I Begin Down The Asian Scrappy Road

Even though all the black strips are not cut, I just had to put one block together to get a sense of where this quilt is going.  The good news is that it is composed of 15" blocks.  The bad news is that each of the blocks requires a lot of pieces to put together.  I 'm sure I can come up with a method of chain stitching components and then sewing them together to make the blocks.  There will be some fussing with making sure the black sashings line up.  I'm not going to like that. 

Only 11 more blocks to go............

Idea to Kit to ?????

Like many people, I've been collecting Asian inspired fabrics since the time they became popular.  Of course, they still are popular and I still like them.   Over the years I've seen various ideas for using them.  I've even cut into my stash and used a bit here and there.  I still have a UFO of Japanese Kimonos that will one day be a wall-hanging.  While going through a 2-year old magazine, I discovered yet another fabulous idea using those Asian inspired fabrics.  I actually cut out the article and set it aside.  Every time I would run across the picture, I'd think to myself that I really liked that quilt.  It wasn't for lack of fabrics that I didn't begin.  I had plenty of those.  It was just all those pesky UFOs and unfinished "ideas" that made me feel guilty about starting something new..........until a few days ago when I began cutting fabric for the Asian Scrappy Quilt.  And now I have all the main fabrics cut and I just need to finish cutting the strips for the blocks.  It looks like I just might have a quilt kit to work on and I didn't buy any new fabric.  I know that I even have enough fabric left to piece together a back.  
One step at a time.......

I've got at least 20 different fabrics available......and lots left over!

Scrappy pile of stringy pieces.  Not sure I'm going to keep them.

Lots and lots of 1 1/2" black strips for around the blocks.  A few more still to be cut.

I do believe, there may be an Asian Scrappy Road quilt some day. The pattern is from Quilter's World Magazine October 2011 and is a design by Sue Harvey and Sandy Boobar of Pine Tree Country Quilts.

What Am I Thinking?

......or am I thinking at all.  I've been messing around in my sewing room.  Pulling out lots of stuff.  Playing around with it and then stuffing it back in boxes.  I'm beginning to get seriously inundated with UFOs that aren't really a project......more like an idea.  And to top it off, I cut up a favorite dress that doesn't fit anymore but I have always loved the fabric.  What am I going to do with those fabric scraps?  I have no idea. 

Left-over 2" strips how I love thee.  Are there enough to continue and actually make something???????

Mary B.'s UFO from who knows when.  Is there a possibility here?????

So now I have packaged up some of these "projects" and have put them in baskets.  In the meantime, I left one bag of UFO project out to work on.  Oh that I could work and finish one thing at a time and not even entertain the thought of starting something new.  

In the past, I have made lists and documented all my UFOs and what stage they are in.  I think it is time to do so again.  It does help me keep focused.

California Winnings

Remember?  I was one of the winners from the Stamp On It blog hop last month.  Madame Samm informed me that winnings were on the way.  The beautiful shiny red package arrived today all the way from Canada to California.  Look what I get to play around with.........lots and lots and lots of 4" squares from Red Rooster's Tokyo Collection.  Some glue, a pattern, two Amy Bradley notecards, and two balloons rounded out my package. It's so much fun to open up surprise packages.  Thank you Madame Samm for cheering on the quirky quilters of the world. 

9 Geese A Flying

Yesterday I enjoyed taking a class with Sue Rasmussen.  She has two signature techniques.....one is curved flying geese and the other is pieced landscapes.  She has won numerous awards and deservedly so.  Her work is executed perfectly and she has an incredible design and color sense that draws you right in to her work. The class she offered to our guild was Curved Flying Geese.  Here is a picture of her class samples. 

 Here is the small sample piece that I worked on.  It was not done at the end of the 5 hour class.  I managed to finish it today.  You can see that I've figured out the basic technique but I have a ways to go on the drafting of the curve and the size of the blocks.  Actually, she said that we could make it as wonky or specific as we wanted.  I just kind of drew my lines random widths and had fun with it. 

I think I'll call this tumbling triangles.  They look like they are about ready to fall over.

 Will I ever use this technique to make borders for an actual quilt?  Probably not......maybe a wall-hanging if I'm feeling inspired.  I learned lots of good tips about paper-piecing, thread, sewing machines and needles from this class.  Every experience adds to my knowledge.  Most of all I had a good time quilting with my fellow guild members.  This piece may get more material added and it will become a table runner.

Messing Around With Scraps

I was bored.  I pulled out a basket that had lots of 5 1/2" scrap squares in it.  None of them matched.  A few of them sort of went together.  I decided to see what I could do with them.  Now I have a bunch of unrelated bigger blocks. 

Crazy!

 

 

I trimmed them down to 12 1/2" blocks.  I think I will cut out batting squares and backing and use them for practicing machine quilting.  Then maybe I will turn the quilted squares into ????????  Or I could use some of them as part of a backing for a quilt.  Basically, I just had fun but I should probably have been working on an UFO.

July Fourth In A Small Town

Alameda is a small town sitting on an island in the San Francisco Bay right next door to Oakland.  If you have ever flown into Oakland Airport, you have buzzed Alameda and I could probably wave at you from my patio.  Every Fourth of July, Alameda has an annual parade.  It is a truly hometown, home-grown affair highlighting the businesses and the people of the community.  We always sit towards the end of the 3+ mile parade route so we can enjoy the shade of the trees along Central Ave. 

House is decorated and ready for BBQ later

Tutu, friend, and Lissa in their "reserved" seats

This group puts up a Tiki Bar every year.

Honoring our flag and our nation

Little girls dressed in their patriotic colors

Best waffles in town....an Alameda tradition

Newer cafe but quite popular with the locals

Enjoying the parade and the family time together

We might not have floats but we have an Octopus