Blast from the Past

Circa 2002
I couldn't imagine making this quilt today. Row after row of the same simple applique. However, it was my first venture into "invisible" machine applique and I learned a ton in the process of making this quilt.

Skills developed:
Freezer paper machine quilting
You can't see the bumps and bruises from your chair to the design wall, so quit saying. "oh crap" in the classroom
Many creams make for an interesting background/border
How to make tiny stop borders and keep them straight, that fuchsia border is 1/4 "
Double up on the batting under the hearts, stipple around them and they will puff up
Free motion quilting around the borders on my DSM - first time to machine quilt
It takes some patience and pins to line up the sashing all down and across the quilt top

Would I make it again? never.   Do I love it? Yes.

 The fabric I chose for the hearts is still one of my favorites, I love working with scrappy backgrounds in creams or whites and I can see how much one quilt taught me. I am grateful for teachers who take the time to share their skills and knowledge. It takes a lot of time to prep for a class and to have samples made up.

Put a class on your fall to-do list. I'm sure you will learn one new thing, and that makes it all worth it!

Take time to stitch today,
Sharon

I'm Back

Even though I've been in La La Land the last while, I am still piecing and quilting. I'm continuing to work on samples for my Wedge Workshop, and along the way I've been encouraged to submit some of my pieces to magazines.

Because of that, I cannot share much with you and I'm having to continue to make new samples, with new designs and fabrics since I can't share what I've sent in.   I'm sure it's ok to show the backs, so here are two quilts that have been submitted as a pair.

They are from the same workshop, and very similar in design.  However, I quilted them totally different.

Trying to take a few different pictures, but an iPhone truly is not the best camera, especially in the sun when I can't see the screen.

This got an all over freehand feather, flower, spiral design.  I love how it turned out.  I used a soft variegated yellow thread and it was perfect for this, but this type of quilting sucks up the thread.  I have about 500 yards on this 38 x 48 quilt. 

Here is the second version, with completely different quilting.  I did feathers going up and down along with ruler work.  Both are nice, just a different way of quilting.

Second direction.  I pieced this back, three 1/2 yard cuts sewn together and I had a backing.  Plus I used up pieces that have been kicking around for quite some time.  I'm really trying to use up what is at hand.  The bonus of these smaller pieces is that I have been able to use up bags of those left over strips of batting. 

My quilt studio is open for business, so if you like my style of quilting and would like to me to help you turn some of your flimsy's into quilts,  please contact me via email or leave a comment and I will get back to you with details. You can see my pricing at my website, www.grassrootsquiltstudio.com

Wishing everyone a sunny Sunday, wherever you are!
Sharon

A Happy Girl

 We had an amazing sunset last Sunday night when I got home from Sisters.  However, the sun sets behind Tims' house so we rarely enjoy them.  On this particular night, the sunset was reflecting off the clouds and mountains, the water was painted with amazing colors, and we sat on the bench, mesmerized by Mother Nature at her finest.  I hope you have enjoyed some of what the outdoors has to offer in your area this summer.

Birch Bay, WA with Mt Baker in the distance.

It was the perfect night for Tim to give me this.  *VBG*  It was his mothers and we had it reset for me.

We have set a date, Sept 21, 2043  That will be when my 30 year mortgage runs out on him.  :-)

I couldn't be happier!

Sharon

Why Not........WhatNots

Kim Diehl has a wonderful line of fabrics out called Vintage Farmhouse.  With this collection comes 6 fabulous little quilt patterns, released each month, called What Nots.

My LQS, Fabric Etc is kitting up each of these little quilts so if you want to join in the fun, just give them a call and Carol will be happy to add you to the list.  If you are living in the Bellingham, WA area, then you can partake in a free demo the first Sat of the month starting in September, all part of the What Nots.  Each month I will showcase a method that I used to piece that particular quilt.  Kim also is including recipes, tips and tricks.

Here is the first one, called Meandering, and it contains every print in the collection.  I'm still hand quilting it, but it is very cute.  Disregard the orange basting threads while I do the quilting. Using YLI 003 brown to quilt this one.

 There will be a variety of tops, but all will be small.  I think the biggest one is 24 x24 so very doable in a month.  Join in the fun, I'll be posting along the way.

Sharon

Sisters, Final Chapter

Here is the last of my Sisters photos. I hope you have enjoyed the show.

 WAY too cute!

 Loved these wedge quilts.

 Very interesting piece.  The lime background was striking.

 One of my favorites of the whole show.  With 1401 quilts on display, its amazing how some just stand out and sing to me.

 Vintage quilts, would have loved to see this spread out.  The pink is fabulous with the blue and white.

 Me and Lori from Humble Quilts.  We met up in NYC and now in Sisters. 

 Lori, Claire and Randy.

 Cow quilts.  Thought this was a fun section.

 Vintage quilts............ No I didn't buy one.

That's all folks,
Sharon

Sisters - Part 3

This was very cute.  I liked the stars falling from the sky and in the trees

Maker of this next piece was from New Zealand.  Hand appliqued.

This one was inspired by two MQG challenges, the Ohio star was stamped on this fabric.

A lot of open space for quilting on this one, I did like the colors the maker used for the stars. 

A couple of street shots....

This one was really striking, I had to walk over to it, the colors just drew me in. 

Inside City Hall,

One orange block, and a TON of matchstick quilting on this piece.

This was one of the best displays, the house and gardens were the perfect setting for these quilts.

A wonderful showcase of western fabrics.  Loved all the FG on this piece.

I hope you are enjoying my view of Sisters Quilt show.  Next year is their 40th show, is it in your travel plans?

Sharon