Posted on by agilejack

I’m Still Here as Summer Winds Down

It’s been a minute since I posted here. I’ve really been taking advantage of a lovely summer here in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve barely spent any time in my sewing room and haven’t been much inspired. That lack of inspiration has impacted my frequency of posts here.

I feel this changing a little.

First off, my friend who usually visits this time of year was here for over two weeks. I drove her to the airport this afternoon. We did quit a lot while she was here. We bought a lot of fabric while she was here. We did a lot of driving while she was here. We did a little sewing while she was here.

Most of the fabric we bought was from the new Kaffe Fassett Collective August 2024 collection. I showed some restraint and didn’t buy all of it. You can see the entire new collection here. There were a couple of pieces that I was really anxious to get my hands on.

My friend flew into town on Friday, Sept. 6. After a restful weekend we headed for the coast on the following Monday. It was an absolutely perfect day and we all felt rejuvenated and refreshed after time at the ocean.

We spent the next day at home because I had committed to taking care of a friend’s corgi while her husband had surgery. She was a wonderful guest, well behaved, and she had a blast with my boys.

During the rest of that week we continued to drive and buy fabric. Oh, and we ate out a few times too! Even met some old friends for a lovely meal and conversation.

Last Sunday we loaded up ourselves and my boys and headed down to my brother’s place near Bandon, Oregon, for a few days. I just love going there. It’s so peaceful and tranquil. And the dogs love it. Whey have over eight acres of property and part of it is a wooded area on the hill above the house with little trails wandering here and there. We managed to get up there for a couple of morning walks during our visit.

I would love it if I had this fantastic space right outside my door! And it would make Bender and Rico happy too!

We ate a lot of great food from their garden. Look at these gorgeous cabbages!

We only went to the beach once during our visit with my brother and his wife. We were thinking about going a second time but it was rainy and wet and we decided to hang around at home and went out for dinner at a little Italian place in Bandon that evening. I can’t remember the last time I had pasta so I was happy to indulge.

And these boys were happy to pose on Seven Devils Beach.

We headed home on Wednesday and decided to head north on Hwy 101 along the coast rather than spending most of the drive in heavy traffic on Interstate 5. So we drove up from Bandon to Florence, Oregon, then headed across the coast mountain range toward Eugene where we, of course, bought more fabric!

Once we were back at my place we decided that if we were going to make a quilt we had better get moving. My friend had wanted to make a version of my Brandon Mably fabric Interweave quilt. You can see that quilt here.

She brought some fabric with her and she had a couple pieces of Brandon fabric she purchased during her visit. So we tossed them all on my cutting table and narrowed it down to these fabrics.

And after a couple days it was done… like magic!

It’s almost exactly the same as my Interweave. There are a few fabrics that are different. It’s a fun quilt to make and it goes so much faster when I have someone to press while I sew.

These Brandon fabrics are so bright, happy and relaxed. I just love them! That floral with the bright orange background on the ironing board is a Brandon design from the August 2024 KFC collection.

We also managed to get a few quilt backings made and stopped by my long arm quilter to get them in the cue. My friend took in three quilts but I only took in my Blue Swirly quilt. It will be a holiday gift in a few months.

After we had been sewing for a couple days we decided that it was time to hit the road again. So we loaded up my boys and headed up to Sauvie Island. It’s a beautiful island north of Portland that is lovely farm land surrounded by floating houses moored on the Columbia river. You can read all about Sauvie Island here.

Since it’s an island, that means there’s lots of water. So we parked the car and hit the beach and let my boys get a nice swim in the Columbia Rifer.

They were so excited to see where we ended up after our leisurely drive around the island. They got in a lot of swimming and running. They even had enough exercise to offer up a good pose.

It’s a bit of a tradition to take a photo of my dogs on a log. And look at how gorgeous it is!!! What an amazing day!

We didn’t have enough time or drive to complete a quilt for me but we did dig through my stash to find fabrics for an economy block quilt I’ve been wanting to make. You can see the tutorial for the quilt here. It’s made from some Crystal Manning fabrics but I wanted to make it from Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics. So I pulled some fabrics from my stash that recreate the feel of the original fabrics. Here’s the quilt from the tutorial (left) and my first whack at the fabrics to use for my version (right).

I was pretty happy with this selection of fabrics and decided to dig in this evening since I’m here all alone and the house is quiet.

I had purchased some paper piecing 12 inch block foundation papers for these blocks a couple weeks ago.

The blocks are big. They finish at 12 inches. The tutorial has instructions for making the blocks with traditional piecing but I knew I’d be happier with the result if I made the blocks with paper piecing. I was very happy to find these foundations on Amazon. Exactly what I needed!

I pressed and cut a handful of my fabrics and managed to get six blocks done. It’s enough to give me an idea of what this will look like and I have to say that I’m really happy with this so far.

I love the way that some of the blocks are really obvious and otherwise are more subtle. I’m looking forward to seeing this as more blocks are completed.

And tonight I’m feeling a little sad that my friend is gone and I’m really not looking forward to going back to work. But the good news is that I only have fourteen months left to retirement!

Sorry I’ve been away so long. It’s been a needed break. I’m hoping my creative motivation is slowly coming back!

I’ll leave you tonight with a little eye candy.

50 Replies to “I’m Still Here as Summer Winds Down”

  3. so glad to see your post! I have missed my Bender and Rico updates and glad to see them again 😻. Glad you have had a great summer. I have always enjoyed seeing your brother’s pictures, he has a magical place! The economy blocks are so cool 😎! Enjoy!

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  5. Do you use a light box when you paper piece? If so which one did you choose and which cutting mat do you use on top?
    I really enjoy your blog.My family was from Oregon.

    Pam Gelfand

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  9. Welcome back. Kind of glad you took most of the summer off from quilting. That means i had time to work on the yard instead of making the quilts you’re making! 😁 I was starting to think what quilt I’m going to do now that the sun is setting sooner. So it’s good you’re getting your mojo back. Hey no mention of pickle ball???? What’s up with that?

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  10. My son lives in Portland and we’re planning to visit in next month. After reading your post, I can’t wait to do a little exploring with them. Sounds like you had a wonderful time with your friend. Hang in there – retirement is just around the corner for you!

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  12. You’ve been missed, but don’t take on any guilt with that! Love hearing about your adventures! The new quilt is going to be amazing. Thanks for taking the time to share your world/life with us.

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  15. Sounds like a lovely time with your friend. I am collecting some Kaffe fabric, which I love also, but am having a hard time deciding how to use it. So many choices…..

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  17. Hi, Anne! So glad you have been having fun. We were just wondering about you yesterday and hoping all was well with you. You are missed when you are gone! Can’t wait to see your new quilt.

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  19. Anne,

    And back with a lovely, long post. Don’t ever apologize for being good to yourself. You need a break, you take a break. It’s not that you aren’t missed but it’s setting a good example for all of us. The creative spirit needs nurturing!

    Kate

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  21. Well, you’ve certainly been missed! I’m so glad you had a real summer vacay. It seems that you’ve bought a lot of new Kaffe. I really like your Square in a Square blocks!

    I’m totally immersed in Accidental Landscapes (inspired by the book of the same name and my box of landscape type fabric). Its such fun, and totally “accidental” – you just make it up as you go along.

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  22. Well, you’ve certainly been missed! I’m so glad you had a real summer vacay. It seems that you’ve bought a lot of new Kaffe. I really like your Square in a Square blocks!

    I’m totally immersed in Accidental Landscapes (inspired by the book of the same name and my box of landscape type fabric). Its such fun, and totally “accidental” – you just make it up as you go along.

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  27. What a fun time for you, your friend and your dogs!! Should always just enjoy yourself and when you can blog or sew it is the correct time. Love the beautiful photos of where you went.

    Happy Monday Melody A

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  29. that was AMAZING!!! thank you for the update so good to get your batteries recharged. lovely scenery and wonderful friend sharing thank you again for the photos and of course love love your quilts! keep up the great sharing

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  31. Glad you had some lovely time off! I really enjoy your pics of your boys. And your new quilt looks fabulous, so far. Love the colors. Happy to see you are getting your sew Jo back! Rhonda Clingo

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  32. is there anything you CAN’T do?    You make me feel so inadequate —  but happy for you and the boys.   We’re heading to Savoy to house sit for our neighbors and their golden retriever Baxter.   Later lady, Lo Lo Hartnett413-478-4837 “Just Gimme Some Truth”   John Lennon

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  35. Good to have you back. Your holiday with your friend sounded delightful. Love the upcoming quilt .

    I’ve made three Frankenbags in the last week and introduced you to two quilting friends so we’re all going to make Frankenbags for our foodbank fundraiser next month.

    Oh and I finished my husband’s 40 th wedding anniversary quilt. Can’t remember how to add a photo, sorry. He was delighted with it.

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  37. Lovely choice of fabrics Ann. So good to hear from you…glad you are enjoying summer. It is turning to fall where I am but we usually have some warm ups in between cool spells. I just love the use of fabrics in your quilts! Sarah

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  38. I’m so glad that you took a break when you needed it, & what a great post it gifted us with!

    I like that like light teal with that bright fushia in the inspiration photo is so eye-catching! It reminds me of when turquoise suddenly became popular in the 70s, & all the shades were represented.

    You were missed ☺️

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  39. I always love your color combinations that you come up with. I decided to try my hand with your latest economy block. I ordered both the 6 inch and 12 inch papers. I have three of the same designer charm packs that I want to use up. So I am going to use the 6 inch for that. I have a lot of Kaffe that I am going to use for the 12 inch. I also ordered a Kaffe’s August 24 hot 10 in.² I even think I’ll use some of my Tula pink that I’ve been hoarding. Might be fun to use some of her stuff for fussy cutting. I received the papers, and I sat down and penciled out all the different things that I could do to make blocks. I even came up with the idea of using a 6 inch block as the center for the 12 inch blocks. My color palette is going to be hot pink, teal and gold, and/or orange. I have not sew in over five years. I’ve had a lot of health issues and a sick husband who passed away. Thanks for helping me get my mojo back. I’m going to call my quilt, free spirit. I thought it would be appropriate because that’s who’s the manufacture of all the different fabrics that I am using.

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  40. I always love your color combinations that you come up with. I decided to try my hand with your latest economy block. I ordered both the 6 inch and 12 inch papers. I have three of the same designer charm packs that I want to use up. So I am going to use the 6 inch for that. I have a lot of Kaffe that I am going to use for the 12 inch. I also ordered a Kaffe’s August 24 hot 10 in.² I even think I’ll use some of my Tula pink that I’ve been hoarding. Might be fun to use some of her stuff for fussy cutting. I received the papers, and I sat down and penciled out all the different things that I could do to make blocks. I even came up with the idea of using a 6 inch block as the center for the 12 inch blocks. My color palette is going to be hot pink, teal and gold, and/or orange. I have not sew in over five years. I’ve had a lot of health issues and a sick husband who passed away. Thanks for helping me get my mojo back. I’m going to call my quilt, free spirit. I thought it would be appropriate because that’s who’s the manufacture of all the different fabrics that I am using.

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  42. Glad you had a nice break, but so glad to have you back. My blue quilt is at my quilters shop, and I am finishing up the Brandon left over quilt. You and Kaffe are my inspirations! Thank you for sharing your expertise! 😘

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  43. Well, Anne…your fabric choices and squares are beautiful. But even reading the name of the town of Bandon is so wonderful. Almost bitter sweet. My husband, friends & family made that trip for over 30 years. Some still go! There were about 24 of us altogether.. We stayed at Bullards Beach State Park with our rv’s. Dogs in tow. Is Forget Me Knot still open? How about Tony’s & the Wheelhouse? The candy store? Love it there so much! Your doggies are such a joy! Thank you for sharing..

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  45. Hey quilting friend, welcome back. I, too, have been in a “no sewing” state of mind. I’m just now coming out of it this week, thankfully. Thank you so much for all the inspiration you have given me. I love your sense of color – it is astounding! Keep up the good work.

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