Here we are after our recital. Bella, in pink, was born to be on stage.  She did a fantastic job.  Lisa and I were two of our quartet.  According to the applause and the comments of our family members and some audience members, we did a fine job.  We sang a medley of Broadway musical songs through time.  Once we decided to just have fun, we all really enjoyed it.  I am so glad I did this and can check it off the bucket list.  Oh, and here is the hat.  It is a bit crooked, but I think you get the idea.

I spent a few hours in my studio today and caught up on my June BOMs for 15 Minutes Play.  First, I needed to make some fabric.  I have a plastic bag full of scraps just for these blocks.  I would like to make a quilt with the blocks at the end. 

The first June block is called Beacon Lights.  I have to say I have never seen this block before.  I enjoyed making the block because I got practice making quarter square triangle squares.  I haven't done that before.  This is not my favorite block I have ever made, but it will be fine in the quilt.

The second block for June is the Courthouse Steps.  I do really like this block.  I am using different background material for each block.  For the Courthouse Steps, I used a burnt orange.  I like the way it looks with the turquoise based made fabric.

Tomorrow, I think I will start making flying geese with the Kansas Troubles Perennials.  I also want to start getting everything ready for my sister-in-law's visit.  She is coming from the D.C. area to spend a week with us.  I am really looking forward to her visit.  We are going to do many quilty things.
Until tomorrow, joyful quilting everyone.

Quilting days

This is my sister, Kim, her first time quilting a quilt.  This was also her first large quilt.  Isn't it beautiful.  It is the largest quilt my frame will handle.  Kim is a natural free motion quilter.  This quilt is going to look stunning on her bed.
I finished quilting the D9P and got it off the frame just before Kim got here yesterday.  This is the quilt I made with the charm packs, Fandango by Kate Spain for Moda.  It is my first charm pack quilt.

I finished binding it this morning and attached the label.  I delivered it this evening to Robin, who has been my singing coach all year.  Saturday is the big recital where I make my public singing debut in which I actually have a couple of solo parts.

The last thing I did today was to finish this AAQI quilt.  It is 9" x 11".  I quilted it with triangles in each of the orange and gold wedges and micro stippling around the outside.  Now, I have three ready to register.

Tomorrow, my sis is coming to finish quilting her quilt.  I have an appointment with a quilter who I really respect about the next steps for my iris project.  Tomorrow night, I have dress rehearsal.  It is also my daughter's birthday.  Busy days.  Ain't retirement grand!
Joyful quilting.
Miki

Sunday and the design wall

This being my 100th post, you would think I would have something really important to share, or at the very least, a giveaway.  Alas, nothing earth shaking has gone on today in the studio, and I really don't have anything to give away.  I think I may try and do a giveaway on my 65th birthday in December, but not today.
I did put the star blocks together and added the sashings and first border.  I am at a standstill until I find fabric for the wings on the flying geese border that is next, as well as a border outside of that.  I am happy that my measurements have worked out so far.  I expect they will be fine because I have done the calculations very carefully.  I enjoy coming up with my own quilt designs, or at least I think they are my own.  There is nothing new in quilting, though, is there.
As you can see from the design wall, I have not settled inside any particular quilting box.  I love trying new things.  I would be really bored if I did the same thing all the time.  That is the beauty of quilting, I think.  There are so many ways to cut up fabric and put it back together again. 
Speaking of cutting up fabric and putting it back together again, I have joined another challenge at 15 Minutes Play.  This time, we are to take a painting and interpret it into a 15" quilt using solids.  At first, I was going to use this painting by Diebenkorn called Berkley 23.

After playing around with it for a couple of days, I decided it was not going to work for me.  So then, I took a look around my inspiration board and found this.

This is Three Russian Dancers by Degas.  I love the colors and the fluid lines.  I think this will really work for a free-piecing  fabric piece.  Now, all I have to do is find solid fabric in the colors I need.  I just don't have many solids.  Of course, I may keep looking for an inspiration piece that is more perfect than this.  After all, I do have until the first of August.
I am with Bella on Monday and Tuesday this week.  On Saturday night, I am actually going to sing on a stage with a very small group (four of us), and I got the hat done for that.  Wednesday, my sister is coming over and we are going to load her first large quilt on the frame and fire up Priscilla.  It looks like a full week ahead.  I will be back here on Wednesday.
Joyful quilting, everyone.