Florence Regal Quilt Top

It is a shame that I am a poor photographer using Dear Husband's iPhone (or any other picture taking device, truth-be-told). If I weren't completely lacking in necessary skill, one could actually grasp the true beauty of this quilt's design and the absolutely fabulous colors in the fabric.

All of this aside, I am posting these two pictures of this magnificent top. The image on the top is a close-up of the medallion blocks, with the sashing on either side of the center; the one below is the first four (of a total of eight) rows (two sashing rows and two block rows).

Now for the self-congratulatory part of this post - something I rarely, if ever, do. I'm truly my own worst critic in everything I do. I can certainly tell that I have made good progress in my cutting and piecing skills. There hasn't been one seam that hasn't fit as it should. The opposing seams are actually opposing, in contrast to having to re-press a seam to make the seams oppose. The cornerstone pieces measure exactly 4 1/2 inches, as they are supposed to. I did have to correct two tips that were a millimeter off, but that I would have always known were there even though no one else could tell, but even this effort produced a positive outcome.

Lesson learned again: Taking my time when I work on quilt tops is so important. I have to keep reminding myself to slow down, take my time, and enjoy the process.

We start another "Big Dig" at our house when our contractor starts remodeling our kitchen. Ugh! Another 6 weeks of chaos. I hope the dogs aren't too put out by this. Remodeling the master bath was pretty easy on them because it was upstairs. They live nearly completely down stairs, so we will have to figure out how to keep them happy and not totally upset with the change in their routine. Like us, they are creatures of habit. But, they are also incredibly adaptable, so I am certain everything will work out just fine.

Onward feeling good about my skills as a quilter.

Paws-itively Exhausting

Here is my quilting assistant - asleep on the job! DeeDee, our 8 year old Collie, loves being in my sewing room when I'm quilting. Today, I am working on my Florence Regal top. As you can see, DeeDee decided it was break time! She clearly finds all this quilting activity too tiring. Isn't she just too adorable for words?

This top is coming along very well. The picture shows the row with the large medallions. Later today, I will finished sewing four rows together and will post another picture (sans DeeDee), so Dear Readers can get an idea of the concept. It is a very beautiful design, the fabric is rich and does so remind me of Florence. Perfect for our Tuscan-style home.

Skating news! I am going to start working on testing ISI Free Dance in the hopes of competing with Coach Chris in Las Vegas in October at the Free Dance 4 (or maybe 5) level. Free Dance combines the thrills and creativity of pairs with the beauty and structure of ice dancing - without the risk of pairs skating. I am looking forward to getting started with Coach Chris this Friday during my dance lesson. I will have to test each level up to 4 or 5 before August 1st, but am confident I can do this with no problem. Assuming I pass at least through Level 4, we can be working simultaneously on our Free Dance competition program.

Here, then, is the line up for me for Adult ISI in Las Vegas:

1. Bronze Open (free skate program set and going quite well)
2. Ice dance with Coach Chris (Bronze-level dance; this is tentative still as Coach C and I have not finalized)
3. Ensemble (with 7 other skaters)
4. Free Dance with Coach Chris

Lots to work on. Loads of fun and challenges. Onward with enthusiasm and optimism in quilting and skating!

Latest Quilting Projects

Dear Readers (quilters and all others):

Sometimes one falls in love with a pattern and/or fabric because you are literally drawn into it. So it is with one of three quilting projects I am now working on, but the one that - I must note - is absolutely my favorite. As "they" say in Hollywood, here's the back story on this one . . .

I now think ahead (to the best of my ability) when planning my quilt art for our home. Because "Sunday in the Park" (the fabulous representation of the famous George Seurat painting) is soon to hang in our living room for the summer months, I wanted to have something ready to replace it the very moment we've said "So long!" to 100+ temperatures here in the Sacramento Valley.

I found this fabric online and knew I had to have it for a quilt for autumn. I spent an arm-and-a-leg (apologies to Dear Husband, my banker) on the Timeless Treasures fabric (Florence Regal). Alright, it wasn't really an arm-and-a-leg . . . only an arm. The fabric arrived last week, but having been in the throws of three migraines (yuck!), it went immediately into my stash for storage. That and the fact that I was terrified to cut into this gorgeous material.

Over the last two days, I screwed up my courage, got out the pattern (free online from RJR Fabrics) and slowly and carefully began cutting. The black center sections (the picture above shows) were cut individually (there are 12 of these). This afternoon, I started sewing! Here is the first of 12 - 12 1/2" blocks. It is made with four half-square triangles (the cream and gold fabric), sewed to the center square, then trimmed to size.

The pattern directions are excellent, although not really detailed. These are easy to follow and the pattern is repetitive across the horizontal plane. The sashing, two borders and great cornerstones really add to the beauty of the design. This is going to be an absolutely show-stopper of a quilt. I can't wait for Jenine, owner of The Meandering Needle, long-arm quilter, and friend to get her hands on this one. I know I'll use some kind of scroll design for the quilting.

I am thrilled at how beautiful this block turned out and excited about working on the quilt top. And, Dear Husband really likes it. This is quite important as he subsidizes my quilting habit and never complains about the expense. What a great guy.

The other big project in the works is the applique Block-of-the-Month done in French country fabrics. This is going to be a birthday present for a friend. I've enjoyed the applique work, but it is tedious and painstakingly slow. Doesn't exactly fulfill my need for instant gratification, but I like the end product.

I didn't skate last week (and even missed ensemble practice on Friday) due to headaches. Went to the rink today for an hour, but plan to skate on Thursday for two hours and then on Friday morning. And while I'm on the subject, I finally have a confirmed appointment at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center Headache Clinic. I have to wait until July, but hey, I've waited over 5 months already, so what's another few months and more migraines? Dear Husband has got the drill down when one strikes and is the best caregiver I could ask for. I don't know what I would do without him during these cluster periods.

Onward in quilting, skating, and other important matters. Isn't life a pip?

Something to Celebrate

We have a new addition to our family. No, it's not a grandchild or new dog. It's my new sewing table. Probably won't get too many Dear Readers as happy as I am, but they are likely not quilters and/or seamstresses.

I bought this table online from JoAnn.com. Originally listed at $229.00 (I would not have paid this much for the unit, that's for certain), I purchased it for $114.00. With tax and shipping, a total of $135.00. It arrived quickly. Dear Husband - bless his heart - spent about 5 hours putting it together (something I could not have accomplished). He was meticulous in his work, as I know he wanted it done very well. So sweet of him.

Here is a picture of it in my sewing room. At last, I have a place to cut out fabric, eliminating the need to use the kitchen counter when DH (our household's executive chef) is preparing meals. The top is also large enough to provide a place for fabric when I'm working on a large quilt top. What an improvement over the narrow sofa table I was using.

Like new parents, I feel as though we've welcomed a new member into our family. DeeDee is really checking it out. I'm sure she will figure out a way to sleep under/around it.

Onward, with a great new quilting tool. I'm so thrilled! Off to skate.