35th.Ave 2017 BOM Quilt

When I signed up for this quilt I did not realize the color scheme and if I had paid closer attention I probably would not have done it at all. I "suffered" through and completed the 12 months and now the quilt is finished. It's very plain, all solid color fabrics and traditional block piecing. The design included more sashings which I decided not to add just wanting to be done with it, and as it turned out bypassing the extra sashing has formed an eye catching secondary block design so that it looks as if it were set "on point".

For once a happy unintended consequence!

Because the quilt was basically boring to me I decided to try and "kick it up a notch" by going full custom on the quilting and I think I succeeded! 

 Feather wreaths were no brainer [when in doubt feather it] but it took a while to decide what to do with the sashing. I found when I came up with a ruler design to fill in the space that it formed a very interesting frame for the feather wreaths, I have become very fond of ruler work, even though it consumes a fair bit of time it can be very effective.

 The backing is a green ticking and I don't remember how I came by it, a donation I believe, and grey for binding. Continuing in the green theme I used Quilter's Dream Green batting which is made from recycled soda bottles, has a soft feel and creates good definition. It is also probably indestructible, LOL.

I really like the effect from the back, the design shows up very well.

Now to decide what goes on the Longarm machine next, I am making very good progress this last few weeks but it may be a few days, our little dog may have very serious surgery tomorrow.

On Ringon Lake

The results of a relaxing Sunday afternoon in my most happy place, my Longarm Quilting Loft, because quilting is not a job for me it's a joy! 

Edge to Edge feathers in the body of the quilt and a formal feather motif in the setting triangles.

Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilts are very time consuming, many, many tiny pieces and this one had a complicated pieced setting, half a dozen pieces in each strip. I find these quilts so busy that I think that full custom quilting would be rather wasted time but I like to do something a bit special in the borders.
A light peachy/pink thread from Superior So Fine and Quilter's Dream Pink 80/20 cotton /poly batting finished up the project-another checked off the list.

My sashings do not all go in the correct direction but after struggling to get it right for a while I just gave up! The recipient will never know the difference, even I have a hard time seeing it.

The backing is a neutral print from stash and the binding another piece left from...something!

Flannel Flag Quilt

Another of my personal quilts done! 

 Quilted with Essentials Pro grey thread freehand with a swirly motif . I just realized that one of the flags is flipped over, LOL, guess I need to take another photo!

It will be a good quilt for a young boy.

I had some of this nice soft brushed cotton plaid extra from making a Braveheart kilt for son#1 for the renaissance festival and it made the perfect backing for the flannel quilt with leftover grey backing for the binding! 

                                   At quilt MeetUp group today I began to piece some HST's that I had made the wrong size for another quilt. I have plenty of the red but have to pull in a similar light fabric to make extra blocks. I think I can get enough for a lap quilt, the colors are not very suitable for a baby quilt. I have someone in mind for this, so it will not sit around too long after it's finished!

I am attempting to whittle down the number of my own quilts that await the longarm and here I begin another! Currently the Bonnie Hunter Ringon Lake Mystery quilt is loaded on the longarm awaiting my attention! Too many quilts and too little time.

A Surfeit Of Oranges

The orange tree has bloomed and there are now lots of tiny green oranges. The balance of this year's crop was falling off the tree and/or the birds were eating them so DH and I picked the rest, a huge bag half filled. What to do? Well, give away a couple more grocery sacks full, save one in the fridge for snacking, and then -when life gives you oranges make marmalade!

 The recipe I have used the past couple of years is from Alton Brown of the Food Network. It produces a very yummy result for a marmalade afficionada like myself, not to mention DH!
You can find the recipe here, no need for me to repeat it!

Alton's recipe requires zest and juice of a lemon. I do not often purchase them as my kindly neighbor has a vigorous and very productive Meyer lemon tree, and these just happen to be my very favorite lemons ever. I have been given free access to said tree making me a very happen lemon lover- they also make good marmalade and delicious lemon bars.

Myer lemons are sweeter than others having a faint orange flavor and aroma and more orange colored skin and pulp. They are thought to be a cross between Lisbon lemon and mandarin orange and are quite delicious and juicy. The vintage citrus squeezer is a treasure inherited from my Mum and likely as old as I am!

The first batch jelled up very firm

Doesn't it look delicious?

This did not use up nearly enough oranges so then I made a double batch which was more stubborn in the jelling process. There is no added pectin in Alton's recipe but I have never needed it.

I ran out of Ball jars but I usually save nice jars for jam making and the smaller ones make great hostess gifts. The four jars on the far right are the original batch and there is a slight color difference I think because I had to cook the second lot a bit longer to attain jelling stage.

If you can bear to use it other than on bread or toast, it is great for orange chicken!
Alton says it keeps six months but honestly I have kept it a year and then some, no problems as long as your jars and lids are sanitized and also the tools you use. I do usually end up putting mine in the fridge for longer time storage especially in this hot Arizona climate.
DH is very happy, this being his favorite jam, and when he and a few friends meet every Monday morning for breakfast he likes to take his own marmalade along as the restaurant usually does not offer it!

One, Two, Three baby Quilts Plus One!

We have had two baptisms at St. Mark last month and one this month and the quilts are now done and delivered to church last Sunday.

Number one, very scrappy using baby type fabrics that looked more "boyish" in random sized rectangles.

And a pieced backing, quilted with peacock feathers and light blue thread.

  One baby girl quilt

 A cute piece of alphabet fabric needed borders to "grow" it a bit!

 And plenty left for the backing.

 The other baby boy gets this yellow and grey quilt using three sizes of triangles.

Below, Matthew's quilt is a combination baptism and birthday gift.

I am very happy with the way this turned out, the fabrics are cute together and the18" giant block pattern from Missouri star Quilt Co. was perfect.

 I meandered in the Mickey block background to echo the round shape of the Mickey Dots fabric and his ears and head and used some quick and easy modern ideas to quilt the black zipper, the  red and and white fabrics.

The black print squares have Mickey's outline, using Superior Magnifico thread and a couple of different sizes of round templates..

It was great to have enough of the zipper fabric to bind the quilt, that fabric has been in stash for several years and this was the perfect time to use it.