Design Wall Monday–February 27, 2017

Last week I was fortunate to spend 4 days sewing with a group of friends at a quilting retreat in Temecula, California.  It’s a fun-filled annual gathering of quilters called the Rockin Bobbins. 

One of my projects was a sample for a class I will be teaching at a Las Vegas workshop in July.  I think I’ll be offering two different options.  The first one is done and the second is a work in progress.  The working title is “Scrappy Sassy Stash Log Cabin”.

 

I’m working on a big quilt using the high contrast.  I only need 88 more blocks…………..piece of cake. 

I also now have a new wallet.

Isn’t it cute?  I love how it turned out.  It’s the Mini Diva Wallet.  I bought the pattern and hardware at Road to California. 

Wait a minute, now that I’m looking at it in a photograph I realize that one of the end metal pieces is turned wrong.  I guess I better go fix it.  Oh well, I never said I was perfect.  LOL!!!!!

To see what others have on their design wall, check out Judy’s Patchwork Times blog.

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–February 20, 2017

This morning I’m on my way to a retreat in Temecula, CA with a wonderful group of friends.  While there, my main project is to complete a sample for a class I will teaching at my annual Vegas gathering in July. 

Here’s a sneak peak.

Obviously it needs more variety and some work but I think I’ll like it when completed.  Once I have more blocks I can start playing with it using a variety of log cabin layouts. 

To see what others are working on, check out Judy’s patchwork times blog. 

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–February 13, 2017

I’ve already shown this several time and although it’s difficult to see progress, there really is. 

The differences in this photo and previous ones are, the binding is on and I have done all the stitching in the ditch.  Several years ago I took a machine quilting class from Cindy Needham, she stressed the importance of stitching in every stinkin seam.  So that’s what I try to do. 

The other borrowed tip comes from my friend Pat Adair.  Pat often adds her binding after doing some of the basic quilting but before she does some of the more detailed quilting.  It helps by getting rid of the extra fabric/backing/batting out of the way. 

Here’s a close up of the faux flange/piping binding that I added.  I love how easy the binding is to do but most of all, I love the design aspect.  It really adds a nice accent to the outer edge.

This is the back of the quilt.  I made a giant 4 patch kaleidoscope block to mimic the front of the quilt.  I like the back almost as much as the front. 

Here’s a picture of the actual fabric.  I love the donkey and the bright flowers.  The flowers in the upper left and the lower right remind me of passion fruit flowers (one of my favorites).  I have two passion fruit plants that love the Southern California weather and apparently love where they are planted.  My husband’s not quite so fond of them.  He is constantly having to trim them back. 

To see what others are up to this week, check out Judy’s Patchwork Times blog.

Enjoy,

Jackson William Cardona–Born January 3, 2017

This past week this little cutie received a quilt I made for him.  Although it’s a simple quilt made with large pieces, it’s made from very soft warm flannel and has a very cute animal theme. 

This is little Jackson William Cardona, the great grandson of my husband’s brother, the grandson of my husband’s niece Elizabeth and the son of his great niece Joanie.  Joanie is a special girl that has always been a special part of our annual New York trips.  (BTW, she is a great cook, Yum, Yum!)

As usual, Vivs of Bear’s Quilt Shop did a wonderful job quilting with a perfect motif but also a great job with the label.

Can you see the cute elephant and giraffe?  There was also a very cute lion quilted throughout the quilt. 

Here’s the label that Vivs embroidered on the back of the quilt.  January 3th was the day Jackson was born, there for his “Birth Day” and from now on he’ll have birthdays.  Get it????? I thought it was very clever but then again ????????maybe I’m the only one. 

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–January 30, 2016

I belong to a friendship group The Cotton Patchers.  One of our activities is to exchange birthday blocks.  Here are the two blocks that I made for the two January Birthday gals.

This was Susan’s blocks.  She asked for flip flops.  She provided the background fabric and the design.  She requested that we use bright colors and embellish the sandals.  I chose to make 3D straps and added two stacked buttons.  I think they came out very cute and I’m pretty sure she liked them.
The second one was a more traditional block.  Barbara provided the pattern and requested red, white and blue.  Here’s what I made.

I think Barbara is collecting the same blocks from two different friendship groups so she should end up with a nice size quilt. 
I have started playing with a new quilting foot and templates designed to use with a sit down quilting machine.  So far I am very impressed. 

This is my first attempt using the circle template.  This should turn out to be very fun.  Stay tuned.
To see what others are working on, check out Judy’s Patchwork Times. 
Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday–January 16, 2016

Not exactly a design wall but it does show what I’m working on.  I’m in the process of quilting this very old UFO.  Once again, this will be the year of the UFO for me and this one is numbero uno.  This is my own design that I made 2 or 3 years ago at a guild quilt retreat.  It’s a 4 patch kaleidoscope set in a shadow box.  On the back I made a giant shadow box.  I love it and am anxious to get it finished. 

 

My granddaughter Emily also completed a project this week.  She made a couple of gifts for friends.  They are fabric covered roll-up makeup cases. As usual she did a fabulous job and I’m sure her friends will love that she made them.

Later this week is the start of Road to California.  I’ll be heading out on Wednesday for preview night and then attend the show when it opens on Thursday.  It’s a fun time, particularly since I get to hang out with some of my “bestest friends. 

To see what others are working on, check out Judy’s blog.

Enjoy,

Design Wall Monday January 9, 2017–A Year Long Project

 

Road to California is one of the largest quilt shows on the West Coast.  In fact I think I read that it is second in size only behind Houston Quilt Festival.  I am fortunate to live in Southern California and have been attending “Road” every year for many years now.  Believe me, it can be overwhelming but the last few years I’ve gone with a plan to collect or look for something in particular.  Last year I collected primarily grays to make a wedding quilt for my great grandson Ian and his wife Tamara. This year I’ve decided to make a bright cheery quilt for my own bed and I think it should be all shades of red, turquoise and light neutrals. 

Saturday my BFF Marilyn and I went out to lunch and visited a quilt show so I decided to get started with my new collection.  It’s a start.

The plan (at this point, but of course subject to change) is to make a variety of different blocks in various sizes and end up with a queen size quilt, with shams, by the end of the year. 

This is a small wall hanging that was made by my friend Pat Adair.  It is part of my inspiration.

And, I found this hanging out in my sewing room that was made by my friend Pam Osorio.  I think it just might make it’s way into the quilt.

It may not be exactly turquoise but I think it will work. 

My plan is to start making blocks this week and continue until……………………………………….??????????

To see what others are working on, check out Judy’s blog.

Enjoy,