SBOW: Sunflower Gatherings block 5

This one took me a little longer to do... I dare say that I may be getting burnt out on wool applique again?  Only eight to go, gonna keep plugging away!  I changed the centers of the blue flowers to be more "Forget Me Not" like, they originally had centers of the same blue fabric from the large part of the flower.  There are two blue flowers that extend into the alternate blocks.

I also got the directions for part 3 of the SAL, so I plan to put that together this weekend.  Flying geese for the that round, along with some more wool applique :)  I think that project is suppose to end in November, so there is plenty of time to join in if you want (from Primitive Gatherings, it's free).

Fair Results

I am humbled.  I can't even begin to tell you how much.  Yesterday when I looked up the results for The Evergreen State Fair (Monroe, WA), I saw that I was a "Class Winner".  Being completely new to entering anything in a fair, I didn't know what that meant.  A friend explained to me that it meant I was a "Best In Class" winner!  Wow! Really??? Even in all my errors that I know to exist in my Jane?  After the major tuck in the back that I hand sewed down (and really, you can't even tell there is one at all now)?  The backing that is made of scraps and my "map" to the fabrics I wanted to use for the blocks?

Kevin came home from work in the late afternoon today and we decided to go ahead and go.  We went to the quilt/sewing barn first (after parking a million miles away and checking out the horses).  After initially not finding my Jane hanging, we started to walk back to the entrance again and look.

I found her.

Over the moon is the only thing I can say.  Three ribbons!!  Here is the explanation for the pink/white:


Jane and I.  She was three rows from the entrance, but facing the opposite way.


Here is a link to my finished Jane quilt album (there are also some process and block pictures as well).

And a few fair pics...

Unusual chicken:


You will probably need to click through, but what would you guess on this one? Chicken or rabbit?  These were interesting too!


Free rides


I wonder if they are buddies? The silver cow was sleeping, but I just can't see how that was even comfortable.


Before we went into the goat barn, Darrin told me goats eat anything.  'Tis true... even blue ribbons!


I want one! Spot would be great for the blackberry bushes next door :)


This photo makes me laugh:


That's my fair report.  Again, I am so happy that quilty friends urged me to go for it and enter when I got a wild hair and asked if I should.  It was beyond my expectations.  Maybe I will finish my Orca Bay for next year?

SBOW: Block 4 finished

There is one more purple flower that will extend into the alternate block to the right.  One more down, ten to go!

Old Post: 12/5/2012 and 8/31/2013, Playing with Hexagons

***Note, this is from my first blog which got overtaken by a spam virus, and I ended up shutting it down.  While reading through Feedly (where I read my blogs), I discovered when clicking on my old blog (I never unsubscribed my old blog) I could pull up old posts.  I am thrilled because now I can place certain posts here and save them.  I will have this note on top of any post that is from my old blog.

This post was the oldest one I could get back to.  Though my old blog started in 2003 and I missing all the posts from before this, I am happy to be able to save some****

Every so often I get the urge to pull out the hexagon blocks I have made so far (up to 44!) and play with the color/fabric to see what designs I could come up with and maybe start piecing the blocks together. I scrolled through some great pinterest boards (one and the other) that quilters have created with just hexagon quilts today–in the past I have used google, but I found pinterest easier with the created boards. Maybe it was because people tend to pin what they love rather than just using the search word algorithm via google (so lots of duplicates in that regard). The first quilt at this post was pinned and that’s what got me to lay out the blocks I’ve made so far. I liked the center, but I ran into problems in figuring out what to do from there. I have two sets of blocks (12 each) that are the same fabrics that I need to either spread out in the quilt or come up with a design idea. I wish I started with a plan, but if I had a plan I’m not sure I would have come this far with these blocks. Not only that, but I haven’t found an easy way to doodle a plan with these hexies. I have software, but I can’t install it on this laptop (I don’t trust this computer since it is old and not reliable). And with paper… I hate erasing when I find that I am a couple of hexagons off! that happens too often. Anyway… Here are some ideas I played with this afternoon. Our living room has pretty bad lighting, but you get the general idea. I have more dark hexagons in waiting (enough for 24 more blocks), right now I am on a light/medium mood for the sewing. The blocks are put back for now. I’ll probably pull them out again when I finish up another dozen. *****Update from Aug 31, 2013 that I decided to add to this post: And I am still working with the hexagons. I am up to 50 finished flower sections. I am undecided about my layout and background still. I like the stars pattern that I posted about a while ago, but now I am not sure: I really like yellow fabrics and I’d like to use them more, so I was considering this… Yellow: Thinking not. My flower blocks get lost in the yellow I think Black: I like this. And a possible layout: I really wish I could nail down a layout that I’d like to do so I can start putting the flower blocks together into a quilt. Right now it just seems like I am collecting… I am feeling just too wishy washy on that quilt. So as the mood strikes me, I will continue to just put some down and take pictures. Hopefully one of the pictures will hit me as to which design I want to do soon! Isn’t it great to have digital cameras to be able to test designs?

SBOW: Block Three finished

Last weekend while I had a lot of alone time since all the guys were away at scout camp I had a lot of uninterrupted time to work on a few projects.  One of which was sewing together the backgrounds for the eight blocks (at the time, I have since received a new kit) needing to be worked on for the Summer Block of the Week (Sunflower Gatherings) from Primitive Gatherings (check out the link if you haven't already--isn't it gorgeous? She has a finished series of pictures of it, but I didn't dig too far on the site for it).  It was great to get in the groove and get all the four patches sewn and backgrounds prepared, now all I need to do is cut the wool for applique which tends to go much quicker for me.



Last night I cut and fused down the applique for the block 3, and tonight I am all finished until I get the alternate blocks sewn (it has two more flowers to attach beyond the original background block).  I have a retreat coming up in September, and I am thinking that will be my main project to work on.  The "pink" flowers are actually more red.

Maybe before I receive the kit for block #12 this coming week, I can finish another block!  I started this project 4 weeks after it began, so I was already behind... but I have to admit that I am enjoying the process right now.  After finishing up Folk Art Album, I did not want to look at more wool applique... but this pattern grabbed me, so here I am.  It would be a miracle to finish it in 2014 :)

Old Post: 1/5/2013 Finished Easy Street Mystery

***Note, this is from my first blog which got overtaken by a spam virus, and I ended up shutting it down.  This morning while reading through Feedly (where I read my blogs), I discovered when clicking on my old blog (I never unsubscribed my old blog) I could pull up old posts.  I am thrilled because now I can place certain posts here and save them.  I will have this note on top of any post that is from my old blog****

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**update to note, this is not a favorite quilt.  It is finished and one of my sons did claim it, so at least it's being put to good use**

I am glad that this was a mystery because I’m not sure I would have tackled it after seeing the finished quilts–mainly because it looks pretty intimidating. I like brights, but I’m not sure my finished top is as successful as other fabric combinations that I’ve seen. So I am wondering if the various colors would be enough in regards to looking like just a bunch of fabric thrown together. I converted the picture to sepia to see the values happening: If I were color blind, I wouldn’t find this quilt very interesting regardless of having over 2000 pieces in it. I like the pic my iphone took: no flash. And with one of flickr’s app filters: I like that one, probably because I like oranges in quilts. Either way the top is finished and with it up on my wall I should probably prepared a backing for it while the opportunity is there. I don’t know if I will start quilting it right away however. I’d really like to start Orca Bay now. I am clearly a glutton… Finished quilts displayed at a quilt retreat in Leavenworth, 2013: What a huge difference the fabric makes.

Old Post 2/16/2013: Folk Art Album

***Note, this is from my first blog which got overtaken by a spam virus, and I ended up shutting it down.  While reading through Feedly (where I read my blogs), I discovered when clicking on my old blog (I never unsubscribed my old blog) I could pull up old posts.  I am thrilled because now I can place certain posts here and save them.  I will have this note on top of any post that is from my old blog****

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**update: this top is a finished quilt, but this was a favorite post regarding this quilt so I wanted to make sure I posted this here**

and now I have to consider what the quilting will look like. I won’t quilt over the embroidery, which leaves me with thinking about handquilting because there is more control with that. But hand quilting through flannel (backing is also a brushed cotton) might not be the best idea in the world. Clicking through the photos will take you to my Folk Art Album where other pictures are posted (and you can view larger sizes). I love it. I can’t wait until it is hanging up in our living room. I strayed from the pattern only slightly. The poppies had one change, and I am glad I had enough red/orange wool to be able to add the extra bit for the front part of the poppy flowers: More border details: I wish I had made my coneflowers in the block more like the six I did in the border: and a top corner: I am going to leave this top up on my wall for a little bit and decide if I want to add any other embroidery details. I am still thinking about my initials on the bottom, I thought about adding my full name on each letter (so on the M it would read Melissa, the L Lee, D Devin), and also adding a date on the D. Still thinking on it. The Valdani perle threads and hand dyed wools really make this top shine! The variations in colors give it a lot of depth. Interested in this project? This is where I purchased my kit in 2009, and it still available.You’re welcome

Old Post 4/2/2013: Lego Sewing Machines

***Note, this is from my first blog which got overtaken by a spam virus, and I ended up shutting it down.  While reading through Feedly (where I read my blogs), I discovered when clicking on my old blog (I never unsubscribed my old blog) I could pull up old posts.  I am thrilled because now I can place certain posts here and save them.  I will have this note on top of any post that is from my old blog****

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I saw a pin at pinterest and finally found my way to the tutorial. I didn’t have all the pieces, so I did my best with what the boys had in their Lego stash and created my little Lego Juki: I should have made the arm longer, but oh well. That was fun. Thanks boys

Old Post: 7/31/2013 Finished Quilt Top, Woodwinds

***Note, this is from my first blog which got overtaken by a spam virus, and I ended up shutting it down.  While reading through Feedly (where I read my blogs), I discovered when clicking on my old blog (I never unsubscribed my old blog) I could pull up old posts.  I am thrilled because now I can place certain posts here and save them.  I will have this note on top of any post that is from my old blog****

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Pattern: Woodwinds by Stitchin' Post, purchased in 2003. I started the blocks for the Woodwinds (by Stitchin’ Post) quilt at the Leavenworth retreat in June, and finished the blocks at my last retreat this past weekend. I have strip borders added to add some length and width to the quilt, and now it is ready for quilting. This one will become a quilt for Darrin’s bed. I am glad to have this quilt project nearly finished since it’s been on my shelf for years to work on. Yah! The measurement is about 60×72. The problem now is that I am out of batting so I need to find some coupons and start looking around for best prices. I plan to have a black binding to finish it off. ****Update 2014, this is still in queue to be quilt along with Orca Bay.

Old Post: Dec 28, 2012... a Finished Jane Top!

***Note, this is from my first blog which got overtaken by a spam virus, and I ended up shutting it down. While reading through Feedly (where I read my blogs), I discovered when clicking on my old blog (I never unsubscribed my old blog) I could pull up old posts.  I am thrilled because now I can place certain posts here and save them.  I will have this note on top of any post that is from my old blog****

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**update 8/2014: Here is a link to my finished Jane Quilt.  After encouragement from friends, I decided to go ahead and enter Jane into The Evergreen State Fair in Monroe (runs Aug 21-Sep 1).  Hopefully she at least wins a 6th place ribbon :)  I entered it as an intermediate, but I am nervous about that as this quilt includes 14yrs of skill building, meaning perfect points may not have always happened.  On top of that, this is the first time I have ever entered anything in for judging (aside from when I did 4H rabbits as a kid).  I have had quilts sent to the Houston show for special exhibit, but that wasn't judged... I think I just have something against being judged :)  When we go to the fair in a couple of weeks, I will post a fair picture of Jane.

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Today I finished up one triangle: The embroidery on the final corner: (I should really photoshop that piece of linty fabric off the block! of course I didn’t notice it until I uploaded pics). And I sewed the final border on for this: yah!! Right now it is getting ready to be pin basted. The backing, batting, and top are altogether, I just wanted to take a break for a few minutes. Pretty productive afternoon. Plus this morning I finished up my Easy Street clue 7, so I’m just waiting for Monday for the next one. I’m glad we won’t have to wait until next Friday for that. The quilt top measures about 82″ square. I am using Kona white and some scraps for the backing, along with a color swatch guide that I made about halfway through this project: I’m not sure how I will quilt this one yet. I plan to quilt in the sashings and then go back through the blocks with various designs. I thought about adding a white border and quilt a feather pattern through that, but this top is finished and this will most likely be the last update for a while (at least until the quilt is finished). ________________________________________________ ETA 12/30/12: later that night… the math seemed off, and I was right. I was off by 1000. Because that error was too big for me to just let go, I made a new block. Since I marked my block with a thin pigma pen, I couldn’t simply remove the embroidery and fix my error…. so, I tested removing pigma pen marking on another piece of fabric and was not successful. Tonight I finished applique and embroidery on my new corner and I am very pleased. I have some tails that I need to clip from the perle cotton (a variegated Valdani) since it is showing through, but at this point I am now ready to QUILT THIS BABY!

Family Camping: old post 8/15/2013

***Note, this is from my first blog which got overtaken by a spam virus, and I ended up shutting it down.  While reading through Feedly (where I read my blogs), I discovered when clicking on my old blog (I never unsubscribed my old blog) I could pull up old posts.  I am thrilled because now I can place certain posts here and save them.  I will have this note on top of any post that is from my old blog****

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This year we had planned to spend a few days camping at Lake Easton. It’s one of those places that you just drive past while on I-90 heading east towards Ellensburg, Spokane, Pullman, Idaho…. It’s just off the freeway, but for me, I usually am waiting impatiently for the Indian John Hill rest stop to show up that I am just ignoring signs for Lake Easton. Anyway, we changed our minds and cancelled the camping reservation. I was thinking about heading to Vantage to see the horses but with the Colockum Tarps fire burning, the skies had been pretty thick with smoke. There were a few other places we were going to check out as well while staying there, and then we were thinking about heading north and taking the North Cascades loop back home. Good thing we changed our travel plans because due to the huge thunderstorm and rain that happened last week, mudslides have occurred at the northern part of the loop between mile post 147 and 157. That would have been a long drive back after finding out about the closure. Instead, we made reservations at Coho Campground at Wynoochee Lake in the Olympic National Forest. This is a lake that was created around 1972, and the dam was finished around 1994. I don’t really know the stages that took place in the creation of this place, but it was a good and well-maintained campground. No showers however, and port-a-potties due to the bathrooms being stopped up. The nice thing however was that we had two potties all to ourselves for the most part. We only had one other nearby neighbor. It wasn’t packed most likely due to the off-the-grid nature of the location (along with no stores, gas, etc…. you have to plan for this trip). We had a great time. I was concerned that we were going to get rained on as the weather forecast was calling for rain Sunday-Wednesday. Instead, we had SUNSHINE the entire time. Some low clouds in the morning, but those burnt off before 11 each day. Also, there is a state-wide burn ban in place. We tried to find information on that before we left but it was very confusing as to where campfires were banned. I was very happy to see campers with campfires going when we pulled in the campground. I’m so happy Kevin packed the firewood! The whole place was just beautiful. I’ve already posted a lot of pictures at facebook, so I’ll post a few that haven’t been uploaded there. If I was in full photographer mode, I would have taken my time to find correct settings, what I have to show are just point and shoot. Just above the lake: First night’s dinner: Elk backstrap foil packet dinner. It was so good and I am kicking myself for not taking a picture of the finished product!! I had planned to! At home I cut strips from the backstrap, marinaded in Kikkoman Garlic and Green Onionteriyaki, later stir fried, cooked brown rice, some frozen mixed veggies. We let the boys create their own dinners, added a little bit more Kikkoman and froze them to save for the first night dinner. I can’t wait to make this again… I just need to bug my brother for his source of venison! Gratuitous bacon and coffee shot: The second night we had a chicken caccitore. I wish I had used my slow roasted tomatoes for this recipe–it would have made it perfect. This was another easy meal, this time in a dutch oven. We browned the chicken at home and then froze them. More frozen veggies, bottle of beer, canned tomatoes, some seasonings, cook up some pasta, and about 45mins later you have dinner. We added cheese since we had extra due to my forgeting the hashbrowns for the mountain man breakfast Kev was going to make on the first morning. The chicken was very good. Sauce was so-so. We did a lot of walking, checking out geocaches, walking on trails and basically exploring. My feet are tired, and tonight I will sleep well in my own bed. Here is a peek-a-boo shot of the lake while on a trail: On the third day the boys went fishing. Nothing was caught except a few bullheads but in those two hours I was able to get about 1.5 flowers finished for my Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. This was just before the boys went off fishing, leaving me some quiet time: Started in 2001 and drug to many camping trips, hospital visits, retreats, etc. I should be done by now… For 1″ hexagons, this bead box is perfect. It fits the hexi groups just right, and I have room to put my thread and scissors. I can also close it with a partially finished flower in it. Great for taking along anywhere. I think that is it for our Devin Family Camp Out 2013 Edition. Next up is back to school shopping! Oy…