Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Wednesday Randoms

Having just finished a project, I'm getting back into other things, so I have some randoms to share today.

First some cool pictures. We recently took a trip from Chicago to Colorado by train--my favorite way to travel. I didn't take any pictures on the train (much of our travel was during the night), but I have some indelible images in my mind of two breathtaking sunrises--one against the mountains turning the snow pink and a neon orange and gold one over the plains on the way home--and a nighttime view of the landscape in the plains illuminated by a full moon. I did take some pictures at Union Station in Denver while we were waiting for our return trip. The station was restored a few years ago. The lobby, surrounded by restaurants and hotel rooms, is a delightful place to while away an afternoon; my husband found access to the hotel's Wi-Fi and I was content to quilt. 

Here's the station's exterior. (I was too close to get the whole thing in one picture, so imagine these three stacked as one): 





Lots of quilty inspiration here!! And here's the inside:







Delightful! (No other word for it.) It's hard to get good pictures in such an open space. There were little seating areas all around (I should have got pictures of them), but I just wanted to keep looking up at all of the beautiful moldings and light fixtures. 

When I packed for the trip, one of my top priorities was leaving room in my luggage for a small quilt and a collapsible PVC quilt frame so I could do some hand quilting on the train and in our hotel during the evenings.) So here's what I was working on:




Most of my quilting on the background of this quilt is from the back. It's stippling and doesn't really show on the front, so it's much easier to do it from the back where I can see what I'm doing. 

Oh, and while we were on our trip, I got an email from Hawthorne Threads letting me know that I had won a bundle of fabric!! Yea! I have been entering their giveaways for a long time, but this was my first win. By the time I got home, my package had arrived.

Here's my bundle:



Paperie by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallery Fabrics. Silky smooth and delicious! They also sent me three of their digital fabric sample strips (Roam, Forest Fables and Norwegian Wood):



Aren't they great?! I don't think it will be long before they find their way into some special quilts. 

So this week, I'm back working on other projects that are waiting for a finish. Our weather's the same as it was last week. Schools were off yesterday and again today. I didn't take any pictures this time. Just look at my ones from last week. They look the same. The weird thing, though, is that between last week's post and this week's, the snow melted almost completely. (Actually, that's kind of typical for this time of year.) Perfect weather for quilting. And painting. After  days weeks months  years of dithering about paint colors for our bedroom, I finally picked one (and even bought the paint). I forced the issue by painting splotches on the walls to audition them. Good plan, don't you think? So sometime in the next few days there will be more painting than quilting. 

In the meantime, I added some beach bits to my Lake Michigan quilt.


It's a slow process. I think I need to add a little "dry" sand between the wet sand and the dune. (Seam ripper time, but that's okay)


Have a great week. And if you've never taken a train trip before, do consider it. If you're in the US, it's a great way to see America's backyard and to get some perspective of the vastness of our country. There are lots of little stories I could tell you about the microcosm of a coach car, but you just have to experience it for yourself. (And don't forget to take a little quilt project with for some slow stitching.)

I'm linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts today for Let's Bee Social.









11 comments:

Linda said...

For me it's much more fun not to take photos - I always just miss what I was trying to capture anyway. I also have indelible images in my mind from long ago vacations - to me those are priceless.
I saw a PVC frame in Hobby Lobby last week. Did you make yours or buy it? Your quilting is so beautiful! I would have poked my fingers and bled on the quilt. :(
Oh my gosh you won a Paperie bundle - so pretty - congrats on winning their giveway! I used to enter Hawthorne's giveaway, I need to get back to it!
Your Lake Michigan quilt is just beautiful.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Oh a train trip sounds so luxurious and fun! What a terrific idea. Love your photos, probably because they are just like what I would take. As a quilter, I'm drawn to the details, Your quilting is amazing! I don't think of small meandering when I think of hand quilting, but boy is that beautiful. Light bulb idea to quilt it from the back where you can see more clearly.

Sandra Walker said...

Lots here...the train station makes me think SO MUCH of Grand Central in NYC. I went around with my jaw hanging open while I was there, snapping photos that nope, don't capture it. Yours are so crystal clear. I can imagine the sunrise and the full moon... Your hand-quilting is exquisite, wow, just unbelievably incredible Janine. And to quilt from the back; what Jennifer said! Lake Michigan: I love seeing this quilt progress. I am immediately transported back to the UP (think I told you that). One day I will go back, NOT when we are moving across country) and get out and run in the those dunes, sink my toes in their sands, and photograph the almost navy blue waters of that beautiful lake...Have been hearing from Dayna of the crazy pendulum swings of weather there. And you WON!! Woot! Woot! I have been entering forEVER and have never won- I would've loved to get my hands on that Paperie! Aren't their fabrics glorious?

Hawk Studios said...

I was just wondering about this quilt the other day..so happy to see it again and see your progress. It's turning out beautifully! Glad you enjoyed your trip to Colorado (I'm a native). Union Station is awesome - especially since they restored it. Keep up the great quilting - can't wait to see this one finished.

Bernie Kringel said...

Wonderful post Janine. I love looking at your pictures. What an amazing train station. We don't really even have one. In Sacramento, the train station is awful. This looks so grand!
Your quilting frame is interesting. I haven't seen anything like it before.
Congrats on your Hawthorne giveaway win. I enter from time to time but it paid off for you. Paperie is a lovely line.

Anonymous said...

Your hand quilting is beautiful! It looks so neat! I would be far too easily distracted to hand quilt in public, especially on a train! Bravissimo!

Preeti said...

Lucky You!!! I have been entering Hawthorne Threads giveaway religiously for some time now. Their fabric is very good. I have a feeling that when I do win, it will be a fabric line that I won't care for LOL. Your quilting (I am sure it requires a lot of patience) is very neat!!!
Hugs,
Preeti
http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com/

KaHolly said...

Congratulations on your win! How exciting. Love your hand Quilting! It's amazing.

Salmagundi said...

So glad you were able to visit my beautiful state, and isn't the train station beautiful? Many fun childhood memories for me in that station, plus I took a train trip by myself as a 15-year old to visit a friend in Chicago. Love train travel and old stations. BTW, your quilting is wonderful!! Sally

Lorna McMahon said...

Your trip sounds simply lovely. The sunsets, the terrain - and that train station! Thanks for sharing this virtual trip with us! Your quilt is gorgeous and all those tiny stitches are beautiful, Janine. Happy Stitching!

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

They photos from your trip is beautiful! The PVC pipe idea is so clever and your hand quilting looks amazing. Congratulations on your win. Enjoy!

-Soma