India Splendor

I finished the quilting and then decided to do some beading.  I forgot how long that takes.  I didn't go overboard.  I just did a little sprinkling to add so interest.  What do you think?  Now what do I do with it?  I really don't have any where for it in my house.  Maybe I should start a gallery wall in the stairwell to the quilt studio.
I finally came up with an idea for lighting in my studio that isn't going to cost a lot.  I'm hoping they are going in tonight.  I'll let you know how it works.  I really have to come up with some cooling ideas for up there.  Today it is hot upstairs but not hot enough to turn on the air downstairs.  What's a girls to do?
Next will be the last Whisper Challenge quilt for Loose Threads.  Our reveal will be Saturday July 7th at Quilters Quarters in Hanford at 10:00 am.  I hope you will join us.

Redding, California

Went up to Redding this past weekend to visit Martina, Stephen and the kids.  Planned to go to visit and to take a class but as things happen, it was the best place to go for the eclipse.  Not planned at all.  We also just got a telescope, so Jeff was very happy.

 I took Don Linn's class "Circle and Curves".  There is a quilt store just 10 min away and when I was up the last time I noticed that Don taught there.  Love him as a teacher and a friend.  Was he ever surprised.  I had a great time.  The other students were great and of course, so was Don.  I really learned a lot.  The circles are set in and I did it!  This is a technique I will do again and again.  This is the top before quilting.  I am almost finished with it.  I quilted it and the binding needs to be sewn on.  I think I'm going to bead some of the circles.  So when I am finished I will put a picture up.  Hopefully one that is in focus.

 Here is Jeff showing the kids the eclipse.  We had spent the afternoon in Lassen Park.  You would not have believed all the people up there with their cameras and telescopes hours before the eclipse but we went back to Martina's beautiful home.  It's just like a park!

Me and the kids and a glass of wine.

It's Finally Done!

Here is the finished product.  It is such a relief to have this Mariner's Compass quilt finished.  I will be teaching this at Thimble Towne in Visalia, Ca beginning in July.  Check their blog and newsletter for details.

Now on to the next quilt.  I am taking a class this Monday in Redding with Don Linn.  It is called Circles and Curves.  Totally up my alley!  Now off to pick fabric.

Update

We just had our first retreat last week.  Five of the Needle Divas got together for our second retreat (first one at my house).  We really had a great time and especially enjoyed seeing Kathy.  She is back in Colorado and I think we need a retreat there sometime.  We are hoping to have another one this fall when Kathy is back in town and hopefully, Lesley, Carol, Sara, and Suzi can join us.

We also celebrated Linda's birthday!

 I have a goal of trying to finish some projects.  This was a scrap therapy quilt.  The background fabric is banana's.  Who do you think that is for?  Me!  Kathy said we should finish two unfinished projects before starting another.  My question is when is it an unfinished project?  After you purchase the fabric and have it all planned or do you have to actually start piecing.  Thoughts?

So to finish some things up I made this charity quilt.  The fabric was leftovers given to me from the Common Threads Charity group and have been sitting around for forever so I just put it together with what was there.  I quilted another one that was made by someone else for Orange Blossom Quilters.  I also finished a purse that my friend Debbi had started.  She came for a few days after the Needle Divas went home.  It has been busy here.

I have been working on the Mariner's Compass quilt.  It is taking some effort just to put the blocks all together only because I'm ready to move on.  I hope to start quilting it this week.  I finished my Whisper Challenge quilt for this month and then finished one from two rotations ago.  That one was in the middle of moving and was almost done.  I am now all caught up till Wednesday when we exchange for the last time.  The unveiling will be in July at Quilters Quarters in Hanford.  I'll keep you posted.

Thursday our art group Loose Threads will present a trunk show at the Common Threads monthly meeting in Hanford.  I hope you will come!

Today was my first class teaching at Bolts in the Bathtub in Lancaster.  We are working on the Vintage Moments quilt.  I only had three students but they were fantastic.  I hope they liked my teaching.  They are very good quilters and did an awesome job.  Here are their first Lemone Star Blocks.

Finally a post!

I know, I know it's about time I posted!  I have been gone more than I've been here the last two months.  I also haven't really done much to post.  I have been working on the Whisper Challenge but can't show you yet.  We are going to reveal our quilts in July so then I will post them.  I'm excited to show you what I have been up to.

We have been painting and getting the house ready for a few friends who are coming to sew tomorrow for three days.  We have gone through 15 gallons of a paint and we still aren't finished.  I have the living room/dinning room and entry hall to finish.  But I have wallpaper left to tear done first.  I think I'll take a break for awhile.

I made this quilt at Cambria a few weeks ago.  It still needs to be quilted.  Wonder when that will happen!

This quilt I made last week for a friend's first grandchild, Casey.  Of course, he is now one.  Better late than never.  I made it with all my scraps and Wendy still liked it!  Hope Casey does!

I also took a class from Jean Wells this month at Empty Spools and have come back with a new perspective.  If you ever have the chance to take a class from Jean, do so without hesitation.  She was fantastic.  She is very encouraging and really knows her stuff.  Over the last few months, I've come to the conclusion that I need to develop myself into an art quilter with a purpose.  Not sure what that is yet but I have some ideas that I am going to work on.  I want to paint, dye, and stamp more of my fabrics and then look for my voice in cloth.  This may sound a little strange but I have been struggling a long time trying to find my path. 

After this last quilt show, I've decided to take two years off from entering any shows and try to develop some art that is worthy to be shown.  My work has not been very good lately and I think it is because I have lost that drive to excel.  I don't see my quilting skills and design instincts improving.  Time to refocus my attention on what I want to produce for myself and not for anyone else and spend time doing that.  I just need to refocus my priorities and get to it!

Well, I need to do some baking for the ladies and finish cleaning this house especially the quilt room.  When it is all cleaned up, I'll take some pictures and post them.  Till next time, keep quilting and enjoy your art!

More squares and Lexi

Here are some more blocks for the Mariner's Compass Quilt.

Had to put a picture of Lexi at her first dentist appointment.  Have birthday pictures on my camera but can't download them till I get home. I hope you enjoy the video. 

Mariner's Compas Squares

Here's the original 1st block.

Here's the original second block with a center circle.  Here's where I had trouble with the placement of the light fabrics.  The book does not help at all with value placement.  It's all trial and error.

Still having trouble with value.  I miss my design wall!

Here's my favorite.

I'm not sure how many more to make at least 6 maybe more.  There are at least 9 blocks with 2 variations for each block.  I don't really want to make 18 blocks.  They will take me till December to finish.  Taking a few days off to help Serena tile her floor.