The End of Summer!

As our summer in the mountains draws to a close, 

I am satisfied with the progress I have made on the projects I brought up to finish. 

First is the inner portion of my Solstice Dreams quilt, 

designed by Kerry Green.

I am excited to finish this one because she is releasing a new design soon!

Then there is my Crimson Tweed wall hanging,

designed by Sue Spargo.

They both need their borders,

so I guess I cannot really call them finishes just yet;

but getting them to this point was my summer goal.

Now this one is a real finish,

 A Sign of Christmas, designed by Cricket Street Wool.

That plaited wool border was a real challenge!

I am also current on my Vases of Flowers quilt by Yoko Saito.

Even September's block is already appliqued down. 

Just need to do the embroidery work.

This coming weekend we will be packing up and heading back home to AZ...

AND THE HEAT!

Not looking forward to that part,

but I cannot wait to hug my babies.

A new baby is due Oct. 2nd! 

I used to lament my lack of grandchildren 

and now I will have 5.

Since I am celebrating my Medicare birthday this year, 

 I hope I will have the energy for them all.

Summer is Stitching Time

We are back in the mountains for the summer, 

so I am not working at the shoppe and have more time to work on my projects. 

 It is my goal to not only blog a couple of times, 

but to actually get some of my UFO's finished. 

Of course, I started the summer with a few new projects.

 I have actually completed one...

'When I Am With You, I am Home'

by 1894 Cottonwood House.

I am not a prim girl,

 but there is something about this designer's stuff that appeals to me.

And I love the title of this one, that just happens to be in my favorite fall colors!

But let me digress.

The first project I worked on was to complete the blocks for my Solstice Dreams quilt designed by Kerry Green. These are some of my favorite ones:

I think I like making the insects the best!

And yes, as my granddaughter points out, the birds need their eyes still.

We will be doing this as a BOM at TOWQS this coming fall.

I have dyed all the wool for it and

I have certainly learned tons of embroidery stitches!

Which, by the way, I swore I was not going to get into.

And yes, this is another 'lifetime' quilt in it's infancy...

from Yoko Saito's book, Bouquet of Flowers,

these are the January and April blocks of 

'Vases of Flowers Wall Quilt.'

A few gals at the shoppe are joining me for this adventure, 

so I might get it done in a year! 

I am converting the cm measurements into inches for everyone, 

so I am motivated to keep current.

Unlike the original, we are combining both cotton and wool for the applique. 

I think I could make every project in this book.

If only there were stitching elves!

One of the first UFOs I plan to finish is Buttermilk Basin's Merrie Halloween. 

It is another one that has just one more block to make before it is done.

You know I will start some new things along the way,

 but I hope to have a picture of this finished project the next time I post.

I don't believe anyone can comment on this post anymore with the new blogger setup,

but I appreciate you stopping by to read it.

If you feel compelled to comment or have a question,

you can email me at fatesdesigns@gmail.com.

A Girl and her Machine

Although I enjoy handwork, my first love is piecing with my machine...

especially small scale piecing!

Here is the beginning of a lifetime project, 

Sunrise Scraps by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts.

When I saw this quilt last January at Road to California, I knew I had to commit to making it. 

I fell in love with all things she designs.

Just finished this little handful of scraps called Olivia.

I still continue to do handwork and wool applique.

Working on Father Christmas by 1894 Cottonwood House.

Finished my second block of Solstice Dreams

and embellished the first block of Crimson Tweed.

My friend, Deb and I are working together on a shoppe sample for a BOM starting in January.

Garden Whimsy by Norma Whaley of Timeless Traditions.

As usual, I have too many irons in the fire.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Among other things, I am thankful for my machine and the joy it brings me.

Now to the business of cooking a feast for my family!

A Busy Week

Worked on a sample for TOWQS.

Light Show by Plays with Wool.

Hubbie made the frame for me.

But I had the most fun piecing this small quilt from Edyta Sitar's book,

Little Handful of Scraps.

I have not finished piecing one side because I will demo my tip for half seams when I teach my class next month. 

I designed the Wooly Block Adventure block for the shop.  

Worked on Dear Spooks by 1894 Cottonwood House.

And started on this beauty by Kerry Green, Solstice Dreams.

My progress on the first block. 

And then there was the Pumpkin Patch, Arizona style with my grands.

Hopefully, I will be as happy and productive next week too!

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