Goodness Gracious...

...what a weekend.

I spent the last three days at a quilt retreat at beautiful lake Texoma's Tanglewood Resort.  Wow.  I think I would love to live there if I could figure out how to pay the bills that far from the city.

I got three quilts tackled...two of them need borders...which will require some shopping (oh darn).  Wanna see?  These are the pictures I took while at retreat - the color quality is pretty terrible...you don't mind do you..
 

 

This was my first project.  It measures 54 x 64 and is made from 42, 9 1/2" squares of muslin with selvedge edges layered on top like shingles.  I love the way it looks, but think it a border so plan to make it a bit bigger as soon as I can go shopping and then get back to the project.

 

 

Project # 2 - I finished the top from Heather Spence's Fall Mystery Quilt.  Yeah!  I love these happy fabrics.  It is now on it's way to the quilter.  (That would be me...lol...but I am kind of busy so it may be a little while before this gets the big Ta-done!)

 

 

Project #3 - Garden Steps by Clover & Violet, August 2012.  Yeah!  I have all of my blocks finished and put together, but think it needs a nice dark border to finish it well.  Darn - another reason to go shopping!

 

 

The last thing I worked on was a mini - or blocks for one.  It is going to have 9 crazy hats on it!  Gotta say I am loving this project.

 

Today, while I am digging out from underneath all that was done and not done over the weekend, I am waiting for a special express package to get here from Moda.  I've been asked to help with with a project.  I have mixed emotions about it...but I think it is going to be fun.  You will have to wait to see it though - I can tell you that it has something to do with Julie Comstock and American Patchwork Quilting.

Squishy Mail!

So, I'm back from a wonderful weekend of retreating with my quilting friends.

I went with my wonderful Mom. We shared opposite sides of a table.

There were around 30 women there. All happily quilting and visiting.

 

And being entertained by frat boys and their guests. Tongues were wagging. (They spent the afternoon soaking in the hot tub, drinking beer, and visiting with pretty girls in bikinis)

I finished this top for my friend Jessica.

Got this top done to the point where I needed to add borders.

Got to see one of my Quilty Friend brain children completed. (Don't worry about the broken pinwheel. sue is going to fix it.)

AND I had packages waiting for me at home.

This wonderful mini arrived from Canada. My win in the Little Quilt:Sew, Vote, Swap. I love the clever use of selvedges to create what looks like turquoise thread.

And a package from Hancock's of Paducah containing yardage of Jack & Jenny....remember the Donkey quilt? Oh yeah. I'm going to make it.

And today I got another squishy package.

This one came from Kimberly, a.k.a. Bahamadawn.

"Oh Happy Day". Happy, quilty perfection!

The fabric on the back...and the extra bits in the package were all made in the Bahamas. They are lovely. As are the two big buttons, and the little glass one...that Kimberly made. I need to take a better picture, but believe me, it is remarkable.

 

Selvedging Sunday

I spent my Sunday afternoon playing in my selvedge stash.

I am working on a project for yet another swap.  This time it is with a group on Flickr that calls itself Fab Little Quilt Swap.  It has a very impressive group of quilters in it's membership.  I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

I have a couple of inspiration mosaics from my partner and a list of likes and dislikes.  From that, I am to make a mini just for her.  (Yup, my partner is a girl.  Don't tell!)

Here are some mid-progress photos....

On the design wall, when I realized that my blocks were way, way to big.

They were supposed to be about 6" square.  They ended up about 12" square.  Hmmm.  I may have a giant selvedge flower hanging on my wall in the near future.

My helper, darling DH, a.k.a. The Giant Flower Monster, flashing me a monstery grin.  This is such a fun picture.  He didn't want me to share it.  Too bad.

The finished top in the afternoon sunlight.  My plan for the mini has some dead give away applique to be added at this point.  I'll give you a hint...my working title is "Sniff!"

I like how it is turning out...am still not convinced that my partner will be.  I will probably make one more trial mini before I settle on which one to send.



Okay - I wrote this post on my iPad.  Then the thing wouldn't up load and I got distracted by other things.  This little rainbow birdie quilt is another idea for my partner.  This one is really growing on me.