Coaster #4

This one might stay with me. Some coasters turn out to be endlessly interesting to look at and I think this is one of them. It started with pretty tiny scraps, surrounded by longer strips, courthouse steps style. I got to use some reproduction fabrics, old shirts, a scrap with slubs, and threw in a Marcia Derse rectangle just to jazz it up. I started this one to match a bold black background.

Coaster #3

Coasters are an easy way to see what works. What scale, what color, what textures work when you place them together. I start by selecting a back, then poking through the scrap box to see what would go with it. The back of this one is purple. I also like to play with slivers of fabric. You'll see I worked one in on this coaster, just barely. It became a corner.

Coaster #2

Let's get this one out of the way early, as it features Christmas-like colors. Actually, it began with the colors of my current quilt - red, white and black. A little green added and it became festive. I like how the central triangle-like pieces became the center of interest. And I like the strips at the left, they all have a little sentimental meaning for me. Keep all your scraps, you never know when they might come in handy ... really! None of these coasters is the same size, but they are all about 5" square, just a nice size for most cups or glasses. I back each one with a cotton square, no batting. These are all quilted in the ditch.

Coaster Days #1

I amuse myself by making fabric coasters this time of year. I like to give them as presents.

They offer a way to relax in the hectic days leading up to the holiday. I get all stressed out about it, my family notices...

How do you like this one? I gave it to my husband. I like it for several reasons:

• It combines some very different fabrics: several shirtings with a Kaffe Fassett print you might recognize. 
• I  like the way the striped fabric continues around 2 sides.
• I like the way the chambray fabric interrupts the striped fabric.

When we lived in Germany, I liked the way they carried Christmas on for 12 days, from the day after Christmas until the day before Epiphany, formerly the last day of Christmas festivities, observed as a time of merrymaking (January 6, or the Twelfth Day). Well, I missed the first few days, but I propose bringing you an improvisation a day until January 6. 

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to Me

It has been a while since I have found a quilt or top that I liked enough to acquire.

You know my strict qualifications:

• it has to be quirky.
• i have to like it.
• it has to be thrifty.

Look at this! I found it today at an antique shop in Yankton, South Dakota.

What I noticed first was how bright it is. That is an advantage to tops, isn't it - they have not been used. A wide variety of fabrics are used: some feedsacks, lots of solids, lots of stripes. And lots of clothing scraps, for sure.

The blocks measure about 3" finished. It's pretty big, it covers the top of a full-size hotel bed. You can see there is some orderliness about it. The solids and stripes are arranged in diagonal rows, as are the blocks.

But the blocks! They are wildness itself! The outer pieces of the little squares in a square happen every which way.

It came at a thrifty price ($12.95) because some of the seams have come unsewn right in the middle. You can almost hear some old fellow grumbling that this ain't worth nothing ... well, we know it won't be any problem to stitch those back together. It will be a nice hand project. Merry Christmas to me!

What is Bea up to?

Many of you know Bea Oglesby, a well-known Kansas City applique artist.

I visited her today at her home in Lakeview Village in Lenexa. The first clue Bea is around: you see one of her exquisite small quilts on display (right) in the hallway when you arrive on her floor.

Then outside her door is another clue Bea is around.

And if you need any more confirmation, another B greets you inside her apartment.

Bea is busy as usual. She showed me this quilt she is giving her grandson in honor of his marriage. She made it earlier, she is just adding a label now.

At her daughters' request, she is writing up the story of all her quilts. Maybe when she is through, she will tell me how many quilts she has (all made by her). I know it is a LOT.

By the way, Bea divulged that next month she will turn 90. So Happy Early Birthday, Bea!