Finishes

Sorry that you get views of my carpet but...

Below is my finished Vortex--quilted and bound--started in the class I took from Debbie Kratovil at the Quilt Expo in Des Moines in May. I quilted a spiral in the middle all the way from the center until I hit a seam at the edge of the white. Then I did pebbles in the white corners and stippling in the polka dots and border. I did the spiral by starting in the very center FMQ for about 3" and then using my walking foot to keep the spirals the same width apart. I saw a tutorial on this, but I'm sorry to say that I don't remember who did it. The thread I used is a variegated gray/white from Aurifil.

I used Superior's King Tut in a bright variegated yellow to quilt Repeat and used the Bishop's Fan pattern. Started to mark with a pencil but finished marking with a frixion pen, even though you're not supposed to use them. I can't get the pencil off but the frixion came off fine with heat. Love those polka dots (above and below) and that dark turquoise American Brand solid (above and below).

This table runner is from the Tangent pattern which I never would have bought if I hadn't seen a sample similar to this one at Gee Gee's in Yelm, WA. (Thanks, Gee Gee's!!). It uses a 60 degree ruler--yea, another use for it!--but who would think of using this lilac fabric with it? Not me! I bought the fabric they used in the sample, used decorative stitch to quilt like they did, BUT I added the green inner border, and I think it's better that way. Love it! More purple for my house.

Sorry this is sideways, but I don't know how to rotate it here... this is one of those Stitch & Fold wreaths, but in a hexagon shape, and smaller than the one with squares. Also, I used precut hexagon shapes and they were out of the very stiff stuff so I will not use it again--holding and handstitching the points together was no picnic. Next time I'll use foam. It is lovely though. Now I want to make a leaf-shaped one. 

One more--not sewing but this little gray hairstreak landed on my toe the other day when I was sitting outside with my feet up, and it stayed there for a long time--many minutes. It's little antenna-looking things on its back end are moving so fast you can't see them in the photo. Lovely creature!

Almost forgot--I won 2nd place in the Joy Studio/Handmaids pincushion challenge! I can't believe it! The creative juices were flowing for all those who participated--amazing!! Some of the pincushions I made are going to the Faith in Action sale this Saturday--at the craft table that HCE is running. Thanks, Janet, for having the Joy Studio pincushion challenge!!

Pincushions

All these pincushions are from She Who Sews fabric for the Joy Studio pincushion challenge. I had one more chicken but gave her away to Marie Sharma in WA. Marie is a quilter too and good friend of my brother and sister-in-law. The Dresden plate pincushion is from this summer's issue of Quilts and More. It's supposed to be rainbow colors, but I like this composition just as well.

I was SEW close to having these two little things done that I stopped what I was doing (a Fold 'n' Stitch wreath) and finished them up. These are both from Merry's Stitchins in Jesup, IA. Merry's is featured in this fall's Quilt Sampler magazine. I don't know if I had any influence on the magazine editors, but I had emailed them twice that they should feature this shop. I love it! Merry's daughter creates the Patch Abilities, Inc. patterns that are so darn cute. Anyway, on the left is a wool pincushion and on the right a small poppy wall hanging.

It was past time to take care of my barn quilt. Even though it really needs to be repainted, I just removed enough bubbly background paint so that it won't peel (I hope) and then put 4 new coats of urethane on it, lightly sanding between each coat. It won't hold up to close inspection, but it doesn't need that. In 3 or 4 years, I will either have to repaint it or buy a new one. We should be able to rehang it tonight or in the morning.

Today is daughter Sarah's 39th birthday!! Hope it's a good one for her. She was born on Labor Day too. :)

In 2 weeks, the Bag It 2016 starts with Patty of Elm Street Quilts. Hope to make several bags this time since I didn't participate in the 2015 one.