Uh oh

Not quilt related.  

A vase of flowers tipped over (wind gust) right next to where my laptop was plugged in getting charged. It shut down and hasn't been heard from since!

I left it in the refrigerator last night and when I went to start it up again, there was a huge "?" floating on the screen. Then it turned off. 

Any ideas??? 😝😝😝😝😝

Catching up

I finally had a chance to get my Circa 2016 blocks done and work on a couple more pin cushions (have you started yours yet??)

Somehow I ended up with 3 that were red/white/blue even though I did them at different times!!'

Then the log cabins:

I think I'm going to change the last strip. Too light! 😆😆

Then the half square triangles:

I signed up for the Temecula pin cushion program and will receive fabric and instructions every month. This package seemed boring at first but I do love the quality of the muslin and red!  I made two so far:

The reason I don't do minis (Janet O) is because my accuracy leaves a bit to be desired!  I didn't see the one corner until after it was all  assembled. Oh well!  One of my favorite French expressions is "c'est pas grave " meaning it's no big deal!!

I'm also on a mission to clean up the clutter!

I won't show the before picture!!

Quilt patterns in Spain

My Dh and I have been touring Barcelona this past week so I've been quiet on the blogging front. Certainly no sewing going on. 

However I seem to find quilt patterns everywhere!  Yesterday we were in a lovely seaside town called Sitges that had the most quilt oriented benches I've ever seen! My Dh kept a calling it Stitches, which may mean that he has been well trained!

And there was this immense mosaic on a wall:

The hotel's steps:

And pool:

Here is an idea of where we were:

Then back in Barcelona I found this:

Dirty and icky but surprising to see. 

In Barcelona, we visited a most spectacular church designed by Gaudi with amazing stained glass, which provides almost all the light and is placed strategically!! Segrada Familia

Cal you see that each section was pieced?? I can't see much lead in between, if any. 

I just love the colors!!

This is the outside:

It's not expected to be finished for at least another 10 yrs!

We fly home tomorrow and I'll post more pictures in the next few days. It's been a great trip and we saw quite a variety of places!  

Had to put our feet in the Mediterranean Sea for sure!

Pin cushion partners

By now, everyone who wanted to participate and sent me their addresses has been paired up with someone!

The pin cushions should be received by Oct. 15th.  I'll try to figure out how to do the linky thing so be sure to take a picture of the pin cushion you make.

You can stuff the pin cushion with crushed walnuts or polyfill.  Just make sure it's full enough to hold pins!  Any little quilt block can function as the top.  I suggest that you line the top and bottom with muslin or something similar--it gives the thing a nice body, but it's not mandatory.

You're free to email your partner to ask for preferences in colors or designs but it's not required, either.  I'd recommend that you email in advance so she'll know to be on the lookout.

Obviously when you receive your pin cushion, please be sure to thank the person who sent it to you!

Thanks to everyone who participated!  We wound up with close to 20!  I hope you enjoy making the pin cushion and receiving something from a different part of the world!

Dotti Hossler, I don't have your correct email address... please get in touch with me ASAP!

Love to you all,
Pin Cushion Mistress

Mystery revealed

Janet O. and I agreed to a small personal challenge using my leftover French General fabrics. I mailed her a small package of fabrics, of which I kept a bunch too. 

We had to use the  same fabrics and agreed to make a little 12" block for each other. 

Oh my gosh!  The pressure!!!!  She's a master miniature quilt maker as well as machine quilter!!  How could I compete??

I mailed mine off yesterday and will wait for her reveal later this week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she likes it!!

Hers came yesterday and I'm just over the moon with it!

You know I love stars and she made 9 beautiful ones, all fussy cut!

Yup they are all of 2"!!! And perfect!!

Look at these corners:

Cute or what?? Catch the quilting!

And her feathers??!!!

Gorgeous!!

Her label was equally amazing:

As if this wasn't enough, she also got a jump on the pin cushion swap and sent me a great one:

Thank you, Janet!!

On the subject of pincushions, you will receive the name of the person you're going to send to today. Yay! Get those crushed walnuts ready!!

This just shows you that with a little inspiration and motivation you can do something outside your comfort zone that  turns out fabulous! Thank you Janet for that nudge. ❤️❤️❤️

Tapestries

Last week I went with a friend to an event at Filoli which is a garden/estate in a beautiful area not far from San Francisco. They had many examples of beautiful embroidery I couldn't resist photographing. 

And the gardens were gorgeous. Colors couldn't be beat!

This is a sampler from 1695!

I love tapestries!

And dresses!

And statutes!

Just for a change!!!

Voilà!!

A Bag!  You can never have too many bags!

This is the pattern I used. 

I had a little trouble the first time I made it but didn't struggle this time. It even has 2 pockets inside. I decided to make this because I needed something to carry my projects on the way back home Wednesday!

Now back to my regular projects including the mystery challenge!

Anybody else going to make a pin cushion?  I found another one:

Have a great Labor Day!