Sewing Room Friday, 4/26/24

 Awhle ago, I decided it was time to start sewing with the "good stuff," fabric I've collected for years. I'm starting with my extensive collection of Anna Maria Horner fabric, some of which dates back many years. I began collecting with her second collection, Chocolate Lollipop. At the time, I was working at a local quilt shop so I think it's from about 20 years ago. Anyway, I was inspired by my friend, Diane, who posted a photo of a quilt she had made with Anna Maria Horner fabric, all large hourglass blocks. I began cutting and ended up with enough for five good-sized quilts.

So much trimming.

I'm naming them "The Same but Different, Numbers 1-5." Clever, I know..

I never posted photos of my completed afghan. I usually crochet with a DK weight yarn, and this yarn is chunkier so the afghan is really heavy and warm. 

This is the first block of a log cabin quilt I'm making using Heather Ross fabric, another designer whose fabric I have collected and need to use up.

There are some fun templates making the rounds on Instagram. You choose "add yours" and it drops a photo into the premade template. This one looks like I have a quilt at a major gallery. I don't, but it's fun to pretend.

I completed my "Welcome to London" quilt top, made from Liberty of London fabric with a London theme and solid Oakshott shot cottons. I just kind of made up my own pattern. I had purchased a 1/2 metre of the pretty orange print from the Liberty of London store in February, and I put that block closest to the center, and included the selvage.

I also finished this small wall hanging for our niece, Rose, and her partner, CJ. It is a Morse code quilt from a book I've had for awhile. It says "love is love." 

And now I'm off to work on "The Same but Different, Number 4." 

Really Random Thursday, 4/25/24

 Janice and I went to the Heart of the Valley quilt show a couple of weeks ago. I didn't take many photos. However, this one was absolutely stunning. At first I thought the white fabric was a print. But on closer inspection, it was all the quilting design, teeny tiny quilting. It was so amazing. And then the docent flipped the backing over so we could see it more closely. The maker had added crystals to the flowers. I can barely do straight line grid quilting, and then only if the quilt is quite small. So this is quite mind boggling to me.

That night, Jessie Harper spent the night. She had come up for the MCC sale. It was so good to spend time with her. Mark made us breakfast Saturday morning before she headed back home. And we took this series of silly photos. Love this girl so much.

Then Mark and I went to the MCC sale for a couple of hours. I had one zweiback and it was delicious!

Charlotte attended her senior prom with a group of friends that night. I can hardly believe her senior year is nearly complete. It was a very rainy night but it sounds like she had a great time.

While she was at the prom, we took Levi shopping for his 16th birthday and then out for dinner. They are all growing up so fast. 

Know anyone who needs this sweatshirt?

Levi passed his driving test a few days later. I've driven with him many times and he is a good driver.

We have very much enjoyed the Fresno Community Band concerts this year. Gabe went with us on Saturday night. Another great concert--all Broadway show tunes. Our friend, Gary, plays the trombone and it's always good to see him. 

That's about it for the past couple of weeks. I'm in the process of getting a new computer and that always makes me nervous. Hope the data transfer goes well. I have backed up all my photos, which is really the only thing I worry about. 

Sewing Room Friday, 4/5/24

Does this apply to any of you?

Last week, Alex Anderson did a recap of the quilters who will have episodes in the upcoming months. She mentioned me in Part 1, as I filmed during the first half of the week. But then I noticed this in the newsletter for Part 2--a photo of my quilt from QuiltCon a few years back. She thought it was ra eally funny story that I liked the back of the quilt better than the front, so I submitted the back. And it was accepted! I've submitted a couple of other quilts to QuiltCon in recent years. None have been accepted. Maybe I should try submitting a quilt back again. Haha.

I'm trying to be open to new experiences, rather than staying at home all the time. And any time it involves any kind of public speaking, it is a very courageous act for me. :) 

Last night, some of my quilts were part of our local Art Hop, a monthly display of art in different venues downtown. My quilts were displayed in a beautiful old home that has been converted to offices.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by. I'm really glad I had this opportunity and hopefully will again in the future. Also there last night was a sourdough baker, @dust_bowl_bread_and_goods. She made sourdough pop tarts--SO good!

In another Art Hop venue, Gabe had some artwork. I really love that the school district encourages art and then offers an opportunity to display them to the public.

This is so true.

For the last month on Instagram, @amyscreativeside has been running something she calls IG Quilt Fest. There is a different prompt each day. I never seem to post for all 31 days, but one prompt toward the end of the month is "must make quilt." Nedra Sorensen made my day when she posted this, so thanks so much Nedra. :)

Also true.

I think we can all agree this is really great quilt inspiration. Makes me wonder who designed the poster.

I have already collected some fabric from my stash.

I'm hoping to do a lot of sewing this weekend. What about you?