Ocean Stars

Ocean Stars

This week's quilt has lots of small pieces, which took a while to cut and stitch together. I believe it was worth the time, since I absolutely love the final results.

Prairie Star is a block often seen in antique quilts. I can't imagine how long it would have taken to hand piece and hand quilt a larger bed size version. I'm happy to have dies and cutters and a sewing machine!

I used up scraps from my blue, aqua, and white remnant bins. I sewed on my Janome MC9450 in order to make use of the perfect ¼” foot and lock stitch feature. Those Y-seams and points turn out so crisp when you're accurate.

After adding sashing in a white and gray circle print, I quilted in rows with pale blue thread using a scallop stitch. Ocean Stars finished at 51” square. I'm going to hang this cool and soothing quilt on our bedroom wall for the summer.

Accuquilt dies used:
55540 Prairie Star 14” finished
55059 Squares 2” finished
55017 Strips 2½”

 

Kites On The Beach

Kites On The Beach

This design is an old classic, and these beachy colors made it even more special.

The kite and triangle dies combine for an 8” version of the kaleidoscope block. I dived into my scrap bins once again to hunt for restful shades of sand, sea, and sky.

Using a straight stitch, I quilted in ecru thread on both sides of the seam lines to outline the design. Kites On The Beach finished at 48” square.

The Gulf Coast is my favorite place to escape, relax and recharge. Load up the car, it's definitely time for a road trip!

Accuquilt dies used:
55254 Kite 4” finished (kite shape)
55409 Triangle in a Square 4” finished (triangle shape)
55017 Strips 2½”

Cozy Cottage

Cozy Cottage, Useful Remnants 2022

Sweet vintage style prints are the perfect choice for this quilt. Soft aqua, green, lilac, and blue fabrics remind me of a country getaway spot or a beach house.

I used EQ8 to experiment with color placement before cutting the 12” blocks. This snuggly 48” throw was quilted with light gray thread, using a wiggly wave ruler. The backing is a cream vine design.

I may just brew a cup of tea and settle in with Cozy Cottage quilt and a good book. 

By the way, for those who are keeping track, my final 2022 project count was 50.  I was a busy girl!  

Happy New Year everyone!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6958 Candy Star
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

Triangulation

Triangulation

Geometric shapes are traditional in quilts. These large 8” equilateral triangles made easy work of cutting and sewing. It's a nice change after last week's tiny pieces.

Medium and light shades of blue, aqua, and cream create a soft peaceful vibe. Adding an extra strip of triangles across the natural muslin backing makes this one reversible.

I quilted along all seam lines using a straight stitch with dark cream thread. I finished off the binding with a decorative blanket stitch. Triangulation is 44” x 49” size.

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6568 8” finished equilateral triangle
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

Sand, Sea, & Stars

While wishing for a beach vacation, I designed this calm and peaceful quilt.

The two sea green fabrics came from an antique mall near Foley, Alabama. I chose light and medium gray for contrast, with a white on natural print background. Alternating two blocks, Blazing Star and Hourglass in Square, adds to the vintage look.  I framed it up with a sea green border. 

Sand, Sea, & Stars finished out at 55” square. I used dark cream thread for quilting scallop stitches 2” apart in one direction. Backing is a simple natural muslin.

Picture this sweet quilt in a beachfront cottage. I would love to be there right now!

Accuquilt dies used:
55051 Blazing Star BOB 12” finished
55002 Quarter Square Triangles, 6 ½”
55006 Half Square Triangles 3 ½”
55032 Strip 3 ½”
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Let's go to a place

where the stars

kiss the ocean

Stormy Beach

Batik fabrics in ocean hues combine beautifully with a muted blue-gray mini dot to make the storm at sea blocks on this quilt. I've been wanting to sew this one for a while, but I don't have the die.

Fortunately, I do have individual dies for the pieces needed. I laid out the block using EQ8 to fit those dies. Perfection! I had to make more cuts that I would have with the block on board die, but it's certainly easier than rotary cutting everything.

For quilting, I stitched with cream to gray variegated thread, using a walking foot, mirroring the motion in the design. Borders are quilted with a serpentine pattern. Binding and backing is a wide beige cobblestone print. Stormy Beach is 47” square.

These seaside colors remind me of a cloudy beach after a rain: so relaxing, peaceful, and mellow. I hung it on the wall in our great room for the summer, adding other display quilts and pillows in complementary colors. We're not traveling to the beach this year due to COVID, so I made the best of it with décor.

Accuquilt dies used:
55018 Small value die
55047 Quarter square triangle 4” finished
55031 Half square triangle 4” finished
55409 Triangle in square 4” finished
55818 Half square triangle 1½”

Everything is better 

at the beach... 

even rain. 

Full Sun

It's a perfect sunny day for a bright and cheerful quilt like Full Sun. Evidently I'm still on a beach theme.

Bright orange, melon, and yellow prints cut into isosceles triangles sew into octagon shaped beach umbrellas. Corner triangles of white on white swirls complete the squares, making a kaleidoscope block. Narrow sashing between them gives just enough space for the umbrellas to float on a bed of white sand. 

Just right for the beach, which is where I'd love to be. Curved free motion quilting in white thread on the blocks accents the triangles. A small serpentine stitch along the center of the sashing frames each one. Finished size is 46” square.

Dies used:

Blue Wren
6015 1 ½” strip
6396 Isosceles Triangle 5” x 6”

Accuquilt
55017 2 ½” strip
55009 3 ½” HST

I found me

under an umbrella

by the sea

Oasis + Fabric

oasis: something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast

As I hinted last week, we've just returned from a seven day trip to my favorite oasis – Alabama's gulf coast. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offered sunshine, balmy temperatures, and an escape from daily routines.

The highlights:

Morning and evening beach walks. Calming sound and scent of the waves. Amazing sunsets. It didn't take long for me to slow down to beach time.

Outstanding meals, including “the best fried shrimp in the entire civilized world” at Doc's Seafood (it absolutely is!), Parmesan Encrusted Flounder at DeSoto's Seafood Kitchen, fried whitefish with corn fritters at Mikee's, and a perfectly awesome bacon cheeseburger at Duck's Diner.

Touring the wonderful exhibits at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, plus the bonus of Blue Angels flying down our beach daily.

We shopped at thrift stores, local shops, a giant flea market, and …. FABRIC STORES! As usual, I filled a grocery cart with quilting prints at Fabrics by the Pound in Summerdale, AL. 

A & E Fabrics in Pensacola started their Black Friday sale early (50% off); so many beautiful designs that it was difficult to choose! It was my first visit, but I'll be back. My stash has grown by another 67 yards thanks to encouragement by my tolerant, generous husband.

Everyone needs a break from routine life now and then, even retirees! Find your oasis and plan your escape.

Seaside Carnival

As soon as I got my latest Accuquilt die (on sale!) I grabbed some scraps and started cutting. Bright turquoise and sunny yellow colors with crisp white are perfect for contrast to show off this pretty design. They remind me so much of my favorite place, the beach.

I sewed four Hattie's Choice (55220) 9" blocks together and added a coordinating striped border to make a cute table mat. These pieces are small, but easy to sew. Backing is bright yellow with white dots. I quilted with white thread 3/4” apart from the center out, in quarter sections, creating a nice geometric pattern. Seaside Carnival is 21” square.

I already have several more ideas sketched out that use this die but they may have to wait...this one made me hear the beach calling. I'm headed there 'cause I need sea therapy and toes in the sand.  There will be plenty of inspiration for new quilts, a couple of fabric stores to visit, and lots of fresh seafood.

This Thanksgiving week I am grateful for being able to live the simple life that I love, surrounded by those who genuinely care for me. I'm glad I learned to let go of things, people, and situations that don't bring me peace and happiness.

🌟  Count your blessings! 🌟 

Star Island - Done!

Star Island

I'm finally back to normal around the house so this quilt is finished. I think it was worth the wait. Nine-patch blocks in light seaside colors of lilac, aqua, tan, and sage are lovely with the white star points.

Star Island is 45” square. I quilted diagonally across the blocks in a straight stitch, using a light lavender thread. Then I added serpentine stitching horizontally and vertically in the same color.

Can't you just picture it lying across a wicker chair in a beach cottage?

Accuquilt dies used:

3 1/2" Square 55006

3 1/2" Triangle in square 55027

Autumn Vortex

Autumn Vortex

The calendar shows it's fall, but the temperature says something else entirely. It has officially been the hottest and driest September on record in Middle Tennessee. Though endless summer sounds nice, I do not like ninety degree days this time of year.

I've stayed indoors, happily sewing with autumn colors: brown, black, gold, burgundy remnants with cream and white for contrast. This simple kaleidoscope block was cut with two Accuquilt dies. I combined the center sections of 4” triangle in square and kite blocks.

Alternating the dark and light colors creates a striking effect, much like swirling leaves. I pressed the seams so that they would nest together, which helps them lay flat at the center points. After sewing the 30 blocks together, I added borders in a black burlap print. 

Quilting with dark gray thread, I used a straight stitch to outline the overlapping octagon shapes. The intersections made an interesting star design. Borders were finished with a serpentine pattern. I chose Black Dimples 108” wide print from Keepsake Quilting for backing and binding. Autumn Vortex is 48” x 56” in size. 

Maybe soon it will get cooler. If not, I'll turn the thermostat lower so I can actually use some of these quilts. 

In the meantime, I'm drinking iced tea and listening to Endless Summer, the classic Beach Boys album.

Accuquilt dies used: Kite 55254 and 4 ½” Triangle in Square 55409

Meditation

Calming colors of light aqua, cream and white give today's quilt a light, airy feel. I started with a 5” charm pack of aqua prints, cutting them with the Accuquilt signature block. I added 5” squares and triangles of scrap pieces and arranged them in a diagonal cross pattern.

Backing is a white and gray print. I quilted ½” apart with white thread in four quadrants, following the diagonal cross. Meditation is 46” square.

It coordinates perfectly with my recent queen size quilt (Cool Lagoon). Our master suite has been transformed into a calming retreat. With the addition of some ocean sounds, I'm falling asleep dreaming of the sea.

Sky above

sand below

peace within

We dream in colors

borrowed from the sea

Cool Lagoon

This week's quilt is a big one...queen size for our bedroom. I chose fabrics in cool aqua textures, crisp white tone on tone, and a taupe and white print. I experimented with a couple of layouts in EQ8 software before finalizing the design.

Accuquilt's flowering snowball die made cutting and sewing the curves nearly effortless, but it still took a day to cut all the pieces for 64 twelve inch blocks. Large quilts aren't done overnight, so I set aside time each day to stitch a few blocks. 

Though patience is not usually one of my virtues, I enjoyed the process of working on this one. I used wide flannel for batting so it wouldn't be so heavy, then backed it with a white on cream circle print. White thread for quilting in a straight stitch made nice 2” squares in the aqua center sections. An uncomplicated quilting design made it easier to handle this big quilt on my Janome MC9400 home sewing machine. Cool Lagoon is 97” square.

I added a pillow made from my test block, and still need to finish reversible shams, one side in aqua and the other in the cream/white circles. 

A restful summery beach theme was my goal and I love the result. Taupe walls and sandy colored carpet in our bedroom give me the ability to change the look easily by using different colored bedding. 

Decorating with quilts is versatile because their designs can either be the focal point or just compliment other décor. To me, they make a house feel like home.

The ultimate luxury

is being able to

relax and enjoy

your home.

~Jeff Lincoln

Seaside Cobblestones

Nature's muted colors combined beautifully with large hexagons in this throw sized quilt. Light aqua, soft brown and cream prints made me think of a cozy beach cottage.  

Measuring 42" x 53", Seaside Cobblestones is currently draped across the back of my bedroom chair.

The AccuQuilt half hexagon die made sewing this one quick and easy with all straight seams. The backing and binding is a tan and white crosshatch pattern.

Free motion quilting was done on my Flynn Frame. I stitched large swirls with medium tan thread in each hexagon first, then removed the frame to decorate the borders. Small swirls and applique stitching finished it off with flair.

Until I can get a beach trip scheduled, I'll just retreat to our bedroom and dream of the ocean.

“For her 

the ocean was 

more than a dream, 

it was a place she needed 

to visit to find herself.

And when she returned 

to the city, 

you could see 

the sun in her eyes, 

the wind in her hair, 

and the taste of 

the infinite salt 

on her lips.” 

 ~Jose Chaves

Orange Beach

Orange Beach

For this rainy Monday I have a bright and cheerful quilt to show you. A sunset orange and aquamarine print from my stash combined beautifully with a sensational aqua, orange and yellow batik that I bought last November while visiting Orange Beach, Alabama. These medium large prints work great with the 12” flowering snowball block from Accuquilt.

Orange Beach finished out at 58” square. I quilted around the edges of each piece in orange and aqua thread. The backing is aqua and white circles that look like bubbles. 

I think it would be fabulous hanging as wall art in a beach house, or used to snuggle for cool nights on the sand. Either way, it says beach to me and I'm ready to go back right now!

By the way, I found the batik at Fabrics By The Pound in Summerdale, Alabama. Go see them if you're ever in the area and need a nice variety of good quality fabric at excellent prices.

I think this is my favorite quilt yet, but I say that all the time, don't I?

If you can't be at the beach,

then surround yourself

with colorful memories

of sand, sun, and sky.

~me

Barefoot On The Beach

We just got home from a most delightful week in Orange Beach, Alabama. The weather was perfect, lows in the mid 50's and highs in the mid 70's. Our tenth floor suite at the recently renovated Island House Hotel in Orange Beach was super clean and spacious. The view and the beach were beautiful. The waves sounded amazing. There weren't many people around until Saturday and even then it wasn't really crowded.

Pecan Encrusted Grouper - DeSoto's

And, oh my, the seafood! 

Our favorite Gulf Shores restaurants, Mikee's Seafood and DeSoto's Seafood Kitchen, are still providing mouth-watering meals. Mikee's fried shrimp, fried red snapper and pan grilled grouper are so delicious. DeSoto's pecan encrusted flash fried grouper and Parmesan breaded flounder were the best I have ever eaten. We tried a new spot, Doc's Seafood Shack, which claims to have “the best fried shrimp in the entire civilized world” – and I believe they may be correct. Medium tailless shrimp with a light flaky batter were fried to perfection. Several new places looked promising, but there are just too many restaurants and not enough time!

Shopping load from the beach

Of course, there was shopping. Fabrics By The Pound, located in Summerdale, has an outstanding inventory of high quality quilting fabric and batting. What I bought wasn't sold by the pound, but the prices were reasonable at $7.99 per yard and sale prices of $4.99 per yard. Their decorator and upholstery fabric was nice, and the staff was very friendly. I was there for a while; filled a buggy with fabric bolts. Our car was a bit heavier on the way home. At Foley Antique Marketplace, Jerold found a $50 bargain with a Zenith Transoceanic radio, circa 1954.

There's new construction going on with condos and beach houses in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Fort Morgan is still mostly houses, thank goodness. 

To cap our trip, as we were sitting on the balcony on the last evening, we saw some unusual activity on the beach. A guy in khakis set out a blanket, cooler, and a sign of some sort, then left it and hid behind a dune with a girl in a dress who had a huge camera. Got our binoculars, and another well dressed couple was hiding behind another dune nearby. Soon after, a young couple came down the beach and stopped at the blanket. You guessed it, a proposal. They hugged, he dropped down on one knee, and she said yes. How cool is that? I hope they stay married at least as long as we have.

The beach is truly my happy place. I love being there, feeling the breeze, smelling the sea air, and hanging out with my guy. If we had an opportunity to move there, I would have to think about it, but it might not take long to decide. It is a magical, relaxing, calming spot. 

Perdido Pass Bridge, Orange Beach

 

Road Trip - Beach Time

Last week, I took my own advice and went on a road trip with someone fun. The destination was Orange Beach, Alabama and my sidekick was my sweet husband. We loved every minute, even though it was mostly cloudy and cool.

We spent one of the rainy days exploring the National Naval Aviation Museum at the home of the Blue Angels in Pensacola, Florida. They have added another building since we visited ten years ago, and now have over 55,000 sq. ft. of exhibits covering early flight to modern aircraft and space exploration. I took over a hundred photos of historic planes and informative exhibits. If you've never been, I highly recommend making time to go.  It's free, except for the IMAX films and Simulators.

I'm all relaxed now after beach walks, shopping, and amazing seafood at our favorite spots. Mikee's Seafood and DeSoto's in Gulf Shores served us grilled amberjack, fried red snapper, pan seared mahi-mahi, and fried shrimp, which were mouth-watering with very reasonable prices.

I adore going to the beach, especially in the off season when there are no crowds. The sound of the sea always calms me, the expanse of sky and water inspires me and brings me joy.

Smell the sea, and feel the sky,

let your soul and spirit fly.

--Van Morrison

Beach Music And A Blue Angel

What a fabulous Christmas gift to ourselves...a week on the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama!  The house we rented, a gulf front cottage called Beach Music, sits on the Fort Morgan end of the peninsula. It was nicely equipped with wide windows, big screen TV, satellite, a fireplace, and wi-fi. No one stayed in the houses around us until the last two days.

It was chilly when we arrived, and we had one night in the lower 30's. So what? We put on hoodies and jackets, and walked the beach anyway. Most days were fine, from the upper 50's to 70. Sunsets were bright and colorful; the stars were amazing. December is perfect here, since there are no crowds and rates are at their lowest. Shopping was fun, and the seafood was mouth-watering. We ate at our favorite places, Mikee's and DeSoto's.

The Blue Angels are based just down the road in Pensacola, and we've seen them practicing several times when we visited Gulf Shores. This trip, we only saw one of them, but he gave us a private air show that made our day! We were walking the beach, no one else in sight. He flew low toward Mobile Bay and wagged his wing a little as he passed us, very close to the beach. Then, he came zooming back and just as he got to us, turned on the smoke and did a loop in his F-18. Couldn't get the phone camera up quickly enough for that one! Then he moved out further over the gulf and went through some other maneuvers. We did get a few shots of those.

The beach is my happy place, rain or shine. I must have seagoing ancestors, because since the first time I saw the beach, I have been drawn to the rhythmic sound of the waves and the breathtaking beauty of the sea and sky. 

I am renewed and relaxed, with a sense of peace and happiness. And that is what I wish for you this Christmas.  

Dreaming Of A White Sandy Christmas

 

I'm dreaming of a white sandy Christmas

Unlike the ones I usually know

Where the white sand glistens,

and we will listen

To hear the waves as we relax from head to toe.

I'm dreaming of a white sandy Christmas

In a beach house on the Gulf

Where the shrimp are fresh and crisp,

and we'll walk the beach

To watch the sunset, I can't get enough.  

(Sorry to Irving Berlin for trashing his beautiful song)