Signed, Sealed & Delivered

Stars for San Bruno #1
Stars for San Bruno #1

I went downstairs this morning to get some water before I started my day. I hadn’t see the mail from the day before and it was sitting on the dining room table. I glanced through it and noticed two handwritten enveloped addressed to me. I recognized the addresses as being from the recipients of the Stars for San Bruno quilts. My heart fluttered a bit.

I didn’t get a response to my emails and notes, so I didn’t want to say anything to you when I sent the quilts off last Friday (return receipt requested) in case they were not well received.

Crazy talk, I know. Sometimes I can’t help myself.

 

Stars for San Bruno #2
Stars for San Bruno #2

I was kind of afraid of what I would find when I read the notes, so I went and got ready for work and started my breakfast before I read them.

I really never know how people will respond.

Will they hate the look of the quilt?

Will they feel resentful because they feel obligated to me?

I rarely ever send anyone anything with the expectation of getting something back. The reviews I do for Lark Books I do as a service to YOU. When I send letters to my friends, I send them with a sense of joy in my heart that they will receive a handwritten letter they can enjoy.

Stars for San Bruno #3
Stars for San Bruno #3

There was no reason for me to be afraid. Their notes were grateful and heartfelt. They made me cry.

DH’s cousin writes:

“Words can’t express the feelings that T and I felt. Tears of happiness to know that so many wonderful people put their hearts and hands into such a beautiful quilt….

The quilt has lifted our spirits ~ we have a long healing process but this will help with the warm feeling and thoughts that were sent our way….we have another few months until all is done. Thanks again with much love  T & R.”

I am so pleased. I am pleased that the quilts were accepted with the spirit in which they were sent. I was pleased to get such heartfelt thank you notes. Those notes made all the difference.

Note to those who participated: I will scan the notes and send them off to you separately.

 

All SfSB All the Time

I wanted one post where I showed all the quilts together. You never know when you need to refer back tot hem and it is much easier to refer back to one post than several.

Stars for San Bruno #1
Stars for San Bruno #1

I can’t decide which is my favorite. They all have their charms.

#1 is really a classic design with a kind of random set of the blocks.

DH commented that he really liked the colors. I have a Mariner’s Compass for him pretty far down the list, but when I make it, I will consider making it blue and gold.

I first did the thin border on a quilt called Water Kaleidoscope (not sure if I have a photo) and have always wanted to use that kind of border again, so I was pleased to find that opportunity in #1.

The series of three also gave me the opportunity to try some different things while still working with a limited set of blocks and colors.

Stars for San Bruno #2
Stars for San Bruno #2

I do like the asymmetrical border on #2 and I may not have done it on another quilt. Having a lot of SherriD’s blocks to work with made that border possible. I think it was also a good use for those blocks.

I think being able to try out that type of border and see how it looked made me more comfortable with, perhaps, using the design element on another quilt in the future.

I also notice that #2 seems to have a lot more stars than the others. #1 and #3 still seem to have enough stars, which is good.

We’ll have to see.

Stars for San Bruno #3
Stars for San Bruno #3

By #3, the concept of these quilts was getting old and I wanted the project finished. I also did not want to infuse the quilt with bad energy, so I took up a new design challenge, which was a row quilt. This was a challenge, because of the variety of sizes of blocks I had to work with. With my SIL’s embroidered blocks, I was also able to take the asymmetrical border idea in a different direction.

I also wanted to take the opportunity to say that I could not have done this project without the help of the people who contributed blocks and my mom who not only made blocks, but also made backs and bindings and was my general quilt dogsbody. The awesome contributors are:

  • Reva Bailey, a member of the Contemporary Quilt & Fiber Artists, California
  • Michelle Boyd, a member of Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild, California
  • Mary Carroll, mom, California
  • Diane Carver, a member of the Contemporary Quilt & Fiber Artists, California
  • Chris Crawford, a member of the Contemporary Quilt & Fiber Artists, California
  • Sherri Dodds, blogger, Creative Prompt Project participant, and a member of Quilt Mavericks, Arkansas
  • Barsha Elzey, a member of Marin Quilt & Needlearts Guild, California
  • Carol Hansen, a blogger and Creative Prompt Project participant from Tennessee
  • Sandy Hasenauer, podcaster from NY
  • Bronwen McInerny, a member of the Contemporary Quilt & Fiber Artists, California
  • Jeanne Neptune, TFQ, Washington
  • Adrianne Ove, a member of Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild, California
  • Sue Porter, a member of the Contemporary Quilt & Fiber Artists, California
  • Catherine Wong, SIL, Maryland

Finished: Stars for San Bruno #3

Stars for San Bruno #3
Stars for San Bruno #3

As promised, I am posting a photo of the Stars for San Bruno #3 quilt.There is probably only one more post left in this project and that will be to tell you how the deliveries went.

My normal quilt hanger was not tall enough and his wing span wasn’t large enough to hold the quilt straight, so I commandeered Mom and TFQ to do the work. They are both tiny, so they stood on chairs and let me snap away.

Stars for San Bruno #3 – Ready to Quilt

I want to make another Anna Maria Horner Multi-tasker tote.

“But, Jaye,” you say “you have so many works in progress, don’t you want to finish them before you start something new?”

I did finish something!!!!

Stars for San Bruno #3 Top
Stars for San Bruno #3 Top

The top for the Stars for San Bruno #3 is pieced, the back is pieced, the binding is made. All the parts are hung up and waiting to go to the quilter.

I feel like I have made a significant step in the Stars for San Bruno Project. it feels SOOOO good to say: All of the piecing for all of the quilts in this project is COMPLETE!! Yes, I finished the piecing for Stars for San Bruno #3 on Sunday. I also made the back and binding.

Stars for San Bruno #3 Back
Stars for San Bruno #3 Back

The back took a lot of time. I have mostly used up the value of blue fabric that I planned to use in all of these quilts, so I spent a lot of time piecing bits of fabric together. It was soothing in a way, but as you can see, some of the fabrics are not blue. They were in the blue bin, so I counted them as available to use.

Also, a note on the photos. My quilt hanger’s wingspan is smaller than the quilt, so the photos aren’t terrific. Hopefully, you get the idea and will come back and continue to read  and not be horrified by my terrible photography skills.

So, everyone, do a happy dance. The end is near.

Stars for San Bruno #3 Progress

Stars for San Bruno #3
Stars for San Bruno #3

I worked all Sunday and a couple of hours on Monday afternoon on the Stars for San Bruno #3. I am too small, so I asked the Young Man to hold it up to me, which, as you can see, didn’t work out very well.

The way I asked him to hold it is actually sideways. The plan was to make a row quilt with vertical rows of stars. If I would actually measure on occasion, I would have known that it would come out weirdly wide. Looking at it like this gives me a chance to see whether it will look ok with horizontal rows.

It definitely needs some kind of spacer on the [current] sides. I want something to separate the pieced stars from the embroidered stars I plan to use for the border.

Progress on one of the 26 Projects? Yes.

Stars for San Bruno #3

Stars for San Bruno #3 Layout?
Stars for San Bruno #3 Layout?

I finally started the Stars for San Bruno #3 quilt. The picture is lame, I know. It looks like nothing and you can’s see the squares I put on point or squared up. I wanted those of you who participated to know I am not being completely lame.

Stars for San Bruno #2 is almost ready. #2 and #3 go to the same family, so I need to finish #3 before I can get #2 out of the house. I plan to work on it soon so you can see some real progress.

More Stars for San Bruno

A few days ago, I put out a desperate plea for additional star blocks and you came through brilliantly! Thank you!

My mom got hers additional blocks in first. She was heading off to vacation when I called her and got a few blocks made before she left. She will probably be mad to hear that I didn’t use them yet. Sorry mom!

Michelle contacted me out of the blue and asked if she could contribute, then she came through with flying colors. She made a vast array of the blocks, so I will have many more blocks to work with. Thanks, Michelle!

My SIL also came through spades. She has a large, stand-alone embroidery machine and embroidered a bunch of blocks. These will give the last quilt a different look.

I also made the binding for the Stars for San Bruno #2 and will send that to the quilter tomorrow. Now I am more excited to start.

Stars for San Bruno #2 Off to Finishing

Stars for San Bruno #2
Stars for San Bruno #2

As I mentioned I took the Stars for San Bruno #2 quilt to my quilter last Friday. I am so pleased that I finished the top and that I am really moving along on this project. I probably won’t get it back until the beginning of September.

I was stupid about how I put this top together and ended up needing to sew a lot of partial seams. I decided to put on two borders (yellow and blue) on the top. I thought about putting two yellow borders, but couldn’t face the scrap piecing so I compromised by putting a slightly wider yellow border on.

I have a large piece of solid fabric left that I want to use for #3,  but other than that, I don’t have much dark blue fabric left. Tons of turquoise, but none of that deep blue. I am trying not to buy any more for #3.

I am not that fond of working with really dark colors anymore, but have been trying hard not to infuse the quilt with resentful or bad feelings since I want these quilts to be a comfort to their new owners. It is working very well and I don’t even have to try that hard. I do know that I need to take a short break and do some other projects before starting on #3.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed blocks.

Stars for San Bruno #2 in progress

SfSB #2 Design Process
SfSB #2 Design Process

The ‘paint was barely dry’ on SfSB #1, but I got busy putting the Stars for San Bruno #2 quilt together on Sunday. I had done a few smaller projects on Friday and Saturday afternoon and decided that Sunday morning was the day for SfSB #2.

Putting all of the blocks on the floor and looking at them worked pretty well last time, so I did that again. I found that they logically divided themselves into 2 groups (generally right and left of the photo). Most of the blocks on the left are Sawtooth Stars and I decided to group them into one quilt. I saved the Stars on the right for the last quilt.

Auditioning Fabric
Auditioning Fabric

Once I had selected the blocks, I laid them out on some fabric that Sandy sent just to get an idea of what I was facing.

I could see right away that there would be a lot more open space in this quilt, because I didn’t have as many blocks left. This looks more like a starry night sky, I think.

The quilt didn’t really end up like this at all, but it was a starting point.

Borders and Layout
Borders and Layout

I could see from the layout above that I needed some of the blocks with the light background in lower corner.

More rearranging…

This is a technique that I call improvisational piecing. TFQ and I have used this process when working together on a quilt called She had to have her Latte, which was kind of a precursor to the Tarts Come to Tea. Isn’t it strange how I can relate all of my quilts to each other?

I kept rearranging disparate sized blocks and adding coping strips, corners and strips until the pieces fit together. This process is not for the faint of heart.

Rearranging Process
Rearranging Process
Making Progress
Making Progress

I decide where I am going to start and then march down or across the quilt.In this case, I started from the top and moved towards the bottom. I decided to put almost all of the blocks on point, so I added triangle corners to them. I also filled in the spaces with large pieces of fabric.

SfSB#2 Finished Top
SfSB#2 Finished Top

I was able to finish the top last night. I wanted to get the parts off of my design floor and I didn’t want to have to remember what went where. There was a lot of partial seaming, so it was important to me to get the pieces together correctly.

As you can see, I added a few pinwheel blocks in different sizes. I was inspired by the very center of TFQ’s block (upper right), though I realized that I didn’t make them exactly like hers.

My first thought after sewing on the last line of blocks (right) and looking at the whole piece was that it needed a border. Sigh.

Finished: Stars for San Bruno #1!!

Stars for San Bruno #1
Stars for San Bruno #1

Yes, I really did it! I made the first quilt in this series and it is finished. I have brought it around to CQFA and BAMQG and shown the contributors in those groups. I want as many people as possible who contributed blocks to see it before I give it to DH’s cousin.

Now I have to call the cousins and arrange to bring the quilt. I am nervous, since I don’t know them that well. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Nota bene: the Block-a-long will return next week.

Stars for San Bruno – More Stars Needed

Sandy's Stars
Sandy's Stars

Want to contribute? I could use some more blocks.

Friendship Stars and Sawtooth Stars are both easy and relatively fast to make.

All star blocks are welcome!

Block background: dark blue
Block design: Yellow star (any pattern, technique, eg. embroidery, painting, silkscreen, etc)
Block size: 8? finished (8.5? unfinished) or smaller (we will work with any size)
Remember to sign your block!

Stars for San Bruno #1 Design Process

You want to know my biggest problem with this quilt? I don’t have enough dark blue fabric. I have used EVERY scrap, except the tiniest (I mean, really, why bother?), for this project and I haven’t even gotten through the first quilt. I kid you not. Now I know that I never buy dark blue. No big loss, but, yes, I went to the fabric store to see what would work.

Design Toss
Design Toss

I tossed all the blocks out like this to see what inspiration I would get. It actually worked pretty well, because I could see some patterns start to emerge.

DH really liked the layout above and thought I should applique’ everything down like this. In an ideal world, with a fleet of sewing ladies, i would have done this, but I am still waiting for my fleet.

Design Toss Trimmed
Design Toss Trimmed

Once some patterns started to form, I began editing. Above is what is left after the first edit. The edited blocks will go into one of the other quilts. All the blocks will be used, don’t worry.

Border tryout
Border tryout

Sue’s blocks really wanted to be the border, so I tried them out in different ways. Tossing is a lot easier than sewing, so they won’t be as wonky as they seem here.

 

Line 'em Up
Line 'em Up

The editing is done, though I haven’t worked much on the bottom left hand corner and will need to pay some attention down there, so I started to line up the blocks and start filling in with pieces of fabric. I added some triangles to get some movement.

Sew 'em Up
Sew 'em Up

This is the top of SfSB#1. I have the border put together and am starting to sew rows together. It is harder to chunk with improvisational piecing, but I will do some chunking.

I really like how well the blocks fit together in terms of color.

Make 'em Fit
Make 'em Fit

You can see some chunking going on above. You can also see the neglected stepchild that is the lower left corner. I’ll get to it. The ultimate goal is to have a square or rectangle that is not to big, but will be big enough to snuggle with.

Lower Left Corner
Lower Left Corner

I thought of putting some coping strips in, but then I looked through the blocks again and found some smallish blocks (thanks, Diane!) that would fit and add interest to the bottom.

SfSB#1: Making progress
SfSB#1: Making progress

The piece is coming together.

Stars for San Bruno #1 Top sans Border
Stars for San Bruno #1 Top sans Border

Looks a little unfinished.

Adding Borders
Adding Borders

A little bit of breathing room around the edge should do the trick.

Do you like it?

 

Stars for San Bruno Stragglers

Julie's Jewels
Julie's Jewels

Last call for Stars for San Bruno netted a bunch of blocks! In addition to those I talked about last week, I received 4 more over the weekend. These two beauties are from Julie. She sent me a little note with them wondering if I would be able to use them.

YES! Most definitely yes. I think they look like jewels, like the stone in a ring that sparkles elegantly. They are all applique’ and I think they will make an excellent addition to the quilts.

Reva's Contribution
Reva's Contribution

One of the things I like about the blocks people are sending is that they are all different in some way. Yes, Sue and SherriD both sent groups of similar blocks, but there is something different about each block. Many of the people who have contributed do not normally make block quilts, so I am especially touched.

As soon as I finish this reorganization, I am going to start piecing. My mom is out of town without her sewing machine, so she is off the hook for now. Perhaps I’ll get her to make the backs. 😉

Want to help? I am still accepting blocks. Leave a note on this post to let me know they are coming.

The background for this project is: that one family we know from school and my husband’s cousin were affected by the September 2010 San Bruno fire. We are making 3 quilts: one for our cousin and his wife, one for my son’s friend and one for the parents of my son’s friend.

I am thrilled at how many people are making a  block or two. Do you want to contribute some blocks?

All star blocks are welcome!

Block background: dark blue
Block design: Yellow star (any pattern, technique, eg. embroidery, painting, silkscreen, etc)
Block size: 8? finished (8.5? unfinished) or smaller (we will work with any size)
Remember to sign your block!

Deadline: End of March 2011, but I can only piece one quilt at a time and all blocks will be used.

Latest Stars for San Bruno

Sue's Stars
Sue's Stars

I received this group of 10 stars plus some goodies from Sue last week. Aren’t they great?

One thing I know about the Liberated stars is that the proportion of the star points need some attention otherwise the stars look weird. Sue has nailed that and her stars have a lot of movement. They look cheerfully wonky. I am thinking of using them around the edge of a quilt – not quite a border, but something similar.

I also like the scrapiness of these blocks. I need to get started!

Sandy's Stars
Sandy's Stars

Sandy, from Quilting for the Rest of Us podcast, also sent some stars. Her color choices are fabulous! The yellow stands out against the blue wonderfully.

I am also thrilled that so many people have made the Friendship Star. I hope it infuses the quilt with good feelings for the families.

Thanks to Sandy and Sue for taking the time!

Want to help? We are doing this project because one family we know from school and my husband’s cousin were affected by the September 2010 San Bruno fire. We are making 3 quilts: one for our cousin and his wife, one for my son’s friend and one for the parents of my son’s friend.

I am thrilled at how many people are making a  block or two. Do you want to contribute some blocks?

All star blocks are welcome!

Block background: dark blue
Block design: Yellow star (any pattern, technique, eg. embroidery, painting, silkscreen, etc)
Block size: 8? finished (8.5? unfinished) or smaller (we will work with any size)
Remember to sign your block!

Deadline: End of March, but I can only piece one quilt at a time and all blocks will be used.