Candyland

Candyland is my newest quilt -- finished it just moments ago and just in time to post in in the Modern Quilt Guild Michael Miller 2014 Challenge.  It measures 33" x 50"

I used three of the six fabrics to create this sunny little quilt.  I think I may add more quilting to it too, but first I must post it as tonight is the deadline for entering this challenge!

Additional info:  I started and completed this quilt in three days!  That must be a record for me, but then it does not account for the many weeks of pondering ideas once I received my fabrics for the challenge.  Since I began this quilt in the month of July, I am counting Candyland as my NewFO for the month of July.  The really fun fact is not only did I begin the quilt, but I also finished it in July -- although I am still considering adding more quilting and it still needs a label on the back (the official sign of completion, right?

For those who might be wondering, I did not place in the competition.  The winning quilts are superb and can be found by clicking here:  http://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/michael-miller-fabric-challenge-the-winners-are/

My star for NASA

I have made a star for the "Astronomical Quilts! Block Challenge" and here it is!

This challenge began when NASA Astronaut Karen Nyberg made her own star-themed quilt block while she was on board the International Space Station.  This special quilt block will be combined with other quilt blocks made (and submitted) by others attending the International Quilt Festival. The quilt made from all these blocks will be on display this fall as we celebrate the 40th anniversary International Quilt Festival!

You are invited to participate too!

The rules are simple:
1). Make/create a star-themed 9.5" square unfinished block (that will finish to 9" in the quilt)
2). Any and all variations on a star are welcome (traditional, modern or artsy).
3). Any color scheme and techniques are acceptable BUT do not add any embellishments!
4). Sign your unfinished block on the front with a permanent marker.  Include your name and your location.

LIMIT:  One Block per person!

Once you've created your unique star block, mail it by August 1, 2014 to

Star Block Challenge

Attn: Rhianna Griffin

7660 Woodway, Ste. #550

Houston, TX. 77063

The deadline is nearly here, so whip together a star block and mail it in now!

I can't wait to see the quilt made with all these stars.  I especially look forward to finding my block in this new quilt.  It promises to be a spectacular exhibit!

Oops, I still need to sign my block!

Modern Scrappy Twist

In preparing for my quilt workshop for my Houston Modern Quilt Guild friends, I struggled with ideas of how to make the very traditional "Scrappy Trip Around the World" quilt into one with a modern twist.

This is my first 'modern twist'.  Tell me what you think.

I confess, I wasn't taken with it at first, but so many have liked it that it is beginning to grow on me.  I have also spied the capital letter (upper case) "R". This is cute as I'm pondering whether to finish this little quilt as a gift for one of my two new great-nieces born this summer, but how do I choose between the sweet Riley Kate or the darling Ava Rose?  Please advise!

not Mi Tierra

Traveling around Texas recently landed me at a friend's doorstep, not at Mi Tierra, but rather at their home fondly named Tierra Fina. 
  

 I get  kick out of the funky decorative use of their upcycled cowboy boots!

Isn't this dainty patriotic angel, welcoming all who visit, simply charming?

This baby quilt, made for Dennis so many many years ago, is displayed simply and proudly in their front room.  I love this crazy quilt, especially the interesting assortment of fabrics.  Everything went into the making of this little quilt from silks and cottons to feed-sacks and other fabrics.  I wonder if the quilt was made by salvaging pieces of fabric from well-worn clothing, or from the left-over scraps from cutting and stitching garments brand new, or both?

One highlight of visiting Chela and Dennis was seeing gifts I had made and given to them years ago currently being used in their cozy home.  This little pillow was stitched up when we were all living in the Texas valley, where we met.  Chela and I taught mathematics in the local high school in Los Fresnos.  My, that seems like a million years ago now -- time has a way of flying by!

This quilt was started in one of the first classes I ever took at the International Quilt Festival after moving to Houston nearly twenty years ago.  It now resides on the back of the loveseat in their living room.  When we held it up for this photo, I was so surprised -- I am positive that my quilt was much bigger when I made it.  Can time also shrink reality?

Thank you Chela and Dennis for a lovely time in Bandera!  Kathleen, I hope you don't mind if I visit again before you return to Texas.

Roosters

Just some rooster fun - sighted while driving around the streets of San Antonio, Texas.

Is this a subtle reminder (to me) that I want to stitch up a chicken and rooster quilt one day?  Or am I fostering a new affection for roosters?

Fields of Blue

At long last, I am making new quilts for my sons.  They each are selecting the pattern and telling me their color preferences (and can even pull-out some of the fabrics I have selected to use, though I might over-rule them occasionally).

This post features Isaac's "Fields of Blue" quilt.  Here it is on the long arm in Pam Quiltaholic's studio.

If you are looking for someone to do your quilting for you, I highly recommend the talents of Pam Quiltaholic!  She excels at custom, free-motion quilting.  We talked over different options before deciding to use this pattern of meandering geometric squares and rectangles (see below). 

I am also dedicated to finishing projects this year, and am participating in (though not always posting by the deadlines) A Lovely Year of Finishes.  For the month of July, my goal is to put the binding onto a minimum of three quilts (possibly more ... but I might be getting ahead of myself).  Click here to see who else is participating in July.  You can see me at # 105.

In June, I made labels and stitched them onto four quilts.  Only one was made recently (start to finish); the other three have been finished for ages -- two residing on the back of my couch and loveseat in our living room!  Why is it that the quilts that seem to get finished (all the way to the labelling stage) the fastest are the quilts that are made for others?

Check back at the end of the month to see if I successfully reached my goal of binding three quilts, the first being "Fields of Blue" shown above (note: I'm not promising anything about the labels!)

Scrappy Garden Trip-Alongs

My traditional quilting bee, the Block Builders Bee, holds a quilt block lottery 8 months of the year.  This past February, the lottery block was based on Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Trips Around the World, in a garden version created by Betty Rivers.  Lucky for Betty, she won all the blocks in the lottery that month and made this lovely quilt.

Admiring her lovely quilt, five of us in the Block Builders Bee, decided to do a side swap, so I busily began making blocks for this side trade.  We were using Betty's variation, although Bonnie Hunter's original free pattern can be found by clicking here or looking on her website: quiltville.com  under the free patterns section.  She calls this pattern "Scrappy Trips Around the World".

There is also a Flickr group called Scrappy Trip Along which can be found here.  Take a peek in this group to discover and enjoy many variations of this simple pattern.

Soon, I am conducting a "how-to" workshop for this block for my local Modern Quilt Guild.  This means that I am busily stitching up several samples.  The first two are now at my quilter's being quilted (Thank you Pamquiltaholic!).  Here is a photo of each before I added a final 1 1/2" border to them.  

I call the first quilt "Diagonal Garden Rows" and the quilt below I call "Scrappy Garden Strip Along"

I am now working on more samples and variations as I race to finish before my workshop!