Thursday, July 26, 2007

Bountiful Blossoms

Here's a picture of the quilt we will be doing next week in class. I called it Bountiful Blossoms. It is machine reverse applique and really fun to make. I think this is my favorite quilt this semester :-)If you are interested in making this quilt, please remember to bring tracing supplies (tracing paper or other fairly sheer paper and a pencil) to class next week. The designs were too large for an 8-1/2" x 11" piece of paper so I'm afraid you'll have to trace them yourself. More work, I know, but I think you'll find it well worth it!

Thanks for checking my blog :-)
Lisa

Friday, July 20, 2007

Correction on String Pieced Diamonds Directions

Here's the correction I promised you for the string pieced diamonds quilt:

Instead of making 36 blocks exactly alike, make 18 blocks with Color 1 in the upper left and lower right. Then make 18 blocks with Color 2 in the upper left and lower right. They will be mirror images and your diamonds will be just one color if the alternate them when laying out the quilt.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Art Quilt: "Tree"




I believe that I have solved the mystery of the "bad color" in my most recent photos. The picture on the bottom was taken using my ancient digital camera. The battery is so old that it only holds enough charge for a few quickly shot pictures. (It's so old it uses 3-1/2" discs instead of a memory stick or other removable device.) The picture on the top is from the camera I've been using lately. It's actually a movie camera that also takes pictures. Quite a difference, right? The picture on the bottom is much truer to the actual colors of the quilt. sigh...
By the way, this quilt is not for next week's class, but for the final class of the semester on August 14, 15 and 16. Next week is the Celtic quilt pictured back 5 or 6 postings or so. If you're planning on making the Celtic quilt you do not need to bring tracing materials. I managed to get more than half of it on a page and since they designs are symmetrical... Bring fabrics that you wish to audition for the quilt and don't forget your handwork!
See you soon,
Lisa

Friday, July 13, 2007

Diamonds and Jake Update

Here is the color picture I promised of the string pieced diamonds quilt that I'll be teaching next week. I apoligize because the colors are a bit off. They're really brighter and more intense than the picture shows. All you need to bring to class is a non-directional focus fabric (if you're buying it you need 1-1/2 yards). The flowers (or whatever) should not be tiny or large, just medium sized. It does not have to be a floral, but mine is. Try not to get anything with too much empty space between the motifs. Here is my son the evening after the surgery. Doesn't he just look too pitiful? I wish they'd put the bandage on better since he can barely see out of one eye. All that should be fixed today though since he has a follow-up appointment.

I'm teaching a curvy bias jacket class this Saturday at Memory Lane in Santee. Should be fun!
Lisa

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Jake

My son, Jake, is having plastic surgery today. As with any optional surgery I'm especially nervous. After all, if something goes wrong, well it really wasn't necessary, was it. I hope all goes well. He's due home this afternoon, but I won't see him until tonight after my evening class.

Keeping my fingers crossed,
Lisa

Monday, July 09, 2007

Twinkling Stars

Here is the quilt I'll be teaching this week. I love 3-dimensional techniques and this quilt has 3-d star points. It's the largest quilt this semester, a lap size quilt, but with just a few more rows or a border it could be a twin sized quilt.

All is going well at home. Elisia is back from Boston where she had a great time, but I think she'll stay a California girl at heart no matter where she goes. Jake has his last day of work today and then has surgery on Wednesday. It's a simple procedure so I'll try not to worry too much. Maybe he'll even let me post a picture of him on here after the surgery :-)

We're going to an advanced screening of Harry Potter tonight on the base. I know the theater will be packed so I hope we get there early enough to get good seats (or any seats!).

ta,
Lisa

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Redwork

This week in class I taught how to do the basic redwork stitch. All of the classes except the Wednesday classes, of course since they were cancelled because of the holiday. I'll catch them up next week with a double lesson.

It was gratifying to see how many students are off to a great start on the HIdden Wells quilt. There were LOTS of triangles in all sorts of colors and styles of fabrics! We had a lot of fun playing with them in class trying out a variety of designs.

Next week is Twinkling Stars and after that all classes will be covering the same material which will be a real relief! It's hard to keep track of what I'm teaching in each class :-)

I have one question for all you trivia buffs: if I did my redwork using purple thread is it still called redwork? Or is it purplework ;-)

Lisa

Monday, July 02, 2007

Hidden Wells

Here is my version of Hidden Wells, the first lesson I'm teaching this summer. I've made 5 examples of Hidden Wells over the years and it always amazes me how different they all are. I can't wait to see what my students do with the pattern. Remember, class on Tuesday and Thursday this week, but no class on Wednesday!