No quilting for a few days, partly because of a seized up neck/shoulder muscle, but mostly because I had the privilege of attending a two-day quilting symposium with Ricky Tims.
I cannot say enough. It was amazing. He is considered one of the thirty best quilters in the world. Not only is this man a good teacher, he is also entertaining, humble, plays piano with such sparkle that you don't know whether to cry or get up and dance, teaches photography, and can tell stories with a delightful flare.
I had a fabulous time. I've made his designs (except the cave man style) and marvel at how he makes elaborate simple. These two days were loaded with new ideas and tips, plus a huge amount of encouragement -- well worth the time and fee. If you have never gone to one and get the opportunity, go. You will not be disappointed. My hubby, a non-quilter, went to the session last night and is still raving!
Hopefully, I can soon post a finish. In the meantime, I've a heating pad on my neck and looking forward to another date with my message therapist!
Applique done on this one during hockey, curling, etc. on TV while it is too cold outside to do much else. Yes, if you look closely there is a pin in this. It marks a spot that needs a bit of TLC. Otherwise, I need to press it, quilt it, put on a backing and a label.
This one has 150 blocks that will be 6" finished. It will be about a twin and is for a lady who will be 90 years old next Tuesday. She is sharp, spry and classy. I keep telling her she needs to share where she gets her amazing wardrobe. Anyway, she doesn't know I'm making this but when she told me she wished she had a quilt for her bed, the Lord whispered "Do it" in my ear.
Whew, January flew by. I've started a king-size for our daughter. This time it is a simple design, not like our son's beach scene. She wanted subway tiles in graduated shades of taupe. She wasn't sure about the quilting so I made two cushion covers, one with plain lines and the other with the panto called Dazzle. I'll post photos next time. Right now, I'm cutting out bricks (430 or so) that are 9.5" x 3.5" and have already dulled one rotary cutter blade, never mind what this is doing to my muscles (or lack thereof)!
It isn't the most fascinating design, but she also asked for another Celtic applique to go with this one... A relaxing easy stitch.
I also started a twin-size for a friend. It will be like this only bigger and in peach, yellow, green instead of pink. The fabrics are similar but different colors. This pink one is a table runner that I whipped up for a charity auction. To my surprise, it was fought over.
When a friend suggested blue sashing for these red slabs, I cringed. I've never like red/blue combinations unless it was jeans and a cowboy shirt. In this case, the reds are fairly bright and the blues are loud, loud. However, I didn't have anything else in my stash so gave it a shot. When the top was done, I was not overly impressed, so decided to add a piano key border, partly because that would make it big enough for a Quilt of Valour. I had just enough scraps left to do it. Here is the result...
Now I changed my mind about red and blue, not because of the particular values, hues, etc. but because of the balance. The top had too much blue yelling at me, but adding those keys toned down the blue and gave red the prominence. Balance is another thing to think of when making a quilt.
This photo is the top. I've cut strips for the binding, blue and a bit of red. The backing is a wild pieced thing with almost all my red scraps from that scrap bin plus some blue/red plaids.
The bin has a few little pieces left and one that is about 8" x 10" so I am happy with that. Of course, my stash still has reds, but bigger pieces, not scraps.
For the last three years, I get a rush of orders for the quilt pattern that I sell on my Etsy page. This happens on Christmas day and the day after. This year I decided to be prepared. Last January I ordered copies, collated and folded them and put everything needed for orders (except the labels and postage) in envelopes. I spent most of today copying order information to labels and plan to mail them tomorrow. Some were digital orders as the pattern is available that way or hard copy.
I'm not sure why this happens. Are people given the pattern as a Christmas gift? Maybe. Two of them are from Australia, two from Canada, the rest from USA. I'm thankful for the success of this pattern and for those who have finished it and sent me photos of their work!
Blessings to all.
Scott's quilt is finally totally finished. This afternoon, we hung it from an open beam in our church using a temporary basted sleeve and heavy clips. The light from the windows is natural, but cloudy rather than bright sunshine.
Soon this one is going in a box and under a tree. (If anyone reading this knows my son, don't tell him. He knows I've made it but has not seen it yet - and refused to look at photos.)
I'm glad this monster is finished. I could not work on it when getting a pacemaker as pectoral muscles are needed to handle something this big. Sometimes I was just so sick of working on it that I did something easier.
It looks better in life, I think. Those who helped loved it and I am humbled by their praise because the Lord deserves it more. It was not easy to do and more answered prayer was involved with this one than anything else I've ever done.
Two people said it was too nice to put on a bed. What he thinks remains to be discovered. Oh, it is 106" wide x 94" tall and took nearly 300 hours.
From a small box of red scraps I made this quilt which looks far better than the photo. My hubby claimed it as soon as he saw it. Now am working on this one (below) and will make another one also, all from that box of red scraps. The three of them are lap size or larger (or will be) for big laps!
The blue sashing is not my choice. A friend convinced me to try it. I've never been a fan of red/blue together, but it does have a certain appeal. Besides, it is from the stash and I am not buying more fabric! The left two verticals are sewn, with the third ready to attach and the fourth just hanging there looking messy. I am thinking of a 5" piano key boarder with leftover reds (they multiply in the dark when no one is looking). There is enough of them, plus a bit of blue to accent or put in the corners.
The third quilt has a brown/red print ready to cut up for sashing.
Making these slab quilts is easy and fun. I'll quilt them with a panto and they will likely go to QoV Canada.
Scott's king size quilt is done, but no photo yet. We are taking it to our church where we can hang it from a beam and get back far enough to take a picture. It will be quite a production needing two ladders, at least two men, lots of clamps and patience on my part!
