Diamonds Forever class

The Diamonds Forever class went well yesterday. The class was small so as they cut their diamonds, I cut and played around with some smaller diamonds from another pattern in the book Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilt by Kaffe Fassett. This quilt is called St. Marks and uses 9 diamonds to form a larger diamond with a bit of a 3D effect. I played around with different settings for the 3 sets of colors I had cut, so we could could see what could be done with this quilt. I only took this one picture, however! The quilt in the book shows a random setting, but I think placing them in rows looks nice too.

 Debi found lots and lots of floral prints for her version....so pretty and springy!

Carol is using rich batiks and prints. Hers will be very rich in color.

As you can see, their quilts will be spectacular as well. I still want to make another one of these quilt out of asian prints...wouldn't that be gorgeous?

Darlis stopped in yesterday with her teeny tiny puzzle piece quilt...I will post a picture later.

It looks like it will be a gorgeous day outside today.....the lilacs are starting to bloom, so I brought a few in last night to bring the smell inside. I want to finish quilting the Twisterweave Mystery quilt today, but might have to take some time to go pick out flowers too...it's just that kind of day!

Show and Tell

Eileen brought in her Diamonds Forever quilt on Saturday to show us. She isn't happy with it, we all loved it. I think she has been working on it too much, and will love it after she steps away for awhile. We were all ready to auction it off right then and there (since she doesn't like it) and may the best woman win!

Lots of quilting last week and a beautiful day ahead!

I had classes 3 nights last week, so the week flew by. Mon. and Tues. night were both Sampler #11 Classes and Thursday night the beginners learned how to make and sew on their binding, so they are officially finished...when they get it hand sewn down, that is! They are going to start a Sampler Class next month to learn some new techniques.

Yesterday was the second session of the Diamonds Forever class. Eileen had fun playing with her layout for a long time, asking advice we were all happy to give!

 If anyone has or has seen any of this multicolored paisley print, Diana needs more!

 Dianne's growing stack of diamonds!

 Betty sorting and making more...

Gail working away, with her very organized piles!

Diana's very bright diamonds mixed in with kitties!
They weren't all ready for the design wall so they promised they will bring them back!

After class I went shopping with a friend, then worked on another version of the Peas in a Pod quilt that I'm making.  Hope to finish it today.

No night classes this week, but I do have a book fair Thursday night at school. Should be fun.

I'm trying, I really am!

But life sometimes gets away from me.

Busy week this week. The beginners got their tops finished, so we layered,  pinned and tied Thursday night. Next week is binding and these quilts are finished.

It's always interesting to see how the different fabric choices work up when making the same quilt.

These ladies are very proud of their quilts! One lady couldn't make it, so will post hers later.

We started the Diamonds Forever quilt yesterday....they got a lot done. We meet again next week so we should see some finished blocks at that point. It got so busy and chatty that I forgot to take progress pictures yesterday, but will definitely take some next week.

I need to clean today....have avoided it long enough! Also need to write a pattern. So we'll see how the day goes. Have a great Sunday!

Back to the bargello

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I spent all day sewing today. I finished the curvy bargello by adding the border.

I got the backs sewn together for it and the diamond quilt. This dropped out of the backing piece. She pounced on it and claimed it for her own.

 This is more like it.

Then I quilted the bargello. It went pretty fast as it really isn't that big (about 47" x 47"). I used a bright variegated thread and like how it blends in with the front.

You can see it better here.

From the back...I used this panto because it is looser and has lots of movement. With all the seams in it, I didn't want too tight a pattern. Anyone want to guess how many squares in this one?

I cut the binding and made a sleeve for it, so might actually get it finished! But not tonight...

Another helper and a top finished.

I got the Diamonds Forever quilt top done today, so have to think about getting a back and quilting it. I made it a little wider than the pattern, as it was only 57". So now it's almost square. I added a 2" border too because I was worried about it  stretching on the quilt frame without one. This isn't the best picture, hopefully will get a better one  after I quilt it.

It passed Gwennie's inspection.

Trying to lay out the diamonds!

I have entered the Pets on Quilts contest hosted by SewCalGal. I think I have many qualifications for winning this contest because I can't keep my pets OFF my quilts. I hope this  picture counts for the contest, since I am working on the quilt, but some of my best cat pictures are with quilts in progress. Plus she is just so happy in these pictures! (I did finish the quilt last week too.)
I have posted the link to the right, so feel free to go vote for your favorite pet on quilt photo. Mine is Jean's Page, #50 on the list.

 I had more help than I wanted or needed when trying to lay out the diamonds today.

At one point I had Mama and Smokey wrestling on it, but didn't take any pictures as I was too busy trying to get them off! Luckily by that point I had the blocks numbered!

She just kept rolling around...lol...I am sewing therows together now, before she decides to help again.

More diamonds

I have more diamonds finished and hope to get to the point of sewing some together later...still have some partially done to finish first. 

 I tried to lay them out nicely, but Mama Kitty insisted on helping. 
I'm also going out to find a border for the curvy bargello later....I want to get it finished.

Well, I think I got rid of the thingie that followed down the page, but now I have to do some more work on my blog to get it back to how I like it. Thanks for all the help!

Sewing today, too hot to do anything else!

Since we are reaching a record high heat index today, I will be working on my diamonds. This is what I got finished on Friday. I also have some more half bordered so they won't take long to finish to this stage. It's a lot of fussy cutting, but think the rest will go quickly.

Went to a baby shower yesterday for my nephew's girlfriend and baby. It was fun....she had a polka dotted cake, but I forgot my camera, so couldn't take a picture. She did get many cute baby girl things and is ready to have her! She is due Sept. 11.

Also, if anyone knows how to get rid of the Photobucket thingie that follows down the page, I would be grateful. I looked it up and think it is an mssmarttag, but haven't been able to get it off. Not sure how I picked it up, one day it was just there.

New Quilt! (& not so exciting house report too)

It is so much fun to start a new quilt, isn't it? I decided I have worked hard enough on my house this week, so I can sew today! I cut the fabrics this morning for the Kaffe Fassett pattern, Diamonds Forever, taken from the June/July issue of Quilt magazine. I have been collecting some of his large floral prints as well as others for awhile now and when I saw that pattern I decided this is why!

I've been cutting all morning, so am taking a break, then will start sewing. Looks like it will be fun and easy to make.

I scrubbed the cupboards the other day & put the new handles on  yesterday, so they look much nicer.

My daughter came over Wednesday and helped me tear out the carpet in the sunroom. That is where I have all my "stuff", computer, tv and sewing machine. It looks so much nicer too. We had taken out the carpet in the living room and dining room a long time ago, as we have hardwood floors and I hate carpet. Just never had gotten around to the sunroom. After cleaning it well, and applying several layers of Orange Glo, it looks pretty good.

House report over.