The yellow and gray quilt is done!

I bought some yellow and gray fabric when we were in Elkhart County, Indiana a year ago May. post is here Then earlier this year in April, I finally put together the quilt top while on a retreat. post is here . It took me a while but it is now quilted and bound!

That's a new orange/yellow sunflower yard ornament in the background.

This quilt is very soft in color and the colors don't show up well in the photos or the gold fabrics look way stronger than they are - sorry about that. 

I'm not sure if the quilting motif has a name. It is a couple of curves like a Baptist fan then there are dinosaur bumps on the outermost curve. It was just a design I wanted to try.

The back has some leftover blocks.I used all of some of the fabrics and had to piece the extra partial block on the right with some very small scraps.

The quilt is about 50" by 68" with cotton batting - perfect for a summer TV quilt. I'm not sure if it is living here or moving on. Some decisions can wait!

Meanwhile, you might remember that I knitted a corkscrew hat a while ago. We got a chance to try it on Leo. 

He is usually full of smiles but I took forever getting my camera to work and I don't think he liked the flash. However he did like his new hockey hat!

"You are right where we want you to be.

A week and a half ago, Ray had some back spasms and ended up with an ambulance ride to the ER. The pain was terrible and there was also the fear that the cancer had spread. The ER doctor got x-rays and said they looked clear. He diagnosed a back strain and back spasms. So Ray's been resting and recovering. There is a possibility that he has overdone the exercising and bike riding!

Today we were back at University Hospital in Madison seeing Ray's cancer doctor for his 3-month check since the cancer surgery. Ray got a great report. The doctor said "You are right where we want you to be." Ray appears to be cancer free. Next check is in three months. Feeling very blessed!

As far as quilting - not a whole lot is happening. That will change soon - we are headed to Iowa for Quilt Camp in a couple of weeks! But first we'll spend some time with my brothers in northern Wisconsin. I'm looking forward to being back at the lake - we haven't been there since 2010 and it is definitely time!

A couple of small runners

I went to Lucky 2B Quilting for the Christmas in July camp a couple of weeks ago. After seeing all of the suggestions/inspiration, I decided to make a couple of small table runners. 

As I was looking at fabric, I came across the Joy Batiks of Laundry Basket Quilts by Moda. I love batiks. I began with the layer cake and eventually bought the jelly roll too. I love batiks!

I decided to use the disappearing pinwheel block for one runner 

and the disappearing hourglass block for the other. 

Have you seen the Missouri Star youtube videos for these two blocks? 

Disappearing Pinwheel Block

Disappearing Hourglass Block

Both runners are quilted with Paisley. Considering it is my favorite quilting motif, who would have guessed?!

I bought one of the batiks that matched a piece in the layer cake and the jelly roll for the backing. I love batiks!

Since I want to use the runners more than just at Christmas, I decided on red and tan, leaving the green for another time. Always nice to have something to add to the stash! And I love batiks!

Summer Retreat

Usually four of us go on a summer quilting retreat but our youngest member couldn't make it this year. She was on a special vacation with her 11-year-old son. Although we missed her, we didn't feel sorry for her!

Sandy, Barb and I went to Memory Lane, one of our favorite places. And this time we met Blosom up close and personal.

Me, Barb, and Sandy with the famous Blosom.

We had great weather. Our work area was set up so we all looked out at the pond.

The pond - so serene.

It was very relaxing to eat out on the deck.

There was lots of visiting and sewing. We began projects, worked on other projects and even finished some things! 

Barb finished quilting this gorgeous quilt.

And she put the binding on this quilt.

Then she began appliquéing a couple of small hangings. 

Sandy made this pretty top.

And this one too.

I finished a couple of tops and worked on more.

I love orange!

My scrappy Trip Around the World will grow more.

My Disappearing Hour Glass in batik pastels.

We had a great time, as usual. And there was more but ...

some of what happens on retreat stays on retreat!