Temperature Quilt 2017

Happy New Year!  I can't believe the holidays are now behind us.  Have you started shopping for next year yet?  It will be here before we know it.

The end of the year also meant the end of recording temperatures and making blocks for my Temperature Quilt 2017.   I was saddened to see it come to an end, but really like the finish.

This was a quilt that I did along with my sister (IG alaskanquilter).  Needless to say, my temperatures in California are considerably different from hers in Alaska.  This was her finish.  I loved her colors and I also thought  her use of geese flying north or south depending on temperatures above or below freezing was brilliant.

We've had requests to do a QAL for a Temperature Quilt 2018.  After discussing it with each other, we have decided to do it.  Last year we used the Flying Geese pattern and are thinking of doing either a Square in a Square or a Pinwheel pattern for 2018.  We would love to have everyone join us.

I will post the Kona colors that we used, our temperature breakdowns, details and instructions in a few days.  Between Alaska temps and California temps, we should be able to cover most temperatures.  Of course, you can use any colors and fabrics that you would like.  Meanwhile, please keep a log of your temperatures until you are ready to sew.

In other sewing, the big reveal for On Ringo Lake came out for New Years.  The last few clues were fast and furious so I've been plucking away on block construction.  I really love the way it is coming together.

I'll be back in a few days with all of the details for the QAL.

Mid September

Gosh...here it is - almost mid September.  Fall décor is everywhere.  It won't be long before Christmas decorations start appearing.

I had a dear friend come up for a much too short visit, but she brought some treasured quilts along with her to share.  One that particularly grabbed my attention was a stunning yo yo quilt.  It was made by her Aunt Tillie.  I think that the yellow background drew me to it instantly.  It was BIG and so heavy.  It was also in fabulous condition.

Look at the great fabrics that were used .... if they could only talk..... and the wonderful arrangement of the yo yos.  Oh...those tiny stitches.  I wonder how long it took her to make it.

That scalloped border.....SWOON!

Leisa (no blog), our Gridster Bee recipient for October, sent us some African fabrics that her parents had collected for her.   We were to make the African Queen blocks by Anne Batiste using the fabrics.  The fabrics really called to be used with fussy cutting and these are my blocks for her.

Our September started off super hot, but has mellowed out a bit as seen in my Temperature Quilt.  We had two days about 105* so I actually had to find a new color for it.

I'm also continuing to finish off the Confetti Star blocks from my Gridster Bee choice.  I needed a few more blocks to bring it to the size that I want it.   I am looking forward to having this quilt finished as I love the blocks that I received.

These cooler days will slow down the wonderful summer garden that we have enjoyed.  Our son is growing some of the giant pumpkins this year in his garden and they are HUGE.  I have no idea how he is going to move them from the location where they are growing, but it should be interesting.

The late laid eggs of the tortoises are now hatching.  I forget how quickly they grow, but seeing the new one next to August's hatchlings really makes me realize how fast they grow.

We had an exciting weekend as a guest of Stanislaus Foods in California's Central Valley and were able to tour their tomato processing plant and their Corto Olive Oil Co.  It was fun to follow the tomatoes from field to canned in under five hours.  The olive oil production will start in October.  The tours were just fascinating.  I would have loved to share some photos, but no photographing was allowed.  I am always amazed at the machinery that is created for each job along the line.  Machines play such a huge role in our lives and I am in awe of the people who develop machines to do the various tasks.

We have another busy weekend coming up as we are keeping five grandchildren and one dog while their parents are away. There won't be much computer time.  ;-)

End of Summer

It's hard to believe summer is over.  The last of the grandchildren return to school tomorrow.  Where did it go?

We've had grandchildren for the last few weeks so there has not been a lot of sewing going on here.  We have had lots of fun water time in spite of an exceptionally cool August.  My August month in my Temperature Quilt looks pretty boring.  The month started out warm and then the coastal fog rolled in ..... for weeks.  We are in for a few days of warmer temps this week.

September is often our warmest month as the Santa Ana winds descend upon us so look forward to seeing some reds next month.

In spite of the cooler temps, the little ones enjoyed some lots of water time.

They had to share the water slide with the tortoise (bottom left) who insisted on climbing right in the middle of their fun.

We had a lot of fun with art supplies - including decorating ourselves in some cases......ahhh...two year olds!

I had the urge to stitch once everyone was back home.  I should have been cleaning the house, but I quietly slipped into my quiet sewing space and added a few blocks to my selvage project.  These are so quick and perfect for satisfying that sewing itch.

Somehow, my selvage stash seems to be getting bigger!  They were all nicely packed down and now they are all fluffed up and twice as big.  Hmmmm.....that wasn't the plan.

I've seen so many fun pincushions on IG this month and really NEED to make a few more.  Of course, I have the perfect excuse with the annual Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade starting next week.  There are lots of great prizes so be sure to check it out HERE.

The garden has done so well this summer - finally.  Right now we are enjoying the tomatoes, beans and zucchini.  Tomato canning went on over the weekend by my husband - his first canning experience.  He did a great job too.  Do you think I can pass it on to him now????  lol

Long Overdue Post

It seems like forever - and yet only yesterday - that I last posted.  The month has flown past but we have been busy with lots of wonderful family times.  The sewing has been slow and in bits and pieces, but that is fine too.

I've been trying to keep up with the Sew All Around QAL that has been running on Quilts My Way this summer.  I am enjoying doing all of the circles that Gosia has been challenging us with in her patterns.  This one was all about waves.

Other bits of sewing have been my Gridster Bee Blocks.  I have enjoyed being able to work ahead a bit on these.  These blocks are for Lisa on IG @nymblefyngers.  She requested little tree blocks.  The pattern can be found HERE.

I need to catch up on the Temperature Quilt, but this is what the year has looked like up into the middle of July.

We recently returned from our annual fishing trip in the Sierras.  It was absolutely gorgeous this year after the wonderful rains we had.  Of course, there is still quite a bit of snow in the area.  Our son actually skied one of the mornings before fishing!  The scenery was spectacular as we fished at 9700 feet elevation.  There is nothing like have a line in the water as you take in that sight.  

Our best fisherman with his 4#8oz. trout.

My favorite part is watching and enjoying the interaction of all of the grandchildren.  It's not as though they aren't together frequently since they live locally, but they aren't together 24/7 like they are when we are away.  

Part of the gang who attended.  

  

DD came over and helped me put up the pickles for the summer.  Everyone wanted to help so we found jobs for everyone.

As we say goodbye to July we welcome August.  Christmas will be here before we know it.  Happy August!

May is in the Bag

May is now finished and "in the bag".  Welcome to June.

June means another 16th birthday for one of the granddaughters.  As I have said in the past, several of the girls have asked for a grown up quilt for their 16th birthdays.  I guess that means they want to tuck those baby quilts away.  As hard as I have tried to keep them little, they are not listening to one word of my begging.  ;-)

So....this is the newest 16th birthday quilt all finished except for the label.  I love the texture that the quilting adds to a fairly simple design.  I used a lavender thread and quilted a pantograph with birds, butterflies and flowers - perfect for a young lady.

We have slipped into our June Gloom weather pattern here which means overcast mornings and sunny afternoons with a very monotonous temperature - mid 70s.  My temperature quilt is reflecting the boredom.  We had a couple of warmer days mid month, but there is not a lot of excitement towards the end of the month.

I even added  a little turtle this month on the day when our momma tortoise laid her eggs. 

This is what the year looks like so far.  I hope the reds start to become more frequent visitors. 

I don't know about you, but I am always wondering the best technique for washing quilts where I worry about the dyes bleeding.  I recently came across a method that sounds really interesting and I think I am going to give it a try.  Here is a link to it.  Has anyone else tried it, and if so, what did you think? 

We spent a couple of days last week at the beach with my sister, brother and their spouses.  While there we took a walk around the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens.  The gardens showcase all of the native plants and it was a great time to see so many in bloom. 

I loved this scalloped rock.

We also visited a local nursery and enjoyed seeing the orchids and begonias.

My sister and BIL brought along a box of the local chocolates.  Aren't the pieces fun?  They are all handmade on the premises and you can watch them making them.  Is life like a box of chocolates???  They say "you never know what you're gonna get".  I could make bets on a few of these. 

May was a crazy month and I welcome a, hopefully, quieter June.  Happy June to all!