Sewing Room Update, Shopping, Quilting

The former family room I use as my sewing room got a much anticipated update. We recently ordered new blinds for most of the bedrooms, which we had put off doing until we finally replaced the single pane, builder grade original windows. For the sewing room however, we wanted to match the shutters we added years ago to the living room, for consistency.  I've had an inexpensive bamboo rollup shade covering the window for a long time.  

The shutter looks so nice and I love being able to control the light better than just an up or down shade.  Since we replaced the former picture window with an actual functional one, I can even catch a breeze :)  Having moved the the tall fat quarter dresser that used to be in the corner next to white desk, the room even looks bigger.  I spent some time at the sewing  machine today.

These tumbler placemats got quilted, simple walking foot with a specialty stitch from the sewing machine menu. I used a simple hack I saw on Instagram when I attached the binding I'd already made.

Sorry I can't give credit for the idea, but I was struck by the "duh, I should have thought of that" simplicity of using a binding clip to keep the quilt sandwich gathered up and out of the way while joining the binding ends.  Clever, right?

Bad nighttime shot! This print was leftover from a backing, as was the binding   A visit to Superbuzzy  today to spend my Mother's Day gift card resulted in a perusal of the clearance bolts for another quilt backing. 

The red cookies recipes print and brown geometric were a great match for the quilt I made last year during Meghan's (Then Came June) Meadowland quiltalong.  I got the Christmas fabric FQ bundle  (We Whisk You a Merry Christmas) as a prize at Sewtopia Seattle.  I'm trying to keep the quilt tops to finished quilt ratio a reasonable amount!  It would be fun to enter into this year's County Fair, which is coming up next month.  Hmmm....

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  We're planning a BBQ with a number of dads--should be fun :)

Sewtopia Orlando--Part 2

 Sewtopia Shop Hop in Orlando was a lot of fun.  We had a great bus driver, Ron, who had never had a bunch of quilters before, so he asked a lot of questions, which was very entertaining.  Our first stop was The Sewing Studio in Maitland, Florida, near Tampa.  

It was a very large shop with plenty of fabric selections and also notions and sewing machines.  I bought a bunch of fat quarters---after telling my sister I didn't need any more fat quarters!  But they are a scrappy quilt lover's staple.  I concentrated on rebuilding my neutrals stash, which always gets depleted fast.  After shopping I wandered out to the parking lot with a few other folks.  Florida, of course, is very green due to plenty of rain, and the flora quite different from California, except for the many oak trees. 

This scene of vines overtaking a large tree and palms popping up everywhere was repeated many other places.  

I was attracted to this leaf shape, so unusual.  No idea of the plant species. We soon boarded the bus and made our way to Winter Haven.  This is a popular tourist destination, which has a charming shopping district and was our lunch stop--a last minute addition was the flagship Rifle Paper Company store.  I love Rifle Paper products and the shop had a large room of bargains.  There were even some fabric selections to pick up. I was impressed by the hand painted mural by the company founder, Anna Bond.

Lunch options were plentiful--my sister and I chose Pepe's Cantino and had a terrific meal and service.  I had carnitas tacos and Kathy had stuffed avocados.  We took a short walk afterwards until it was time to board the bus again. 

It was a surprise to see these gargoyles! 

Lots of folks were enjoying the shopping and ambiance. 

I also liked this unusual octagon building....

..and this covered stair entrance to a basement hair studio under another Oak. Before our time ran out, I scooted over to a park square where I had spotted an unusual dog I wanted a photo of. 

I though this was a balloon animal but it was more complex than I imagined...

...it was a Molecular Dog :)

Our final stop was The Quilt Place, in Orlando.  Another shop with great selection and service.  I liked their large precut yardage and sale bolts, large notions area and cookies!  Our group returned to the hotel happily loaded with purchases.  The sewing room opened later and we all got started on our projects--with a pajama party until midnight after a welcome reception!  I'll make another post of our sewing efforts, our trunk show by Carolyn Friedlander, and all the loot I hauled home. 

Stitching While Quarantined

This is a different kind of staying at home than we've ever experienced--surely that is true for most people!  We've been told to stay home during times of fire, earthquake, flood, and windstorms, but nothing compares to the novel coronavirus for disrupting all our lives.  Stitching keeps me busy and sewing masks has taken priority.  I've made 17 masks so far--16 for our Guild drive for local hospitals, and the latest for my husband at his request.  This is the pattern we have been advised to use: https://www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse/

A guild member has made a few suggestions for this pattern, including trimming the paper pattern down a 1/4 inch all around before cutting the pieces, since trimming is called for later in the pattern and is an extra step.  My sister has been using a double fold binding for hers.  I continue the single fold as per the pattern, but add extra stitching at the corners of the mask where there will be lots of tension when tied.  

I used quilting cottons for the first batch, then got out the batiks box to make the next set--a suggestion I read due to higher thread count in these fabrics.  I also made the inner layer a light color to help distinguish right from wrong side.  Some guild members have also included an arrow to indicate the top (nose) edge.  Lots of fabric mixing and matching here--gotta keep it interesting!  Our guild has now turned in 150 masks that went to our County hospitals. They are aiming for 3000 so we will keep sewing.  I had to call in an order to Superbuzzy for more Aurifil thread--I'm always happy to support local quilt shops.  Our other local shop is also doing door pickup of supplies. 

In between mask pieces I finished the Tea Time charm pack top--trying to work on my March self-challenge to clear out the Hoosier cabinet. I added borders and ordered backing from Superbuzzy which I picked up along with the thread.  This will be a little quilt for our grandson arriving sometime in August.

I had the hardest time with the getting the right border measurements, since I was making it up as I went.  There was not enough of the solid blue to have just the gray cornerstones, but luckily I had the acid green print that coordinated well with the charm squares.  The bottom right corner was pulling and after I took the picture it was fixed.  I'm so pleased with the bright colors and look forward to quilting it soon. 

After picking up my quilting supplies on Friday I drove down to the beach. It was very windy and dark clouds were moving in from the north.  

The Channel Islands were visible with the sea being very choppy with lots of spray.  It began to sprinkle as I drove home through the foothills.  I stopped by daughter Elaine's to pick up some mending, and she reported a friend in Ojai said it was hailing.  Rain is rare here, and rainbows even more rare, and we got both. 

You can't really see it in the photo, but there was a faint double rainbow.  Love that!

A little more non-mask related sewing was dedicated to a companion pillow I'm making for my dad to match his Chunky Churndash qult.  The idea was born of extra HSTs that made up an Oklahoma Twister block, and yet another kind of Churndash I designed.  It measures about 21 inches square here and I may add another narrow plain border to preserve the corner design before choosing the pillow form size.  

Stay well and don't touch your face!  I may make myself a mask to keep from doing just that :)

Big Bear and Cabin Sewing

It had been awhile since DH Grant and I had gotten out of town together.  We left Tuesday night, later than planned, due to some unforeseen events at home, but made our way to LA/Anaheim to spend the night.  The hotel Grant chose was right behind Disneyland, and though it has been many years since I've been there, the charm of the  park never fails.  We grabbed a late breakfast at McDonald's while we watched hordes of families begin their adventure into the park, and caught a glimpse of Star Wars Land in construction.  We then met with Grant's Uncle Donald and his longtime lady at their house, and had a lovely couple of hours catching up and enjoying old family tales, had a tour of their beautiful house, including Ellen's extensive collection of Roseville pottery and heirloom furniture.  The next leg of our trip involved a lot of Orange County freeways and several nearly comical detours, thanks to the GPS device.  Luckily the toll road we were directed onto had signs of where to pay online if you didn't have a pass!  Finally we were climbing into the San Bernardino Mountain wilderness. Due to recent rains, the hills were very green and wildflowers were blooming. 

We pulled off into a turnout for a quick selfie.  Though the highest peaks were still snowy (11,000 feet), lifts had closed the week prior in Big Bear and the town was very quiet.

Big Bear Lake was calm, waiting for the watersports season to begin.   We found our hotel location and settled into the tiny cabin we'd reserved, unpacked, and took a rest.  Grant's older cousin Kent lives in Big Bear with his lady partner and we made arrangements to join up the following day for lunch on the North Shore.  Kent is a volunteer with the Forest Service and took us on a backcountry tour after lunch, on which Grant had to do the 4-wheel driving as Kent had broken his ankle 10 days before--when another careless skier with a selfie stick cut him off on a downhill run.  It was Kent's first broken bone in all the years of watersports, surfing, snow skiing and outdoor life. 

High above the lake, on a beautiful and windy day.  It was wonderful to be in the pines and rocks. 

Kent was very knowledgeable about the area's history, from the native Serrano Indians who hunted, trapped and fished in these mountains for generations prior to the miners, loggers, and mountaineers who came later, followed still later by Hollywood film crews, ski resorts and vacationers.  We much enjoyed our tour and hope to have another someday.  

I had brought my sewing machine, to the horror of my daughters, and lacking a dining table, set up on the kitchen counter for some standup stitching, which worked just fine.  The LED lights on my Husqvarna Sapphire were really all I needed, though I did bring a separate Ottlite lamp.

I had kitted up house blocks for a doll quilt, having joined Lori of Humble Quilts' swap again this year.  While the room had no iron, I was able to finger press the small pieces and sew them into sections for final assembly at home.  Red house in progress below.   Pattern is from the American Patchwork and Quilting 2009 Calendar (design by Mary Ellen Volt, of Little Quilts).

 Naturally I visited the two quilt shops in town, which are nearly right across the highway from each other.

The pile on the right is from Bear Country Quilts and Gifts, a small but lovely shop with a wide variety of fabrics.  Having forgotten my cutting mat, I bought a small offcut mat and a few CW fabrics.  I had to have the chocolate dipped strawberry too.  The other pile is from Patchworks quilt shop.  This open shop in a retail shopping center has a 12 foot longarm machine and hosts quilt retreats on the lake.  Surprisingly, there are two quilt guilds in this area, with 60+ members each.  Thomas Fire quilt blocks have been donated by both guilds, I was informed.  How wonderful of them!

Too soon, we headed back home on Friday after a final lunch with Kent and his lady.  The traffic was fairly light going down the mountain.

Not too smoggy but there was a haze on the horizon.   It took about 3 1/2 hours to get home, and we were happy with that.  Coming home with a weekend yet to enjoy was terrific to keep the vacation feel going. I stitched up the rest of the house blocks and am ready for the sashing. These are 8" finished and are all from scraps and stash.

Next up, local quilt guild show and a surprise purchase by my sister.

Sewtopia and NOLA

My sister and I had a grand time at our first quilting retreat, Sewtopia, which was in New Orleans this year.  We had our usual adventures getting to the airport and hotel, but all was well in the end.  I may have a few more gray hairs, however. We arrived the day before the event's start, and had a short rest in the hotel room before venturing out for dinner.  Kathy was mad for trying creole/Cajun food, and forced encouraged me to join her.  Over the four days I tried shrimp creole, gumbo, catfish, jambalaya, etc.  She was mostly pleased, but being a very good cook herself, a little disappointed at the tourist versions of these usually spicy dishes.  Sewtopia provided lunch daily in the hotel dining area (Embassy Suites on Julia Street), in what was once obviously the exterior of two buildings that became a huge atrium painted with Bourbon Street scenes, with life size statues scattered throughout.

Our first morning of Sewtopia included a shop hop and, to my surprise and joy, a tour of New Orleans by bus.  Our first shop was in the Lake District, Mes Amis Quilt Shop. Tiny but chock full of great fabric.  I purchased some yardage and fat quarters with fleur de lis for my word quilt project, then headed out to take photos of the neighborhood.  Along the way I met other members of the group who told me Lake Pontchartrain was a short walk away. 

The Lake Vista neighborhood was full of large houses from many eras, with these large old oaks between them. I loved this yard with multiple tree swings:

 Wouldn't you love to spend time in this one?

The lake is surrounded by a levee and not actually visible from the sidewalk by the homes.  I headed up the slope to take photos of huge Lake Pontchartrain. 

It was a very pretty day with the clouds.  We were lucky with weather and although warm, in the low 80s, it was not very humid.  Not that we didn't appreciate climbing back on the air-conditioned bus to our next destination in the Mid City area!  Morning Call was not a quilt shop, but a very old restaurant famous for beignets and chicory coffee.  It is in the middle of beautiful Audubon city park with stream, sculpture garden, museums, and surrounding older neighborhoods.  I could have spent hours there, but made the most of the time we had. 

 Beautiful Rotunda.

 Bayou scene. 

 Swans, ducks, and two egrets (ibis?) in this scene.  A great jigsaw puzzle picture, right?

I adored the oaks covered with moss, this one with branches arching nearly to the ground.

While we have many oak trees in California, few of them have Spanish moss and never to this extent, in our dry weather.  After a few minutes in the sculpture garden, we headed to our final stop, a quilt shop called Chateau Sew and Sew. 

Very cute shop with tons of Cotton and Steel and other modern fabrics, along with gifts and patterns for kids.  I did a little buying of fat quarters and then my sister and I headed out for some neighborhood shopping.  I bought a handmade tile from a craftsman and a needlework Shotgun House scene from a shop owner named Annie.  

Loved all the railings and different roof lines of this old part of the city close to the Mississippi.  After returning to the hotel and a short rest, the cutting, ironing and sewing began in earnest...

 ..in the Sewtopia Ballroom, of course!  Sewtopia provided Juki machines for those who had reserved them.  I was late to register so ended up bringing my machine, for which I received a credit in the Pop Up shop.  But more about that in the next post :)

Cutting, Posing, Stitching

While I've been away from blogging for the past week plus, I've been busy.  First I finished cutting up all the batiks with my Accuquilt GO cutter.  Grandson Cove helped me with one pass  :)  This is for the Beach Cottage project (Scrap Basket Surprises book) and that means the last of four UFO boxes are all prepped and ready to stitch at last--with a sigh of relief they are moved one step closer to becoming quilts someday.  I can cross off another from the 2017 UFO Challenge list, yay!

The four color groups will hopefully have enough variety in hue to make sharp looking blocks.

A closer look at the dark browns.  My Central Coast Quilt Shop Hop purchases make up a good portion of those pictured. 

As for the posing part, my friend Toni sent a few shots of our Shop Hop goodbye photo that her husband took.

This is me grimacing after my sister trampled my toe causing me to pull my foot right out of my sandal, and Toni laughing at her husband taking photos of us while we were arguing about it! 

That's better.  The Cotton Boll in Morro Bay is right along Highway 101 and has a great ocean view from the front; our pose was taken 'round the back.

The weekend included a lot of stitching.  At our Modern Guild we had a Scrap Box Swap and the deadline for the finished quilted project was looming.  I had previously sorted, pondered and re-sorted the mostly scrap strips I received, but hadn't hit upon an idea I liked until I saw this quilt on the blog A Quilter's Table.   I thought it just right for my partner Judy's scraps.  Our swap rules allowed adding fabric and I chose black and white prints from the inspiration quilt, and set about sewing random-width strips into chunks. 

The narrower blocks were trimmed to 6 inches wide.  There was a lot of cutting and sewing to get everything fitted together.  However, it seemed there were still so many scraps left and the quilt needed a backing.  I added some solid gray and was lucky to find leftover black binding in my bin that was just the right length for this small quilt. 

The disparate scraps made the quilt two sided.  (My binding is not really wavy, I think the spray basted layers made the quilt stiff.)

 Straight line quilting randomly spaced and the black binding finished it off. 

I included one row of a different stitch in the quilting just for fun. My swap partner immediately recognized where I took the inspiration, as Debbie of A Quilter's Tale is a blog friend of hers.  How about that?  It was a fun reveal at guild as many members had joined in.  I don't have a photo yet of the wonderful little quilt I received from my partner.  

There was a lot more cutting, stitching and posing for the Bonnie Hunter workshop I attended, but I'll save that for the next post.