September Monthly Mini

September is a busy month in the boatyard. It is hard to believe that we have already begun decommissioning boats to be hauled out for the winter. There are still a few who, like me, realize that September offers some of the best cruising of the year. I just love watching boats sail in through the gut just before sunset. 

This month’s (very simple) mini, “September Sunset” reminds me of the wonderful colors on the horizon this time of year.

 Further your quilting horizons by visiting my fellow mini makers (alphabetically):

Quilting Babcia (Amity Quilter)

Randy (Barrister’s Block)

Cathy (Big Lake Quilter)

Vicki (From the Button Box)

Barb (Fun with Barb)

Julie (Julie K Quilts)

Kathy (Kathy’s Quilts)

Sandy (My Material Creations)

Barbara (Quilts, Gravestones and Elusive Ancestors)

Janet (Rogue Quilts)

Kyle (Timeless Reflections)

Cynthia (Wabi-Sabi Quilts)

Medallion Challenge and a New Baby Quilt

 

Barb (Fun with Barb) and Randy (Barrister’s Block) and I wanted to do some sort of challenge that was simple with very few rules. We decided on a medallion quilt where each of us would choose a border. Sort of a “Round Robin” where the bird never leaves the roost. We started with a center applique (or in my case this lovely cheater panel!) and then chose the next 3 borders (in any order we pleased) – flying geese, four patch, and half square triangles with stars as an added bonus if we could work them in.

 

I finally finished mine over the weekend. I use my favorite “eccentric” print from Marcus Fabrics and just pulled scraps out of my bins. We had a lot of fun!

 

It is amazing how different the three of them are. Visit Barb’s (here) and Randy’s (here).

 

I also finished a baby quilt top for my niece who is due in November. I made baby quilts for each of my 10 nieces and nephews when they were born and I have made one for each of their children (14 thus far).

 

Diana’s nursery “theme” is based on her love for the artist, Dahlov Ipcar. The giraffe and simple tree shape along with the little flowers in the corner blocks were inspired by Dahlov’s “Calico Jungle” book. I ordered a cute jungle print from Hancock’s but when it arrived, I discovered it was a heavy indoor/outdoor fabric (no attention to detail these days!), so I had to re-group. I looked around “Alewives Fabrics” website and found this adorable print with little girls climbing trees and the color was perfect!

 

Dahlov made only one quilt (for her son) in the 1940’s, but she did make the most elaborate and colorful soft sculptures. I wish I could have shared this quilt with her. She would have loved it. She always told me she had no patience for quilting, but she loved to look at them. She passed away in 2017 just shy of her 100^th birthday.

 

Hope you all get some quilty time this week!

Spread a little kindess

 In Janet’s (Rogue Quilter) post of her monthly mini on Monday she asked us to do something kind for our neighbor. Lori’s (Humble Quilts) post today asked us to start a movement of kindness posting. If we can all post a message of peace and kindness and maybe even a little joy, perhaps we can lift the spirits of someone in need.

 Keeping it quilty, this is a little quilt I made a few years ago for the Quilt Index auction. I called it “Earth on Piece”. 

I am sending all my positive vibes to everyone on this planet. Everyone! Whether I agree with you or not, we all deserve a little human kindness. 

Peace be with you all.

 

Fig Leaf and Flowers

 

 

I purchased another “Collector with a Needle” pattern by Dawn Cook-Ronningen some time ago and I have finally stolen found the time to begin the applique. 

 It took me a while to find the perfect background. I didn’t want to go the conventional route of just plain muslin. I first chose a 3 Sisters print, “Aster Manor” by Moda (the fabric on the top of the photo) but I didn’t have enough so Cyndi (Busy Thimble) came to the rescue with this gorgeous Ro Gregg from Northcott. 

 Dawn and her daughter start with a fabulous and unique antique quilt and then develop a pattern. This is the 4^th I have purchased and I have loved them all. They are very concise with no adjustments necessary. However, I have (as usual) modified the pattern just a tad as a matter of personal preference. I didn’t like the stem sneaking in behind the center wreath, so I simply snipped it off and ended it abruptly at the base of the leaves. 

 Whenever I have a design that is symmetrical or needs attention to placement, I use the backbasting method.

This allows for accurate placement of pieces and since there are 183 petals along this whirling vine, I think it requires proper placement! I am having a ball with this. There are 727 petals in all (if I have counted properly) and I plan to cut each of them from a different fabric.

 You can visit the Facebook page (here) to see all the variations. There are some wonderful color combinations. Enjoy the eye candy and have a great day!