Friday, July 30, 2010

Scorcher...and Book Winner

I think my iron was a little hot!!! I was making this block on my way to making
these blocks. Before i left for my week long Sunriver stay I got this box of wool applique to do for a quilt shop. I did get the blocks mailed off yesterday. It's a good thing she sends a little extra.
Here was a project that the quilt shop owner started but ran out of time so sent it off to me. I like it a lot. Generally she would like all of her projects done by machine but because she already had it glue basted I opted to finish it by hand.
Look at this fantastic linen purse I won from Brandie! She has an Etsy shop with other adorable bags and crafts too. You should check it out.



My son drew a name from the bowl and the winner of Jean Wells Intuitive Color & Design book is KatyQuilts!! Congratulations!
Please send me your mailing address and I'll get it out right away.



Have a terrific weekend!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pioneer Quilt Exhibit

The High Desert Museum had an exhibit of Pioneer Quilts that I was able to see the week before the Sister's show. If any of you are ever in the area this is a fantastic museum and I'd highly recommend it.
Here are a few highlights from the pioneer quilts.


I'm a huge fan of four block applique. I thought the border was interesting in that it wasn't a loose vine but instead sort of zig-zaggy. (I'm having a hard time pulling descriptive words out of my head this morning!)

Look at the big circles the maker did on the quilting. I can't say that I like it, but it is fun and quirky.




I thought this was a simple but fun quilt. It was visually very appealing. Do you notice how the maker substituted the blue fabric?


The hand quilting is amazing!

I always love a two color quilt and the quilting on this one was amazing too!! I wonder how long it took to do all that quilting!!?


This little sign was with the red and white quilt. I'm so glad we have fabric at our fingertips and we don't have to dye our own.



These next couple of quilts are from the antique quilt booth in Sisters.


Ever since we did the Strawberry Field quiltalong I notice so many quilts with the zigzag setting. This is pretty unusual to see with the Tree of Life block- especially in double pink.

Little bits of cheddar, little bits of dots.

Be sure to check out the giveaway on this post. Leave a comment if you'd like to be entered to win.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Quilt Show and a Giveaway

Is this lady and her quilt adorable? I'm cracking up this morning thinking I took a photo of a stranger. Maybe deep down I'd like her to be my grandma!! I went to a small quilt show in Pleasant Hill yesterday and she was quilting on this quilt that her Grandmother made!! Is that chrome yellow amazing?!! She was so cute and I loved talking with her. She had been a missionary to the Philippines for 30 years and made her first quilt by hand while she was there. I left her some information on the Oregon Quilt Project and explained to her (and a few others) that we need to document these terrific stories and quilts.

This was another 3 generation quilt. Her grandmother pieced the block, her mom set it with sashing and she hand quilted it.







I thought this handmade doll was pretty charming and couldn't help but snap a photo.


Does anybody think this Sunbonnet Sue needs to go on a diet? LOL



If you've been reading my blog for any length of time you should know what type of quilts I like. Which book does NOT belong?



If you guessed this book you are correct. I picked up these books at the quilt show yard sale and really have been wanting to read Jean Well's book. I'm fascinated with the turn her quilting has taken. I see Central Oregon in many of these quilts and I love that she shows the photographs she was inspired by. I read it and am ready to pass it on to one of my blog readers. Even if you never plan on making an art quilt there are a lot of good lessons to be learned about color, design, inspiration and lines in this book.
Leave a comment and I'll draw a winner at the end of the week.

PS. Darlene suggested that the applique quilt in my header is a thistle. I think she's right!!! Thanks!!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

I'd Much Rather Be.....

I'd rather be cooking dinner for my girlfriends then trying to find auto parts for hours on end!!! It has been a long time since I've worked so many hours in a row standing...... Only 2 more days, then I'm looking forward to a little road trip on Saturday. (By the way, this is Randy's amazing kitchen in Sunriver)
After a quick shower and dinner I spent a little time enjoying my flower garden. Here are a few that the deer usually leave alone.

I have tons of lavender that self seeds every year. The bees love it.




Even our dog is tired of being cooped up while I'm away. He always looks forward to a bit of action when we get home.
Have a wonderful Thursday!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Sisters Quilt Show Highlights

I'll get back to the antique quilts soon. I'm working full time this week because we do actually let our employees go on vacation. So if you need any car paint mixed or an oil filter for your car you may get ME answering the phone!! I was having a little fun and showing my hubby the proper safety gear for mixing paint!!!
Here are a few of the highlights from the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.
What a lovely church dash made with homespuns.

I can't go to a quilt show without honing in on the patriotic quilts. I thought this was a real beauty.


All of us thought this was a real stunner. I love the double sawtooth border.


The rest of the quilts I'm showing were made by one woman. Her special exhibit was called Garden Inspired Quilts by Hedda Wright. It seems like a diverse collection but I have to say there isn't one I wouldn't want!! Beeeaaauutiful!!!








If you have an extra 10 minutes I really recommend you watch this youtube video made by the Sisters Nugget newspaper. It is really good and I love the man from South Africa and how he jumped right in to volunteer.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Antique Quilts

Look what I saw this year at the "old quilts for sale booth"!!! After doing the quiltalong it was so nice to see the quilt that started it all. Bonnie and I determined that the original quilt maker probably did set it seams. She sure did a nice job.





I went back after lunch and really wanted to purchase this quilt but the seller wouldn't go down to a price that I was willing to pay. If it is there next year I'll try again!!!


I was really intrigued by this applique quilt. It reminds me of a dandelion. Does anybody know what the pattern name is? Not only was the applique fantastic but the quilting was pretty amazing too!!



I guess dandelions don't have buds so that shoots down that idea.
I'll leave you with some gorgeous eye candy and the next time I'll show you what we purchased.



Thursday, July 15, 2010

Outings...

Look at these fantastic patterns and book that my friend Randy brought back from market and gave to me. I'm especially intrigued by the strawberry applique pattern after reading Barbara Brackman's blog on that particular pattern recently.



On my way to the airport on July 4th I had to make a quick stop into Fabric Depot and check out the outdoor sale. I found a few pieces I needed for my stash. The smaller pieces of shirtings were swatches at 10 cents each. Sure beats rummaging the thrift stores for shirts in the colors I want.

Sew Many Quilts in Bend, Oregon has really increased their wool section. I couldn't have been happier!!! As usual, they had it displayed wonderfully!!!




One of our stops was the Stitchin' Post where I was so tempted by this book. I had a hard time justifying the price, even with a 30% discount. I got it today from Amazon for a price I could afford. It has beautiful photos with lots of projects and inspiration!!



Hmmm, I have a difficult time with this. Aren't the Gees Bend quilts utility quilts made from fabrics they have to satisfy their creativity and keep their family warm? A kit? For a utility quilt? I know they are considered art, but personally I think it is the history behind the Gees Bend quilts that makes them so special.

Friday night my friend from Ohio and I attended the picnic in the park in Sisters. The man at our table took a quick estimate of people who were being catered dinner. 8 tables x 8 tables with 10 people at each table= a whole lot of people to feed!!! LOL The man and his wife who sat at our table were so sweet. He came to the quilt show and she went on a brewery hop with him. Sounds like a good trade off.


Can anybody be as sweet as Alex Anderson? She seems so real and genuine. (funny too!) She was our host for the show and tell. It was a really good time.