Finally - I got something done.

Some of you will remember the pattern I developed called "Japanese Lanterns."  I made the top and sold some patterns (still available on request!) However, the top got packed away along with the backing I bought for it and it was almost forgotten.
Then something happened.  Joanne Lendaro at Splitting Stitches had a Quilting Stimulus giveaway.  I won half price quilting. Joanne's other blog is called Insanely Cheap Quilting.  Her prices are good already(we are talking $65 for queen size!), so half price was an excellent price!

I sent in the top and backing. I chose to buy the batting from Joanne and save on shipping. I also chose the Hobbs 80/20 batting.  I have to say it worked out well!
Here are a couple of (badly taken) pictures of the quilt and one close up of the quilting.

Quilting Close-up

Oh, what did I get done?   I squared and trimmed the quilt so that it is ready for binding. Now, I just have to decide on the binding fabric. Ha ha.

I did the trimming at a friend's house.  I was planning to use the big open floor, but I watched a video that showed trimming/squaring  on a table top...so I tried it.  It worked great and my back and knees thank me.
My friend looked at the table after I was finished trimming and said "Sure looks like a lot of waste!"

I said, "That isn't waste a lot of it will be used in other projects."  And it will.  This picture also shows the rulers I used for trimming.  I have to say that I love this 16 1/2" square ruler for squaring. It really assisted nicely in getting it squared. I also used my 6 by 24" ruler ( you can see a bit of it in the lower left corner) After getting the corner squared, I used the longer ruler to trim up to the next corner.
I want to try some free motion quilting with the extra Hobbs 80/20 batting and compare it to my usual Warm and Natural/ Warm and White. From the feel of it, I think it will work just as well.

Happy

I am sure some of you have wondered where I have been.  I have been pretty quiet.   I had a little respiratory infection and still have a lovely hacking cough at times.  The cough was deep enough to whack my lower back out of place too.  Hopefully that is all sorted out now. And just in time too.  Thursday in Thanksgiving in the USA.  I was at Mom's this evening and helped her get the ham out of the oven.  We had a little taste just to be sure it was okay.  
(It was excellent!)  Tomorrow she is planning to cook a turkey too.  I sure hope someone shows up to help eat it all. LOL.


As you know, I had the sale this past Saturday.   I had an excellent day and made a few dollars that I can use to resupply my quilting stuff. (but I need to use some more of what I have first!) I was very happy that my first sale was early in the day.  Another vendor - a weaver who makes lovely things - came over and saw the Chinese Coins quilt and loved it.  I honestly think that showing the back of it was the clincher.  She also bought a quilted journal for a class she is taking.  I have to find my receipt book to be sure but I think I sold three quilts total. 
For the next few days, I will be busy with family and friends enjoying the holiday. (I just have to work Wednesday of course.) 
So, for all the readers in the USA:

And for anyone who wished to make the above block (one of my designs!) the instructions are here. (no, it doesn't have the words on it.)

Almost Show Time - &- another QST layout

Many of you saw my blogger spotlight in the AccuQuilt newsletter. I have another layout using some applique that I wanted to share for those who come to my blog.  The layout is my "Pink Diamonds" quilt but with snowflakes and stars added in the open areas.  You could of course add any shape you desire. You could also add applique inside the larger pink diamonds.  This is a great place to let your creativity out to play.

 Tomorrow is my show and sale.  Today I will be going to set up the booth and get it ready for show time.  I am hoping for a good turn out and lots of  sales.
For now, I have quilts piled on the bed and have started rolling them up.  I like to roll them so there aren't any creases in them when they are displayed.

Oh, there are also some table runners in that stack.
I have boxes packed with jewelry, display items, note cards, etc.

If you are wondering about the "E Black" on the box, my actual name is Eugene - Gene for short.
I sign my paintings "E Black" -it confuses people. LOL

There is one painting on top of that box too and a bag of quilted purses.
There are more boxes AND more paintings.

And one more box with quilted notebooks, journals and photo albums

Whew!  Now what am I forgetting?  I suppose I will find out when I start setting it up. ha ha.  Oh my, I just remembered, there is one more box in that closet! I best not forget that one.

Spotlight!

I hope that you are signed up for the AccuQuilt emails. If you are then you most likely got today's Blogger Spotlight Isssue featuring ME!
If not - then click this little gadget and sign up. If you sign up and don't get today's email, leave a comment here and I will try to fix that for you.
My spotlight is on the quarter square triangle.
Did I mention that you also get 22 patterns just for signing up? Great deal, huh?

Batting Giveaway

at Our Busy Little Bunch.

Musings on Quilts

One of the comments I received on a previous post prompted me to remember a passage from a book. The character was talking about how quilts reflect the personality of the maker. The comment was on my Chinese Coins quilt. She mentioned the vivid blue sashing and border setting it off.
I have too agree. Here is how I replied to her comment.


The jelly roll that I used for the majority of the "coins" was just a little too muted for me. The vivid blue was my answer to making the quilt bold and exciting (to me at least.)I read in a book that you can tell a lot about a person by their quilts. Looking back at this one, the front is all planned and organized, but the back is not at all that way. Both have bright as well as muted parts.
I guess that pretty well defines me.
Do you think that
Your quilts show who you are? If so, what do you think they say about you?

Today I am Thankful

I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in the USA.
To all in the USA Happy Veteran's Day.

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Another painting

This painting is the first non-objective abstract I painted in a class. The class increased my painting skills immensely.
While this was meant to be non-objective, I do see a "real" picture in it.
The title is "Community"

Can you tell that I have always loved vivid color?

Friday, November 04, 2011

What's Up with me.

I know some of you are wondering if I have stopped blogging.  It has been a few days.  
The truth is that I have just been too busy and too tired from being too busy.  We have had several intense projects at work. Add to that my usual chores, caregiving for mom, (she is doing pretty well though, just needs to gain some weight back - not a problem most of us have!) AND getting ready for the sale November 19th -and well you can see how it is wearing me out. LOL.  
So, I may take a blogging break -or at least be more infrequent until after the sale. I will be back in full force after the sale I think.  
Meanwhile, I suggest checking my sidebar "Blogs I read" -there is some good inspiration in some of them. 


I will have some paintings I have done at the sale this year. 
Here are a couple of examples of my painting style(s.) 

Egret in Motion (unfinished)

Forbidden Crossing

Parrots in Paradise

Foggy Farm - Uncle Joe's (Foggy Farm Series)