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.

RRCB class ready to go!

Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll class at Marriner's quilt Shop in Bath, Maine

Easy Street  Step 6
 

I am so excited to be doing a class on another one of Bonnie Hunter's quilts.  This time at Marriner's Compass Quilt Shop in Bath, Maine.
That will make two of her quilts I will be teaching in January/February.
As you can see,  I have finished step 6 of Easy Street.   I am anxious to see what all these pieces will turn into.   On the other hand,  I like looking forward to those clues coming each week.
I have so enjoyed doing this quilt.  I have only done one other mystery and was pleased with the outcome.http://www.marinerscompass.com/

Dreams come true at Christmas!!!

My dreams came true.  This is a gift from my sons!

easy street step 5, done on time

Heart quilt for a class at JoAnn's (more pics to follow)
 

This has truly been a busy week.   With all the finishing up of Christmas things, wrapping, putting up the tree, making pies, etc, etc,  I still managed to get step 5 completed and make 30 heart blocks for a quilt for a class at JoAnn's.   I guess that was the only way to keep my sanity with a newly retired Hubby.
Was sharing about this White machine I spotted at an antique shop with my youngest son.  He and his brother got it for me for Christmas, yeah, totally unexpected.    It is well worn but I cleaned it up and oiled it last night,  tested the motor, but it was toooooo late to actually sew on it.  Today, I will thread the beast and check it out properly.   It is real heavy duty, says canvas and leather too, wow!!!!    The fabric on it had a very nice stitch, so am sure it will work well.  I just love it.  I know, after the Bonnie tradition, it needs a name..  ????? A real workhorse and a beast.    Maybe Fiona, after shrek!!!!  
CAN'T WAIT!!!    I also signed up for Bonnie's Alaska cruise!!!!!  Boy, oh, Boy,  so excited!!!!! I am really nervous, too.   Haven't flown since 1966, never cruised or been further west than East Tennessee.   Will really be losts of firsts for me at my age.  But,  I am still so looking forward to it.
Still need a cabinmate, if anyone is interested!!!  Love to have you join me!!!

Busy, Busy, plus step 4

Easy Street Mystery  Step 4
 

I can't beleive I am actually keeping up!!!  Was so afraid I could not do it at this time of year.
But, here it is!!!  Yeah and Hallelujah!!!!!!
I was able to get this done between making and wrapping Christmas presents.  I still have lots to do and have a couple days to do Christmas before  YEAH, step 5!!!!   I am just loving it. I only had to fix one goose wing, undo 3 sets because I put the same color geese on the same set and one I had to undo a diamond- hahaha, messed that one up!!!
I am working on a baby quilt, ready to quilt at home.   I need to do a quilt for JoAnn's class which I am sure will not happen, BOOOOOO!  This is one that I like, at least a little, definitely not a Bonnie Hunter design, but cute and quick.  It is all cut, just need to put 24 blocks together.
It is snowing again, or should I say still, since Sunday.  We got about 4 inches, then rain to wash it all away and now back to snow flurries.  
Went to a delightful concert with my Granddaughter singing in her high school choir.   It was very special.  Love her concerts.   A great variety of music from Welcome Christmas from the Grinch to Ave Maria which was done beautifully. They also did several foreign Christmas songs.   Just loved it.

EASY STREET step 3 DONE!!!

FRONT

BACK

STEP 3 DONE!

Well, What do you think??   Front or back of the turquios fabric.
The finished block sets show the true color of the fabric.   As you can see, I liked the back of the fabric better.
I got this on the freebie table at our guild meeting.   I have picked up lots of fabric that others don't want or don't like.  For example, the front of this one.  I did not like it at all, but I have put some of it to good use.   This is the second quilt I have used it in.    Have plenty more to find something to use it on.  Hummmmmm, maybe the back of this quilt???

Anyway,   Easy Street Mystery step 3 is done.   I really enjoyed making this unit.   Went together real well using the easy angle ruler.  Very little trimming.  I have always had trouble making detailed quilts, always went for the big block UNTIL  Bonnie Hunter.   I love doing the intricate work now.  String piecing,   half-square triangles,  flying geese are all units I struggled with. Now, they are fun.   LOVE IT!!!!!!

Easy Street step 2 done, YEAH!!!

Easy Street Mystery 2  with rectangles

This is pretty impressive for me.   I am finished with step 2, even the rectangles, YEAH!!!!!  Can't believe that I have been able to keep up.   Also have my RRCB ready for quilter tomorrow and binding almost sewn down on my Purple Mountain Majesties.    I can't believe I have done all this.
Had a Quilting 101 class at JoAnn's tonight.  Two people signed up and neither one showed up.  I put alot of work into these classes.   Had one Hole in the Barn Door quilt block  stolen while on display.  UGH, my favorite one with kitties in the hole in the barn door.  No more classes til after Christmas.

6 block RRCB flimsy for class

Roll Roll Cotton Boll (flimsy)

No,  I haven't even started step 2 of Easy Street Mystery!!!   Have been finishing my RRCB flimsy to get ready for quilter.  These are not my colors, but I love it.  Did not like the color of the string blocks until I had them trimmed and cut.  Then they looked really good.  Happy with the borders, too.
NOW, to start putting those flying geese in the air.   Had a hard time waiting!!!

What I have accomplished this week!!!

Wow, actually finished step 1 of Easy Street

6 blocks of RRCB done for a wall hanging class

I think I have been very busy this week.   I did not think I could get all those 4 patch blocks done.   I was impressed with myself.   I did a lot of them as Leaders & Enders  while working on the blocks for RRCB.   I wasn't sure of my fabric choices but I love both sets of blocks.   Had fun doing the RRCB blocks.   I really like how they turned out.   I still need to finish the string blocks, but sure I can finish those soon.  
Now for step 2 of EASY STREET.     Hope I can keep up, with getting ready for Christmas and all.