Quilt Tops

I often mention in my classes that new quilters should pick up eBay quilt tops in order to practice their skills.  Today, I decided to pick up a few “US-made quilt tops” and quilt them as “eBay Quilt Top” examples to show students.  I guess you could say I am going to practice what I teach.

So what did I buy?   Check out this log cabin quilt from eBay seller, jeano1961:

Look at all that lovely blank spaces to place some cool designs?

Here is a 1930’s vintage Dresden Plate quilt pattern using feed sack material in the Dresden Plates.  This beauty is in excellent shape:

Again, can you see some stunning quilting motifs in the yellow blocks?

And here is a lovely Pineapple Blossom scrap quilt:

Can’t wait to quilt them later in the year!  I will have fun designing them!

Anyone else ever buy nice quilt tops off of eBay?   Take care, Carla

 

 

Fiber Postcard

Hello, today I thought I would share a fiber postcard WIP that uses the selvages (frayed edges) of dyed fabrics:

I love to use everything… nothing gets thrown away when I dye fabric or use fabric bits.  Anyhow, I still need to finish the postcard today, then sew on some beads, too.

The oak leave quilt is together now- waiting for my table to become free.  I decided to work on yet another Quilt UFO- this one is a black and white log cabin- very neutral background.  The bright colorful pieces  will be later appliquéd on top of the background… perhaps I will also paint some shadows to complete the 3D effect I am trying for.  Here is the background logs getting pieced:

My own piecing style it to take something rather traditional- then put a modern spin to update it and make it more relevant for today.  The above quilt is the second quilt where I use a basic quilt pattern as a background or back drop to what was happening on top.

The first quilt I made using this process was a commission quilt a few years ago with my friend, Molly.  The finished quilt was later entered by Molly into the CA State Fair where it took a First Place and Best of Class.  It now hangs on permanent display at a Sacramento College.

Anyway, enjoy your day!!  Hugs, Carla

PS: Thank you for all the wonderful comments under yesterday’s post and blog contest.  There is still time to enter… hint: look for the post dated 5/5…  LOL!

Fancy Log Cabin

Been in a quilty mood, so here’s a log cabin quilt I finished today:

Who says you can’t quilt a humble log cabin quilt fancy?? Molly, this one’s for you, if you are reading this….

I started with a stencil by Anita Shackelford– one I used last year on that Carolina Lily quilt, then freehanded in between, repeating motifs used elsewhere in the quilt.

See those straight lines in the first picture? Yes, those were freehanded, too. LOL! Also, In the blue sashing is my fancy oak leaf border design. Overall, this was a very fun quilt to do!!

Hugs from Carla

Fun Friday

Woody Gate: Busy week here on the ranch! My rock mason, Robbie, and his trusty helper have been doing a bang up job on the Woody Gate walls and pillar. I’ll take a picture later today to bring you up to date.

We have always been a fan of Robbie’s work- he did the rock work on our house, too. In fact, we are so happy with the job he is doing that we are now planning future jobs for Robbie. A retaining way on the front slope of the house would be nice, then we want some more rock work on the back side of the house surrounding the nooks. After that is a retaining wall and steps in the back slope. I’m thinking my garden would look great if I had Robbie create me some raised stonework beds, too.

My Crochet Purse Class ended yesterday. I love teaching this class and enjoy seeing how each student’s project is different from each other. The women in the class were funny and wonderful, too, they were a great bunch!

Quilting– I finished one quilt this week and I’m working on two more. Here is a sneak peek at this quilt block design for a lovely friend named Teresa. Notice the prairie points I needed to pin out of the way so I didn’t quilt over them. The border was Carla freehand, the border just inside the prairie points was a daisy design:

Here is what the block design looks like- once again, my freehand work:

I like how the secondary flower design happened by mistake. Anyhow, my friend was happy and loved the quilting. Teresa does not like dense quilting, so the quilting above reflects her taste.

The weekend is already here…. time sure does fly! Anyone have fun plans for this weekend to share?

Hugs, Carla