2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge August Update

This month at the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge, over at Insights by SewCal Gal, Wendy Sheppard is our expert. She does beautiful work!

Wendy gave us a "simple but fun quilting motif" called Jester's Hat. Well, first I tried to draw the design. Then I tried to draw the design by copying the website drawing. Oh, this gave my very left-brain brain fits! I was drawing the design in the air when I woke up, on the shower wall, on my church bulletin... My sketch book has pages devoted to this "simple but fun quilting motif"!

Today, after church, I was ready! I decided to sew on a square that will eventually become part of  a QAYG quilt. I had to stop stitching often to think about where to go next. But it worked! I do like the texture this design gives and with practice (maybe lots of practice) I think I could do a whole quilt!  

Thanks Wendy! Using one's brain is good!


Problems:
All of that thinking! I also had some trouble with my machine speed which you may notice in my stitches - I can't wait to get a machine with a start button so I don't have to rely on my nerve damaged foot!

and the rest of the story ...

Or make that the rest of the great week...


We traveled to Springfield, Illinois yesterday. Our younger son and his family arrived at the motel late last night. We met up this morning and enjoyed some pool time. 


This afternoon, we were honored to be at the Illinois State Police 2012 Awards Ceremony. Younger son received Trooper of the Year for his District. This is the second time he has received the award. Proud parents = us!


After the ceremony, younger son and family left on vacation - a day late. Ray and I decided to do some shopping so we went to the year-old Scheels store. OMGosh, what a store! At 200,000 square feet, it is rather incredible! There is a full size Ferris Wheel in the store. Also an airplane. And an aquarium. And a fudge store. . . And the selection of all things sporting is amazing.


Tomorrow is travel home day. Since my Friday and Saturday sewing plans have changed, I hope plan to sew at home! 


Yup, its has been One Great Week!

But keep the old ..

Make new friends .. but keep the old .. One is Silver .. And the other Gold.

We traveled on to Winterset last Friday and found Patti already there waiting for us. Let me explain ... 

We met Patti and Dave in 1975 when we moved to Carbondale, CO and rented the apartment across the backyard fence from them. We quickly became friends and spent lots of time jeeping, playing games, and eating together. Oh, there are many stories! 

Dave and Patti eventually moved down valley to Glenwood Springs - about 15 miles away and we moved up valley to Basalt - about 15 miles the other way. Well, the 30 miles didn't stop us from spending time together. 

In 1978 we moved back to the Midwest. We kept in contact for a while but as things happen, we lost track of each other when they moved back to the Midwest. We've often searched but always came up empty-handed. 

Then about 6 weeks ago, we got a message on Facebook. Actually the message was about a month old - it was in the Other folder under Messages. Patti found us! We immediately connected with each other and decided to meet in Winterset, IA  since it was about halfway between us. So the three of us spent this past weekend together. Sadly, Dave passed away about 18 years ago.

Friday there was LOTS of talking - we had years to catch up on but it felt like we hadn't really been apart! That evening we headed for the National Hot Air Balloon Classic in Indianola. It was the perfect evening to be outside. The food was good and the balloons were beautiful. Patti had just gotten a new Nikon camera and Ray loves his so there was a great deal of camera talk. We stayed through the Nite-Glow and then headed back to our motel.

Ray, me, and Patti

some of the many balloons

 the nite-glow

Saturday started with a leisurely breakfast outside. Then the Farmer's Market and shopping in Winterset. I had to stop at Fons & Porter. And I did buy the fabric I'm holding - I thought I couldn't live without it! 

We asked where to eat and they sent us to a little restaurant on the square next to Montross Pharmacy - I can't remember the name. After a wonderful lunch, we headed out to see the bridges - all of them. That would be the real bridges of Madison County!

Sunday morning after we ate, we visited John Wayne's home and his statue. Then we said our goodbyes. We plan to meet again next year - we are already looking for a place.

On to West Des Moines

Last Friday morning, as we were going through the West Des Moines area, we stopped at Creekside Quilting in Clive. 

We found out Thursday that our great nephew and his wife are expecting a girl! So, I was looking for fabric for a baby girl quilt. I found inspiration, I found fabric, I found patterns, and I found some of the nicest ladies - all at this store!

When we finally checked out, we asked where to eat lunch. After some discussion, the ladies suggested Palmer Deli for lunch. Oh Wow! It was wonderful!

Rather loud, extremely busy, fantastic selection of great food - we'd go back in a heartbeat!

A day in the Amanas

"Oh what a night..." Let's make that "Oh, what a week..."! It's been a great one! We were able to spend some time on the road again!


Last Thursday we were in the Amana Colonies. It was very warm, about 100° and sunny so we took our time wondering around. First stop was Heritage Designs, a quilt shop in Amana. 

It was very nice but I actually walked out without buying anything! The shop was very busy and I found some neat things but nothing I had to have.

We walked through part of the town of Amana.

Ragbrai was stopping  in Cedar Rapids that night and some of the bicyclists were in Amana. We heard that the riders were riding very early in the morning because of the temperatures.

These guys were out of Ohio - The Hills Angels. They gave us a patch - DWABP - Drinkers with a Biking Problem. 

We really need to get back to the Amana Colonies again. There was so much that we missed this trip.

July Quilt Square Quilt Along

The July Quilt Square Quilt Along at Jo's Country Junction was our choice from two star blocks. We are following Lori Smith’s patterns for 12" x12" quilt squares. This month is from #4 Quilt Squares.

So far, I have made all of my Quilt Squares from scraps - often using whatever is on my cutting table. This star is also from scraps but the choice was made by our weather! It has been record-breaking hot all summer so I wanted something in the 'warm color' family. And I love orange! 


There are lots of small pieces but I did not have any problems. The hardest part was keeping everything in order to sew together. I laid all of the pieces on the back of a piece of a flannel-backed tablecloth. Then it was easy to transport from cutting table to sewing machine to ironing board.


This little quilt is machine quilted in a loopy pattern.

Blue and White Tablerunner

While shopping with friends recently, I picked up some blue fat quarters at the Backyard Quilt Shop. I had no idea what I would make but I loved the color.


While we were at that shop, a friend was looking at a table runner and I was explaining how the block would be sewn. That block was the inspiration for my table runner. I have no idea if I'm close to the original pattern or not. I have no pattern, no picture, no measurements - just an old mind! After I made the blocks, I decided they needed a little white flange. I know the inspiration piece did not have a flange but mine needed one!

The runner is machine quilted with a loopy pattern.