While Maggie slept...

...and her Mom was at lunch with her sister and a mutual friend a couple of days ago, I finally tackled clues 1, 2, and 3 of Humble Quilts' Palmateer Point Quiltalong. I knew I needed to get them completed before the final clue is released Monday, or I might never do it at all.

Since time was very limited, I decided that the only way I would accomplish my task was to use some pre-made pieces. The HSTs were from a large bag of bonus triangles a friend had given me a couple of years ago. They had served as my leader/enders at one time, so they were all stitched together, and just needed trimming. I have used them in several small quilts already and was glad there were enough blue ones left to be used here. But the pattern called for 3" finished HSTs. Based on the size of these bonus triangles, I had to cut mine to be 1" finished.

For my 4-patches, I used a bunch of extras I had from Lori's last QAL, Quilters Madder. I only had to make six more.


My 4-patches would have been large enough for Lori's original instructions, but I needed to trim them way down to match the size of the HSTs. Feels good to be caught up on this!









Today is my younger sister's birthday, so I have spent a few late hours recently, putting together ornaments for her from my Dad's two favorite blue plaid shirts. Now my Mom and all of my siblings have their ornaments, along with my two daughters. That just leaves my sons and myself to make them for before Christmas.



 

A shout of thanks to my good friend, Victoria, for this lovely bundle of Judie Rothermel Miniatures that came to my home not long ago. They are almost too lovely to cut, and yet that is just what I plan to do! Many of them will be going into an upcoming project that may remain secret for a couple of months. I will share it when I can.

With my daughter and granddaughter using the guest room and family room for their beds this month, my sewing room has been called upon to do duty as another guest room when other family members have joined us on weekends. This means that my sewing room is cleaner than it has been in a long time. It was a bedroom in a former life, and isn't a large room. That means it will never be tidy, but this is where I feel my creative energy.

The west wall, broken up by the closet. Also contains the window that overlooks the pasture and the mountains that I often share in photos here.

My 7 1/2' x 8' design wall is on the south side of the room. It currently holds several reminders of how I need to get quilting those little quilts again!

The north wall is the "sewing" side of the room. My HQ Sweet Sixteen is joined by my Featherweight, and my Mom's old Bernina--the machine on which I first learned to sew.

The east wall is the home of my cutting table, and my wall of quilts from friends (except the one under the clock). Other quilts from friends are displayed throughout the house. I change the quilts around as the mood strikes me.

I am sorry for all of the blogs I haven't been able to keep up with lately. I am just trying to keep up with this little lady, and that is a full time job! She goes home with her mama in 3 days, so I am going to enjoy every last minute!

 

Until next time, 

Janet O.

International Quilt Invitational Exhibition

Since I am accomplishing absolutely no stitching right now, I thought I would share with you a few favorite quilts from the International Quilt Invitational Exhibit. It was on display at a little museum over the mountains, and DH and I dropped in one day last month. There wasn't a single quilt in a style I would make (most of them were applique), but I loved seeing the variety of lovely, and clever quilts. Hope you see something you like.

This is Leaf Hoppers, and from a distance it appears to be a unique take on a Baltimore Album quilt. Well, it is unique, all right. Look closer.













Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

 

This was a fun quilt. Made me want to go home and watch an old movie. :)

This quilt seemed to exude grace and fluidity. I felt like the fish would move any minute. Beautifully made!

Had to include this fun explosion of color!

Of course I would include a mini quilt! :)

 

 This quilt was stunning!

I think I stared at this quilt the longest. Not only was the subject matter touching, but the techniques and execution had me captivated.

On the home front, Maggie is keeping us smiling, and moving!
Below, left, is DH with all of our grandchildren (so far). Maggie loves being with her cousins!





























And she keeps her great-grandmas entertained!


I have tried to pop in and read a blog or two now and then. Sometimes I even have time to comment. But for two more weeks my presence in blogland will continue to be spotty, and for a very good reason!

Until next time, 
Janet O.

Marvelous Mini Flimsy and some sundry things

I have stolen sewing moments here and there and put together my Temecula Marvelous Mini Monday SAL blocks. I made my own setting, as you will recognize if you follow Temecula's blog. I really like the blocks on point.

I had to make 2 extra of the "easy block", one extra sampler block(I made a friendship star), and another one of those supposed-to-be-36-patches-but-mine-are-49-patches blocks. I toyed with bordering it, but so far it will stay as shown. 

While in the sewing room, I also finally finished stitching the two blocks that I had partially assembled in my Midnight Flight class with Bonnie Hunter a couple of months ago.

I am liking these blocks more than I thought I would, but there are so many ways they can go wrong, and I have tried a few of them already.
This layout takes more brain power than I possess at the odd hours I usually find time to sew. I hope I can eventually at least make a lap quilt or throw from this pattern.

This is a Buttermilk Basin Banner that I started quilting near the end of last year. Then Dad passed away and this hasn't seen the light of day until this week. Seemed to be the right time of year to finish it off.
Finally sewed the machine side of the binding on. It is pinned to the other side awaiting some hand stitching time. That is why the edges look wavy, and the corners appear to be curling in on themselves.
 

















You can see the quilting best on the left. What do you quilt on a pumpkin banner border? Pumpkin seeds, of course!

You may recall the little quiltlets I made for my daughters from the leftover bits of my Mom's last quilt. (you can see her quilt in this post.) Mom had named it her Happy Quilt.

After the difficult summer my brother has had, with three heart procedures, I figured he could use some "happy".

I am out of the yellow fabric that formed the setting triangles, but I can make the center section using bits that were still left after I also made a quiltlet for me last year. So this will be handwork to keep me busy for a little while.


When I get the hexie flower finished and appliqued, I will audition other fabrics from the quilt to see if  something else works to set it on point, or if it will stay a small, straight-set square. Then I will hand quilt it, as I did the others.



My prayers are with those who have been devastated by storms in the south, or are anticipating them, as well as those dealing with the fires in the west.
We are looking forward to the arrival of DD#1 and her daughter tomorrow, as they escape the smoky Pacific Northwest. We are smoky, too, but not quite as bad.  Angie and Maggie will be here the rest of the month, so I may be playing more than I am blogging. But I will be back. :)
Until then,
Janet O.