And They Lived Happily Ever After

A number of years ago my parents renewed their wedding vows.

Baby sis Joy - Me - Mom* & Dad - Brother Brad - Brother Rob**

Well, ,that's how I feel about Jack (the ripper) right now.  

Like we've just renewed our vows...

There was A LOT of UN-stitching happening 

with this Oregon Duck quilt.

The directions for these Counted Quilts is  very different than any quilt I've ever made and Jack and I spent  A-LOT of quality time together during the assembly process.

 

 

I did not assemble this quilt according to pattern directions, i.e., construct one column at a time and then sew all the columns together.  I assembled sections, starting at the top with the center section, then adding the sections to the left and to the right, moving down the quilt.  The final pieces were the two outside columns.  It did come together fairly easily and quickly. 

I was kind-of amazed.

 

I ordered some University of Oregon fabric from Etsy for the backing.  Once that arrives it will be ready for the LAQ.

 

 

The verdict:  Would I make another quilt using this method?  I can't say I LOVED it (I really love paper piecing.)  But now that I've made one and I have an idea of the process, I would do another.  

(I have a feeling when the littlest babe sees this one he will want one also.) 

*My mom was graduated to heaven almost 4 years ago.

**There must have been a distraction of which half of us had no clue.

Oregon Duck Update

As you know, the Oregon Duck lap quilt for Number One G-Son is underway.  And as you also know by now, it is very challenging.  The directions are, shall we say, different.

Well, I reached out to the author, Lisa Muilenburg at Countedquilts.com at the suggestion of sister Needler, Miss Kate.

Lisa was very gracious and sent a link to instructional videos on YouTube.  I thought I'd pass the link along.

Click HERE

I learned a couple of lessons.

1) Don't be afraid to contact the pattern author with questions, concerns or conundrums.  

AND

2) Aren't quilt folk just the nicest people?  

Maybe the answer to all the current unrest around the country is to get everyone quilting!  Think about it!  It would fix the lagging economy spending all those quilt dollars, put smiles on everyone's face (unless you are having a date with Jack) and this winter no one will be cold!  Win, Win, Win.

12 Steps

There's a reason they are called "Step Programs...."  

What do you do when you're stuck?  You don't want to sew.  You don't want to clean.  You don't want to do anything! 
I've had my ups-and-downs the past few months with the "safer-at-home" guidelines and all, believing that light at the end of the tunnel wasn't an oncoming train but an actual END.

BUT NOW!  Well....not so much.  As of yesterday new guidelines....businesses closing again, no indoor gatherings, no church, no school in September for the g-sons ...  no nothing!!

I just want to sleep until it's all over!

This is how I sleep....crown, makeup and all.

The first step to getting unstuck is to get the shovel and start digging ... just start....somewhere ...  anywhere....

The Needlers have been meeting, (the three of us who live on property)....trying our best to obey the social distancing rules.  There really is something about contact with other humans.  We are social creatures, we need each other.  We met last night. 

Step One...out the door and down the hall to the studio.

Do you know this song?  Louisiana Saturday Night

Step Two....don't just sit there gossiping and complaining...DO something.

New lyrics

So I started with cutting the strips for the Oregon Ducks lap quilt.  Got the strips all cut according to directions.  

I have to say this is the most-strange pattern I have ever done.  

The instructions are just plain weird!

Strips all cut and labeled .... I had a lot of fabric left over ?????

Every time the Quilting Auntie complained about challenging quilt instructions but she persevered and cussed her way through them, she always ended up with a ribbon-winning quilt.  Let's hope I'm as lucky.

Step Three:  Sew the strips together according to a PICTURE!  No instructions, just a "map."  

That is what the author calls the instructions....a "map."

Football Duck by Counted Quilts*

I am directional-ly challenged.  I cannot follow a map.  I can get lost in an elevator.. I'm not joking!

But, well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh?  Tonight I'll start assembling.

I'll keep you posted.

*Football Duck by Counted Quilts