Mary Mannakee Started

I've cut, turned, placed and basted my first 3 blocks for the Mary Mannakee Quilt. I'm really mixing the reds and greens. I plan on appliquing the blocks on a upcoming trip.

Block 1-A

Block 1-B

Block 1-C

Soaring

When Jack retired, he was given a gift for us to fly in a glider plane over East San Diego Co and an overnight at Warner Hot Springs Resort. Here we are squished behind the pilot ready for take off.

It was exhilarating, soaring over Mt Palomar (one of the largest telescopes in the US). As a native Southern Californian, I had never visited this area. It's sparsely populated with ranches, retirees, and camps. Beautiful yet desert like.



Warner Ranch dates back to the 1800's as a stage coach stop and headquarters for Kit Carson and Fremont. Later it became a resort frequented by early movie stars such as Bing Crosby. The pools are feed by the hot springs where we enjoyed a leisurely soak.


The next day we visited the historic mining town of Julian. We enjoyed breakfast, walking the shops and a milk shake at this original soda fountain/drug store.



On the way home, we stopped at Quilt's Coop, Old Town Temecula. Here's what I bought on sale (Didn't NEED but couldn't pass up). 1 yard cuts were $5 and fat-quarters $1.50.








FINAL STAGE of Country Garden from Kaffe Fassett. I'm hoping I'm making the correct choice for the sashing to make the borders wider. The contrast is good but is it too light?

Country Garden, Stage 4

I so pleased, I've pieced all the blocks and joined the rows. I laid it on our king size to see how much I'll need to add besides the intended border. Looks like the sides will need something extra to make it a wider rectangle rather than a square.

Country Garden Stage 3

I have now cut and laid out on my "design floor" the sashing. I think it looks pretty good. The border squares have been cut but that layout will come latter.

Country Garden Stage 2

Here's the squares that I finally picked. Tell me honestly if any should be thrown out or the layout changed.

Hexagon progress

I'm having so much fun hand piecing this quilt that I'm zipping along. Here I'm working on baggie #10. All the individual blocks for 12 rows are done and I'm working on the half blocks to fill in. Of course I still have the connecting to do.

My mom and dad made a trip to Japan in the 80's, getting to travel the "back roads" and visit in homes. Mom bought me this roll of fabric but I never could figure out how to use it in a garment. I got to thinking about what I will use for the border and remembered this wonderful gift. There's plenty and fits in with the colors and theme of this quilt. My only regret is that Mother isn't here to share in the joy of designing and making of my quilts.

Hexagon Explosion

I've been busy cutting and arranging. I revisited YOKO Japanese Antique and Fabrics shop in South Pasadena that was still there after 5 years. I bought some more vintage fabrics: the red and pink dragonflies, blue crosshatching on white, red/pink flowers on white, and white flowers on navy. I really feel like the design has a balanced look. I still have some half blocks to cut but I'm ready to start hand piecing them together. Next week we are visiting our good friends in Cave Creek Arizona and this will be prefect to take along.

A Good Start

Well, I just started to cut. I got out my design wall (flannel backed tablecloth) and rigged a way to hang it over the bookcase. Oh to have a space just for quilting. Nothing is balanced yet but I can see what colors and patterns stand out. More to come.

"Memories of an Art Teacher"

My husband is gone on a business trip for the week. Its the perfect time to lay out a project that requires continuous revision. I had cut up my teaching t-shirts as part of my retirement clean out and set them aside. I originally thought I'd do a fund raising quilt for California Art Teacher Assoc but after reviewing the pictures, I realized that they were too personal and held too many memories for me.

Several challenges ensued: 1) to add the correct amount of sashing to each block so the widths and heights added up to the correct measurement. 2) trying to use only fabrics from my stash. 3) to balance and tied the colors together from all the different t-shirts. I'm not sure of the result or what to do next? Do I add a border? What color?