Fall

From hot, humid summer to wet, cool fall. I love the cooler weather. It seems good not to hear air conditioners and fans running 24/7. Ahhh, peace and quiet.

I took these pictures a couple days ago and thought I would share them. The cloud formations and the mix of pure white with gray was stunning that day. It's the time of the golden light--it makes everything seem just right. Enjoy!

More stash busting pics to come, as well as my finds at a "garage sale".

Hugs,

Sharon

Using the Newly-Acquired Stash, Part 2

Over the weekend, I actually cut and machine pieced an entire quilt top! It is about 60 x 80 inches and I just love the fabrics. The horseshoe and silver/gray print went well together, and I think the red was the perfect accent, even though there is no red in any of the fabrics.


I didn't have anywhere tall enough to take a full picture, so you will have to make do with an outside shot of most of it. It is so striking!


A close-up of one of the horse blocks.
And a bit larger section of the quilt, showing the four-patches and the two borders.

The pattern is in the June/July 2010 issue of Quilt magazine. It is called Swing Patch by Karen DuMont. I rarely make anything from someone else's pattern, but this just spoke to me, especially for the large horse print. I almost didn't know how to act with yardage already figured for me! This is a pattern that would be so lovely in the large florals available now, or any of the other great novelties.

Did you all enjoy the long weekend? Leaves are already turning color here in central New York. And the weather has turned brisk. Or at least it has been for the past few days. Rumor has it the temps will be back into the 80's by Wednesday.

Hugs,

Sharon

Using the Newly-Acquired Stash, Part 1

Since inquiring minds wanted to know.... Twenty plus fat quarters of batiks--purchased just a few weeks ago for the Lake George retreat. Colors and textures we would see at the lake. The birch trees were a gift from Myra at the retreat. A fun and unexpected surprise. Here is the top laid out and the top three rows sewn together.
The center completed.

The border fabric was bought just a couple weeks ago--I thought it added a sense of depth and mystery to the center. But...a definite directional that did not look good when used on the top and bottom borders. So...what to do?

In the first picture, you see two different corner options. A plain square and a purple/tan four patch.

Then the border fabric with a light blue in a four patch.

The same fabrics in reverse positions.

Four different fabrics in a four patch.

The winner:

Half-square triangles to break up the borders on the corners. Both are directional fabrics and I used them to advantage. Looking at this quilt gives me a sense of serenity--much like the feeling I get while at Wiawaka for the retreat. I have my eye on a tree-printed batik for the backing--yes, coveting more fabric!

Surprisingly, much of my recently purchased booty is to finish things! So I am planning to share things as I get them further along. Sort of a mystery! (OK, not really.)

Hugs,

Sharon

P.S. I just finished listening to The Black Hills by Nora Roberts (most excellent!) and am now listening to Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb. I'm reading horse training/riding books at the moment, so I don't imagine most of you would be interested. If you are, let me know and I'll share!

P.P.S. I recently heard of two quilters who had the new cotton/polyester thread by a well-known thread company actually MELT when ironed on a cotton setting! Literally melted and the seams pulled apart. Can you imagine? I'm sticking with good old 100% cotton thread. Just sayin'.