Another Mystery Quilt Finished

The turquoise quilt is my version of the Friday Night Mystery Quilt from our September 2011 Camp Stitches. The other quilt picture is a teacher's quilt. In the instructions we were given before class it was indicated to have lots of contrast and have lots of fabrics, meaning scrappy.

When I was preparing for this class, I was in my alternate storage space (the boys' bedroom) going though my fabrics. It is difficult for me to chose fabrics, especially when it is for a mystery quilt. All I was looking for were fabrics that met the yardage requirements for the class. Two of my three fabrics fell out of their stack and onto my feet. Bingo, two of my three fabrics were chosen!

My quilt has a very subtle color palette. That was not my intention, but that is what happened. Usually my quilts are much brighter. Before you email me and tell me there is no purple in this quilt, look carefully at the floral fabric. There is some purple in that piece. I tried to match some other purple fabrics to it, but was not successful enough. So, without realizing it, I have a soft, subtle quilt. Now if I wanted to do that on purpose, I would have a terrible time gaining those results.

The second picture is Jane's quilt. She used an Asian fabric theme. When I saw her quilt, and Carlene's quilt (the other teacher), I realized why the instructions had the word "contrast" in the directions.

I love making mystery quilts. It is such fun for me to try to figure out what the quilt pattern is from each step of the construction. I have been disappointed only once with my choices of fabrics for a mystery quilt. It was a big quilt, too, with lots of piecing. I liked each step of the construction, and the fabrics I used for that quilt. When the whole quilt was pieced together, I was not happy anymore. I should have taken off the borders because I really liked the center section.

This mystery quilt was an unexpected surprise when I finished it. I had achieved a soft palette of colors. Why did I not realize that when I had these three fabrics chosen? This is one of the wonderful happenings I truly enjoy about quilting. I learn something new with every quilt I make. Even when I have my fabrics in hand, I never know what they will look like when they are cut into pieces and sewn together. Of course, this was a mystery quilt so I did not know the finished pattern, but I knew what three fabrics I had chosen. I like my quilt even though it does not have a lot of contrast.

I am working on my rail fence style quilt top today. Maybe I can make some progress on it. I am about one third finished. Although all sewing will stop when the 49ers football game comes on television this afternoon. It is drizzling this morning. The stadium is across the bay from here, closer to the ocean. I know the stadium is wet since we had a lot of rain last night. I feel it will be a wild and wonderful game (I hope)! Last week's game was a thriller. I think this game today will be thrilling as well.

Happy Quilting

A Good Start for the New Year

Here is a picture of the old White sewing machine I have been sitting in front of when I am at my computer. It has been housed here for a few years. Another quilter in my evening adult class rescued this machine from a dumpster. She sent out an email asking if anyone wanted it. Silly me, I sent her back an email telling her that if no one else wanted it, I would take it.

I thought it would be a good project for my DH to work on. He needs something to do (that is what I think, but he does not apparently). In my infinite wisdom my idea was that he would tinker with it and maybe get it working eventually. I did not think it would be housed in my alternate sewing space, but that it would go out to the garage where he could work on it. When he unloaded it from my friend's car, he proceeded to bring it into the house and plopped it down near my computer.

Since this is the beginning of a new year (even though it is already the 14th of January) I have decided today is the day to get moving on my downsizing goal. I have started with moving that old machine outside. I am not sure where it is going from there, but it is out of my sewing space. I have emailed a picture of it to a friend who repairs machines. If he thinks it is salvageable, I will get it to him. If not, I guess I will take it apart and dispose of it. I have whined and fussed about getting my sewing space in order. I finally decided that no one else is going to do it but me, and I better get started!

There is a Singer treadle machine in the corner that I am going to move out to the front room today. With both of these cabinets out of room, I will have more space to move things around and I can actually see what is in here. I am determined this is the year that I will move my sewing room into this bigger bedroom with the big windows and more wall space.

Happy Quilting

ME Dots Quilts Finished

My Mary Elgelbreit Let's Go Dotty quilt is finished. The quilting was done and I applied the binding on Dec. 31, 2011 and January 1, 2012. I consider this quilt the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, a collaboration of sorts. I have the binding to finish on a mystery quilt (it is half sewn down), then I will have that quilt finished and ready to donate to our Community Quilts group.

Also included in this post is a picture of the TWO blossoms on my Christmas Cactus plant. Each year it will have one or two blossoms. They usually fall off before they open up. This year they have not fallen off and have opened up to become beautiful blossoms. I am so excited. Wanda said I needed to keep them watered, which I have done this last month, and look what transpired! Whoohoo!

I know I always have more energy in January to get things finished. I have lots of drive/energy to finish things in December. I wish I could carry this energy throughout the year. Just think how much sewing I could get done! WOW! It boogles my mind! LOL!

I have a set of friendship blocks that I received in an exchange a few months ago that I want to set together. I have a fabric in the drier that I want to use for this purpose. I hope it is enough fabric. If not, I will add some other piece from my stash.

This morning I was at In Between Stitches Quilt Shop in Livermore for my Saturday Sampler demo. I have been lax concerning this BOM. I now have three blocks to sew together in order to be caught up with the regular monthly schedule. I was sick last month and did not attend. In November I had another activity planned so I also did not attend that month either. Today I picked up my two blocks that were there waiting for me. Every time we arrive home from our trip to Livermore, my husband says I should go right into my sewing room and sew up my new block. He is so on target. If I do things right away, they will get done in a timely manner.

We have beautiful weather today. It is cold, and a bit breezy, but the sun is shining warm and bright. It is very cold in the house. It is actually warmer outside than inside again today. Our temperatures at night are cold, but if the sun shines in the daytime, it warms up nicely. Now is a good time to take a walk.

Happy Quilting