Quilts and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

I haven't been able to do much quilt-related work this week. I babysat for my grandson every day (except today). I have REALLY enjoyed my time with him. (I HAVE NOT enjoyed getting up early every day!)

This is Cade. He has quite a good imagination. That is my ergonomic back support he is wearing on his back. He explained to me that he was playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and my back support is his shell! He's a sweetheart. He told me, today, that he needs a summer quilt; his winter quilt is just too hot. I guess I'll get busy on that. Who can resist that sweet little face.

Today, I DID get a little "work" done. I pin basted a large table runner/bed runner.

I also got a quilt cut out. (I have ANOTHER quilt retreat coming up in August and won't be home much before then.) I got all the supplies for this one (on sale) from Craftsy. I love the fabrics. Even the binding fabric was included in the kit. I have found the Craftsy kits have REALLY nice fabric, and they are VERY generous with the amount of fabric included. I have a good start on another quilt with the leftover fabrics.

I took my Metamorphosis I piece to my friend, Kathy (of Elements) to be framed a couple of weeks ago. I decided not to put glass over the piece, because I remember a blog post by Kathy Loomis commenting on how she hated the glass covering a fiber art piece in the Form Not Function show at the Carnegie in New Albany, Indiana. I agree with her on that point. I like to be able to clearly see the texture of fiber art work. I'll be picking it up on Monday. I'm anxious to see the finished piece; I picked some really bright colors for the background and mats. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.

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Weekly Pattern Wednesday--Number Four

This is my fourth drawing in a series of 100. I'm linking up with Lynn Krawczyk's blog Smudged Textiles Studio for her Weekly Pattern Wednesday. Come play with us, and be sure to check out everyone else's drawings.

This is the first drawing in which I've used any color. I like the red focal point. I enjoy working with red, black, and white.

 

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Quilt Retreat--The Third Retreat for the Month

Retreats are just the best--spending time with friends, doing what we love to do, eating great food. Obviously, I just can't get enough of them. Eight of us got together last weekend (June 2015) at Eleanor Burns's Retreat Center in Paducah, Kentucky. Most of the attendees are from Tennessee; I'm from Indiana, and Robin came in from St. Louis. These are the girls. (Don't even ask what Tanja (in the pink) is doing in this pic!!!)

Show & Tell at retreats are THE most fun. I am always amazed at the variety of projects everyone brings to work on. Here are my pics from this retreat...enjoy.

I worked on eight "postage-stamp" blocks (each block consisting of 36 two and one half inch squares) for a Block of the Month. I finished my "Science Fair" quilt top, and ...

I got this piece cut out, the half-square triangles made, and the layout put up on the design wall.

Several of us chastised Pam for BUYING a UFO (Who needs to buy them? Everyone I know has plenty to spare!); however, when it was finished, we were all jealous.

She got a lot done; here are her other pieces.

We were all coveting her fabrics.

Debby (award-winning machine quilter) is another one who gets a lot accomplished.

This is a community project quilt for which PUPs guild members made the blocks. It turned out beautifully.

This little wallhanging was made with a leftover T-shirt from a T-shirt quilt Debby made for a lucky girl. This will be a surprise for the recipient.

Tanja was REALLY focused and worked on HAND quilting the ENTIRE time.

She got a lot done. Her hand quilting is REALLY beautiful.

Robin loves handwork. She worked on an award ribbon that will be given at one of her guild's shows. I know I'd be happy to win this.

This is her latest wool project.

She also worked on binding a quilt.

Jan makes lots of quilts for her friends. This is a gift for one of her lucky recipients.

Judy worked on this quilt for her grandson. It contains LOTS of activities for him to do and includes a backing made of "road" fabric to use with his cars.

She also finished a batik quilt top.

When I started putting pictures in this post, I realized that I didn't get ANY pictures of what Pam R. was working on. She worked on several projects including (but not limited to) an English paper pieced hexagon project and a very intricate Judy Niemeyer pattern. I HATE that I didn't get A SINGLE picture of her gorgeous quilt blocks. Sorry Pam!

Some retreats are good for quiet reflection and work on art projects, some are good for working on traditional pieces, and some are good for working on VERY simple things to give your mind a break. Retreats are ALWAY good for renewing friendships, getting great tips, and rejuvinating creativity. If you get a chance to go to a retreat, JUST DO IT!

 

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Just a Little Scrappy Work

Awhile back, I worked on using up some of my HUGE scrap pile. I recently "rediscovered" the blocks and put them up on my design wall. I think I'll go ahead and sew them together at my next retreat. I like the interplay of darks and lights. I'm thinking I might use it as a background for something--we'll see.

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Weekly Pattern Wednesday--Number Three

This is the third drawing in a series of 100 I'm working on. I'm linking up with Lynn Krawczky's Weeky Pattern Wednesday. Come on over and take a look; better yet, join us.

This is a drawing of a quilting design I often use. I like the curvy flow of this design.

 

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Finished Table Runner

I finally got something totally finished. I have been working on a table runner for my daughter-in-law for awhile. My goal was to have it completed in time for us to take it down to Arkansas for her birthday--mission accomplished!

Since my new Juki sit-down quilting machine was delivered, I hadn't had any time to play with it. I was home for a little bit, so I thought I'd give it a go. I know it will take a lot of practice and some getting used to, but I have a few complaints. I had trouble with the tension. I'd get it to a point where I thought it was fixed, and I'd have trouble with it again. That happened throughout my whole quilting session--very frustrating. The other complaint is that I can't find out where to lower the pressure on the presser foot. Maybe it doesn't do that. I had trouble getting over anywhere that several seams meet. If I could reduce the pressure, I think that would help. Anyone know anything about these two probems? Of course, there was lots I loved about the machine--nice stitch, lots of table room, lots of room from the needle to the machine head. Quilting is MUCH easier; there is WAY less pulling and pushing the quilt around.

Anyway, I persisted and finished the table runner. I'm hoping I get LOTS better with my Juki, but (all in all) the table runner looks pretty good. I hope she likes it.

I even used lots of the leftover fabric for the back.

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