Table Topper Flimsies, 60 Degree Angels, and IIWII

Last weekend was not that productive in the quilting area as I would have liked. However, I did manage to finish a lilac table topper for myself to the flimsy stage. This was a project that I started a year ago. I also finished one of these toppers for my Mom and my Aunt--only they got their table toppers over a year ago! http://silverthimblequilting.blogspot.com/2008/06/table-toppers.html


Hopefully, it won't take me another year to get this one quilted for myself!


The colours don't photograph as true as they are in real life. The purple in the lilacs is looking a little blue--you will have to take my word for it--those lilacs are really purple!

This next topper was a disappointment. My mom found this cute watermelon fabric while we were in Oregon last May. I found a pattern called, Wagon Wheels by Stitchin' Friends of IA that I thought would be perfect for this fabric. http://www.newleafpatterns.com/Patterns/Pattern_Images/StitchinFr/stitchinfr.html


I can tell you with certainty that I will never be making this pattern again! I am fed up with 60 degree angles, templates, and trying to get things to match up where they are supposed to. Some patterns are better left on the designer's studio floor and should never make it to the cute little plastic bag hanging on the hook in the quilt shop stage. Don't get me wrong, some designers know how to design and publish great patterns. One designer in particular who you can trust is Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs. Terry tests her patterns before publication on "real quilters". IMHO, this is a designer that not only knows what she is doing, but is interested in repeat sales of new designs and patterns to quilters who have previously purchased her products.

One of the FABs challenged us to include some things in our "bucket list" this year that we would like to try or conquer. I have not committed my bucket list to paper - partially because I may actually have to deliver on those items and partly because if I decide I don't like something, I can just abandon it and deny that it ever was a bucket list item. However, that same FAB has known of my triangle phobia for some time and has encouraged me to try different piecing methods in order to conquer my fear of triangles. I am wondering if piecing all these 60 degree angles counts towards piecing triangles. Maybe I should quickly add this to my bucket list so I can just as quickly strike it off that list! LOL

I started the first triangle piece of this topper in the morning, got so frustrated with the piecing technique described in the pattern and quickly abandoned the project for the day. As I hate to waste anything, I headed back down to the studio in the evening and decided that IIWII (it is what it is) and I finished it. So, here it is with all its imperfections. I am sure once it is quilted I will be able to find a home for it. Lucky for me I have fabric leftover and I can make another topper in a "friendlier" pattern.

Come to think of it, I should add IIWII to my bucket list and then I can strike two things off the list!

Cat Table Toppers

I finished off the binding on two table toppers tonight.

Both toppers are made from cat fabrics that my aunt fell in love with when we were fabric shopping in Fabric Depot last year.

This is the first topper - a spiderweb design.

Have a look at the cute kittens and puppies on the fabric that is on the back.

I was originally just making one topper but I had enough fabric leftover that I could make a second topper.

And more of those cute cats on the back.

Wedding

Last Saturday, June 20, our niece was married. This is a picture of the happy couple.

Because they are great Canucks' hockey fans, the bride and groom on this cake are wearing Canucks jerseys.

This is the queen size quilt that I finished as our wedding gift to C & K--bright and cheerful, just like C.

Since everyone was dressed in their finest, it seemed like a good opportunity to take a few pictures. This is my DH and me.

This is our DD and her boyfriend.

This is our son and his girlfriend.