Piecing Units, Color Decisions, Quilt Finish, AHIQ # 28

Units and borders being interviewed to be added onto my art quilt.

Nice color for the table, 18" x 60".

We had a beautiful, white Christmas.

This is before the binding was sewn down, it's just pinned here.

Close up of Santa Clara runner, 18" x 60".

Hello! from snowy, icy, Renton, WA!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

I wanted to duck in for AHIQ # 28. I'm always happy to see all the projects and colors being shared 

in AHIQ hosted by Ann and Kaja. Do stop in and share and be inspired.

I've been piecing units to add to my improv challenge quilt, Attract. I started it over the summer.

In the photo the dark color is navy blue and the strip that looks dark blue is actually dark purple or violet. Some quilter's 'pull' fabric before starting a project. I don't work that way or using that terminology. When I'm looking for color inspiration I look outside of my fabric stash/sewing room.

I find inspiration in nature; the morning light in the forest, or over a pond. I look through good interior design publications such as Country Sampler BOHO Style, special issue 2017, or Romantic Homes, January 2018. I'm trained in interior design/art and I learned to guard and treasure sources of inspiration. Some fiber artists make up a cloth book filled with hand embroidery, lace bits, color samples from paper and cloth. Excellent source for keeping a record of favorite color combinations etc.

I usually choose just two main colors and then I choose two fabrics with those colors in them and from there I broaden my fabric choices always complementing the two original colors. So in a nut shell, that's my process in choosing the colors I work with.

Santa Clara quilt runner is finished and ready to brighten up the world.

Happy Holidays!

Remembering to be thankful here.

I'll be by to visit.

Santa & Reindeer Sighting, Ornaments Finished, Holiday Fun

'Grand muffins' visiting the Koi pond at the Carpinito Bros market.

One of Santa's reindeer making a quick visit before the big day. 

Moses the camel, supposedly descended from the first camels at the Nativity scene.

Santa and escort.

Littlest 'grand muffin.'

Fun with 'grand muffins.' 

Santa's helpers' cottage.

My Scottie doggy ornaments.

Hello from sunny and cold Renton, WA in the Pac NW.

Where we are busy enjoying holiday activities with son, daughter and their families.

We've been very busy.

We went to visit Santa and had to wait a few minutes while he was taking a break at a coffee shop. Break time over he jollied his way back to business to find out what the children wanted for Christmas.

Then we had to visit Carpinito Bros. produce market to see the 'nativity' camel and a couple of Santa's reindeer. Cookies have been made and eaten. Songs have been sung. We've colored with color crayons and made lots of art. I don't know if I can keep this pace up. But I'm smiling.

I hope you're enjoying the season, cold or warm.

Remembering to be thankful here.

I'll be by to visit.

New Improv Patchwork Book by Maria Shell, Christmas Ornaments, Butterfly for December

I'm making little felt Scottie dogs for Christmas ornaments.

Debbie @ Quilter's Table recommended this book, it came in the mail today.

Butterfly for December, Common Buckeye.

Happy December! 

from the Pacific NW where we are enjoying family visiting from out of town. Things will be hopping around here, great fun!

Ann  and Cathy  are hosting Kaleidoscope of Butterflies # 23 and this will be their last time doing so.
I'm linking up with them to spread butterfly goodness, visit and share.
I like to celebrate the first of the month by posting the featured butterfly on my butterfly calendar.

This month is the Common Buckeye. They are found in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

In the butterfly stage they prefer pollen from yellow flowers.

I found a free pattern for little Scottie dog/Christmas felt ornaments by Jenny B. Harris @ allsortsmakery.com. So I'm making up lots of them, very cute. I'll put a Christmas plaid collar around their necks too; festive.

Debbie @ A Quilter's Table recommended Marie Shell's  book, 'Improv Patchwork, dynamic quilts made with line and shape'. It came today and looks like a good book when I get time I'll be pouring over it.

Debbie makes wonderful quilts so I figured if she recommends a book it's got to be inspiring.

That's what's going on in the north woods where I'm going to be busy enjoying lots of grandkids for a week or so.

Enjoy your weekend!

I'll be by to visit!

Seeing Red, Quilt Binding by Hand, Improv with AHIQ 27, Matchstick Quilting

Mr. colorful neighborhood woodpecker/sapsucker at work.

Hand stitching the binding down on my quilt.

I love the look of matchstick quilting, great texture.

Happy Monday from the Pacific NW!

 Where rain has let up and blue sky and sun are taking turns with clouds.

We're  staying with relatives, busy helping and sightseeing.

In the backyard a woodpecker/sapsucker has claimed a tree. I researched it and read that this kind of chipping away at a tree's bark for sap can kill it. It's not my tree so I'm not involved in the rescue. Plans are now being made by the 'responsible adults' to take steps to save the tree and deter the sapsucker. There's a whole forest out there to choose from after all. 

I've had time here and there to work on hand sewing the binding to the back of my wall/art quilt.

I started piecing it last fall when we were visiting my daughter and her family in New Hampshire.
I started with a traditional log cabin style block and used color to make it exciting.
I've submitted it to a quilt show, who knows maybe it'll be accepted.

The binding is almost done!
I'm linking up with Ann and Kaja for AHIQ 27 celebrating improvisation in quilt design.

Also stop by to visit Victoria Gertenbach @ thesillyboodilly to see her beautiful embroidery/stitching projects and catch her interview on American Patchwork and Quilting Podcast. 

That's the news from the shire where I'm remembering to be thankful.

Have a good week and I'll be by to visit.

NW Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival, Thanksgiving!, Quilt Binding, Embroidery & Buttons

We went here Saturday.

Big Foot was there to greet everyone.

There were colorful bags, quilt fabrics, patterns and more.

Beautiful 'Hawaiian' quilt on display.

Shibori Dragon Quilt Shop had a great display and Japanese fabric.

The big local Sewing Store had a huge display and they were ready to sell!

Mt. Rainier, 14,000 + ft., on the way home, had to get a photo.

I squared up my 18" x 60" runner/wallart, it's ready for binding.

More sewing on buttons and adding hand embroidery on my sewing 'toolies.'

Happy Thanksgiving Week from the Pacific NW!

Where we are staying with relatives, helping and sightseeing when we get a chance.

Saturday we went to the NW Quilt, Craft & Quilt Festival held at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.

There were lots of vendors and everything you can imagine having to do with quilts/crafts.

The crowd wasn't bad. There were other shows going on at the same time at the fairgrounds (guns, junk, antique) so we had to make sure and get the right gate.

It was fun and inspiring.

Today I cut binding and got it sewn together ready for my runner/wall art, 18" x 60".

Tomorrow it'll be done. 

I also put more finishing touches on my needle books; sewed on more mother of pearl buttons and adding hand embroidery.

Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts has fun small projects and a cute pattern for a thread catcher. She also has a great book No Scrap Left Behind, make sure and take a look.

And that's the news from the shire where we are thankful for everything the Good Lord has blessed us with.

I hope you have a good week.

I'll be by to visit.

Free Form Quilted Sewing Pouch Pieced Together, New Fabric Line from Natalie Barnes is Gorgeous!

My quilted pieces cut out for sewing tool pouch.

I began working a row of embroidery to match the other pieces.

Embroidery done, matching the needle books, pincushions and scissor fob.

I attached grey ribbon with mother of pearl buttons for the zipper pull.

It brightened up today almost glowed, around lunch, the backyard view.

Happy Friday and weekend!

From Renton, Wa where we are staying with relatives, helping and sightseeing on the side.

I finished piecing the fabric for my sewing pouch. And to make the pouch I used this free tutorial, excellent by the way, by Anna Graham which can be found here @ Noodle-head.com. Yesterday I finished sewing it together, lining, zipper and all. Today the embroidery got finished up and the grey ribbon zipper pull was added.

Missouri Star Quilt Co. has a wow pattern tutorial on YouTube, 'Josh's Star.'

The fabric used is 'Maker's Home' by Natalie Barnes for Windham.

Take time to look at the gorgeous colors and text prints too.

Text prints are becoming a favorite with me. They make perfect contrast.

That's the news from the shire. 

Where I'm remembering to be thankful.

I'll be by to visit.

Free-Form Quilted Fabric Sewing Tools, Sew Stitch Snap Share

Borders added to my recent  abstract, improv quilt.

Getting ready to cross stitch on a strip of linen/cotton for another project.

More needle books made from my free-form quilted fabric, scissor fob and another pin cushion. 

Happy Thursday from the Pacific NW where we have rain! 

We are staying here with relatives, helping out and sightseeing on the side.

This week I finished sewing borders on my abstract improv quilt, 'Attract'.

I like the sawtooth pieces in the border, maybe I'll put another round of them around the outside.

 I had time to get more sewing accouterments made from my free-form quilted fabric, I've put together 2 pincushions now; 2 1/2" x 6", 4 needle books; 3" x 3", 1 scissor fob; 18" of ribbon, 2 1/4" x 2 1/4". I used match stick quilted fabric for the pages in the needle books, for the scissor fob, and the bottom side of the pincushions. The solids are Kona cotton, the fabric with numbers is by Basic Grey.

I'm linking up with Linda  and  Julie who are hosting Sew Stitch Snap Share.

Thanks Linda and Julie!

Stop on by and get inspired and share your work.

That's the news from the shire,

where I'm remembering to be thankful.

Have a great weekend, almost there.

I'll be by to visit.

Free Style Quilted Pincushions, Kaffe Facett Neutrals Auditioning, some snow.

It snowed a little, Saturday and Sunday.

Today the sun is out full force.

Looking over a new charm pack of Kaffe neutrals, making plans.

And I'm sewing up more pincushions and needle books from my free motion practice piece. 

Slowly cutting fabric for more butterflies.

Happy Monday from the Pacific NW!

Where we are staying with family in Renton WA. sightseeing and helping out.

It snowed here, Saturday and Sunday. Today the sun is out making up for lost time but it's still cold.

I got my new Kaffe Facett charm pack of neutrals in the mail Friday, now I'm planning and auditioning them. I might use some of them in my butterfly blocks.

Today I'm working on pincushions and needle cases that I'm making from quilted fabric that I had practiced free style machine quilting on. I was going to throw it away but I realized that the quilted fabric was a treasure with the texture and fun stitching all over it. So it will be made into sewing accouterments; known to some as 'toolies'; pincushions, needle books, pouches etc. I think they'll make nice gifts.

That's news from the shire where we are staying warm and enjoying the sunshine today.

Remembering to be thankful.

Have a good week, I'll be by to visit.

Butterfly Quilt Blocks, Kaleidoscope of Butterflies 22, Happy November 1st!

I'm using Kona solids, batiks and Tim Holtz  text fabric for my butterflies.

My butterfly for November, Leanira Checkerspot.




Happy November 1st from Renton, WA where there are clouds and rain today, off and on.
The poplar and maple leaves have turned very beautiful colors.
We're helping relatives and sightseeing around the Pacific NW.

I'm linking up with Cathy  and Ann  for Kaleidoscope of Butterflies 22, where we are celebrating butterflies!
My butterfly calendar features Leanira Checkerspot. They're common in western Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Western Colorado, California to Baja California. The adults feed on flower nectar, the caterpillars feed on leaves and flowers of Paintbrush. Their flight is from April-July.
The underside of their hind wing is white with black veins, the 'checkerspot.'

I squeezed in some time to piece two butterfly blocks using Fig Tree & Co. 's  'Painted Lady' pattern.
I also Google searched 'butterfly quilt blocks' images and found that the 'Painted Lady' pattern is based on a common traditional butterfly block. I found one that I liked where the body was the same length as the block. So I decided to piece my butterflies that way. The grey and white batik looks a little bit like the  hind wing of the Checkerspot, I think.

That's the news from the shire where I'm remembering to be thankful.
Have a good day.
I'll be by to visit.

Sew Stitch Snap Share #15, AHIQ #26, Match Stick Quilting

Close-up, match stick quilting in orange and natural color thread.

My design, Log cabin style blocks, 18" x 59", Santa Clara #6.

I sewed up some saw tooth blocks to add to the border. 

I think this arrangement will work.

Happy Friday from the Pacific NW where the forecast is sunny this weekend!

and we are staying with relatives, sightseeing and helping out.

I finished machine quilting 'Santa Clara #6'. It was started last fall while we were staying in New Hampshire with my daughter and her family. Kona cotton 'snow' will bind it.

The length, 18" X 59", is great for a wall or a long table. The white contrasting the colors reminds me of the clear light in Santa Clara, CA.

I'm linking up with Linda and Julie for Sew Stitch Snap Share #15.

Thank you Linda and Julie for hosting.

Stop in to share and for inspiration.

I'm also linking up with Ann and Kaja for AHIQ #26.

Thanks for hosting and for the opportunity to share!

Stop in where there's lots of inspiration and sharing.

My improv project is a string challenge small quilt I started about a month ago. I put it aside for a while to work on other things. I've added a light border and pieced blocks together that will make another border. Today I pieced the sawtooth blocks. Next will be sewing the outer border together and trimming.

That's the news up north in the land of tall trees and mountains.

Remembering to be thankful.

I'll be by to visit.

Quilted Needle Case and Colorful Local Produce

Gorgeous peppers and cabbages at Carpinito Brothers Produce.

Beautiful display of chrysanthemums, Carpinito Produce.

In Kent, Washington.

My quilted, embroidered pincushion, thread catcher, and needle case.

The needle case has ties and has embroidery on the front.

Greetings from cloudy, rainy, Renton, WA.

Where we are enjoying the Pacific NW and visiting and helping relatives, remembering to be thankful.

I've finished up a quilted needle case to go with the thread catcher/basket and pincushion I've already made up. I wanted to add embroidery to embellish them. I used DMC red floss, two strands.

The needle case is 3 1/2" x 4", closed. The needle case has Offray ribbon ties I got at Jo Ann Fabric. The quilted fabric pieces I used to make my sewing accoutrements are free form quilting practice pieces I made a month ago. 

Anna at Noodle Head.com has a fun bunch of tutorials and ideas for great projects.

I've been wanting to make useful things from small quilt blocks so I'll be busy with that.

If you've never visited Anna take some time and see her work. beautiful.

And take some time to visit local farmer markets and produce stands, lovely color and great local food.

That's the news from the shire. Stay dry and enjoy the fall. Of course if you live in Australia you'll be enjoying spring.

Happy Friday!

I'll be by to visit!