Thursday, July 31, 2014

Sea Breeze Mini Quilt Along

Welcome to my stop on the Sea Breeze Mini Quilt Along, organized by Angie of Gnome Angel.


The Sea Breeze Mini is a pattern by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations. While contemplating which fabrics to use, my eyes settled on a fat eighth set of Oakshott shot cottons in a range called Italy, with all the colors being "shot" with silvery grey, giving it a lovely, chalky quality.

The next decision was what color to use that would really highlight the beautiful shot cottons. I initially considered these.

Deciding that they would dull rather than enhance the soft colors, I chose Kona cotton in black, jet black to be exact.

I worked on it at an annual quilting retreat in Minnesota over the weekend,with seven of my best quilting friends (more details to follow). This might have helped me along just a little bit.
The blocks were easy to put together. The half square triangle units are designed to be cut oversized and then trimmed down, which increases the accuracy.

Here is what the back looks like. Isn't this Dear Stella fabric pretty? I had been eying it all weekend during very infrequent numerous trips across the parking lot to Gruber's. When I realized that I could actually complete the quilt before flying home, well, it turned into a necessary purchase.
I had lots of time in the Seattle airport during my layover on the way home. They have high-backed rocking chairs (!) and I was able to get the binding all finished. Here is just a sneak peek. You will have to come back on August 2nd to see the completed mini quilt.
Be sure to check out all the previous quilt-along posts at Gnome Angel. And don't forget to come back on the 2nd!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Finish It Friday: Chain Link

Last week I stopped in my local quilt shop and saw this on the counter. It's the newest issue of Modern Patchwork.
It was exciting to see it out in the wild. Because...on page 52...
is Chain Link!

Here are some closer shots. Taken in my backyard.
 
 
 

I'm so happy with this quilt. I used a lovely set of fat eighths from Cherrywood.

This was not my original plan for setting the blocks. But thanks to a lovely weekend with Elizabeth, we played around with the blocks on her living room floor and she helped me come up with this setting. Quilting friends are the BEST!

On the subject of quilting friends, Anne Diester's pillows are on the cover! This is Anne's second time as a cover girl. She is crazy talented so I hope you will check out her blog if you haven't been there before.

Anne and I are going to be roomies at QuiltCon, and the thought of meeting her in person and spending a weekend together makes me so happy.

I'm linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF. Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Tale of Two Cities

I've been away from the computer for awhile, and it has felt really good. And I've been spending more time in my sewing room. Which has also felt really good!

I have been working on my "temperature quilt" (idea from Rachel), keeping track of high and low temperatures for each day, in Fresno and in St. Paul. Thus, "Tale of Two Cities." The top 2 1/2 rows are Fresno, the lower 2 1/2 rows are St. Paul. Since I'm doing highs and lows from each day (Rachel is only doing one temperature rather than two), I decided that I needed to separate the months and decided on 1/2" strip of black (the black over on the far right completes the June strip since there are only 30 days, but I'm thinking of changing to charcoal grey as the black seems kind of jarring to me). Oh, and the little tiny strip of black (July 9) is because we broke a record high from 1902. Man, I hating breaking records like that...

When I originally chose my fabrics--Grunge by Basic Grey for Moda, I ordered a fat quarter stack of the pretty new colors. Since I'm actually making two quilts, I have quickly found out that a fat quarter stack is not going to be nearly enough, especially for some of the common temperatures, which lately have been the equivalent of highs in St. Paul and lows in Fresno.


So I'm ordering another fat quarter stack from Fat Quarter Shop ASAP, not only before I run out, but because of this great sale--good through July 18th.

What are you working on? I hope you are keeping cool. Or warm. Depending on the temperature tale happening in your city!

Thursday, July 3, 2014

July 2014

Fused glass flag by Mark (Double Diamond Glass)
I have decided to take a little break for the month of July. Or at least a break from the regularly scheduled Really Random Thursday. I'll be in and out, and will be posting now and then.

So I'll see you when I see you. Keep track of your randomness and we'll share it again in August.