Modern Cross

  I've loved this quilt design since spotting it on the cover of Susan Beal's book, "Modern Log Cabin Quilting".  So, it came to mind when planning to make a baby quilt for a friend who was expecting her first child; a young woman I've known since she was a baby herself.  It really is a simple log cabin pattern, so all of the fabrics begin as 2-1/2 inch (I think) strips.  It was a lot of fun picking prints from my stash and setting them off with white Kona cotton.  The top photo shows the back, which is mostly Kona "Robin's Egg", with a pieced inset and some added embroidery.  I'm happy to say all is finished and on it's way to the sweet new baby, Taryn Rose, who was born last week!

it's in there!

This quilt top was artfully arranged by members of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild, and chosen by Kathy Miller of Michael Miller Fabrics to be displayed in their booth at Quilt Market next month!  My block is in the third row, far right.

There were 48 awesome blocks submitted by guild members for this challenge and the ones not in this quilt will all be made into 2 other quilts that will be shown at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and the Northwest Quilt Show.  Yay! 

 

edit:  well, I guess Quilt Market was this month and here's a photo of the finished quilt taken by Elizabeth Hartman as it appeared at the Michael Miller booth in Kansas City.

new things

The sun finally came out for a while today so I ran out to take a few pictures of recent projects. This wall hanging started out as a table runner but in the interest of being completed within a reasonable time frame became something a bit smaller. All of the prints used came from a deconstructed rag rug. I will explain... One of my very creative friends, Tory, discovered that within a modest rug may be some very interesting material (you can see what she did here). So, while in World Market one day I decided to pick-up a rag rug that was on sale and see what I could do. When I got home and took it apart I ended up with a pile of super-colorful cotton fabric scraps of wax block prints. They needed to be washed and pressed but it was worth the effort. With the addition of some Kona solids and silk pieces, I was able to put together the panel, and there are still a LOT of scraps left. It was fun to use fabrics that I probably wouldn't come across anywhere else but in that rug.

I decided to add a beaded fringe to the bottom border as it just seemed to be the right finish.

I couldn't resist deconstructing another bargain rug, this time finding some lightweight silk scraps. My grand dog, Baxter, decided they made a comfy resting place.

In another instance of using what you are given, I created a quilt block for a challenge from the Portland Modern Quilt Guild to use some lovely cotton solids donated by Michael Miller Fabrics. Some of the blocks created by our guild members will be made into a quilt to be displayed at quilt market in Kansas City this year.

summer scenes

I didn't want this month to end without adding a few more photos here; a somewhat random sampling of the last week or so, mostly at the coast.

A Bald Eagle!...sitting on the beach near Ocean Park, Washington; seeming to wait for the fisherman to throw something its way.

My favorite Oysterville garden; there are different things blooming at each spring and summer visit. This time the garden was full of Foxglove (digitalis purpurea). Those tall stalks of flowers are really striking.

There were a lot of dogs hanging out at the Saturday Market in Ilwaco; I think Charlie took the prize for "coolest canine".

My friend, Cynthia, shopping for felted goods at the Market.

We picked up some fresh salmon for dinner, which Cynthia cooked perfectly. Yum!!

At home, the new sewing machine was given a first run on a quilt project.

I hope you are enjoying this season.

works of heart

Cherri stitching a quilt binding in her studio.

I was supposed to be somewhere else last week, but a change of plans found me at one of the quilting bees for Quilts for Quake Survivors at Cherri's "Sew On" studio in North Portland. It was a real pleasure meeting Cherri, and other members of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild; including Susan and Daniela who are leading this effort.

Rachel, wearing red, at the helm of the quilting machine, worked her magic on several quilts.

Paula brought her photography equipment to record the quilts...this one is mine.

A yummy quilt being photographed. Some of the quilts will be sold on etsy for Mercy Corps, and others will go directly to Japan.

Monica took a few shots of her blocks up on the design board. I've been following Monica's awesome (and funny!) blog for some time so it was a nice surprise to meet her in person at the quilting bee.

It was a productive couple of days at Cherri's studio, and a very good time.

Courthouse Steps

That's the name for this variation of a log cabin quilt pattern.. although it might be one crazy and colorful courthouse! It looks right at home flung over the mossy backyard fence. I just finished piecing the top and it will soon be quilted for the Quilts for Quake Survivors benefit auction.

Next week, I'll be traveling to Port Townsend, Washington for Artfest! Can't wait to be with friends and learn some new art tricks in my classes there. See you when I get back...