Virtual Retreat 2016

[Renata L.]

Oh my Renata I love your Hoffman Challenge what a beautiful piece! I'm intrigued did you applique your 'Memories of Sardegna' tray to the background after the boutis work?

Heather your sons graduation looks wonderful!
Barb

[Renata L.]

Hi Barb, thank you so much! Yes, I did do the boutis work first and then appliqued it to the background. I think it might have been too difficult to do it as a pieced quilt because when you do boutis work, it stretches and you end up with something that is far from a perfect circle, so you have to block the boutis piece into a circle first, then you can applique it to the background.

[Renata L.]

Hi Barb, thank you so much! I did do the boutis work first and then appliqued it to the background. I think it might have been too difficult to do it as a pieced quilt because when you do boutis work, it stretches and you end up with something that is far from a perfect circle, so you have to block the boutis piece into a circle first, then you can applique it to the background.

The first photo is with just before blocking (I cut the excess fabric around the circle). The second is the back so you can see where the needle went in to do the boutis--I did it with a piece of muslin on the back. The center circle there was pieced in and then I cut several layers of excess fabric in the circle to window it and put two circles of batting to fill the inner circle nicely. After windowing those several layers in the center, I had to tack down all those 1/4" seams around the circle so that they would lay flat. I used a tailor's tack down stitch (looks like an "X"). The third photo is the circle being blocked.

[Renata L.]

Thanks Renata for the explanation on how you proceeded. Don't know if I'll ever try boutis but I might! Your pictures are very helpful.

Again Thanks for the explanation.
Barb :-)

[Pamela N.]

Renata, your quilt is absolutely beautiful, what a work of art - it's so original and different.
Warm wishes Pam (in Scotland)

[E.M. T.]

July was quite a month ! Busy and hot here. :evil: Can't say I got a lot of sewing done either ! :whistle: Did have a wonderful
visit with two very old friends from high school days...one I had not seen in fifty (yes! I said 50) years. I tell you ...it was like
yesterday and no time at all had past !! Go figure ! :lol: Worked on the next row due out....then changed the plan and started over.
It'll be along soon Lotti :blush: Couldn't resist a new addition to the machine collection at a sale this weekend. Such a bad habit !!
But I love how it sews ! Singer 301's are so nice to use ! Then some company and DH is off hunting huckleberrys this afternoon.
Here are some pictures to enjoy ...I hope !

Mocha 301 in original cabinet with bench and loads of attachments !
about 1954 by the serial number and in terrific shape.



DH's handy-work ! hand carved wood...now with it's owner in California.
And a bowl in the next picture...these are a new "thing" since winter. He sold a few.

[E.M. T.]

I'm back again !
The plant in the attachment is our tallest trumpet vine... and for gardeners out there a question :
We don't know the name of the plant in the next picture...2 yrs old and 8 feet tall...loaded with blooms.
Anybody know what it is??





That's all for now....On to August ....fall is on the way !!

[Geneva C.]

It's been a busy time for us also.

Marilyn, I don't know what plant that I, but it sure is pretty! Your husband's wood working is awesome!

Renata, love your Hoffman Challenge. I appreciate all the work and how clever to make something so different. I love all the Hoffman Challenges we've seen. It would be fun if they were all chosen and traveled together as the "TQS bunch of excellent sewists!"

I'm slowly getting back my mojo. I took the advice from Nancy and bought a kit on sale to make and get sewing again. It is a great idea. I did buy a sale kit of a table runner from Jinny Beyer. I've always loved her work, fabrics and patterns. I made her "Turning Point" table runner. It wasn't exactly easy.... But I persevered and am proud to say a completed item has come out of my sewing room! I took the table runner/wallhanging to the framing/art store near me where I hang my quilts for sale. I hope someone buys it.




I made a cute tooth fairy holder for my granddaughter. When the grands turn 5 I make one for them.



We had lovely weather until last week when it turned very hot. Then this past weekend the fires started. Last night Rattlesnake Mountain which is right in front of us burned from the west side to the east side. We see the east side. We spent all night checking on things to make sure we would be safe. We are fine, but our view is now of a black mountain. This is the view from my sewing room this morning around 1am.




All in all life is good. Smoky, but good!

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. Take care,

geneva

[karen f.]

Marilyn your husband's work is beautiful!!

Geneva I really like that cute tooth fairy pillow.

[Nancy R.]

Marilyn - Wish I could help you on that plant, but I don't even know the names of most common plants. Hope someone can help you. Your husband's work is wonderful!

Geneva - Glad you're getting back in the swing of things. That table runner turned out beautiful! Glad you persevered! I'm sure it'll sell quickly. Love the tooth pouch, too. What a great idea!

[E.M. T.]

Thanks everyone for the kind remarks ! I think hubby is pretty talented too ! He does his own designs
and it keeps him busy and out of my hair now that he is retired ! :kiss: :kiss: :lol:
I may never know about that plant !! :unsure:
Geneva.. hate those fires ! and it sure is fire season....a couple between your house and mine ! lots of smoke here .
Glad your sewing again !

[wendy w.]

Marilyn they're great, at least it'll stop him doing more home improvements.

Geneva your fire picture is amazing but scarey! Keep safe. Good idea for a tooth pocket

[wendy w.]

Marilyn, your husbands wood working is wonderful! Not sure re the flowers I think they're Dahlias, Dahlias can grow 7-8 feet tall, gorgeous flowers in the fall. We grew Dahlias when we lived in Washington state. The deer loved them, we'd dig up the root/tubers after the first frost and stored them in the garage over the winter. Replanted them again in the spring.

Barb

[wendy w.]

Geneva - Wonderful wall hanging/table runner I'm sure someone will purchase and enjoy, great idea re tooth holder!

Take care, Barb

[E.M. T.]

Thanks Barb....Nope...not dahlias, tho they do remind you of them. i've grown those here. This plant is cold hardy and long-lived.
The start came from a friend's ranch that had belonged to the family since the "teens".