Jane Stickle Quilt is a Flimsy at Last!

I added the final triangle border to my Jane Stickle quilt yesterday while watching/listening to Bonnie Hunter’s Quilt-Cam.  Even though the daunting task of quilting still lies ahead, it feels like a huge weight has finally been lifted from my shoulders.

Speaking of a huge weight, this flimsy has lots of seams and thread and is very heavy.  I did not want to try to mount it on my design wall without help, so I spread it on our guest bed for this picture.

Rainy Day

We've had a lovely rainy day.  I've spent part of it here in my comfy chair close to a window where I can enjoy the sound of the rain.

It’s possible to do applique with a sleepy dog in your lap…difficult but possible.

Outgoing President Gift

Today was the last 2014 meeting for our local quilt club and it was also the day we kicked off the holiday season with a party.  The members were invited to surprise our outgoing president with 12 ½ inch basket blocks.  Here’s the one I made for her.  The pattern came from the Summer 2011 Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks issue and was designed by Dawn Heese of Linen Closet Designs.

Top Row Done on Jane Stickle Quilt

The top row for my Jane Stickle quilt, complete with two corner kites, is on the design wall.  Had I known just how troublesome those corner kites would prove to be…including inset seams, I might have stopped with the center blocks and left well enough alone.  The right corner block was especially troublesome and I’m still not sure if the time-honored ooch method will make it work.  I haven’t figured out what went wrong making it shorter than the other blocks in the row, but I surely do not want to re-do it.

We are having a cloudy day and I had to use the “auto contrast” feature for this photograph.  So, the colors are not quite true, but they are close.

Working on Jane Stickle...Still

Work is continuing on the Jane Stickle quilt.  I now have one corner kite complete and two more in various stages of completion.  

These are fairly labor intensive, but each stitch gets me closer to a finish.  

Yeah!

Bottom Border - Jane Stickle Quilt

The first row of border triangles for my Jane Stickle quilt is done…maybe.  Somehow I managed to reverse the order of the triangles for what is supposed to be the bottom border.  You would have thought that by my age I could tell the difference between right and left.  I will put it up against the center, and see if by chance I like the way it looks.  I am so ready to wrap up this multi-year project. The orange block in the center reminds me of a mask with a smiley face.

I started prepping one of the corner kites for applique today.  It will go with me to Sit ‘N Sew tomorrow.

We are scheduled to do a final walk-through of the ranch house Wednesday.

Quilt Nirvana

Sometimes a girl just has to play, and that’s what I did this week.  I arrived home last night with two sore feet and many good memories from the 2014 Houston International Quilt Festival.  Thanks to a good friend who generously offered me a ride and a place to stay, I was able to go.  It had been four years since I last attended and as always the experience was made up of equal parts exhilaration, fatigue, inspiration and humility. 

Here are just three of the many quilts that caught my eye.

I am always amazed at what some artists can do with fabric and thread.

 There were, of course, a gazillion vendors.  Here is the loot that came home with me.