I need a break!

I need a break from stripping wallpaper!  I finished stripping the bottom half of the dinning room now on to the border.  Who knew that the border is the most time consuming and tedious.  All I'm getting is little pieces at a time.  It's taking forever.  I think I take a break and go back to working on my Material Girls Challenge. We exchanged half square triangles.  This is the scrappiest quilt I have ever made.  It is definitely a challenge!

Here are the last of the table runners I finished last week.

This is a sign I made for my friend's new quilt studio.

And here are the beginning of my students Vintage Moments Quilts.

Tomorrow is our Whisper Challenge unveiling in Hanford.  I am looking forward to it but not looking forward to getting up at five for the over 3 hour drive.  I hope to post lots of pictures.

Just an added note.  My Mariner's Compass class was postponed till September because of lack of students.  I hope there is an interest.  I miss teaching at Thimble Town.

Long Overdue Finishes!

This one is for Andrew.  I bought some of the fabric in Virginia last February and pieced it at a Cambria retreat in March.  I just did some overall quilting.  I think this in one of the biggest ones I quilted myself.  Barbara, Lynn, and Janice have inspired me not to be afraid of the big ones.

 This is for Mary.  I pieced it about a 1 1/2 years ago and finally quilted it.  This one I custom quilted.

This one is for my nephew's new little boy. Simple but its done.

I promised Serena a table runner in February.  I'm having a hard time giving this one up!

Well it's time to box these all up and mail them.  Next will be two more table runners.  I like table runner's, they go fast!

Retreat

These are the nice notes that my friends left me after the retreat we had this past weekend at my house.  We had a great time so I thought I would post some pictures.

 All ready to go!

I decided at the last minute to make coasters to use in my studio.

 Diane and Barbara working very hard.  They both seemed to get a lot done.  In fact, Barbara ran out of projects and was gracious enough to help Sheila.

 Kathy in her little (big) corner.

 Not a very good picture of Sheila, Janice way back in the corner and Lynn.  Diane's quilt is the the wall.  The center is red work.  It is absolutely beautiful.

 Pam in the comfy chair crocheting.  Surprised her by figuring out her pattern for her when she got stuck.  I think she underestimated my determination to figure it out even though she is better at it than I am.

I love this picture of Sue because she is always smiling and cheerful.

 I made these coasters, place mats, and napkins for Martina and Stephen for their anniversary.  She got them yesterday and they are already on their new table.

 I made this quilt for a friends new granddaughter and quilted it this week.  Already to send off.

This little baby quilt went to a lady at Jeff's work.  I guess she just loved it especially the colors.  Jeff warned me not to make them for all the babies born.  There really aren't that many people at his work but he said one lady just had triplets!  Now wouldn't that be a challenge!

Well, back to quilting Andrew's quilt.  I hope to get it done this week.

Dirty Hands

 I spent time this past week printing up some fabric from rubber stamps I made.

I also made some placemats and napkins for a friend.

Yes it was the dreaded 1/2 square triangle lesson in my Vintage Moments class this past Saturday.  My past students will tell you this wasn't their favorite lesson.  I have a new student so we had to catch her up but thankfully she catches on fast.  It's a great class and I am enjoying getting to know some new people.

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.