Perkiomen Valley Finish

About a month ago I started this project and shared it in this blog post.

I finally got the quilt loaded on the frame. I tried to fit in a little bit of time each evening to quilt, but that only happened a couple nights. I finished it up over the weekend.

I meandered in the dark colored blocks with brown and did this alternating block treatment in with cream in the light colored blocks.

I used Superior Thread So Fine for the top thread and a matching Omni in the bobbin.

Once it was done, I had to take a picture of the backing. I always match my top and bobbin threads. That means I can sometimes get an interesting effect on the back of the quilt.

Bound and ready for a trip to California.

Directions to make the Perkiomen Valley Block can be found on the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild's blog.

Others bloggers talking about the Thomas Fire and the Quilts from the Ashes project:
From my Carolina Home
QuiltShopGal
Super Buzzy - this site has great info with many more links and has a list of those that have already contributed

Have you made a block or two to help out people touched by hurricanes, floods, fires, or other natural disasters in the last twelve months? Do you have a project that is close to your heart? I would love to hear about it.

2018 Charity Quilt Count: 14

Monday Randomness

Today will be a mixed bag of some of my works in progress (WIPs).

I decided to give the Octavo Fingerless Gloves a try.  Knitting and So On has so many great tutorials for knitting and crochet. Check them out.

I finished the setting triangles for On Ringo Lake. Still plenty to do before this quilt is done. 

I put together the Perkiomen Valley quilt top. I've put the top and the binding in my bag so the next time I stop at a quilt shop I can pick up the backing to finish it. This quilt isn't on the Get It Done UFO Challenge 2018 Edition because I really like to challenge myself by adding quilts during the year. 

I've been working on the Linus Shawl when I have a few minutes.

I finished piecing five more blocks for On Ringo Lake. I think my official count is seven finished blocks.

My friend Melissa started a blog to help her keep track of her embroidery adventure. You should check out I Stabbed My Finger Again to see what she's up to.

What have you been up to? I'd love to hear about it.

Perkiomen Valley

I worked on this project while Bonnie Hunter hosted Quilt Cam Saturday afternoon.

Image exported from EQ8

I've had a tab open in my browser for a couple weeks to make a few blocks to support the efforts of the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild in making quilts in the wake of the Thomas Fire and the mudslides that followed. I like it when quilters come together to make a difference in the life of someone touched by tragedy.

Image exported from EQ8

I looked at my collection of fabric and decided I would try to pull enough fabric for a quilt top. It didn't take long before I had a collection of fabrics ready to go. After playing with layouts in EQ8 for entirely too long, I came up with a setting for 6 blocks by 7 blocks that I liked. Well, in truth I came up with about four settings, but this is the one I decided to use.

After printing my block and quilt designs, I pulled a collection of fabrics and got cutting. It took most of the morning, but I got it all cut by lunch time. I used the EZ Quilting Easy Angle 6.5-inch ruler to cut the half-square triangles.

I started with the half-square triangle blocks after lunch. It wasn't long before I had the pieces ready to be assembled into blocks.

I pieced for much of the afternoon and I think I've made it almost halfway through block construction. I think there will be at least one more of these in my future. Because these fabrics were pulled from my collection so this goes soundly in the Sew My Stash 2018 category. Sadly, it also adds to my list of projects to finish this year.

Look at that binding!

I pieced all the blocks and laid them out for assembly. This one is going to take a while to finish but it will be worth it.

Directions to make the Perkiomen Valley Block can be found on the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild's blog.

Others bloggers talking about the Thomas Fire and the Quilts from the Ashes project:
From my Carolina Home
QuiltShopGal
Super Buzzy - this site has great info with many more links and has a list of those that have already contributed

Have you made a block or two to help out people touched by hurricanes, floods, fires, or other natural disasters in the last twelve months? Do you have a project that is close to your heart? Add to the comments if you would like to share your story.

Row by Row: Modesto Beverly Fabrics

Next stop on the Row by Row Experience California: Modesto Beverly Fabrics. I was so happy with how this row turned out. I will admit I didn't know how much I would enjoy all the applique. Now, I know I really do prefer piecing. This row has just the right amount of piecing and applique.

I really like this block as it incorporates all the things that makes up the golden state: ocean, green valley, and majestic mountains. That sunset is pretty awesome, too.

Row by Row: Nimble Thimble

Next stop on the Row by Row Experience: The Nimble Thimble! This shop in Gilroy, CA, seemed to be a hidden secret when we parked behind the building. I was pleasantly surprised to find this shop was much bigger than I thought at first. This row leaves loads of room to add tiny quilts to tow behind your tiny camper. I am leaving the tiny quilts until I have completed more rows so I can use the leftover bits to make those quilts.

I might also use some of that space to document the shop names. I don't have a problem putting that information on the front of a quilt. There is no rule that says the label should be hidden on the back. It can be part of the design.

Row by Row: Scruffy Quilts

Another stop on the Row by Row Experience in California was Scruffy Quilts in San Mateo. A cute little shop.

This row isn't quite done but the piecing is done. Such a cute little ferry. I need to add some fusible applique details and it will be done.

Here are my to finished rows on the design wall. Each row seems like such an accomplishment.

Row by Row: Golden State Quilting

While in California to see family, I convinced Darling Husband he should take me to a couple quilt shops. The Row by Row Experience is a fun way to learn about new shops and support small businesses all around the country and the world. Their map works with the application (I am a Google phone user) on your phone to help you plan your shopping trip. I added each one as a stop in a logical order to get us around to the shops I wanted to stop at.

It is possible I got carried away with the shopping. I'll share each of the rows as I go through them and share a link (when available) to each of the shops. I had a great time looking around these shops and I intend to make a quilt with the rows to commemorate the trip to California.

I started the sewing journey with this fun row from Golden State Quilting. I purchased kits at each shop I visited and sometimes a little more. This kind of shop hop is great to get people to try new shops and I like to support small shops when I can.

The row is all raw-edge applique and I really enjoyed putting the row together. There is so much detail in this block that I'm not going to stitch around all those shapes before quilting. I don't think the finished quilt will get so much use and washing to worry about it. I'm certain the fusible and the quilting will be enough to hold it all together.

Winchester Mystery House

We decided to do some touristy things during our time in California.

We stopped by the Winchester Mystery House because I had never been (not that I can remember) and it seemed like a fun adventure.

Photos are only allowed outside the house so there isn't much to share. I'm glad we went, though.

Traveling across the country

We traveled across the country to attend a wedding and I took more than a couple photos along the way. I picked some of the highlights of the first half to share.

San Francisco International has some great art. I only come across about half of the amazing pieced to be found in American airports. 

Blogger was less than helpful on my tablet, so mostly photos will have to do for now.