What's On My Design Wall...........Baby Jane My Way

A while back in one of my posts, I mentioned that I was going to do something with my Dear Jane blocks.  The time has come.  I sat down to EQ7 and came up with a quilt.  I will not have to make anymore blocks, that is good because I really didn't want to.  I must say that the quilt idea came from a quilt that I saw in a magazine.  It was gorgeous.  Not the traditional Dear Jane, but one made with batiks and the layout was great.  I could not copy her quilt although I would have liked to.  She had used 4 1/2 inch blocks and I am using 5 1/2 inch blocks.  I really did not want the quilt as large as hers either.  I am also going to make straight borders where she had scalloped hers.  So I started with her idea of putting it on point and from there it came out considerably different.  Only part of it is on my design board.  The board is not large enough and my larger design board is full.  I need a larger sewing room.  I have a feeling that my double garage is going to get remodeled.  I have two carports besides the garage, so I really don't have to park my car in it and since I never have it is not a big deal.  I could remove the doors and put up patio doors.  Wouldn't that look slick.  Add a window (cut through brick) and it would be a great room.

My grandson came for Thanksgiving................

We have a gloomy day here, but it is 72 degrees.  

Hope all is well on your end.

AFTER THANKSGIVING

We survived Thanksgiving.  Oh, so much food.  The weather here was super. 

Yesterday a cold front went through and believe me it was cold.  It never hit 50 degrees.  It felt much colder, but today is another day and it is warming up, the sky is bright blue and the wind is gone. 

Today, it is back to quilting.  I have decided to do something with my Dear Jane blocks.  I have put them up on my design board.  Monday, I should have a picture posted.  I have roughly 70 blocks finished and I think I may have to make another 15 to do the design that I want to make.  It is not going to be the traditional Dear Jane.  It is going to be Baby Jane My Way.  I just don't think I would live long enough to get all the blocks made.  My attention span is too short.  I would be off working on another quilt and Dear Jane would be back on the shelf. 

Marty, my grandson from Madison, WI was with us for the holiday.  He came in on Monday and left this morning.  It was so nice to have him here.  I took a couple of pictures, so will post them near to the bottom of the blog.  I had planned on taking more pictures, but it skipped my mind and it didn't happen.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Any of you do Black Friday?  I didn't.............There is no way I would fight those crowds.  Probably in my younger days I would have done it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am off to the Hammond's with Vic and Marty this afternoon.  We are busy cooking.  I know we are going to have enough food to feed an army.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

What's On My Design Wall November 2010 and etc..............

These two pictures you have seen before, except they have a few more blocks on them.  I have been busy making a gift for a bee member.  That I cannot show yet......it's a secret.  Also today I am embroidering by machine a block for
our bee exchange.  It is a Christmas block.  Since I don't have it finished as yet, I took a picture of the picture to show you.  It is OESD software and very pretty.  I also have an ornament to make for the guild exchange.  That is not even started, nor do I know exactly what I am going to do. 

Next week, being Thanksgiving, I will have a lot on my plate.  My grandson from Madison, WI is coming for the holiday and a few extra days.  It will be so nice to have him here.  I am concerned about him getting bored so have put Victor in charge of entertainment.  Lake Charles doesn't have a whole lot to offer.  Of coarse there is probably more here than I realize.  If it isn't quilt related, I don't know anything about it.  I cannot see to drive at night, so I don't go anywhere unless somebody takes me.  So night life, I don't have one.  There are casinos but I really don't like to encourage that.  I have went twice I think since I have lived here.  I cannot loose money and buy quilting fabric both, so I buy quilting fabric.   At least I have something to show for my money. 

It looks like rain.  We could use a drop or two.  It is very dry.  We just have not had enough rain this year.

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

What's On My Design Wall and the Houston Quilt Show

The quilt on my design wall is made from a striped fabric.  It is all in the cut which is very simple and all the same.  I added the black for the inner border and the striped border is pieces of what was left over from the stripes.  When I add a black binding it will finish it nicely.  The idea for this quilt is from Dot Collins in Beaumont, TX.  She says it is her  stripe period. :-)  She has made a number of them, and they all look different depending on the stripe.




 Sharie, Joan, Linda, Angel

 


Linda and her big win

 










  

The Houston International Quilt Show was this week.  What fun...... Three friends and myself went on Wednesday and did preview night.  We stayed in a hotel within two blocks of the convention center.  Thursday, all day, except for lunch, was spent running here and there looking at all the goodies on display and of course leaving a few dollars behind.  That evening we went to the IQA doings in the ballroom (must be member).  The highlight of the evening was the door prizes, three retreats.  One in California, one in Colorado and one at La Grange, TX.  We decided to buy tickets and since you have to get yourself to the retreat we knew we could get to Texas.  So all of our tickets went into the box for Texas.  Do you have any idea how someone behaves when they win a retreat?  Let us just say, the winner (not me) was extremely excited.  But the kicker is, we all get to go.  The retreat is for 12 people, free.  She can bring all of her buddies.  We think spring when the wildflowers are blooming would be ideal. 

Now a picture of my purchases and a little explanation.........Fabric, Civil War fabric - a book, a pattern,  machine embroidery (actually 2, one was free) software,  featherweight bobbins and lubricant, a box of Auriful thread and a Judy Neimeyer pattern.  I should be busy until the next show.

Whats on my Design Wall and etc...........

I have finished another top.  Hooray.  I am making progress. 

This is JAC (Just a Cat).  She loves her box.  She has a couple of them in the sunporch.  She goes from one to the other, watching the lizards and the leaves blow and anything else that moves.

My daughter has a job.  She starts today.  She moved to Spokane about 6 weeks ago.  She could not find a job locally.  Spokane is a much larger city then the Lake Charles area and her opportunities were better. 

It is still hot in Louisiana.  Where is winter????  It is a pleasant 68 degrees at the moment but it will get to about 86 before the day is done.  It is also suppose to be very windy today.  There is a wind alert for the lake.

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

What's On My Design Wall and etc......

I went to retreat over the weekend.  The retreat was held at Stone Creek Lodge near Kuntze, TX.  It is a lovely place.  The food is wonderful and the staff so nice.  We of coarse can sew from dawn to dawn.  I think some do.  I  just don't have the stamina for that anymore, but I try to get in my share of hours.  I have many pictures to post, so will not chat much.  The first picture is my project and my design wall......... those after are the other retreaters.  Click on the pictures to get a better view.

What's on my Design Wall 4 Oct 2010 and etc

I decided to finish a UFO.  I started this, I think, last year.  I had three blocks to make and then put it together.  I will make the back, get it quilted and bound and then it will it will be back here again, hopefully then I can hang it. 

It is absolutely beautiful in the south, the deep south, south west Louisiana.  It is 71 degrees, the sky is a beautiful blue, there is a wonderful breeze and fall is here.  I could not be happier.  Goodbye summer.........

Victor was here this past weekend and cleaned out part of the garage.  I can park in it.  Anybody who knew Jimmy Dear knows he had many duplicates, triplicates and so on, all filling up the garage.  He loved to shop probably as much as I love to buy fabric.  I was looking at the garage and thinking what a lovely sewing room it would make.  It would be perfect for a long arm. 

Hope all is well........

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.......................

What's on my Design Wall...............and Ellen's Pictures

Nothing really exciting on my design wall, but I hope it will turn into something exciting.  I have always wanted to make a "house" quilt.  I have lots of pieces mostly small left over from "A Bow Tie Affair."  I had originally bought a bundle of Portobello Market fabric.  I had not used two of the colorways in the ABTA quilt and also had all of these little pieces left over.  With some additions from my stash I could use up this fabric and hopefully have a nice "house" quilt.  This is the second story of the house.  Later today, hopefully, I will have the rest of the house finished.  The other squares that you see in the background are another quilt.  I am also going to work on that today. 

I want to show you the "skinny wall" in my sewing room.  These pictures were painted by my daughter.  If you are interested she has an etsy shop.  I hope to add some of her pictures to the right column of this blog.  First she has to figure out how to get them to me.  For some reason the email isn't coming through.  I haven't looked at it as yet, but will.

We have a dreary day in south west Louisiana.  It is not raining but looks like it will.  It is 77 degrees.  Wish it would stay at that all day.  I am a bit tired of summer and am greatly looking forward to winter. 

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

What's on my Design Board and the Beaumont Guild Meeting

I have finished a quilt front.  I should hear drums rolling.  And now the back.  I piece my backs as most everyone knows.  I started out with the idea that I would make a bow tie on the back (the quilts name is a bow tie affair).  EQ7 (my best buddy) and I made a drawing something to resemble a bow tie.  So thus I am putting this together without knowing exactly how much fabric I have.  I use the left over pieces so sometimes they just are not large enough.  Sometimes I can work with that as I am doing here.  It helps if you have enough fabric of the right color, of which I quickly discovered that I do not have.  So back to the drawing board and I may have to hit the "stash" too and no more bow tie. 

Last Thursday was guild at Beaumont, TX.  I am a member.  It is a really nice guild with a great membership.  Their guest speaker was Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.com.  She is a scrappy quilter and uses many, many little pieces.   She and I have dropped from the same apple tree.  She has a quilt with over 10,000 pieces in it.  I have one somewhere around 5000 pieces.  Her pieces were smaller.  I loved her line - if the fabric is still ugly, you have not cut it small enough yet.  She also is a English Paper Piecer - hexagons - now you all know how I love hexagons and English Paper Piecing.   She should live closer, I know we could convert some of you to little pieces and hexagons.