Finishes and Fires

 This is getting old...

That is not fog, it's smoke. You should be able to see the valley floor and three levels of mountains. The smoke is from two local (about 30 miles) lighting fires, one large older fire (mostly contained) near the Oregon coast, and one large California fire (Smith River) that is about 200 miles away. It has been like this for over two weeks. One of the main highways to the coast and California has been closed for over a week.

I'm not mad...I'm sad. Luckily the temperatures are supposed to drop significantly over the next week with a possibility of rain on Friday. Keep your fingers crossed.

The bad air quality has been keeping me inside. Not that I spend a lot of time outside, yardwork is up there with housework. ;o)

The finishes? Lots of binding.

Hmmm, I cropped the pictures and they saved kinda long and narrow looking. Weird. Anyway, I finally sewed the binding on them. My mom has already claimed all three.

I cut up my practice pantograph quilt into 13 x 16 placemats and machine sewed, front and back, the binding.

I loaded, quilted and added the binding to the 12 patch quilt.

The back really shows the quilting. I thought I had a good quilting path going however when I went to take the quilt off the frame I found five (!!!) sections that weren't quilted. How?? I can see missing one but five! Luckily the quilt was still partially attached, and it didn't take long to fix everything.

Hmmm, another distorted picture. I have a bin with pieces and parts of leftover binding. I used them to make a scrappy binding. This will be donated at the next Quilts for Kids meeting.

It's that time of year again.

This will make my 8th year of participating. The first clue will be released September 23. Can't wait!

I'm feeling a little bad that last year's mystery quilt Bon Appetit with Ash is not finished yet...the top is done but it isn't quilted. But guess which quilt the random number generator picked to be quilted next! I'd show you a picture of the quilt loaded on the frame but somehow I've never made a back for it. Luckily, I picked up a great back, by accident, the last time I was at the Quilts for Kids meeting. Cross your fingers it will be finished by this time next week.

Nothing Very Interesting

 

It was kind of a quiet week. I had a couple of books due so I spent a bit of time reading. 

I added the binding to the guild community service quilt and turned it back in today. I also quilted the butterfly quilt.

I quilted lazy Daisys in the outer border, leaves in the sashing, and meandering in the butterfly squares. I've already turned it in to the Quilts for Kids group.

I picked up a couple of things at today's guild meeting.

Some of the members are teaching a Sue Spargo like wool class. Above is the pattern and some of the wool I picked out.

One of the guild members has lost most of her eyesight and is no longer able to sew. She donated everything to the guild including all of her UFOs. The guild is asking members to complete some of the projects and donate them back for our quilt show silent auction and boutique. I picked up this Amish inspired panel. I'll probably change the backing so I can quilt it on the Moxie.

The community service coordinator has a new quilt challenge and the above is the kit I chose. Should be fast and easy as everything is already cut out.

I have a couple of things that need binding before I can show them off. I also need to get back to piecing the A-mazing blocks. Then I want to focus on Aunt Daisy. Can you tell how excited (not) I am. 

I'll close with an excellent picture of Bella pretending to be a window...again not.

Hmmm, somebody may need to go on a diet.
 

Lots of Pictures

 I thought about Vintage Quilts and Finishes as a title but decided a warning would be better.

A few years ago I showed a yo-yo quilt that belonged to a friend of my mom's. You can see the post here. My mom's friend was kind enough to gift me the quilt (major happy dancing). I love it.

The back of the quilt.

Took Bella about two seconds to kitty approve it.

The bottom has curved corners.

The top has a pillow tuck.

It is a large, very heavy quilt. I'd love to leave it on my bed, but it has been way too hot to have anything more than a sheet on the bed. And I don't totally trust Bella. Mostly I don't trust Bella.

Angela gifted me these blocks. Maker is unknown. 

There are 12 light blue blocks and 11 dark blue. Four of the blocks have been sewn together in a row. Since I don't have the sashing fabric I will probably take them apart and sash with something else. Still using the light and dark alternate block design.

The wedges are all hand basted then hand appliqued to the background fabric. None of the basting has been removed - I think I'm going to leave it.

I finally got brave enough to trim and bind Kira. I had the vacuum cleaner close by.

It wasn't too messy. I like the black binding.

This is the "bad" corner. A few toe catcher tucks.

Overall not overly noticeable.

Second quilt using the pantograph. The binding is made and ready to attach. I'll turn it back in to the guild next Monday.

I finished the butterfly top this afternoon.

I really like the green sashing. I'll make the back and get it loaded tomorrow (or maybe tonight). I want to finish it by Friday's Quilts for Kids meeting. I have no idea how I've going to quilt the already quilted butterfly blocks.

We Interrupt This Quilt Blog To

 

Do a long overdue whole house clean. I hate house cleaning, but it must be done (although I'd really like to clean by check if ya know what I mean). No pictures, it didn't last long. :o(

Do some upgrades and learning.

Rear handles on the Moxie. New lighting bar (love love love!!!) A lesson on quilting pantographs (didn't do too bad). To practice the pantographs I made the quilt top you see draped on the bar. I've cut it up into placemats, so it wasn't a complete waste of fabric.

This is the next quilt to be loaded. 

Large guild community service quilt. I'll use the same pantograph so I can get some more practice in.

My mom and I drove down to Stockton (stayed with cousins there) then to Los Gatos California for a celebration of life for a long time family friend, Jean. It was sad but wonderful to hear all the stories about Jean and the things he did throughout his very long life.

I forgot to mention my July UFO challenge status and my August UFO challenge project. July's was the 12 patch quilt. The top and back are made. It will be next up on the frame after the quilt above.

This is August's project.

 I have six embroidered butterfly blocks. They are already kinda sorta quilted. I think someone cut up a bedspread. Joanne asked me a few years ago if I could do something with the blocks and I'm just now getting around to it. I'm going to sash them with the green and use the floral for a border. The top fabric will be the back. Should be pretty quick and easy to make.