SEWING SNAKE BLOCKS TOGETHER

 I'm sewing the Snake blocks together then sewing them into columns. 

Got two done today.

I'm really starting to like how the arcs don't match up.  It gives the quilt more energy. 

MAKING SNAKE BLOCKS

 I cut out all of the center pieces of the Snake blocks and put them up on the design wall, moving them around until I like the way they flowed.

The I cut out the corner pieces and put them up.

Then I added the green arcs.

Everything needs to be sewn together now.  Easy peasy.

WEEK 25

 It's Week 25, the middle of this project.  

This is the improv block of the week for Quilters Playcation 2024 with Cheryl Arkison.

CHECKERBOARD QUILT QUILTED

 I loaded the Checkerboard quilt onto the longarm and set up a computer guided pantograph and sat back and watched Erik work.  I picked a fairly simple pattern, not too dense.  I used a medium purple thread on the top and a light grey on the back.  They both blend in really well.

We got it done today, too.

It's quilted.

JELLY'S PORTRAIT

I've been taking Jelly's portrait on her birthday every year in the same place in Lincoln Park.

But, unfortunately, they've torn down the wall I would place her on.

So, we found a different place in the park.

Jelly - age 9

Also on our morning walk, we saw a Barred Owl - the crows pointed him out.

NEW WATERCOLORS

 I got a new palette from Art Tool Kit.  

I swatched the new colors.

WEEK 24

 I almost followed directions today.  

Here's the improv block I made with direction from Cheryl Arkison on IG today, because it's Tuesday and it's Quilters Playcation 2024.

HOMEMADE TEMPLATES

 Darrell and I drew up some templates I wanted for a 14" Snake Block.  Well, I told him the sizes and he drew it up in his CAD program.

Today, he cut them out on his CNC.

Making the blocks will now be so easy!

The 1/8" acrylic being held on the CNC with double-backed tape.

I made two blocks, trying out the templates.

NOT HAPPY WITH QUILTING

 I really don't like the way the quilting on the Sunrise quilt is looking.

I made the difficult decision to take it all out and start over.

It's too 'puffy' and it detracts from the curves in the piecing.  It may be the wool batting, so I may use cotton instead.

But, anyway, it all needs to come out.

NEXT SHIPMENT

 I received the next monthly shipment of Artisan Colors.  Beautiful!

BACKING FOR CHECKERBOARD

 I inked the label and put together the backing for Checkerboard. 

I started with a twin sized flat sheet I'd purchased the last time I took Mom shopping at the Salvation Army.  It was quite big enough so I added some grey.

WEEK 23 OF PLAYCATION

 I wasn't able to tune in live to Cheryl Arkison's Quilter's Playcation 2024 on Tuesday, so I watched the replay this morning and made this week's improv block.  I did it wrong again.

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

 We've gotten into the habit of going out to breakfast after our morning walk on Sundays.

Our usual place to go is the Alpine Diner in White Center.  Good food and a great waitress.  

DELRIDGE FARMERS MARKET

 I joined the Seattle Urban Sketchers today.  They met at the Delridge Farmers Market at 10am.

I had to leave early, but I got a couple of quick sketches in first.

Unfortunately, my ink drawing hadn't dried before I started applying the watercolor and the ink ran and muddied the colors.  I hate when that happens.  I emptied out that pen when I got home and refilled it with Noodlers Black ink (waterproof).  Hopefully, that won't happen again.

BACK TO THE BLUE SLABS

 I've been working on the Blue SLABS again.  I started out trying to make pieces to join the blocks together, but that was time consuming.  So, instead, I'm just making the blocks I already have join together.  Sometimes that means adding, sometimes that means editing.

Here's how it looks so far.  I've got the left side all sewn together.  Lots of partial seams.

BINDING FIX

 I sewed the binding onto Peach Fuzz this morning.  The bias binding I had made turned out to be about 36" short.  Uh oh.  I knew I had very little left of the Kona Salmon that I made it with.   But, I was able to get three straight of the grain strips from it - enough to make the gap.

So, in the future if anyone wonders why this quilt has some bias binding and a little straight binding, that's why.  It'll be an experiment to see if one wears better than the other.

MAKING BINDING

 I made the binding for Peach Fuzz using Kona Salmon.  

WEEK 22 OF PLAYCATION 2024

 Here is the block I made today with Cheryl Arkison for the Quilters Playcation 2024.

I got all of the blocks out and put them up on the design wall.  This is the first time I've seen them all together.  I'm liking how they look together.

BIRTHDAY FLOWERS

 I eco-dyed onto paper some of the flowers I received for my birthday.

PEACH FUZZ QUILTED

 I loaded the Peach Fuzz quilt onto the longarm and set up a pantograph and got Erik working.  I had 3 passes done when I paused for lunch.

When I came back it was time to join the Brave Patch Monday Sewcial.  I muted and finished the quilting.  Peach Fuzz is now quilted.  That was a quick turn around.

COORDINATES QUILTED

 Finally!  After months of procrastination on my part I've finished the quilting on the Coordinates quilt.  There was a lot of thread color changes - 19 different spools used.  And, lots of thread tying off and burying, but I got it all done!  

And, I love it!