Virtual Retreat Aug thru Dec 2015 Info on first post

[lotti]

Annis, whilst I don't recognise the fabrics, I love the designs of them and what has been done with them. I have thinking about these type of border prints for a while, but have not seen any around to buy

[lotti]

I would check out fabric by Jinny Beyer. She has designed many border prints over the years.

[lotti]

Love all the quilts...wow!!! :cheer:
Just wanted to pop in and say I'll be MIA now for awhile...catch up later :silly:
Dorothy

[lotti]

Popping in to say, first of all, WOW!! Ladies, I am continually amazed & surprised by all that you get done. Beautiful stuff, every one of you!!

Also wanted to show what I've been working on, now that I have good progress and a photo A friend has/is adopting a baby girl, and once I heard her name (Jubilee) I was struck with the feeling I had to make a quilt for her, a celebration quilt of sorts. Much thought & conversation with the mom and symbolism of the situation went into it, and so she's getting a very celebration-y Lone Star (her family is from Texas, but now living in another state) and the background will actually be made to look like woven ribbons in blue & white, the birthstone colors of the birth mom and the adoptive mom. That part is yet to come, but I finally finished all 8 star points yesterday, today will join them into 2 star "halves" and then will work on piecing the background pieces.

First time making a Lone Star, but I'm pleased so far! I did a LOT more pinning and pressing than I usually do....it paid off, and maybe I'll be a convert to doing things in a more precise fashion....

This is all 8 points, laid out on my floor for the photo, none are joined to each other yet though.



As for why I've not been around much...school has started, and with it, lots of time in the car, driving kids here & there. We still home school, but are using some outside classes, so M-Th I am driving someone, somewhere, part of the day. I'm left with W-F mornings for some quilting time between driving times, and afternoons are for the home school things, and so far less computer time or sewing time these days. But, my oldest son's last year before college, so not complaining at all about spending time with him instead of my machine. (also planning, but not anywhere near starting yet, his quilt for graduation....).

I will try and pop in more often, though, so I don't miss so much! You guys move too fast!

[genevacarroll]

Everyone has been so busy! Love to see all your finishes LuAnn. Love the lone star baby quilt. Annis that looks like 80's fabrics. I remember quite a few large and small border prints during the last half of that decade. Still have some hmy:

I'm still dealing with the square in a squares. They are fun.

Thanks for the pictures Lotti! They are wonderful.

have a good weekend, geneva

[rehak]

Beautiful Lone Star, Heather! I can't wait to see how you weave the background.

[ajclapp]

That Lone Star is looking good, Heather.

I was thinking Jinny Beyer and late '80s fabrics too. Most of my '80s and '90s fabrics were cut into small squares years ago. Some have been used but most still waiting (think watercolor quilts). I did acquire some through an estate sale a few years ago. When I get to my other home I will check and see if there is anything there that will work. Otherwise I may just try to find close matches in solid fabrics.

[ajclapp]

Luann - Fun to see what you're doing neat finishes!
Annis - I'm thinking Jinny Beyer too and mid 80's fabric. Looking forward to see what you do with the quilt top! Fun to hear about your Retreat Center progress.
Heather - Awesome lone star. Looking forward to seeing the next step.
Lotti - Fantastic pictures sure reminds me of our trip to Switzerland and Germany.
We're in Seattle for a couple days then off to Whistler for another week then back to Southern California.
Barb

[ajclapp]

Heather,
Your lone star is looking good!

Lotti,
Your pictures remind me of a brief stay in Germany. The hilly area behind our town was a relaxing place to walk. As long as the 'honey wagon' hadn't gone out recently!! LOL

LUANN

[Scoopie]

Heather, I love the idea of weaving the two birthstone colors together! How very special, and creative!

Annis, Fun! Good luck with your first big group! I'm sorry to see another quilt store close its doors! There is one for sale here in town, but it is just because the owner is at the age when she wants to retire.

Lotti, I see you' we been out snapping pictures again! Beautiful!

Luann, what I like best in your pictures are.......the aqua (mint?) Birkenstocks! I have a friend with a pair of orange ones like those. When you mentioned the "honey wagon" it reminded me........When I was around 10, we lived in Japan. I would always see the Japanese people take their "honey buckets" (on a pole, one swinging in front and one behind for balance) out to the fields, for fertilizing! I'll bet they don't do THAT any more!

Dawn

[Marianne-is-sewing]

So much to look at - lovely quilts, stars and photos. Thank you everybody who is sharing work, buys and other stuff here at our retreat! Much appreciated

A finish for me today - decided to turn FMQ samplers into a table topper for our much battered table in the kitchen. I couldn't quite decide what I wanted to use the squares for because I didn't really like them together but by chance I dropped them on the floor when moving stuff around and when I picked them up I had two of them with the back fabric side up and it was glaringly obvious suddenly that I should make one big four patch! So here we are: 1 QAYG table topper from FMQ sampler squares (42" finished)


one side


the other side
Marianne

[Marianne-is-sewing]

Oh my goodness - I didn't realise my house was turned sideways :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly:

Sorry about that - fortunately a four patch is a four patch is a four patch no matter how you turn it :P
Marianne

[clhdabb]

I have been out of the loop for far too long, but I have been lurking lately and am in awe by all I see! I am finally getting back to quilting. I'm jump starting it by taking Alex's class at Alden Lane Wednesday. Anyone else signed up for "Flower Power"? I'd love to meet you there.

[clhdabb]

I think using our practice pieces in a useful way helps us to want to practice even more.
You could easily create charity quilts with your method. Anyone receiving them would be blessed, and usually they don't go to any of the 'quilt police' , so we can relax and just fmq for the enjoyment of practice.
And, Your table topper is reversible, that's an added benefit! At least in my house it sure is.

I did put up a blog post for those of you interested,
www.letscreatetoday.blogspot.com

Luann

[clhdabb]

Marianne - love your four patch it looks great!
Charae - I'm jealous have fun at Alden Lane on Wednesday.

Barb