Now I just have to decide on borders. I've gotten input from my sister. Now I just need to find time to get that part done!
Little Quilts
3 days ago
02 March 2011
Starting up again
To say it's been a long time since I posted anything is probably a bit of an understatement. However, I've been busy. Really. Really busy. And when you're a contractor, being busy is a good thing. I did get a free day this last weekend to do some sewing...just for fun. It's been a while since I've had time to do fun sewing. I've looked at the Carpenter's Star pattern on the http://blog.MaryQuilts.com site and I wanted to make it...really wanted to make it. But there was that time issue.
Randy was back in ND visiting his folks. Which meant I was the full-time entertainment for Charli. But she finally laid down on Saturday late afternoon, and I was able to get the squares and half-square triangles cut, then sewed together on Sunday. (By the way, the lightest color in this photo is white. Actually it's white-on-white - I was shooting without the flash so it looks not-white...oops! It's better if you squint your eyes when you look at it. Really.)
Now I just have to decide on borders. I've gotten input from my sister. Now I just need to find time to get that part done!
Now I just have to decide on borders. I've gotten input from my sister. Now I just need to find time to get that part done!
19 October 2010
College Quilts
I sewed college quilts as high school graduation presents for the twins in our family. I waited until they had selected their colleges before picking up the fabric because I wanted to make the quilts in the college colors. Needless-to-say, that put me behind a bit!
I did finish the quilts before graduation in June, then sent them off to be quilted. The specific quilter I used did an absolutely amazing job.
Our niece is planning a career in medicine and is at UCLA, so the colors are blue and gold.
The quilting - this just blows me away - is the hippocratic oath. You know it - it's the "do no harm" speech that you hear on every medical TV show. It's tough to see on these photos, but it's there...trust me!
Our nephew is planning a film career. He's been into movie making projects since he was very young, and he's very talented. He's at Chapman University in CA...hence the red and white for that university.
His quilt is quilted with the names of actors, movies, directors and producers - very fun and very unique! 
I got them back a couple of weeks ago, added binding and labels, then sent them to the twins. I hope the quilts keep them wrapped in hugs whenever they're feeling a little homesick.
The patterns are from a favorite blogger of mine - http://blog.maryquilts.com/. Check it out - you'll love her work!
The quilting - this just blows me away - is the hippocratic oath. You know it - it's the "do no harm" speech that you hear on every medical TV show. It's tough to see on these photos, but it's there...trust me!
Our nephew is planning a film career. He's been into movie making projects since he was very young, and he's very talented. He's at Chapman University in CA...hence the red and white for that university.
His quilt is quilted with the names of actors, movies, directors and producers - very fun and very unique! 
I got them back a couple of weeks ago, added binding and labels, then sent them to the twins. I hope the quilts keep them wrapped in hugs whenever they're feeling a little homesick.
The patterns are from a favorite blogger of mine - http://blog.maryquilts.com/. Check it out - you'll love her work!
17 October 2010
05 August 2010
For my MIL..bird pictures
My mother-in-law is a great photographer and she loves taking pictures of birds. She'll wait for an hour just to get that perfect bird shot.
And I like to think I'm a good photographer but I just don't have her patience. If I can't get the shot in 10 minutes (or 15 shots in 10 minutes), well, it's time to move on. Plus, my photography interest really isn't with birds.
My interest is with flowers...
or sunsets...
or Charli.
Every time we go to the San Juans, my MIL asks if we're taking bird pictures for her to see. This time I made the effort.
These certainly aren't wonderful...blue heron tend to be pretty skittish as you near them. So these were shot from a distance; then cropped.
Don't be looking for digital perfection here. But they're okay shots.
Every time we go to the San Juans, my MIL asks if we're taking bird pictures for her to see. This time I made the effort. These certainly aren't wonderful...blue heron tend to be pretty skittish as you near them. So these were shot from a distance; then cropped. Don't be looking for digital perfection here. But they're okay shots. Then there's this picture of my favorite subjects.
And I know she'll like it because they're also two of her favorite subjects!
04 August 2010
Tidepooling
The tides were very low in the mornings when we were in the San Juans and that made for great tidepooling. I took a lot of pictures - naturally - but haven't had a chance to go through them all so this post is limited to starfish.
I just love the bright purple color against the greens and browns of the shoreline.
The starfish just seems to hang onto to whatever is close...even if it's another starfish.
And I love being able to see how they're clinging to the rocks; they're strong little buggers!
And there were some orange ones, too. Not many, mind you, but a few mingling in with the purples. 
28 July 2010
San Juan Sunsets
We were up in the San Juan Islands recently and were lucky enough to be there during a particularly hot spell in Vancouver. It was in the high 90s in Vancouver; it was 80 in the San Juan's...and absolutely beautiful. Again. Still. As always.
And no, I am not a bit biased.
I mean, come on...look at that sunset and tell me that is not beautiful.
Or that one.
It was just like living in pictures from a travel magazine.
And of course, part of the charm is the sailboats reflecting in the water.
This was the view from our bed the first night. It's difficult to close your eyes when this is the view outside your window.
And no, I am not a bit biased.I mean, come on...look at that sunset and tell me that is not beautiful.Or that one.
It was just like living in pictures from a travel magazine. And of course, part of the charm is the sailboats reflecting in the water.This was the view from our bed the first night. It's difficult to close your eyes when this is the view outside your window.
Even Charli was spellbound. 
26 July 2010
On the Design Wall...
I've been doing more applique this summer so the projects that take shape on the design wall have been few and far between. I do have some finished appliqued wallhangings on there but they'll stay there until I decide how I want to finish them. And, knowing me, they could be there a long time.
I read a few blogs everyday. One is called Mary Quilts (http://blog.maryquilts.com/). I like her style of writing (very casual) and I like the scrappy quilts she designs, makes and gives away. And she always gives step-by-step instructions so that if you like the quilt, you can make one for yourself. I really like that.
When I saw the lattice quilt design, I knew I needed to make one. Earlier this spring, Randy's cousin gave me some yardage that she'd picked up at a garage sale. There are quite a few yards and it's a pattern I've always liked. In fact, I had the same fabric in 2 other colorways...and still have a bit of each!
Since I'd gotten a lot of the blue colorway, I decided to use it, along with a navy-on-navy floral
and a rose-on-pink fabric
...to make my own lattice quilt.
I cut and pieced enough for a few blocks on Friday just to see if I liked it. Then, Sunday, I cut and pieced a few more. One thing I really like is that you oversize the blocks when cutting; then square them up after piecing.
It makes for a bit of waste...but more importantly, it makes for very square blocks!
Since I'd gotten a lot of the blue colorway, I decided to use it, along with a navy-on-navy floral and a rose-on-pink fabric ...to make my own lattice quilt.
I cut and pieced enough for a few blocks on Friday just to see if I liked it. Then, Sunday, I cut and pieced a few more. One thing I really like is that you oversize the blocks when cutting; then square them up after piecing.It makes for a bit of waste...but more importantly, it makes for very square blocks! Now that I've got a few blocks done, I'm thinking I may need to applique something in the middle where the four blocks come together. To me, it looks a bit blah:
Since the 4 blocks together make a 12" finished block, I could applique something, but what?
And that's why it takes so long to finish quilting projects!
21 July 2010
Young Sailors...and Great Parents
The local sailing club to which we belong is the site of an annual Youth Regatta that includes youth sailing clubs from all over the Pacific Northwest.
The regatta is hosted by a Portland club but held at our club because...well, because it's a nice club with a nice lake and good camping facilities. 
I admire these kids. They are polite, they are attentive and they are having fun. 
And they're sitting right there ... all day ... cheering on their kids, taking pictures, and waiting to congratulate them on a fine race. No matter where in the pack they finished. 
The regatta is hosted by a Portland club but held at our club because...well, because it's a nice club with a nice lake and good camping facilities. These kids are fun to watch.
They have such enthusiasm and are so good.
They aren't afraid to jump on a boat they've never sailed before and that has unfamiliar rigging.
After a few instructions from the boat owners and within a few minutes of leaving the dock, they're heeled over and flying across the water; laughing and grinning from ear-to-ear.
It's pretty fun to watch.
They have such enthusiasm and are so good.They aren't afraid to jump on a boat they've never sailed before and that has unfamiliar rigging.After a few instructions from the boat owners and within a few minutes of leaving the dock, they're heeled over and flying across the water; laughing and grinning from ear-to-ear.It's pretty fun to watch. There were over 70 boats that participated in the regatta this year; everything from very small, single-handed boats to 3-person crews on Lightnings.
We watched this pair of Lightnings approach the finish line from our house deck before driving down to the club...that was fun!
This picture was also taken from our deck.
We watched this pair of Lightnings approach the finish line from our house deck before driving down to the club...that was fun! This picture was also taken from our deck. I also admire their parents. They encourage their kids to participate in an activity they love.
19 July 2010
Flowers, Flowers, Flowers
I do love flowers. And it seems my favorite flower changes each time a new blossom appears. I absolutely love peonies. No doubt about it. However, they're pretty short-lived here in the PNW. The rain turns my beautiful light pink peony rusty before the powdery mildew sets in. But for the first few days...man, I love that flower.
When we go perennial shopping in the early spring, we always pick up some African Daisies. The colors are so wonderful and as long as I remember to deadhead regularly, their little bright faces bloom up at me throughout the summer. This purple variety is one we pick up each year. 
But we also saw the yellow ones with the purple centers this year...and they were just too lovely to pass up.
And of course, when the clematis is blooming, well, there's nothing quite like it. The shower of flowers that cover the vine are spectacular. Most of our clematis blooms in the April-May timeframe because it gets the early spring sun. 
However, we have two vines that are pretty shaded until June when they start growing. As luck would have it, one of them is also blooming now:
Anyone who grows clematis knows that it likes its feet in the cool shadows but its head in the sun.
We've struggled with that over the years but really did get it right with this particular plant. It's beautiful...and, of course, one of my favorite flowers!
I was in flower heaven!
Then, our daylilies started blooming. And while some daylilies are okay, we have one variety that is simply stunning. Well, it's stunning to me.
The colors remind me of a tropical sunset. And since I LOVE the tropics, this becomes my favorite flower. I marvel at how frilly the petals are - as if the dramatic color wasn't enough, it has to have frilly petals, too!
And the Asiatic lilies are blooming now.
The coloring certainly isn't as dramatic as the daylilies but the smell...oh mama, the smell! One blossom is fragrant enough to fill a room.
I know because I cut one blossom and put it on our dining room table. And I can smell that one bloom in the kitchen. It's amazing.
Another plant I get every year is an Angel's Trumpet. The first time I saw this plant was in Costa Rica many years ago. There, it grows to a tree size. All I could do was stare at it. The blossoms were out-of-this-world incredible to me. And I swore I would have one if I could find them here. Well, I've had several since then but have never managed to over-winter one successfully. It may because I keep it in a pot. I suspect it would do better planted in the ground near the house. But I need to have it close to me so I can stare at the blossoms. 
That picture isn't the best...the sun was on the wrong side.
This picture is better.
Is that not gorgeous? It is my favorite flower today...and probably tomorrow and the next day, too. I love the name, I love the shape, I love the color, I love that it reminds me of a wonderful vacation with Randy and some great friends.
And I love that it makes me think of my parents and brother every time I look at those blossoms. Because for me, Dennis, Mom and Dad are my angels and I like to think that these are what their heavenly trumpets look like.
Gotta run...I think I hear a trumpet!
But we also saw the yellow ones with the purple centers this year...and they were just too lovely to pass up.
And of course, when the clematis is blooming, well, there's nothing quite like it. The shower of flowers that cover the vine are spectacular. Most of our clematis blooms in the April-May timeframe because it gets the early spring sun. However, we have two vines that are pretty shaded until June when they start growing. As luck would have it, one of them is also blooming now:
Anyone who grows clematis knows that it likes its feet in the cool shadows but its head in the sun.We've struggled with that over the years but really did get it right with this particular plant. It's beautiful...and, of course, one of my favorite flowers!
I was in flower heaven!
Then, our daylilies started blooming. And while some daylilies are okay, we have one variety that is simply stunning. Well, it's stunning to me.
The colors remind me of a tropical sunset. And since I LOVE the tropics, this becomes my favorite flower. I marvel at how frilly the petals are - as if the dramatic color wasn't enough, it has to have frilly petals, too!
And the Asiatic lilies are blooming now.The coloring certainly isn't as dramatic as the daylilies but the smell...oh mama, the smell! One blossom is fragrant enough to fill a room.I know because I cut one blossom and put it on our dining room table. And I can smell that one bloom in the kitchen. It's amazing.
Another plant I get every year is an Angel's Trumpet. The first time I saw this plant was in Costa Rica many years ago. There, it grows to a tree size. All I could do was stare at it. The blossoms were out-of-this-world incredible to me. And I swore I would have one if I could find them here. Well, I've had several since then but have never managed to over-winter one successfully. It may because I keep it in a pot. I suspect it would do better planted in the ground near the house. But I need to have it close to me so I can stare at the blossoms.
That picture isn't the best...the sun was on the wrong side.
This picture is better.
Is that not gorgeous? It is my favorite flower today...and probably tomorrow and the next day, too. I love the name, I love the shape, I love the color, I love that it reminds me of a wonderful vacation with Randy and some great friends.
And I love that it makes me think of my parents and brother every time I look at those blossoms. Because for me, Dennis, Mom and Dad are my angels and I like to think that these are what their heavenly trumpets look like.
Gotta run...I think I hear a trumpet!
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