Everyone Went on Vacation and Left Me Home Alone!

A Thimbleberries Table!

Well, not exactly, but it feels like it! Thank goodness for all you bloggers keeping me company.

I've mentioned before that I'm a member of an online Thimbleberries group, and Main Street Cotton Shop's yearly retreat began today. If you're a Thimbleberries fan, going to MSCS's retreat is a little like making an annual pilgrimage. I attended the retreat two years ago and had a blast! I know we talk about our "imaginary friends," but I actually got to meet many of our group members at that retreat, and I felt as though I had known them forever--they were all just what I thought they would be like.

MSCS is located downstairs from Lynette Jensen's Thimbleberries studio, and Lynette and some of her other designers, like Jean Lepper, teach the various classes. There are several "events" as well. This year they have a Mr. Halloween's Party (named after the Halloween fabric line) and all the attendees had to make aprons to wear. The year I attended, we were able to tour Lynette's house and studio one evening, and on another night, there was a harvest fair with lots of games and prizes. We also attended show-and-tell and got to see some of the upcoming Thimbleberries quilts and projects.

Our online group is awfully quiet right now since a number of the members have made the trek to Hutchinson, Minnesota, for this year's retreat. I'm particularly envious of Patty and Kristie, who arrived on Friday and have spent the last couple days visiting as many quilt shops as they could in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and any other neighboring states they could get to. Kristie, I think, is posting her experiences on her blog; at least I know she had a post there about her arrival in Minnesota.

Patty e-mailed our group and said her favorite shop so far was Primitive Gatherings in Menasha, Wisconsin. The owner of the shop, Lisa Bongean, is a quilt designer. If you read "Screen Door's" blog, then you'll be familiar with at least one of Bongean's patterns, Primitive Garden. Patty said that Bongean has bleached blonde hair with purple streaks--which really struck me as funny given her primitive/traditional leanings in her designs. Good for her, though! I think we need to break that stereotypical image of a quilter, don't you? Maybe I'll add purple streaks to my hair on my next Day of Beauty. I'm sure I can't look any worse!

Oh, and speaking of Thimbleberries, some of you commented on the fabrics and colors in the leaf quilt I'm working on--those are all Thimbleberries fabrics that I've collected over the years. I used some of my larger scrap pieces to make the blocks. My husband is a big fan of purple, but my decorating doesn't really lend itself to purple quilts, so this is a bit of a compromise with him in mind--there's purple there, but it's mixed in with other colors that DO belong in my home.

I have about half the leaf quilt quilted and ran out of my first spool of thread so I've ordered more--I'm not sure the remaining spool I have is enough to finish it. I think having it quilted by this weekend is "doable," assuming more thread arrives in time. Oh, and that's assuming my shoulders and arms don't give out--a very real possibility! Thank you all for visiting and leaving comments for me--I don't feel quite so lonely with so many other friends at the retreat, since I know you're there!

Leaf Quilt

Autumn is in the air. The mornings and evenings are crisp and cool. Sleeping in on the weekend under a cuddly, warm quilt is as close to Heaven as I hope to get for awhile. These chilly weekend mornings are perfect! Until our older cat, Button, stands on top of me, glaring, until I wake up, get out of bed, and feed her.

Aside from doing all that statistical research regarding boxers and briefs yesterday, I managed to get the tables set up on the patio and pin my leaf quilt. With the cooler weather, I'm getting in the mood to decorate for fall, and this quilt will, I think, be perfect on the bed in my daughter's former bedroom. I hope--hope!--to have it done by next weekend so I can start transforming the house with leaves and pumpkins and Autumn colors.

I never seem to be able to accurately predict how long the quilting will take, though. I spent several hours yesterday quilting these leaf blocks and have only gotten about half way done. And, of course, I'll still need to go back and add a lot of fill-in quilting between the leaves.

Here are the pesky appliqued leaf blocks that have taken most of my life to finish. I'm not sure how many there are any more because the number of blocks left to applique seemed to multiply every time I'd set it down.

I plan to quilt for a couple hours this morning, and then when my arms fall off, I'll take a break and clean house. Guess I'll need to use my toes for that. I'm hoping my arms will regenerate while I clean, so I can spend another couple hours quilting this afternoon. Do you think we build muscles and burn calories when we quilt? Judging from the way my shoulder muscles feel this morning, I'm sure we must. I wonder why there aren't more thin quilters?

Saturday's Blog Post

If you're reading this on Friday night, you're early! Come back tomorrow!

Actually, I had a couple things I wanted to write before I forget them. Because that happens sometimes. So, anyway, this is really SATURDAY's post. Besides, I think I might be too busy to write tomorrow. Here's why.

I've thought deeply about the many insightful comments you've left to today's post. I've also looked in my refrigerator and found I have no cucumbers. So here's what I'm going to do.

I'm going to put steaks on my eyes because, hey!, men like steaks, right? I'm thinking maybe with steaks, I might be able to lure a couple heterosexual male model boxer/brief types over here. (That's not a contradiction in terms, is it? "Heterosexual male model"? Like "jumbo shrimp"?) I'll do a little research into the burning question: Boxers or briefs? Of course, I'll sacrifice my valuable time because I have a very analytical mind, and I always feel better when I can look into an issue myself, rather than take someone else's word for it. AND I really think this is something that needs to be explored in depth--not just from a superficial standpoint. Sure, I can have my husband try on boxers and then have him try on briefs, but really, as I learned in my college statistics class, you can't get a good statistical sampling from just one person.

Oh, yeah, and in case you're wondering, I think I WILL shave first. Then steaks.

So, if I don't post on Saturday, you'll know why. In the meantime, while you're waiting to hear from me again, you can listen to my favorite song, Business Time. Do you like Barry White? While you listen, shut your eyes and think about Barry White, okay?

Quilting Stuff

A few days ago, Darlene asked what part of quilting we liked best. Have you noticed, by the way, that Darlene has an awful lot of questions? I think she's writing a book or something. Anyway, I answered that I like all parts of quilting, but I don't like them all at the same time. Sometimes I like piecing, sometimes I like applique, and sometimes I like the quilting. Heck, sometimes I even like binding because it means I've just about finished a project and have a completed quilt! But rarely do I like all of the parts of quilting in the correct sequence, which probably explains why I have so many projects at different stages of completion.

My current project is a fall leaf quilt. I have hopes of finishing it in time for fall. This fall. Yes, I started it LAST fall, but I'm close to getting the top done, and in my head, the plan is to get it pinned and start quilting it this weekend. I only have two more squares to applique--and when I say "squares," I really DO mean squares. Nothing hard. Just like sewing a label on a quilt. Or, in this case, TWO labels. But do you think I could just get it done?

Well, it seems I've kind of gone off applique all of a sudden. Maybe it's the hole in my finger. (I don't like thimbles.) Maybe it's my perverse nature that's just keeping me from finishing the darn thing so I can move on to the next step. But most likely it's just that I've changed the focus of my quilting passion.

So what's my favorite part about quilting RIGHT NOW? Sadly enough, I seem to be deeply engrossed in the SHOPPING part. I don't know why. For some reason, I'm lusting for the Holly Jolly fabrics. Which reminds me of another of Darlene's never-ending questions--something along the lines of what type of fabrics are you most drawn to? For me, it's always been country/folk/primitive/reproduction. Why, then, this sudden passion for cheerful/bright/slightly retro? I've been wondering where I'll even PUT a quilt made out of the Holly Jolly fabrics because I think quite possibly the only room in my house that might embrace these fabrics is my bedroom, and I'm just not up for making another MONSTER-sized quilt. What a quandry!

So, I think I'll take a page from Darlene's book and ask YOU some questions:

1. Do you think I've gone insane?

2. Has your taste in fabrics ever changed drastically?

3. What do they do to you when you mortgage your house to buy more fabric?

4. For tomorrow's day of beauty, should I shave my legs again or stick slices of cucumber on my eyes?

5. Do you prefer men in boxers or briefs? (Well, I guess I'm not TOTALLY consumed with buying fabric--I'm still able to mentally multi-task.)

Inquiring minds . . . .

Cabin Fever!

Remember a couple weeks ago--Labor Day weekend, actually--my husband and I went up to Auburn for lunch and to visit the quilt shop? I'm kind of excited to report that Cabin Fever, the quilt shop we visited, is in the new Quilt Sampler magazine that just came out this week!

If any of you happen to be traveling in Northern California's Gold Country, make a stop in Auburn and say hi to Don and Patti Henderson and their staff! I'm so pleased for Don and Patti that their shop has been so successful. Before they owned it, another quilt shop called Fabrications occupied the space, and the few times I stopped in, the people just didn't seem very friendly. Don and Patti have done much to change that, and Patti's a lovely, warm woman--you'll like her the moment you meet her! You probably won't see much of Don--he tends to hide himself away upstairs, taking care of the business end of running the shop and building wooden "things" that they use to display their merchandise and sell in the shop. Of course, when the shop gets busy, Don will emerge, and he does a fine job helping customers and working the register. (That's Don on the far right, and Patti is seated next to him.)

When my husband and I first moved to Sacramento over 20 years ago, my husband went to work for a company called Biggers Industrial-Gerlinger's where they sold parts for machinery--like tractors and such. That's where he first met Don. Don and his wife, Patti, lived up toward the foothills, and when they both "retired," they decided to open a quilt shop, since Patti was a long-time quilter.

I wish I had brought my camera on the last trip so I could share some photos with you, but for now, these from the magazine will have to do. I guess it's a good excuse to go back, though. I can always count on Don to keep my husband occupied, talking about cars and other "boy stuff," while I shop! (If your husband happens to come with you, ask for Don--I'm pretty sure he knows all about distracting husbands when it comes time to ring up the bill!)

And, if you should be traveling in this direction in the fall, after you stop at the quilt shop, hop on Highway 49 south. You can stop and see the site where California gold was first discovered. Then, just east of Placerville off Highway 50 is the Apple Hill area, where all the small farmers open their farms and sell apples, apple products, and all kinds of other goodies. On weekends, many of the farms host craft vendors as well.

Well, I think I've just talked myself into a weekend of activities for my husband and me--late September/early October will be perfect! Next time, I'll get photos. And if you should stop by Cabin Fever, tell Patti and Don I sent you!

Post 9/11

I suppose the title for this post has many different meanings, but I'll talk about the obvious one relating to my blog post yesterday.

Sorry about the less than stellar photo--hopefully you don't read my blog for the photos because that would really be just waaaaay beyond sad for you! As I was getting ready for work yesterday morning--running late as usual--I was thinking about the fact that it was the anniversary of 9/11, and I wanted to say something on my blog. I wasn't sure what to say because we've all said and thought all the words and ideas that can be expressed over the past six years, and some things are still beyond expression. Still, I didn't want the day to go by without some remembrance. I then thought about just posting a photo of the "quilt block" I had painted not too long after. So, still running late, I snapped two photos, turned on my computer, and uploaded the best of the two.

A couple of you have asked about the painted block, so on a slightly more cheerful subject, I'll tell you about it. And I have more not-quite-perfect photos to share with you. Oh, joy!

I love to quilt. I began quilting near the end of 1999, and quilting soon became a passion with me as I learned about the different blocks and techniques. Sometimes I dream quilt blocks. Do you do that? See block patterns and colors in your dreams? Sometimes the kaleidoscoping images are not quite restful, and I don't know what it is that my unconscious mind is trying to process through these dreams, but dream them I do.

So, when I built a bookcase in my bedroom to house my waiting-to-be-read books and already-read-but-too-good-to-throw-out magazines, I decided to decorate the top with painted quilt blocks. Star block patterns are a perennial favorite of mine, so I first drew out different quilt blocks on the surface using a pencil and a quilt ruler. I used mostly acrylic paints to paint the blocks as well as some crackle medium for texture. I thought about fabric patterns, and painted in designs to imitate fabric--I even went to look at my stash several times. And because I love applique, I couldn't resist adding an "appliqued" vine with leaves and berries, winding around the star blocks. Once I was done with all the painting, I added a few more coats of a clear acrylic paint to seal and protect the "quilting."

As I was creating my painted quilt, I kept thinking about the patriotism that I'm reminded of in star blocks. If I remember correctly, I undertook this project just several months after 9/11. How could I NOT add a block in remembrance of 9/11 and those who lost their lives that day? Since that time, every now and then I'll notice that particular block and remember. Do you have something that you made in memory of 9/11 or the war that began not long afterward?

When our country sent troops to Iraq, I was working on a particular quilt, and whenever I see that quilt, I am reminded of evenings spent watching the news on CNN. It's funny how the things we have around us remind us of specific times in our lives. I'll be posting a photo of that quilt in the next month or so when I get my house decorated for fall.

In the meantime, here's another small quilt I made quite awhile back to remind us of the liberty we enjoy in America. The center is a printed square and I bordered it with a braided border. And, yes, I did hand quilt it! That's rare in my quilt world!

Remember?

(Click to enlarge if difficult to see--the painted block is a remembrance of 9/11/01)

It's Monday

It's Monday, the weekend's over, and the excitement is gone. Mondays are like that sometimes. At least my work day is over and now there are only four more work days until the next weekend.

It's not that I don't enjoy my job--I do. It's just that I'd rather play. I sure wish someone would pay me to play. Yvonne--at least I think it was Yvonne in one of her kinder moments (LOL!)--said I should design quilts. Yep, I'd love to do that but I'm pretty sure no one's going to pay me the money I'd need to pay my bills every month. At least not for a long time, even assuming I could do it successfully. Beside, so often when you HAVE to do what you love in order to make a living at it, it becomes less joyful. So, I guess I'll keep plugging along at my day job. Four days left until the weekend. Did I mention that?!

So, for some reason, I don't feel like I have a whole lot to say today. Most sane bloggers would have just not bothered with a post, but I feel compelled. And I'm probably not sane anyway. But then you know that, right?!

When I was thinking about what I could share with you in my totally uninspired mood, I remembered that some time back, I wanted to talk about quilt show challenges. Have you ever entered a quilt show challenge? Did you enjoy it? Hate it? Never finish the project?

I kind of have a love/hate relationship with the idea. On the one hand, I'm usually not thrilled with whatever theme and/or fabric my guild choses each year. On the other hand, by participating, I'm usually pushed outside of my quilting comfort zone, and I think that's a good thing. If you don't have the opportunity to participate in a formal quilt show challenge, then I'd challenge you to pick a fabric and/or type of quilting that really doesn't appeal to you much and do something with it. With Christmas coming up, even if the project ends up being something that doesn't fit your personality, surely you know someone who would love a quilted Christmas gift!

I have two quilt show challenges I participated in that I'd like to share with you. Here's a photo of the first finished wallhanging:

See that fabric I used in the tulips? The challenge was that we each were given a fat quarter of this hideous--to me--streaky rainbow fabric. I cut mine up and used it in the tulip petals, leaves, and vase as well as some of the ivy leaves. My friend Karen used it in the wings of a butterfly, which were then outlined in black bias strips--stained glass style. It was truly beautiful, and she won the challenge, but I did manage to get a ribbon in the appliqued wallhanging category.

When we were first given the challenge fabric, it took me awhile to decide what I could possibly do with that ugly stuff, but I'm very pleased with the result. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box. Here's another photo of a "surprise" that lurks under the curtains of this wallhanging:

And there's a little story I made up to go with this quilt. The cat--who looks very composed and serene when its "person" walks in the door from work, had been chasing the mouse earlier and knocked over the vase full of tulips.

The second quilt show challenge I wanted to share is this wallhanging (click on it to enlarge to see the various fruits and veggies better):

The challenge was to use the rusty fall fabric that I used as an inner border. I failed miserably since that fabric just doesn't fit with the rest of the wallhanging, and it really doesn't show up well. But it was a fun wallhanging/tablerunner to make. I had taken a class with Velda Newman earlier in the year and learned to do things like make cantaloupes with painted fabric and cheesecloth, so I took some of her ideas and ran with them. Believe it or not, this wallhanging only took a couple days to make from start to finish.

The quilt show theme that year was "Cornucopia of Quilts," which is where I got the idea for the fruits and vegetables. And making something like this--about as far from traditional quilt design as I've ever strayed--was somehow extremely liberating!

Check out my Horn of Plenty--I know you can't see it well in the other photo. Kind of scary in a weird, bizarre sort of way!

So, my point is that we can all use a good challenge now and then. Don't stick just to what feels safe to you. Sometimes, by moving outside your comfort zone, you learn things about yourself and your quilting that you may never have realized otherwise. Although I don't think I'll ever give up traditional quilting to become an "art" quilter, making the occasional art-type piece is fun!

Hometown Christmas, Section 2

No toenail clipping photos today, because I have more of the Hometown Christmas project to share with you. Thank you all for the compliments on the first section! So far, I really like the way this is coming along. You're more than welcome to adopt any changes I make to mine, and if any of my instructions are unclear, please e-mail me and I will attempt to explain a little more.

Section 2 comprises much of the center panel of the top row--a wreath and a tree, which are combined with the hourglass and pinwheel blocks from Section 1. Of course, I've changed mine. I decided to switch the positions of the tree with the additional filler pinwheel blocks that are positioned next to the house in the last section of this row. Here's what the original looks like:

I think the tree will look more "natural" next to the house block, and I've made more twist candy and peppermint candy blocks to balance the other side of the wreath. For the wreath itself, I've substituted another Thimbleberries pattern called Countryside Wreaths (sorry the photo below is so dark!). Using this pattern was my friend Patty's idea waaaay back when the Hometown Christmas quilt first came out, so I can't take credit!

The pattern I have is a very old one, but Thimbleberries came out with a new pattern a year or two ago that is probably still available if you want to make this change--you will need to adjust the size of the block, however. Because the original Hometown Christmas wreath block measured 12-1/2" (unfinished edges), it was necessary for me to half-size the Countryside Wreath block (which made it 11-1/2", unfinished) and then add in another 1/2" to the outside blocks all the way around. Of course, you can do the same thing by just adding a 1" sashing all the way around the half-sized block. In the wreath I made, each of the little squares measures 1" (finished edges; 1-1/2" cut size). I also added a third background fabric and used that in the wreath block--the rest of the fabrics in that block are just scraps from my Thimbleberries stash.

Oops! I've made a real mess in the Sweat Shop! Time to go clean it all up. Then it just might be time for a nap. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hometown Christmas, Section 1

Slacker no more! I've finished the first section of the Hometown Christmas project. And I have a couple photos. I guess the ones I took of the toenail clippings will have to wait for a slow photo day.

Here's what my version of the completed section looks like:

If you click on VICKY, you can see the one she did, which is the original pattern.

The house part of this section measures 20-1/2" by 12-1/2" (unfinished edges). What I've made into candy pieces and what was originally a pinwheel and hourglass block measures 6-1/2" by 12-1/2" (unfinished edges). The strips between are CUT at 2-1/2" by 12-1/2". If you're working on this quilt and want to substitute something else, or if you're designing your own quilt and like the general layout of the Hometown Christmas, these measurements may be helpful.

Okay, about the changes I made. For the house block, I substituted a lighter "gold" for the windows and the entire door section as I wasn't fond of the darkened windows as shown in the book. I added an appliqued wreath and bow to the door. Feel free to adopt any of my ideas if you'd like. For the wreath, I simply used the bottom of a glass to draw a circle and then made the edges bumpy.

Here's a photo of just the "candy" blocks so you know what I'm talking about below:

As far as what were the pinwheel and hourglass blocks, book two has a penny woolie pattern for making peppermint candies. I used the pattern they had for the red parts of the peppermint, but I cut five sections instead of four. I appliqued those red pieces onto the lighter of the two backgrounds and then appliqued the entire peppermint onto the darker background.

Here are my measurements and directions for making the "twisted candy" blocks. Please note that I'm assuming you have experience in piecing--since I don't have illustrations for each step, hopefully you'll be able to figure out what I'm talking about. Also, you should know that I like to make my half square triangles larger and then trim down, so you may want to just look at the size those pieces are supposed to be and make yours differently.

For each "candy" block, I cut:

One 3-1/2" square colored piece for the center
One 3" square colored piece for the twists
One 3" square background piece for the twists
Two 2" squares of background fabric
Two 3-1/2" by 2" background rectangles
Two 5" by 2" background rectangles

Using the two 3" squares, draw a diagonal on the back of the light square, lay it right sides together on top of the colored square, and sew 1/4" on each side of the drawn center line. Cut on the line and press open. Trim to make two 2" half-square triangles. These are your candy "twists" that go on opposing corners of the block. Set these aside.

Place the 2" squares of background fabric on opposing corners of the 3-1/2" colored square. Sew each from corner to corner and press back to form "sides" of piece of candy--trim excess from underneath.

On each side of this center of the candy piece, sew a 3-1/2" by 2" background rectangle. Press.

Sew each of the corner half square triangles to each of the 5" by 2" background rectangles. (Lay these out before sewing to orient the half square triangles correctly.) Press.

Sew the three sections together into "candy" block. Block should measure 6-1/2" (unfinished edges).

Even if you're not making the Hometown Christmas project, you may want to use these candy blocks for a different project--I think they would look cute as a border on a table runner!

I'm going to start on the next section tonight, and I have changes in mind for that one as well. Maybe I'll have something by tomorrow to share. Or, if not, there's always the toenail clippings!