Quilt Lovin' From the Oven!

While the quilters are hard at work making beautiful things in the Quilting Quarters, I captured some of Chris's Christmas in July group cooking and baking up quite the storm in the kitchen!

Who says we can't do both?

I love a full and happy retreat house with folks spread out everywhere!

I walked in to see Betsy sharing a half-square triangle quilt she started last year -it's done!

I'm thrilled as some of my own blue and red scraps are included, happily donated to the cause when her own variety of scraps was getting a bit low.

We also had a great laugh over how when she put it in a judged show - it was MARKED DOWN for that pinwheel being asymmetrical - off center.

It was designed to be off center.

And this is the thing I don't get about judges.  They are supposed to be unbiased when it comes to things like that.  It's objective vs subjective.

For instance - just because a judge doesn't like the color purple, they should not get to mark you down for your use of purple.

Off center was Betsy's version for her wonderful quilt, and she should stick with it. 

Sometimes you've just got to shrug off the judge's preferences and be true to your own vision of what you want to see in your own quilt.

After all, you are the one who has to live with it!

Well done, Betsy!

This is also Betsy's corner with her En Provence in progress.  Check out her use of stacked shelves!

This can really help increase your space and access to things you need while sewing on retreat.  They fold flat for transportation and storage - and everything she needs is right where she can get to it.

Great idea!

There is some one block wonder going to be happening around this beautiful panel.  See hexie block at upper right.  Fun!

Something scrappy is happening here!

And you can see it growing on the design wall across the room.

And we have TWO Christmas Trees up - yes, the theme is Christmas in July afterall!

Free form raw edge applique - wonderful!

No, those 3 empty seats are not for slackers!  Those are the folks in the kitchen whipping up wonderful things.

Indigo Way is happening here - with some authentic South African shweshwe fabrics!

Back to the Strings for me!

With mom's hexie now in the binding stage - I can see THREE projects on this one desk that are all clamoring at me to get them further along.

I don't usually have this much going at one time - 

The shirt plaid stars are there in that little basket - all cut out and kitted up and ready to be started on again.

My County Clare Leader & Ender blocks are also mocking me - begging to be worked on between the lines of chain piecing those stars.

But the closest thing to being done is my Huka Falls quilt - just needing more border units to call the whole thing done.

So string blocks it is.

Starting in the center and working out to the corners -

But what's this I feel?

HITCH HIKER!!

And I stitched through it not just once, but twice? It's on there. No picking it out or I'll tear the paper.

I just trimmed it super close to the stitch line on either side of the sewing thread as close as I could and pressed that thing to death. I don't have time for any more shenanigans.

Click to Play:

No words, no music.
Just trimming ASMR.
(ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Some people describe the feeling of listening to sounds as relaxing, calming, and restful.)
And yes, this is a sped up video - I don't cut ANYTHING that fast.

I get the same kind of feelings when I sit and remove the papers from the back of my string triangles!

Yay!  On to the next step.

My evening was filled with feet up in my comfy chair stitching down binding on mom's hexie.
One long side is done - but man - it's a huge quilt!
I'll be back at it tonight.
It's FRIDAY!  And into the weekend we go.  Some of the gals from Chris's group have already headed out to the park in search of ponies as they wanted to beat the rain that is coming this afternoon.
Rain and quilting go well together, so there is no problem there if it rains this afternoon or not - just as long as it doesn't rain while they are up there.

The response to our Hamilton Gardens release yesterday has been phenomenal!  I can't thank you enough, and I am so excited that you are excited to make your own version while stitching down your scraps.

New Zealand Inspired!

A trip to New Zealand in January 2024 gave me a chance to see Hamilton Gardens for myself. All of that inspiration is captured here with easy to follow instructions, full-color photos and graphics to help you create your own version – no triangles required!

Quilt Size:79’’ X 79’’

Introductory pricing: I have set the price for Hamilton Gardens at 25% off - no coupon needed. Sale price good through 7/28/24. 

And yes - there is a Gift-Away!

I'll be drawing for 2 winners who will each receive a Hamilton Gardens PDF pattern from me, and a Hamilton Roll from Cotton to Quilts!

Of course, they've also got gorgeous neutral rolls to enhance your stash as well.  Check them out!

Winners will be chosen by random number generator on Friday, July 26th.

Fabric prizes must be shipped to a USA address.  If you are outside of the USA, we can ship the fabric prize to a friend within the USA who can forward it on to you.

Enter to win on the Gift-Away Post.

And I think that catches us up until now.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Happy Friday -

Definitely with a twist!