Orphan Block progress

I thought you might like to see the orphan block quilts which I've been working on since January. I received a lot of orphan blocks from guild members after my year as guild president was over.

I've challenged myself to put them together in different layouts and, as much as possible, use only fabric from my stash. I know several members of my local quilt guild, Prairie Quilt Guild, occasionally read my blog so maybe they'll recognize their orphan block!

 This is Orphan Block quilt #1 which I still need to finish. My plans are to big stitch quilt Baptist Fans on the top. Considering that this top was put together back in January, I need to make time to finish it. All of the vintage blocks were given to me by guild member, Jackie Clark. If this looks familiar to you, I wrote a blog post about it in January.

 Heart Orphan Block Quilt #2 - approximately 84x92"

Since the photo was taken, it was machine quilted by Dynamic Duo Machine Quilting in Wichita, KS. Just needs binding and some embellishment. I saw this layout or something similar on Pinterest and can't find it now to give the original maker credit. If you recognize it, please let me know. This layout used up a lot of orphan blocks but I had issues trying to keep it square. Probably a once in a lifetime project!

 Orphan Block Medallion Quilt #3 - 73x73"

There are 16 orphan blocks in this quilt, three of which were cut in quarters to make them small enough to fit. I used some of my Kaffe Fassett stash which I think really perked up and tied together the blocks. It was quilted by Bluebird Machine Quilting in Wichita. I still need to make and stitch on the binding.

Orphan Block Wall Hanging #4 - approximately 56x78"

I received quite a few red, white and blue blocks so I decided to put them together in a flag layout. It looks wonky in the photo but it isn't. I spent a lot of time measuring, picking out and restitching after I discovered it was over an inch larger on the top than on the bottom. Its going to the machine quilter today.

I have enough orphan blocks to make more projects but I need to concentrate on binding so that these projects plus my other quilts will be ready to show at guild meeting. I'm our guild speaker on September 13 and if you're in the area, I hope you're able to attend. Not a member? You may visit twice for free. Here's a link to the Prairie Quilt Guild website with more information. 

Until next time, Mayleen

My July projects

The Prairie Quilt Guild's July speaker was Lea McComas. I took her two day workshop on Portrait Quilts and hey, this is me! It was a challenge, especially the glasses, but I'm actually thinking of trying to make a portrait of the grandkids or a landscape art quilt or a tractor or ???  

I finally finished the heart orphan block quilt top and its being machine quilted this week. I can't take credit for this idea, saw it somewhere on the internet but can't find it again to give credit to the original maker. Does anyone recognize this idea? I did a little fine tuning after this photo was taken and also plan to add some embellishment later. It was supposed to be a wall hanging size but measures a whopping 84 x 92". 

Here are the orphan blocks I'm using for project #3. Any guesses what I'm going to do with them? Its already challenging my limited math skills. After making several mistakes and deciding to embrace them as design choices, I sure hope this project looks good when its finished because right now I'm unsure where its going.

Here's the color scheme. I love color!

Since I don't do well in the heat and humidity outside, I'm finding more time to stitch this week. My question - why do the weeds flourish in my flower beds while the flowers wilt? The other day I found a weed which had escaped my attention by growing near an invasive vine in our yard. It was taller than me! Since it's kind is usually pulled before they're even a foot high, I had no idea it could grow so tall. Weeds on steroids? So, so looking forward to the cooler temperatures of fall!

Until next time, Mayleen

More quilt show photos

It's Monday morning here so all I can say is "Enjoy!"

 Sami's Field of Dreams by Malerie Albertson

Machine Quilted by Jan Hutchison

Quilt, pieced/appliqued, machine quilted, 2 person - 3rd place

 Fine Feathered Friends by Tamara Gross

Machine quilted by Jan Hutchison

Quilt, pieced/appliqued, machine quilted, 2 person - 1st place

 Patchwork of the Crosses by Lois Stoltenberg

Hand Quilted by Lois Stoltenberg

Quilt/wall hanging, hand quilted, 1 person - 1st place

 Chick Jubilee entered by Siriporn Hollar

Made by Jan Munroe

Machine Quilted by Siriporn Hollar

Wall Hanging, appliqued, machine quilted, 2 person - 1st place

 Brody's Quilt by Janet Ghilino Bates

Wall Hanging, Pieced, machine quilted - 1 person

This didn't win a ribbon but what a cute baby quilt!

 Sew Vintage by Janeen Miller

Machine Quilted by Donna Harrison

Other Non-Traditional: Photo Transfer, T-Shirt, Selvage, Machine Embroidery, etc. - 2nd Place

 Snow Days by Sandra Davis

Machine Quilted by Donna Harrison

Other Traditional: Crazy Quilts, Yo-Yo's, Hand Embroidery, Etc. - 2nd Place

 Red Radiance by Shirley Crawford

Machine Quilted by Kim Hull

Other Traditional: Crazy Quilts, Yo-Yo's, Hand Embroidery, etc. - 1st. place

 Gather Round by Margo Schrag

Machine Quilted by Jan Hutchison

My First Judged Quilt - 1st place

 Mom's Roses by Doreen Hersh

Machine Quilted by Doreen Hersh

 Winter Cardinals by Linda Beachy-Hughes

Quilted by Linda Beachy-Hughes

Quilt made from PQG Workshop - 1st place

 Bitty Blocks by Jenny Hutson

Quilted by Jenny Hutson

Miniature Quilt - 2nd Place, Best Piecing

 Nosegay by Jan Hutchison

Quilted by Jan Hutchison

Miniature Quilt - 1st place, Judges Merit Award

 Sunflower, Pink Hibiscus, Red Rose, Morning Glory - Trudy Carpenter

Machine Quilted by Jan Hutchison

Beautiful!

 Vintage Flower Garden - entered by Jan Hutchison

Top maker - unknown

Quilted by Virginia Davison

See you next time with maybe pictures of the heart orphan block quilt top, Mayleen

Quilt Show Pictures - picture heavy!

Some of the quilts from the 2016 Common Threads Regional Quilt Show last week in Wichita, Kansas - Enjoy!

 Spring Bouquet Nouveau - Donna J. Mease

Quilted by Jan Hutchison

Best of Show, Best Applique, 1st place

Quilt, hand appliqued, machine quilted, 2 person

  Rose Star - Lois Stoltenberg

One of the quilts in her hand quilted special exhibit

 Pod Quilt - Jo Oliver - 1st place

Quilt, pieced, machine quilted, 1 person

 Hot Wings - Jan Hutchison - 1st place, Best Use of Color

Quilt, pieced/appliqued, machine quilted, 1 person

 Dazzle - Shirley Binder - 1st place

Quilted by Annette Haga

Quilt, pieced, machine quilted, basic, 2 person

 Flamenco Dancer - Jan McCreary - 2nd place

Quilted by Jan Hutchison

Quilt, pieced, machine quilted, custom, 2 person

 Antiquated Calculating; or This is the Way We Used to Do It - Lois Crane

Quilted by Jan Hutchison

The equations were originally embroidered on her college dorm curtains about 60 years ago!

 Good Morning Sunshine - Malerie Albertson

Quilted by Siriporn Hollar

I loved her choice of fabrics!

 The Influence of Tucson - Judy Ermey

Quilted by Siriporn Hollar

Beautiful machine quilting!

 Fiesta - Janet Ghilino Bates
1st place, Best Innovative Quilt

Modern Quilt

 My Swatch - Rebecca Keimig

Modern Quilt

 "Table Needs a Quilt" - Jo Oliver - 3rd place

Modern Quilt

 Rebel - Malerie Albertson

Quilted by Kim Hull

Art Quilt, original design, any technique

 Pomegranate - Tamara Gross - 3rd place

Quilted by Jan Hutchison

Quilt, hand appliqued, machine quilted, 2 person

 Almas' Rose Wreath - Barbara Nickelson
 2nd place, Best Machine Quilting

Quilted by Jan Hutchison

Quilt, hand appliqued, machine quilted, 2 person

More pictures of quilts in the show coming soon!