Sister's Choice Quilts

Moving House

 
We got some great news last week!  Our loan has been approved, and all systems are "Go" for our move to Angels Camp later this month!  I am deliriously happy and want to start packing boxes immediately.

I need to hold off a week or two however, and get myself organized.  We should take possession of the new house around June 19, but there are a number of projects that must be tackled before we are ready to move in completely.  Projects such as painting, getting some custom cabinetry installed, and most important, getting my quilting studio up and running. 

There is much to be done, and while I plan to continue blogging throughout the moving process, my regular posts may be interrupted.  The subject of the posts will surely be more focused on the move and renovations, and quilty topics may be in rather short supply until I get settled in.  If you are interested in following along with my activities over the next month or two, please come on by and see what I am up to. 

Beach Cottage

 
OK, this is kind of a cheat, since I didn't really sew any of the blocks together this past weekend.  I did get the blocks up on the design wall though, and am pretty happy with the look of them.  Still need to tweak the arrangement of those dark blue units though.  They need to be dispersed more harmoniously thoughout the quilt top.

In fact, I see a block (second row, third block unit) that has to go completely.  That weird check is standing out like a wart on a witch's nose, and I do not like it.

The pattern is "Beach Cottage", yet another fabulous one, from Kim Brackett's   "Scrap Basket Surprises" book.  My blogging friend Wendy in Florida emailed me to say she had taken a class with Kim in the last week or so, and that an amazing time was had by all attendees.  If you ever get a chance to take a class with Kim, go for it!  I know I will!

Hope to get these sewn together this weekend if I don't go up to visit Sara.  Which I am very seriously leaning towards doing.  I need a bit of distraction from matters at hand here on my planet.  Time to visit hers!

Great quilting suggestions yesterday for the Ridiculously Cute Basket Quilt.  Wish I could learn to think like you long arm gals do!

Happy Thursday friends.  We are headed into a nice long holiday weekend!

 

 

Ridiculously Cute Basket Quilt

Bonnie and Camille are absolute geniouses when it comes to designing fabric.  They have the Magic Touch, without any doubt.  They can do no wrong when it comes to designing fabrics.  This quilt is finally done!  I used their Simple Abundance fabric line, which makes any project adorable.  Love the cheerful summery feel of this basket quilt.  Any ideas on how it should be quilted?  I would love your suggestions!

The pattern is MoJo by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company, designed by the also brilliant Carrie Nelson.  MoJo for Jo Morton, don't you know?    I have had my MoJo workin' for the past year or so on this quilt.  And even longer in the planning stage.  I have wanted to make this quilt since the pattern was released, back in 2006 or something.

There was quite a lot of piecing going on here, which may be why the project got bogged down for a period of time.  I'd work on it for weekend or so, then put it away.  This quilt makes me very happy.  I would like to have a room--maybe my guest room?-- where I can decorate around it.  Anyone who sleeps under this quilt will have very cheerful dreams!  Can't you see a big bouquet of summer annuals on the dresser next to the quilt? 

Isn't it amazing what you can accomplish when the chips are down and you don't let yourself get distracted?  I was so darn down in the dumps this past weekend, the only thing that let me lose myself was to buckle down and sew.  Thank goodness for Quilting Therapy!

I find that I often procrastinate that final finishing touch, such as the borders.  My blocks may get sewn together, but I put things away without taking that last step of completion.  This past weekend, I had three quilts that needed their borders put on, and I tackled the job.  It looks like I did a lot, but I didn't really.  The quilts were essentially done, so all I had to do was measure and cut their borders and get them attached.

Very pleased with my RCBQ (Ridiculously Cute Basket Quilt).  Be sure to offer your ideas on how it might be quilted.  I would love to hear them.

Oh, my son Ahren has arrived safely in Dublin.  No hitches in his travels.  This week he and Mary Ann are looking for an apartment or town house to rent.  In Dublin, most rentals come furnished, interestingly enough.  But...If it were you, wouldn't you at least want your own mattress?  I'm just saying....

Rummy, All Done, and a Winner For Sure!

Lord have mercy, I adore this quilt.  My husband looked at it and said, "Well, that's a busy one".  Pie in the face for him.  This is an adorable quilt.  The "busy-ness" gives it a movement and complexity that is so interesting to my eye.

First of all, the quilt is a pattern called "Rummy" from the book Fat Quarter Winners by Monique Dillard.  The piecing was easy, but needed to be quite precise.  No room for errors (no cut off points or non aligning seam allowances) here.  Because of the sharp contrast, all the lines had to be perfectly straight.  Any wobbles or mis-matches in the seams would stand out like a sore thumb.

The aspect of this quilt that was the most fun, was selecting the fabrics, without a doubt.  I wanted the lights to be varied in tone--from tannish beige to almost white.  The tannish areas look kind of smudgy and "dirty" to my eye, which adds a lot of visual interest.  Sort of a tea-dyed effect.  I used my stash completely for this quilt.  The "reds" range from true burgundy, to rusty burgundy, to a deep rose pink.  The lighter shades of red look sun faded, which is an antiquey look I adore.

Monique's quilt in the book was done all in blues, and I think I achieved a similar effect to her blue version with my reds. I like this pattern so much, I just may have to make my own blue version sometime too!

I had a couple of border fabrics all lined up to use, and at the final moment knew in my heart that they were completely wrong for the quilt.  The outer border fabric I had chosen was large and busy, and added nothing to the overall look of the finished quilt.  Man, am I glad I passed on that.  Thanks to all of you friends who advised me it would be a grave error.

Whew.  Again, thank you for talking me out of this one.  I ended up driving up to Prairie Queens, where Debbie and Annette helped me pick out the border fabrics I ended up with.  Debbie was extremely tactful about my original choice of border fabrics.  No words, just a little shake of her head in dismissal. 

Sometimes simpler is better, and I am so happy that I ended up where I did!

Thanks again for all the kind words of encouragement and support in the past few days.  Lots of hugs to all of you!

Families, the Good and the Bad

Thanks for your kind words during my pity party.  Ack.  I appreciate it so much.  It is amazing how much it helps to put things into perspective.  Lots going on here.  Mother in law still real sick.   Husband at the end of his rope trying to deal with aged parents.  Beloved son leaving home, maybe forever.  Sigh.  Get a grip Nicole.  This too shall pass and be replaced with a whole new set of problems. That is the thing with families, things do have their ups and downs!   Take a deep breath and move on.

So, what did I do this weekend besides hold my head in my hands?  Well, I sewed.  To be more precise, I FINISHED.  I am only showing one thing per day, so I can spread it out for blogging material this week!

I actually ended up loving this quilt, even though I agonized over it.  The pattern is "Kitchen Sink" by Kim Brackett, from her wonderful book Scrap Basket Surprises.  Make this quilt.  You will not regret it.  Definitely buy the book if you don't have it.  You will be so happy that you did.  It is full of terrific scrappy patterns, many of which use jelly rolls.

The fabrics I used were Morris Garden and Morris Workshop.  I edited the colors very heavily, ending up using only the browns, peaches, blues and greens.  And a gazillion different lights from stash.  The Morris fabrics were rather challenging to work with to tell the truth.  So many choices, and so many of the prints and colors ended up not getting used. From the get go, my issues with this quilt were all about the fabrics, not about the pattern in any way!  The little buzz saw blocks were a complete kick to make, and since the quilt is smallish, it goes together fast.

The inner border and outer border are a stripe and a large floral made by Timeless Treasures about three years ago.  I got mine eons ago at Prairie Queens, along with a backing that was on sale for a song.  Even though these border fabrics are not from made by Moda to go with the Morris fabrics, they work splendidly.  I am seriously chuffed with these borders.  That quirky striped inner border adds a certain je nais se quois that is spot on to my eye.

The quilt does have a kinda sorta Deco feel to it, which I like.  Ahren loves it and thinks Mary Ann will too.  Now to have it quilted and give it to them for a housewarming gift for their first place together.  I can just see it tossed over an easy chair in their "lounge". 

As I write, I hear Ahren reeling off great lengths of packing tape in the background, as he packs his boxes to be shipped off to Dublin, to his new home.  He is whistling and humming under his breath while he works.  I think he is a mighty happy man to be finally joining his love and moving on with his future.  Forgive me if I wipe away a tear or two.  I am trying to deal with it in a mature fashion....  It is just way harder than I thought.

 

 

My Shopping Cart Over Floweth (In My Dreams)

Don't know about you, but I have been drooling over the new fabrics that were presented at Market.  I cannot wait to get my hands on some of these beautiful collections.  Here are a few that I hope will make it into my shopping basket!

This one below is Fa La La La La by French General.  I know I swore I was done making Christmas quilts for the next ten years, but there are two collections that I think are calling my name.  This is one of them.  So elegant, and sophisticated.  A lap quilt tossed over the back of a chair by the Christmas tree would be so lovely.  Need a new tree skirt?  Here is your fabric.

 

And speaking of Christmas quilts, how in the world am I going to resist this one?

 
This pattern is made with the new Kate Spain group, "Flurry".  Oh dear me, I have got to make this quilt.  Sara would love it!  All the red and aqua her heart might desire, and those little pressies are the cutest things ever.

 
Here is another Kate Spain offering, "Terrain".  Love the colors.   Just find a pattern that will show off those prints, and you are in business.

 
This is a must for all us French General lovers.  "Panier de Fleurs".  Oh yes. Can you even believe this large scale print?  My mind is reeling with possibilites for applique and pieced quilt blocks!

 

This one below is called "Farm Yard" by Sentimental Studios.  I love the fresh color palette and think it could be the sweetest table topper ever for late summer and early fall.  Love those primary colors and sweet crisp prints.  Can't wait to get my hands on this.  It should be available very soon.

 
Sandy Gervais never disappoints us with her Fall collection.  I love the autumnal, but lingering summer feel of this color range.  Isn't that teal just too much?  Another fun group for late summer/early fall.  Lap quilts, wall hangings, table toppers---anything would be divine.  This is out now, so you can get started!

 

The quilt below is made by a designer called Cosmo Cricket.  The collection is called Circa 1934.

 

 I adore the retro colors and could decorate an entire room around it!

 

No clue what I will do with this group, but I gotta have it!  That red.  That sagey green.  And the touch of black.  Perfection.

And for those of you who can't get enough Fig Tree:

 

Strawberry Fields.

 

And Butterscotch and Roses.

And who can resist the latest Howard Marcus group for Collection for a Cause?

 

And of course, there will be a 3 Sisters group or two to tempt us. 

And be still my heart.  "Ruby" by Bonnie and Camille.

 
Start saving your pennies Friends, we have some shopping to do.  There is something for everyone in these Moda offerings, that is for sure.  And this isn't all of it, and there are loads of other fabric companies coming out with gorgeous collections as well.  What did I miss?  You gals who got to go to Market, fill us in!   Oh, how to narrow down the choices????
 
 

What? Take the Red Out?

 
I dearly love to use red in a quilt.  I would say that the majority of the quilts I have made have red in them.  So, when I finally cut into my Morris Workshop and Morris Garden fabrics, I happily used the red that was in those groups.

I do not know what it is about those Morris fabric collections.  I love the fabrics, love the colors, but was having a terrible time combining them all in a pleasing manner.  First, I left out the yellow and the gold.  Then I left out the peach.  For the life of me, I couldn't figure out at all how to use the purple, at least in this project.  I am never one to give up on red however, so I included it in my blocks.  I let the rust stay as well.

The pattern is one by Kim Bracket  (Magnolia Bay Quilts) called Kitchen Sink, from her book Scrap Basket Surprises.  (Wonderful pattern--extremely fun blocks to make).

Anyway, I fussed around laying out the blocks on my design wall, agonizing over the placement of every single red and rust block.  I was refusing to admit that there was an "Meh" factor in the back of my mind.  I even sewed together the first three diagonal rows.

 
Seriously, aren't those little buzz saw shapes cute?

But overall, I wasn't happy.

So, I got out my ripper and started taking the red and rust blocks apart and resewing them without those two colors.  I let just a few of the reds stay and removed all of the rust.  Now the quilt is predominently green, blue, brown, and a pinky mauve.

 

When I placed my border fabric up against the design wall and the blocks, I thought things worked much better.

 
I had to face the fact that there is not one speck of red or rust in those border fabrics.  It just didn't serve any design or asthetic purpose to use those colors.

 
I think the effect is better without the red and the rust.  And the blocks now make complete sense up against the colors in my border fabric.

The quilt is going to be a housewarming gift for Ahren and Mary Ann for their new townhouse in Dublin.  They love red, and I was afraid that my decision to leave most of it out would disappoint them, but Ahren says he likes the more tied in look of the quilt top with the borders.

Speaking of Ahren, he is defending his thesis in front of all of his professors on Tuesday, has a birthday on Sunday, and is flying to Dublin on Monday, a week from today!  Big changes for him!  A certain lovely Irish woman is going to be awfully happy to see him.

Blissful Blossoms Done

 
Nothing was going to stop me from finishing up this Sweet Little Blossoms quilt this weekend.  The pattern by that name is designed by Margot Languedoc of The Pattern Basket.  It is such a sweet and whimsical design, and perfect for the red, white and aqua nursery Sara is planning for Baby E. 

The quilt was super fun to piece, with so many options for making the flower blocks and different flower centers out of Bonnie and Camille's fabulous Bliss fabric collection.  The scalloped border was very easy to piece and I love the effect of it over all.  I think it really plays up and accents the flowers beautifully.

I had hoped to get it in the mail to Linda of The Quilted Pineapple for quilting, but I had a slight miscalculation with my backing.  As do most long arm quilters, Linda prefers that quilt backings be a full four inches wider/longer on each side than the quilt top, for ease in loading it onto the long arm machine.  Somehow my quilt is only two inches wider than the quilt top on the two sides.  The top and bottom are fine, it is just the sides that are short.  I don't know if Linda can work with the backing being smaller than she likes.  I may have to order more backing and redo it.  Bother.

Measure twice, cut once. 

Added later:  Linda says she will try to work with my slightly too narrow backing!!!  Woo hoo!  Off it goes to her without delay.  I am so happy!

Just Joey

 
This rose bush is called Just Joey, named after the 60's movie star Joey Heatherton, I believe.  Love this rose bush.  Every May it puts out quite a show in my back yard!

My friend Barbara sent me an email yesterday with a link to the best quilt pattern company called Abbey Lane.  The patterns are so bright and colorful and many are perfect for layer cakes, jelly rolls and charm squares.  And if you are looking for a selection of patterns that show off the large scale prints that are available now, you have found the right place!  Here a few Abbey Lane patterns that I loved.

 
"Feelin' Allright"

 
"Glad All Over"

 
"Match Box"

 
"September Morn"

Love these quilt patterns!  Do check out the Abbey Lane website, there are tons more.

Lapel Stick Winners

 
I found a new use for the Lapel Stick!  I rubbed it all over Ozzie's tummy and put him up on the back of a chair, and he stayed put for an hour!

Please do not report me to the SPCA, I am kidding, don't you know?

The Lapel Stick winners are Dietra Mixer, Candace of Squash House Quilts, and Kay Mc, who is going to try using it on those dumb tags on the back of your blouse that always want to stick up.  I am so going to use my Lapel Stick on those wrap type tops that are always cut too low.  So much better than using a safety pin!

So, you lucky winner girls, send me your addresses, and I will mail off your Lapel Sticks to you.  I probably won't get to do it until the weekend though, since I never have a spare minute with this new job.

Speaking of which, the new job is going well.  I have it all down pat now.  And I love the patients.  I have one old guy who is mostly deaf, who comes in for weekly blood tests, who shouts at me at the top of his lungs, and always so cheerfully.  I adore the way he bellows his greetings, and tries to make jokes, always at an ear splitting decibel.  And of course, I have to bellow back at him, to be sure he hears me.  Today I was doing a blood test on him, and we were bantering back and forth at the top of our lungs, and I could hear the entire waiting room of patients cracking up at us.  Lovely patients.  There is one old lady who was born in 1914 (do the math) who totally has all her marbles, and is still managing to get some enjoyment out of her life, despite her ailments and extremely advanced age.  She obviously embraces fashion, so we have a lot in common.  Today she was all dressed in red.  Red coat, red hat, red blouse, and yes----red LIPSTICK!   I hope if I live that long, I still can eke some pleasure out of my life.

Mother in law update:  my dear MIL is doing ok.  She has been transferred to a convalescent hospital, where she is trying to get enough strength back in order to go home.  She needs to be able to stand and take a few assisted steps to the bathroom before she can be released.  Sounds easy, but at the age of 90, and after abdominal surgery, it ain't.  All she can talk about is "I surely want to go home".

And you know what?  All I can think about is my little grand baby.  My mind is so active, dreaming of home schooling scenarios, imagining her in my arms, thinking of how proud my son in law and daughter will be-- oh how my mind dances from one vision to another!  I've been singing in the car, all the lullabys and  preschool songs I can remember.  Must be a sight for the other drivers on the freeway, me croaking "Hush little baby, don't say a word.  Grandma's gonna buy you a mockin' bird".   I have also been exploring Montessori websites, dreaming that I convert a room in my house into a preschool.  I used to teach that age group, and would go back to it in a heart beat.  Time is passing slowly for me, and I cannot wait to get to the day when I am with my daughter and her family all the time!  So many of you friends have emailed me to say how having grandchildren has changed your lives.  I am so inspired by the stories you have shared!  I will be there too one day soon!