I'm trying this out today since I got my new memory card for my camera.  Can't do much without that.

  So far I have done two practice pieces to get ready for our circle challenge.  The first is a quarter of a circle from Quilter's Playtime.   There seem to be a lot of these floating around the basement work area, so I won't use this technique for this project.

The second is a foundation piecing review which I will adapt for my project.  Thanks to the Divas--especially Mary Ann and her patience--I am back in the swing of that thing.

This week I spent a great deal of time drafting the arcs I will use for my challenge.  Luckily I love folding paper.  That seemed to be the best way to segment my arcs since I can't find a compass or a protractor.  I have never let lack of the proper tools stop me from doing a project.  Unfortunately, the patterns from the book didn't give me the design or sizes I needed so a little creative math is the solution to the problem--hopefully.  I haven't started sewing yet, although I am pulling together fabrics.  My foundation pieces are below.

At the moment I'm off making handbags, getting my assignments ready for Friendship and emptying more out of my other house.  There is a glimmer of hope there, so I'm reinspired to clean.!  Here goes.......anyone know how to get this thing posted???  I suppose if you can read this I must have figured it out.  I wonder if I resorted to reading the directions after clicking on all of the icons?????

The Other circle idea ...

As I continue to audition for the Rosie background (a process I detest), I am playing with the 6 minute circle technique in my first post.  These need to be trimmed down but here is my first pass at the hot/cold Malka coloration idea I had in addition to the Rosies.  I will definitely be using this for a new quilt for Brady's room.  Thanks for all of the comments on the auditions, btw.

Auditioning

As usual, what I expected to like wasn't my favorite when I auditioned it/them. Tell me what you do and don't like about these. I won't lead the witnesses. The left side of the photos seems more true to life.  The red orange fossil fern is a lot more red.  Hmmm.  Thanks!

French Braids

Today Syd and I taught French Braid quilts to a lovely guild in Cleveland Heights. We used the Basement Diva's to test the waters years ago before we  first taught it at NEORQC. It's almost always a fun class to teach and these ladies were exceptional. It's a good technique to have in your repertoire.

Spiderweb

As if one circle to think about isn't enough. I started looking for something I had saved in my favorites and came across Bonnie Hunter's tutorial on Spiderweb blocks. I made this one after dinner.  I think maybe I will make one every other day. I really don't have time to do this right now as I have things I need to get done by this weekend. I rationalize that it is OK because when the blocks are set block to block they form a CIRCLE. I am pondering my other circle on my design wall.

History by Kathy

Ruth suggested I write about myself and quilting. This is a sideways response and an answer to the question "How did you guys all end up in a basement quilting?"
I met Syd in 1980. We did stuff together that included a lot of fiber related things but the quilting thing began in about 1983/84. Our friend Roxanne wanted us all to quilt so a group of 12 friends started on the path. We were each given a  quarter yard of a blue print calico and we were to make 12 identical blocks that were to be made into 12 quilts.First meeting with blocks at least  blocks started was summer 1984. Not much done but a great party.Eventually 6 of those quilts were completed.
At some point Syd moved to Cleveland and then the thread started to fly. Our friend Donna signed us up for "Sewing with Sarge". Syd had us go to Erie Street for a sashiko class with Mary Huey. 1989 saw Syd and I taking, at the same time, a hand piecing class and a block of the month on the West Side and "It's OK" with Mary on the East side. That big ball of thread and fabric has been rolling ever since.
Erie Street Fabrics was the center of it all.Many classes and retreats. Friendship Group firmly established many long lived actual friendships as well as some pretty nice quilts. We took and taught many classes, some from each other.
Evening Quilt Sitters Circle was another meeting place. Dianne was in morning QSC but we became fast friends in a parking lot at "Remembrance's". At some point the posse consisted of Syd, Kathy, Lynnee, Jan, Lori and Candy. We would work on projects in Syd's basement, or at Candy's but it was more about getting challenges and friendship blocks done than a study group. We made a queen sized Mary's Mississippi in 5 hours and did some demos for a Woman's Fair (pie and soup were the real attraction)  There were quite a few road trips. We won a prize for our "Soon to be Prize Winning Quilt" in the Fon's and Porter anniversary competition.
 When Mary retired her shop Syd got us to commit to a Saturday a  month and we tried to have a common learning goal. Fran, Dianne and Ruth joined us then as did Judy. Laura came when she could and we could count on Gwen, Maryanne and Sue to come and help us test a new class. Space in the basement dictated the size of the group.
Then things got in the way and although we had our Amishland retreat, friendship group, Quilter's Development Group, and Wildwood Guild for some of us,we lost focus. Ruth constantly reminded us of this.
Then, Lori and Mike made us a big playroom. I don't know if Mike and Brady were aware of the invasion to come but they seem happy to see us. We kicked off the new basement space with a New Year's Jelly Roll Race. Lynne won the grand prize.
This is a group of friends who like to quilt, learn, discover,talk and eat. We enjoy each other's company on this journey.
Now we have a blog. What's next?

Kathy's test

So this is how a Blog works? This is my test. Ruth will tell me if I pass and then, well then....