I'm a Hand Quilter Because. . . .

I'm a hand quilter.  I find it relaxing and I just love the little indentations made by the stitches.  I am, however, a realist and I know that if I'm going to finish tops, some are going to have to be machine quilted.  I send the large ones out to long arm quilters and am very happy with the results, but I decided to try and quilt the small ones.  As I mentioned last post, I took a Craftsy class on machine quilting and learned a lot. I was so proud of myself.  The matchstick quilting was moving along and providing a nice texture. 

Here is the work in progress (so far so good)

Here is the finished quilt.  OH NO!  Its a parallelogram not a rectangle!  I tried blocking it, but it didn't work.  I guess the diagonal quilting stretched the top out of shape.  Oh well, I'll consider it a learning experience and I now have a cute picnic quilt for lunch with the grandkids.

The binding was my Slow Sunday Stitching.  I'm going to try to link up with Kathy.

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. 

Clue 1

Part 1 is now complete. Three days of cutting, sewing, and trimming and now I'm ready for next Friday's post.  This is so much fun!

 

 I'm going to try and hook up to Bonnie's link.  Wish me luck.

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. 

Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

I'm  a huge fan of Bonnie.  She is so generous with her time and talent.  So far I've made 4 of her mystery quilts (2 are complete, 2 need quilting) and several quilts from her books and free to use section of her blog.  Last year I changed the color palette, but this year I'm taking her suggestions.  Since 90% of my stash is Civil War era reproduction, can you guess what I'll be using?  This long weekend gave me time to gather my fabrics.  I'm getting excited!

It was great having a long weekend. to relax and sew in what my husband refers to as "the hovel" (it is not, by the way)

Fall is finally coming to our part of California.  The temperatures have been in the 70s with no complaints from this girl.  Our little tree is finally starting to turn color, but the roses are still in full bloom.  The vineyards are looking gorgeous with the sun shining on the autumn colors.  I'll try and snap a pic on my way home from work.

Temecula Quilt Mystery

140 four patches and 24 2-inch star blocks.  I just love working with small pieces!  These are scraps from Midwinter Reds by Minnick and Simpson with a little bit of Jo Morton reds thrown in for variety.   I'm in the process of making a larger quilt from this fabric and will post as soon as the top is finished.

French Short Story Topper

I haven't had many finishes lately, as I'm still hand quilting the pyramid quilt.  I've been saving French fabrics to make a table topper for my kitchen table.  This weekend I finished it.  It sure brightens up the kitchen.  I usually work with reproduction fabrics, but come spring and summer I need more color in my life.   It's a Schnibbles pattern from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.  I found it in the book Schnibbles Times Two.  I just love Carrie Nelson's instructions.  They are so clear and easy to follow. 

School's almost out for the summer, so I should be getting a lot more accomplished during the next two months.