Beautiful Leaves

While in Seattle we were blessed by the beautiful changing of the leaves:

I don't post many pictures of my grandgirls and don't post their names because of my son's request (he is in IT security) but I was so touched by the love I saw with these 2.  The oldest is the best babysitter already. She can make the youngest smile just by walking in the room-they were both giggling and rolling on the floor.

the giggle girls

Going to sew leaves today!

Love visiting the grandgirls but I feel very behind

I got all the leaves glued and 23 stitched today on the tree I have been avoiding for months-will finish within the week-YAY. Need to post pics on the Back Country Quilters Blog from the quilt show and update this blog. I hope I can start the Turtle quilt for a Christmas present by next week.

Both girls were sick when we arrived but were feeling pretty good by the time we left.  I am surprised Greg and I didn't get sick.  We were headed to Pike's Market in pink jackets

I am cutting up all my scraps into strips . . .

1.5, 2.0, 5.5 squares . . .

2.5, 3.5 and 4" squares and 5" strips in varying widths. . .

and organized extra pieces from previous quilts.

I finished cleaning out 4 drawers of squished crammed pieces and made usable pieces out of them. Just 2 pillowcases to go and then I will cut as I go.  I got the blue drawer done today!

Terry Waldron Workshop

As the program chair for 2014-15 I get to be teacher's helper for our visiting artists-I love my job.  #1 I don't usually do the project because I can't deal with one more UFO but , I get to listen and take notes and today was just wonderful-I learned quite a lot from this quite fabulous teacher.  Some students were frustrated because they were not told exactly what to do-Terry taught the basics of art and design for the first 2 hours-good stuff! However, one lady said she just didn't work that way-she needed a picture. Wow.

I worked on my ML Weidman inspired cow quilt-got the cow's helmet and nostrils done and some corn stalk leaves and the pattern for the quilt the ewe is wearing as well as the template for appliqueing it to the ewe once it is paperpieced. All in all a productive day.

Self Portrait-alphabet made with new ties

This was stunning-taken draped over a table

Close up of tree detail

I liked this teacher alot-she was a wonderful storyteller

Done!

A4A is done.  Backing cut, ironed and folded and bindings are cut and ready to attach after I quilt it in Nov.

Went to our guild meeting tonight and saw beautiful art quilts by Terri Waldron.  It was a great show.  Will be teacher's helper tomorrow at her class-looking forward to it!  Will post pics.

Hoping to finish the Back Country Quilter Program TODAY!

I have been working on the program for awhile.  Have the front, back, vendors, donations, quilt entries, memorial, and a few ads done.  Today I need to fit the rest of the ads in and I don't think they will fit the pages alloted.  Also, some of the PDF files I have been sent don't want to go into the program.  Think I'll have to print and scan them. YIKES!  I am going to do the program before I finish my A4A quilt top- only have the last black border to sew on and finish piecing the back and it is ready for the longarm in November.

That large block is crying for some applique flowers and a few leaves to tone down that bright turquoise I think.

A free brand new in wrapper king fitted sheet on left and some leftover fabric on right-enough of the leftover to make 20" strip down center with plaid on sides

Took the quilt ourside and laid it on the lawn-overcast day so the colors didn't fade out.

Looking Ahead

 

I have a list of UFO quilts that I need to finish before I move, however, I am looking ahead to quilts of the future.  I bought Kathy Doughty's book, Making Quilts: the Promise of Joy

The pictures are beautiful and there are at least 3 quilts in it that I want to make -actually can't wait to make.  So, I worked out a compromise with myself.  One of my UFO's was supposed to be a stack and whack in green and deep purple.  I am changing it to "Red Center"-although mine will be purple center-so I can at least make one quilt from Kathy's book before I move.  I won't be buying anymore fabric-unless I have to-just repurposing the fabric I have-now I can't wait to start that UFO!



Here is the fabric:

The contrast will be in color rather than value. the middle one may end up being most of the back as I have several yards of it.  I may have to find a few fat quarters to supplement. May even add some Kaffee Fassett.

And this is the first quilt i will be making after the move!

I Love this quilt!

Fall is Here

I love fall!  It is my favorite season.  Love the crispness in the air even though it is still hitting the 80's here in So. Cali. Don't love the Santa Ana winds that usually show up in October-but love everything else.  Last night we hosted an Evergreen couple from upper state NY.  Lovely people.  I was up at 5am and working on the Aiming for Accuracy lesson 15 that came out sometime during the night.  Almost finished this afternoon after a day of counseling at El Cajon Valley HS.  I love that school.  I was highly motivated because today's lesson finishes part C and I was almost able to sew the entire quilt top together.  Will finish in the morning and have figured out the measurements for the border so will start on them Monday.  I really like the way this quilt came out.  I was given a king fitted sheet that coordinates just fine for the backing so the only extra expense was the 2 yds of black I bought for this quilt and the batting that will fill it.  I am going to take it to Quilter's Paradise to quilt it. Yay-almost done!