May Baskets and Blossoms

It's the end of May

and the flowers have been
definitely putting on a show

here in northern Colorado.

Those blossoms were  my inspiration 

for my May monthly mini

May Baskets and Blossoms.

25"x 25"

It started with a fat quarter bundle I purchased
from Fat Quarter Shop
called Chalk and Timber
and grew from there.

Four traditional basket blocks,

a pieced border made with pink flying geese,
and just enough border fabric to
tie it all together.

A simple quilted grid pattern,
(stitched during the royal wedding replay)
and this month's mini was complete.

The backing was fun to
stitch together using
a toile print and
some ancient Debbie Mumm fabric.

It all seemed to fit.
Who would have guessed.

Baskets and blossoms


seemed like a fitting
ending to May.

Thanks to Wendy,
the Constant Quilter
for encouraging many of us
to have fun each month.

Until Next Time-
Kyle

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, Twinkle

Little Star.

My Star A Day quilt

is finally finished!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

2016-2018

42" x 42"

Two years ago

I went to the Houston International

Quilt Festival and purchased 

from Karen Styles the pattern and templates

for A Star A Day.

What fun!

How hard can that be, I thought.

Just one 3" star block a day.

Even if I fussy cut 

every piece and sew it by hand

I can certainly keep up the pace. 

Well, I know you can guess 

where this story is heading.

The first week....

4 behind.

Week 2

8 behind

I was quickly falling into the negative count.

Could I get 365 blocks done in one year?

As time went on, I realized 

that just wasn't going to happen.

I settled on 120 blocks

in 545 days. 

Just last month I was

finally ready to

hand quilt using a big stitch

with #12 Aurifil thread

and Barb's Baptist Fan Stencil.

It added wonderful texture and

I love how this quilt finished up!

Learning to be flexible,

adapting your plans,

and even being kind to yourself

are all lessons we can learn while making a quilt

even when we continue to "Shoot for the Stars."

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Building a New Relationship

Whenever you begin thinking about a 

new relationship

it can seem scary and overwhelming.

It can also be fun,

 maybe a bit intimidating,

yet exhilarating.

It was 15 years ago

that I had the opportunity to

develop a new friendship and yet,

I let apprehension and excuses

get in the way.

But this week I started to rekindle

that relationship.

With who?

Oh, no. 

You probably thought I was referring to

a individual!

No, I'm actually referring to

my featherweight Singer sewing machine

that has been sadly lingering in its case

tucked safely on the shelf

 all this time.

This 11 pound machine made me

apprehensive, uneasy and I was afraid

somehow I'd break it.

This week I started rebonding with

this incredible little machine.

I was able to take a class on

Featherweight care and maintenance.

It gave me the reassurance

that I could handle this little guy.

I know all the hidden oil holes,

where and when to grease,

basically, how to keep it happily humming along.

Using the serial number on the bottom,

this sweet machine was made in May, 1938.

It's in incredible shape for an 80 year old!

(I should be as lucky.)

The stitch is perfect,

the motor hums with

some freshly applied grease,

and I feel confident that 

it's the beginning of a beautiful 

long term friendship.

My only regret

is I waited so long 

to enjoy bonding with this 

super cute machine.

Word of advice:

Don't let excuses keep you

from enjoying a special relationship,

both with individuals or

an 11 pound machine.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Part of My Quilt Journey

I'm known affectionately, I hope, as the 

in one of my quilt groups.

I really don't mind.

I've always thought it's an 

important step when you're finishing a quilt

and I know, the members my group,

have gotten much better about getting 

that label on.

Another way to document is 

to take photos of your work.

When you have a blog it's a natural step.

But if you don't blog,

get that camera out.

I've mentioned before that I

document my quilts in photo books.

It's simply for my own pleasure

and maybe my family's.

It's been a wonderful way to see my

journey in quiltmaking.

I continue to work backwards and 

recently, I've been working on 

2001-1998.

Were you making quilts then?

As long as I had photos downloaded

I thought you might enjoy seeing a few of my favorites.

ABC's

I've always loved this whimsical pattern

designed by Connie Huddleston of the

Starry Pines Pattern Co.

I used some hand dyed flannels for the letters instead of wool and

I finished this in 2001.

4 Block Applique

In 1998 I took a class from Terry Cloither Thompson

and started this 1850's antique reproduction quilt.

I finished it in 2001 and hand quilted it.

One more...

Single Wedding Ring

25th Anniversary quilt

1998

Definitely a labor of love.💕

Okay,  I had to include one more.

Oriole Circles

1998

Paper pieced and hand quilted.

It's interesting to look back and

see how styles, techniques and color trends have changed

over the years.

Of course,

if I hadn't had a label on these

quilts there won't have been any way

for me or anyone else to know

when they were made or by whom.

:0)

(end of lecture)

I have to admit I do a lot less

hand quilting than what I use to,

but maybe that's why these quilts 

are some of my favorites.

Until Next Time-

Kyle