Feathered Star update

I finally finished piecing the last feathered star block only to realize I don't like those two bottom light blue tips. I should have seen it before I pieced it but I didn't. I am so done with this project that I'm even considering coloring in the light blue flowers with a fabric marker. Instead after I've decided I can and will do it, I'll probably rip out the two tips and replace them. I don't like redoing anything.

The next challenge is finding sashing, cornerstone, and border fabrics which don't compete with the feathered stars. I doubt I have enough of anything in my stash but I'll spend some time next week looking through my Kaffe Fasset tubs of fabric.

This was part of my flower garden after the rain earlier this week. Next week we are expecting high temperatures to reach into the low 90's. It won't look so lush and pretty then! The weeds are already growing and I'm pulling what I can daily.

I'm not looking forward to next week's heat but I am looking forward to having my first hair appointment in three months! My hair currently reminds me of the shag style I wore in high school.

Have a great weekend! I'll be working on a landscape project.

Mayleen

"Interesting Improv" is finished ... well, except for the label and hanging sleeve. Its not as improv as some quilts can be but it was a struggle for me to get it to look like this. The reason for the name is not that I thought it was that interesting but it came from my husband. While I was piecing it, I asked him what he thought of it and "Interesting" was his response. He probably was thinking why, just why!?! Why? Because I wanted to try it.

I'm currently working on the last Feathered Star block for this wall hanging. It was begun in a workshop with Peggy Martin when she visited Prairie Quilt Guild in Wichita. I thought the back plaid fabric might be the border but I was wrong, way too black. 

I've also been spending time working outside. Sharing some of the flowers in our yard. 

 

Peonies

Spiderwort

Iris

Verbena 

Iris

Guess who found the cat mint and won't share?

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Our garage cleaning project continues because its too muddy to work in the yard. This time I have to clean off the shelves in my corner of the garage, eeek. :)

Mayleen

When the stay at home order began, I decided I wanted to do two quilt related things: 1. Finish or make progress on a few UFO's and 2. Learn a new technique. The first and only new technique I've managed to work on is an Improv wall hanging. This project challenged me because I have a difficult time using solid fabrics, I wanted to sew straight lines, and I really just wanted to sew with my favorite colors instead of using all the colors.

As you can see, I'm at the binding stage. I should have been able to finish the binding in a day because it is only a large wall hanging size but I've been dawdling and finding more interesting things to do. Maybe I'll have finished by next weekend and maybe there will even be a label and hanging sleeve stitched on! That's a big maybe.

In the back of the photo, are two of my UFO projects. I'm working on the third block of a 4 block Feathered Star wall hanging begun in a workshop taught by Peggy Martin at the quilt guild I attend. The third and really tedious project is ripping out my attempt at free motion quilting on another wall hanging. There have been many times I've been tempted to stuff it in a bag and donate it.

Have a wonderful weekend!
I'll be helping my husband clean out the garage. :)

Mayleen

Recently, I've started reading blogs again and realized how much I've missed them. Reading about other quilters' lives and projects has helped me keep a more positive frame of mind during all the Covid-19 and political posts on Facebook. I've decided to occasionally post on my blog just as a record of my quilts, gardening, and life.

 

This was the first peony bloom in my flower garden this past week.

 

Enjoy each day because we aren't guaranteed tomorrow,

Mayleen