Final Day of Quilt Camp News

Mary sent me a note that included the correct name of the pattern used for the quilt below.

 

I had mistakenly called the pattern "Whimsical", but it's real name is "Wistful".  After looking again at Mary's version, I can understand why I made that mistake.  Can you?

 

And another mistake was in the measurement I gave for ME's quilt block which I said was 10".  Lucky woman, the block finishes at 17".  Unfortunately I forgot to ask her what the name of the quilt is.  Sigh.  Maybe she'll mention it in her comment tomorrow.

 

The final quilt to mention is my own.  This is the Farmer's Wife quilt about which I have bored you off and on again for - well, it's been a long time.  For those of you who have made any portion of this quilt, you understand that it is challenging in many ways.  I haven't made it any easier for myself by not sewing on the set-in triangles as I sewed the strips.  There's a simple reason; I didn't have fabric for those triangles until I found some at Joyful Quilter over the weekend.  By then, I just wanted to sew. 

 

It's a good thing I didn't add them because here's how the quilt looks on our bed:

 

There is enough to drape over the pillows, but we do not use our quilts in this manner.  Instead we prefer the coverlet approach where the quilt is just covered by the pillows (only a minimal border at the head of the bed) and hangs down on all sides to below the bed rails.  Then the extra pillows wear  shams made with fabric or blocks that coordinate with the quilt.  I will need to "unsew" three rows!  For the setting I now have in mind, the extra rows will be used in the border.  All is well.  It's just more work.

 

Why am I not surprised?

Day 4 of Quilt Camp

You were warned that you would see more chickens in the entries about the Quilt Camp, and here's the one I was talking about.  Sandy (in room 2) made this version of "Square in a Square", a pattern by Marlous, and I do think it's clever, don't you?  Look at the close-up, and I'll bet you'll agree. 

And I also told you there would be another Marrakesh quilt.  Sandy (in room 1) made a single strip wall hanging in browns, if you remember, and now here is Mary's version of the same pattern - only larger.  This is a quilt that will be auctioned for the benefit of the Knights of Columbus, and Mary wanted the quilt to be one that could be used no matter what the color the bidders' rooms might be.  Black and white is about as neutral as you can get and makes a stunning visual statement so it's bound to attract many bids.  The sideways photo was taken that way to avoid irons and bags etc.  However, I thought you really should have an opportunity to view this quilt as straight on as possible so you could get the full effect.  So here are both photos. (Do remember that you can click on any photo to see it in a larger format!)

 

Mary also whipped up this stunner.  The pattern is called Whimsical, and with Mary's collection of Kaafe Fasset fabrics it's just as cheerful as can be.  It's another pattern that I think would work with any collection of fabrics in any color way.  Try to imagine it in the Japanese daiwabo fabrics with a dark background in place of the white.  Or a collection of greens on black . . .  The possibilities abound!

This little beauty by ME is so pretty, and its colors really don't seem to show up very well.  Be sure to click on this one to see it larger.  Again, I'll have to ask her what her block size was because, like Lisa's baskets yesterday, this one is made up of three miniature blacks, and I really haven't a clue what size they are.  ME, tell us in your comment, please!

You will also appreciate knowing that this little wall hanging was taken from ME's UFO pile.  She sewed the set-in triangles during Qlt Camp, and by now I'm sure she has the borders on, too!

 Or maybe not because here is what ME is focusing all her quilting energy on these days.  This block is 10" and will make a variation of Irish Chain that is called something pretty that has nothing to do with chains.  I absolutely love the light batik ME chose (white with the palest of green).  You can't tell in the picture, but the white batik glows as though it were a Fairy Frost fabric, but it isn't.  The looks "like-black-to-me" fabric isn't black.  It's a green so dark it looks like black until you peer closely at it.  Try to imagine this block as it would look surrounded by identical blocks.  Wow!

 

My camera also did not pick up the correct colors of Pam's quilt, but the second photo is a little closer.  This is the second "mystery quilt" present at this Qlt Camp, and as I told you yesterday, I've got to pay more attention to mystery quilts.  This one is quite beautiful even though its color scheme might not appeal to many at first (and I can say that because I would not have snatched it off the shelf after a first glance).  It seemed to be a quilt that is saved by the red fabric. But over the course of the three days, I found the subdued tones of the other colors growing on me.  Plus the pattern is such a winner, and Pam's elegant and accurate work make this a head-turner!

Tomorrow I will finish with the inventory of quilts at the weekend retreat so stay tuned for the final day!

Day 3 of Quilts from Quilt Camp

Maureen made at least two gorgeous tote bags this past weekend, but I didn't get a picture of either one.  That's too bad because the fabrics and color combinations she chose were striking.  I wouldn't have minded carrying one into the library, quilt shop, or grocery store at all!  Anyway, I did manage to get a photo of the baby quilt she is making.  The blocks were on the design wall and not yet sewn together, but you can see how perfect this is for a baby!

 

Virginia started this lavender lovely at Quilt Camp and finished it there, too.  She used only a jelly roll in the colors you see, and at first I was a bit sorry because while the blocks looked very serene, I didn't see any "pop".  That is, I didn't see any "pop" until she had it up on the wall all sewn together.  It's still serene but also far more dramatic than I realized.  I hope ME wrote down the pattern name because I know someone in my family who would really like this one!  By the way, it's another quilt that non-traditionalists would be attracted to and would be wonderful in any color way.

Ginny's daughter-in-law, Lisa, attends quilt camp, too.  Joyful Quilter happens to be the perfect location for them to meet as it is half way between their home towns.  Lucky for us!  These two ladies keep us hopping - just wait until you see what Lisa brought with her!  These are in no particular order, but the one below is "Rambling Rose" by Marti Mitchell (wish I'd been quilting when this one was introduced!).  Lisa put the borders on it during quilt camp.  She thought we were joking when ME and I said that either one of us would be glad to take it home with us.  Sigh.  It went home with Lisa.

I asked Lisa to put up the next one if she had it with her.  It's a paper-pieced and from the book Bella, Bella.    While it isn't finished yet, you can see it is quite unusual.  Pat was kind enough to bring the book in so I could look through it; the quilts are all based on mosaics and are amazing.  We're hoping Lisa will finish this so she can teach it.

Then, just for fun and giggles, Lisa whipped up this batik wall hanging - such a simple pattern, such a striking result!  It's another I'd gladly have in my house.

 

And, just in case you might think Lisa didn't have enough to do . . . Here is a miniature quilt she thought she might get around to finishing over the weekend.  No, it isn't paper pieced, and no, I didn't think to measure the blocks, but I'd guess 2" x 2" without the pink borders.  ME, do you think that's correct?  Whatever the size, it's just perfect!  Lisa, I do hope you find the time to complete this quilt so you can display it and reap the benefits of all your hard work!

 

When you become tired of it, I know a good home for all those little baskets . . . . .

More Quilt Camp Photographs

I can't believe I covered only 3 quilters in yesterday's blog!  Oh well, today I won't have to give you a lot of explanation about the weekend and/or my plans for these entries so I'll be able to add another quilter in this entry.

It did my heart good to see Joan again; I think it was a year ago when ME and I first met her.  This time she was working on an English paper piecing project.  It is the currently very popular hexagons, and the diamonds Joan stitched at the bottom really make this quite a special piece.  In the second photograph the colors are truer.  Joan has been working on this in odd moments for about a month.

You may remember that I mentioned Maria yesterday.  She's the one who made that awesome label for Patricia.  She is working on a machine applique piece called "Sweet Liberty", and I really hope I have that name right.  This wall hanging is constructed in several pieces and put together at the end.  Maria, please bring the finished work to the September gathering.  I know there will be several current campers who will want to see the finished piece.  Don't you love the cake?

Maria also introduced me to a fusible product on which you can print your applique shapes, cut them out, and then fuse them on your chosen fabric. Terrific idea for those of us who also enjoy machine applique. 

The wall hanging at the left in these warm shades of brown was made by Sandy, and I think it was one of three projects she had going over the weekend. 

 

The pattern's name is Marrakesh, and you will see another example of it in a later entry.  What I find so interesting is that because of the reversal of colors, the squares seem to be of different sizes, but they're not.  This pattern has an optical illusion built in, and I think it is also one suitable for those who prefer a more contemporary look in their quilts.

 

Sandy also made the wall hanging below which was a mystery quilt.  I don't usually see many mystery quilts, and I've never done one myself, but two people brought mystery projects to finish up over the weekend.  Again, you'll see a second one later, and you will appreciate what a wide range there can be in mystery quilts.  I forgot to ask Sandy if she had an opportunity to see the fabrics before she decided to take on this wall hanging. 

Now on to the quilters in the second room.  That room, while the same size as the first, seems a bit larger.  It has more available work area because there is no kitchen so nine people worked in there quite comfortably. 

Pat is the undisputed queen of charity quilts.  She explained that she has gifted everyone in her family several times over so she turned her focus to charity.  It's a wonderful way to be able to continue to make quilts!  This one really caught my attention because the fabric in the center was new to me.  Pat says it's not new so I guess I had just missed it.  But isn't this terrific?

I love the reversed churn dashes that frame the New York State fabric; it's a good design idea and perfect for setting a cheerful mood.  Whoever receives this one will have a lift to their spirits as well as a good time looking at each block to see all the different NYS sites featured.

Pat is also known for turning out several works in a short amount of time.  Here's another bold, graphic quilt in progress:

In addition to working on her own projects, Pat helped me more than once figure out the layout of my "on point" quilt; the upside down chicken was not her fault!

Quilt Camp at Joyful Quilter

This weekend another Quilt Camp was held at Joyful Quilter and was attended by 15 devoted quilters.  It was a rousing success (thanks to owner Susan and her cohort)!  It seems to me that all of us attendees worked hard, ate amazingly well (thanks to our chef "in residence" Diane!), talked a lot, laughed well and often, and shared expertise with friends new and old. Finally and at long last I remembered not only to have camera on hand but also to ask for permission to use the resultant photographs here on my blog. 

 

Today begins a tour of the projects worked on during this delightful experience.  But, before I begin, please remember that the photographs are sometimes taken at odd angles in order to avoid including ironing boards, sewing machines, tables, elbows - you understand.  The lighting might affect the color depending on the time of day a particular photograph was taken, and basically, all errors are mine so apologies to the lovely women with whom I spent the weekend for any mistakes I have made.  Let me know and I will correct them if I can.

 

In the room where the kitchenette is, there were six women: Deb, Patricia, Bronwyn, Joan, Maria, and Sandy.  Some of these ladies I knew before (Deb, a fellow teacher, for many years of taking the YA literature course), some from brief acquaintance from quilting classes, pajama parties (also held at JQ), or Quilt Camps, and a few I met for the first time.  If I am lucky, our paths will cross many times in the future.

 

Deb was working on a contemporary quilt - very graphic in design and using today's favored palette.  Do I remember either the name of the pattern or the book from which it came?  No.  But it is in a book of modern quilts that JQ does have in stock.

Deb's contemporary creation

The bag in the foreground is not part of the quilt (!).  There are six blocks across in this photograph; on the far right Deb has a strip that shows the eventual setting for these blocks.  I had a good time discussing which were our favorite blocks with Deb.  Even though the colors are so closely related, each fabric added a subtle difference to the block.

 

Patricia chose some gorgeous blues for her quilt "Phoenix".  I think the opalescence of some of those fabrics created some havoc with my camera as the color in the phoenix photo is not what it should be.  My apologies to Patricia. 

This is the Phoenix for whom the quilt is named.

The label was sewn by Maria for Patricia and has a funny story all its own, but it isn't mine to tell.  You'll have to ask one of them to tell you! 

Chickens were the order of the day for Bronwyn, and I think she won't mind if I tell you a little about the "back story" for these quilts.  Bronwyn is making them for her daughter who lives in Chicago and who at one time raised chickens here in our area.  After moving to that mid western city, she told her mother that she missed her chickens, and what does a good mother do?  She provides her child with her heart's desire: Chickens in Chicago!

 

This one is Tessellated Chickens and Bronwyn told me that figuring out the math in this one was a challenge.  All I can say it that it's a good thing it was she doing the math, not me.  Her daughter would never have received the quilt! 

Here are funky chickens in this one compared to the realistic (even though tessellated) chickens in her first one quilt.  I really enjoyed the border fabric she chose for this one.  Unfortunately I didn't take photographs of the backs.  Bronwyn makes wonderful quilt backs in order to make the quilts reversible.  Ah, but where does she sew the label?  I'll have to ask her the next time I'm fortunate enough to see her.

And this is only the beginning of the wealth of quilts I plan to tell you about and show you over the course of this week - or however long it takes. 

Stay tuned for more!

 

Basement Clean Up Begins - Again

My body is telling me that I am neither as young as I once was nor in as good shape as I once was (well, sort of good).  This morning I spent several hours sorting through bins, drawers, bags, and boxes in my "once more into the fray" cleaning in the basement.  And I can feel that labor now.

 

However, much to my delight even that small amount of time brought both satisfaction and visible improvement.  Our garbage container is half full (too bad yesterday was garbage day!), there are four bags of assorted fabrics and craft supplies to donate to a favorite group of ladies and/or their guild/s, and two bags for Good Will. 

 

While there is a lot to do, I feel better about this task than I have in our last attempts to bring order to the downstairs "storage facility".  This time the things I want to keep will be heading for a place specifically for them instead of merely remaining in the basement.  This time the entire area will have to be cleaned out not just my section.  And, most importantly, this time the job has to be completed - and soon!

 

Part of our construction project is the installation of a new furnace (in the basement, of course).  This one, instead of being positioned on one wall as the original one was, will be in the center of the basement for better heat delivery.  It won't have to work as hard to get heat to the new room over the garage.  Therefore, if people are going work down there, they will have to have not only a place to work but also a place to put the furnace.

 

I certainly am not going to impede their job in any way.  I don't care how sore I feel now, I will keep plugging away at the clutter.  Come next winter I will be spending many hours in my new studio, and I do like to be warm!

Spring Plants and Trees

Have you noticed how plants at garden shops sell out earlier and earlier each year?  I can remember not so long ago we were able to find what we wanted well into June.  Now, even though the  ideal planting time for our region is around Memorial Day, tender annuals are gone by Mother's Day - if not before.

 

For that reason, I spent a good portion of my morning prowling the aisles of one of the local garden shops looking for basic annuals.  I was in luck and came home with morning glories, zinnias, snapdragons, and petunias.  It was too early for asters so I'll have to go back for those.  However, with what I found I know we will have a succession of bloom in the garden.  Spring flowers are almost spent, perennials will cover late May, June, and early July, and today's annuals coupled with the bulbs I planted over the weekend will get us through August and into fall.

 

Back to spring, though.  D has worn me down, and I have agreed to let him chop down the apple tree in the backyard.  I love it because D dug it up from the old farm land on which our development was built and part of which was still undeveloped behind our house when we moved it.  I like that history and continuing the connection with the original farm. Its bloom and sweet perfume endears it to me, also.  However, it carries a fungus (or something infectious and bad for trees) that spreads easily to some of D's bonsai so it has to go.  Here are the last photos of that tree in bloom:

 

Even though it is not fully open, it does look pretty behind our garden.  The following ones are close ups of the blooms themselves in the mid and upper tree.

 

 

 

And the next photograph is very special.  This is the first time D's bonsai apple tree has bloomed.  I ran out and took this picture today in the rain because I was afraid the rain would damage the blossoms if I waited for better weather. 

Next year, the only apple trees in our backyard will be the bonsai ones, and I hope they will be healthier.

Farmer's Wife Blocks Finished!

While I showed you the Woody Woodpecker yesterday, it was only one of my excitements for that day.  Yesterday afternoon, I finished the last blocks I need to fill out my Farmer's Wife quilt.  Trust me, that was huge!

 

This particular quilt was started in the fall of 2009, and a group of us worked on it together as a club.  Since I was one of the leaders of the club, I had to make the blocks (assigned by me) each month.  By the time we all agreed to end our endeavor, the few of us left (ask someone about that quilt and the patterns for the blocks; I bet the story you hear won't be a happy one) had made quite a few of the 111 blocks in the book.  Many of them more than once!  I would imagine some of those ladies were able to complete the size quilt they determined they wanted to make.

 

Not me.  I had made 110 of the 111 blocks for which there were patterns (one never would go together correctly for me, "Night and Day"), but I had decided I wanted to make this a king-size quilt.  That meant I needed 145 blocks.  There was no way I was going to make more of the blocks from the Farmer's Wife book, so I designed some of my own, used a few that didn't make it into my "Daisy Makes Do" wall hanging, and turned to Judy Hopkins book for the remainder.

Here they are:

 

Here's a test.

 

1. What color do you think I want to feature in my quilt?
2. What color combination/s do you think I like best?  There several possible correct answers.
3. How many of the above blocks would you rate as Beginner?  Intermediate?  Challenging?
4. What is the significance of the answer to question #3?
 

The next time I see you, if you have the correct answer to question #5, you'll win a prize!

 

Pileated Woodpecker

For years I have watched the Downy, Hairy, and Red Bellied woodpeckers at our feeders with great enjoyment.  I knew from thumbing through bird identification books that was another, larger woodpecker but never saw it. 

A couple of years ago, our next door neighbor called me over to his front yard to see a huge hole and pile of wood chips at the base of a tree.  I couldn't imagine what could make such killer hole without an auger.  That was when I decided I had to see a pileated woodpecker for myself. 

For two years in a row, I caught glimpses of this very large (17 inches) bird with quite a formidable beak from a distance.  Never was I able to get a picture of it because of the distance and the fact that he doesn't stay still for more than a moment at a time.  Being so conspicuous, he must have to move constantly to avoid predators. 

 

This year, he is surely making himself very unpopular in this area  

 

because his pecking is incredibly loud - especially when he tries his beak on metal or roofs or chimneys or our neighbors gas grill.  Wonder if insurance covers that sort of damage?  Just imagine the call.

 

"I'd like to report extensive damage to my gas grill."

 

"Okay, sir, what is the exact nature of that damage?"

 

"A bird has made holes in it."

 

"Do you mean the grill has holes caused by bird shot?"

 

"No, I mean a bird has made the holes."

 

"How could a bird make holes in your grill, sir?"  Barely audible whisper, "Get the supervisor.  I've got another kook on the line." 

 

It could only go down hill from there, and I'll leave the ending up to your imagination.

May Gardening

Oh my, I do hope no one had to stay inside all weekend; it was simply to beautiful to have to endure that!  One thing has become apparent - my plans for painting and sewing will slow down now that spring gardening must be done!

 

Here are photographs from this weekend in the garden (I planted spring bulbs and perennials).

 

In the morning sunshine, this gorgeous fritillaria has an equally lovely shadow.  It reminds me of the shadow of a palm tree I photographed while on vacation in S.C.

 

In the shade garden, the white trillium cast no shadows, but their whiteness lights up the dark corners.  And daffodils again, KM, sorry, but the later ones are some of the more spectacular ones.

 

These lovelies are sold as pink, but I think they're more apricot than pink.  It doesn't matter; the hybridizers are doing remarkable things with plants now.  I still remember swooning over the King Alfred daffodils - ancient history now!  And clearly this is another shadow picture.

 

Today among other things I planted Peruvian daffodils (over the past few years they've become a new favorite of ours).  Tomorrow I will plant some pink spider lilies (Nerine - amaryllis family) that I haven't grown before.  They are supposed to bloom in the late fall - early winter.  Now won't that be a treat!  Also planting Montbretias, Ixias, and Sparaxis, but no Acidantheras.  We haven't been able to find them locally which is too bad because I really like them.

 

"Facing the Wall"

Today among other things I planted Peruvian daffodils (over the past few years they've become a new favorite of ours). Tomorrow I will plant some pink spider lilies (Nerine - amaryllis family) that I haven't grown before. They are supposed to bloom in the late fall - early winter. Now won't that be a treat! Also planting Montbretias, Ixias, and Sparaxis, but no Acidantheras. We haven't been able to find them locally which is too bad because I really like them.

Daily Doings

No photos today because I spent time outside actually doing garden things and inside doing house things none of which was very interesting.  Okay, I spent a lot of time outside just wandering around enjoying the sunshine and all the plants that are shoving their way out of the ground.  No polite, "Oh, excuse me, I'll just wiggle up an eighth of an inch so I don't inconvenience you."  Right now it's, "Whadya mean, I clocked you with my elbow?  Get outta my way!"  Maybe next year I'll take measurements of our lily-of-the-valley plants each day.  They are truly surging up out of the ground!

 

I was able to spend time today working on the extra blocks I need to complete the Farmers Wife quilt.  Since I wasn't getting anywhere with applique blocks, I've turned to Judy Hopkins book 500 Quilt Blocks and am choosing relatively simple and quick blocks to make.  I'll have to recount, but I think I have only six more to make. 

 

And this evening I spent time on my CzQ block (which is why applique holds no appeal at this moment). 

 

Pictures of those two - Farmer's Wife blocks and the CzQ block - will appear at some point next week.  Painting may slow down with the advent of spring; I'll have to wait and see.

 

Happy weekend!  Make sure to play outside.

D's Hobby - Bonsai

Companion Piece

A change of pace is called for today.  The weather is so very beautiful and spring-y this week that I haven't spent very much creative time indoors.  Indeed, all I did inside today were mundane chores not worth writing about or even thinking about!

Rocks are Important

Since you've already seen some of the daffodils, I thought you might like to see what D is up to.  First of all, you have to know that his special "hobby" is bonsai (pronounce Bone'-zi, please) or the art of miniaturizing trees.  Earlier in the week, I went out to look at his collection of trees which he had just brought out of winter storage.  All except the tropicals are now outside basking in the sunshine.  It's still too early for tender tropical plants (bougainvillea, sago palm, etc.) so they're still in the house.  But here is his "bench":

 

Pussy Willow Tree

This is the back side of the bench, and I chose to show you the pussy willow tree seen in previous entries.  It's hard to pick out from all the greenery, but you might be able to see the new spring growth from the branches D cut back.

"Big Boy" still in winter mode

This is a tree D won in a raffle years ago, and it is infected with galls - a very common affliction and very difficult to get rid of.  I was a bit concerned with how very yellow this plant looks, but today D spent the entire day working on this tree.  It is now 60% re-shaped and re-wired with all the dead and sickly branches pruned out.  Once it is fully re-conditioned, I'll take another photo to share with you. 



A "root over rock" specimen

In the previous paragraph I mentioned wiring.  This root over rock tree shows its new wiring very plainly.  Trust me, this takes a very long time to do and to do right.  By the way, that is not a live turtle, but doesn't he look at home there?

 

This

rather ungainly looking specimen has

such a wonderful shadow, I couldn't resist showing it to  you.  It has recently had its needles clipped back and all unnecessary bits removed.  Once it has grown for a month or two, it will look much better.

 

And since I talked about D's bench, here is a picture of it.  He had just watered the plants, and you can see the water dripping off the bench.  Bonsai need to be watered every day and sometimes, depending on the weather, more than once a day.  They are planted in a gravel mixture, not soil, so water goes in and drains right out again.

 

If you are interested in learning more about bonsai because you think you might want to grow some yourself, check the subject out on-line and in your library.  If you are still interested after that, find a bonsai club in your area.  Do not purchase a plant from the grocery store or shops in the mall.  Those plants are cemented in their pots and will not live.

 

And I am not an expert.  What you have just read is what I have picked up by attending meetings with D and listening to others talk.  Some of it is sure to be inaccurate - so do check around if you're interested.