Isn't this quilt gorgeous?! It was one of the more fancy quilts at the antique quilts booth at Sisters. I'd love to own it but it was a little out of my budget.

I love the unusual baskets and the super size blocks!!

This was on a different quilt. I thought the applique block on this one was very charming!!

Beyond the Cherry Tree Blocks

I'm all caught up this quilt!! Woo-Hoo!

Block 16 grapes finally finished. This is going to be my center block.

Block 21. After seeing Wendy's block yesterday I realized I forgot to applique the ribbon/handle/decoration on the urn. The original color was dark green but I don't think I would have been able to see it so I opted for purple. I'm not thrilled with it, but OK with it. Before appliqueing that on,  I could see a frowning face, now I see a frowning face with glasses!! LOL

Block 22- whew! An easy one!!

Now that I'm caught up on those I am ready to start making the flying geese for the Blind Man's Fancy border. Jo Morton let me know that the dye lot is fine, it was printed in two different colors!! I tell ya' they look the same online.

Sisters Antique Quilt and Winner!

Here is my purchase from Sisters on the day of the show. It is a top with a mix of fabric, predominately double pink and Lancaster blue.

The border print really caught my eye.

I can't seem to find much information on this border as far as what it is called and approximate year. Any clues on that would be appreciated.

Do you see the outermost border? It looks like drapery fabric and I'm sure it was added on at a later date.

I need to try and clean it up a bit but the piecing is very good and it lays nice and flat. It's got great fabric in it.

Thank you all who entered into my giveaway! I really wish I had something for everyone. It was fun to visit many new-to-me blogs. Please feel free to leave a comment any time. I love hearing from you!
The winner of the book and little quilt is Pam from Just Me. Please check out her blog too. She does wonderful quilts and has quite a green thumb!! Pam, please send me an email and I'll get your package ready to mail.

Ta-Da!

I finished the borders last night!! All that piecing, geez, no wonder it took me so long! LOL I looked at some antique two color Irish chains and liked this simple border treatment the best.
Now,  you may or may not notice that there is a mistake. I saw it as I was getting ready to take a photo.   I'm just letting you know that I know it's there.

The two fabrics I used were red Moda bella solid Christmas red and Kona natural. The strips I used to make the blocks were cut at 1 1/2" . The border strips were cut at 2 1/2". The quilt measures about 85"x89".

The open "white" spaces are only about 4" so I don't think I'll be doing any wreaths or fancy work in there. At this point I plan on quilting it myself- probably with crosshatching.

My first thought is to put muslin on the back but I may find a nice red and white print, possibly some type of toile. Sometimes the quilting looks better with a busy print on the back. If I do decide to send it out a print on the back is a sure thing. Any thoughts on that?

Special Giveaway

In honor of having 500 followers I'm having a giveaway.  I hit that number the day I left for Sunriver and haven't had a chance to post yet. What is really funny is that after I updated IE I cannot even see my followers list.  But, I do appreciate every one of you. I've met some wonderful quilters through the internet and hope to meet many more.

I picked up this book in Sisters and put the final stitches in the little quilt "Westward Ho!" last night.

Leave a comment or send me an email to be in the drawing. I'll draw a random name on Friday.

Have a wonderful Monday!!

Bible Block & Dye Lots

I love this block. I can almost hear Moses yelling at the people, "What have you been doing down here?!" Throwing his hands up in frustration.

On another note.......

I had a small piece of this fabric and found out it was an older Jo Morton print. I wanted to use it in the Blind Man's Fancy quilt border. Because it was older I wasn't going to pursue it too hardily.

With a few clicks of the mouse I found plenty of it at the Fabric Shack.

The only problem was this is what came in the mail. I'm positive I didn't put yellow in the shopping cart, but because it is such a terrific print I am keeping it. When I went back online to the Fabric Shack they only showed 1/2 yard of the color I wanted.

With a few more clicks of the mouse I found it at Debbie's Quilt Shop. It arrived in lightning speed!!

 And this is what I got- perfect......

Who knew two dye lots could be so completely different!?  As you can see the newer one is definitely more red then the piece I had. Aargh!!

I'll make as many flying geese as I can and hope I can make them all out of the new piece. The two pinks will be the other part of the flying geese.

I have 4 more blocks to make on the red and white, then I'm back to this border...I  must stay focused, I must stay focused......red and white, red and white......

Favorites

It is always hard to choose a favorite from the show since there are so many wonderful quilts.

This one is done by Tonye Belinda Phillips and totally made me crack up!! She followed the swirls on the border with her quilting and it looked fantastic.

Here's another one of Tonye's with lots of tiny baskets.

Sue Spargo's work is lovely as usual. Tonye and Sue are collaborating! Can you imagine?!

I've always admired Mary Lou Weidman style quilts.

Great use of fabric. I love the bottom border.

Here is Randy with her "Everything" quilt. As I am scrounging through my scraps and bins I am holding out any little misc blocks and pieces so I can make one like this. I think it turned out fantastic!!  This quilt did not sell at the show so if anybody is interested contact her or I can put you in touch with her.

P.S. I passed 500 followers and plan on having a giveaway soon!! Be on the lookout.

Enjoy the weekend!!

Inspiration in July

The yearly Sisters Outdoor quilt show is a great place to get inspiration and be around lots of quilters- thousands of quilters.
No matter how many times I've gone I enjoy myself again every year.

I also take plenty of photos every year. This side of the Stithin' Post always hosts the employee challenge. It is a popular photo op.

Here is another one of my favorite photo ops. 

I showed you a photo of Pam and I  but here is another one we took with Kathy Doughty. Pam took a class with her and I used the opportunity to meet them both.
I am a follower of Kathy's blog, Material Obsessions. She seems to be a wonderful teacher and encourager. Her quilt shop does a lot of classes and although they aren't the type of quilts I make I am very intrigued, inspired and fascinated by them.

A close up of Kathy's quilt hanging in the Sisters show.

The log cabin style quilt is hers too.
Kathy brought a little Australian entourage with her and some of their quilts. What fun and unusual quilts. Next to the antique quilts this was my favorite special display at the show.
The lighting wasn't too great, but I hope you enjoy them too.

Did You Guess the Pattern?

After seeing the checkerboard blocks did you guess I was doing a triple Irish chain? I have 4 rows to add and a possible border. I'm bummed I didn't get further, but am happy I made it this far.
I'm going to get packed up and head for home. Bonnie and Randy will continue to sew and I'll go back to work. This was a terrific place to re-energize, relax, sew & laugh with my good friends.

Speaking of friends, we talked Randy into starting a blog this week!! You will love the quilts she makes and she has the most adorable grandson and golden retriever named Max.  Her thumbnail is in my sidebar- Barrister's Block. Please drop by and tell her I sent you. I'm trying to get on her good side so she'll invite me back next year!  I've been rather obnoxious this trip!! LOL

Sister's sisters

 Energized and ready for the day! The weather was perfect for a quilt show.

The employee challenge quilts are displayed on the Stitchin' Post building every year.

 I'm down to 3 strips....

And about half the blocks I need to make. Woo-Hoo! I'm getting there!

Infinite Variety

Here I am at my yearly sewathon working on my commemorative red and white quilt.  Pretty exciting sewing...... NOT!

 Here I am at my computer putzing around and I told Bonnie & Randy they weren't doing a very good job of keeping me focused.

I have 19 blocks made...only 80 to go!!

Quilt show tomorrow!! Woo Hoo!!

Sisters Week

Hello friends!! This week is the start of the classes leading up to the wonderful Outdoor quilt show in Sisters, Oregon. I am normally up in Sunriver sewing with friends but family first this year so I will be going on Friday. Unfortunately one of our employees is going on vacation next week so my Sunriver sewathon will be cut short. I thought I'd take advantage of my open week and go to Sisters.
Of course I had to stop by the Stitchin' Post as they always do such a nice job at getting the store ready for a busy week. They also have a store at the high school were classes are and boy does that make it convenient- I shopped twice!! hahahaha
My main reason for going to Sisters was to meet Pam from Library Gal Quilts. She was taking a class with Kathy D of Material Obsession fame. Watch her blog for her wonderful red quilt.
I felt so comfortable with Pam right away! She was so friendly and warm and genuine. I hope this will not be the last time we meet.

Look at this super cute mug rug she gave to me. Isn't it fantastic?!

I also got to meet Carmen and her daughter, Amanda, (I sure hope that is their names) from Honey Run Quilt shop in Chico, CA.  Carmen just got out of a class with Janet Bolton and her little art quilt was amazing!! I look forward to seeing it on her blog.

After I left Sisters I made my way to Bend to meet my friend Randy at Sew Many Quilts.  They were having an open house before the craziness of the week set it.

Tomorrow I am meeting my blog friend Juliann who is coming for classes. Since I am not sewing with friends this week I do feel like I am missing out on the festivities. Maybe next year I'll take a class or two.

Happy Independence Day!!