Oldies but goodies

While I was at home in Chicago, I had the chance to take some better photos of the quilts I made for my dad and sister in 2007.  I love going home at taking the time to pour over them again, studying, remembering, reliving the making of both quilts.  It's different then seeing the quilts I have around my house that are just part of the backdrop of my daily life.  I miss these quilts, but I'm happy they provide color for the backdrop of my parents' house.

Crosses - front:

Crosses - back:

I loved this fabric and I'm so glad I used it here because if not, it would probably still be in the stash..

Comfort Star for Lori:

This was my first attempt at crumb blocks, and "making" fabric for the 9 patch center:

a close up.  I could stare at this quilt for hours:

Whenever I go home my sister patiently listens as I retell her about every patch in her quilt.  Where it came from, how long I had it, if I used it anywhere else.  She is so patient with me.  I guess she has the patience of a quilter, but she has the gift to spend it on people instead of fabric and stitches.

Christmas Presents~~

Christmas break is going well, I'm spending lots of time with family but not much time online. I did make plans to hang out with Carolyn next week (yay), hope that works out. The family totally loved their quilts, which made me really happy. The first photo is me and Lori, then mom and dad with mom's quilt:
And mom & dad with dad's quilt. I want to get "real" blog-type photos at some point, but I haven't had the chance just yet. I was working on mom's quilt until the very last minute-- sewing the binding on at grandma's across the street. My left thumb is really sore, but I can't stop sewing, you know me.
I got a very unexpected present on Christmas eve from my cousin Emy. She put together a vintage box of tons of fabric scraps from our great grandmother's collection, with pieces from her stash as well. It's awesome. If I have time in the new year I'd like to make a scrap quilt with all my vintage cottons... quite a project, and I'll really have to commit myself to it because if I cut them up and then never finish I'll be heartbroken.
ahhh.. It has been tough going through the holidays without Theresa, especially the big family parties. Lori has been a great support though.
Hope all went well for everyone out there in blogland. I am terribly behind in reading my bloglines but hope to catch up soon.

hito-hari, hito-hari

I have been so productive lately. Maybe a little too productive, I keep jumping from project to project..
Yesterday we drove to Providence and I spent over an hour piecing Travel Quilt #2 at the Starbucks by Brown University as Costas graded the last of his midterm exams. When we got home I cut and sewed the binding on the Comfort Star and then spent the rest of the evening stitching it down.
I've got one side left to go. Then tonight I put the borders on my crosses quilt,
and tomorrow I'm planning to spend a few hours working on the quilt project that the autistic students at my school have put together. My head's not spinning, but I really really love the fabrics I'm using; getting to feel them and see them go together. I can't wait to post a pic of the Crosses quilt.. it's busy, but it displays a lot of special fabrics.
I have a bunch of other small projects on my mind too, and I'm trying so hard to stay focused on the big ones first. It doesn't help that there's all sorts of Chrismas crafty inspiration in blogland these days. My favorite has been Corry's ornaments. Too cute~

November 3

On the last day before Daylight Saving time I thought I'd at least get the chance to snap some good photos in the sunshine. But alas, tropical storm Noel is here instead and it is rainy, windy, and yucky outside. We're invited to a pot-luck dinner party tonight and I'm going to make spanikopita. Thankfully C volunteered to do the grocery shopping this morning. In exchange I'm doing laundry, but that's not bad, because quilting and laundry are very compatable activities.
I spent the morning cutting fabrics for my crosses quilt. I need about 7 more fabrics, but I think I'll start sewing before I find them. This is a real mix-- a handful of the fabrics are novelty prints that my parents' dog groomer would cut up and use as bandanas around the dog's neck after he was groomed. When my dad's dog, Max, died a few years ago he asked me to make a quilt from the bandanas. I'm happy I could incorporate them into this project (along with a terrycloth cross from Max's doggy towel). I went through my nicely organized scraps again and found squares and 3.5" strips. I only want one cross per fabric and a 16.5" strip is all I need. This ate up a lot of scraps and small pieces, yay! I tried to include fabrics from other quilts I've made too.
I haven't decided on a border fabric yet. I'm thinking blue, or green.. maybe with a thin red inner border...
ok, time to sew.