Quilt News! Hand Sewn Rice Bag with Sashiko Stitches Finish! Improv Log Cabin in Furrow Formation Binding Finish! Temperatures Warmed up a Little Here, Yey!

My Rice Bag finished @ 3.5" Sq. sides and bottom @ 4" Sq. , it's lined.

I was inspired by several different patterns; mixed and matched, to get to this finish.

Red Amaryllis flamboyantly blooming in my kitchen window, it now has four blossoms opened.

 

Hello Quilt Friends! 

The temperatures have warmed up a few degrees and the frozen rain on the ground is starting to thaw here. I braved a walk to the mail box and was very careful to avoid the slippery spots. I made it back safely. It was good to get out for a walk. Last post I said I was glad that there had been no snow yet. Well now there has been snow and frozen rain plus wind, but as I said it's now warming up and thawing a little. I'm thankful.

And I've finished my Rice Bag project. I wanted to make one up so I researched different patterns and tutorials. I decided the first one was going to be small because I wanted to hand stitch it. I did stitch most of the seams by hand but finished around the top and tabs with machine because I figured they would get more wear and I think machine stitching is a bit sturdier. I used scraps and improv piecing for the sides and used Sashiko Stitches for embellishment. Fun project, I will make more in different sizes. Jean Wells has interesting tutorials on her rice bag pattern and it's worth a watch!

My Red Amaryllis now has four blooms open and what a treat to see on a dark stormy morning. They will grow and thrive out in the yard in a protected spot (from the heat) in S CA. As my daughter-in-law said, "O those, my dad grows those in his back yard." Wonderful for him. Here in the PNW the bulbs have to brought in for the winter of course.

My Improv Log Cabin in Furrow Formation, 42" x 42" is done! I finished the binding last week. I was inspired by Temecula Quilt Co.'s quilt pattern Down Home Darling. And that quilt was inspired by a vintage quilt Sheryl Johnson, owner of Temecula Quilt Co. found. My blocks were a different size than the blocks in Down Home Darling and I made the starting red square different sizes to add challenge and interest in piecing, thus the 'improv'. Next post I'll have photos of the finish.

That is the quilt news from the valley where projects are getting finished and I'm dreaming up more!

I'll be by to visit!

Quilt News! Color for the New Year by Tula Pink, Improv Log Cabin Blocks Progress Inspired by Mary Hogan's Book, Log Cabin Improv, Applique Center Medallion Challenge Design Process

My Improv Log Cabin blocks, 12 blocks, approx 11" x 11" ea.

Solid colors by Tula Pink, half yard ea. with a stack of similar batiks to the left.

This is where I'm at with the Applique Medallion Challenge project, slow and easy does it.

   Hello Quilt Friends, Happy New Year!

And prayers for our friends in Japan suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake. Life can be tough at times, if anyone tells you different they are lying.

I have decided on a color theme for the start of this year and it centers around my half yard solids by Tula Pink. Tula's way with color is energizing and speaks right to my heart. 

I took some time to piece additions to my Improv Log Cabin blocks, 12 of them and they will all soon measure 11" square each. I'm still debating whether to add borders. If I do add borders they will be wonky/improv style. These blocks were inspired by the book by Mary Hogan, Log Cabin Improv Quilts with a Twist on Tradition. Mary's book is full of great ideas, tutorials and color choices.

And I have made design choices on my Applique Center Medallion Challenge project. The challenge is by Audrey @ quiltyfolk. I'm a slow stitcher and in absolutely no hurry on this project. But some small decisions have been made, that's what I tell myself.

That is the quilt news from the valley where we've had rain and no snow yet, and I am thankful. Snow is beautiful but I can live without it.

Happy New Year, I'll be by to visit.