Changing directions

So my Crossed Canoes idea fell through. I was having some technical issues with construction of the blocks. So I changed direction! I visualized some tents in the woods. So into EQ I went and drew up a block in two sizes.

Small block, pre-trimmed

They worked up great by paper piecing. You can do a thin tent pole easily with this technique.

The start of my Tent City

When we have the entire family up at the lake the overflow sets up in what we call "Tent City". So that is what I am naming this project.

I am a thread tucker

I have finished the quilting and am ready to bind.  I did some walking foot work and then filled in the background with free motion quilting. I am a thread tucker. I don't like the lumps that happen when you do three small stitches in place and then trim the thread. I take the time to tuck all my starts and stops. It just looks better to me.

Also check out the Quilt Keeper's blog! The reveal of the fabric challenge is posted! They had to use a specific fabric and had to have a circle somewhere on the piece. Love the variety of project ideas.

This is my off the wall post for this week.

Fresh Start

I started a new project. I was playing with the crossed canoes design in EQ and since this year's quilt fest has a Quilt Camp theme I thought it would make a good class. 

12 inch block

6 inch block

Possibly fabric selection

I really need to get going on the sample, the forms need to be in by the first.

First new Journal piece

Three and a half years ago I started a weekly journal project. I was going along ok, skipped a few weeks here and there but always intended to make it a 52 piece collection. I quit the project after my brother died. I have always intended to get it started up again and while I was in California in January I did! I had all the parts ready to go 3 years ago for this little piece. Now it is finished!

Back and label

And labeled! I am not sure what this week's piece will be. Maybe some idea will spring forth from the crap, er, um, stuff on the cutting table.

The first piece in the journal project

Back and Label

This was the first of my journal pieces. I had been driving up the hill and with a clear blue sky there was lightening over the mountains.  I will try to share the old journals when I show my new ones.

The sky this morning! I love the way that the jet streams cross! This might be the inspiration for my next journal piece.

This is my off the wall post for this week.

Getting back into the groove!

I had a wonderful 2 weeks in California! Saw a lot of good friends, went to a retreat, taught a class and sewed like crazy! I had brought along a bunch of batiks in purples and yellows. I had a theory about doing a QAYG without sashing strips between the blocks.

2 panels

I pieced strips and then quilted them to the batting and backing. I made 3 panels. I let fabric hang over the top and bottom edges for sewing the sections together.

2 quilted 1 not

I then quilted each of the panels. When I tried to sew two of them together I discovered that I have a few issues that I need to get worked out. I may just finish off each panel separately.  It is now on my design wall curing.

Vintage Fiber Art

I stopped by and visited my Mother-in-Law on my way home. This piece of fiber art has been in her home since I first met her in 1979. I was always intrigued with it. It is made with layers of felt on a burlap base. It has some rug hooked loops and also some embroidery stitching. It depicts San Francisco.

Close up of rug hooking

Close up of felt layers

Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I couldn't find a signature on it.

This is my Off the Wall post for this week.