TESSELATED WEDDING

Recently I have seen this book crop up in a couple of blogs:

They all think this book is fabulous and, I must say, they are absolutely correct.  I have had this book for over a year, now, and it still fascinates me.  You will find this quilt in this book:

It is called Underwater World.  Pretty, isn't it?   Now, let me introduce you to my dear friend, Luis and his wife, Andy!

Luis and Andy were married in June of 2009.  As a wedding gift, I made the Underwater World quilt.  Here are the fabrics I chose:

Do you like?   Here is how the quilt turned out:

The quilt in the book is a lap quilt.  The major tesselated pattern and first border fit perfectly on top of their queen-size bed.  The additional borders are the drape.  Matching pillow shams, of course:

I worked on this for 3 months and completed the quilt only a week before the wedding.  The shams got done a while later.  They love the quilt.  Makes my heart skip a beat.

Liri

MORE APQ SWAP BLOCKS

OK, here is another installment of 8 blocks:

Thanks so much for your encouraging words with regard to my imperfect blocks.  Please understand that I am not a perfectionist.  When I make a quilt, I expect imperfections.  I figure it is the nature of the beast!  If I give the quilt away (and so far, I have, every one), I don't expect the recipient to examine it with a microscope and broadcast all the imperfections.  In fact, I feel they don't have the right to criticize my work unless they can do better (and they don't sew, so they can't, lol).  Which brings me to these blocks. 

I know that you can do better, I have seen your work.  You all have the right to examine my blocks and point out the imperfections.  I don't want my blocks to be perfect for me, I want them to be perfect FOR YOU!   I am not stressed trying to make the blocks perfect.  In fact, I am regarding it as a learning experience and enjoying every minute of it.  Such a challenge, making blocks for fellow quilters.

That being said, I am so glad you love the colors and find them fun.  Theri cracked me up when she volunteered for all the imperfect blocks and, Love, you are a wonderful cheerleader.  And you are right, all of you,  perhaps I am too hard on myself!

So, how do you like this batch?

Liri

TWO MORE SETS OF APQ BLOCKS

Here are two more sets of blocks for the APQ Block Swap!

For some reason, some of my blocks are turning out less than perfect - the inside points don't quite meet perfectly or the outside block seams don't match as well as they should.  I wouldn't dream of sending those out.  So I have decided that, since I want a full-size bed quilt anyway, I am going to keep the less-than-perfect blocks and only send out the mostly perfect ones!  

Do you like these?

Liri 

FIRST SIX APQ SWAP BLOCKS COMPLETED

Well, here you go ladies!  Prepare yourselves!

Six down and 20 to go.  Do you like?  Should I tone the rest down?

Liri

EBAY ROCKS!

Remember way back when Mary blogged about not winning the chicken wall hanging pattern on Ebay?  I think she told you that Marsha had alerted her to the pattern and Mary, in turn, alerted me to what was posted because there were several redwork patterns up for bid as well.  (And everyone knows how much I like that!)  Well, I didn't win the patterns I wanted, but I did win a Sunbonnet Sue "tweener" (isn't that what they call 11-13 year olds now?) applique pattern.  It is really cute.  The dresses and bonnets are appliqued and the details are embroidered.  One Sue plays with a puppy, another is holding a watering can, you get the idea.  Unfortunately, I put the pattern away so I wouldn't lose it and then "lost" where "away" was, so I can't show you the cover.  Sigh...

In any case, for some reason I kept an eye on that particular vendor, and she (I am assuming it is a she) put up some more items.  I placed the asking bid on this embroidery pattern.  I think they look like the Campbell Soup kids.

Not too bad for $2.99, huh?  (Though God knows I don't need any more transfer patterns. I think it's a sickness, really I do.)

Among the other items up for bid, 3 caught my eye described variously as 6x6 inch Asian prints, 50 or 40+ or 49+ pieces and the asking bid was $7.99.  There was one bid on the 50 piece package.  I was pretty sure I knew what was being offered and bid on the other two.  There were no other bids and I won!   The package arrived yesterday.  Here is a sample:

I must tell you that I am thrilled.  These are exactly what I thought they were.  There are at least 90 6x6 inch squares and they are all different fabrics (well, there are 3 or 4 that have a twin) and all Asian prints.  I have some Asian print yardage that I have been accumulating, hoping to have enough to make a quilt someday (the fabric is really expensive).  I think I may have enough now, don't you?

Liri

THE PHILADELPHIA "INTERNATIONAL" FLOWER SHOW

I went to the Philadelphia "International" Flower Show on Thursday, March 4.  Note the quotations around International.  For as long as I can remember it has been the Philadelphia Flower Show.  The International was inserted this year - I don't know if it will be permanent.  The show is held at the Philadelphia Convention Center but I can remember when it was held at the 34th Street Convention Center. 

Because I have been attending for so many years, there is very little that really captures my attention and makes me say "Oooo, Aaaah".  Now don't get me wrong, the Flower Show is ALWAYS beautiful.  With all the plants and flowers it really can't help it.  But, there is very little that has real WOW factor - for me, at least.  So without further ado, here are some pictures of exhibits that had a bit of WOW factor, in my humble opinion. 

From the India display:

From the Africa Display:  (The shaggy one is a Lion)

I am not sure where these next two critters came from.  Isn't he scary?  He's a water feature.

And this is Mr. Lobster:

Bamboo.  This went all the way to the ceiling.  The gentleman in the front was six foot tall, just to give you an idea of the scale.

 And, of course, the prerequisite orchids.  This one is a tree.  The guy in the second picture is also a six footer.

More Orchids

Every now and then, an exhibit captures my attention and actually makes me say WOW out  loud.  These next pictures show that exhibit.  The plant bottles were suspended with monofilament twine and filled with colored water.  The plants in the bottles graduated in color up a slope to the back.  I don't know how else to describe it, but a picture is worth a thousand words, as they say.

Don't you just love the color gradations?

Normally, I don't do much shopping at the show.  The merchandise is overpriced for the most part and any plant material is better left for another month, or even two, because it is too cold outside just yet.  However, this year I found something that will speak to all my quilty friends.  Isn't this just lovely?

It is an Indian market bag.  It's all purply and embroidered, very deep and it slings over your shoulder.  I love it and used it this weekend at the flea market.  Drafting a pattern from the bag shouldn't be very hard.  When I get it done, I will share if you are interested. 

Liri

PHILLY MODERN QUILT GUILD

OK, so this blog is a little late!  I attended the first meeting of the Philly Modern Quilt Guild on Saturday, February 27th.  I met Christine (Stitch Niche).  What a thrill after having blogged with her for so long.  Oh, and she does absolutely beautiful work!  There isn't much to report from the first meeting 'cause it was mostly the administrative stuff being set up - choosing officers, deciding on dues, determing in what direction the guild wants to go, that sort of thing.  We have over 50 members but there were only 13 at the meeting - 2 had to cancel at the last minute!  In any case, it was fun to finally meet women who share my passion!  No blank stares when mentioning fat quarters & jelly rolls.  I am looking forward to the next meeting in March!

Liri