Been Quilting!

I've been keeping up with my schedule, for the most part, so when I saw a little window of opportunity I jumped on it and quilted my project from October retreat.  I love the way it turned out.  Another break would be nice so I can get it bound.

We trekked out this last weekend to cut our tree (usually we use an artificial tree).  I have way too many ornaments but how can I resist putting on every last one.  These are from some of our first Christmases. 

Not quite finished, still one box to go...but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (singing in my head).  May you receive and celebrate the greatest gift ever given, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Fun times!

One of the great things about having teenage grandchildren is they like to do fun pictures that don't involve faces, and they're great instructors to the 'littles'.

They also get super embarrassed when the littlest go silly... this was the first Thanksgiving in I don't remember how many that all of our grandchildren were together with us.  We had an awesome time together. 

 

Doodling again!

Recently a friend posted on Facebook that she needed someone to draw something for her, to which my sweet husband responded, "My wife can draw it for you".  I'm not certain it's exactly what she had in mind but she loved it and it went out in the mail today.  Can you tell what it says?

I do enjoy drawing, more accurately, doodling.  It was a nice change of pace from the norm.   I'm not a real artist by "real artist" standards but I don't believe that should ever keep you from the creative process.  The nice thing about drawing is the cost is minimal, there are no risks and no limits.  Try it, you might like it.

Remember this one?

Veggie Cats will be traveling to Houston for Quilt Market.  Helene Knott, designer of the applique blocks, will be displaying it in her booth there.

Catching Up! Retreats were awesome.

It was an unbelievable weather week for early October in Oregon.  Warm and dry with crisp cold mornings that changed the colors of the trees more each day. 

The quilt on the wall is just one of several projects I worked on (see previous post for a picture of just the cut strips).  My hex count is at 314, binding finished on my Broken Dishes throw.  I might have finished more but there was too much laughing...good medicine indeed!

Home on Thursday and off to another sewing sleep-over on Friday.  Managed to do a lot of prep on my applique project.  Back to work...just finished up a beauty that I can't show just yet but it will be worth the wait.

 

Blog envy

I really am working on some things.  Two hundred and forty four of these hexi's so far...well on my way to nine hundred, right?

Two months since I've posted anything but I still check the blogs I follow and see all the new and fun things going on.  It got me to wondering, how do they manage to post almost daily with major progress going on.  I touch fabric at least five days a week and there is no way I could have so much to share.  Are they borrowing other peoples projects or are they just super overachievers?

This is a new project I just cut out to take to quilt retreat next week.  All the fabric came from my stash except for two pieces.  My goal is to finish the top the first day at Silver Falls, maybe I can become a super blogger after all (not likely).

My stack of things to take so far.  I need a week off so badly and I'm so excited to get to spend some of that time with the lovely, creative and talented ladies of Friday Group.  Still more projects to get together...lol, maybe I'll blog tomorrow.

Vintage Valentine

This beautiful quilt was made by Michele Byrum.  She does the most magnificent applique and then entrusts her lovelies to me.  This one recently won first place in the Masters category at the Sandy (OR) quilt show.  I had great fun with the backgrounds, pretty much using the design in the fabric as my guide. 

I have one of Michele's quilts on my machine right now.  Remember the Country Journal Chickens?  It is just fabulous.  I love that she changed her mountain in the center block to be Mt. Hood.  I'm hoping to be finished today so I had better get to work :)

Accomplishing, it feels good!

I have been on a roll lately.  The scrappy quilt is finished and I discovered, in a typical Oregon downpour, that whirlygig #4 is a water wheel in disquise.  No wind at all and it was spinning a lovely turn.  I definitely have to put some energy into working up more of those (yes, in my spare time).

Here is a sneak peak of block 1 of 16.  For the first time ever I have been designing my own quilt, an original all my own creation.  That is not to say there wasn't inspiration from other sources but this lovely bares (bears?) no resemblance to the catalyst.  I cannot even express how exciting this project has been for my tired soul.

Sixty four!!!

Yesterday, sixty four blocks!  See, I've been working on them forever, keeping them counted so I knew how many I had to yet complete.  That number (needed) has been twelve for the longest time.  As I was piecing the blocks I decided to not look too closely at what I was putting together, and once the sixty four were complete I decided to NOT lay them out ahead of time.  So two at a time to make a V, then a W, then a WW....eight rows.  Next thing you know, done! 

Planning quilting time tomorrow.  Since Scott is painting a bike down in his shop I may need to don a heavy sweatshirt and open windows but I'm excited to see this project finished.

Whirlygig #4

This whirly is my absolute favorite so far.  It was also the easiest, sturdiest, cutest...and oh my it looks so great when it's spinning.  IF I make any more they will all be this whole wheel style, possibly horizontal, at least I'd like to try one that way.  These might even sell but at the very least, easy gifts.

Our sweet boy, Ratchet, turned one year old today.  Here I have proof that he will not only COME, but he will also SIT and STAY...at least long enough for me to snap a couple of pictures.  He is doing so great at staying in the yard, happy and content to dig holes, chew on sticks, chase birds, or nap in the sun.  I still wouldn't trust him without keeping a close eye on his adventures but we're getting there.

These two silly girls LOVE blueberries.  They know right where I keep them in the freezer drawer.  They also like to use a toothpick to pick them up.  So why do they have purple fingers?  Because they don't wait until they are thawed enough to use a toothpick and end up using their fingers.  I'm sure their mommy was thrilled with the stains on their white shirts (oops!)

Whirlygigs #2 and #3

My friend, Cindy, and I are getting ready to take a load of "stuff" to the Alpine St. Flea Market this coming weekend.  It didn't seem like the time would go so fast when I reserved our spot.  I thought "how long could it take to put together a half dozen whirlygigs?"...I have plenty of materials and quickly discovered that is not the biggest challenge.

The biggest challenge is my learning curve.  In the past two weekends I have learned to restore (grease and adjust) old bike hubs, drill multiple sized holes into all sorts of materials, tighten screws with nuts, use rivets, and use a chop saw.  Since I refused to try welding these projects would not have been possible without my dear husband's help.  I keep thinking there must be an easier way and I am determined to find it. 

A couple of observations: Fittings that screw directly to the bike hub (eliminating the need for welding).  Larger holes in the bike hub that don't need to be drilled out.  Mechanics gloves (for grip and overall less dirt on hands).  I really hate having dirty hands.

So a few more adjustments to these two and making maybe two more, before Saturday...wish me luck.

I love this guy! 

Whirligig, nearly complete!

A little time available today to finish up my project and put it out in the yard.  A little breeze even gave it a slow spin.  I thought I was finished but after seeing the photos it definitely needs three more jello molds on the bottom ring to give it some visual weight. 

I'm rating it "not bad" for my first attempt and I'm excited about what the next one could be.  I have a box full of aluminum pans, utensils, and cups...add that to all the ideas in my head and it could turn out pretty cool.  We shall see!

It works!

Whirligig!

Such a beautiful sunny day, it seems spring might really have arrived.  I've had a project in the works for many, many months.  A whirligig for my garden.  I have collected two bins of metal objects (pan lids, cups, tea pots and more).  Most of the items have been acquired from Goodwill but then as usual word-of-mouth spreads and the next thing you know everyone getting ready for a garage sale has things to give you (great fun!! and cheaper too).  One of my bins filled with copper cups, jello molds, colander, and even a great serving dish (chafing dish?).  

So today the project got off the ground.  I could not have even begun without the help of my amazing talented husband.  We bought a galvanized pipe for a post and a bell fitting to attach a bicycle hub to the top of the post.  I found the bicycle wheel at the Cracked Pots sale (McMenamins Edgefield) in the Metro Recycle bin...free is a very good price.  Scott gave it a good cleaning and greasing, something a new hub probably wouldn't have required.  I think the designing, deciding which item goes where, might be the challenging part but we got a good start today and might be able to finish it up this week. 

I will definitely be posting pictures.  I can already picture it getting a lovely green patina and spinning in the gentle summer breeze.

Sewing with Nancy!

There is nothing like a 'play day' to revive ones spirit and energy. It had been quite some time and I was in dire need....Nancy to the rescue.  She found an awesome quilt on Pinterest that we could make together from our stash fabric.

So far I have twelve blocks finished.  Here are another sixteen blocks in progress....and below, I see at least two blocks I really don't like, maybe they'll live together in a different quilt.

Nancy posted a terrific tutorial on her blog for making the blocks.  I had a terrific day!

Desperately wants to PLAY!!!

Yep!  Nothing really to blog about.  Just been busy working and staying on task...except for this distraction called Pinterest.  So many fun things to see and inspirations to motivate the heart to create.  One day, soon I hope.