Under the tutelage of my friend Sue, I planted seeds and have been nursing these plants for the last several weeks. My makeshift 'green house': I carefully covered my sideboard under the dining room window, collected a bunch of lamps which were not being used and placed them strategically over the plants. I water them three times a day, and when the weather is warm, I place them outside on the deck so they can start getting strong. The first batch of seedlings has gone the way of all the … [Read more...] about Green Thumb?
Colorful pineapple blocks
I've been working on a fun quilt with [real] pineapple blocks. Using mostly batiks, I started assembling a square with strips from various fabrics, then ironed fusible web on the back, cut it, and machine appliqued it onto the mottled cream background. The leaves were supposed to be cut individually from different green fabrics. However, due to all the colors I had already used on the fruit, I decided to use the guide for leaf placement in place of many leaves, and chose a single … [Read more...] about Colorful pineapple blocks
Bundle of Joy
This is Nicholas, my first grandchild. He will be three weeks old this coming Sunday. He is a calm, alert, gorgeous baby. Yesterday, he rode 12 hours to his new home on the outskirts of San Francisco, CA. I am driving to California on Monday and will stay there for one week to help his mom and dad settle in their new place, and to get some more time with Nicholas. I found out I can easily calm him down when he is tired, singing Brazilian lullabies and gently rocking him. He has very … [Read more...] about Bundle of Joy
Japanese Quilting
Another precious book came in the mail this week: Japanese Quilting by Yoko Saito . I had seen Yoko's work in magazines, but this collection of projects is a gem. Her signature taupe fabrics and wonky blocks adds whimsy and charm to her designs. Yoko's fabric colors appeals to traditional quilters, while her modern bag designs redefine this old staple of every woman's accessory arsenal. I am glad she incorporated Sashiko into some of her offerings, as I have fallen in love with this … [Read more...] about Japanese Quilting
So true…
Just saw this cartoon at Live a Colorful Life. Is it true for you? More often than not it describes my creative process, particularly when faced with many concurrent deadlines... ... and deadlines will be the last thing on my mind today, with all that is going on: my mom arrives from Brazil at noon, and my son Michael graduates from BYU at 2 pm. My sewing machine and ironing board will enjoy a restful day. Sapphire, the cat, will sleep undisturbed on my chair, as I will be driving up and down … [Read more...] about So true…
Disappearing Four Patch Tutorial
Every year, each of us makes a quilt block for that year's guild president; those blocks are given to her so she can make a quilt. It is our way to say "thank you" for all her hard work. Today I had the chance to piece my block for last year's president, Diana. I am happy she chose the Disappearing 4-Patch, as I had seen it but had not yet tried it. Just in case you have not pieced this block, I made a tutorial as I went along. Here is what you will need: 2 - 5" squares of white fabric 2 - 5" … [Read more...] about Disappearing Four Patch Tutorial