Mission accomplished

Shocker right? I got that block done! Even more shocking, I actually like it. I can't wait to see what Jackie has in mind for us in the way of a setting! Maybe on point? Was the picture on her blog a clue? I'm not going to worry about it till next month!

I'm happy to show off the last of the quilt show photos today!  I really enjoyed walking around the show, and seeing so many friends.  I also picked up some information from my friends at Prairie Queens, Keiko is moving back to our area again! 

That's it for me today! Have a happy day!

The Last Piece

It's hard to believe it's been a year since we started the Blogger's Block of the Month, but here we are at September! Sarah finishes us off with a wonderful star in a star block!

Shocking, but I have my block already cut out and ready to stitch. Not so shocking, Sherri had hers BOTH done yesterday mid-morning!

Have you made your blocks? It's not too late you know! Next month Jackie will be showing us a layout for out blocks. I can't wait.  

Ok, have a super day peeps! Last of the quilt show pictures tomorrow, along with hopefully my completed block!

More Quilting in the Garden

Today's photos from Quilting in the Garden are from featured artist Judy Mathieson. Judy is well known to long time quilters like me as the quintessential authority on Mariner's Compass blocks. I tried to capture as many of her beautiful quilts as possible, look at the quilts at the entry. Amazing.

 I hope you'll click on the link to Judy's website to see the photos in her gallery.  There's a fun animal  category including some great dog quilts like this one. We had a blue Australian Shepard and this quilt really captures the attentive look  those dogs give their herd. 

Under this large oak tree Judy had a table and was showing people her method for paper piecing. I hope you'll click on the link to Judy's website to see the photos in her gallery. 

The setting is wonderful.  And we saw a huge flock of  blue birds hanging out in the oaks. I couldn't believe we had them in our area.

Still a few pictures left for tomorrow. Hope you guys have a great day! xo

Quilting in the Garden

Yesterday I went over to Alden Lane to check out all the amazing quilts. I met up with my friend Deb and we ran into Alex first thing. I think this might be the first time I've actually seen her all year.

 

Today I think I'll show you the amazing beaded quilts of guest artist Thom Atkins .  I can't stop thinking about this wonderful piece.  The ravens are so beautiful.  Pictures cannot possibly do these pieces justice. 

 

It was a great show.  I'll have more photos for you (to cover up the fact that I didn't sew) this week. I had a lovely afternoon with Debbie and Deb.  So how was your weekend? 

Out of the house

Wednesday I was invited over to my friend Ann's house for dinner.  Ann has a fantastic recipe for taco salad but it makes a ton, so you need to invite friends over to eat it all up! Click the link for the recipe! Anyway a trip to Ann's in fall is feast for the eyes. She had her beautiful fall decor out and it's as fantastic as ever. 

Our friend Joyce was there. Joyce and I worked at Going to Pieces in Pleasanton many years ago.  She has a wonderfully decorated home, and I hope to go and get some photos.  Anyway.. she collected egg scales and I think my copy catting is pretty legendary, and I have many egg scales.  Ann had one too, and put it out with her dyed gourds.

I still really love primitive style quilts, particularly those of by Jan Patek  in her Red Wagon collections. Sometimes I think it would be fun to try out these quilts in my kind of colors.  I have a lot of favorites from back in the late 80s and early 90s.  It was a lovely evening, thanks Ann for having me over.

 



Its Friday again. Yesterday I finally got those butterfly wings re-cut.  I must be mind blocking those because believe it or not, I cut a few wrong before I realized it.  GOOD GRIEF.  But I'm on track. Still thinking about making different bodies for them, although honestly, with the luck I'm having maybe making them all the same makes more sense!  I hope you guys have a fantastic weekend!

Sad

It's pitiful really, cut my butterfly wings too small, and this is as far as I got. I made the mistake of cutting at the end of  my busy Monday... never a smart thing to do when you're tired. Discouraged, I just haven't gone back out there to cut them again. Pretty sad, it's just 11 stinken squares.

Found more photoshopping that needed doing, thanks to Susan for reminding me! I had a lot of fun working on that project. But really. I need some sewing. And some picture taking, which means some clean up. Although I'm thinking that it would be easier to rent an apartment and fix it up just as a place to take adorable photos. That seems practical right?

Tuesday

Good morning! I hardly know how to get started, it seems like ages since I was here! I went out back yesterday for the first time in ages. Had a moment for a few sips of coffee, but really needed to get some stuff done.

I finally finished the last of my photoshop work for market I think. So far anyway! Because we show on paper, we show a variety of quilt projects  just like we would  if we hung actual quilts in the booth.  It's fun, but this time I was a bit slower as I was using a new method. 

I had very good intentions of stitching up some butterflies today, but all the things I had put off for the past couple of weeks needed doing. I shook out the last of the coffee beans yesterday morning, so procuring coffee was first on the list. When I finally got home from all the errands I just didn't have it in me to clear off the cutting table enough to cut some blocks.  Today. But look how cute my little Utah plate is. I collect vintage souvenir state plates for states I have visited, and picked this up in Minnesota! Also I finally found a red vintage syrup dispenser.  Cousin Linda has always had a little aqua one on her counter for me and I've tried to find one since I saw it.  Not that I need help thinking of her, but I'll be reminded of her sweet hospitality each time I see it.

Wish me luck clearing off this table and getting to work.  I've really missed sewing and I've missed you guys too! xo

Friday Greetings

Happy Friday! I'm headed back over to Holly's today. More shipping samples and a little bit of peeking at her latest collection that will be showing soon! I've been lucky to be able to help out with some odds and ends again! It's a great experience and I'm glad that I can be helpful.

Next up will be making a few of these beauties for Lori's row along! Photoshop was open, I couldn't resist making one for fun! Did you see Lori announced her latest project? 

 

I hope to get to some butterflies this weekend! What's on your agenda? Whatever it is, ENJOY! 

Catch up!

Hi there! I've been remiss, it's already September 12 and I'm just getting around to blogging about Amy's cute Aurifil Block!

Are you following along? I love checking the flickr group to see the new photos. People are so on top of things.

What's on your agenda today? I'm heading over to Lori's to see what's new on the row-along. I'm still working on quilt market stuff, so it will be hit and miss around here.  I love working on the digital projects, I know it's geeky to say it but the technical stuff, while often frustrating, is also a fun challenge. I feel so lucky for the opportunities that have come my way!

Now go out and have a fantastic day!

Super PamKittyMorning!

So yesterday was a fantastic Pam Kitty Morning!!! The PKL shipping samples arrived at the LakeHouse Studio!!   Holly grabbed us some coffees while I was driving over so we could celebrate in PamKittystyle!

These shipping samples are the final look at the fabric before it's printed and shipped. About half the skus are here, there's a few more to come, but let me tell you, they're wonderful. I know saying that puts me in big-head-country, but since Holly is the real genius, I think she should get all  the credit for  how wonderful they are.

I think if you liked Pam Kitty Morning, you're really going to like Pam Kitty Love. Somehow seeing it on fabric, like real big chunks of fabric, suddenly it's  REAL. I have another collection! It's here! (well almost)

Check out how sweet that yellow on white love birds looks tucked in there. I'm really glad I've hoarded some of the yellow dot on white from my first collection, I know they're going to be perfect together.   I also  keep thinking about that quilt on Krystine's blog, and how perfect these white background prints would work in it.

Those blacks, are you excited about them? They're so nice and dark and rich. I can't wait to see the large focal print with them.

The question asked most often is, if you have shipping samples now, why does it take so long to see the fabric in stores?? Well it's printed after Holly reviews the samples, rolled on tubes and sent in a container by ship to New York. Upon arrival there's customs, plus Homeland Security to get through. Off to the warehouse it goes from there to be rolled onto bolts and then shipped to the distributors to.. well distribute to stores!

I just want to thank you all again for all the excitement and support for me. I appreciate it so much.  You guys are the greatest. xo 

Catching Up.

Good morning! Seems like forever since I was here! I've been a busy bee for sure, but I have also taken some time to buzz around too!

Last week Gina was staying in Half Moon Bay and invited us over for lunch at her hotel, The Ritz-Carlton! Frankie and I made the trip over, it's about an hour and a half from us, so really for bay area travel, just a hop skip and a jump to the coast.

The weather, like the company, was perfect! We had lunch in the Conservatory Lounge, and it was delicious! Gina arranged for a tour of the property, so we bundled up in some snugly blankets and took a ride in a golf cart taking in spectacular views and checking out the wonderful facilities! What an amazing place.  Then we took a brisk walk around the hotel, and spent some time in the chairs around the fire pit catching up on all that's new and enjoying the view.  We even saw a whale!!!

Later that afternoon, Hal, her husband stopped by for a visit, along with some of the other people there for business.  It was a perfect day! Thanks again Gina for inviting us over! See you at Quilt Market!

A Brief Announcement!

Tuesday

Good morning! Seems weird we're starting the week off on a Tuesday, doesn't it? Nice for a short work week though, unless you're forcing five days of work into four.

 

Did you have a good long weekend? Our garden clean up lasted longer than we thought, but it looks soo good. I'm so grateful that I didn't have to do all that myself.  While that was going on outdoors I  was busy working on my row-along row.  Have you joined up yet? 

 



Honestly, I'm not generally a big fan of "technique" sewing.. you know, those methods for making 20 half square triangles out of a square of fabric  and a unicorn's wish. Ok, so I exaggerate just a little, but  I think you know what I mean. I'm never successful with them,  it's totally me and not them. But seriously this method of stitching together big squares and ending up with a nice straight row of 1 inch squares is a delightful surprise! At each step I kept thinking that it would end up taking longer than was worth it, but it was so fast and accurate.  I would totally use this method again, and think about using it for different sizes.  GENIUS I TELL YOU.  Even if you don' t make this row-along quilt, you need to hop over and see Lori's method for yourself.

If you're stitching along, or even if you're not, there's a flickr group!  You should totally check it out! I'll tell you, it makes me so happy to see other people using PKM in their projects.

To that's it for today.  It's a busy short week for me.  AND IT'S GOING TO BE HOT AGAIN! Insult!  Outrage!  Ok, not like I thought summer was actually over but HOT! AGAIN!  Ok that's it for the complaining, for now.  Have a good day people!  xo

P. S. Sorry, no spell check ... good luck reading it!

Oasis

Happy Friday peeps! I'm particularly happy today because my backyard is getting a good clean up and it's the start of a long weekend! Bret is off today making sure the backyard work goes as planned and I just plan one thing...

 

...and it's going to be delicious! Hope you all have a fantastic long weekend! Enjoy and be safe! Tell me all about it next week!  See you in September!

P.S. Those candies.. well if you have a 'problem' with Thin Mints .. don't get one. Like me, you'll be forced to scour the town for them and when you find out you have the last one available in the whole town you'll be too traumatized to eat it. Just saying.

 



Blur

Don't know about you but Tuesday was a total blur for me.  What did I do, when did I do it? No idea. The one thing I do know was I had a nice lunch. 

I didn't make these enchilada's myself, well except the microwave part, but picked them up at the grocers. Tasty. And a complete treat.  

Have you seen what Lori is up to? She's got a Row Along project coming up, and it looks pretty fun. Have you seen it? Are you going to do it? She's got some cute fabrics lined up there, and I think I could shop my stash for it, like she did. I really like how she's broken down the selection criteria for her first row. Honestly, even if you're not doing it, it makes for interesting reading just to get insight into how to pick fabrics for a scrappy quilt.

Ok, that's about it here. Have a happy day peeps!

Daily news

So it's Tuesday, the week is perking along! Did you get a good start on it yesterday? I managed to get a lot of things done, including my block.

Unlike most months, I'm happy with it.  Of course the second I type that I realize, I'm probably not that happy with it. I'm more likely mixed.  Most of my blocks have a light background, so I was trying to keep the block light, but of course now when I look at the picture I just see HEY THERE'S A BIG BLUE SQUARE THERE.   I will say that even though my points don't exactly match, I feel pretty satisfied with them. Do you have a secret for matching a half square and a quarter square triangles? I find those challenging, probably because my piecing isn't perfect. But in real life it's visually on, and that's good enough for me.  (for the most part) (on any given day)

Are you making the quilt? I'm really looking forward to seeing how they all turn out. In the meantime I'm also looking forward to new projects. My personal yardage should be here next month, and I'm excited to begin sewing with Pam Kitty Love.
 

On another note.. GOOD WEATHER! Have a happy day ! xo

P. S. Yes I know, I think I'm cool with my fancy tape. I  actually have had this tape for ages, Frankie gave it to me in my Christmas stocking and I've been hoarding it. Why? Because that's what I do. I love it when I see the cute taped blocks, like here. Of course she's just darling anyway, but the little taped blocks, sigh. And hers are so nice and flat!  

Getting it done.

Good morning and welcome to the last week of August! The weather was perfect his weekend, I don't think the a/c came on once! What made this weekend extra good to me was the fact we managed to actually get some stuff done! Next weekend looks pretty promising as well! Yahoo!

Couple all that getting stuff done and finally figuring out some stuff that has been plaguing me on photoshop, I ended the weekend on a pretty happy note.

Saturday was Bloggers Block of the Month day, and this time it was Amy's turn. I really like her block and the simplicity of the cutting instructions! Hopefully I'll get on my block this week. Have you seen the flickr pool of blocks? I am really enjoying the fabric combinations people are using.

Hope you had a great weekend! What are you up to?

Routine

So what did Wednesday hold for you? I love back to school season, everyone seems so excited and energized. Long in the past for us, but I remember the reluctant return to a scheduled life. It has always been a better life for us though, I know a busy organized routine helps me get more done than my normal lackadaisical approach to each day.

Recently Melissa sent me this darling set, a little mat for my coffee and a sleeve for my french coffee press. I've taken quite a few pictures of it, but my coffee press is so water marked and gross looking I've finally decided that I won't detract from the set with it! It was a lovely surprise and I really like using it. (although carefully of course.  I DON'T WANT COFFEE TO GET ON IT.) Its a pretty set to start the morning off with and I always feel cheerful when I use it.
 

Today Bret has the day off and we're going to work around the house a bit getting things organized. The weather has temporarily cooled off so the timing is perfect! If I don't get back to you tomorrow, HAPPY WEEKEND!!! I will want to hear all about it on Monday! xo

Coffee and Granny Squares

Good morning! What are you up to? I had a fun day yesterday, meeting my friend Debbie for coffee. It's great to catch up with friends you don't see often. And even better, making plans for future meet ups. Only thing missing .. Famous Deb Silva, she's the other half of my sewing Debbies. Yesterday it felt like it was cooler than it has been. But more than that it seemed like the sun just wasn't so stinken hot. We sat outside for coffee and it was quite pleasant. I felt rejuvenated, but that could have been the effect of caffeine after noon, or  more likely,  it was  having a chance to chit chat with a friend that really boosted my morale!

The other day I pulled out my grannies. I don't know why it's taken me so long, THERE'S ONLY SIXTEEN OF THEM! I spent some time cruising through flickr and pinterest looking up granny square quilts and trying to decide on using posts with my sashing. I went with no posts, but of course totally doubt my decision.  Next up finishing up the sashing and deciding on the border situation.  There are some fantastic granny square quilts out there and I totally want to copy all of them.  My blocks are a bit 'flexible' so getting them nicely sewn together has been a time consuming challenge.. I want all those points to show. Maybe I'll be done with it later this week.

What are you up to?

Bounty

Hi there! What's new in your neck of the woods? Did you have a busy weekend?

My big exciting news of the day is some of my figs are ripe! I've had my eye on them and SUDDENLY Saturday they were dark and by Sunday midday there were a handful of ripe ones. I'm not a  fan of figs myself, but my mother LOVES THEM. This year has been the best year for them! Back in May when I went to Quilt Market and Minnesota for 2 weeks, Bret was in charge of watering, and when I came home the tree was loaded! Clearly he has a green thumb when it comes to figs.  

I'm sure that there were other things, I'm on a fig growing high. Maybe tomorrow I'll have some sewing to talk about.