Aspen Autumn Preview

Hello Blog Friends,

Just a few words and pictures to introduce you to the next sewing project...a throw quilt I have named "Aspen Autumn".  These fabrics are from the Sun-Kissed Harvest collection by Connecting Threads.  These are a group of various texture patterns in fall colors of yellow, gold, orange and grey. 

 

 This is the main print the collection is based on.  It reminds me of the tall Aspen trees in the Rocky Mountains, and how beautiful they are in the autumn.

First up, half square triangles! 

Kitchen Hex Show and Tell

Hi Blog Friends,

No, I'm not putting a "hex" on my kitchen ( as the title might suggest!).  I'm here with a quick "Show-and-Tell" of a kit I picked up at the Quilt Expo a couple weeks ago.  I purchased it from the Saving Thyme booth.

This was an easy table topper to make.  I started with a pre-cut hexagon of the center fabric.  Then, I added three rows of precut strips, then a binding, and done!  This was a quick project (2 hours total, including sewing binding down by hand) and this kitchen hex graces my hutch in the kitchen.

Purchasing this kit was a "no-brainer" for me.  I have a collection of red vintage kitchen items on display already.  This is a perfect complement to all my other treasures.  Kitchen Hex measures 18" x 21" finished.

Next time...preview of a new sewing project.

Chicago Museum Pages

Hello Blog Friends,

Denis and I were in Chicago several years ago and we visited the Museum of Science and Industry.  I've been diligently working on finishing up the pages for this museum, then our Chicago album will be done.  Here are some of the pages I have done recently:

For the Circus exhibit:

 These pages were mad with the "Animal Cookies" paper pack by Close to My Heart.  I love the whimsical colors and patterns.

 I also relied heavily on my Cricut die cutting machine to cut the silhouette shapes and the letters in the top photo.  This page has pictures of the circus train diorama at the museum. 

Here is a working model of a three ring circus under the big top.  I again used cutouts made with the Cricut.  All the cutouts were from the "Carousel" cartridge.

For the Ships exhibit:

These pages are made with the "Majestic Blue" paper packet from Close to My Heart.  The antique map print paper was perfect for pictures of old time sailing ships.

Next time... A Show and Tell project from the Quilt Expo.


 

Quilt Expo Part 2

Hello Blog Followers!!

As promised, here are some of the more traditional quilts that we admired at this year's Quilt Expo:

An unusual round piece called Pow Wow Ponies by Viola Colombe

This one is a combo of two of my favorites...red and mariner's compass.  Maritime in Red is by Clem Buzick and Ann Helbling

This one uses the "stack n whack" technique" by Jean Hensen is called "Autumn Splendor"

Flying Home by Marian Seffrood

Salvaging Selvages 12: Interconnected by Alice Weickelt

Another one of my favorite patterns...the Dresden Plate.  This one is called

Nana's Dishes and is by Jean Bauer

 

Denis and I both had our favorite at the show:



This is Denis' favorite.  It reminded him of those M.C. Escher optical illusion drawings.  This one is named "Labyrinth Walk" and is made by Maren Anderson.

 

This one was my favorite.  "Memories of Mom" was made by Pennee Clanton.

 



That's it for the Quilt Expo for 2013. 

 

Until next time...

Quilt Expo, Madison WI

Hello Blog Friends,

Well, I have been busy making pages and working closer to finishing the Chicago trip scrapbook album.

Last Saturday (Sept 7), however, I took a break and attended the Quilt Expo in Madison, WI.  I had also intended to delivery my pillowcases to UW Children's Hospital.  Little did I realize (until we got to Madison that morning) that the UW Badgers football game was also that day.  Camp Randall stadium is only about 4 blocks from the hospital, so we saved our plan to visit the hospital for another day.

We (Denis and I) spent about 5 hours at the Quilt Expo.  We looked at the quilts on display in the show, and he read his NOOK while I shopped the booths.  (He likes looking at the quilts, but not at the vendor booths).

Landscape and other non-traditional quilts caught my eye this year.  Here are some examples:

by Natalie Sewell ( I didn't catch the title of this piece)

The Red Barn, also by Natalie Sewell

Cereal Killer Strikes Again by Phyllis Kluger

Tessellating Wings by Wendy Butler Burns

A nice example of a "slice" quilt.  Bentonville Square by Karen Kielmeyer

A beautiful southwestern triptych entitled "Monument Valley Sunset" by Cathy Geier.

 

We did find some more traditional examples of quilts that we liked.  I'll post photos of those next time.