Monday, August 29, 2016

Wow Kaleidoscope Quilters and Butterfly for September....

My butterfly calendar for September!

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly for September! I'll be traveling to the east coast in a couple of weeks, I hope I get to see a swallowtail, they look beautiful. I'm linking up with Ann @ fretnotyourself for Kaleidoscope of Butterflies, 1st of the month.

Speaking of kaleidoscopes I found two amazing women who specialize in kaleidoscope quilts. They both live on the east coast. It's worth checking out their work and stories here, Elizabeth Ohlson and here,Paula Nadelstern. 

We're driving to L.A. on Wednesday, Rancho Palo Verde, on the coast, a resort area. 
Wish me a good trip. I wish you a good week! 

I'll keep checking in on what you're up too!

Friday, August 26, 2016

Sewing Room Down, House Packed, on to L.A. the Adventure begins

Sewing room packed up.

My Baby Lock and Pfaff, faithful work horses.

Happy Weekend!!!

It's been a long week here. The house is packed up, everything goes into storage and we're off to L.A. to visit family, then off to the New Hampshire, of all places!, to help with grand daughters and new grand baby. My head is spinning.

I hope when I'm in L.A. to be able to visit Christen Brown and take a class or two. OOps!! I was just looking online at Christen's local class schedule and I noticed that she is giving classes in San Diego, CA not, and I repeat, not in L.A.. So I probably won't be able to take her local classes, unless I fly to San Diego. Of course I could take one of her online courses easily, I'll check those out now.
She is, however still, the Embroidery Woman Extraordinaire.

I will keep posting because there is so much color out there to share and after all color is 'the thing.'

My Baby Lock and 32 yr. old Pfaff will go into storage, I will miss them. They're so capable and dependable, nothing fancy, but I like the challenge of using what I have, what I am, my view point, to make art and quilts. I was born an artist and trained in art and I look at my quilting through those eyes. I'm taking hand quilting and stitching projects along with me. Even though I might not have a lot of time for stitching at least it will be there to touch and look at.

Off to 'where no man has gone before!' That's a little dramatic, I know. Sorry.
I'll be looking for color to share and stopping in to see what you're all doing.
Because that's where the fun is!

Friday, August 19, 2016

Liberated Shoo Fly Block, Sampler Progress.......

Rows I have finished for my sampler quilt, sashing will go between all rows...

Shoo Fly blocks will be the final row in sampler quilt...


August!! Fabulous month! 
Why is that? Because of the gorgeous peaches and watermelons being sold at the local farmer's market that's why!

I'm piecing shoo fly blocks, the last row of my sampler quilt I'm making because I took an online  Craftsy Quilting Class, Colorful Scrap Quilting, by Amanda Jean Nyberg of crazy mom quilts .
I had fun with the class and I'm putting my own spin on the sampler quilt because I can never follow directions exactly, I always say, 'What if I try this instead?' or move this over here or make this block liberated instead of traditional?  Almost done with it.

Also new in the online quilt world are MSQC/Jenny Doan's newest youtube tutorials, Quilt Snips.
They are quick single block tutorials. Such a good idea for freshening up your memory or for a new quilter working through a new block. 

Have a great weekend!
Support your local farmers and enjoy fresh summer produce, cause it's delicious.


Friday, August 12, 2016

Happy Friday!! Hand quilting, Kaffe Fassett's 'Heritage Quilts' a good read.

Hand quilting my liberated four patch log cabin quilt with perle cotton 8.

I've been pouring over my copy of Kaffe's book, Heritage Quilts, a Rowan publication.

Design by Kaffe Fassett, 'citrus zigzag ribbon', colorway by Corienne Kramer.


Happy Friday and weekend!
This has been a busy week for me with projects and work,
but good all the same.

I'm hand quilting my liberated four patch log cabin quilt with cotton perle 8 which is a treat to work with. This quilt is inspired by Gwen Marston's book, 'Liberated Quiltmaking II. That's one book I find myself  'working through' over and over again. 
I'm also taking Gwen Marston's online class, Abstract Quilts in Solids, through iquilt.com .
Excellent class, I highly recommend it. She is a pleasant, clear instructor. I make it a priority to study good teacher/instructors so I can be a better teacher/instructor. 

Kaffe Fassett's book, 'Heritage Quilts' is also great. He showcases his fabrics, always thrilling, and has new takes on some historical quilts, fun. There are some beautiful medallion quilts in his book  I'm drawn to.

I overheard a retired military man say this, 'Peace is a state of mind.' 
It starts one person at a time doesn't it?

Happy Friday!


Thursday, August 4, 2016

Butterfly Log Cabin Block, Kaleidoscope of Butterflies....

My butterfly block with log cabin surround.....

Center butterfly block designed by Fig Tree & Co.

My butterfly calendar for August, Buckeye butterfly.

Mary Ann of Magpie's Mumblings suggested that I surround my butterfly blocks with log cabins.
I think that's a great idea and I've put a few together.

I link up with Cathy @ Sane Crazy Crumby Quilting for the Kaleidoscope of Butterflies the 1st of the month but I had to put some time in at work and I was caught up with this and that for a few days, so I'm late. Here is my butterfly post and some butterfly blocks at last!!!!

Remember to stop and smell the flowers and watch the butterflies. The best things in life are free!