Monday, December 17, 2018

Secret Santa

I'm sure at one time or another
you've been part of a Secret Santa 
gift exchange.
This year I was a recipient of 
a secret Santa gift from
the Temecula Quilt Co quilt shop.
I have never been to the shop in Temecula, California,
or never have met the shop owner, Sheryl Johnson,
but she shared a wonderful secret Santa mystery quilt design
with anyone who read her blog.

What an awesome gift!


Each week we received another clue.

A little more cutting and
some more sewing.  

Nine patches...

4 patches...

Greens...

and plenty of Reds and Neutrals.
Lots of oldies, but goodies, for sure.


After 5-6 weeks
this sweet Christmas variation of 
the classic Burgoyne Surrounded quilt
was sewn together.

"Secret Santa"
42" x 54"

I machine quilted using a 28wt. Aurifil thread.
I love the texture it created.


Snowflakes, and 


snow blowing swirls.

Of course, there were lots of 
things I should have been working on,
but it was exciting to get a mystery 
Secret Santa gift each week.

This pattern has been on my
perpetual list for 20+ years.
Sheryl divided up the construction 
in easy and doable segments.

I think 2019 will find me 
FINALLY making this pattern

1991

in the indigo and white fabrics I had planned 
so long ago. 

Thanks, Sheryl for sharing 
your mystery with all of us. 
It was a fabulous seasonal project.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday season
and Merry Christmas.  We'll catch up
after the New Year.
Until Then-
Kyle

Thursday, December 6, 2018

The Colors of Santa Fe

It's been over 6 months 
since I finished this quilt.


The Colors of Santa Fe

But I was waiting for the right 
backdrop to highlight this pattern.

You might recognize it as 
the quilt of the year 
designed exclusively for
The Quilt Show by Sue Garman in 2017
called Halo Medallion.


This past weekend I had two tall sons-in-laws
who were willing to stretch their arms and brave frigid temps
so I could finally take a photo. 

The majority of the piecing 
for this quilt had to be done using 
a paper piecing method.  
That can be a challenge for me.

But it was definitely necessary, especially for these
 fabulous flying geese.


But what has made this quilt so wonderful
is the beautiful machine quilting that
my machine quilter and friend, Kathy Herman, 
of Hearth and Home Quilting so skillfully and
artistically stitched.


This quilt has become one of my favorites.

The colors were inspired by my many
trips to Santa Fe and incorporating
the color palette found in the American desert areas.


Colors such as sand, adobe, terracotta, and mahogany.  
I emphasized the neutrals.

It's wonderful to finally be able to share this properly.


The Colors of Santa Fe
86" x 86"

Until Next Time-
Kyle