In the forest with Sasquatch

The trees are all completed. I really messed around with them. The pattern has them all in one fabric, and all the same size. My Sasquatch is playing in a forest of multi-colored trees of different heights. Final placement is still in question.

There are some trees all in one fabric, but no two trees are the same. Now I need to sash them, assemble the top, and decide if I want to make it larger with some borders.
There are actually a couple of places where the raindrops are upside down, but those raindrops will just keep defying gravity. I am not changing them! It would not be a simple fix, and I think no one will notice, without me telling them, like I just did. Can you see them? :)

The snowman mini is all hand quilted, and the border was ditch stitched by machine. I may try to bind it on Monday. I am thinking about doing a post about how I bind minis. I've had questions about it a few times. I don't know all the answers. I just know what works for me.

Thanks again, Karen, for letting me work with some of your blocks. Such a delight!

I completed one more block for Settler's Puzzle, but I will wait for a little more progress there before sharing it again.
That is the extent of my quilting this past week, other than the swap quilt I still can't share.
And while it has been frosty outside, like this...

Hoarfrost on an icicle hanging on my deck railing.

...inside it has been full of blooming orchids, like this! This is the window above my kitchen sink.

I have been rather obsessed with these beauties the past year or two, but I have never had 10 blooming all at the same time before (the ledge wasn't big enough for the 10th one, so it is sitting below, but you can see the flowers)--and I wouldn't have that now if I could resist bringing a new one home every few weeks! I don't "buy hyacinths to feed [my] soul". I buy orchids. They make me happy!

Besides quilting, what is making you smile today?
Until next time,
Janet O.
 

Not much progress--again!

Another two weeks have passed since I posted and this is the sum total of my stitching--most of it happening after Christmas.

This Wheel of Fortune block was made by the late (and very talented) Jill Reid. It was gifted to me by her good friend, Barb (funwithbarb blog). I have tried to do it justice by hand quilting it--my very first hand quilted feathered wreath!
You can see the pattern in the photo below.

Thank you, Barb. It is so special to have this.

About a year ago, another blog friend, Karen (logcabinquilts blog), had sent me a few applique blocks she had made, but decided she didn't want to include in a quilt she was making. In February I added a border to this one and quilted it. You've seen it before.






I am in need of another portable hand quilting project, so I bordered another one and will get it ready for hand quilting. Thanks, again, Karen. I am looking forward to stitching this.





You may recall the Kim Diehl kit I picked up on a birthday quilt shop trip last month. It is a cute little 10"x12" quilt.



I got the kit home and then discovered that it was applique--which I don't do. I said I would have to find another way to make it. Well, I found one.








I went to work with my graph paper , ruler, micron pigma pen and White-Out. I designed foundations in order to paper piece the blocks.













After getting my Master made for the foundations, I copied the design onto newsprint, for ease of tearing away.











Then I stitched.




The blocks will finish at 2". 

I think this will be a project I will take to my "open sew" retreat in just 10 days! I have been browsing through my UFOs, deciding what will make the trip over the mountain with me. I intend to make good progress on some old projects. The sponsoring shop is offering mini classes each day at the retreat. I was tempted by the wool class, but have decided I am going to stay focused on old projects, rather than accumulating new ones.










I have everything for the blocks of this little quilt all cut and ready to go.

The projects I am considering for retreat are things that are all cut out. I have no excuse for not getting them done. 

Earlier in December I got some things in the mail that haven't found there way onto the blog.

On the left is a wonderful heap of HSTs from Karen for leader/enders. I was using a bag of HSTs from my retreat buddy for my L/E when these arrived. I am mixing them all together and now whatever I make from them will be even scrappier! Gotta love that!


The wrapped package came from my friend Kris (lavenderquilts blog). On her blog a while back she posted a sale she was having on Moda Bella solids (she has an etsy shop). A great deal at $5 a yard, and if you buy 5 or more yards, she pays for priority shipping! Kris said she would still offer the deal on the colors she has left. Find the post here.
I got a few yards each of linen and stone.

Next post I will introduce you to which UFOs I have chosen to take to retreat. Many haven't seen the light of day in a long time!
Until then,
Janet O.