Wild Olive

Syncopated Rhythm - 1st UFO Finished!

2012-01-31T21:37:00.000-08:00

Well! First finish of the year! I'm glad Judy over at Patchwork Times picked a small quilt ... I'm sooo out of practice.

Here's a picture of the back, where you can see the quilting a little better. But don't look too close!

Several ladies in my quilt group want to UFO along with me... should be fun!

2012 UFO Challenge

2011-12-31T21:11:00.000-08:00

Wow it's been a long time since I've blogged. Life sure took a different turn - and totally derailed my quilting of any sort. Well, we're in a new house, kind of settled, it's a new year, and maybe time to get quilting again. I've been reading about it tons... just not doing any!

Time to join in Judy's 2012 UFO Challenge! Some of these are ones I didn't get to last year, and some are new. Some are fairly small, and a couple of them are huge! Could be interesting!

1. Baby Flannel for Church

2. Bright Valorie Wells Flowers

3. Coffee Quilt

4. Jar Quilt

5. Syncopated Rhythm Batik

6. Syncopated Rhythm Kids

7. Turning 20 40's Laundry

8. Chinese Lanterns/Courthouse Steps

9. Nine Patch a Day (back, border and quilt)

10. Hawaiian Charm (back, border and quilt)

11. Lilac Quilt (back and quilt)

12. (Nine Patch Exchange (back, border and quilt)

Almost Finished UFO

2011-07-01T07:17:00.001-07:00

Almost Finished UFO, a photo by theercs on Flickr.

Argghh! I almost made it - just finishing the binding. But it's been one of the more wild months I've had in my life - so I'm thinking that what I got done is more than I expected.

I liked the quilting pattern I did. Had trouble with the thread breaking constantly. Tried different needles, different threads, etc. Finally, after MUCH breakage, and quitting for the day, I discovered that it could just be that I'm trying to go to fast (imagine that). I did the last section more patiently and slowly, and guess what... no breaking!

I'll post another pic when it's all done... but this will have to do for now!

Replacement finish!

2011-05-27T10:30:00.001-07:00

Replacement finish!, a photo by theercs on Flickr.

My #9 UFO for Judy's challenge was NOT going to make it this month. I didn't quilt it early in the month, and the end of the month brought unexpected travel. My friend Sherri suggested swapping out for something I could actually accomplish. What a wise woman! Hand't thought of that.

This is just "lazy baby stitch" with minkie back folded over as the binding. I already had it basted, so it only took me a couple of hours! I'm so grateful for quilting friends to help you along!

Baby Quilt a la Stack & Slash

2011-04-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy busy month, so I was grateful that Judy selected an easier (read "smaller") one for me this time - #4! Someone at my quilt group had originally started this one. I made some more blocks to make it big enough, and this month I quilted it! I used freehand butterflies out of the book "Laura's Little Book of Machine Quilting Designs." I've really enjoyed this book for giving me ideas for quilting... I get so stumped on that sometimes!

Here's a close up of the idea... the butterflies have echoed wings, and most have antennas. I can see that I still need to work on my spacing when I'm going freeform, but it was pretty good.

I was trying to use fabric that was in the "Baby Quilt Bin" from our group and of course, ended up with a pieced back! It'll help the baby learn more colors, right? :-)

Four for four! A miracle for me! But moving on my UFO's has helped because 'an object in motion tends to stay in motion', right?

Betsy

Getting There!

2011-04-13T07:39:00.001-07:00

Getting There!, a photo by theercs on Flickr.

The quilting is done on this little baby quilt. I started out thinking I was going to just do the "lazy baby stitch." It's the loose zig zag that I've done on several baby quilts - fast and easy! However, because of the angles and rectangle shape of these blocks, I couldn't picture it looking very good in the end. If I did it from corner it just added too many more "angley" lines. If I just did it on the horizontal and vertical lines where the blocks line up... kinda boring, and I'm not sure it would be enough quilting.

So back to free motion it went, which went pretty well. I kind of liked the "enhanced" butterfly design - adding a second echo around his wings and adding antennae most of the time (although I see a few in the pic that don't have them) added a little pizzaz to the butterfly.

I'll post again when it's completed... just trimming and binding to go! Yeah!

Betsy

Apple Crisp Quilt Done!

2011-03-31T18:30:00.001-07:00

Apple Crisp Quilt Done!, a photo by theercs on Flickr.

I can hardly believe this is done! The pattern was named Apple Crisp - it hasn't told me what it's real name is going to be yet. I started this at a quilt retreat in September 2002. Wow.

I don't know what possessed me to to a ton of quilting on this, but I guess I was inspired by Leah Day's quilting designs. I picked several that had a "center" type design, practiced a little and just went for it! No marking on most. It was actually fun after a while, and turned out pretty well. The border I just kind of winged. The fear factor definitely had so much to do with my ability to quilt!

The back was the usual "use it up" method - extra blocks, and two panels that came with the fat quarter stack.

So glad to have this one done. The quilting took me 4 days, and I wasn't sure I was going to make it! Judy's UFO Challenge is working. Yeah!

Betsy

Quilting in Action

2011-03-19T21:09:00.001-07:00

Quilting in Action a photo by theercs on Flickr.

One of the great up-sides of spray basting (my new favoritest way of basting a quilt) is that there aren't any pins to remove as you go, which always get in my way, and often get sewed over. I learned this cool method from Patsy Thompson's website... it's been a life saver, and a back saver!

It's Beginner Video 2. Maybe this will help you too! Betsy

UFO #10 Complete... A Long Time Coming

2011-02-25T07:02:00.000-08:00

Well, I've kept up with the Judy's UFO Challenge for 2 whole months in a row! We'll see how it goes down the road, but that's pretty good, for me!

I started this quilt in February of 2005 (it should take 6 years to finish a quilt, right? - and it's not even the oldest one). My quilt group did a mystery quilt - a Debbie Caffrey pattern. It was "Undercover Houston V." (Oh, now I've spilled the beans on the mystery!) It was fun to do this together as a group - each person's quilt is so different!

I finished the top years ago, but as usual, got stalled at the quilting part, and put it in the "to be quilted" basket. Even on this quilt I got my sewing room all set up for quilting (table extension out, Juki out, bobbins loaded, iPod ready), and then was the living room doing something very "important" on my computer. My husband observed "You don't like this part, do you." I think avoidance is a great tactic! I guess that's why it took 6 years to finish this one!

Here's a photo of my typically "patched" back (gotta use up more of that fabric, you know).

And closeups of the quilting. I'm not a stellar quilter yet. Maybe this year of finishing one a month will improve my skills! I have an idea in my head, but somehow my hands don't always want to cooperate.

Anyway - I'm so glad it's done! On to the next project! Betsy

Baby Boy Quilt (in lieu of #6)

2011-01-28T11:14:00.001-08:00

Baby Boy Quilt
Originally uploaded by theercs

OK... for the Judy's UFO Challenge I got out my #6 quilt to do the quilting. When I put it up on the quilt wall to mull over quilting designs, it had totally wavy borders. Very weird, because I'm usually fairly careful about that. Well, due to weeks of illness, etc., I ran out of time to get that one repaired and quilted, so I opted for still completing one that was a bit easier.

This one was already basted, and needed for the church babies soon, so I was able to complete it at our Quilt Retreat at Seabeck Conference Center. We had such a wonderful weekend, and it was fun to accomplish a few things! I also did the repairs on the original #6, so I should be able to get that one quilted soon as well!

So, off to an OK start on my UFO completion goals! And a fun retreat to boot! Hopefully I can keep it up!

2011 UFO Challenge

2010-12-29T22:49:00.000-08:00

Judy over at Patchwork Times is hostessing a UFO Challenge for 2011. She's going to have us aim for finishing (up to your own interpretation) one quilt per month.

Every year I kind of check my list of UFO's, but don't always get too far in completing items on the list. When I went looking in my quilt room at my UFO's, it turns out I have soooo many quilts that just need quilted! Tops are made, backs are made, binding is even made for most of them. The ONLY thing they need is quilted. (Can you tell that part makes me nervous?)

I decided I'm going to bite the bullet and aim for quilting one quilt a month and get those things out! Some are small and not so scary (like for charity), so I can start on one or two of those, right?

Here's my list. I just chose alphabetical order. Judy's going to draw one number out of a hat each month and we'll work on that one! I know... there are 13... but I just wanted to list every one that was basically ready to go.

1. Apple Crisp (top, back and binding done) - started September 2002

2. Baby Boy dogs (top and back done) - started September 2010

3. Baby Boy turtles (actually basted) - started April 2010

4. Baby Flannel stack & slice (top, back and binding done) - acquired January 2010

5. Baby Flannel for church (top and back done) - acquired November 2010

6. Bright Valori Wells Flowers (top, back and binding done) - started January 2006

7. Coffee Quilt (top, back and binding done) - started January 2002

8. Hip to be Square Amy Butler (top, back and binding done) - started January 2010

9. Jar Quilt (top, back and binding done) - started March 2000

10. Mystery Quilt 2 Coffee (top, back and binding done) - started February 2005

11. Syncopated Rhythm Batik (top and back done) - started January 2008

12. Syncopated Rhythm Kids (top and back done) - started June 2008

13. Turning 20 40's Laundry (top, back and binding done) - started September 2007

In Memoriam

2010-10-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

My sweet quilting buddy Sigmund passed away in August. I've been so sad I can hardly stand it sometimes. I've gotten back in my quilting room a little, but still just doing superficial stuff. That's OK for now though - I'm sure I'll get "serious" some time soon. I miss his tail swishing dangerously close to the rotary cutter, and his totally wanting to just lay on whatever it is that I'm working on at the moment. I'm kind of hoping that blogging about it might get me over the not-blogging hump... not that I'm a stellar blogger anyway. Man I miss him.

My Favorite Quilty Helper

2010-06-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Sigmund (aka "Siggy") really loves to "help" me when I'm quilting. It generally consists of laying on what I'm doing, swishing his tail into the path of my rotary cutter, scaring me half to death jumping over my head to get to the window - you know, helpful things like that. But I'm not sure I could quilt without him!

Off Topic (for me anyway)

2010-04-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

I did a little side project that was completed today. I don't usually do that much that's crafty, but these were so cute, and I have an occasion to give them! I used this Heather Bailey Pattern. Pretty simple, even though I'm not that used to sewing things that aren't flat.

By the way, if you haven't read Click, Clack, Moo, you really should. It's really a cute book.

The new GPS came and so far we've found 2 caches with it - fairly easily too! It works so much better under tree cover than the iphone does, it's not even funny. We feel much more successful now! Whew!

Betsy

Today's Quilt Wall

2010-04-12T21:18:00.001-07:00

Today's Quilt Wall
Originally uploaded by theercs

I got a baby quilt top started today. It's not really laid out yet, just stuck up on the wall. But it sort of matches my shakers on the shelf above! Huh! I wish I got this much done every Monday!

Yesterday I tried this recipe for Baked Ravioli (without the sausage or beef, and spinach ravioli), and it turned out pretty good! Actually better tonight as leftovers (like many baked pasta dishes).

Our geocaching has been very unfruitful as of late. Unable to find, closed trails, kind of frustrating. We have a new GPS on the way - I'm sure that will solve all our problems!

Betsy

All the Way from Australia!

2010-04-05T21:00:00.001-07:00

From Jenni!
Originally uploaded by theercs

Jenni and I had a little exchange, and she sent this wonderful gift from Australia, with real Australian fabric! It's so interesting, and has cool little ants on it! So much fun!

Finally!

2010-02-22T08:23:00.000-08:00

I finally got poor Maddie her quilt! I think this baby quilt is a little late, considering she's probably close to about 3rd grade by now! (Just kidding...). The idea was from Alex Anderson's baby quilt book. There are some cute things in there!

And a typical Betsy Back:

I'm hoping her mom let's her play with it!

Betsy

Wouldn't this be fun? Or would it...

2010-02-11T05:51:00.000-08:00

I've been reading about a woman that's going to do a tutorial/quilt-along to do this quilt, originally in an LL Bean catalog.

Does that seem like something fun to do with all those little scraps I've been collecting (and many of you have been so generous to donate), or just crazy? She is going to simplify the method... not just all single squares, but some kind of strip piecing. I really like the simpleness of this quilt... no borders or anything.

Check out her blog posts about it: Handmade by Heidi and her Postage Stamp Quilt-Along.

Betsy

I need to change phone service

2010-01-31T21:04:00.000-08:00

I might need to change phone service, just so I can get this phone!

Not completely unproductive...

2010-01-03T07:54:00.001-08:00

Slama Quilt
Originally uploaded by theercs

I kind of feel like the holidays were a whirlwind of activities - although somewhat less stressful than usual. I did manage to start this quilt about Thanksgiving, and finish it by day after Christmas... pretty good for me! And something finished... and labeled (which I forgot to take a picture of)! Now back to all those other Works In Progress...

Wool Block #1

2009-12-20T07:35:00.001-08:00

Wool Block #1
Originally uploaded by theercs

OK, so it's been forever since I've posted. Life just gets in the way sometimes. And sometimes I don't feel that I have anything profound to say.

I thought I'd show you one of the things I've been working on. This is a wool block made from some of the wool I dyed earlier. It's all handwork, and kind of fun and fast to do! Hopefully I'll have more to show soon - there are 16 in this quilt, plus a fancy border!

Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season! Enjoy your family!

Betsy

What I did today...

2009-09-14T21:01:00.001-07:00

What I did today...
Originally uploaded by theercs

I made tomato sauce! It took longer than I thought to cook down, but turned out well. I'd never peeled tomatoes, so was kind of nervous about that, but it was cinchy! Now... what shall I use it for...

Betsy's Buggy Barn

2009-09-06T07:46:00.001-07:00

Betsy's Buggy
Originally uploaded by CBCCQ

I had so much fun making this quilt top. The Buggy Barn stack & whack method is so liberating! Not sure if the top is done yet. If you wanted nap under it, it's a little skinny, so I may add borders. We'll see. Anyway, I'd definitely make one of their patterns again!

Up to 63!

2009-08-28T09:36:00.001-07:00

The previous 33
Originally uploaded by theercs

I've been working on making a nine-patch a day. OK... there's often quite a few days in between, and then I make a few... but I've decided there aren't any rules. I've got almost enough to make a good size quilt! My plan is to put white sashing between them all - I got some cute white-on-white fabric for it on Shop Hop! My quilt group has be farming me lots of yummy scraps, and many of them are in here too! Anyway... it'll be interesting when done. I've got lots of brights, but definitely not all... kind of eclectic mix! It's been easy to do, bit by bit!

I've been soooo Busy!

2009-08-18T07:51:00.001-07:00

Agates?
Originally uploaded by theercs

There could be agates that I've missed... must keep looking!

Dyeing wool

2009-07-20T20:45:00.001-07:00

Orange dyed wool
Originally uploaded by theercs

I can hardly believe how long it's been since I've posted. Molly and Micha, this one's for you! I think since the UFO challenge got completed, everything seems a little ho-hum.

However I did get to take a wool dyeing class last weekend! It was really interesting. I don't know if it's something I can do myself later (lots of supplies and tools I don't have), but it was fun! Now, the instructor took the wool home to steam set it (one of those tools). So I'm just waiting to get it back - I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Lego Week!

2009-04-27T14:55:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, we went to the Goodwill. We don't usually frequent it, but for some reason Steve was actually agreeable, so off we went. Here's what I found, and check out that price! $3.99!

Oh my! I thought it would be just a case, or just a case full of other junk, but look what I found inside!

Can you believe it! I'm never that lucky! And, I don't know who you are Tommy, but I'm glad you grew up, and passed your Legos on to me!

And to top it all off, my co-workers gave me flowers for Admin Day, and what a wonderful vase! It just makes me smile looking at it!

What a happy week! Betsy

My new...

2009-04-20T14:03:00.001-07:00

Don't you just love my new... guess what it is!?

It's a small ironing board that Steve helped me make. (Actually I just directed, he did all the manual labor.) It's just a thin layer of batting and 2 layers of muslin over a piece of wood we had in the garage. I wanted something small and hard, and didn't want to care if it got dirty (which this is already!) - trying some fusible applique. It works great!

I watched The Quilt Show show with Sue Nickels, and got so inspired to try her applique method. I'm giving it a try on a quilt I'm making, with totally annoying applique - I've tried 2 other methods unsuccessfully so far. Hers looked fun and limitless! I'm excited and will show you when I have something accomplished.

This is my final entry into the Companionship Quilters 2008/2009 UFO Challenge. It's called Donna's Scraps Dots - made totally from a friend's quilt scraps that she no longer wanted. It turned out OK! And one more thing off my UFO list!

Hope you're having a wonderful week so far.

Betsy

Cute Cat Pics

2009-04-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

The cat at Lazy Gal Quilting's blog cracks me up!

Locker Hooking (on National Quilting Day)

2009-03-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

OK, so it wasn't quilting, but yesterday, on National Quilting Day, I took a Locker Hooking class at a quilt store. Close enough, right?! Considering that we were out of town, and I didn't have ANY supplies, it went pretty well. The quilt store (Greenbaum's Quilted Forest) did an amazing job of pulling things together for me at the last minute (literally).

The instructor, Lorraine, and my classmates, Brenda, Fran and Debbie, were way nice. I worked during class, got home and hooked like a madwoman, and created this rug! OK, it's only about 6"x9", but pretty good for learning, and only one day! Our class was called the Happy Hookers, and next door was the Strippers class! Risque place, that quilt store! ;-)

It's a great type of project - easy to do, and uses up all those scraps! Couldn't ask for more!

Betsy

Sew Expo Treasures

2009-03-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

I wasn't even sure I was going to Sew Expo this year. I always say that I don't need to, but when it gets here, I always feel compelled to go! I didn't buy too much this time. Some thread (Superior Threads, of course), and this kit. It's a Hip to Be Square kit from The Pine Needle (of Lake Oswego, OR). I can hardly walk by their booth without being sucked in... happens every time. Anyway, I now have one more UFO, but I'm so excited to start! I hop I like that pattern, because I now have 3 of them to do!

My favorite quote today: "JoAnn's is the Voldemort of quilting - the store that shall not be named." - Debbie @ quilt class

Betsy

70's Quilt Done!

2009-02-22T16:10:00.001-08:00

OK, this quilt doesn't really look like the 70's that much - it's just what it got named in the process. When I think of the 70's, I just picture lots of different patterns/colors that don't necessarily go together so much. It's definitely the busiest quilt I've ever made!

The pattern is super simple - kind of a "stack & slash" style pattern. I started this at a retreat... a really long time ago... years maybe.

And even the back is a huge mish-mash of fabric. I hoped to get a little cohesiveness out of the green strips... It's still really busy!

Anyway, it's done, big, and my new "retreat quilt." I like it because it covers my toes when I nap (don't you hate it when the covers are too short?).

Betsy

Retreats & Baskets

2009-02-10T20:46:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love quilt retreats?!

Our quilt group had a retreat recently, and I got a bee in my bonnet (as my dad used to say) to make fabric baskets for the ladies. I saw this tutorial by Pink Penguin, and thought it sounded so cool. I'd also seen several others that people had made, and just had to try it! I made one for my mom too! I did some with the patchwork style, and some with a "panel" instead (not quite as cute, but faster)!

Carmel Corn definitely makes the whole thing better! They each got a bag of their own!

betsy

Holidays

2009-01-10T19:37:00.001-08:00

We did survive the holidays... whew! So much snow and flexing schedules - going back to work sadly brought some "normality" back to life.

I did finish a couple of quilts over the holidays. Most importantly, Julie's One Block Wonder. I had so much fun working on this quilt... it was really a challenge to lay it out, and fun to quilt!

Here's the label:

and the back:

As soon as I got done with Julie's, I decided to make one for my niece Annie. It's cold in NY, and she's far away from family, and needs a cozy quilt to cuddle with. In all the hubbub of Christmas, this is currently the only picture I have of it completed (that's Annie underneath it).

and a small one of it in progress... Hope to have that remedied soon!

Neither were UFO's, but I had fun anyway!

One more UFO done!

2008-10-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

I got my "Donna's Scraps" quilt done! Yeah! I'm really pleased with the way it turned out, even the quilting! (Thanks for your help Val!)

I've got a Snuggle Quilt quilted and the binding on, too...just needs the binding tacked down! And I got Maddie's quilt quilted/bound too...just more tacking down! Whew!

betsy

Mail, and a little help...

2008-10-08T21:33:00.001-07:00

I got some new toys in the mail today! I watched a show on The Quilt Show about doing machine applique that looks like it's been done by hand. Got me all inspired to learn how to do applique on my machine...can't wait to start!

Do you have a quilting helper? Mine - Sigmund - is so very helpful. It's especially nice when he swishes his tail around where I'm rotary cutting or under the sewing machine needle. I've warned him that this may not be the best for his look, but I don't think he's listening.

I got a couple of baby quilts quilted! I'll show pics when they get the binding finished!

betsy

Batting Scraps

2008-10-05T15:15:00.000-07:00

I've been kind of wondering what to do with batting scraps - you know, those "medium" sized pieces you cut off after you get done quilting a quilt. I found this fun website that shows 101 things to do with leftover batting: Quilts N Kaboodle.

This was the funniest though:

Betsy

Waiting

2008-09-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Isn't waiting hard? You have no control. You can choose to be anxious, tap your fingers, sigh a lot, and wiggle your feet. Or like this guy, you can just wait. He wasn't anxious. He was just waiting. I wish I could do that with God more often. He's especially hard to wait on sometimes, since He knows the outcome, but hasn't chosen to let me know what it is. Like this pup, I would like to take a deep breath, and just hang.

I Spy's Completed!!! And more...

2008-09-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

OK, it's not a ton of headway, but I finally got some quilting things done this weekend. The most important was that I finally got the kid's "I Spy" quilts done and labeled and even washed! They're so cozy now...waiting for their new homes. I can't wait! I hope they like them. Do you wonder sometimes if you do all this quilting, and they won't really care? I guess so what, I had fun!

I got the back of 2 quilts made...Donna's Scraps baby, and this one, Turning 20 40's quilt. This one I had started a year ago, and ran out of fabric, and therefore all my momentum. It's ready for quilting! (Man the "quilting" basket is getting FULL - better get on that!)

I put this top together. I spent tons of time trimming blocks last Saturday on FQD, and now have an actual top. And I got the back designed out of my scraps...yeah!

I'm coming to realize that my attention span is fairly short, so getting all this done in one weekend is so satisfying!

Betsy

At the Fair, and on another blog!

2008-08-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

We went to the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, and while Mom's quilt didn't get the grand prize ribbon, it did get to hang in one of the few spots where you can actually see the quilts! (Most get folded over, and there's not much to see.) Yeah!

My quilt got on someone else's blog! Fun! It's at The Calico Cat. That's a first for me (that I know of).

Shae's baby quilt got a blue ribbon, but wasn't displayed nearly as nicely:

We also saw a few:

And ate a little...

All in all, a good day! Betsy

APNQ Quiltfest

2008-08-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

I went to the APNQ (Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters) Quiltfest - their biennial juried quilt show. It's big, and really pretty amazing! This year it was at the Convention Center - much more room than at the Seattle Center in the past. There are so many types of quilts, it's really kind of overwhelming. From modern pictorial like these tulips:

to traditional geometric:

to fun:

to really traditional (I loved this one - really had an antique feel to it):

this fun one for my hubby's benefit (being a Beaver and all).

One of the coolest parts for me was an exhibit of antique quilts owned by In the Beginning Fabrics/Sharon Yenter. They dated from about 1825 on...wow! You couldn't take pictures of them, but they were in the background of one of my photos. They were just yummy.

Here's a link to all my pics from the show. TTFN betsy

Camping

2008-07-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love the beach? Especially the ocean beach! I love all the color and pattern I find there. I'm sure I'm not going to probably make a "sand dollar quilt", but the cool pattern on them makes me think about it!

We went camping this last few days at Grayland State Park (in Grayland, WA). It was a little on the chilly side, but there were a few sun breaks. We got ourselves some pie irons at Cabelas on the way down, and had a couple of excellent meals! Fun to try something new!

Sisters Trip

2008-07-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Sue and I had a great time at Sisters. I really liked some of the quilts:

Saw lots of One Block Wonders (all made out of a single fabric):

Saw some fun quilts by Jane Sassman:

Some interesting art quilts:

Saw some quilts in a gallery:

And collected a few treasures:

You can see all of my pictures on Flickr. Exausting and hot, but fun and so inspiring, Sisters is always fun!

Betsy

I won something!

2008-07-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

Can you believe I won something? On Shop Hop! This store is kind of funky, and in a bizarre place, but wow!

This is kind of late, but didn't we have a cool view for the fourth of July? We were up on Renton Hill, and could see 4 different show: Elliott Bay, Lake Union, Renton, and Bellevue. And no traffic trying to get out! I love fireworks! I'm not sure how blowing up a bazillion dollars worth of fireworks honors the birth of our country, but it's fun!

Shop Hop

2008-07-06T07:19:00.001-07:00

Shop Hop was pretty fun this year! I definitely went about it with more gusto than usual. I went alone on Thursday, with Kathy on Friday, and with Loris and Lorraine on Saturday! 34 shops total, plus a few that weren't even on the "official" list. Whew! I did spend too much - as always. And added to my UFO list. Bummer. But fun though!

This is the official Shop Hop fabric. Each shop gives you a pattern and fabric to make one block when you get your passport stamped. Ultimately you can make a quilt out of all the blocks you collect. I bought some extra fabric to go with, since I never seem to have enough to finish the blocks I collect:

This is most of what I bought - a few kits, and some cute red gingham fabric to make a "picnic" quilt.

These are some of the "toys" I bought - a larger Add-A-Quarter ruler for paper piecing, a shiny new Angler (mine was getting really torn up), and a few patterns (can't resist).

And this is some fabric I bought for Steve. It's not the same as the original "Jell-O Jams" he had when he was a kid, but it's the closest I've found so far. The Jell-O Jams are kind of a legend in his family - I've heard about them since the first time I met his family! I don't think there's enough here for pants (Steve's kind of long), but maybe some sleeping shorts? We'll see.

All in all, Shop Hop was fun. The finds were great, but I enjoy the time with friends most of all!

Some quilting done!

2008-07-04T10:22:00.001-07:00

I got about 3/4 of Shae's quilting done! Yeah!

Tacoma Glass Museum

2008-06-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

For Ferry Day (our staff "get away" day - used to be on a ferry), we went to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. What a cool spot! So many beautiful things to see there. Glass is pretty amazing! This display is Dale Chihuly glass in the ceiling on the bridge across the highway. It would have been even better if it hadn't been raining.

My boss says that this one would make a nice quilt...hmmm...I'll have to mull that one over. I love all the color!

My favorite part of the day (besides the Spaghetti Factory afterwards) was the Hot Shop. It's so amazing to watch glass being made. It changes so much as it goes along. And takes a whole team of people working on a single piece. The man describing the process was great too - it helps to have someone explaining.

John Filey was the artist of the day. The piece they were making was really interesting - I'd have liked to have seen it competed. Apparently there was some cutting that was going to happen when it cooled down.

I could have stayed there all day...really interesting!

Quilt Retreat

2008-06-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

Boy it was nice to get away to quilt retreat! We tried a new house at Lake Cavanaugh - nice house and cute lake! Quilt retreats are generally very refreshing - a time to get away from "regular" life and just be a little creative. No UFO's completed...but one worked on!

Some of our completed projects:

Today...no sewing, but fun!

2008-05-23T21:34:00.000-07:00

Today I was off, and so was Steve! Man we had fun today! We had the best breakfast I've had in a LONGGG time at Maltby Cafe. Maybe it's because we haven't been there in a while, but I think it was the best we've ever had there. My scramble (chicken rosemary sausage and sun-dried tomatoes) was excellent, the potatoes were just the right mushiness, and the bacon was done superbly! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!

Then, to top it all off, we went antique shopping for a while up in Snohomish. We don't usually buy a ton (except additions to my small cookbook collection), but today I found this treasure! Can you believe it?! It's so cute - millions of yo-yo's, with another pattern of yellow yo-yo's - made of lots of lovely 30's and 40's fabrics - and in great condition! I'm so excited! It's evening now, and I'm still smiling!

One Done!

2008-05-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Berry Strippy #1 is done! Yeah! I finished the binding on our trip home from watching our niece Anne graduate from Willamette (and a little during a Mariners game on TV). I so can't believe she's graduating from college already - she was one of the two cutest little flower girls in our wedding, and I can't possibly be old enough for her to be that old! Man, where does the time go?

So nice to have one of my UFO's actually done! It's been "almost done" for a really long time.

Yesterday at Friendship Quilting Day I got LW's quilt back done finally! (LW is short for Little Wolfe - my nephew's current nickname - pronounced "L-Dub". We kinda figured "Little P" wasn't very dignified for a little boy.) Now I just need to get the kids quilts together!

I also got started on my row - coming up with the "correct" idea is always the hardest part!

Well, I'm off to barbecue with the family (Dad's birthday and LW's birthday) - the first barbecue of the year!

Betsy

Progress

2008-05-06T07:13:00.001-07:00

Well, a little more progress was made yesterday. Trying to use up fabric I have for the back (and still save some for binding), here's what I came up with. I also started on Wolfe's - it will be similar, but a vertical arrangement instead. Yippee! Let's hear it for moving forward!

I might get to teach these two quilts at a friend's studio. I've never really considered myself a teacher, so we'll see...

It's Back!!!

2008-04-24T22:05:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited that our camera is finally home!!! So I can finally show you this picture of what I've been working on...sort of. I can't show the real thing yet - it's still a surprise! In our quilt group, we're making quilts where 5 other people make rows for your quilt, but we won't know what any of them look like until they're all done. It should be fun!

Quilting for another

2008-04-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

I've just been quilting for another woman in our quilt group that has 2 small boys, and therefore not so much time! Our quilt group has been making quilts for the babies dedicated at our church, just about since the group's inception. People seem to appreciate it, and we definitely like doing it. Baby quilts are just the right size for getting done!

It was interesting quilting a quilt that I hadn't created myself. The whole thing was so new to me - not some project I'd been working on for months. Just seemed kind of fresh - new blocks, new fabrics, new ideas.

Quilts on Display

2008-04-04T19:39:00.001-07:00

At our quilt group meeting this week I got to be the "interviewed quilter of the month." This included hanging up my quilts to show. Kind of fun...I've never seen so many of them together at one time. It was fun to remember how I made them, and why. Most of my quilts have lots of sentiment to me...it's hard for me to make them any other way.

Distracted?

2008-04-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

This is what we did last night - got me a bike! Yeah! And it was actually not snowing, so I could try it out! We went for a ride tonight...no sewing yet. But boy, my seat is not used to being on a bike seat.

I had a hunch they weren't done yet...

2008-03-31T15:47:00.001-07:00

I had a feeling they weren't done yet - just not quite big enough to make a fort out of yet (isn't that one of the primary requirements for a kids' quilt?). A piano key border should help! Kind of fiddly, but it'll be fun!

Wolfe's I Spy top is done

2008-03-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

Well...Wolfe's top is done! I guess...how big do you make kids' quilts? I want them to be not huge, but big enough to "last" for a while, and big enough to be part of a fort...you know! Anyway, it's done for now, and Nina is in the shop (bummer).

Wolfe's I Spy

2008-03-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

OK...now to work on Wolfe's I Spy! Yeah! (still considering whether or not Shae's is done yet...)

It's nice to have a helper to give their opinion as you go along - and Sigmund loves to give his opinion.

And here's with the first sashing laid next to it...Oh bummer, I see something I really want to change - it's a good thing I saw it now! That's what I get for changing my layout on the fly! (Oh, Ginger, you can see some of my shaker collection above the quilt here.)

One top

2008-03-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

The top of Shae's I Spy is done (I think). I like the pink as the "background" - I wasn't sure I would, but it turned out nicely! Now, on to Wolfe's!

Arrrgghhh!

2008-03-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

I made some progress on Shae's before we left on vacation. However...

Have you ever had the simplest thing that you just can't seem to figure out?! I kind of drew up this pattern myself on EQ, and was trying to use my picture to figure out the sizes of borders I needed...and I did it wrong twice! Once too short and once too long. It's simple math! Arrgghh! This is the pile I came home to after vacation:

I'm sure the break will have cleared my mind...right?

Instead of Sewing...

2008-03-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

OK, since I've got sooo many UFO's, here's what I've been up to instead:

OK, that's not me out there - we were just watching from the pier (although I wish I knew how to surf). Here's what I'm really doing at the moment - sitting on my hotel deck in Huntington Beach, CA looking at this spectacular SoCal view:

Nothing like a little R&R to get you back in the mood for quilting!

UFO's Overflowing!

2008-03-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

Since our church quilt group, Companionship Quilters, is going to have a UFO Challenge this next year, I thought I'd try my hand at blogging, and document my progress - we'll see how it goes. The UFO challenge all started because I made a "portfolio" of my completed quilts. While it's great to see that I have accomplished something, the one portfolio isn't even full, after 10 years of quilting! I commented on this at our meeting, and Lisa Powell said "maybe we should have UFO challenge again." Which, as I mulled it over, sounded like a really great idea for me!

The first order of business for the challenge is to document my UFO's. Sounded fun, until I started writing down all the projects I actually own fabric for - not even counting the fabric "stash" I seem to have acquired over the years. The grand total came out to...you'll never guess...62 (count them, 62) Un-Finished Objects! This totally shocked me!!! Fortunately, all of them are things I still like, and have a desire to finish. This sooo motivated me to get going on them - which is different than my usual "I'm so overwhelmed, I'll buy something new" response.

So here are some of my Un-Finished Objects...

and the one I Spy in progress for my niece. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the Overflowing UFO's!