Posted on by agilejack

A Visit With My Long Armer… More Impulse… and Pickleball!

I got up early this morning to play pickleball at 8:30. It was just above freezing when we started but the sun was out and it was a glorious two hours. I played the first two games with winter gloves on. I had taken a light down jacket with me but was comfortable playing in just a turtleneck and a fleece.

This was the first day I played after officially raising my skill rating from 3.5 to 3.75 and joining in with the higher level open play. I play with a lot of the same people regularly. But it was kind of a big deal to officially declare that I was worthy.

I wasn’t nervous about it because I felt pretty confident that I could hold my own with that group. And I had a great day! Every game I played was close. Not one game was a blow out. And I think my team mates and I won half of the games I played. So that’s a darned good showing!

One guy who is a pretty decent player said that I had improved A LOT since we had last played together! He said I had a wicked serve! That was pretty nice to hear.

I’ll meet my pickleball coach at 8 am tomorrow for a lesson and then we’ll play with a group in Oregon City, OR. I think it’s supposed to be cold tomorrow too.

After pickleball this morning I tossed the ball for my dogs in the park until they almost stepped on their tongues, then we headed off to visit my long arm quilter to pick up the quarter log cabin quilt for my brother and his wife. I also grabbed the three quilts my friend left there when she was here last month.

I’m really happy with how my quarter log cabin quilt turned out! I just love how a quilt top is transformed when it’s quilted and bound. And this one is a real beauty! And it only took three years from start to finish!

This is a queen size quilt and measures 96×96. I made a pretty substantial border to bring it up to the size I wanted.

This is the second quilt where I’ve used one of the Kaffe Fassett Collective wide backings and I’m a huge fan. The prints are large and vibrant, and the feel is so soft and luxurious.

Isn’t that incredible!!! And the best part of it is that I don’t have to piece a backing! Have I mentioned that I don’t like to make backings?

The quilting pattern is large spirals. I love all these circles with all the angles and strips.

Here’s a really contrasty photo to show the quilting really well.

This photo shows the big old border and setting triangles really well.

I’m so glad I went with that lotus leaf in wine! It’s so gorgeous and one of my favorite Kaffe designs.

Here’s a quick look at my friend’s quilts that I picked up today.

First off is this Australian Aboriginal fabric sixteen patch quilt that we made when my friend was here in March. I love this one!

It’s almost impossible to see the quilting on this one.

The backing is a wide back in Brandon Mably’s Onion Rings. I love it with this quilt top! The quilting pattern is called Vidalia. You can sort of see that it looks like onions.

This little quilt is bright and fun and each block is a unique piece of fabric.

This photo shows the quilting pattern really well.

And now this one… I just love it!!! This is the one my friend and I made when she was here in September.

The quilting pattern on this one is Called Malachite and is sort of a wobbly spiral. I used the same design on the Aboriginal fabric quilt I made for my brother a couple years ago. It’s really perfect!

It doesn’t show up much. It’s very subtle, but I love it and I love this quilt!!!

You can’t see the quilting on the backing at all.

I had to get gas this afternoon so I decided to make a stop at Costco while I was out. It was nuts there! When I got home I made a nice hot dinner.

After dinner I headed back to my sewing room to start adhering little pieces of fabric to my lamp shade. I first cut up a cardboard box and put it on my cutting table to keep things clean. And then I just dove in.

I put a little LED lamp on the inside so I could more easily see the overlap of the fabric pieces.

In about an hour I had all the little fabric pieces adhered to the shade and then went over the whole thing with a coat of the Fabric Mod Podge.

I still need to figure out how I’m going to finish the top and bottom, but I put it on my lamp in it’s current state because I want to see what it looks like.

I just love it! Now I want to cover all the lamp shades in my house!!!

70 Replies to “A Visit With My Long Armer… More Impulse… and Pickleball!”

  2. Wow, wow, wow! My eyeballs are color saturated! Congratulations on the
    raised skill rating. The log cabin quilt is fabulous and the backing is
    to die for. I’d like a quilt with that on the front and the back. The
    other quilts are fabulous also. I REALLY like the one with what appears
    to be wonky black and white borders on each square. It took me some time
    of staring to figure out that those were cut straight. What a great
    effect. Thank you for sharing.
    Valerie Wootton

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    1. that quilt with the wonky sashing is pretty crazy. here’s some basic info on how to make it:Cut 6 1/2” X 8 1/2” rectangles and 1 1/2” X 8 1/2” sharks tooth fabric. Sew the sharks tooth to the two long sides of the colorful rectangle. The blocks come out square and each block it the same.

      that wide backing is really lovely. Such a large, vibrant print and the fabric is sateen… so soft and luxurious!

      Anne

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  5. I knew you would add important tips to making that lamp shade! Dang it now I have to do mine LOL. Great work, love the half triangle quilt as well as lampshade! Can’t wait to see how you finish the edges. You are so inspiring Anne!
    Altho you will never i spire me to pkay pickleball in near freezing temps🤣😜🥰

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    1. Well, if I don’t include how to make something, everyone will ask for it!!! Saves me time!

      Pickleball in freezing temps… with all the rain we get in the fall, winter and spring, we have to play when it’s dry… regardless of the temperature!

      Anne

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  6. I absolutely love the lampshade, you did a spectacular job!!! But I am not to thrilled by the fact that I now want to get back to some of my pre-planned decoupage projects and I can’t because I have 6 quilt tops to finish into quilts before the end of November. They are for my daughter and her family so this is a want to/must do.. Anyway, as always, thanks for sharing and getting me excited about more projects on my list. Take care Anne and don’t freeze your bum off and get in a pickle!! heehee

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  7. The quarter log cabin quilt is absolutely stunning! It’s been fun to watch it being made over time and now see the finished product. Even though you made it for your brother and sister-in-law, I would have trouble letting that one leave my house!!! The lampshade turned out great and will be a fun addition to your room. Could you make a bias binding with some of your Kaffe fabric and use that to finish the the top and bottom? Or, could you use some fancy decorative trim? Looking forward to seeing what you decide.

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    1. I actually love giving quilts as gifts… especially one like this that my brother asked for because he loved it so much.

      I think I’ve decided I’m not going to do anything to trim the lampshade. I don’t think it needs it! So I might consider it done.

      Anne

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  8. I Love when I get quilts back from my LAQ. Yours are great! Love how quilting adds texture/dimension. Wine lotus leaf was the perfect choice for the quarter log cabin and enchanted for the back is gorgeous, I am sorry I didn’t buy some while it was available.

    The lampshade is a nice companion to the wall hanging. I think of it as a illuminate quilt. You could bind it or use a simple gimp via decoupage.

    Thanks for sharing your creativity!

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    1. Whenever I pick up quilts from my long armer, we unfold them and look at them next to her machines. It’s like Christmas to see them for the first time! I love it!

      Thanks for reading!

      Anne

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  10. I am out of breath just reading about your Saturday adventures! Everything looks beautiful. I especially enjoy the onion rings as binding on your friend’s quilt….100%

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    1. They are bringing out more and more Kaffe wide backs. There are quite a few to choose from. I love not having to make a backing! And these are sateen so they are really lovely and soft.

      Anne

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  12. Your quarter log cabin quilt is BREATHTAKING! Its absolutely gorgeous in the very true meaning of the word. Congratulations you must be delighted. And your pickle ball achievements are also to be lauded. While I am not at all sports minded (unusual for and Aussie) I can always applaud personal achievements and looks like you’re really nailing it at pickle ball and your hard work and perseverance is paying big dividends. Quilting and pickle ball both being mastered….

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    1. Thanks! I’m hoping my brother and his wife like it. It’s pretty bold for their taste but he told me he wanted it!

      Pickleball… what I’m loving about it is that I’m learning so many new things. I LOVE learning new things. And I’m so happy to have an activity that I can play through retirement!

      Anne

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  13. As you probably know, KFC makes ribbon/trim. Maybe one of those would work to finish your lampshade?! Your lamp shade looks like something that Kaffe would have in his home. (I recall one from one of his old books. Maybe it was made using postage stamps but it’s the same effect.) Beautiful quilts!

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    1. It dimmed it a little, but that bulb is sort of dim anyway. the lamp is only used when I’m going to bed and have to get from the door to the bed on the opposite side of the room. Keeps me from stubbing my toes or stepping on a dog!

      Anne

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  15. The quilts are fabulous! What pattern did you use for the saw tooth one? It’s so much fun. I love using Kaffe’s wide backs for quilt backing. Have you ever tried needlepointing? ehrmantapestry.com
    has many kaffe prints and they stitch up quickly. Just a thought.

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    1. the sawtooth one is my friend’s quilt. but here are some notes on making it:Cut 6 1/2” X 8 1/2” rectangles and 1 1/2” X 8 1/2” sharks tooth fabric. Sew the sharks tooth to the two long sides of the colorful rectangle.

      the blocks turn out square, so you just alternate them across the row.

      I love handwork like needle point but my hands can’t take it. I used to be an avid knitter but it just kills my hands. it makes me sad.

      Anne

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  17. The quilts you made for your brother is stunning. You have turned me into a Kaffe junkie. Could you share your thought process when combining his fabrics? Surely it’s not just willy-nilly combinations…. Hug your boys for me.

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    1. Well, this quarter log cabin quilt was made from scraps so it’s very willy nilly. in each block I just tried not to put similar fabrics and colors right next to each other.

      Generally, I just go with what I like. I might have a color combo in mind and then just get into my stash and pull fabrics that are in that combo. then I cull what doesn’t seem to work. I do like a surprise pop of color so might select one or two fabrics that are in my combo, but have pops of color in them that liven it all up.

      Most of it is just feel… does the combo work… are there fabrics that don’t work? Do I need something different.

      I do try to vary scale of prints to add interest and contrast.

      Hope this helps.

      Anne

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  21. Love your colorful quilts-great patterns, nice quilting. You’ve got that talent of putting together fabrics that veitk well together.
    I’ve started pickleball with a group of similar age senior gals…we all boast that our total knee replacements have healed and rehabbed to the point of gentle play! Ranking? Sub zero!!

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    1. My favorite part of making a quilt is selecting colors and fabrics.

      Knock on wood… my knees are good. My hips are shit!!! But movement makes them better. Are you as addicted to pickleball as I am???

      Anne

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  23. Enjoy your blog—yes, it does take 3 years to get a quilt to the finish line – – that way I can enjoy every minute of the process . Your color choices inspire me – do need to go to my stash and get on with it .

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  25. All of the quilts turned out beautiful. I especially love the quarter log cabin. Your friends quilts are so pretty I’m sure she will be so excited to get them back. The lampshade I looks so good in your room. I would make a narrow bias binding for the edges b

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  26. I love all the quilts. The one with the b/w curvy border is awesome, with the way it makes all the blocks look curvy. Also love the lampshade. Glue a piece of ribbon or other narrow trip on the top/bottom. Or bias tape, that could be folded over to the inside and totally cover the edges.

    I get how good it feels to have others notice how much you have improved-amazing how much it boosts your confidence. I have experienced the same with kayaking.

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    1. that curvy sashing is really fun. it makes the quilt do all kinds of crazy things!

      I was messaging with my pickleball coach tonight. He always like a report after I play. We agreed that I’ve really improved!!!

      Anne

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  27. The quilts turned out beautifully, Anne! 

    I’ve done a few Mod Podge projects over the years but never a lampshade ~ I may have to give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. the lampshade was a quick and fun make. I want to make more but am not sure how many I need in my house. I’ll definitely do the shade on the floor lamp in my living room. Planning on using Australian Aboriginal scraps for that one!

      Anne

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  28. Wow Anne, where on earth do you get the energy for all of this? Is there a secret supplement that I should know about? I just love your work, it is fabulous!

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  29. I love the lamp shade too! A little bias binding glued on with the Mod Podge would work! Just love the quilts. It always amazes me how the shark tooth fabric makes everything move… Yay you !

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  30. What a wonderful quilt show today! and the lampshade is fabulous. Maybe just a half inch wide bias strip of Sharks Teeth at the top and bottom edges of the lamp shade. Do you remember the size of the rectangles on your friends quilt? I love that idea and the Sharks Teeth strips just make that quilt sparkle and quiver! It makes me shiver just to look at it! I think I need to make one of those – for me. Those Sharks Teeth create quite an optical illusion. Another great example of “let the fabric do the work”! Your blog is the highlight of my day! When I see an Agilejck email, I always look at that first – you never disappoint. Keep up the good work!

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    1. Here’s some info on that quilt: Cut 6 1/2” X 8 1/2” rectangles and 1 1/2” X 8 1/2” sharks tooth fabric. Sew the sharks tooth to the two long sides of the colorful rectangle. then alternate blocks when you lay them out. they come out square.

      Anne

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      1. I like the the idea of leaving the lampshade the way it is also! And thanks so much for the info on the quilt with the Sharks Tooth edges! I’m going to start cutting fabric today!

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  31. All those fantastic quilts worthy of a 1st place blue ribbon. Congratulations on your pickleball achievement. I know that feels good. You always manage to squeeze those Daily minutes together. How do you do it. Love your writing. For me like taking a trip everytime I read your stories. Hugs, lea

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  33. To finish your lamp shade , how about a velvet ribbon glued onto the edge? Of course you could sew a fabric tube, similar to a spaghetti strap for a dress, and glue it onto the top and bottom edge, to echo the binding of a quilt.

    Peggy Snow

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    1. That black and white print is sort of magical when it’s used as sashing. I have some in blue that I’m going to be making a quilt with. Just have to finish my fabric selections.

      Anne

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