nifty tweezers

 

 

I'm machine quilting this queen-sized project.  My piecing was good, but quilting is difficult because it's a large quilt.  I like small pieces,  although quilting over the many seams is a challenge.  I've found it best to use a hopping foot and an overall quilting design because those seams get in the way of smooth traveling with a ruler foot or other options.  It's not like what we see on the videos.  The real subject of interest is those nifty tweezers, a gift from last quilt retreat.  The tips are flat meaning they can get close and tight to remove stubborn threads, and there is even a light between the handles, if needed.  I've never seen one designed so well and definitely recommend it.  Logo says TOOL SHOP.   

All Day Sew is coming up.  This is a locally organized bunch of sewists.  While most of us are Guild members, we are not connected officially with the Guild.  Because our town is so far from other members, we gather locally to enjoy our friendship and sewing without the drawback of driving times or business needs.  We have no dues, no business ... only fun and laughter - kinda like an adult pajama party. 

Finally, some quiet moments

Just WHO won't appreciate the importance of a fresh new clean board cover?  I even bought my own staple gun for the job!  I prefer using a striped fabric.  

This is my progress so far on a Pickle Dish, aka Trilobites.  I'm working on piecing border units.  Paper piecing methods came back as I worked.  It's turning out reasonably well, and as we often learn, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.  Size is about 40 x 40 inches.

And my interruption, is this 84 x 98 in. queen quilt top, probably 15 year old UFO.  I did a good job on it and had envisioned hand quilting it while sitting in a rocking chair in a care facility.  Fortunately, that has not happened, so I'd better actually get it done, quilted on my DSM.  You can see the snow shovel and heavy coat and hat in the background, it was too cold to even replace the shovel outside, with temps. in the minus range the past several days.  Inside the house was  not particularly warm either so activity of some purpose was necessary.  The quilt top is folded up on the table, that's the back of the top.  My best basting tool/method is using canned goods as weights -- I recommend this method over all the others I've tried.  

"

My last lament fregarding few posts, is that my printer had to be replaced, and the then the  computer was "too old" (all of 4 years!), and a basement drain caused issues with no water in, no water out, and then the hot water heater decided to join the mayhem.  A few other issues of great importance also joined the parade and this quilter was not a happy camper for too long a time.  When is spring?  

Below - I've posted this previously, years ago, but wanted to photo again, as I've given this to an auction and wanted some memory of it.  It's always fun to see them years later, perhaps instigating another similar project.  This one did not bring much in the Silent Auction, but it now has a good home, and helped support a good cause.  I belive it was called New Zealand Star.  Incidently, those rows are made one row at a time, you don't make a star 9-patch, but just one separate row at a time.  I messed up for a while before I read all the instructions.  

  

The end - now, face getting gasoline, while it's minus 3 outdoors.  

 

Trilobites, aka Pickle Dish

 

One of our Guild members will be teaching this paper-piecing technique.  While I didn't sign up for her class, I DID get all excited and enthusiastic when I heard about it,  and even ordered a pattern and templates, coming all the way from Australia!  Talk about "squirrel" action!  It took me a while to re-learn paper piecing and discovered I'd done something similar, years ago.  You can see my Mom's real pickle dish to the left of the blocks.  To me, they look like fossil Trilobites.  Many of the quilt block samples I've seen are pieced in ultra bright values - not sure why - perhaps for the WOW feature.  I've made one block each day - they aren't difficult, just "fiddly".  I tried to make one at All Day Sew but again, it was too fiddly and not much was accomplished -- too many fabrics, colors, parts, tools, which didn't work especially well when not at home.  My goal is for 16 blocks.  I'll continue with the bright colors - especially attractive where the corners meet.  

Quilts from the cupboard, Pickled Orange Peel quilt pattern by ‪@emma_jean_jansen‬

Retreat project

Another triple 4-patch or is it quadruple 4-patch?  I've made this  previously -- it works up quickly.   This was my project at a recent 4-day sewing/quilting retreat.  Fabrics were already in my stash.  The border was 2 different too-bright whites, so I "blurred" the corner meeting points with fused bits of leftovers, and machine quilted right over them.  First I had to re-learn "Lite Steam-a-Seam 2" procedures.   It's about 64"x74".  

 

Below - if this perfect backing fabric was not yet in your stash, and you had made this quilt top, you would purchase it, so I did.  

Close up of other corner.  

Of interest - last year at a similar retreat, I had to return home early, due to exasperating back and shoulder issues, possibly because of poorly designed folding chairs.  So this year, I actually purchased a new sewing chair, with more back and shoulder support.  I made a practice trial run "will it fit in my small car" and brought it with me to the 4-day retreat.  Other quilters had similar special chairs - now I know why.   Additionally, I made a deliberate point to use the Hotel's exercise equipment several times during the days - nothing of great effort, just a few minutes wisely spent moving my joints.  So, if that small suggestion helps anyone, this was a succesful plan if a person has age-related joint issues.  

Pickle Dish - Trial block

 

mmm - a few kinks  needing help ... 

Despite the areas that need improvement, I'm amazed the technique is still in my noggin.  My Add-a-Quarter ruler has disappeared over the years, so that was replaced, then I had to purchase and install a new printer (for copies of pattern),  and my little old Bernina needed an extension table (wonderful  improvement in efficiency).  Trying new things does not always turn out perfectly.  (But don't those outer points look good!)  Not sure why I dislike this layout - those corners seem to be the problem - maybe just a regular square would be better?  It still looks like some creepy fossil thing that lives in a rock.  Feel free to pipe in with opinions about colors or layout or ? ( I recognize the crummy seam.  )

Sandwiching my layers, one method

 

While not a  perfect solution to a puckerless backing, the canned goods do a pretty good job, and even better, I can usually find these "weights" when I'm sandwiching a quilt before machine quilting.  

Zippity Blue Da, Pineapple

 

When your entire collection of fabrics seem to be ALL scraps and pieces, this is a perfect solution of what can be used.  Once again, I used a ruler and suggestion from Gyleen Fitzgerald, because it's smaller than the Creative Grid version.  I think next time, I'll try the larger one, just to note any difference.  This is 7 x 8 blocks, 8 inch blocks with a 6 inch border., about 68 x 76 in.  Note the difference made by the alternate block, with a slightly different value placement.  This is my 6th or 7th Pineapple quilt. 

Freeze warnings for tomorrow night - electric blanket installation time!  

Lovely Surprises, and a Disappearing Log Cabin

 From my daughter ...

 ...and a BIRTHDAY SURPRISE from a BUNCH of quilty friends ... (goodness, you'd think I could have arranged this collection of gifts in a more attractive setting).  There are even homemade food items in that amazing group of gifts which includes yards of fabric!  What a lovely and surprising day I had.  I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.  8-)))  

Playing with Disappearing Log Cabin blocks.  

My final choice - because I didn't want to make more blocks  and end up with yet another huge quilt!   OK, I bet some of you are thinking of trying this one.  I got my instructions from that clever gal Suze, at Revelation Quilts.

Farm Memory

 

I was born in Chicago, but when the 4th of us kids was due, my parents were concerned they might not be able to feed us all, so they decided to buy a farm in 1948, south of Chicago, in Richton Park, Illinois.  Dad still had his good job as a steel roller.   I personally think they were always adventuresome and they welcomed this "ridiculous" idea.  That is the farmhouse, my room was upstairs behind the right window, the huge barn was behind the foliage, to the right was a nice orchard with apples, pears, peaches and cherry trees.  A glimpse of the corn crib can be seen in the middle of the photo.  There was a huge, beautifully built granary out of sight.  The light "speck" in the driveway was probably Queenie, or some farm dog. This 1950 ish photo was our home, filled with incredibly valuable memories, until about 1960, when we 4 kids were grown and each had our own lives in other locations, and our parents sold the farm and built a lovely modern home nearby.   In the foreground was a field that sometimes flooded if the creek got jammed, where the pigs got out, and I saw my Mother in her homeade feedsack housedress, physically tackle one of those runway pigs!!!  The main road (Sauk Trail) was a poorly maintained 2 lanes -- today it is a 4 lane highway with with stop lights.   There is nothing left of that original place - it is all under asphalt, and apartment buildings except for one open space I've seen on Google, that remains a green field where I exercised my horses. 

Us 4 kids all realize we were incredibly lucky to have spent our growing years living this fortunate life.