Thursday, September 27, 2018

Catching Up~

     A bit more than 2 years ago, I was thrilled to have a quilt published in McCall's Quick Quilts.   A few months later, I got an email from a new quilter, Susan Williams, who had some questions about the quilting.  We exchanged several very pleasant emails, and then life got busy.  I often wondered what happened and if Susan finished the quilt.   I was thinking about reaching out to her, when she got in touch with me to tell me that she finished the quilt, and sent a picture of the finished quilt to McCall's Quick Quilts.    The picture above is a snap of the page in the magazine, which, of course, I had promptly purchased!  Thanks, Susan for the kind words, and I look forward to continuing our email friendship!   I still can't believe that was a first quilt!  Great job!

     In a little bit, I am leaving for a long overdue quilt retreat!  I managed to get a few projects cut out, but for the most part, I am taking stacks of material, lots of tools, and a long to do list.   I'll report back on my progress next week!

I had some problems, all of my own making, cutting out the big floral fabric for a kaleidoscope quilt.  After I got 6 fabric layers all lined up, I cut a 6 inch strip, and then used the WRONG triangle ruler to cut the triangles.
       The pieces look not quite right!  I will find a place for these later on, but I had to refigure my quilt design to account for fewer pieces!  D a r n !
     The right triangle ruler was the 60 degree ruler, which was right there in my ruler drawer!

  The kitties are getting bigger, and feeling more at home.  Here is Judy, relaxing on top of my school back pack!
        While my art school assignments have been keeping me busy, I have also been busy creating some artwork on my own with some old sewing patterns.  I am working on a series of collages, which I am framing to be 12 x 12 inch square, and will soon be putting up for sale on Etsy (and possibly other sites).  I think these are perfect for any sewing room, or any room in the house!    Please let me know what you think!
Take care,
Gretchen

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

"On Ringo Lake" top complete!

Betty loves the quilt top! 
      Yesterday I sewed the final few long seams together to finish the "On Ringo Lake" top.  What a great experience to participate in this mystery quilt with thousands of other quilters worldwide!  My precision in sewing always needs work, and this was a perfect project for that.  I am not certain that the top will lay perfectly flat, but the blocks did fit together well.  The finished top is 75 wide by 91 long (a quickie check with a tape measure), so it will be a bit smaller after quilting and washing! Because it is big, it is hard to get a good picture of the whole thing!
Trying to photograph on floor

Trying to get it all in on the design wall

Even the trusty quilt holder can't quite get the whole quilt top to show!
       I was working on some art pieces this weekend, using leftovers from a class project.  I mounted one piece (not yet titled) to see how it would look.  I realized I used my "On Ringo Lake" colors in this!

     Enjoy the beginning of September!  
Take care,
Gretchen