Graduation Quilt Fun!

As all of you fellow Stixers are aware, I graduated from law school this May. (I will now accept your congratulations and deep awe.) In addition to my own personal glory of having successfully completed three horrifically difficult years of law torture, my many law school friends graduated as well, including my best friend, Torrie Poplin. Well, when trying to figure out what would be a proper graduation present for the best friend I made during law school (who definitely helped me retain my sanity throughout, mostly through weekend Bollywood movie marathons), I knew I wanted to get her something special. And then it came to me...I should make her a quilt! It was absolutely perfect!

Unfortunately, this revelation came about one week before finals and didn't leave me with any time to actually make her a quilt for graduation. Never one to give up, I got her a graduation card and included in it a notice that she would be the recipient of one hand-made quilt by Lauren R. Moser (hopefully esquire) sometime before the New Year. Naturally, she was ecstatic. And so, I was committed to making her a quilt. Now I was just left with figuring out what quilt to make. Toward that end, while I was slavishly studying for the bar exam that was to occur at the end of July, I asked my Mom to keep her eyes opening for a cute pattern that would suit Torrie. She came up with a few ideas and we decided that I would pick out a pattern and fabric from my Mom's stash during my visit home following the bar exam.

I spent 10 full days at home (not nearly enough time) following the horrific two day exam and during my time our good friend CeCe came over to visit and brought along a quilt she had recently finished and wanted to try quilting. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to make it. The pattern was simple and fun and absolutely adorable when made up with bright fabrics. I immediately requested CeCe share the pattern and she agreed. Thus, I had my pattern. To complete my prep work, I went down to the cabin and raided Mom's stash. I began opening bins at random, snatching out fabric (even from project bags), and laying claim to everything the eye could see, heedless of Mom's attempts to rein me in. She did manage to control me somewhat, however, and after she put a lot of fabric back and gave me a few more lectures on proper color and fabric choices, I had everything needed to start Torrie's quilt.

I began my graduation quilting adventure with the first step we must all take in quilting...cutting. This is a quilt with a great deal of cutting as you use over 25 different fabrics from which you must cut a nearly uncountable number of strips (actually, it is quite countable, but after completing all that cutting the numbers have been blocked from my brain in an act of self preservation). And so, I spent two days of my trip home simply cutting out Torrie's quilt and by the time my trip was over, it was ready to go. Before I returned to Portland, I made up one entire block just to ensure I was doing everything properly and I am now pleased to say that I have fully overcome my horrendous cutting mental block that I'm sure Sally remembers quite vividly and which made me vow at 13 years old that I would never quilt again. My cutting was perfect and my block went together without a single hitch.

Now, I'm sure many of you have suffered a problem similar to the one to which I myself am quite often a victim - sewer's block. Usually this occurs after a period of time spent sewing with one's friends. After returning to your home and your solitary sewing space, it is nearly impossible to begin sewing. The loss of companionship and encouragement acts as a huge block, preventing you from sewing on your own - somehow it's just not as much fun anymore. (Or am I the only one who suffers?) As this affliction has befallen me many a time when I'm not sewing with my Mom or at Stix Retreats, I was naturally concerned that upon my return home I would not dedicate myself to finishing Torrie's quilt as I knew I should in order to get it done by my self inflicted end date. But, in this case, I worried unnecessarily. I returned to Portland and managed to set aside several days between other trips and job searching on which to work on Torrie's graduation quilt and I am pleased to now announce that it is complete! Today, I sewed on the final border of the quilt and it is now ready to go to my fabulous mother for quilting. Woohoo!

I have always felt a great sense of accomplishment upon the completion of my sewing projects, but perhaps never more so than now when I have completed this quilt entirely on my own and done at least half of it under my own direction and impetus. No mother forced me out of bed each morning and down to the cabin to work. No, I did it on my own and it is all the sweeter for that fact. And I can now say with absolute conviction that my Mom is correct...it is easy to finish a quilt if you just sew a little each day.

I hope you have enjoyed my tale and I can't wait to show all you wonderful ladies Torrie's graduation quilt at our Stix Retreat in October!

Patt Blair Workshop

I spent most of this past weekend at the Sutter Creek Community Center attending a quilting/painting workshop taught by Patt Blair. Actually, while we had the option of bringing our sewing machines, all sixteen participants spent the entire time painting. Patt is an amazing artist and great teacher (that's not always the case...often artists do not make good teachers). Anelie Belden did an equally good job organizing the event, which was complete with breakfast, lunch, and snacks (food is very, very important!); a personalized cup and goody bags for everyone. FUN! I'd do it again in a heartbeat! In fact, Anelie is going to organize a weekend with Patt painting portraits. I'll be there with my growing collection of inks.

I'm including a picture of my project in progress (it hasn't been quilted yet). I love it. Only wish I could take credit for the design and fantastic format...but, I can't. I used one of several drawings Patt provided to the students. Three others painted this same tiger. Each was slightly different, but all very striking when finished. It's called Tiger Eyes.

Distractions

I last blogged about the Unusual Lone Star (ULS) and even included pictures of the quilt in progress. Sadly, it hasn't changed much in the last three weeks. Not to say I've been idle and I do have plans to finish it in the next few weeks. Where does the time go? We spent the past week in Portland and, as usual, had a wonderful time. Maria joined us for a couple of days and being flush with both time and money, Lauren and I took her shopping and helped outfit her with a new wardrobe. What fun! We spent two days running around the mall hunting for bargains and left with a car full of beautiful clothes and shoes. Here's a picture of Maria with some of her new duds...

Last Thursday, the four of us (Verne joined us) attended the Northwest Quilting Expo in Portland. This has become an annual event for us and one we all enjoy. The most remarkable exhibit was the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Challenge Exhibit. Search on this title if you're interested in seeing the quilts, but as with most quilts, you need to see them in person. It was all I could do to stand back, admire, and not touch. The exhibit was comprised of 288 small art quilts based on monthly theme and color challenges made by 12 different artists. It was impressive!

I spent most of my wad during the first 1/2 hour, buying more ink and paraphernalia for my upcoming Patt Blair class, purchasing a berry colored Tutto sewing case (which came in handy to wheel around our purchases), and bought some solid fabrics from the Stitchin' Post. The girls each found a few must-have patterns/projects. Having time on her hands as she searches for a job, a few weeks ago Lauren called the event organizer and volunteered to work the show on Friday and Saturday. Interestingly, she was assigned to a vendor, who turned out to be the first kiosk we visited and the man selling the inks I purchased for my class. His demo used the inks in a very different way than the techniques taught in Patt Blair's class, but he was very entertaining and never without a crowd. Lauren finished her work as I am writing this and called to let me know that her boss of two days paid her mileage/parking/meals and $250 in appreciation of her hard work. Not bad for an unemployed attorney*. And, he gave her a set of metallic inks and even more paraphernalia to give to her Mommy! Now, isn't that sweet?!

* Oh, did I mention...at 2 p.m. on Friday, the results of the Oregon bar exam were posted. Not having enough courage to check the results (and busy working the quilting expo), it wasn't until 2:45 p.m. when a law student friend texted Lauren to congratulate her on passing the bar (the results are posted online for all to see). We have another Esquire in the family and we couldn't be prouder of her accomplishment.

An Unusual Lone Star

I may have mentioned my latest project (and Sandy's, too)...an Unusual Lone Star from Karen Stone's book, Karen Stone's Quilts (apparently, she puts all her creative energy into making gorgeous quilts, not thinking of catchy names for her books!). Both Sandy and I started this quilt after the last retreat. I have been trailing her in making my blocks and still am (she's almost finished and I have about 15 to go). The great thing about being the chief blogger?...I get to decide what to blog and which pictures to post! So, while I'm a bit behind Sandy in making blocks, I put together what I've done this morning and  snapped this picture. It's missing two diamonds and the blocks need some rearranging, but you get the idea!

Fair's fair! Send me a picture of yours, Sandy, and I'll share it with our many readers...(LOL, that's more text talk: "laugh out loud")!

Next day: Sandy took my challenge and sent me these pics of her ULS...it's looking great!

Another Sierra Rose

Ok, I know I've got to stop making totes! I just couldn't help myself, though, and had to make another Sierra Rose with higher contrasting fabric. BTW (that's "by the way" in text talk), did I give Verne credit for coming up with that wonderful name? No? Well then, here goes...Mega Kudos, Verne!

Where'd August Go?

I've been calling this end-of-the-month update "Longarm Update" or something equally descriptive. And, I've done pretty well this year, if I say so myself, averaging three long-arm projects a month! WooHoo! However, I didn't do as well this month and it's all because of the HEAT! It was beastly hot here and most days the heat was intolerable in the cabin! Unbearable! The best I could do was to suffer through the mornings and then quit around 1 p.m. It was just too hot and I was too miserable to work any longer. Anyway...That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!! 

On one of the cooler days I managed to long-arm Maria's black/brown/neutral geometric quilt for her friend Deanna, who turns 50 this fall. It really turned out well (I'll add a picture just as soon as Maria returns from fishing in September). This quilt is a beautiful example of what can be done with high contrast and highly textured fabrics. It is full of movement and overall striking!

Mid-month Lauren was here for a visit and forced me out of the house and down to the studio to make a quilt for Clara Imper, Verne's mother, who turned 95 in August. I always think of the French Rose as a "quick" quilt to make. Wrong. There's all that cutting and then all that sewing (five petal layers and several leaves for each of 25 blocks) and, just when you think it's about finished, that pesky little inner border of 3 1/2" squares to make. Finally, it had to be quilted! Well, it took several days with both of us working on it. We finished it just a few days before Verne left on his road trip with his brothers (all five of them) to Boise to celebrate Clara's birthday and then on to Lewiston for Hot August Nights! Clara likes the quilt, but more importantly, Lauren and I feel really good about ourselves for having made something for a woman who has handmade gifts for others for many, many years. 

What else have I been doing? Well, as of the last day of the month I'd made 100 blocks for the Unusual Lone Star (just 28 to go), and a half dozen stashbuster totes (they are SO addictive!). Sandy, if you're reading this: This is not a contest to see who finishes the ULS first! Just relax and enjoy the process! Art is a journey! Savor every moment you're making those tedious little blocks, questioning your colors and whether or not your fabrics have enough contrast! Just enjoy and don't rush the experience of the Unusual Loan Star! This isn't a race! Hmmmmm...so says the most competitive woman I know! :) 

I've set several goals for September, including a week in Portland to visit Lauren and attend the Northwest Quilting Expo. The day after our return home I'm attending a weekend workshop with Patt Blair...can't wait. Oh, and I plan to finish my ULS (don't take that as a challenge, Sandy) and long-arm three quilts! It's going to be a busy month. Thank goodness, it has cooled off and beginning to feel like fall...my favorite time of year! I'm feeling energized!