Yikes, a month since the last post. One would think a retired person would have nothing better to do, right?
It was probably a mistake to schedule two quilt retreats in three weeks, but I did it because I could. I got to spend time with two different groups of people whose company I hugely enjoy, and both trips were really fun and productive. No regrets, but it all probably was a bit much. I came home eager for some at-home time and threw myself into garden and porch prep, with little thought to the interwebs.
The Lone Star is at the quilter's, as I decide which bank I'm going to rob to pay for it. All kidding aside, I think it will be well worth what it costs. Marge West is a longarm artist for sure. Can't wait to see it and get it completed.
The two retreats gave me time to get my Tiny Stars quilt put together, and I'm pretty happy with it.
I alternated the stars with an hourglass block in off-white and purple. Originally, all the hourglass blocks were going to be oriented the same way. But then I realized that if I alternated their orientation, they would form diamonds, framing the blocks very nicely.
What would we do without design walls?
Then, with a ziplock full of bonus HSTs left over from the Lone Star quilt, I bordered it in red and white.
Red? Purple? Hey, when the quilt is made with ALL COLORS, all colors are possibilities. Right now I'm auditioning outer border ideas, but can't make a move on that till I consult my Thursday night sewing group. Can't make a serious move on anything without friends' input/approval....
Those retreats put me in proximity of good shopping too. A fair amount has been added to the stash, both the fabric stash and the book stash. In fact, it's been a very bookish spring. After trips to Paducah, several quilt shops, a couple hits at Half Price Books, and at Amazon, I've added all these to my collection. Some quilting, some knitting...
Number four from the bottom, without spine text, is Summer Gatherings by Lisa Bongean and Carole Charles. I lucked into a couple copies of The Quilt Digest from back in the 80s. Really interesting stuff... And I have learned to buy any state quilt history book I can get my hands on.
The best of the bunch? Little Red in the City by Ysolda Teague is amazing for its great information on fitting knitted garments. And the two Edyta Sitar books--fantastic. The projects just keep coming at you as you turn the pages. Ms. Sitar must not do much sleeping. She is my new idol.
