Successful Retreat

 This past weekend was our Valley Oak Quilt Guild retreat at Wonder Valley.  wonderful!!  Four days of sewing...no laundry, no cooking.  Absolute bliss!  Fewer people than usual attended, so that meant that those of us who were there had plenty of space.  Here is my workspace:  an 8' table, plus my Sew-Ezi table to hold my machine.

 I always have trouble deciding what to bring.  I brought 4 boxes of thread, along with BINS full of fabric and projects.  Deciding what to work on is always a challenge.

The first thing I did was finish three postcards that have been half-done on my sewing table for  months.

 The above card was made using a linen purchased at an estate sale.  I think it came out very cute.

 These next two were leftovers from various projects.  I love using the scraps, rather than tossing them.

I also finished Day's End, my umbrellas quilt.  I redid the facing, and it looks square now.  It's still too small for any AQS show, but it makes me happy, and that's the main reason for quilting, right?  right!

 The quilt was based on my photo, taken in Oceanside, CA, a few years ago.  I was very careful with my machine quilting, but in the close-up?  I suddenly notice a tension error.  grrr.  It's just going to have to be fine, because I'm not going to take it apart again to fix it.  That's just too much work.  It is what it is.

Here is the close-up.  I am particularly happy with the chairs.

And that's it for now, though several other things were worked on and finished over the weekend.  Stay tuned.

Making Art

After the week in Laguna Beach, my creative juices were overflowing.  But when I got back over the mountain?  It was 107.  Not a lot of incentive there to get excited about anything.  I plowed through the things that had been set aside for a week, and by Tuesday, I was ready to finish quilting my quilt.  Here it is, finished and faced.  It still needs a label and a sleeve:

 "Shalom," by Suzanne Kistler  August 2019

Here is a close-up, where you can see the hand quilting.  It is also hand appliqued.  I'm very happy with the results, and plan to enter it in PIQF.  It remains to be seen whether or not it will be accepted.

 One of the things that I was really drawn to in Laguna Beach was the collage art.  I came home and bought 2 small stretched canvases and acrylic medium.  I prepped the canvas, and set them aside.  A few days later, inspiration struck.  I had planned to use paper, but I have all of these fabric shred scraps.  I wonder if...?

 Well, look at that!  They do work well.  This was after two layers.  Today, I added a third.  I don't think it needs much more than that.  I just need to decide what to add to the foreground.  I imagine a starfish draped over the edge.  If nothing else, it is different from the sailboat that I'm sure everyone expects me to add.  :)

Several states away, my son and daughter-in-law gave birth to our 3rd granddaughter/4th grandchild on Monday, August 19.  Here she is, quite a beautiful little thing.  She weighed in at 6lb 6oz.  Tiny compared to my kids, but right on target for the grands.

I believe she is less than 24 hours old in this picture.  Such a beauty!!

And that's all I've got for you today.  I'm thinking of jumping into a MAJOR hand quilting project, so I doubt I'll have many more finishes before the end of the year.  Then again, you never know when I'll feel the need to make another baby quilt.  We have another grandchild due in November.  Stay tuned for that.  :)

Happy, happy, joy, joy!!

Trip Wrap Up

Our last stop was Venice.  By this time, I was tired, and ready for the cruise to be over and done with.  But it wasn't.  I am so glad we chose the excursion that we chose!  We began with a water bus to the island of Murano, home of the famed glass blowers.  There, we watched a demonstration of a Master at work.

 After seeing the skill needed to produce a bowl, we were invited into the Master's Gallery, to shop.  Everything was well out of our price range, with all of these asking 100's or 1000's of euros.

 It wasn't until we were almost ready to catch our waterbus that we realized there was more for sale downstairs, that was more affordable. 

From there, we went to St. Mark's Square, and hiked a bit to catch our gondola ride.  It was quite reminiscent of Disneyland.  I don't know if you can see (click the picture to make it bigger), but the gondolas were stern to bow to stern to bow as far as you could see.

 It didn't really matter.  We were in Venice!  In a gondola!  :)

 On our way back to the waterbus, we stopped for a few pictures of St. Marks Square.

By this time, I was exhausted.  It was time to return to the ship for one last amazing dinner, where we were serenaded by gondoliers.

 Fast forward to last week, when I finished another little seascape.  I think this brings me to the end of the half-done littles that were on my design wall.  yay!

 There are a couple of lines of beading and French knots on the piece.  I do the French knots first, then fill in with beads.  This picture is a bit blurry, but it gives you the idea.

 I've basted the four baby quilts, which are ready and waiting for quilting.

Unfortunately, I suspect it will be a while before I get them done.  We are expecting a house guest for the next two weeks, so I've cleared all sewing accoutrements from the sewing annex.  Where did I put them?  I stuffed them into the "studio," which is once again the Dump.  sigh.  Maybe one of these days I will be able to sew myself out of this mess.

Then again, each time I begin, I get distracted.  Witness what I have up on my design wall.

yep.  That is more that enough to keep me busy for a month of Sundays, let alone all the quilts that are currently basted and waiting to be quilted.  Let us hope that the next time I check in, I've quilted something!

Goals are good!!

Croatia, and some sewing

 After Montenegro, we traveled to Dubrovnik, Croatia.  For those of you who are Game of Thrones fans (personally, I've never seen it), this scene should evoke squeals of delight.  Or so we were told.  GOT gear was everywhere.  If you're not interested in it, well, there's always a Croatian soccer jersey to spend money on.

I found Dubrovnik to be disappointing, probably because we arrived a few minutes before the beginning of a marathon through the city.  There's not a lot to see when the streets are roped off for the runners.  The rooftops were clear, and the sky a gorgeous blue.

 Our guide definitely shaded my impression of Croatia.  She spent a good portion of our time talking about the war with Serbia/Montenegro.  Though she insisted people need to forgive and move on, she also says they will never forget, and Serbia and Montenegro, well...she had lots of opinions as to what should be done with them.  I guess this is what happens when one grows up in a war zone.

There were bay leaves around the town. We were told they symbolize peace.  I think they also ensure that they never forget.

We went to an "authentic" home, where we were served a Croatian meal by a woman in traditional dress.  She was on the move, so I didn't get a picture of her.  However, I did get one of a street vendor, who was working on her wares as people walked by.

 The items were pretty, but I did not buy anything.

Fast forward to this past week, when I've been sewing up a storm.  My "studio" is in an awful state.  I can't get to anything.  There are piles of this, that, and the other thing everywhere.  I decided to cut the pulled fabrics for baby quilts, instead of stashing them then pulling them out again later.  In the past 10 days, I pieced 4 tops, plus part of one for veterans.  Here they are, waiting to be basted and quilted.

 In a mystery box, I found this Xstitch that I hadn't touched since 1995.  It needed a few hours of backstitching to finish.  So I finished it, and it is now at the shop, for framing.

 This little quiltlet is kind of an inside joke.  I sent it to a talk show host because I lured him into talking about quilting several times before and after Best of the Valley Quilt Show.  At one point, he said that he'd talked so much about quilting, "Those quilters should send me a quilt!"  It's not a big one, but it's a quilt!  hahaha!

And other than that?  Well, there are still other projects that are moving forward, as I try to get them off my table or off the design wall and back into production.  It's definitely a challenge.  As I think I said, it's out of control.

Thanks for hanging in there until the end.  I have one more day of cruise pics to share.  After that?  Hopefully I'll have some quiltie things to share as well.  Happy Stitching!

A Sewing Interlude

I have more cruise photos.  Of course I do.  But we've been back for 3 weeks, and I've finally found myself in the "studio."  When I walked in, I was appalled.  It had been months since I went in there hoping to sew anything.  It's taken weeks to clear off the sewing surface to be able to sew.

Okay, so I admit it.  I cleared off the surface by dumping everything into a bin.  But I was desperate, doncha know?

I needed to put together the pattern for the guild Block of the Month, for June.  I chose square-in a square-in a square, inspired by the floor of the Sistine Chapel.

 I was pleased with the response to the previous month's pattern.  Judie won a lovely regatta.  I neglected to take a picture, so I was glad that Hallie was on the ball.  Aren't they cute?

 Back in October, when I taught the little seascapes class, I put together this sunset.  Over the weekend, I stitched down the turtle, trimmed the quilt, and bound it.  It has already arrived at its new home.  I think it turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

And, finally, I'm back to sewing baby quilts.  We have two grandchildren currently in utero, as well as several friends expecting this year.  One of the babies is already 7 weeks old.  Little Hannah will get her quilt, as soon as I can sew it together.  It's all cut out and awaiting its turn patiently.

And that's what I've been up to since we returned.  Happy quilting!

And It's Over

Best of the Valley 2019 has come and gone.  All of the preparations, all the paperwork, everything.  Over and done with.  In retrospect?  I'd say it was a mighty fine show.  But I always say that.  I am biased.

When trying to think of what to enter, I went through my list of quilts finished in 2018.  I had two baby quilts, which are exactly that:  quilts designed to be used and spit up on by babies.  Are they show quilts?  No, they are not.  But my husband said, "Of course, enter them!"  And so I did.  After all, they did have a story to them.

Are they cute, or what?  My daughter-in-law wanted me to be prepared to participate in their gender reveal.  When push came to shove (no not THAT kind of pushing), she couldn't wait for a package to be shipped cross country.  A girl is due in late August.  I mailed the quilt on the left after the show.  It should arrive tomorrow.

I also had a number of my little seascape quilts to enter.  Three of them were in the same class, which all hung together, with the exception of one that was hung back with the quilts by quilters 80 and older.

They did okay, all wearing ribbons.

 I still don't know if I prefer California Dreamin' or O, Foggy Day.

Last, but not least, was Sunset Stroll.  It came in third, in a tough category, Wall Quilts, Pictorial Landscapes.

I spent some time both yesterday and today, making Easter eggs for the grands and our faraway son and DIL.

 Each one was cuter than the last.  I made them like postcards, with fusible peltex.  They go into the mail tomorrow.

And I guess that's going to do it for now.  We've got some plans for the remainder of April.  Part of it includes some hand quilting.  Goals are good!

A Finish, and then some...

 For the past month or longer, I have been quilt, quilt, quilting on my entry for Best of the Valley Quilt Show.  Sure, I had a few other quilts waiting in the wings, but I wanted to be able to enter a true Show Quilt this year.  It's been three years or longer since I've finished what I consider a Show Quilt.  Boy, does it feel good!!

This is "Sunset Stroll," a quilt that I began in my first Katie Pasquini Masopust online class.  This was actually my second project.  The lesson was on "composition."  After doing all of the applique by hand, I really wanted to continue what I'd begun, so I quilted it by hand as well.

 It involved a LOT of quilting!!  I squeaked in under the deadline, finishing the entry form at 10pm.  The deadline was last night, at midnight.  whew!!

I was also trying to transform our Sew Eclectic "Broken Shell Beach" into a single quilt for entry.    The twelve individual quilts are all attached to an "authentic" used fishing net.  I put a slat through the sleeve, and had my husband hold it to be sure it hangs straight.  If you don't think that was tricky, well, think again!!  Thank you to Linda M., for suggesting the fishing net for mounting.

 Drought-stricken California has been getting some wet and woolly weather this month.  This picture was taken in my backyard yesterday.  I ran outside to close the umbrellas, as the wind picked up and whipped my trees as though they were cooked spaghetti.  I was certain one of the Sequoias would snap.  Thank goodness I was mistaken!!  The rain has been coming down, and no one is complaining.  We might actually hit our average rainfall of 8" this year.  Season to date is 4.96".  Normal to date is 6.39".  To date last season?  1.53".  So yes.  The rain falls, and the people rejoice...even when it has the potential to cost a tree or two.

Next on my quilting agenda?  Let's see if I can get my Valley Agriculture Challenge Quilt together before that deadline of March 1.  Goals?  Oh, goals are good!!

Quilt Faster! Quilt Faster!

With the Best of the Valley entry deadline LOOMING on the horizon, I'm quilting as fast as I can.  By hand.

Quilt faster!  Quilt faster!

My quilt isn't all that large, it's just that I'm quilting it with close to matchstick quilting.  okay, so not really, but it seems like it.  For handquilting?  It's about as close as I ever want to get.  I don't have a recent picture of the quilt, but here's where I blogged about it.  I added a few more details and some embroidery before beginning the quilting.  And now I am quilting, as fast as I can.

Quilt faster!
Quilt faster!

All that remains to be quilted is the sky.  And the sky is the bulk of the piece.  oh well.  Goals are good!

Our Art Group (Sew Eclectic) shell challenge pieces have all been turned in.

Now the challenge is to decide how to link them together into a single piece.  Because they are not all the size of the section we were supposed to replicate, there are some gaps.  In other places, the pieces fit right together.  A friend suggested that I mount them on a fishing net.  What a great idea!  I've ordered one from Etsy, and am awaiting delivery, hopefully this week.  Until then, I will keep quilting on the Lifeguard Tower quilt.

I have a couple of other quilts I wanted to finish for the show, but that doesn't look like they'll be happening any time soon.  oh well.  If I don't set goals, I don't know what I'm striving for, and without a target or a deadline?  I end up finally getting around to quilting a quilt that deserved to have been finished two and one half years ago!!

And I guess that's it.  Thanks for stopping by!

I'm Working on Something...

I've pulled the fabrics.  Today is set aside for cutting and sewing.

 A few days ago, our little granddaughter had her first birthday.  Time has wings!!

 In honor of her party, our other granddaughter was in town.  See what I mean about time flying?  How did she get to be so big?!!

And that's all I've got for now.  Hope you're also working on something wonderful.  :)

Still Plugging Away

I'm still working on piece #2 for the Katie PM class, despite the fact that the deadline was 8/8.  I missed the deadline.

I was working to make a piece that felt tranquil, calm, and peaceful.  This is what I came up with:

 Tranquil?  check.  Calm?  check.  Peaceful?  check.  And boring.

I tried adding some seaweed, and wouldn't you know?  It livened it right up!!

 I sent both images to Katie, who said that yes, the green needs to stay.  She also instructed me to keep at it.  I won't get my prompts/direction for piece #3 until I have piece #2 completed to my/her satisfaction.  In the past week, this is what I've added/changed:

Yesterday, I created the palm frond.  Today, I'll begin with the applique.  I'd like to get this together soon, because quilting it should be a lot of fun.

Goals, and all that!!
Ciao!