June Update

Six months is a long time between blog posts.  I thought I might be able to blog and work, but that didn't work out.  Now that I'm retired, I should be able to devote time to this blog on a more regular basis.  The good thing is, no one reads it yet so I wasn't missed! 

I guess I'll start with a quilt I finished in February.  I was inspired by an antique quilt that Tim Latimer showed on his blog a few years ago.  I love the way this new quilt looks old and loved.  This is my favorite style of quilt to make - lots of scrappy vintage fabric. 

I am trying to finish up some UFOs before beginning a new quilt.  I keep flitting about from project to project.  Currently I am trying to machine quilt a small modern quilt I made several years ago.  I am primarily a hand quilter, but I've just got to get some tops quilted more quickly.  I took a Craftsy class called "Creative Quilting with Your Walking Foot" by Jacquie Gering, and it has helped me a lot.  I still find machine quilting tedious, but I'm determined to keep at it until I get good enough that I don't hate everything I machine quilt.  So far it looks pretty good fine. 

The last time I posted it was December, and the yard looked okay, but June is a great time for garden pics.  Here is the tree I posted about last fall.  I love the pink and green foliage. 

Bear Foot in a Rose Garden Top Complete

When Minnick & Simpson's Midwinter Reds came out, I immediately bought a stack of fat quarters.  At first I wanted to make Nantucket, but then I remembered a pattern called Bare Foot in a Rose Garden.  This pattern was designed by Elaine Skierka, one of the owners of Quilter's Corner in Sacramento, California.  I finished the top today.  It was a really fun project to make because there were a variety of blocks to make.  It went together easily.  I'm not sure yet if I will hand quilt it or have it quilted.  It is about 72" by 72", so it isn't too big to hand quilt.  I can't imagine an allover design, so if I have it machine quilted, I will have to have it custom quilted.  I sure wish my sister, who just got a long arm, would hurry and get awesomely proficient!

 
This isn't a great picture as the shades of red and cream just blend together.  I also think it will look much better when it's quilted because right now those large solid blocks are bothering me. 

Two finishes this week!  The first quilt is my version of Lori's (Humble Quilts) Abundance doll quilt.  I've been a fan of Lori's blog for a few years now, but this is the first time I've joined in her SAL.

My next finish is a bargello quilt using Good Vibrations, a music themed line.  This is not my usual style, but I was asked to make it to auction for fundraising purposes.  The proceeds will go to the band program at a local high school.  It was fun to piece, but I did very little machine quilting.  I don't really like to machine quilt because I stink at it.  Fortnately, this quilt is so busy, you can't see my sorry attempt.

Of course, no quilt is complete until Jack, the resident quilt inspector, gives it his approval.  I don't know how he knows, but the minute I finish a quilt, he hops right on to check it out.

I also basted and started hand quilting a pyramid quilt this week.  I'll post pictures later.  Happy Sunday everyone.