Cherries Jubalee

 I first long-arm quilted last Columbus Day at the Blue Bird Quilt Studio in downtown Nampa, Idaho.  This is my Cherry's Jubalee Quilt. I purchased the pattern at the Quilt Crossing in Boise and took the class there, from Nancy Doan.  That was in October 2009.  You can be really creative with these circles.  I actually finished another quilt with circled between starting this one and getting it finished. I had to let it age or something. But it was good timing, because then I was ready to do the long-arm quilting. I noticed I was having a run of baby quilt photos on my blog, and thought I should include one of the larger ones I have done.  Pete's "Moose and Squirrel" quilt is the largest I have done this year. A photo of it is in the June postings. Good night!



for baby James



At last, I am posting a photo of baby James quilt.  It is in blue and white, with a "ship" theme; sailing ships, rocket ships, and little white anchors all around the border.  Approximately 33X33 inches.  I did the cheaty binding I learned at the Hen House Quilting Retreat, but sewed it with the back facing up, so I could sew close to the edge of the binding strip, so there is no flapping about. I used dark blue thread so it matches and the top looks crisp and clean.

Today we went to the Nick Cave exhibit at the Boise Art Museum (BAM).  WOW! I have to rethink cleaning out and giving my sweaters to Goodwill. I have this stack of doilies that I could not part with, but do not use. I have an entirely new sewing project in my not too distant future.  My pet peeve with BAM is they do not allow photos to be taken in their museum.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, lets you take photos, and so does that fancy art museum in North Carolina, but not BAM. So, I went on-line, after we got back from our gluten-free lunch at Five Guys and an eye-opening time at the art museum, and found a ton of photos of Nick Cave's creations.  So, I have picked one, to put on my blog, so you can see what fantastic textile artistry is going on here. Although he also reuses found materials from thrift stores, including ceramic bird nic-nacs, old metal toys, metal sculptures, afghans, bags, hats, doilies, buttons, etc.  His costume creations are fantastic. They are stunning from a distance, and the tiny details are fabulous.  Part of the sleeve on one of the costumes had reverse applique on it that made the design.  I so wished I could take a photo.  Here is a photo I found on-line that shows some of the yarn and button detail on one of the costumes.

Certain parties mentioned that I had not posted on by blog since September 2nd.  Well, that is sort of true, but not really.  On September 7th, I attended a quilting retreat with my ConFab.  Please, click on the LINK to the left, under "My Adventures in Quilting".  That is what I have been working on as far as my blog in the month of September.  We must remember that quilting is the priority and I have completed three quilt in the month of September and mailed a fourth off to be long arm quilted out of town. I attended the Boise Basin Quilt Show, yesterday September 29th, with a quilting buddy and you all must know that such things take time.  So, what three quilts did I get finished in September? 
1) hideous pink shoo-fly baby quilt #2
2) sweet baby James Navy baby quilt

3) minature quilt of Kirsten Larsen, which can be viewed being held by her, on the "Gluten Free Doll Quilts" page attached as a link on the menu to the left.
Now, I am not posting a photo of the "Sweet Baby James Navy Baby Quilt" until after I have given it to Nicole (i.e., mother of baby James). I would not want her to get a look at it prior to the baby shower, where we want to experience the look of delight on her face.  The Cloverdale Ladies Society is in the midst of a project where we are making baby quilts to donate to the local hospital for all the new infants.  This pink shoo-fly quilt is one I am donating. I am working on a blue, yellow, red, and white four-patch rocket themed baby quilt for the next one.  As it is, I have not got my adventures in quilting trip from Tucson to St. Louis completed and posted yet. I have worked 40 hours a week, except when I took a morning off to take my mother to the doctor. I did attend a 3 hour class to learn how to use my new Husqvarna sewing machine. I did mow the acre a week ago Thursday, cleared some weeds from the ditch, trimmed some lilac bushes, and performed irrigation duties, which included get soaked, because I trimmed the lilacs after the sprinklers were on.  And I wasted a perfectly good hour waiting for AAA tow truck in front of Paul's Market last Sunday, but managed to get my Blazer started and made it home without their help. Okay. I have things to do.  TTFN!

Totally finished! First quilt made on my new machine! It is a baby quilt, but was alot of fun to use the scraps from another quilt and totally use them up.

I got a new sewing machine! After 30 years of sewing on my Singer, I have finally taken the plung for something better.  Husqvarna Viking Tribute 140 Year Special Edition.  I do not have to pin my fabric every inch any more!  I used the package of 2.5 inch strips that I bought at the Quilted Cow and made all the blocks and put them on my design wall. Then I used the scraps to make a baby quilt top. 

I just sewed all the strips together in sets of three, then chopped them into 6.5 inch squares, and viola'. I tossed them up on my design wall (aka a flannel quilt I have hung on the wall). Now I am ready to sew all those blocks together! Yeah!! With my new Husqvarna!!

Another smokey day in Idaho.  I am back from a fantastic road trip from Tucson, Arizona to St. Louis, Missouri.  We started on August 2, 2012. Had tamales before hitting the highway to the east. We made it to Roswell, New Mexico, where we spent the first night. Next morning, a swim in the pool, back in the car, and off to the local quilt shop.  What can I say?  I will post more photos in a link under my menu titled, "My Adventures in Quilting".  I managed to visit four whole quilt shops on the trip!