Golf has taken over Augusta...making it difficult for me to think of much else this weekend!

The challenge for my guild's show this fall is "picture this"...a small quilt inspired by a photograph.  I keep looked at golf photos wondering if I could incorporate one...my husband would like that!

On the UFO front (which I really should be focusing on instead of a new project!)  I finished piecing 3 backings this week.  That is a lot of yardage out of the stash.  Most of it was from fabric I bought on sale with the purpose of using it for backing.  One was made up of a bit of everything...

I finished up the liberated squares.  I decided to make a table runner.  I have a back all ready and plan to quilt it this week.  I may have some real (as in quilted and bound) finishes for April!

A glutton for punishment I put another UFO on the board.  I think this was Bonnie Hunter's leader and ender project for last year.  I was all gun-ho for a month getting lot of baggies of bits cut out and then for some reason it was put away...well, you know what happens then!

I like how it has so many of my favorite repro fabrics in it.  When finished it will be a good reminder or record of my stash.

I did sort of break my rules this time.  The first box/basket I opened had three projects in it!  Two are finished tops and one still needs a pieced border.  The two tops are in the "need a backing" pile and the one that needs a border is back into the UFO stack.  I think I need to order some Cherrywood fabric before I can finish that one! (far right in the photo!)

Finally on the Dobby front...he is doing better.  Still recovering.  He at least lets me check his scrapes now.  They all seem to be healing well.  This morning he stole Watson's breakfast so another step closer to normal!

Invaded by Golfers....

Once a year Augusta, where I live now, is on the map.  The Masters Golf Tournament brings folks from all over the globe to this little town and boy does it change things.

On the good side: there are lots of concerts and events going on all week; the city cleans up well; the restaurants step up their game so even though they are more crowded the food is better and more varied; and well, even if you don't like golf it just makes everything a bit more interesting!

The down side: you have to be careful to avoid certain parts of town during certain times of the day due to gridlock traffic; some of my favorite stores and restaurants are just off limits due to crowds; and it is pretty much impossible to get anything done because local folks are either busy supporting the event or have left town to avoid the event.

For instance I need to do an appraisal on a quilt that has been donated to a local museum and of course the client needs it done this week.  Remember that traffic I mentioned?  Yup...no way around it.  Remember that impossible to get with folks due to their being busy supporting the event?  Yup...the museum is not crazy about having to pull the quilt out for me to view right now because they are short staffed and hope this week to have lots of traffic through the museum.  Oh well...we will make it work....

Interestingly I have seen the quilt before...it was on display about 7 years ago!  I really liked the slant board display used here.  The fringe is all hand knotted and really a nice addition to this circa 1840 quilt.

Time to hide and stitch....

A bit off the topic of quilting but since I live in Augusta Georgia, home of the Masters, this week is pretty much all about golf...

which means of course that I stay home and quilt!

Sign made from golf club heads and golf balls....

This is the only week of the year that there is traffic in town and at certain times of the day it is bumper to bumper. Also, don't even think about going out to eat at night...all the restaurants are full. In some ways it is fun...heck it is only for a week.

Golf carts are used as lawn ornaments this week...

Each year I think I should do a golf theme quilt...then I think again....right now I am dreaming about log cabin quilts.

A facebook group I belong to posted photos of logcabin quilts this weekend that were amazing! Everything from very traditional to totally wonky....some of them are haunting me. As I was folding fabric in the sewing room today I found myself making piles for new quilt projects...oh no!

On the health front - Macbeth went to the vet today and got more meds...of course the minute we walked through the door he was all perky and playing...no way they were going to believe me that he is sleeping 18 hours a day and not eating well! I go back to my doc tomorrow...whatever bug this was really gave me a bad couple weeks but things are getting better. May even trust myself with a rotary cutter again soon!

Fun magazines...

I know I have posted about how disappointed I have been in so many of the quilt magazines being published these days. This month however there are two exceptions: "American Patchwork and Quilting" June magazine and the new "The Quilt Life" April edition. (Both on newsstands now...go figure!?)

AP&Q/June is one of those magazines that I will most likely put whole into the inspiration file. Lots of quilts I'd like to try, an interesting interview with Minick and Simpson, and an article on thread-making that the nerd in me loves. (I admit to loving the shows "Mythbusters" and "How do they make that")
I have already played with the quilt blocks on the cover. If you decide to make this quilt a few things I've learned...make all the centers first then make the outside star pieces. The cutting is a bit finicky (2-1/4, 2-1/8, 2-1/2...all a bit too close to have on the cutting board at the same time!) Also, when you make the outer star part there are bonus blocks to be had...save those little hst and you can make up these little 3-1/2 inch finished blocks. (heck I almost like the way these are coming out as much as the "real" quilt blocks!)


The Quilt Life is just an interesting mix of articles and techniques. Maybe a bit more "modern" or artsy than AP&Q but not so far outside my comfort range. I like the article "Quilt, teach, travel" that shows how Pam Holland uses photos for inspiration to make her quilts. There is a similar/companian article by Ricky Tims that takes photo quilts to a "new level." (I am working out a design for a quilt in memory of my Dad who flew PBY's during WW2 so anything on photos is of interest right now.....)

Off to watch more golf...I would love to see Mickelson win it after his tough year taking care of him wife and Mom who are battling breast cancer...then again who can root against Freddy Couples (he is in there for the 50 yo crowd!)...Westwood has worked hard to climb back up the international rankings so he will have earned it if he wins (I like hard workers...)...and then of course there is Kim who is both an amazing player and a train-wreak in the same round of golf - he could use a win to boost his confidence and it would be a big plus for all the younger players. What a great tournament...you couldn't make this stuff up!