Day and Night...

Guess what I'm doing!

Give up? I'm starting a new project! Yep, that's right. I still have three hundred unfinished projects, and I'm starting a new one. I'm not giving up on my owls, and I'm not abandoning my Farmer's Market, and yes, I'm going to finish my pizza box quilts, but just one more tiny, queen sized project...yes? ; )

  

Actually, there's a reason I'm starting this new project right now. Sharon Guthrie from the wonderful Gutherie' Quilts in Colcord, OK, is offering a class this Saturday. If you haven't ever been to Guthrie's, you're missing an incredible shopping experience. The shop is hidden down a long, curved dirt road and is in an old house, but it is crammed to the rafters with incredible fabrics - especially batiks! And by the way, when I say crammed to the rafters, I really do mean crammed to the rafters. One definitely needs a ladder to reach the bolts stacked up on top of the highest shelves. What doesn't fit is placed on the floor and leaned up against the bottom shelves. If you manage to get a bolt out of a shelf, you may need a helper to get it back in again! What fun! I love shopping there.

Oh, sorry, I was supposed to be talking about my upcoming class.

Two years ago I was on a bus shop-hop trip sponsored by Sager Creek Quilts and Yarnworks (another of my favorite shops), and I won Eleanor Burns's new book (new at that time anyway) Day and Night. No, I didn't win it in a lottery. No, I didn't win it by having my name drawn from a hat. Actually, mumble, mumble, I won it by spending the most money on the trip, mumble, mumble. But you should have seen the fabrics I got! Anyway, back to Day and Night. I loved the pattern (You can see it pictured above), but I never got around to making the quilt. It requires a special ruler (provided in the book). I blush to say that if I can't make a quilt using my trusty 8 1/2" x 24 1/2" rectangular ruler and my 6 1/2" square ruler, I probably won't make it. Pretty sad, huh?

The quilt that I've shown above is the one we're going to make. It's the 4-strip, 3-color version. The queen sized quilt top takes 17 1/2 yards of fabric! That should help my stash numbers! Now if I could just decide which fabric to use... That's my assignment for tonight.

The quilters I know all tell me to take every class I can. They say they always learn something new at each class. I think I have taken...hmmmm...maybe six classes in the seven years I have been quilting. I haven't gone to a single retreat in almost two years. Yep, I think it's time for a class. And since it's only $20, who could pass it up? I conned Mom into coming with me, so there should be six of us there. My husband is off to the races with a friend tomorrow, so I have the whole day to go to class, then sew some more when I get home. I can always do the laundry on Sunday, right? And the dishes. And vacuum the floors. And get ready for the first day of school on Monday... Hmmm, maybe this is why I don't get to take classes very often...

I'll let you know how it goes. And what fabric I chose. And whether I'm ever likely to finish it. : )

Oh, did I mention I bought seven new quilt patterns on Craftsy yesterday? Well, I do have all of that fabric I need to use...

Until later,

Debbi

I have a new pattern!

First a photo of the finished top of my tree. I ironed it last night, but the current wrinkles are compliments of Sinbad who can't seem to resist sleeping in/on the tree.

Now. Finally. My new pattern (I've been waiting oh, so patiently for a month now - ha!) just arrived in the mail yesterday. I won't tell you how many e-mails I sent to Hancock's of Paducah asking them where my pattern was. Okay, so it was only two, but I thought about sending one EVERY SINGLE DAY! Are you ready?

Ta-da! Its the Farmer's Market pattern from Laundry Basket Quilts 2011. Isn't it great?

 Top.

Bottom. Double click on the photos to enlarge them if you want to see the pattern better.

I'm trying to convince Mom that we need to do this quilt together. (Actually I'm a little intimidated by it as a project just for me, but don't tell Mom that.) Since there is so much coping going on in this pattern, it won't even matter if our sizing is different. We'll "cope." I think we ought to agree on a color scheme and draw from our scraps and stashes. We both have plenty. Mom hates half-square triangles, and I love them. Mom loves log cabin blocks, and I hate them. See? It's perfect! Five years or so from now we may actually see it completed (smile).

We're enjoying such a beautiful spring, that I thought I'd show you a few more flower shots.

I saw these white buttercups on the side of a stream while my husband, mother, and I were walking the dogs.

Above is my husband's beautiful American Beauty rose from California. This rose bush is covered with dozens of black/red, frilly blossoms. They're so large and heavy that the canes are bending to the ground.

I can't remember the name of this rose, but my sister bought it for us for my husband's and my anniversary about three years ago. Its scent is just as beautiful as its color, size, and shape. I love it. Thanks, Sis. 

My Gertrude Jeckyl rose isn't in full bloom yet, but give it a day or two. This is an old-fashioned rose and has lovely pink blossoms with a wonderful strong scent.

Another shot of my beautiful dark purple irises. These are three blossoms together.

Another rose whose name I've forgotten. This one does not have any scent, but it looks beautiful and blooms proficiently.

And one last shot of the bi-colored buttercups. These blossoms are both from the same plant. I must admit I prefer the yellow, but the white does have novelty on its side. : )

I'm shooting for some leaves on my tree tomorow. Well, actually, I'm "sewing" for some leaves on my tree...

'Til then,

Debbi

Future projects

This year is all about finishing UFOs. I really have to finish some projects. But...

Those of you who know me, know that I usually design my own quilts. I often get inspiration from patterns in books and magazines, and I've even been know to actually follow a pattern a time or two. I LOVE patterns; I'm just not very good at following them. With that said, I bought two new patterns that I just HAVE to share with you.

I bought this pattern from Hancock's of Paducah. It's called "Multifaceted" from Cozy Quilt Designs. It was designed by Daniela Stout. Don't you just love it?!? It's a strip based pattern. I hate strip piecing. I hope I can get over that prejudice long enough to try this pattern. Really, don't you just love it?

Speaking of prejudices, I have always hated even the thought of doing applique. As those of you who have read my earlier posts know, a very dear friend of mine (Diana - the world's best appliquer that the world's never heard of), offered to teach me. I just couldn't say no. I'm now finishing the hand quilting on my first applique, an African mask wall hanging. I'm a novice. So what on Earth possessed me to buy this oh-so-complicated looking pattern? Have you seen these owls?

 Are they not the sweetest things ever? Look at those eyes! Look at those fun colors!

And look at the one in the hole! I needed some hand work to take with me to guild and club meetings, so this is what I chose. The pattern is called "Life's a Hoot!" by Bits 'n Pieces  (http://ajpadilla.com/ - angie@ajpadilla.com). I bought it off of Craftsy (my first purchase from this site, but not, I'm sure, my last!). Do any of you have this pattern? Am I going to hate myself forever for trying such a large project? Oh heck, I can't wait to start!

And since I don't have children, here's the gratuitous kitty photo... I set my computer on the floor while I went into the other room to talk to my husband for a few minutes. When I returned, Tessie had taken my seat and was staring fixedly at the computer screen. It only took one look for me to realize that she was waiting to pounce on my screen saver! It kept moving all over the screen and changing colors - obviously a new kitty toy!

'Til later folks...

Debbi