Showing posts with label lonestar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lonestar. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Lone Star


I finished the Lone Star wallhanging top that I started at the workshop. I didn't quilt it but learned a couple of things doing it.


1. I do not like working with fusible webbing.

2. I do not like the shortcuts. (This is probably because I am used to hand piecing and now machine piecing and feel more comfortable with traditional patterns and methods.)

The class was fun and the teacher was great, but I just didn't like the project. I probably won't use the wallhanging. I didn't like how the points came together. They seemed bulky. First, I tried with the fusible webbing but found that it stretched and got the sole plate of my machine gunky. Then I copied the pattern onto paper, that worked some better because the folds were crisp and stable. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret taking the class. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I am so particular about points coming together right. It drives me crazy when they don't. I will probably try another Lonestar using the traditional method sometime but I have other projects on my plate.
I am going stay with my grandkids while their parents go away...one set of parents this weekend then go directly to the other set of parents for the next weekend. I am really looking forward to having time with the grandkids. I won't have time to quilt for a couple of weeks but when I get back I want to start the Wizard of Oz quilt. I am designing my own pattern for the quilt top so I can use some of my away time to draw it out. I also want to work on my Log Cabin quilt. Most of the dark strips are cut just waiting to be sewn.
I spent today sorting out a tub of old buttons that came from my grandmother and my aunt who passed away about a year ago. Some of the buttons are beautiful and unique. It was fun sorting them and thinking about how I could use them to embellish wall hangings....more projects in my head than I have time to do!
Must run now and pack!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Creative Weekend

I just spent the weekend with about 200 writers from all genres at the Writers at the Beach Annual Conference. The conference benefits mitrochondrial disease research....you should check out the website...just type in "Writers at the Beach" on your search engine. My head is still spinning from all the inspiration.... I ate dinner next to Carolyn Parkhurst, the author of Lost and Found. If you watch reality shows, you may like this book! Her characters are interesting. I aslo met Jacquelyn Minchard, the first author whose book was chosen for an Oprah's Book Club selection...she is as charming as she is talented. I'm reading her latest one now. What made the weekend special was that four friends from PA spent the weekend at our house so they could go to the conference...72 hours of creativity!!!

To top it off, Friday a big package of fabric that I ordered came by FEDEX....I put in an order because I was having trouble getting the new Wizard of Oz fabric locally...but it was backordered anyway. The local quilt shop is small and does have lovely fabric but their selection of solid colors is limited, thus the on-line ordering.

I can't wait to get busy on a new project!

At our next guild meeting we are going to have instruction on the Lonestar pattern. I had been hesitant to try it because of the biases....I am going to take the quilts that I posted here for show and tell....I like that part of the meeting because I get so inspired by the beautiful work some of the members bring to show.

Also, this weekend was special because the first daffodils in my garden bloomed!!! Spring is really coming.