2019 Gypsy Wife Quilt Along

I haven't blogged in quite some time... I think life just got very busy between family and work.  The loss of several people... family and friends... that I was close too just took all my energy away.

But now, I am back.  

While browsing around facebook recently I discovered an exciting new group to follow along as we piece an amazing quilt together.  I jumped all in and even volunteered to be a moderator!... what was I thinking!   :)

The pattern is The Gypsy Wife by Jen Kingwell of Amitie.com.au 

This looks like an amazing challenge for me to occupy my "downtime" between church and family and work and will feed my creative soul.

Join us on facebook at Gypsy Wife quilt along 2019 (sorry, when I figure out how to put the link here I will... for now just search for us on facebook)

UPDATE:   here is the link to our facebook page ....  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1020630088120710/


Everyone must purchase their own copy of the pattern... which can be found by doing a google search.  There are several sites and shops that you can purchase from (ie Etsy, Ebay, Amazon, and various online quilt shops).

No measurements or sizes will be posted... you must have your own pattern so as not to break copyright laws.

This will be a guided quilt-along.... that means beginning February 2, 2019 (and the first Saturday of each subsequent month) we will announce which blocks or section of the quilt we will be working on. Throughout the month we will post hints and tips to help you with challenges along the way (such as accurate cutting and sewing partial seams).

The quilt has been broken down into sections like so:

We are working out the details of how exactly we will do this... but just like eating an elephant, it will be one bite at a time!

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So to get this started and be ready to begin sewing on Feb 2 here is a list of fabric requirements.   You can start gathering your fabric while waiting for your pattern to arrive.

Several months ago I found a collection of 99 fat quarters for sale on a website that I can no longer remember the name of.  I fell in love with this collection and purchased it with no particular project in mind.  I think it will be perfect for this project.

I think I have decided to use neutrals for a background rather than a variety of colors, so I may need to dig through my stash for a few more fat quarters.  But this will be enough to get me started.

A search of Pintrest will show you a variety of backgrounds and colors that others have made to help you decide on your own color theme.

Here is a blank coloring sheet that I believe you can print off and practice coloring your own way. 

Paducha

 I was able to get away for several days to Paducha for some shopping and classes.

First stop.... Hancocks!  I needed some coordinating fabrics to construct this quilt block that I will be teaching at FCE retreat the end of May.   I don't know the official name or designer of this block, but was given a picture and asked to make a quilt. The design was based on the layout of the squares in Savannah GA by a quilt shop that used to be there.... So, I've named it Savannah Squares.   I was working on a sample block at the retreat two years ago and everyone suggested I teach it at a future retreat.  I will be able to teach this year and I've found these fabrics to make up kits for those who attend.... and I'll make up a quilt for myself with the extra fabric purchased.

My first of two classes was with Gail Garber.   Using a compass she taught us how to design our own star quilt.

These are some of the shape designs she incorporates into her quilts

A 6-pointed star she designed

  

She showed us how to use a compass to design a star.... and here is mine, colored in.   I need to cut it apart and paper piece it when I have some time.  I'll need to play with the compass some more and see what other designs I can come up with.

The second class I took was with Sue Patten.  A long-arm class named Plunk & Play.  I hadn't seen any of her work before, but it was a long-arm class and I was hoping to learn something new.  Boy, did I!

I probably would not have taken her class had I googled her in advance and learned more about her style.  Her quilting is more whole-cloth with a twist.   She tosses out templates, pounces with powder and the just sews... heavy quilting in spots, light quilting in others... very different then the  E2E quilting I'm accustomed to.   But, I gave it a try!   and it was fun!

I'm not sure if I'm interested in doing a complete quilt using this method, but I do have a quilt that I was going to applique kites in the border..... instead, I am going to give this a try.

  

During down-time between the show and classes at our cabin I brought along a project that I started in a Paducha class last year... Mardis Gras by Toby Lam Lischko.   I have made mine in Christmas colors rather than the purple/gold/green of Mardis Gras.

 

Nana! I can do it!

We have hit another milestone!   Last weekend our grandson decided he didn't want to ride with training wheels any more.  So I took them off and he spent hours tip-toe-ing up the driveway and trying to balance and get his feet on the pedals coming down.

Last night.... mission accomplished!

This morning he stopped mid-ride and had to pick some errant worms up off the driveway and put them in the garden and grass to help the flowers grow.

 

Then he serenaded me with his "I'm the worm-saver" song as he rode up an down the driveway.

Our little weekend projects

 This little project took two months of weekends and some evenings when it wasn't raining.  Last year, we removed the first stump and I planted my rose garden (3 roses) and some vegetables.  Once this second stump is out and the soil prepared I plan to add three more roses to the original section and this new section will become my vegetable garden.

We start by digging down around the stump and roots

digging out and chopping off  the extended roots

our grandson even gets involved cutting some of the smallest bits of root away

most of the side roots are cut away and now its time to dig down under and cut away the center of the stump

but first, rain storms form a moat around the main stump, delaying work

Once things have dried out a bit we cut away at the main stump... removing it piece by piece

It's these little roots on the bottom that give us biggest problems.  We have to carefully dig away the dirt because the chain saw dulls very quickly when it hits dirt.  

a little video on removing the main root.

Bird feeders

I try to keep the feeders on my deck full and enjoy watching the variety of feathered friends stop by to eat.

 

But this one guy isn't good about sharing.... and he keeps coming back if I'm not watching carefully to shoo him away... until he empties the feeders.

 

 

math woes...

Math has never been one of my strenghts.

7x8 does not equal 54    

back to the fabric store.

Signs of Spring...

Spring Break means a special breakfast!

Smiley Pancakes!

And we enjoyed watching our backyard visitors work on setting up house...

 

 

They were verry busy ducking in and out all morning long!

Commission Quilt

This weekend's wet and cooler weather kept us inside, each to our own activity

Pokemon and cartoons were happening in the basement.


Hubby was playing games on his blackberry and watching sports on TV.
(no picture of interest here)

And I spent the day working commission bowtie quilt.

I really like these bright colors and look forward to finishing it!

That was exciting!

Yesterday started out gray as I rushed out the door at 7:15 to get to my grandson's elementary school to teach this month's art class on Rembrandt.  It was darker by the time I got to school (hmmmm?) to begin preparing the classroom with the other volunteers.    

At 8am we looked at each other as we realized the  tornado sirens were blaring!....; followed soon after with annoucement by the principal over the PA system that everyone needed to get to their safe place.  Quickly and quietly (mostly) students and teachers (and volunteers/guests like me) ducked into brick fortified workrooms, closets and restrooms.... teachers grabbed walkie talkies and emergency bags.  I ducked into the nearest workroom and we waited.  Attendance was taken to be sure all students were accounted for and info relayed to the principal.... and we stood waiting for the all clear. We could hear the heavy rains/wind pounding on the roof. The kids were great!  Teachers distracted them by reading books and testing math skills with flash cards from their emergency bags.  

There were two waves of storms blowing through with about 10 minutes between.  Designated  staff patrolled the hallways and checked in on the hiding groups during the break.   It was during that 10 min break I was allowed to go down to the 2nd grade hall and check on my grandson.  His class of 18 students were squeezed into a 4x4 restroom... talk about sardines!  The substitute teacher opened the door for some air and read to them after the first and worst wave went through...but they weren't allowed to leave the room.  They were hot and sweaty in close quarters... and what made things worse is that today was pajama day and most of them had on the favorite flannels! Cheers could be heard throughout the school when the all clear was given and the school day could begin.

After class I walked out the front door on the way to my car and saw this across the street....

A large tree had uprooted and tipped over onto the house across the street.   The electric company (?) was already there cleaning up.

I didn't see any other damage on the way home.  I heard there is some damage, fallen trees and such around the county, but no loss of life.  So I am very happy!

and speaking of happy!   Toby was sooo glad to see me.  I am sure he was hunkered down in house tucked up against the corner by the back door throughout the storms... but he was wild when I got home.  I could barely open the back gate and he was out and into the garage and ready to hide in the house.  I opened the door and he went strait to his corner in the basement and curled up.  I turned on the light and the music and he rested quietly all afternoon.