On the Frame and Upside Down

Here's a glimpse of my batik block swap quilt.  I'm having fun quilting it using Kim Stotsenberg's Heavy Metal style.  Her blog is Sew N Sew Quilting and she has a few books for sale.  I'd love to take a class from her someday.

This is taken from under the frame looking upward.  I can't show the top until our next guild meeting when we have our Great Reveal.  But ... you can see some of the quilting and notice several thread colors in this row.  Can't wait to share a better view!

Mr. SeeingStars is on a plane heading home and we plan to go to the high school football game tonight to cheer on the band (and the team, of course).  It will be fun to enjoy another marching season here.  There's such a comforting feeling when everyone in the family is back home where we all belong.  How strange it will be when the teens leave for college.

I'm enjoying a day off from work and getting some chores done, as well as some quilting.  Hope you find lots to be thankful for today.

Enjoy your day!
- SeeingStars

On and Off the Frame

This is a double slice layer cake quilt which I made this summer during rainy afternoons at the beach.  It's an instant gratification type of pattern and perfect for travel when you don't have access to your whole sewing studio with all those tools.

You can find the pattern as a video tutorial at Missouri Star Double Slice Layer Cake Tutorial

I haven't used a pantograph since the first month that I had my machine, so I decided to try this method again.  Admittedly, it would have been much wiser to choose a beginner type design, but I'm a bit of a rebel.  ... And this one won't ever be in a quilt show. 

I really like the paisley designs in this one.  It's by Urban Elementz and is called New Delhi.  It adds a nice texture to this quilt top.

Here's a view with the paper showing.  I had to re-learn how to adjust the laser light to fit the 10 inch row and to make it more of a pinpoint (painter's tape and a small hole made with a seam ripper to mask the edges of the spot).  I also had to re-learn how to set up the alignment for those nesting rows.  It was fun and a good way to quilt something this busy.  I would use this design again to get some of those UFOs completed.  It will give me a chance to improve.

Next, I'll be back to a simple custom quilting for my guild's Block Swap quilt.  The back is loaded and I need to either purchase a King sized batting or piece something together so I can start this next one.  Photos will be posted here after our guild meeting in September.

Enjoy your day!
- SeeingStars

For Mrs. Claus ...

Here's a little doll quilt I made from leftover pieces from a guild block swap top.  I can't show that top yet, but the doll quilt is on its way to Mrs. Claus and I can share it.

The doll quilts will be paired with a handmade cradle and given to children during the holidays.  What a fun project!

I was almost finished binding my Quilts of Valor quilt when my dad called to tell us that our Christmas visit was just too far away.  He and his wife popped in that weekend and I was thrilled to present his quilt to him earlier than planned.  Dad served as an aggressor pilot in the Air Force for 20 years.  I'm very proud of his service and his knack for excelling in whatever he decides to pursue.  His passion and drive lead him to give his all for as long as it takes.

Today is our 19th wedding anniversary.  Since Mr. SeeingStars is on work travel, we had to send text messages wishing each other a happy day.  But he'll be back soon and we'll have a belated celebration.  Our teens are going on a physics field trip this Saturday, so we'll even have a little time for just us. The weather forecast predicts a nice day for a hike.

Enjoy your day!
- SeeingStars

For the Birds ....

This donation quilt is for the birds.  Really, that's the name our guild has decided for it.

Photo #1 with leaves in front of the quilt

Isn't it just gorgeous?  Many quilters from our guild have worked on various stages of it.    It's a traditional log cabin pattern with hand applique and ruching (gathered vine, pronounced Rooshing).  The custom quilting really looks lovely.

Photo 2 No leaves in the foreground

The pattern is from the AccuQuilt Go website and is called Flying Home.  We increased the size to 90 by 90 inches because we thought bigger is better.

So which photo looks better, 1 or 2? Or should we start all over again with the camera?  We're planning to print a few photo postcards to help with ticket sales.

Here it is posing with an amazing log cabin which was disassembled and moved piece by piece to this location

It was a gorgeous day to play in the sunshine and show off the quilt.  Some gracious, new-to-me friends allowed us to use their yard.

This has been such a fun project for me.  I've learned how to applique and how to make ruching.  One of our guild members quilted it.  Now I'd like to make another just like this one for our family.  I'll add it to our ever growing to-do list!

I love the chickens in front of the porch.  Not the same kind of birds, but they're adorable.

 Enjoy your day!
- SeeingStars