Magnolia Sewing Circle

Today I got to sew with the ladies and children from church at our regular monthly sewing circle.

They started quilting a new top that had languished in the back corner of the cupboard for years.

Sherilyn sews the binding to a quilt that Paul’s mom embroidered years ago when she worked nights at the hospital.

Sisters, Rosetta and Cheryl pieced blocks for tops.

 

Evie and Karla cut out small dresses to be sewn up.

Carson and Alan found building blocks for entertainment.

Teryn reminds me so much of his daddy when he was this age.

Evie helped spearhead this project of clothing and such for Operation Ukraine.

Rhoda and Karla manhandled those boxes easily.

I sewed the ‘string’ blocks together for this ‘string’ quilt that was started a year ago.

I brought it home and cut more strings to make it two rows longer.

We’ll work more on it next month at our “Guest Day Sewing.”

Fabric Giveaway

 I think it’s about time for another giveaway. This time I have 4 fat quarters of stripes up for grabs.

To be in the draw, all you have to do is let me know in the comments below which is your favorite 2014 Quilt in the tab above.

For an extra chance in the drawing become a follower in some way or follow by e-mail and come back and let me know how. If you are already a follower let me know that as well and how you follow in your second comment.

This giveaway will be open until Wed., Oct 22, 2014 at 5 p.m. PST and to US addresses only. Then we’ll choose a winner with Mr. Random Generator.

Visit other blogs that are participating in the giveaway at Field Trips in Fiber.

Design Wall Monday

This is only a portion of my design wall.

My goal this week is to finish these two pieces. The first one is a sample I’m making for classes. The second one is a sample for C-Spire that never materialized.

Magnolia is Finished

Life …

We received a bouquet of fresh cut flowers with this small flower that was only 3/4” in diameter. I was amazed at closer inspection to find lots of tiny yellow flowers systematically placed around the center. Truly this is a work of God.

… about 7 hours before the lunar eclipse.

… as a Quilter

I have finished my Magnolia.

Detail of 3D seed pod made from thread.

Finished edges are faced.

Loops on the back with dowel rod for hanging.

Signed and dated.

Measurements: 15” x 16”

Cotton fabric and oil pastels

Price: $150 -- SOLD

     

More of the Southern Magnolia

On my design wall ---

I have been battling with this piece ever since I came home from Alpine, AL. Since it was already quilted I felt like I needed to use something besides fabric to give it life. I chose oil pastels for that was what I had on hand.

Thanks to my niece Claire Bleu for tutoring me through the coloring part.

You see … it used to look like this … (and I thought I was ready to add the center and bind it and be done!) ...

… and this.

Now I think I really am ready to make and add the center seed pod and put a binding on it.

   

Life and Hattiesburg Quilt Show

Life …

Georgi and Talya came for a sleep over and then enjoyed the day. Ashton kept them entertained royally!

Paul and I had lunch with Darryl and Laura one last time before they move to Detroit.

A colorful bench for waiting in La Fiesta Brava.

 

… as a Quilter

Brenda, Ebba, and I went to Hattiesburg, MS for the biannual Fiber Art and Quilt Show.

This beautiful, modern, yet strikingly simple bird house quilt took my fancy.

Martha Ginn gave an inspiring lecture on “Creativity.”

Her bonfire quilt with a shining moon on glitzy netting over an old tablecloth was marvelous.

These next two quilts are part of the 2014 Hoffman Challenge. The recognizable fabric has the colorful circles in it.

I love the way the red strips in each block bring this quilt together. I think this would be something nice we could make at Sewing Circle.

I’m thrilled that my peacock “Palatial Plumage” got an honorable mention in it’s category and also “Judge’s Choice.”

And then too my “Bubbled Double Nine Patch” also received two ribbons, first in it’s category and best machine quilting with a domestic machine. I’m pleased as punch!

Southern Magnolia

A couple weeks ago I started this small sample of a ‘southern magnolia’ to see if it would work for my real challenge quilt and I’m so glad I did. So many people commented on the beauty of the background fabric. I took that as a sign that my magnolia didn’t have the limelight it needed.  So I tried to tone down that beautiful watercolor fabric with …

… crayons.

The colors turned it more green but after I heat set them …

… there wasn’t much green left. I decided the “Applebee's” crayon didn’t soak into the fabric. So I used the Kodak crayons and pressed harder and colored the leaves around the magnolia. That seemed to work. Now I’m wondering what ‘Crayola’ brand crayons would have done.

Maybe I can work some more on this piece yet. Somehow I need that flower to get more attention!