Quilt cruise

Sawyer Glacier

on the Norwegian Jewel 13th deck open air (except for some Plexiglas) favorite place

my cabin mate from Calgary, Kat

This has taken a long time to post.   On the cruise, I did not have internet usage, so no post.
I took a lot of photos but I am having trouble with my photo program, trying to transfer them.  My Kodak program won't work and I can't work the Nikon program yet.   So here is a few shots from my phone.
    Had a wonderful, wonderful time.   You can't imagine unless you have been to the Inside Passage, Alaska.   I loved it. The Sawyer Glacier and the trip up the Tracy Arm was breathtaking.  I really got some beautiful pictures, but having problems transferring them.
Had a great time in class with Bonnie, but can't show you the quilt I started YET  You know she has many secrets she can't show because of coming books, magazines or mysteries.
  Kat, my cabin mate from Calgary was very gracious to put up with me.  Actually, we got along very well.   Had a great time and I am thankful that she wanted to be in my cabin, Thanks, Kat!!!
   It took me several days at home to finally get my land legs under me, after over 7500 miles in motion, either in air or on sea.   I was surprised my house was rocking just like the ship.  I have been really tired but am very happy that I went.   It was an experience that I won't soon forget.

Bags are packed

Bags are packed and I am ready and rearing to go

My Bags are packed and Bonnie, here I come!!!  I can't believe the time has finally come.   I will be leaving for Boston at 3:15 tonight (tomorrow morning), then off to Seattle to catch my cruise ship.
I have never been to the West Coast, never cruised and never been to Alaska.   I haven't flown in 47 years, way back in 1966 from Portland to Washington D.C.
My quilt project is all packed and ready to sew.  My hexie bag is ready.
My Hubby is missing me all ready, poor boy!!!   He has a busy week planned.  He will be haying for 3 days and two different fairs for ox pulling for 3 days.  I hate to miss Union Fair but, I AM ALASKA BOUND!!!!

Saturday-travel
Sunday-quilting at sea
Monday-Ketchikan
Tuesday-Juneau
Wednesday-Skagway
Thursday-quilting at sea
Friday- Victoria B.C.
Saturday-Seattle, then home

18 days to go!

notice the light on my treadle!

BBQ utensil light.???

When Bonnie Hunter told about the magnetic light for the featherweight, I started thinking about it.
When I was in Tractor Supply yesterday, I noticed this little light.  HMMMM, maybe that would work.   It was only $3.99 so I got it.   Works great!!!.   So, today I went back and bought the last one for my Featherweight.  I am a happy camper.  Since it was the last one, I thought I would check it out to see if I could find more.   Amazon.com here we come.  http://www.amazon.com/patio-lawn-garden/dp/B0042AUIEW   This is what I found for $6.92 if you have Prime it is free shipping.  Just look for BBQ utensil magnetic  light, and there it was.
   As for quilting, let's see,  I had 3 quilts hung in the Maine State Quilt Show put on by the Pine Tree Quilter's Guild.  I was so excited, yes, I have put in quilts before but not 3.   They were all Bonnie Hunter designs:  Easy Street,  Scrappy (Purple) Mountain Majesties and Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll.  I did not have them judged, chicken, I guess.  I think the show will be up on the Maine Quilts website soon.   They are pretty good about posting pictures.
    I am presently working on a scrappy apple core. I was busy cutting up scraps and had purchased the apple core die for my "GO" so, the bigger pieces went into apple cores.  I was laying it out with the group and they wanted to see how it would come out.   Now I have it  about  half done.   I am using a scrappy 4 patch as my leaders and enders. They will be alternated with 6 inch double pink squares.  I saw this quilt at an antique shop and really liked it.   I already have enough 2 patches, now to put them together.  Smith Mountain morning and Jamestown landing still on hold.  BECAUSE, I will be starting another BH quilt when we cruise to ALASKA in 18 days.  Can't wait!!!!!!!

Fabric all cut and packaged for my Alaska quilt cruise quilt!
notice the mosquitos!

Latest painting!!!   Greeting cards of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.

Kaleidoscope Quilters Mystery Quilt
"Summer Breeze by Judy Hopkins.
I call mine "Bumblebee Summer Breeze"

My Easy Street at show n tell with "TaDa"  Bonnie Hunter

     Okay,  I know, I haven't posted for quite some time, about 6 weeks.   I haven't been idle.   My computer had to spend about a month at the "Dr.s".   He was very sick.  Actually, had to completely wipe out the hard drive and reinstall a new operating system $$$$.    Then when it finally came home, I had a virus.  Luckily, it was not a month and big bucks to get me back on my feet.
     Well,  Had a great time with Bonnie Hunter!!!!!!!    Now, I have two UFO's from her two classes that I took.    I have not had time to work on Smith Mountain Morning or Jamestown landing.   I have been too busy with "life".  I do plan on doing SMM, using Jamestown landing as Leaders and enders.
Bonnie is every bit as fun as she is on Quilt Cam.   I was totally enthralled with her.  Can't wait for my Alaska cruise in August.   I have been following her trip to Ireland and was so jealous, wish I could have gone, too.   But Alaska will be great.
     I took another painting class this spring.  I have a big painting that I am still working on.   I needed a couple of cards, so I decided to do some original works.   I love Pemaquid Point lighthouse.  So, I chose that as my subject from a photo I took on a recent trip there with my grandson.  We had a great time. Had fun with these cards, plan on more.
     Our chapter of the Pine Tree Quilter's Guild is Kaleidoscope.  This spring we had a mystery quilt challenge.   I did not have time to do it as the challenge progressed because of Bonnie's classes I had to prepare for, so I did it all at once.   It is a Judy Hopkin's mystery.  It is supposed to be more light than dark, but I had less yellow and decided to do it the other way.   I am very happy with it.   I tried for the first time to machine quilt  feathers on my home machine.   Well, black on black looks pretty good.   Just don't look too close.  It just reminded me of bumblebees, thus the name  Bumblebee Summer Breeze.
    

May Day goings on

Easy Street complete

Easy Street, the flip side

Watercolor, in progress
 

May Day!!!
     Easy Street is done.   I do need to add a temporary hanging sleeve so I can hang it in the Pine Tree Quilter's Guild annual quilt show in July.  I really am very happy with it. I love the back, too.  Not sure what I am going to do with it since it is tooooooo big for my bed. 
     What else have I been doing?   Working on my watercolor painting.   It is far from finished, but I think I like it as is.  I want to give it more depth.
     I am really excited!!!!   I am getting ready for my week-end classes with Bonnie Hunter.   She will be coming in tomorrow.  Hope to spend some time with her.   Then,  Jamestown Landing class, guild meeting with Scrappy lecture on Saturday, and Sunday will be the Smith Mountain Morning class.
Busy, busy week-end.

Tee Shirt Quilt ready for the next step!

Tee Shirt Quilt

Richmond High basketball Star Quilt

     This is a Tee Shirt quilt top that I have been working on.   It is 80" x 91".  Another large quilt.
It is for the star of the Richmond Maine girls basketball team.   She also made the MacDonald's
All Star team.  Yeah, for her!!!!! Tried to balance the color.  It was not easy.   The gray and pink two are the front and backs of special shirts.  I am happy with it.   Now, it's time for the backing and quilting.

No Fooling, I quilted this on a longarm at my LQS

Easy Street Quilted with Sir Edgar, my helper

Reverse side of Easy Street

     Can you believe this????  My first full size (extra large full size) quilt on the Longarm. My first try at a Pantogram (Paisley Feathers).  No, it is not perfect!!!   but I am loving it anyways.    It looks pretty good overall.  My cat loves it.
     It took 5 hours to do, not sure how this measures up to a regular longarmer's time.   I was very tired when I finished, but it sure was worth doing it myself.  I have only had one lesson and quilted  a small lap quilt that I did stars and loops freehand.
     I was afraid to look at the finished product yesterday, so I left it in the bag overnight.  Was not sure how well the pattern came out with all my nervousness, but it looks good overall.  Thankfully, it is really busy.
     I am not a great fan of long arm quilting but if I am going to do all the quilts I want, I just cannot hand quilt them all.  I have been converted.   Same as someone who only pieces by hand, I just don't have the time left in my life to do all that.  I still have more than a lifetime of fabric that needs to be turned into something beautiful

New Babies

Ramius and Rusty
My new Babies!

This is my new pulling team.   New Babies.   My son got them for me.  They are Devons.  In a couple of years they will be my pulling team at the fairs.   First, lots of work training them.  Can't wait to get them to my house so the training can begin.

What I have been working on???

My Watercolor class!

     I have been taking a watercolor painting class.  Took a picture of my picture and realized that
it really needed some more work done on it..
     This is the best way to check out your work, whether you are painting or quilting.  If you use your camera, it really points out what works or doesn't work.  I often use this method when auditioning fabrics for a certain project, rather borders, binding or block sashing fabrics.  The camera will tell you, this works or that doesn't.  Sometimes the one I think would be perfect just does not look good at all.
     I went to a quilt show and looked and looked at a quilt.  I could not make out a pattern at all.  So I used my camera to look through,  WOW, there was the pattern.    Interesting to do this.

De-boning shirts

12 1/2" of new snow!!
 

quilt rack or cat's cradle???  BOTH  Sir Edgar loves it here!

What have I been doing this past week???  Traveling !! Not for fun.  Have a grandson in the hospital 100 miles away.   Some long snowy miles!  I have been keeping my son company as well as seeing my grandson.
I have also been de-boning some shirts for the upcoming classes with Bonnie Hunter.  I need 5 yards of nuetrals for the Jamestown Landing quilt and 4 yards of blues.  I think I have all that now.   Next is 3 yards of blues, 3 yards browns and 3 yards muslin(think I will do tone on tone creams) for Smith Mountain Morning quilt class.  Can't wait!!!!  Again it will be 100 miles for the Jamestown landing class,  45 miles for the quilt Meeting and Lecture and 30 miles for the Smith Mountain Morning class, just a hop skip and a jump for that one.   Think I will be worn out, you betchca!!!   Will it be worth it,  ABSOLUTELY!!!!

Easy Street Flimsy DONE!!!!

Flimsy DONE!!!!!

Borders on my Easy Street

My Hubby's quilt I made for him.

Finally almost to the end of Easy Street.   The flimsy is done.  Now, I need to choose a backing for it.   I hope something in my stash!!!  It is huge!!!   95" square.  As my friend says, a quilt for her trailer.   I plan to make it my second longarm quilt.   It should be fun?????
I am very happy with the look of it.  I do not like lime green, but with the borders it really helps.
The purple inner border came from Mary Jo's.  My grandson picked it out as a color he liked, so I purchased 2 yards, just because.  The outer border is something I had, too.
Do you like my Hubby's outoor sports activities?  Those are the only way he does outdoor sports.  Made this for his birthday.  He named it "better than Viagra"  hahaha

Easy Street Flimsy

Easy Street close up

Easy Street Flimsy

Well,  finally together.   BIGGGGG!!!!! I think it is about 88" squarish.  It is hard to measure as I don't have a space big enough to lay it out.  I think I will add a deep purple 1" border and an outer 3 1/2" border with turqoius with lime green splatters on it.  Did I say it was BIGGGG!  I do not have a queen size bed.  I am not a fan of lime green but it doesn't seem to overpower it in real life.   The pic is a little blurry.  Hard to take a photo in my bedroom.  The light is terrible.
I am NOT going to quilt this on my home machine.  Will try to do it on the longarm.   May take awhile but I am sure it will be easier and quicker.
So far, my leader and ender pinwheel count is up to 47.  Not sure what is going to be done with them.  Baby quilt or border????

Easy Street A blocks finished

 

Finally Easy Street A blocks done
 

Bonus pinwheel blocks as Leaders and Enders
 

B blocks stacked and ready to speed sew
 

Finally have the A blocks done and pressed!!  This would fit nicely on my bed now with another row of A blocks.  I like it.   BUTTTTT  I still have the B blocks to go.   They have all been laid out, stacked and pinned ready to hit the sewing machine.  I have them all in order the way I learned from Eleanor Burns.  I guess Bonnie calls it Web sewing.   It works!!! This is going to be one BIG quilt.  Maybe I will be able to retain some of it on the cold Maine nights when Hubby rolls over, taking the blankets with him, haha.
I have 24 complete pinwheel blocks done using them as leaders and enders.  I also have  51 HST done ready to turn into pinwheels as L&E also. Since I learned about this method I use it a lot.  When I got my Go, it makes it all the easier.  More all cut.   I love my GO.  I can just cut up a bunch of triangles to have ready to use, setting by my featherweight waiting to become pinwheels.  Love it.

Here's my Heart finally done

Here's my heart quilt

Done!!!  Even love the binding, finally after several choices that did not work.

Finally Done!!!!   You can see I had a helper!   That is Sir Edgar (his regal name) commonly called Eddie.  He is sitting in my 1950's chair that I reupholstered in a chicken fabric.  This chair was one of two that was in our house when I was a teenager.  It was done in a PINK plaid.   I redid it a few years ago after being left in my sister's garage for many years.  We love it.  So does Eddie.
    I think I will enter this quilt  in the Maine Pine Tree Quilter's Guild in July along with my Purple Mountain Majesties.   May have Easy Street done by then, too.   Who knows? 
Can't wait for Bonnie's lastest mystery in the Quiltmaker mag.

Thanks for the Orphan Blocks

Orphan blocks sent to me from Calgary!!

I have received two sets of "orphan" blocks recently.   I was very happy with both sets. The first set had a lot of wedding ring pieces in it, some finished rings and some with the rails done.  Was very happy with this set from Michigan.
   Yesterday, I got another package from Calgary, Alberta Canada.  It was a much smaller package and I was wondering  what was in it.   SOOOOO,  I opened it.   This almost finished quilt popped out.  Wow, was I surprised.   I played with them, this way and that way.   This is what I came up with.   I think for the quilt shown, there must be another block or two.  So I slipped in the bear applique block and an archway type block (that was also in the package) to fill in.   With a little bit of added tone on tone off white and playing with a few extra geese blocks, it will make a nice topper for a full size bed.  Of course, I will add borders.   Anyway, I just love it Donna.  It will be put together real soon.   Thanks a lot!!!!!
    So, someone's unwanted blocks become another's treasure!!!!!!

Found in the drafts file, so decided to post, late

Acton Fair contest block

Jo Diggs class on Fishscape

Add caption

 I have not been able to do one hour a day because I was sick and one day away.   I have completed 2 1/2 sides of the sky blocks and all of the 28 moose in my 40 1/2 hours of hand quilting for September.  Wahoo, now to keep going.  Thanks again Bonnie for giving me a little shove.

Can't wait for Bonnie's class

Soft cover for a Tablet

Open view

     This is a quick class for JoAnn's that won't fly.  It is a nice little case though.   I will enjoy it for something.     I love the candy bar fabric.   Very quick and easy.
     I am still strolling along on Easy Street.   Really don't want it to end.    I have 5  a blocks done.  Not hurrying at all.   Love it.
     Not much happening today,  just clearing around my computer area so Comcast can hook up tomorrow.  I am fed up with Fairpoint.  Hoping to get rid of home phone also under Fairpoint.
Internet is on again, off again, any time of day?????  Yuck.
     Start up with my Watercolor paint class again on Thursday.   I really have not been doing anything and need to get back to painting.  I really enjoy it, but quilting has taken over getting things ready for classes that are not happening.   I guess I am No Bonnie Hunter!!!!    Her classes for May are filling up fast.   Sure hope I am chosen in the lottery that will probably happen.    I am signing up for both Jamestown Landing and Smith Mountain Morning.  Hope to get in at least one.   One is 30 miles away and the other is 100 miles away.   Will be worth it either way.   I will get to attend the lecture anyways. Can't wait!!!!  BUT  I hve already signed up for the Alaska cruise,  Whoopie, can't wait for that either.

Easing along Easy Street

Tablet soft case for a class



open soft case for a tablet

     I have been easing along on Easy Street.  I don't really want it to be done, So I am taking my time.  I have 2 A blocks done.  I just do it in the evening when I don't have anything pressing to do.
    Have been back at work on my hand quilting the quilt with the Moose quilted in.  Trying to get that one finished.   It is coming onto 6 years and NEEDS TO BE DONE!!!!!!   I should get back to an hour a day!!!!  haha
    I have been working on my heart quilt.  I have it already to quilt, UGH, on my home machine today (hopefully).   It is snowing out, had  to cancel a trip to the vet for my dog to get his rabies shot, reset for tomorrow.  I really need to get his dog tags before they haul him away.  It is a good day to stay inside and get that machine quilting done.   Using the LA has spoiled me.   Since I used that machine, I FMQ a baby quilt.   Wanted so bad to do it LA but had to get it done.  I have to reserve a time and travel 20 miles, so I did it at home.
     This simple little Tablet Case is for another class at JoAnn's which will not happen I am sure.
It is cute and came out nice.   I would have done it differnetly but I followed their directions.

Easy does it on Easy Street!!!

Here's my Heart!

     Here's my Heart quilt as a flimsy!   Need to get it quilted, maybe today.   I really would like to take it to LQS and do it on the long arm but, since I need to teach students how to machine quilt,  I have to do it at home.  (frown, hooked on longarm quilting now)  This is my version of the JoAnn's quilt to teach.   I did not like there version at all.  It had 4 rows of hearts with 7 long.  It had very wide 15"  borders of small print fabric.    I liked it 5 x 6 but still had to add borders to fit a twin bed.  Really liked it with just the red sashing, but it just wasn't big enough.  Soooo,  I tried different fabrics and nothing worked.  Decided that the heart fabic was the one.  I still didn't like it next to the red.   I tried to add a small border but nothing worked.  Said "Ah, what about a pink border".  Could not find enough pink in my stash!!!   I decided to use what I had of small pieces.  It worked very well.  The heart fabric border does look  wide in this pic.  It is only 7 1/2"  and it looks good as a whole.  It really needed the pink inner border.  Love this one.
    Easy Street!!!!   Kept up with all the steps as they came out except it took an extra day to complete step 7.   I decided not to look at step 8 til 7 was done.    So now, I am strolling slowly down Easy Street because I don't  want to end this journey.   I am doing the blocks as fillers, maybe one a night. I have 2 finished.  Needed to finish the heart quilt, a baby quilt and a Linus quilt.  So easy does it on Easy Street.   The Linus quilt is done, Hearts is a flimsy and baby quilt is ready to quilt on my home machine.
     

Easy Street step 7

Easy Street Part 7 B
 

First attempt at Longarm quilting!!!
 

          back side of first time attempting Longarm quilting!                                                     
  (same fabric wrong side as Easy Street quilt, still have more left, all free)
 

Was really happy about keeping up with Easy Street, til step 7.  Finished it on New Year's Day.  I did not open Step 8 til it was done.  Have not even had time to start step 8 yet.
I have been working on my heart quilt for a class.   Then today, I took a longarm quilting class so that I can rent time to quilt my own quilts instead of paying more to have someone else quilt them.    It was really fun to learn.   By no means perfect, but I was real happy with the finished product.   Luckily the thread matched  well on the front side.   My stars sometimes have more that 5  points, but who is counting???     My loops are loopy loops, here, there and everywhere, but I am happy with the first attempt.  It was a lot of fun.   Next time,  who knows, maybe a  chicken panty panto, ha, ha.