Summer Nine-Patch Challenge Update

92 orange and cream/white nine patches!!!!
Whew. I was a little behind but Saturday I turned on the TV and caught up on my fav new show on BBC America called "The Chorus", while piecing  the rest of my blocks. I then spent some time working out a setting that I'm very excited about. Wanting something different and unexpected I plan on adding "scrappy" elements to bring all the blocks together. Still in the cutting stage but stay tuned, I'm planning a sewing "Labor" day today and will have a completed quilt to share soon.
 I need something to watch today, maybe a favorite old movie? I'm sure I will find something.
To be continued.....Kay

American Vintage

Last year for Christmas I received a fat quarter bundle of a group of fabrics called "American Vintage" from my daughter. I had given her a list of what I liked on various on-line sites. I have been looking at this fun bundle of fabrics for many months now and finally saw a pattern at work that I knew would really show them off, Ruffles from The Pattern Basket. So I purchased a light background print from Moda "Make Life" group cream with green stars, that seems to play  nice with the group and waited for time to get it started. I had a quilt in progress when I left for California and intended to finish piecing that one before starting the next one. Well, after many hours of piecing, the rows did not come out the same length. It is a verticle setting so it is important that all pieced rows are the same length. Well I ripped and re-sewed, twice..I became so frustrated and had wasted sooooo much time on this ---- quilt that I decided to put in a box and maybe work on it again sometime. Not sure what went wrong but maybe some time and space is needed before I try again.
Back to American Vintage...I began piecing this fun quilt a few days ago and it went together beautifully, thank goodness, and I am really pleased with the finished quilt. Aren't the colors happy! I have enough left- overs to make another small project with these fabrics. Great!!!

I also have a new iron. I had to replace my iron. I'm hoping I will like this one..it shuts off automatically, that may prove to be a frustration but it may save the house from burning down so thats a good thing! It is much heavier but I can build up my arms while pressing!!
Well, happy September everyone. Hope you are spending time doing what you love.
Kay

The Happiest Place On Earth

I have recently returned from a fun week in California with my daughter and the three grandkids, age 16, 9, and 4.
It really was alot of fun, we spent two days at Disneyland..ofcourse the highlight of the trip!! and managed to get a chance to visit some family in Newark and Lodi. We did spend quite a bit of time all together in the car traveling from one point to another and of course there were the usual sibling disputes over such things as "looking at me", "poking me" etc. Oh how I had forgotten what it was like to spend many hours on the road with kids in the car!! I must say, though, all in all they were all really great. A fun time was had by all and I think all the little disputes are now long forgotten.
 I returned home to find that I had not taken many photos. Not sure why, but I know that my daughter was taking alot so I guess I just depended on her to take most of them. I do have a few to share. One of my favorite exhibits was the Fairyland where the girls got to pose with Tinkerbell. I just loved how the scale of the flowers and plants were designed to make you feel small like the fairies.

I found some MadHatter Tea and a tea ball shaped like Mickey Mouse that I just could not resist bringing home.

I don't have much "quilt" related news to report but I do have something in progress to share with you soon.
I'm finding that returning to my usual schedual a bit hard. I know I have many projects to work on but I just can't get motivated. Today is cool and raining so maybe I will get in the mood now. Time for a cup a tea, I think.
Hope you enjoy the last days of August!!!
Kay

What have I been doing lately?

I have been working very hard to finish a sample for the shop I work at. It is a BOM called Lovebird Lane.

                                                                               

It will hang in the store while the BOM is progressing and then I will get it quilted. I used the Invisible Machine Applique method for the applique blocks. I'm particularly proud of the pieced border!! A bit challenging but worth the effort. It fit perfectly (happydance!!)

When I had Lovebird Lane safely delivered, I picked up Elizabeth where I had  left her, with all Delectable Mountains and 3 Star blocks pieced..much left to do!!
But I persevered (?) and here she is....the Beautiful Elizabeth,,,TaDa!!
Now I've finished two quilts and I've cleaned my studio.
I guess I will have to start another project waiting in the wings to get my attention.....Who will it Be!!!
Stay Tuned, Friends!!
Tootles, Kay

Getting Away

Friday morning hubby said, " Get some things together, we are going to Spokane." I love these little adventures. So I ran upstairs and put a few things in a bag and we were off. This is what I love about retirement. You can go at a moments notice. Hubby knows that I've been wanting to visit a favorite quilt shop in Reardan called "The Buggy Barn" and ofcourse I found something wonderful to bring home. I signed up for a Block of the Month called "Down in the Garden" by Leanne's House in Australia. I can't wait to start this beautiful quilt. It is a combination of patchwork and embroidery and is just completely charming.

We also managed to fit in a trip to another shop called "The Quilting Bee" where I managed to find some wonderful fabrics for another Zig Zag Quilt. I have finished quilting the first one and it is ready to give to my daughter as a "late" birthday present. The quilting went very fast and I'm pleased with the results.

I have also managed a few more additions to my Summer Ninepatch Project..Tangerine and Marmalade.

I have been cutting orange fabrics from Lisa's stash that she so generously gave to me to use.

I have to say that I really enjoyed visiting Spokane. It is a lovely city and hope we can go again in the near future, I'd like more time to explore it. I brought back a "Visitors Guide" so we can check out more sights next time.

Have a good week.

Cheers!!   K

Just Having Fun

America shares a Birthday with our Grandaughter. She turned 9 this year and she chose a Super Hero's theme for the party. Everyone was to create a super hero identity and then crafted their costumes. They really got into their role playing and everyone had a great time.

The rain held off until the party was coming to an end!! YEAY for super powers!!

This is "Star Girl" AKA Birthday Girl!!!

I made the skirt and journal as part of her birthday present. The journal was so much fun I'm going to make more!!I really want one for me!!!

Oh, I've also managed to sew 9 Delectable Mountain blocks for" Elizabeth"!!

Hope to get up early tomorrow and get in some sewing before work!!

Have a great week!  K

Blackbird meets Elizabeth

I have been bitten by the "Elizabeth" bug!! My friend and coworker Lisa made the most beautiful version that she posted on her blog. I have wanted to make this quilt even before I saw Lisa's version, but now I'm obsessed! I thought about what beautiful fabrics I would pick and decided to use my collection of Blackbird design fabrics. I have some Rhubard and Ginger which I wanted to use and then I pulled some Harvest Home from a fat quarter bundle and then just added random pieces from more recent groups. They all seem to be happy with each other. I have managed to get all the cutting finished this afternoon, so before I go to work later I will maybe get some sewing started. I have many otherprojects that I SHOULD be giving my attention to but Elizabeth is calling and who am I to ignore her. I am anxious to see how well all the fabrics work together in the quilt. I'm sure that I will be pleased..oh I hope so!!
"Elizabeth" is designed by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.
When I have a few pieces together I will post again so you can watch the progress.
Oh and I'm keeping up with the Summer Nine Patch Project as well.
Until we meet again.... K