Quilt News! QAL Log Cabin Blocks Progress, Quilted Fabric Basket Finish, Quilted Thread Catcher From Last Week.

I finished this quilted, lined, fabric basket a few days ago.

View of the boxed bottom, it sits nice.

And it's handy for storage.

These are some current projects on my work table.

Close up of some fabrics I'm using in the QAL Log Cabin blocks.

QAL Log Cabin blocks, approx. 5" sq. when finished.

This is my thread catcher finished last week, given as a gift.

View of the thread catcher's boxed bottom, that sounds funny.

 

Quilt News from the valley!

Where we had balmy temperatures for a few days and now it's cooled off again more like winter.

This last week I made progress on my QAL Log Cabin Blocks inspired by the QAL, Down Home Darling, by Temecula Quilt Co. I'm working at a slower pace than the gals at Temecula but I'm inspired! My blocks will come out about an inch bigger than what the QAL suggested and I'm still not sure of the finished size, maybe 40" x 40".

I found an interesting free, lined fabric basket tutorial @ All People Quilt and I had to try it out! Changing a few things in the pattern to suit my preferences; like making the outside of the basket three layers instead of two; outside fabric, batting and muslin because I don't like to quilt batting without fabric covering it as it leaves too much lint in my machine!

Then I quilted those three layers as I wished for the outside.

The next step was folding in half and sewing the sides of the fabric lining and the sides of the outside quilted fabric together. Both were approx. 9" x 18". I then boxed the corners about 3".

Then right sides together, (outside quilted fabric and lining fabric), sewed around the top leaving an opening for turning. The opening was closed when I top stitched around the top to finish it.

And it turned out great for storage and it's on my sewing table!

I also had to take another look at the quilted thread catcher I made last week for a gift. The batiks around the side are bright and cheerful. 

 And I feel the need to sew up a zipper pouch or maybe a bag next, for the challenge.

And visit Queenie Patch to see progress on her amazing Log Cabin quilt, pieced by hand, it's amazing!

Also visit Debbie to see her gorgeous improv/color projects.

And that quilt friends is the news from the valley.

Where we are remembering to be thankful.

Have you made any zipper pouches or bags lately?

I'll be by to visit.

Quilt News! Color of the Month, White, Finished Red and Blue 4 Medallion Quilt Top, Thread Catcher Finish, Joseph Grant Park Hike

 

Lick Mill Observatory seen from Joseph Grant Park.

Joseph Grant Park trail meanders around historical buildings.

Oak tree in the park, a thing of wonder.

Red and Blue 4 Medallion quilt top finished, 60" x 60".

My Amaryllis, still blooming, a beautiful example of the color white.

Closer view of 4 Medallion top, the solid blues are Kona Cotton solids.

Yet another view, The black and white striped border by Cotton & Steel sets it off great.

January color of the month white!

My latest thread catcher finish, pieced with scraps/leftovers.

Quilt News! and Happy New Year!

My color calendar color of the month is white and I posted the photo of my white Amaryllis blooming, to celebrate, a stunning example of the color white!

I finally pieced the black and white stripped border onto my Red and Blue 4 Medallion quilt top, it's 60" x 60" and finished. I started it a couple of years ago just experimenting with the center medallions not knowing exactly what I was going to do with them.

The thread catcher I'm going to give as a gift is finished. I hand stitched the top binding down for effect.

Over the holiday we drove up to Joseph Grant Park in the Diablo Range Foothills, and hiked around. It used to be a privately owned ranch. Several years ago when we lived in Washington State we actually met one of Joseph Grants' descendants, living then in Washington.

If you want to be inspired and amazed by improv quilt design stop in and visit Debbie at her blog and see her newest design using the tumbler block.

And that, quilt friends is the quilt news from the valley, where projects are getting finished, maybe not fast, but finished all the same.

And we're remembering to be thankful, saying a kind word and giving a helping hand where it's needed.

I'll be by to visit!