Virtual Retreat 2016

[AuntJo]

wonderful quilts ladies !
Geneva I am sure they will love pillow cases. love your quilt

[genevacarroll]

Well, I thought I would share with you all what I've been working on. I looked and this will be the 826th post to this forum! I've really enjoyed having this forum to come to and share with you all and to look forward to all that you share. I hope we can start a 2017 Virtual Retreat and stay connected.

We've had a lot of snow for us. So, mostly I've stayed inside and sewed! Nice!

In one of my small quilt groups we decided to buy maize yellow Kona cotton solid and each make a churn dash using red. No size restrictions or red restrictions. The churn dash could be wonky or whatever. We got back about 20 churn dashes of all sizes and even one in pink and green because 1 person didn't hear the word red! So my smaller group "Gang of 5" decided to take the blocks and put them into 3-4 different quilts. The block that I made was the largest of all blocks (15") and they asked me to make mine into a quilt all it's own. And would I please put this other churn dash on the back. It was quite wonky with strange seam allowances and it didn't lay very flat. I said sure. I worked on my block by putting angled borders on it and then didn't like it. I took the borders off, reangled them, added the tiny red and yellow patterned batik and then I said "ok". I've been quilting it, using my walking foot. I've always struggled with the measurements on my walking foot and finally took a moment to check it out and my walking foot doesn't sit straight and therefore the measurements on each side are different. Ah Sybil.... In any case I figured out where to eye ball the stitching to make it the same on either side. Within the large churn dash I quilted 1/2", the middle 1/4" and the center churn dash 1/8" lines. I used a variegated King Tut yellow with just a fleck of red. I like how the middle fabric looks darker, when it is really the same maize in the rest of the quilt. I had some fun with various red threads in the border. I had so little of the red fabrics I used that the binding was chosen by the fact that it was the only one I had enough of. It is 25" x 25".







By the time I got to making the back I was tired. I found some gold in my solid bin and cut with abandon and pressed "persuasively" as Ricky taught us. :blink: The little orphan block is now home. And, the 2 different golds were a "design choice." Yeah, right!! :dry:




This little adventure was just what I needed to break up the quilting of the big quilt. I think I've shown this many times but here is what I've been quilting. I'm calling it "Color and Passion".




This quilt is 71" x 78" and the harp space on my Bernina 730 is 7 1/2". :S I am quilting a grid and it is turning out to be a unique plaid effect. I am using about 25 different variegated Superior Rainbow and Fantastico threads.




Here is a picture pushing it through the harp. Ugh.




I am almost done now and will bind it and block it. Then..... make another one. Yup, I have enough of my economy blocks to make another quilt the same size. I have a plan to connect the two, but I will share that later.

Thank you for reading all this, if you made it this far! I've missed talking with you all. While my heart goes out to Ritzy I wish everyone a blessed holiday. Life is precious and good friends like you make the journey so much nicer. Thank you!

Hugs, geneva

[rehak]

Geneva - I love both of your quilts! You always do such wonderful things with color! And your walking foot quilting is always the perfect touch!!

Don't be too mad at Sybil about the walking foot measurements. I have the same problem with my Bernina walking foot so it might be a common problem.

Have a wonderful holiday season and see you in 2017!

[eileenkny]

Geneva, I really like what you're doing with your quilting. It's bringing everything together. I hope we do have a 2017 Virtual Retreat group, 2017 is my year to finish. I have so many things in WIP right now, I've got nothing to show what I love to do. I have to get my mojo moving if I am going to accomplish anything!

I just finished a 5 year term as the recording secretary for my Hibernian group, so that's one load off! I'm looking forward to having at least a little more time for me.

Is everyone done with their holiday shopping? Hmmm???................... :lol:

[eileenkny]

I will try to get a 2017 virtual retreat ready to go on January 1st. The encouragement we get from each other is inspiring.

So, start to think what you want to 'bring along' on our 2017 retreat. I think it might be fun for each of us to list a few things we want to accomplish during the upcoming months. Pictures of the UFOS and WIPS would be great to see.

And of course everyone should bring chocolates!

[eileenkny]

Geneva, I forgot to ask-what is your group doing with the churn dash quilts? Does everyone in the group get one or are you donating them?

[genevacarroll]

Eileen, right now we plan to show them at our quilt show in March. Hopefully it will be evidence that our small groups are accomplishing things! B)

Thank you Nancy for your kind words. Coming from you, the Houston award winner for quilting, that's a big pat on the back! Here's a hug for you... ((( )))

LuAnn, thanks for getting another retreat going for us. I'll bring champagne for everyone!

My Christmas shopping is done and all the presents are wrapped! Oh Yeah!!!

Hugs to everyone. geneva

[twiglet]

Thanks Luann that would be great.

Geneva your quilts and quilting are wonderful as always. The back of the churn dash is fun, I love that you've kept the churn dash block wonky. I'd love to see your snow its benn wet and gloomy a lot here and no sign of snow.

Thanks Luann I'd love you carry on the retreat next year even though it's such a struggle to get a post up. It's worth it to be patient and hear what you are all up to.

Happy Christmas all and hope you have a peaceful and comforting time with your families and friends

[quilting00]

Wonderful quilts, Geneva! I like your quilting and feel for you pulling that mass through your harp space. Luann, I look forward to a 2017 Virtual retreat.

[genevacarroll]

Wendy, here is our front yard yesterday. We've had about 2 plus feet, making the drifts even more. This is very unusual weather for us. Today it is warmer and the snow is melting! Yay!




Say, what do you all do about binding and blocking? Do you bind, then block or block then bind?
I finished the major quilting on the Color and Passion quilt. Yay! Now to block/bind it.

Have a good day, geneva

[idaho]

Hi ! every body ! Lots of wonderful work going on ! And preparations for Christmas..just a few days away!!
Where has the time gone?? Geneva ...I know that's snow aplenty for the area where you live !! What a season
we're havin'!! Can't resist a picture of my yard today...Wendy, I got her beat !! Piling about 10 inches on top of
last week's snow. In the mien time, we had -20 degrees F Down right unpleasant ! I'm sure someone in the mid-west
or eastern states has me beat..as we have seen some records fall. Back to cookie baking !! Stay warm all of you !!

[twiglet]

Brrrr but so beautiful , all that crunchy whiteness. Thanks for the pics Geneva and Marilyn. Keep baking

[twiglet]

Block then bind

[twiglet]

Home for a few minutes to have luck and let the dog out, then back to the care center. Had to set up Hospice this morning. We have snow from last week and yesterday was -14 F*(wind chill of -30 F*).
Unless I am doing a show quilt--I don't block--just wash and if it comes out of the washer and dryer--then I call it a "quilt"; so, I bind first. If it doesn't come out in one piece I call it a mess and know I messed up somewhere.

[genevacarroll]

Marilyn, you can keep your snow! But may I have one of your cookies? :lol: Our snow is melting today and I'm glad. By the way, I forgot to mention, the picture I posted is from my sewing room window. And those foot prints right in front are deer tracks. We have a lot of critters cross our property!

Ritzy, I'm with you. I only block show quilts. The other quilts are thrown in the washer and dryer and are loved just the way they are. I had my husband help me hang the quilt on my design board and the quilt is blocked and currently drying. Hopefully in a few days I'll be able to bind it.

Now I'm kind of lost with no quickie projects to work on! Oh No! I need my design wall to start the sister color and passion quilt.

Hugs to you Ritzy.... Breathe deep.... :kiss:

geneva