I ended vacation last week and dove right into a radio fundraising drive. It’s been a really hectic first week back from vacation. One more week of the drive and then things will settle down a little.
With all the chaos I’ve been able to enjoy some really gorgeous fall weather. This really is a gorgeous time of year here in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s my back yard Saturday afternoon. The sky was so amazing!
The weather for the next ten days looks like it will be pretty much like this. Days like this are even more enjoyable because I know the rain will start any day now. And once it starts, it’s here for many months.
Rico had a bit of a limp a few days ago so he has been on limited activity so that means I have dogs bouncing off the walls. We do a lot of this.
I have managed to spend a little bit of time in my sewing room this week between working and playing pickleball and entertaining bored dogs. I’ve got 16 of my economy blocks completed. I need 20 for this quilt top.
These have just gone up on the design wall in the order I’ve made them. They will need some rearranging.
I’m actually going to make five blocks more because the first one I made is a little off and won’t allow full quarter inch seam allowances. So better to fix it before it’s sewn into a quilt.
I’ve been thinking about my next quilt. I guess that’s a good sign that my drive to create is coming back. It will be this quilt. You can find it with a google search.
I’ve had this pattern for at least a year and had an idea of the fabrics I wanted to use for it. I’ve seen some gorgeous versions made from Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics. And when the new green color way of Kaffe’s Guinea Flower came out in the new collection, I decided to get the fabric I need for this.
I had wanted to make this using Philip Jacob’s Van Gogh in the green color way but wasn’t sure what to use with it. And the green guinea flower is perfect for the background fabric. I ordered some purple Ferns, thinking it would work for the accent strips, but it sort of left me flat. It just feels a little blah.
So I dug into my stash to see what else might work and came up with this option. It’s Kaffe’s Asian Trees in pink. I think I really like this one. It brings some vibrancy in color that the purple doesn’t provide.
Here’s a photo that shows a little more of the Asian Trees fabric.
I’ll make my final decision later, but I’m thinking it will be the pink. It’s just much more interesting and vibrant to me.
I washed by bed quilt a few weeks ago for the first time and LOVE how it came out of the dryer! It’s so crinkled and soft. So I decided to wash the quilt I made for my sofa, even though it’s hardly been used. I absolutely LOVE how it came out and it’s so much more comfy to curl up under. Look how gorgeous this is!
So much texture and feel.
And now I want to wash every quilt I have in my closet!
I’m going to think of these beautiful PNW skies over the next hectic week and hope I can actually enjoy some.
Beautiful quilt and like you said, so much texture. I can almost feel the snuggle. Inspired me to work on mine. Happy Fall season Mickie
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I’m glad to hear you are getting your creative mojo back. I’m working on that also. Like Portland, Camano Island is enjoying wonderful fall weather. That means spending every possible minute outside finishing up yard work and outside projects. Looking forward to winter and cozy days in my sewing room. We missed you. So glad you’re back. Valerie
I had to turn my furnace on today… the house was just too cold!
Anne
I love the pink also! I visited the quilt shop you recommended while I was in Milwaukie. Loved it!! Packed just “ a few” yards of Aboriginal fabric in suitcase for the flight back to WI.❤️
I have a few yards of the van gogh large flowers fabric I found during our Texas shop hop. Love it ! So beautiful. The pink tree fabric really pops with it😻. Like the new pattern too. Yes, your fall sky and yard are beautiful and I enjoy seeing the boys again. I hope Rico recovers well soon. I have been limping around myself, had to get a knee injection 😣. Hugs 🤗 to you and your boys!😻
Rico is looking better this week. he has a month off fro sheep herding so will have some time to fully heal.
Anne
I wonder how a dark blue would look as the accent strip? I love the way that quilt looks in all colors, and it looks easy to make. I wash all my quits as soon as the binding goes on. To me, it isn’t a finished quilt until it is washed and soft and crinkly. Enjoy your gorgeous weather while it’s there!
I don’t often use solid colors. I’m going to give this some thought before I decide.
Anne
I don’t mean a solid, more like something that reads as a dark blue… like some of the dark blue fabrics in your sofa quilt as pictured in the post. Whatever you use will be wonderful, you have a great eye for color!
I am in Spokane….so not so wet, but also enjoying the weather. I was every quilt as soon as it is done-cause it changes the texture so much!
I love the fabric choices for the BQ2pattern. I am making the same pattern with a kit I purchased on sale at a local shop. I look forward to seeing your finished quilt. Also, I am going to try making the economy block quilt using the Kaffe scraps I have from the Moss quilt from a couple years ago.
welcome back to your creativity!
I kind of want to make another of this economy block quilt in pastel Kaffe fabrics. Will be interesting to see what’s in my stash for that idea.
Anne
I totally agree with the washing of quilts! It does make them more cuddly. But I do use color grabbers when washing a quilt. Even if I’ve washed all the fabric beforehand. Better safe than sorry!
What kind of batting do you use??
My long arm quilter uses Pellon 80/20.
Anne
welcome back! This is definitely a beautiful time of the year in the PNW.
I am curious, what kind of batting do you use?
Robbin
My long arm quilter uses Pellon 80/20.
Anne
Simply gorgeous!
love love
the crinkles on a washed quilt
is like sprinkles on a cupcake!
thank you for sharing
washed quilts look beautiful.
what batting do you use
my batting is what the quilter recommends heirloom is there another batting I should try? im always open to suggestions. thank you
I don’t have experience with a lot of different batting so am not an expert. My long arm quilter uses Pellon 80/20. She said it wears up better with use and washing.
Anne
My long arm quilter uses Pellon 80/20.
Anne
Take up painting the photo if the backyard is stunning. Maybe some 5/7 photos framed. I could use that happiness in my kitchen on the backslash near the sink.
I’ve tried painting. I have no talent for it!
Anne
I think your next quilt should be your back yard landscape.
Oh my another great landscape to frame.
Welcome back; you – and the pups – have been missed!
your photo compositions reflect your unerring skill with colour combos. A very talented artiste. Love wh
The purple fern just pulls out the colors in the Guinea flower much more than the pink.
in the last photo, it looks like his right front leg is wrapped/bandaged…or is it my old eyes? Nice pictures and I hope the rain starts later rather than earlier for all of your sakes.
Rico’s right front leg is mostly white. the other three are just white feet. I can see that white leg coming across my back yard in the dark!
Anne
I follow you online and am always happy to hear everything Rico and Bender, your friends who come to visit and quilt (and shop), your trips to the beach, and visits with your family. I am in awe of your energy and your productivity and envious of your stash!!
Thanks for all that you share with us out here following along.
It’s always surprising to me that people admire my energy. I honestly feel like I spend plenty of time laid out on the sofa watchingTV!!! Maybe in the times I’ve active I’m just really productive!
Anne
Keeping your response in mind for when friends tease me about my naps, watching TV, or activities here at Shady Acres! Thanks!
I think that recurring lack of creativity is universal, and the more creative you are, the more intense those “wells” feel. My job was seasonal, so I rarely sewed much in the season (spring, summer). I was usually too tired to sit down and sew after work. But I did *think* about quilts, quilting and my UFO’s! Maybe that down time is just our brains sorting out the creative process. Like defragmenting your hard drive!
Oh joy! What an inspiration your quilts and totes and fabrics have been to me! I’m in the middle of remodeling my rental property and my home and have had no time for sewing or even fabric shopping! But your blog and pinterest views fills my fabric longings!!! Thanks so much for sharing. Marie
thanks so much! I love that I give inspiration to others. I’m in a bit of a creative slump right now. Hoping My urge to be creative comes back soon!
Anne
Gee haven’t heard from you in a while. Are you alright?
Allene Bys
Iowa
I’m good. Just in a bit of a creative slump and busy with other stuff. Hope to be back to creating soon.
Anne
I miss seeing your post. Love all your quilts. It’s inspiring for me to see your work. I hope to see more post from you. Hugs to your sweet pups.
In a bit of a creative slump. Hoping my urge to create comes back soon!
Anne
I hope your creative side starts peaking through soon, since winter is almost here.
Que se passe t-il, plus de nouvelles depuis plus d’un mois ?. Je n’étais pas très attentive car j’ai eu le Covid et assez fortement, mais maintenant que je vais mieux, je m’inquiète car rien sur ton blog. j’espère que tu vas bien. reviens vite tu me manques
Je vais bien. J’ai fait une petite pause et j’attends que ma créativité reprenne. Désolé que tu aies été malade. Je suis content que tu ailles mieux.
Anne
Hi Anne, Glad to hear you are well, I been missing your posts. Doggies are well too?
Dear Agilejack I could not think of your name but I remembered your super cute Christmas tree scenes and looking through my emails realized there had not been a new one since the end of September.
I hope you are all right ??? I will say a prayer for you and I wish you well. God bless.
Sincerely Melody Anderson
I’m fine. Just in a bit of an extended creative slump. I think I may be feeling a twinkle of inspiration. Maybe I’ll be back at it after new years!
Anne
Anne God bless you
Melody
Dear Anne. Like so many people I miss your posts also. And like you I find myself in a creative block. Going to Spain for 3 months to flee the weather in the Netherlands where we are living, will cure that, I hope.
I wish you well and hope the Christmas time will be a good one.
Elly
Thank you for checking in. There are a lot of people in creative blocks. Interesting that so many are feeling it. I am feeling my juices flowing again a little. Maybe I’ll be inspired to be back in my sewing room after new years.
Anne
The last email I received from you was in September. Have you stopped the blog? Jackie Allen
just in a. creative dry spell. Seems like it may be lifting some.
Anne