Dear Jane K-1 Crooked Creek

Crooked Creek gave me no trouble at all.  It was a nice, straight-forward, paper-pieced block, and those long verticals keep it from being the pinning nightmare it might otherwise have been.  Thanks, Jane!  I like this fabric too.  It's a nice true orange, with lots of interesting things going on.  Orange is one of the color ways I'm really trying to stretch.  I want to use everything from vibrant orange to orange brown, to pale yellow orange.  The last thing I want is the orange "trip" to stand out like the outline of a yield sign in the middle of the quilt.

I'm enjoying being back in blog land.  I could go into a poor pitiful Pearl litany about real life quilting buddies, but I'll spare you the drama.  On the bright side, it makes heading off to my solitary sewing studio very pleasant; maybe I'm just too much of an introvert.

Dear Jane J-1 Josepha's Jonquil

This block gave me SO much trouble.  I decided since my last set of diamonds turned out so poorly, I was going to try a different method on these:  reverse applique.  I only forgot two things:  1.) I really dislike reverse applique, and 2.) I'm really bad at it.  After much moaning and groaning and gnashing of teeth, I started the block completely over, saving only the middle square.  I even had to use a different background because the muslin was destroyed by my inept attempt at reverse applique.

J-1 Josepha's Jonquil

I created a mylar template and ironed the diamond around it using my little Clover iron.  Sadly, the template deformed with the heat, so my last diamond turned out a little wonky.  I pressed on regardless (literally).  I much prefer prepared applique to needle turn, so I dutifully basted my edges down, then basted my pieces in place. My positioning was not spot on, but I was getting sick of this block, so I just sewed everything in place and called it done.  So what if one of the diamonds looks like a bird's beak; it's done.  If it still bothers me after I've completed all 169 blocks then I'll fix it.

I learn so much from these little blocks.  I have barely gone "silver" on Dear Jane, and I can already see the improvement, especially with applique.  The term "goddess" is really appropriate for anyone who has completed their DJ.  After 169 blocks, 52 triangle and 4 kites, anyone would have developed mad skills! 

Happy quilting!

Dear Jane I-1 Ralph & Nelda's Wedding

What could be simpler than Ralph and Nelda's Wedding?  Two tiny nine-patches placed opposite each other and done.  It's nice that dear old Jane throws us a softball every once in a while, especially since the next block about did me in.

I prepared for Christmas vacation in Green Bay by prepping the upcoming appliqued blocks up to the point of hand-sewing.  I believe I had three appliqued blocks prepped.  Surprisingly, I got all three done in Green Bay, even the dreaded J1, which took forever - more on that tomorrow.  I even fired up my Mom's sewing machine to complete two additional paper-pieced blocks.

I-1 Ralph and Nelda's Wedding

The only reason I could do additional blocks in Green Bay is because Larry and I went to My Favorite Quilt Shop in GB and bought more batiks.  MFQS has a wonderful scrap bin ($4 per pound) that was loaded with batiks of every size, shape and color.  I asked Larry to pick out every batik in the bin while I browsed.  I ended up with nearly a pound of gorgeous batiks, along with an equal amount of bright, pretty fabric scraps.  I think we paid $6 for the lot.  

It doesn't take much fabric to make a DJ block, so it was a terrific opportunity to inexpensively expand my batik collection.  I really enjoy going to this quilt store; they have a wonderful collection of batiks, Kaffe Fassett and novelty fabrics.  A trip to MFQS is always on my "must do" list when I visit GB.

Dear Jane H-1 Peek-a-boo

This block made for a nice, simple change of pace after all that applique.  Such easy construction for a change; and this one went together very nicely, which is not always the case.  I love this batik, with its little hints of pink and purple. Of course, I love most batiks, lol, especially the ones I end up purchasing, so that's no surprise.  I find myself cutting gaping holes in my collection to get to that perfect section with the "best" colors.  It's all part of the fun of making a batik/hand-dyed Dear Jane.

H-1 Peek-a-boo

Another part of the fun is selecting the perfect batik for the next block.  My batiks were scattered all over my sewing room, so I developed a system to display and hang all the batiks in each colorway.  It really adds a lovely splash of color to my studio without taking up any additional space.  More on that later, also, Larry is working on a mystery tatting project.  Mystery tatting?  Who knew?  In the meantime,

Happy Quilting!

Dear Jane G-1 Hattie's Hen House

There are so many gorgeous brown batiks that I'm really glad I selected brown as one of the "around the world" color ways for my Dear Jane.  I also love the polka dots!  I never noticed before how many of my batiks have dots; I'll have to work to not make that a theme.  lol

I like blocks that are made like this because I had two chances at getting the center just right.  I get to pick the better of the two centers; that's always nice.

G-1  Hattie's Hen House

My DH, Larry, has started refurbishing vintage sewing machines.  (Aren't I a lucky girl!)  Since June he has collected eight Singers, some in decent enough shape, but most in a rusty "boat-anchor" state of decrepitude.  We'll be sharing progress photos of his journey in the upcoming weeks.  He has also learned to tat (and not as a punishment for wrongdoing. lol)  We're thinking about having "Tatting Tuesdays" here on the blog.  In the meantime,

Happy Quilting!

I'm back! Dear Jane F-1 Big Top

I'm resurrecting the blog with the help of my DH as technical consultant/photographer.  I've been working on several very long term (for me) projects, like Dear Jane, so I've been busy.  No big finishes, though, which is OK, because I'm all about the process.  I'll pick up right where I left off, here at Big Top, which uses my all time favorite grass green hand dye from Joy's Fabric.  

I'm really pleased with the paper-piecing on F-1, especially the center.  I wish I could remember what I did to nail it - lol.  The diamonds are another story - so clunky.  And Larry, that thread is going to drive me crazy.  :)

F-1  Big Top

Every Dear Jane block so far has taught me something.   This one taught me that the method of applique I'm using for the melons just does not work for diamonds.  I'm going to switch to standard prepared applique instead of the "flipping inside out" method that gives the melons their nice smooth edges.  But not on this block; this block is done!  

Why did I decide to come back after such a long hiatus?  Well, we have plans.  For one thing, I'm going to try to do a short post daily Monday-Friday.  Larry will have his forum too, - more on all that later.  In the meantime...

Happy Quilting!

Catch up with Dear Jane

I haven't gotten tons of quilting, but I haven't totally neglected Dear Jane.  I finished my second triangle, completing the entire first row, triangles and all.

My second triangle: right side, 1st from top.  This one was SO much easier than my first triangle!

I then followed my plan and started on column 1.  I already had completed A-1, so I started right in on B-1.  I love the background fabric.  I think I spent more time auditioning the background placement than I did appliqueing the circles.

Bachelor Buttons B-1

This easy bit of paper-piecing was a real breeze.  Thank heavens Jane threw us a few soft balls like this one.

C-1 Trooper Green's Badge

Alison and I got along just fine too, though it was kind of a bear to iron nice and flat.

D-1 Alison's Guiding Light

I just finished Aunt Exie, though I see I still have some fabric removal to do on the backside.  Oh well, I'll get to that later.

E-1 Aunt Exie's Phlox

I haven't even started F-1 yet.  It's a mix of paper piecing and applique.  I'm making it in my favorite bright green hand-dyed fabric (that I've used for everything *grins* ).  It should really pop!

My First Dear Jane Triangle, LS-1, Nancee's Fantasy

I came close to changing my mind about doing the triangles along with the blocks when I discovered my first triangle is a known "bear".  I persevered anyway, and it didn't turn out to be as hard to make as I had first feared.  I'm actually very pleased with how well it turned out. 

I didn't add any extra seams; instead, I paper-pieced everything but the central "corn cob", which I appliqued on last.  In fact, I believe I followed Anina's directions to the letter, (except I'm pretty sure she didn't specify to catch the excess seam allowance from the upper white triangle next to the applique, in the upper left white triangle seam, then not notice it until it is all put together and you're appliqueing merrily away.  This is a more exciting approach, because suddenly you see a raw edge on the right side of the triangle where no raw edge is supposed to be!  Panic ensues.  I had to remove the top triangular paper-pieced section, then undo the upper left white triangle seam to remove the errant fabric.  HOW did I not notice that earlier?)  I'm glad this one is done.

"Harlequin Johnny", my New Bedroom Quilt Project

After MUCH laboring over color choices, my husband and I finally selected a new paint color for our master bedroom, "Lakeshore" by Sherwin Williams.  My DH did a terrific job with the painting; the pictures are hung; the master bathroom has been painted to match, but now the old pink & white quilt on the bed totally does not match.

I played around in EQ7, finally settling on this design:

I'm calling it "Harlequin Johnny" in honor of the two blocks that make up this on-point quilt, "Harlequin" and "Johnny Round the Corner".  

"Harlequin" (seen in the top row of the quilt) contains yellow edge pieces.  My design puts this typically "on-point" block on its side, leaving the center squares sitting flat.  I've kept the characteristic harlequin two-toned corners around the center square, but muted their impact by making them shades of blue.

"Johnny Round the Corner" contains no yellow, and this design puts its center square on point.  I love "Johnnie's siggy square corners.  Can you see them?  There are four tiny little siggies per block.  I love siggies, so these are a treat!

I purchased these fabrics  and this fabric in Phoenix specifically for this quilt.  My DH helped me select the colors.  I have never made a queen sized quilt before, so I'm definitely planning to send it out for quilting.

The look of it reminds me a tiny bit of Celtic Solstices, which I love, by Bonnie Hunter, but I'm afraid it's going to be harder to put together.  Let's just say that I should be really good with cutting weird angle pieces and sewing slightly inset seams after I finish piecing this bad boy!  Wish me luck.  ;)

Phoenix Shop Hop - Part 3, Sedona

I'm saving the best for last.  

Quilter's Store Sedona.  

What can I say?  Everything's just better in Sedona.  lol

The outside is simply spectacular.  

I've never seen a quilt store so artfully landscaped.

The weather was gorgeous too.  

Sedona is at 5000 feet, so it was much cooler than Phoenix, 

which was starting to get a bit hot.

Sedona is visually stunning all the time, 

but in springtime everything is abloom with color.

Batiks are apparently very popular in Sedona.

I was in heaven.

I'm the pink blur in the background, trying to take it all in!

Like all great quilt stores, 

this one seems much larger on the inside than it appeared from the outside.

The Quilt Store in Sedona has much more than just batiks.

They teach a class on how to make the "Out of the Box" quilt below from all your bright charm packs, pops and scraps.

They carry many unique kits... 

 ...and panels I hadn't seen anywhere else.

They also feature "Upcycled Fiber Art" for sale by Mary Jardine, 

which reflects the beauty and character of the Sedona area.

Mary's work is exquisite!

We both loved the coyote howling at the moon.

They have this as a pattern and a kit as well;

it's called "Sedona Serenade".

I couldn't resist their selection of brown dots; 

I guess my Dear Jane will sport more spotted browns.

I'll definitely be coming back to the Quilter's Store in Sedona.

Well, that's all for this trip.

It was great fun checking out new quilt stores and revisiting old friends.  

As always, we asked permission before taking photos, and we avoided taking direct close-ups of copyrighted material.

Everyone was most gracious.

I can heartily recommend Phoenix and Sedona as quilting destinations.

Back to Part 1 of the Phoenix Shop Hop.