Random photos: Christmas holidays 2014

Endless cookies to decorate & eat!

Oh the food!

Saguaro cactus, Off Hwy I-17 Arizona (not bad for 70mph!)

Gingerbread cookies, Only in California!

In &  Out Burger - "Protein style" (no bun Plus grilled onions!)

San Diego Central Public Library - 9 story structure is impressive inside too with AMAZING views! But why sideways on my blog :(

1/2 way through January already!

Southern Arizona Highway, Jan 2, 2015 (before snow storm)

A lot has happened already in 2015 - albeit not a lot on the quilting front....yet! I have driven back and forth from Oklahoma to San Diego, and Oklahoma to Cleveland, OH! Additionally, I have stayed at some really fun AirBnB locations which was almost as much fun as anything else on the trips! (ask me if you want to know more about this adventure in or get tips and savings).

 Now I am home for awhile. My old phone died a nasty death and I lost contacts and photos :( The good news is that this prompted me to learn how to save remotely (off phone) for future preservation :) Here are a few photos from the trips.

Chester County Criswell #26

Chester County Criswell #27

Here is a peek at the direction 2015 will go with quilting. I finished Chester County Criswell block #26 during Christmas break in San Diego watching movies with brother's and my families. Before I left I cut out #27 but ran into a snag having used up all my background fabric so could not progress any further!

While searching for more background fabric I ran across a bag with a stack of 12 vintage stars. I have had them for awhile. It is time to do something with them in 2015 especially since I found some background fabric that seems to match the older fabric so I can finish the corners of the stars. And, for some reason the set in seams seem a very reasonable thing to do! That is a very "odd" thought for me. I'm excited to see what happens with them in 2015 and with other quilt projects :>)

Christmas Cactus Finale & Friend

Christmas Cactus Finale 2014

Cactus has a new friend Amaryllis, a Christmas gift from Glenda

Happy New Year!

I am looking forward to 2015!! I hope it is a happy sewing year for all!

Today I saw this quilt for the first time. It belonged to my great aunt who taught me how to quilt (applique). However, it is was clearly not made by her -- not her style. Perhaps it was made by her mother, my great grandmother.  I noticed that the quilt has some fabric that was in my baby dress! It is the multicolored green, blue and pink floral with yellow snowball center (Small photos to the left, top row bow tie).

This is another block that is underway in my red cutwork. I have enjoyed working on it during the holidays while visiting family in California. 

 

December Update

Wow! The time flies when you are having fun! Or...something like that! Here is what I have accomplished lately in the quilting world:

I have worked a little on Bible block #1. The sun is sewn! I like it! I used paper piecing to make the rays and then have based for applique to the background.

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  CCC#27 Making progress - the 4 hearts emerged.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
• It has been a long time since I actually did hand quilting. I needed to finish the border on this quilt originally begun for my now 22 year old nephew. It took a little time to get back into the rhythm of quilting but soon enough my stitches were flowing similar to previously quilted section of border. Then I was able to trim the backing/batting and now it it ready for the binding! I am very happy with it. Don't know why it took so long to finish. I think I just got bored with routine quilting of last borders once the fun - creative part was finished. 
  
  I still like the appliqued nursery rhyme characters and colors. It should be finished soon! And, a label is also in progress :)
  
  

  

  The Christmas cactus in my studio/office is in bloom. It makes a very cheerful site. I can hardly believe that the pitiful little plant with about 5 leaves that I bought at the end of last season (for 75 cents) has thrived so well and is now blooming profusely! Lovely!

Thanksgiving Quilting Break

#26 Elizabeth Cummins block - CCC

Since last post, I have completed a little work on Chester County Criswell Quilt Block #26 - selecting the fabric and getting started. The sewing the little hearts take some finesse, but they are turning out fine. I wanted this block to be complete before the next block is out (tomorrow). That probably won't happen, but it is a trade off for a little play with the Bible quilt.

After completing one big deadline at work this month, it was time for a sigh of relief before Monday starts all over again, and for a QUILT BREAK! (Plus, throw in a few board games with ds and hubby for extra fun). With a coupled of days off work, I was able to do a little digging through things, tiding up, and dreaming about the Bible quilt pattern (Remember this find a couple posts ago?).

It looks pretty rough here, but just getting some fabric and layout ideas (Genesis - Ark - sideways Egypt with pyramids, a palm tree, and a Fabric for Jacob's coat of many colors). Since I have also been out and about in the past month to see dd on the east coast, I made a trip to Lowell New England Quilt Museum (mom joined me from San Diego YAY!). Sorry we did not get to see awesome quilter and friend Coral on this trip east, but maybe next time. On the trip I was able to gather some primitive and homespun looking fabric scraps. Combined with what I dug up at home, the $3 scrap packs at the museum were just the find of old, odd pieces that I needed! I am also adding some tiny little bright spots of color in the quilt to highlight various elements and so not all drab, primitive colors. We'll see how that works.

Just thinking....2014 is supposed to be a year of finishes. I had better get back on track :) I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Block #25 Finished

Chester County Criswell Quilt - Block #25

Intially when I finished this block at the end of last month I thought that the leaves were not smooth enough around the edges. However, looking at it now, it looks just fine. It probably helps that is it not 10 inches from my nose. I look forward to beginning on the next block soon!
Happy Quilting!