hanging quilts

Andy hung another of my quilts today.

blue plaids

Made with reclaimed plaid shirts using the unmatched nine-patch technique I used to teach.
A shirt was given to me this morning by a friend so, shall I make another?

I made this top at least 12 years ago. I had it quilted at least 5 years ago. St Pauls is sending a work crew to Puerto Rico and is having a fundraising auction, just the impetus I needed. The binding is a leftover piece of another quilt binding. Now, some precious handwork time to finish it up!

Happy Easter!

The white paraments are up for their first Easter use.

a trip to China!

Eve and I traveled to China over my spring break, spending 5 days in Shanghai and 4 in Beijing. Eve's having lived in the country and ability to speak the language made her a wonderful traveling companion.

Lynn and Echo's mom

We explored the South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market with the mother of Eve's classmate. Eve had a coat made and I purchased scarves and a bit of cotton fabrics that are already making their way into my piecing. The Propaganda Poster Art Center was very interesting to look at the posters and remember corresponding US and China events in the news during my childhood. The Long Museum and Spin Ceramics were great visits. And, we took a soup noodle cooking class!

Spin Ceramics

Making Shanghai Soup Noodles!

In Bejing we went to Love Linen People, located in the hutongs. The 798 Art Zone was a really interesting place. And, of course, The Great Wall and The Forbidden City were amazing.

I must say I spent most of my time saying to myself,"I can't believe I am in China!"

A wonderful trip.

St Patrick's Day is a a fine day for a wedding

And, this year we get to celebrate our 34th anniversary for a 37 hour day!
(I traveled from Beijing back to Andy in Chicago today.)

I've been drafting more 4 inch block ideas and this morning cut out a few so I am ready for little bits of time at the machine.

The Temecula Quilt Co.'s sew-a-long is about 4 weeks in. They post new blocks on Fridays. Because I am really enjoying unearthing my fabrics as I organize my sewing space and getting time at the machine, I caught up with their blocks and have been making more with other traditional patterns.
The sew-a-long project will be a small quilt and I intend to make a larger one, so my impatient nature will help meet that goal.
The blocks finish 4 inches.

grandma great and charlie

Spending a few days with my mother. We enjoyed a visit from my grand-nephew tonight!
My mom is called "grandma great" by this generation.

In the background hangs my version of the Seeing Stars quilt by Turning Twenty.
http://www.turningtwenty.com/store-detail.php?ID=2762

4-inch block sew-a-long

Temecula Quilt Co has started another sew-a-long with new blocks up on Fridays.
http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/search/label/1880%20Sampler%20Sew%20Along

The nice think about these projects is they can become as big or as small as you want. If I get a few blocks made and decide I'm done, it is a doll quilt.
I am making two blocks each pattern so I have the option to make a bigger quilt.

and another

Lots of handwork to be done.

binding!

Before the move I prepared 10 backs and tops and delivered them to my long arm quilter. She graciously stored them for six months and is now quilting them over the next few weeks.
I had also made some bindings and sleeves and labels before the move, and was able to locate them this week.
So, binding is happening!

the guest room awaits

Merry Christmas!

tip # 40--add a bow

Although I enjoy wrapping presents, some packaging is too lovely to cover up so I just add a bow.

hanging up!

No sewing yet, but quilts are being unpacked. And, one is hung!
You see it as you enter our home.

I made this quilt in 2006. I had a small remnant of the wonderful Japanese fabric of carp kites and used every bit in this quilt.

setting up!

Before everything went into storage in July, I had my machines serviced. I am amazed how much oil is underneath them. I will take time to clean and re-oil before actually sewing.
BUT, look!!
I cleared off a space! Enough for a machine!

We are building out the closets of our new place one by one, as we determine how we will use them.
My fabrics and sewing supplies will be split between the guest room closet and a sewing nook. Here you see the nook with piles and piles. I will build out the closet first, then sew in this space for a bit to see how I am using it before building it out. I don't expect that to happen until spring.
But, sewing can and will take place this week!
Now, to find my iron...

a new fabric line!

Check out the delightful fabrics a Latifah Saafir Studios.
http://www.latifahsaafirstudios.com/
I love these two, the jump rope handles measure 3 inches (Double Dutch).
The largest utility poles measure 8 1/2 inches (Power Lines).

As a city dweller, I love how she takes urban and industrial themes to wonderful levels.

AND, we are moved!
Our expected 5 weeks with our daughter turned into 4 months. She was wonderfully gracious about it.
Thanks to the force of nature strength and determination of my sisters, we have unpacked to the point of having a functional home.
Next up, setting up my sewing area. I plan to get enough space for a machine for now, then see how I work in the space before deciding on how to plan the build out.
Other than the hand sewing on the paraments, I have not sewn since my birthday mid July.
It is time to be in front of the machine again!!

Totenfest Sunday

The paraments were in use this morning.

Totenfest is a special Sunday where we commemorate members of our congregation who died in the past year. It is very moving to hear the names and watch a friend or family member bring a rose to a vase in the front of the church. There were seven deaths this past year, the last only about 12 days ago and that family's pain was noticeably fresh.
The beauty of being part of a congregation is these connections over time and between generations. It was comforting to know some day a rose will be brought forward for me.

paraments ready for totenfest

In honor of a retiring pastor at St Pauls, I was asked to make paraments for the white seasons of the church.
Top is the lectern piece, then the pulpit piece. Below, the altar cloth.
I finished them yesterday and today installed them for this coming Sunday, the last day of the liturgical year when we celebrate Totenfest, a day of memorial for members who died in the past year.
They then will be tucked away for the four weeks of Advent, and will come back out for Christmas.

I love being in the sanctuary all by myself. Such a quiet and lovely space.

an extravagant welcome

Andy caught this scene at St Pauls today.