I thought that I would surely use a green-ish thread on this one because of the center panel, but nope! lemon yellow worked across all of the different fabrics and absolutely disappeared into the background color of the center panel.

Next up came a cute little “Naptime” Quilt. Even though the quilt reads “green”, yellow thread blended across all of the fabrics.

and finally, a really fresh take on the French Braid style. Using yellow thread here was a no-brainer, but I do love the way it looks against the black!

here are some close up shots so you can get a better idea of how the yellow thread works it magic!

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I spent all day Friday (and most of the night) quilting a top that will, probably, lead a more exciting life than I do. On Monday I got a call from Judy at E. E. Schencks that they needed a top quilted asap. Sure! Happy to help! Eeek!

Turned out that the top is a BOM from Schoolhouse, with big, beautiful squares turned on point, setting triandles, block sashing, and 3 (count ‘em, 3) borders. The top measured 80+ by 100+.

Judy and I settled on thread colors and wool batting (for weight and travel). I was able to start the quilt first thing Thursday, but it was slow going because each block had its own quilting pattern. I worked on it all day Thursday and Friday. And Friday night. I finally finished it up around 11pm!

This will be a popular BOM I think. The blocks are really pretty, and set on point they’re dramatic. The fabrics selected for the sample are subdues taupes and grayed-blue and salmon pink accents, with a soft, natural motif, so I used classic feather motifs with a little twist. The wool batt gives the quilting a wonderful dimension–with the extra bonus of minimal weight.

Bonus project: while the blocks stitched out (on Click) I started (and finished) two large floral panels. These are for a friend (hmm, her name is Judy, too); she’s going to hang them in her sewing room. These are the first thread painting projects that I’ve done, but they were a LOT of fun.

everyone contributes a block and the top is assembled, sashed, bordered and bundled up to the Just Quilting studio for quilting.

every year they just keep getting better and better.

Twilight on the Beach

this year’s theme is “Twilight On The Beach”– 20 blocks including a hand-embroidered sunset, kites with ribbon tails, origami seals and seagulls, a lighthouse, flip flops, footprints on the sand and more–all evocative of the seashore just as the sun slips under the horizon. All sashed with soft blue pastels and 8-point stars, bordered with a hazy lavender pastel.

proceeds fund scholarships for Taft High School students, tickets are $1 each or six for $5. winning ticket will be drawn on July 4 in Gleneden Beach, after the parade. you need not be present to win, but 4th of July at the Oregon coast? why not!

close up of some of the quilt’s blocks: