Sajou, a QAL

We may have all decided we needed to

 wear a hat today,

but obviously, 

none of us chose the same style.

The same idea applies 

to the wonderful QAL hosted by

Lori of Humble Quilts.

Lori started with a antique quilt,

did some  math,

and sent out instructions in three mystery steps.

Those of us who followed along

got out our fabrics, and in our own hearts and minds,

created a quilt.

Sajou

22" x 22"

The name comes from a delightful

shop she visited in Paris.

I decided to use some of my treasured Dutch heritage

fabrics along with some of Di Ford's designs. 

Why not!

I tweeted the pattern just a bit

to compensate for my sewing

and to have the blue triangle border 

come out even.  

(sorry, I'm just like that)

 Then it was time to do 

some fun machine quilting.

I used a #28 wt Aurifil thread.

I like the texture it makes on the surface.

I can see some of the stitching is a bit wobbly
and a few points were lost during construction,

but that just adds to the uniqueness. (smile)

Lori is having a linky party for a week, so

head on over to see all the different quilts that

were created.

It's amazing!

Thanks, Lori, for sharing your talent

and passion with all of us.

It's always fun!

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Riding Into the Wind

Some weeks you feel like

you're riding with the wind,

but there are times when

you're definitely riding into the wind.

Those headwinds can be a challenge,

but maybe there are some strategies to stay upright.

Ignore your Speed.

Instead Focus on the Feeling

Last week I had a fall break.

My grands were back east in NC for a wedding.

"Flower Girl"

So you would have thought 

I could have accomplished a lot,

But I just couldn't get pedaling.

Instead 

I tried to focus on the good feeling of 

just accomplishing something.

I had previously prepped the last applique shapes

for the last border of my "Sutton Grange" quilt

designed by Di Ford.

They were ready to be glued in place.

And that's what I did.

Now when the wind dies down,

I'll begin to machine applique. 

That's going to be fun.

Drop down a Gear

And Keep a Happy Attitude

Okay, so I knew I wasn't going to cross

off much on my list.

So I looked at that list

and figured out what I could finish 

without getting thrown off balance.

I had the embroidery done

on two Halloween pieces 

by Crabapple Hill Studios.

Rather than make two small pillows or projects,

I changed direction,

and put them back to back into one pillow.

Perfect!

It was a great solution.

Pompoms make everyone happy and 

make a whimsical finish.

The 3 dimensional flowers

in the pattern can make you smile too.

****

Last Saturday we drove home from Denver

in a blinding blizzard.

We were driving right into the blowing snow.

It was slow going and dangerous.

But today the sun is shining and those

snow covered mountains in the distance look beautiful.

Wait a day,

and things can be different.

I have a good feeling about this week.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Time to Add Another Quilt on the Bed

The view outside the family room this week

has been cold, gloomy and drizzly.

I guess you have to occasionally expect 

some fall days like this even in Colorado.

So now

I knew it was time.

Time to add another quilt on the bed.

"Timeless Reflections"

1996-2000
90" x 90"

It's not the usual autumn colors,

but the low contrast
between the appliques and background fabric

makes me think of the colors I'm seeing this week.

I started this quilt in 1996 

when I took a  4 block applique class

 from  Terry Clothier Thompson.

My original thought was to use a lighter neutral background,

but Terry convinced me that

this background would create a more interesting effect.

The more I worked on it, the better I liked it.

I appliqued with a technique you
don't see done very often.

I used a simple running stitch

to secure the folded edges.

 I used freezer paper templates

to prep the edges and then used

matching color threads to stitch the appliques.

I need to remember this technique and use it again.
I like how it looks like I quilted
close to the edges.

I filled in the background with

a simple grid using the fabric design

as my guide.

I included quite a bit of 

quilting on the applique pieces as well and

quilted a large cable design in the outer border.

With flannel sheets
and a favorite quilt on the bed,
don't worry,
 I'll be toasty warm.
And yes, it was even snowing yesterday!

Until Next Time-
Kyle

It's a Cover Up

A magician with
his slight of hand tricks

 can cover up
what's actually happening.

So like a quilting magician,
I made my
 applique "irregularities"
vanish before my eyes.

Now you see them

now you don't!

Love the cover up!

****

Reunion Update

Just wanted to let you know that
no one showed up  at my
50th high school reunion
looking like

the 68 year old Barbie,
that I posted last week.

Instead some long time friends

enjoyed some special time together.

Take the time to reconnect

with a friend or two, and

you'll be glad you did.

Until Next Time-

Kyle