Last night at the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild we revealed our Secret Stalker Swap quilts. It was hilarious fun. I loved hearing about the stalkees and trying to guess who they were before the name was revealed. Some of the stories of online research and stalking social media sites were so funny. A few guild members really went over the top with their designs and made such amazing and personalized quilts for their recipients.
The person I was stalking has tastes very similar to mine. She loves solid fabrics and improv piecing.
I posted a couple of process shots on facebook and instagram while I was working on this and was THRILLED when my quilt recipient, who never usually comments on things that I post, commented that she loved the quilt. She didn't know that it was for the swap and of course did not know that it would be for her.
The secret stalker swap is a great way for members of the guild to get to know each other a little better. I know I'll be participating again next time around.
Tealorange! - for the love of orange
Here she is, Tealorange! She's finished!
You may remember that this quilt grew from two years worth of bee blocks. I asked my bee members to make 6 inch finished blocks that were teal, orange, and cream.
I could never have made this quilt by myself. I love that the blocks are a mix of measured and liberated piecing. I love the mix of fabrics. I love everything about it.I quilted it with parallel straight lines about 3/8 of an inch apart. It took a while to get it quilted but I think it was well worth the effort.
The binding is made of scraps of fabrics that I used in the star blocks that I made.
And the back uses some fabrics that have been in my stash for quite a long time, along with some Thomas Knauer jelly beans.
The finished quilt measures 60 by 73 inches.
This quilt is headed to someone who is a HUGE fan of orange.
Tealorange - quilting progress
I decided that the Tealorange quilt needed simple quilting. I started with stitching in the ditch between all the blocks and then added some parallel lines close to the ditch like I did on this quilt (but only in one direction).Then, I decided that I needed to fill the whole space with lines.
I have to say, I think the result is well worth the hours it took. I am thrilled with the results on the whole quilt.
I'm going to put a scrappy binding of orange and teals around it and will share a full view photo when it's really finished.
It has finally gotten warm enough to be outside without sweaters so we've also been working on some outdoor chores. Yesterday we went out in the fields hunting for morels and asparagus - we didn't find any of those but we did come back with a big load of garlic mustard. Today we'll plant some more things in the garden any maybe even have a field fire. I tell you, the fun never ends around here!
What projects have you been working on?
Summer Doings
Yesterday we took bikes to the high school track again. M was trying out his new super fast bike helmet. He did time trial comparisons for the old helmet and the new helmet and confirmed that it does indeed help him go FASTER on the bike. He is eager for another triathlon!He also helped P gain a little more confidence on her bike.
More Tealorange
I have gotten the last blocks from my bee members!
These beauties are from LauraJ.
she even sent me FOUR extras!
I LOVE that they are all different. Some are very pointy and some are more fat and squarish. Have I mentioned how excited I am about this quilt???
Tealorange
I had more fun mail this week! In addition to a box from Godiva Chocolates on my porch I got a package from Sarah containing these blocks.
Aren't they great?
I am eager to get working on these orange and teal stars. I am still awaiting a few more blocks but I hear they are in the mail! Wooo Hoo.We have pies in the oven and a turkey in the fridge. Have a great day tomorrow.
Applique!
I finished the February blocks for the Bee FF group. Tia wanted applique.For this block I started with a ring of bias. I cut a one inch wide bias cut strip, folded it in thirds and basted through all three layers. Then I basted that to the background fabric using a plate as a guide.
I added a bird over the join of the bias and a couple of leaves and flowers. I wanted a sort of minimal look but it still needed something else so I added an embroidered vine.
Here's the other block.
I do love hand applique.
Spring Colors One Way or Another
I have been quite busy with projects this week. Today, I finished the little quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap. I ended up quilting in the ditch around all of the pink sections. All of the other ideas that I had seemed like they would be distracting to the small pieces.
The quilt measures 13 inches square. It was fun to work with some bright springy colors. We still have about six inches of snow on the ground here so we aren't seeing much spring color outside.
I hope my partner likes it. Shhhh. It's a secret; I can't tell you where it's going yet.
Potholders!
I find I am always working on something. Little bits of time here and there and things get finished. The latest of my finished objects are the five potholders for the 2010 potholder swap.
I had fun making these. P helped; she advised me on when to change colors and which color to use. Here are the backs.
She likes to watch me crochet and wants to learn that next. I suggested that she finish the six stitch wide scarf she is knitting for her doll first.So, we sit next to each other and make things. There is not much better than that.I have started a file of her design ideas. Yesterday she designed hats.
Stripes, swirls, pompoms, braids, tassels, fringe, it's all there.
