A Machine and Friends

This week has started with a couple fun activities. First, after much research that mostly involved talking with helpful quilting friends, I decided to purchase this three-year old Pfaff Grand Quilter machine through Craigslist. The seller was offering it along with a stitch regulator and Inspira quilt frame, neither of which I wanted, so I was very please to learn I could purchase the machine separately.

Though the needle threader is missing (I never use one anyway) and the telescoping thread holder is damaged, I think both are easily repairable and in no way impact the mechanical aspects of this machine. Since oiling it, putting in a new needle, and making tension adjustments, it's running like a champ. I couldn't be more pleased with my bargain purchase.

Of course, being anxious to free-motion quilt on my new machine, I had to whip up a quilt top! After seeing this one on Rene's blog, I wanted to make it too. The original design is a pattern called "Red Centre" from Material Obsessions. After doing some math, I made my 44" X 56" quilt from 4" (finished) blocks.You can see that I made it with bright, kid-friendly prints, and my all-time favorite "bullseye" white-on-white print from Timeless Treasures. In the past year I've used nearly 7 yards of bullseye in quilts! Sadly, I have only 1/3 yard left.The second fun thing this week was to visit several Iowa quilt shops with my friends. Susan, Michelle, Kim and I went to the Quilting Connection in Ames, Block Party Studios in Nevada, and Quilter's Cupboard in Ankeny.

Being the practical sort, my purchases were needed fabric for quilt backings and binding, machine needles, and a big hunk of Hobbs wool. The latter is for my next new adventure in free-motion quilting with that Pfaff.

None of us went overboard adding to our stashes, but still had a great time together. Chatter was pretty much non-stop, except when our mouths were occupied with lunch or a treat from Dairy Queen. What a blessing it is to have friends with whom you can share your life and be yourself. Thank you, Buds!

Like I said, "Fun!"

Unlocking a Gazebo

During my recent three-week stay in Florida, I walked the dog through Kate Jackson Park in OldeHyde Park, Tampa.

This pretty gazebo attracted my attention, and as I got closer I came to a surprising realization. The stuff dangling from the top...

...is hundreds of keys! House keys, car keys...

What a clever way to upcycle something that's otherwise completely worthless... except maybe to a burglar!

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day to Americans everywhere!

God bless the USA, and protect our troops stationed throughout the world.

Yesterday, July 3, was our community's annual Independence Day parade.

On this hot summer day, passing by us were the usual antique cars, antique tractors, scouting organizations, church groups, Za-Ga-Zig Shriner vehicles, local dignitaries, fire department vehicles, and politicians.

Among the political types walking in the parade was our former governor, Terry Branstad. He was Iowa's 39th governor, and our state's longest-serving governor, from 1983 to 1999. After leaving office he worked in education, but in 2009 he left that position to again run for governor. When I saw him walking down the street, I brazenly called out, "Governor!" and motioned him over for a picture. I appreciate that he obligingly and hastily paused to do. On November 2 of this year, we hope Terry Branstad is again elected governor of Iowa.

On another patriotic note...

In October 2001, following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the towers of the World Trade Center, our area quilters guild decided to donate all the proceeds of our annual mini-quilt auction to the American Red Cross.

I bid on and won this 15-1/2" X 15-1/2" I Pledge quilt made by one of our guild members, JoAnn Belling.

Each year I hang it up, and pause to admire Joann's handwork.

Happy July Fourth!

Periwinkle Stars Progress

Because I'm taking my own "Ten in '10" Challenge" (see right menu bar) very seriously, when I traveled to Florida recently, I opted to take along my Periwinkle Stars quilt project, instead of the traveling Candied Hexagon quilt that has been to Australia with me twice. Periwinkle Stars is on my Ten in '10 list; Candied Hexagons is not.

This is the Periwinkle Stars hand-pieced quilt center measuring 80" X 90". It has been this way for more than a year.
I've been hand-appliquing four borders that will bring the quilt top size to a whopping 92" X 102"!

As you can see, two appliqued borders are ready to be hand-pieced to two opposite sides of the quilt center. I'm liking how this is going to look.

In more than 30 years of making quilts, this is my first try at adding hand-appliqued borders. This is also the first time I've designed my own borders. I can see problems ahead!

Getting the vine to wrap prettily around each of the four corners will not be easy to figure out. Also, I started hand-appliquing the borders using the needleturn technique. Since then I have discovered how much more I prefer back-basted applique. So I'm now making excuses not to work on it.

Anyone have some corner inspiration, or motivation for me?

I Won a Giveaway!

When my friend, Doris went on a quilt retreat to Gruber's in Minneapolis, I followed her blog posts and those of the retreaters she was with. One of the retreaters, Shelly, hosted a giveaway through her business Prairie Moon Quilts and I won! Thank you, Shelly!

In the parcel that was waiting for me when I returned home from Florida were two patterns, two fat quarters, and a deck of cowgirl playing cards!
Yippee-yi-oh-ki-yay!

Embroidery Mini Quilt Swap

In May I signed up to participate in the Embroidery Mini Quilt Swap that concluded in June. Following the guidelines, I made this 10" X 12" quilt and sent it to Corry in the Netherlands. I learned that Corry owns a quilt shop and is displaying my quilt there!

My quilt from Jan in Texas arrived while I was away. She made it in the colors I used most often in my home dec - burgundy and sage green. It measures 15" X 18".

It's a pretty thing.