One of My Designs

I'm always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning. Every day I find something creative to do with my life. 

Miles Davis

At last I got something finished.  It's finally a top with borders attached!  Of course it still isn't quilted.  I'll just add it to the que of dozens waiting for that attention.  Obviously my creative strength lies in the design and creation department not the finishing one.  I must have been thinking about something new when they were passing that one out.

Want to see?  I have thought about writing this one up as a pattern.  Let me know what you think.  It is not a complicated one at all.  I just got hung up on getting the borders on.

The triangles started out at 10 inches so the top is a large lap size.  I need to measure it.

The colors didn't photograph very true.  The blue is a bright turquoise and the purple nice and rich.  This is the center.  The colors are better in the next two pictures.

What I was trying to do with the borders was to give it a 3 dimensional look like the purple was floating beneath the rest of the quilt.  I think is was moderately successful.

This close up above show how the angle is continued in the outer border.  This would look better done with different fabrics but I made the design decisions after sewing the center of the top together.  This was designed on the wall working with the squares already sewn.  I usually make up new designs in EQ7 and then go to the fabrics.

I don't work with novelty prints too often but I have whole bolts of these.  The tone on tones I only had what is in the quilt of the blue and yellow.  I think I have a bit more green.  I will use the small patchwork print for binding.

Now for just something pretty.  Back in the Spring I bought 4 dahlias and this is the first one to bloom.  It now has another bloom open.  These were supposed to get about 3 or 4 feet tall.  It is about 2 feet tall and the others are shorter than that.  One other one has a bud.  Hopefully we will see a few more flowers before frost.  Maybe they will be bigger and bloom earlier next year.  This bloom isn't as big as my hand.  My Mother had some that were 6 or 7 feet tall and had blooms the size of a plate.

We also planted a peony bush that also hasn't done anything but it isn't dead yet.  Our hard red clay is tough on plants.

So that's my big reveal for the day.  I also have the rows together on the Soul Searching quilt but I need to cut and sew the Black & White Prints I'm going to add for a horizontal sashing.  I didn't get it done today because I took a nice nap.

So let me know what you think of the top.  I can't wait to read your comments.  I also need a name for this one.  Any suggestions?

Linking with:  Design Wall Monday and Anything Goes Mondays and 
                         Linky Tuesday  and Fabric Tuesday

Sew What's Next?

It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn.

B. C. Forbes

Maple Leaves

Although it is hard to tell by the weather, the trees in my yard are starting to show signs that Fall will soon be here.  I picked these leaves up Friday before we went away for a few days.
Sewing had to take are rest last week as my attention was forced upon these.

A Pan of Pears

The habits of my childhood rear their head when it comes to canning.  I spent many a day peeling fruit for canning or freezing then.  I seldom do now since I no longer live on a farm and do not buy large amounts of fruit or vegetables at a time.  We always peeled in a enamel pan then and I still do.  I get my assembly line set up and go at it.  Soon the pears above looked like this:

Peeled and Sliced Pears

With a few more ingredients, onions, celery and bell peppers I was able to create these.

Jars of Pear Relish

I had been given a 5 gallon bucket full of pears.  I divided them into 2 batches and the yeild was about 30 pints.  I had to use some half pint jars as I ran out of the regular pint size.  It is a relief to have it behind me and it does taste great.  We had some tonight with turnip greens.

While I was away I worked very hard on planning for the blog hops I have coming up.  It is fun to put my designer hat back on.  When I had my quilt shop I did a lot of designing.  I have done some since then but not an a regular basis.  Most of the hops coming up require the creation of a block or project that I can't show yet.  Here's a hint.

Fall Colored Fabrics

The Glorious Autumn Block Party started today.  

It will run through December 13 and feature 45 Designers.  Each one will reveal a 12" quilt block that you can download and make.  Yes, that means 45 New Block Patterns!  This will be on each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the next 15 weeks.  Designers will be offering a Giveaway on their blogs too!  

That's not all!  There will be Super Deals and Coupons from the Party Sponsors.  Today's deal is from Quilt in a Day.

I am Soooo Excited to be a part of this (and more than a little nervous) there are so many great designers participating.  I hope my design will be one that you will want to make!

I need to go get busy now, only a few days till My Big Reveal Day on September 12th!  Oh My... that's a week from tomorrow now and I have so much to learn and do before then!

I'D BETTER GET BUSY... LIKE NOW!!!

I'm linking up with Patchwork Times and Sew Happy Geek and Plum and June and 

Sew Many Ways and Freemotion by the River