A Mini Quilt for June

June's monthly mini

went together so easily.

Love it when concept and execution

merge effortlessly. 

Polka Dots and Squares

32" x 32"

Occasionally, I notice that my 

little basket containing my 1.5" squares 

is overflowing.  Meaning, it's time to

think of something to do with them.

It is actually fun to dig through the 

colors, sorting them, and arranging

it all into a pleasing pattern.

Nothing much easier 

than a checkerboard arrangement.

A while ago some of Wendy Reed's amazing

quilts were on display at 

the New England Quilt Museum

and I was inspired by one of her creative borders.

With all of the straight lines

of the squares in the checkerboards,

the border needed to have an opposite design element.

How about curves and circles?

I didn't mind appliqueing the polka dots,

but I was lazy and 

didn't want to applique a vine.

I love ric rac trim.

Problem solved.

But before I did the border appliques,

I went ahead and machine quilted the 

entire piece.  The reason was

so I wouldn't have to work around the

dots and ric rac.

After it was quilted, then I added 

the polka dots and vine.

Very easy!

I really like how playful June's Mini turned out.

If you need some monthly inspiration,

don't forget to check out Wendy's blog,

The Constant Quilter, for a list

other quilters who have been busy this month.

*****

June is always a busy month.

I got to celebrate another trip around the sun

I had my whole family here to help me celebrate.

There was no better birthday gift than that.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

A Little Road Trip for a Photo Shoot

 Running Man and I hit the road

last week to visit our favorite get away place.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

There's no perfect way to describe Santa Fe.

History, culture, art, 

all packed with flavor

A walk up Canyon Road combines

art, adobe architecture and creativity. 

Take a scenic drive on the Turquoise Trail linking

Santa Fe and Albuquerque.  Stop and do a little shopping

at the Henderson Trading Post 

 Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary

I brought along my Star Upon Star quilt

hoping to find a few fun places to do a photo shoot.

I received a lot of compliments

from people walking by as I attempted

to take a few pic. 

That made me smile.

Everyone is an artist in Santa Fe!

I hope as the summer months

roll along, you get to

 reconnect with the joy and healing vibes 

of exploring new and favorite places.

Safe travels.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Remembering a Friendship

 Another month,

another mini!!!

This little quilt actually began

back in the 1900's.

"Friendship"

32" x 32"

My dear friend, Norma, gifted me 4 antique star blocks

many years ago.

This April Norma passed away.  

She was 85 years young.

What better thing to do than to take

those blocks and put them together into a 

special quilt to remember our 

special friendship,

and

connecting us both with the original quilter

from long ago.

Just one problem.

Do you see what I mean?

Not with our friendship, of course!

Those 8 points can be a 

challenge no matter what century

they are sewn.

I deconstructed the blocks,

redrafted and marked the pieces,

and being careful with the seam allowances,

sewed the blocks back together.

  

Norma had also given me a piece of fabric

that was so similar to the indigo and flower print 

that I had to use it for the setting.

It was uncanny how similar the fabrics were.

Norma and I had been friends for 30+ years

celebrating quilting and life.

She was a sharing and caring person

and will be missed each time 

the "Quilty Buddies" get together.

I hand quilted hearts in the open areas and 

in the borders and, of course, 

needed to add a red backing. 

Many times we take our friendships

for granted and assume we will be together

forever.  This past year has been a reality

check. Always cherish your friends

and family and the time we're together.

Looking for more mini inspiration?

Check out Wendy's blog where she

lists the bloggers who share their minis each month.

Until Next Time-

Kyle