Back To Back Trips

I have been travelling again. I had 4 days in Vegas, then 4 days in Washington DC. I flew back to Texas on Friday morning. Now Sunday night, I finally feel like I am settling back in with normal routines.


I had lots of fun in Vegas with my siblings. Below are some pictures I took in the Bellagio. Sometimes I take architectural snaps because I think I will use them in pictorial quilts. Time will tell….

I didn’t take any pictures in DC, though I thought I might. I stayed near Georgetown University and walked to and from my meetings. By Wednesday night I was out of reading material and suffering the ennui of character separation – I’d been so caught up in reading 7 books that I’d felt adrift not being able to touch base with them again for a year until the next book comes out. (Chronicles of Elantra series by Michelle Sagara was new to me 3 weeks ago). I also had a back ache from too much time lying on the bed in the hotel. Unfortunately the only night I considered venturing out was rainy and cool so I didn’t site see.

So I sewed on the mystery Sat morning and otherwise got little accomplished this weekend, but I am happy to be home.

Quilt Inspiration - MQX West

I loved the quilts on display!  Below is one of my favorites.  It won viewer's choice.

The title is Ms. McDonald Had A Farm.  Pieced by: Hanging By A Thread Quilt Group.  Quilted by: Audrey Prothero and Bonnie Keller.

I have more pics, but blogger is fighting me....or maybe my brain is fighting me....

MQX West

I had a quick visit to the Portland, OR, Machine Quilter's Exposition. My Brother and SIL drove down from Tacoma, WA and stayed at the same hotel.

I only had Saturday at the show. I took a hands on class with Grace Anderson on doing overall quilting she calls Oregon Matelasse


mat·e·las·sé   /ˈmɑtləˌseɪ; Fr. matəlɑˈseɪ/ Show Spelled[maht-luh-sey; Fr. matuh-lah-sey] Show IPAnoun an embossed, compound fabric woven on a dobby or Jacquard loom.
Also, mat·e·las·se, mat·el·las·se.
Origin: 1880–85; < French, past participle of matelasserto quilt, derivative of matelasmattress

These are pictures of my practice piece. (It looks lumpy because I draped it over the couch for a quick picture)  I need to work on smother, spacing etc. I also find that I don't feel comfortable combining so many motifs. Perhaps that will improve with more practice.

Winding Ways Block

Too much fun!  I sewed a block to try it out.  It went so easy!  This video was a big help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXdnEJXFh_c

Here is a pic.  I just used some scraps.  I know I want to do a quilt, but not sure what colors and fabrics.  I need to catch up on other things first

Quilt Sitting

I helped sell raffle quilt tickets at the Grapevine Hertige Festival.  Other guild members where demonstrating hand sewing yoyos and helping children make them. 
We were right next to a tilled patch of dirt with a couple rows of cotton plants, kids would come up to me with their hands full of cotton asking if I had a bag for them to put it in.  It is something I will have to  remember for next year.

It was windy and we couldn't hang the quilt, so we draped it across two tables.  It is held down by bricks that are either in canvas bags, or volunteer's jackets.

Block Swap Rails

I bought a martelli cutter so that I can cut sitting down. I think I will like it for sitting and trimming blocks, though it seems to collect lint in the cover and I had to blow it out periodically.

These are rail fence blocks for a swap. The design wall shows some of the blocks I received. I think it probably needs appliqué – maybe houses around the perimeter? Or just put together as is and used as a practice quilting¸ then donated? Regardless, it will be put up for a while so that I can finish the mystery quilt.

I also marked my new GO dies – winding ways and chisel. I wanted the sharpie marker dried before the weekend so I can make some trial blocks this weekend.

Quilting Inspiration

I went to the Trinity Valley Guild Quilt Show in Ft Worth today.  I love to see the variety of quilts.  I love the colors, design, and the quilting. These are some of the pictures that I took.  I focused on the quilting and captured designs that inspired me.