A Gaggle of Geese

You always have time to do the things you put first.  Well, in my life--it's not quilting. I work full time, have a home to take care of along with two high maintenance pups that think they are people.  While I would love a full-time laundry service, chef and maid service -- alas I am just blessed with - a home full of love from Don and the pups along with 3 shelves of quilt fabric.

I know quilting is a passion because even though I have days when I'm exhausted -- I still want to quilt.  So I plan for exhaustion-- because I know it's going to happen.

These cutout squares will turn into flying geese blocks.  I cut them out when I'm not tired and tuck them into a basket. Many nights if I just take twenty minutes to quilt, I count the day a win.

My mother worked outside of the home from the time I was 8 until she retired. I have all these great memories of us cooking together, sewing for me, ironing (lots of ironing), cleaning, sitting at my football games, dance lessons... but I never remember her ever doing anything simple for herself. Even in retirement, her life generally revolves around my dad and taking care of him.

I can't imagine a life without quilting.....

The Barn Quilt

I may not own the barn... but I have the dream and the quilt for it.  It's a North Star block. Don is going to frame it for me in gray weathered wood and I'll hang it in my house.  

I had wished for one for a while...and too cheap to buy one--- I made it myself. It is painted on plywood, 16 inches square.

It's Friday evening....heading toward a rainy weekend.  Permission to quilt.

Wild Goose Wednesday

In typical fashion--- I'm late to the party....  But I'm still playing.  My favorite quilt blocks are the North wind and just about any variation of a flying goose block.  Never fails-- it is what my eyes and my heart are drawn to.

I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone this year:  Harder patterns, new ways of quilting, new fabric choices.

Temecula Quilt Company is running Wild Goose Wednesday with ideas for inspiration of using the blocks.  One fat quarter of fabric and creme fabric from my stash created these:

Now-- you're seeing the different fabric choices.  These are 2.5 by 5.  I also tried a new way of making flying geese and I'm in love with it.  Technique here.

There's no waste. No wonky triangle corners and you get multiple blocks from one set.

Thunderstorms off an on all night.  My 80 pound Ripley was terrified.  I need to be drink lots of coffee this morning plus having it funneled through an IV as well.  Oh well-- We'll all sleep better tonight.

Bliss....

It's a Quilt.  Finally completed-- Binding and all. A Brenda Riddle pattern, Bliss,  it is called.  I completed the center in January and procrastinated about the border.  It was a new technique.  I studied the instructions for about a month. I finally got brave enough to tackle it.  I had purchased the gray fabric before I chose the pattern.  I was a little short, but it worked out that I had enough.

In a couple of weeks, I'll love it-- right now I'm just glad it is complete.  It seemed like I was road-blocked from completing it.  All I can think is-- never underestimate the value of keeping your machine oiled.  Makes a huge difference. 

I machine quilted it myself -- so it is just a small meander all over.

It will hang in my breakfast area opposite gray hickory floors and then probably rest on the back of my couch downstairs.

I pictured it in my head before I started and it turned out just that way.  

As you can tell, spring is finding it's way to the U.P.  Our winter was average. Kids only had one snow day all year.  It just seemed like winter wouldn't let go.  Still too early to plant flowers or a garden --- so I quilt as much as I can.

We're all getting older, but daily counting our blessings.  Off to work to pay for quilt fabric --

Have a great Tuesday.