Monday, September 3, 2007

Tired but happy

It was way hotter today than it was supposed to be. The temperature reached 89 degrees, which is almost 10 degrees hotter than expected. I know that doesn't sound hot to most of you, but that's much hotter than comfortable for most of us around here. It's especially high for September. Thank goodness for the air conditioner in the longarm room!
Gandalf and I spent most of the day together. For those of you who are a bit mystified - no, Gandalf isn't my husband. My longarm is a Proto Stitch Wizard, so he had to have a name appropriate for a wizard. My goal was to quilt two flimsies today - and I made it! I chose two small ones that already had backs and batting prepared to size. By 2:30 I had them both quilted, so I took a break and went to Starbucks. The binding was already made for one of them, so I made binding for the other and by 5:00 the binding was machine stitched onto both of them. All that is left is the hand stitching on the back and the labels. I think I'll have three UFO's finished by guild on Thursday after all!

The first is a small table top quilt made from an orphan block. I stitched the block in the early 90's when I taught a class at Daisy Kingdom that covered half-square, quarter-square, and three-quarter square triangle squares. I used blocks from Marsha McCloskey's On to Square Two - a great old book for learning to piece complicated blocks from triangles. I think I turned the block into this little quilt around 2000 - I can't tell for sure because I guess I left this top off my UFO list! I just played with the quilting on this one and tried a bunch of new things. Some turned out better than others, and I'm happy with the results. It'll look just fine on one of my end tables in the dining room and it will be finished!

The second little quilt is made from the My House booklet by Little Quilts. I bought the kit for this quilt years and years ago at Stitchin' Post in Sisters Oregon. It sat around for 3-4 years before I made the top in 2001. I'm very happy to have it finished as I've always really liked it. It'll look great on the wall in the summer. This took three to four times as long as the other to quilt because it is primarily ruler work and stitch in the ditch. The only freehand quilting is around the flowers and the flower tendrils in the background of the flower basket.

I planned on oven roasted chicken breasts and baked potatoes for dinner tonight, but it was way too hot to turn on the oven. My husband - a prince among men - said to just make him a sandwich and he'd be fine. So tuna sandwiches were our dinner fare - and mighty tasty they were!

18 comments:

Mary Johnson said...

Nice job on all of them. I recognized the Little Quilts pattern even before you identified it. Mom visited me a few years ago in Marietta and I took her shopping at Little Quilts. She made this pattern for my sister.

Fiona said...

The Little House quilt is just adorable - and what great colours you have used.

Kim said...

Great job! I love the bright Little House quilt--kind of makes you wish summer wasn't just about over, doesn't it?! LOL!

sewprimitive karen said...

Oh, the little houses LQ quilt is so precious, you did such a great job. Makes me want to whip out that pattern and make one myself.

antique quilter said...

you have had such a productive weekend good for you.
Love this little house quilt....I don't think that is a pattern I own...hmmm isn't that amazing a house quilt pattern I don't have!
I love the fabrics in this quilt too....just love the quilt!
Kathie

loulee said...

Don't you just love it when you get lots done! I love the ittle house quilt, what beautiful colours.

Libby said...

Good for you - two UFO's off the list, a day quilting . . . with the a/c! Sounds like the day turned out just right *s*

Laurie Ann said...

Hmmmm... I especially like the My House wall hanging. The colors are fabulous!! I, too, am looking forward to fall and cooler temps.

Susan said...

Great quilting you did.... Doesn't finishing feel so good?

Finn said...

Hi Patti, love the two UFO that have left the list! Great job on having them so nearly ready to show at guild.
The house one is such fun...gotta love that stuff by Little Quilts..so happy and friendly.
About the 'stuff'..you did blog about it back when it came you know....LOL
Glad you liked it, hope it turns into something fun for you..if not, at least it's 'vintage' at your house, not mine...LOL Hugs, Finn

Carol E. said...

A very productive day for you! What fun! It was terribly hot here, too, for Sept.. 92. yuck.

Cher said...

you certainly did labor! very well done and now I am all caught up on reading your blog...at least for tonight. So glad you quilted for yourself Patti.

Helen in the UK said...

The little house quilt is so cute :)

YankeeQuilter said...

I got tired just reading about your weekend! The little house quilt is great. Love the colors and the set of the border. Great job.

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

I just love your house quilt. The colors are wonderful.

Quilter Kathy said...

Love the Little Quilts houses! I must make one some day.
You sure have been busy!

The Chicken Lady said...

I'm pretty much ready for summer. I miss the good ol' days in WA where I THOUGHT it was humid. Now that I'm living in the middle, I know what humid really feels like. I looked at the weather in Cannon Beach yesterday where the high was going to be 69 degrees. That's what I'm talkin' about! :) I hope you enjoyed your nice, cool tuna sandwiches. All your quilt pics are lovely. I love looking at them. Oh, the toilet paper roll idea is awesome. I just might have to do that. :) Thanks for the tip.

Anonymous said...

Love the first table topper, great color choices!