What's on my Design Wall 27 Sept 2010 and etc...............

I worked on the Bali Wedding Star yesterday.  I put a block together to see how it would look.  I am hoping the next block will be better.  I have not trimmed this up so hopefully it will come out to the correct size.  I blocked it yesterday and may do it over today.  I woke up this morning with a new idea.  I also made some of the "footballs."   I am not sure how big I am going to make this quilt.  I have ideas and if they materialize I will not need so many rings.  My plan is to make a few blocks at a time and then when I think I have enough, stop.  Then the border, I think I am going to use the arc's that I made backwards (former posting).  This is going to be a loooong project. 

The blocks at the top - this is a batik project (another one).  You can't see much here but the colors are pretty.  Next week I will show more.

Look at this beauty. It is a 1951 "301."  I bought it from a friend.  My featherweight has a broken thread in the bobbin area and it is jammed.  So this came up at the right time.  I needed something to take to retreat (the 8th) and something fairly light to take with me when I sew elsewhere.  Besides, what is one more sewing machine.  I have them all designated for something, so none will sit and go to waste.  I have a friend that just bought a "401."  I am going over to see it.  I just love these old machines. 

It is 9:50 a.m. and it is 67 degrees.  Isn't that wonderful.  Fall is in the air.  I am hoping the 90 degree weather is gone. The ten day forcast is 80 degree weather for highs and 50's and 60's for lows.  It won't be long until those highs will be 70's and I can't wait.  I am so tired of hot weather. 

Hope all is well on your end.

What's on my Design Wall 20 Sept 2010

I designed a quilt in EQ7 and just had to see how it would look.  I also wanted to make an easy and faster quilt.  I have a lot of fabric sitting around and I also have a lot of irons in the fire, so thought I would make this and get rid of some fabric.  I posted it in my stash report (also have a picture of it) yesterday. 

As those who follow my blog know, I love English Paper Piecing.  I have a new project (I am getting ready to teach).  I am trying to get some samples made.  All the samples will be eventially finished into quilts.  Making hexies are fun no matter the size and it is interesting to add other shapes to them.  Check out the front and the back of "Delilah" in the right column under Sharies Trunk Show of Quilts.  In earlier posts I have another hexie and diamond project.  I have another coming up with hexies making tumbling blocks.  It is going to be a neat quilt. 

I am still waiting for cooler weather.  I just know it is coming, I hope sooner then later.

Stash Report 19 Sept 2010.........etc

I have not done a stash report since 22 August but I have been taking notes.  I have made borders and pulled fabric for three quilts (no borders or backs).  I am going to make a back (pieced) this week so will pull fabric for that.  I have oodles to do, am going to sew this afternoon.  I am trying to finish up some quilts, but cannot stand not to start new ones (EQ7 is to blame).  Isn't this fabric gorgeous.  It was in my stash.  I created a pattern for it and hopefully I will show it tomorrow on "What's on my Design Wall."  I best go make some blocks.

I just let my dog out into the back yard.  A lizard fell on my head.  He jumped onto the floor, they move very fast.  He ran under an empty box (thankfully I saw him).  I lifted the box he ran for the door, before the cat got him, I opened the door and out ran the lizard.  I love the lizards, they are amazing.  I love them outside, not in my house.  It is so fun to watch them do pushups.  They will sit and look at you and bounce around if you talk to them.  I think they actually like people. 

I signed up for the bus trip to the Houston International show.  The shop (from the Shop Hop - see earlier postings) in Lafayette is furnishing a bus (of course we pay). It will stop in Lake Charles to pick us up on its way to Houston.  It is an over-nighter.  We leave on Friday and return on Saturday.  It should be great fun.

Stash Report
In  1 1/2 yards
Out  29 1/2 yards

Year to Date
In  127 yards
Out  -97 3/4 yards
Net 29 1/4 yards

I might break even by the end of the year that is if I practice self control at Houston.   I think I will look for things that I might like to have (a new mat) rather than fabric.  Fabric I don't need................

What's on my Design Wall 5 Sept 2010...............and etc.

There is a group (8) of us making the Judy Neimeyer Bali Star Wedding Quilt.  Each of us are making our own quilt and some are making more than one.  I am much behind and am trying to play catch-up.  Most of this week I have worked on that quilt.  I don't have much to show for it though.  There is 24 pages of directions.  I have read and reread and reread.  I found it was easier to make a copy of the foundation pieces (I put them on one page) and then wrote notes on that.  There is a lot of cutting.  I had finished the arcs awhile back.  Yesterday, I discovered that I made one of the groups backwards so will have to remake 16 more of them.  The backwards arcs will go on the back of the quilt although, I am dreaming up a border and maybe I will put them in the border.  This is the pattern and this is the first block (it is not sewed together). 

Also on my design wall is a couple of houses and a set of trees. 

On the home front...............My daughter and her cat are on their way to Spokane tomorrow.  She was unable to find a job here and is hoping that she will find one there.  A high school friend is living there and has invited her to stay while she looks.  She had been hoping to leave the winters of Wisconsin behind her.  Spokane has a lot of winter.  My kitty cats are going to miss Chester. 

Hope all is well on your end.......................