Circa 2016

I made the first block for this week's installment. I had fun fussy cutting the center;

I love this block and realized after I did the one that it was made of 4 flying geese blocks, actually!

So I thought I'd be clever and eliminate some extra seams by making the flying geese units and assembling the block after. Great idea-- not!!

Problem was that it wasn't easily put together. Oh and I first made a mistake by cutting an extra seam! Ugh

Kind of hard to open up the pieces when they're sewn on  two sides!

So I started again. I am in Oregon so had to use the Quilt in a Day mini ruler set. Helps to read the directions, right??

Anyway, take 2:

I had to do a partial seam to get it together and it ultimately worked but I wouldn't recommend it!

Do you like my truck and cow??  Vbg

This has been my leader/ender project-- 1-1/4" cut squares!

I have a long ways to go but I thought it'd be fun. 

And then I was sewing Bonnie's scrappy trip around the world before my friends left and put it up on the portable design wall. Need to make more blocks before I sew them together, I think. 

Needs some work!! Vbg

I love the blog world!

Today I had the pleasure of arranging a meeting with Janet O (the queen of mini quilts) on her way to visit her daughter in Eugene!

We met a Quiltworks, where Janet did a little shopping before I got there. We then went and had a relaxing lunch by the river at the Old Mill District and spent a most relaxing lunch getting to know each other. 

I have to say that it seemed like we were old friends!  What a most delightful time I had. And thanks to the blogging world, we were able to meet!! 

I want to show you the most gorgeous floral arrangement my daughter sent me. I love the colors!  I see a quilt out of this!

I went to google something yesterday and this showed up on my screen:

There is something a little big brother about this, I think. Know what I mean??

Hope to sew a bit tomorrow!

To starch or not to starch!!

I signed up (in a moment of weakness) for a Primitive Gatherings summer block of the week. That's a misnomer if ever there was one!!  This program has 44 blocks each week, for 12 weeks!! Really!! What was I thinking??!!

Anyway, Lisa Bonjean is a big proponent of the starch method before piecing. My Wisconsin friends are already sold on it.  I hate for their blocks to look better than mine (no, I'm not competitive) so I gave it a try!  I mean, I need all the help I can get! Vbg

First poured starch into a bowl

Used the non aerosol variety!

Then I put the strips into the starch and squished them around. I did have help from the 6 yr old who is a great squisher!

Then I put them outside to dry to stiffen them up!  This is a very special tray given to me as a gift by my friend DarLynn. It's perfect for this task!

After they were dry, I pressed them. Stiff as a board although some were stiffer than others!

I made one block and I think it's pretty darn good!

I'll do it for this project and see how I like it. Pretty labor intensive, though. 

Have you ever tried this? What did you think?

I also did my Circa 2016 blocks, sans starch!  They're ok but might've been better with a little Niagra. 

My other week's progress has been on my Under the Big Top blocks. I'll just show you one:

One more round of triangles and it'll be ready to put together!  Fun fun fun

There are a lot of extra hsts so I'll be looking for ideas!

We are heading up to the cabin tomorrow with the 3 grands so I doubt I'll get much sewing done. Small price to pay to have the darlings with us for a week before their parents come!!

Have a great weekend!

A day's work

I did a little sewing this weekend to get my Circa 2016 blocks done. Still up to date!!

And then I spent hours working on the Jan Patek quilt. One block took me hours!! 

Fun quilt but a lot of pieces to appliqué down. 

I always struggle between projects and I'm in that space now. Know what I mean??  I have quilts that need bindings. Ugh!  Vbg 

And tons of projects but sometimes I struggle to get my motivation going!  Any ideas??

Favorite quilt show pictures

Much to my surprise, Moda had an exhibit showing their new fabrics. Gorgeous doesn't begin to describe it!

You won't believe this is French General fabrics!  Great colors!

Love this setting!

Simple but awesome !

And look what I bought at a silent auction!!

Isn't that great?? I love it!

Here are the real mountains taken on the road from Sisters!

Breathtaking scenery!

Now to sew!!

More Sisters quilt show pictures

This was displayed by the featured machine quilter, my friend Sandy Lachowski. I loved both the pattern and the quilting!  Here is another one in the same area:

Sandy is an awesome quilter!!

So simple but striking!

I thought this was so interesting, using fabrics that had something to do with travels!

This pattern was seen in two quilts. The other one had more subtle colors but I didn't get a picture. It's a great pattern with lots of hsts!

Simple but so cute!

Hopefully you can see the adorable fabrics-- all about glamping!! 

Loved this one. 

Yet another gypsy wife!

Tomorrow I will post pictures of my favorite exhibit: the Moda exhibit. 

Sisters quilt show, part I

Saturday came and went so fast. In fact, the whole last week flew by!  My cabin went from just me to two, then three, then 4 and then 6 for the past 5 days!  Lots of sewing!!

But first, let me show you a little of the show!

This is one side of the Stitchin Post which always has quilts made by employees. Sadly they are too high up to see up close. Still, so awesome!

It wasn't as crowded as usual but was so fun. The weather was perfect!  Not hot which was unusual as it has always been boiling hot. 

We did have our typical picnic lunch in the park. We were even able to meet Lori!  What a fun time. 

Then there were the quilts!  Oh my!

This is the gypsy wife pattern, which was done in many different ways in different quilts. 

That's Anne, my friend from home. 

This was our group at lunch one day down by the Old Mill district. We took some time to shop during the week. Lots of great quilt shops in Bend. 

Here are some quilts that I loved:

This was the quilt that Lori made in her class. The teachers' quilts are in one place and are so impressive!

Maybe 2"!! Adorable baskets!

Cute houses

Great log cabins!

Amazing machine quilting 

Another gypsy wife!

More to follow!