Home is such a lovely place to be!

 I have enjoyed being home this week and have been productive on lists around the house and projects needing work. 

Thanks to the positive comments on my pineapple, I got it out and made a go at the math for adding my coping strips. And in the end, didn't need any adjusting at all. On went the half square triangles and the framing border. 39 by 43 inches

This week, I hope to do some straight line quilting to get her finished. Such lovely memories of the exchange with the quilt guild for the blocks. 

I also made 2 more project bags from my purchase. ( 2 more background and batting cut out) All the little ones are finished.  It was fun to plan some quilting designs and quickly sew them up.  Little projects are the best sometimes. ( unable to be seen in photos, sorry)

In the evenings with my hubby on the other end of the couch are spent in front of the tv. I have had my wool project assembled, but needing the hand stitching. This is a pattern and kit from Buttermilk Basin. Now all that is needed are the bits and bobs.  Instead of 3 little pillows, I intend to assemble it into a long pillow. Each about 6 by 8

Fall

 After a little rain, the trees began to change their colors. It is later than usual for the colors this year and because we have been so dry, it has not been so pretty. But my what some rainfall can do for us.   Fall is my favorite time of year.  Love the foods of pumpkin and squash and apples.  Love the crunching of the leaves on walks. And it has been warmer as well. All good signs of the season.

So what have I been working on: 

First off, I made 2 of the fabric bags for a Lori Holt kit I picked up in Houston at the quilt festival.  It was a last minute splurge.   The fabric is a printed canvas. I have layered and quilted the sides.  Lori Holt has a great video on Youtube that shows her steps which is well done. 

Quilting follows the lines of the fabric across on the top, diagonally on the bottom

Additionally, I have now made 24 of my log cabin blocks that are 4 1/2 inches big.  Only 76 left to do. 

                                        2 groups of 10 and 4 extras

And lastly I made a pile of half square triangles with black background for my pineapple quilt.  2 inch size. Now to attach them to the quilt and figuring out my coping strips. Hooray for progress.

Back to my regularly scheduled program

Well, maybe...  I am back home and and I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I am hoping to use my time more wisely and utilize some of the tips and tricks I learned at Houston. Barbara Black was a fantastic speaker.  WOW!  And so was Christen of I see Stars vlog on Youtube.  Both were incredibly organized and experienced and had wonderful ideas. 

First up some little blocks: 

 I purchased a box of precut 1 inch logs for a 4 1/2 inch log cabins from Pieceful Gatherings in Chicago some time ago. (They no longer will cut these.)  It has been on my unfinished list to do.   And I really do like small pieces.

So I have been taking an hour at a time here and there to chain piece a few at a time. I am measuring each new seam to make sure my seam allowance is accurate.

And here is what I have so far.   

It will make 100 blocks total, which is NOT very big. 

Additionally, I am finishing up a couple cross stitch projects for bowl fillers. 

They are small: 4 and 5 inches and need stuffing.

I am glad to be back blogging and "talking" to you all.

Houston Quilt Festival

What a bucket list experience! There was so much to see and buy. And no, I did not purchase a sewing machine or high end ironing station or cutterpillar. Nor did I really buy fabric. But notions and patterns, yes.

I will start off with a post about the incredible winners. AND they would stand in front of them and talk about their process and answer questions.

Ricky Timms and a section of his amazing grand champion. This was at his concert. The music was moving. I did not realize his first career was in piano performance and composing with a scholarship to college.

He even made a shirt with the raven printed on the fabric from spoonflower.

Herr he is with the whole quilt. Amazing: hand dyed, theme and incredible details. Even a poem around the edge in the binding stitched upside down and backwards. 

Sorry it is sideways.

Karen Kay Buckley with hers. The DETAILS just blow your mind front and back.

Again sorry

Carol Bryer Fallert Gentry with hers digital printing and incredible feathers.

I don't remember her name. She was short in stature  but mighty in talent: over 30,000 of the 7 mm hexies completed over 10 years. There was a friend nearby who translated some questions.