Monday, February 27, 2012

DWM: a clean slate

Nothing on the design wall today because I've been finishing flimsies (unquilted tops)!  In the past two weeks I've quilted and bound Rusty Bows , Leftovers , and  Ohio Stars .  I am nearly finished quilting Nine Patch Cross .  Pam S. finished quilting Double Delight which I picked up on Saturday and bound last evening.

A bad case of hat-hair....
Yesterday afternoon Irene and I joined many quilting friends at the Warren-Newport Public Library for a book-signing by Jennifer Chiaverini whose latest novel is Sonoma Rose.  It's the 19th novel in the Elm Creek Quilts series and she told us she's under contract for three more.  Jennifer's first-ever library appearance was at the Lake Villa District Library in 1999.  We had to persuade the publisher that, yes, quilters would come out for an author program.  Now Jennifer goes on tour to both libraries and quilt shows when her new books are published.

Jennifer's first library program: 3/21/99, Lake Villa District Library

You can see what other quiltmakers have been working on at Judy's Patchwork Times blog

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Worldwide Parts Swap

The Liberated Quilters  hosted their second Worldwide Parts Swap this month.  Each participant was assigned a person to whom to send no-longer-needed fabric and other quilty goodies.  I got Clare's name, asked what she would like to have, and sent a box off to her in France.  In turn Pat in Saskatchewan got my name. She asked my preferences (turquoise, purple, black&white, lime).  Today's mail brought her package  -- chock full with squares, strips, fat quarters, some half yards, and an assortment of turquoise string-pieced blocks.  Wow! 

Thanks, Pat!  Thanks, Liberated Quilters!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

DWM: 2012 Birthday Blocks

2012 is the third year that the Block Swappers group is hosting a birthday block exchange.  Each participant specifies the block and colorway she'd like.  This weekend I forged ahead and made all 14 blocks, for everyone except myself.  I'll mail them out at the beginning of each birthday month.  Estimated total fabric used:  2 yards.
Five people said "any star," and I chose Corner Star from one of Judy Hopkins' block books for all five.  (Top row: #1, #3, #4; middle row, #1; bottom row #1.)  I think I may use that block for the graduation quilt (see last week's post).

I added to my stash this week with some Salvation Army bargains:  4-1/2 yards of Christmas fabric, cut into two pieces and seamed to make an 84 x 80" tablecloth but apparently never used, and 6 yards of lavender poly/rayon blend which will make a springtime suit.  Total cost, with tax:  $4.99!

Don't forget to take a look at what other quiltmakers are working on at Patchwork Times  Design Wall Monday.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

DWM: got blues?

I pulled out blue fabric today.  Here it is.

Fat Quarters (and pieces of FQs)







CW Reproduction blues

Oldies: slate blue and that dated primitive-tan-and-blue. How many plaids did they make?!

The reason for this exercise was to pull out periwinkle blues and turquoise for a forthcoming quilt for granddaughter Rachel's graduation in June. I'm still contemplating what block/pattern I'll use. 

This is my most favorite blue fabric. It is NOT a batik, though it looks like one.  I bought it at the Sewing Network in Auburn in 1992 or thereabouts. I pull it out and think about what I might make out of it...and then I put it back. :)

Reshelved!  (Looks as though I could use some more dark blue, doesn't it?)

I had 3" nine patch blocks (the result of many Block Swappers exchanges) and light/dark HSTs already made, so it was easy to set this 52 x 55 quilt.  It's quilted and bound, ready for the next donate-a-quilt occasion.  (This is the third time I've made this design. I love the way the nine patch blocks sparkle.)



Go to Patchwork Times  to see what other quiltmakers have on their design walls this Monday
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Sunday outing: quilt exhibit

DH and I spent a pleasant hour and a half this afternoon at the Anderson Arts Center in Kenosha.  The featured exhibits are "Quilts in Color" and "Aprons: Myth, Memory, and Fantasy," and "The Three (Dis)Graces."
Ann Fahl created a series of quilts featuring her cat Oreo. The quilts vary in size (about 42 x 42 up to 60 x 60).  This is "In the Black Eyed Susans."
Purple Iris by Ann Fahl
"Perspectives II by Gloria Hansen"


Matchstick Moon by Melody Johnson



Bon Bon by Melody Johnson

Profusion of Color by Rhonda Rodero

52 Pickup by Marcia Stein

52 Pickup detail

Reflections Variation by Barbara Schneider

The aprons were interpretations of the theme. This is by my friend Jo Mortland. It depicts her grandmother's northwoods cabin -- her grandmother is on the porch.

 Barbara Laybourn's "The Three (Dis)Graces" depict Poverty (made out of dryer lint, sand, and nature forms); Neglect (made out of sweaters, yarn, and knitting needles); and Indiference (made out of pattern paper, vinyl, mosaic mirror tiles, and ribbons).

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Midwinter winnings

Many of the vendors at ALA conferences provide door prizes.  I've dropped many business cards into fishbowls, stuck address labels onto entry forms, and in recent years had my badge scanned.  Sometimes I win...a sheet of Elvis stamps in 1993 (which I used for postage), a box of Boston-themed goodies in 2006,  a Lightwedge in 2008.

This year I won big! I got a Kindle from Equinox  (an integrated library system vendor) and this nifty gift basket from Midnight InkMidnight Ink. The two books are "Death by Killer Mop Doll" and "Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun." I'll enjoy reading both...and to figuring out how the Kindle works.