The recent string of rainy weeks meant some work has been accomplished. Here's what I have been doing.
I made a set of moose dolls for a friend that visited last week. Sew Adorable! I have a stash of "bodies," just had to make the clothes and finish the faces.
Got my top done in time for last Thursday's Breakfast Club. It is always good to have a deadline.
I did a bit of landscaping. See the pile of rocks in the distant background? I used a furniture dolly to move one rock at time to place on the hillside, next to my metal tubs. The plants are doing great. The real test will be next spring when we see what survives the winter. Still need to fill five steps with cement on the left side of the photo. I don't do cement work! Hubby and my son did the first five and then ran out of cement.
Then it was on to my favorite step in the quilting process...binding. You can see I had a little help from Eli when it came to sewing the binding on at the machine. It is so sweet to have a cat in my studio...hair and all...I missed it so much the past six years.
McKinley was very cooperative about my photo shoot of the finished quilt.
For my birthday last spring, I bought a nice quilt display kit. I used it for the first time today. Love it. Easy to use all by myself. Made by Craftguard. I highly recommend it.
"Bali Volcano Stars"
69 x 82
Blocks made using the Missouri Star Company's Disappearing Hour Glass block, as seen on their youtube video. The technique uses 10-inch layer cake squares and a background fabric cut in 10-inch squares. I added the inner border of the background fabric and a piano key border using a companion Bali pop. A 6-inch border so the strips were cut 6 1/2-inches long.
The quilting gives the illusion of curved corners...only straight seams in this super simple technique.
I decided to try and finish another top in autumn colors. I have pretty much worked out my quilting design...just need to do some marking before it goes on the quilt frame.
The rain stopped and I think it is official...fall has come to our part of Alaska. It is my favorite season. I love the brilliant colors...especially on a sunny, blue sky day. Our leaves are just starting to change colors.
Quilting may not get much attention for awhile...
fall already! I am looking forward to it here but I know I have at least 6 weeks to go if not right up to the end of October with the weather here this summer. We do cement work too and my job is always to smooth it out nice as I do it better LOL. never thought to use a furniture dolly to move the rock,I always get the riding mower out and we have a small wagon attached and I move them that way but I have to try to lift them first LOL sometimes works sometimes doesn't. Love all the quilts and the moose dolls!!
ReplyDeleteOh my....Debbie, what a beautiful post !!
ReplyDeleteCongrats for your top finished and I love your big quilt... Your quilting is awesome and the colors are going with Fall and like you, it's my favourite season.
You realized a wonderful garden ! Is Eli playing in it with McKinley ? He is growing very fast !!
Your garden turn beautiful!! Love your finish quilt! Eli is very cute!
ReplyDeleteWow, Debbie, this post is so inspiring. I love, love, love your autumn quilt...might need to make one for myself (when I can find the time, of course). Your new garden area is coming along and is quite pretty. Love the deck. Hugs from Branson, Mo area.
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy! Your plants are looking lovely - don't the flowers always seem to perk up when the temperatures start to drop! Your quilts are great - love the fall colors of the one on which Eli is lounging. Your moose dolls are adorable too.
ReplyDeleteWow! I'd have to move my sewing machine outside if I had that view to look at everyday. It's gorgeous. Your projects are beautiful, too, and the reindeer are just adorable! You have been busy!
ReplyDeleteOh my what a spectacular view you have. Love your yard. Of course I don't envy you moving all those rocks one at a time! Yes, September is my favorite time of the year up there too. Nothing beats the colors or Alaska in the fall. I'm drooling just thinking about it!
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