Day 5 - Salinas and then home
Nicole and I spent our last morning together running some errands, having breakfast and stopping by 2 more fabric stores. All good things must come to an end, right? She drove me up to San Jose, where I'd planned to meet another imaginary friend, Rani, who I have "known" and been friends with for 12 years, but we've never met! It was such a hoot to finally meet her, someone I feel so connected with. She was even sweeter and cuter in person than I had imagined from the pictures I had seen. After a much-too-short vist, Rani dropped me off at the airport and I had a very uneventful flight home.
I was happy to see the kids, very happy. And I had missed 8-10 inches of late April snow while I was gone, so that was quite surprising and very good timing, it seems!
I finished the quilt I started at the retreat, the pictures here aren't great but this thing is MASSIVE, so it was hard to fit it all in! It's made with just one Moda Layer Cake (I used Simplicity) along with some background and border fabrics. It took me only 4 days of sewing (and a couple of those days I only managed an hour or two). A very fast quilt indeed! It finishes 85x85, although I trimmed the pinked edges off my squares, so mine is about 83x83. Fun, huh? How cute would this be with the Fresh Squeezed fabrics or Maypole? The pattern is called Star Cakes and I got it here.
I love the quilt, Lisa. Those fabrics are delicious.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | April 30, 2008 at 08:33 AM
So glad you enjoyed your visit - and that I got to come along *s* Your quilt top is darling, so soft and sweet.
Posted by: Libby | April 30, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Hi! Sounds like you had a great time. Your star quilt is beautiful. Have a good day, sandy
Posted by: sandy maniscalco | April 30, 2008 at 09:27 AM
I love this quilt! And it looks so easy. Loved reading about you and Nicole's adventures in quilt shop land. My niece is moving to Livermore so I plan a visit to check out the fab quilt shops.
Posted by: Chris@Cats on my Quilts | April 30, 2008 at 12:10 PM
What a pretty quilt. I like the oversized stars in such nice colours.
Posted by: Jane Weston | April 30, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I love this quilt so much. It turned out perfect! I can hardly wait to be able to start mine. =)
Posted by: RC | April 30, 2008 at 01:32 PM
OH and YES, it was so fantastic to finally meet you, pal! =)
Posted by: RC | April 30, 2008 at 01:33 PM
How wonderful to find a pattern that goes together so quickly and makes a gigantic quilt! Can't wait to see how you have it quilted.
Posted by: Nicole | April 30, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Your quilt is beautiful. I just love that line of fabric.
Posted by: Juliann | April 30, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Your quilt is Sooooooo pretty I love the coloures.
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Mary Wood | April 30, 2008 at 10:17 PM
What a wonderful quilt...quick, huge and soooooooo pretty!
Posted by: Carol | May 01, 2008 at 05:06 AM
Very pretty quilt. Thanks for telling us the name of the pattern. Looks like a good one to add to the stash. Nancy in WI
Posted by: Nancy | May 01, 2008 at 06:09 AM
Happy Birthday Month!!!! Hope all your birthday wishes come true!
Posted by: Andrea | May 01, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
You quilts are all lovely.
Happy Birthday to you.
--Susan C.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | May 01, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I hear somebody has a birthday today.......HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Oh, please do tell where you found that yummy ironing board cover. Nancy in WI
Posted by: Nancy | May 01, 2008 at 10:39 AM
(Ahem...)
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Dear Lisa
Happy Birthday tooooo yooooooou
(Sounds of dogs howling far, far away...)
Posted by: Kate | May 01, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)
Posted by: RC | May 01, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Happy Birthday! Hope the year ahead if filled with fabric, fun, and friendships.
Posted by: Juliann | May 01, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Happy birthday Lisa. I hope you had a very wonderful birthday and that someone bought you a cake and sung to you. I love that ironing board cover that you gave Nicole. I need one like that, where in the world did you find it.
Posted by: Cindy D | May 01, 2008 at 06:21 PM
I noticed this coming together while you were working on it and I was intrigued. Now, I'm in love.
And by the way, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Lisa, Happy Birthday to yoooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuu.
Posted by: Karen Lee | May 01, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Happy Birthday! I love the story about the fabric with the sheep hynnies! And your quilt is scrumptous.
Posted by: Julie | May 02, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Lisa, love how the layered cake quilt came together. It looks wonderful. I can't wait to see your Kaffe Fasset raw edge flower quilt. It was awesome meeting you!!!! Now I have a new friend in the Seattle area. Can't wait to visit.
Posted by: Isabel | May 04, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Yummylicious!!!
Hope you had a wonderful day!
Posted by: Doe | May 07, 2008 at 10:24 PM
It was your birthday? I didn't know! Happy (belated) Birthday to you!
It sounds like the end of your trip was as wonderful as the rest of your trip. Isn't it great when you get to meet an "imaginary" friend? I think so! Someday soon, we will meet!
I absolutely LOVE that quilt! It's beautiful!
Posted by: Nan | May 27, 2008 at 07:37 AM