Monday, November 28, 2011

Thanksgiving Project

Last year I had a big group at the house and we all made a fun Christmas banner. I enjoyed that so much I thought I'd spend Thanksgiving weekend making another holiday project.

This little table topper designed by Cheri was in the latest issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects.
The half pennies at the ends and the twigs and pennies on the sides are wool; the rest is cotton. It was a fun project.

Someone had asked me recently in an email if I was going to do another doll quilt quilt-a-long. I lost that email- I'm so sorry.
It seems there is always so much going on in blogland that I hadn't really given it much thought.  I'd love to do it so let me know if you are interested  and we'll start after the new year.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Giving Thanks

 It looks like I have the wrong holiday!! Here is the final block of the Bible quilt. The original  has embroidered "rays" coming out of the sun but I didn't really like it well enough to add it. I think it is obvious it is the sun.
 I finally got the small borders on the sides yesterday. I need to piece a backing and then get it ready to give away for Christmas. I'm thrilled with it so I hope the recipient is too.
 Here's my little pumpkin pin cushion from Elizabeth at Sunflower Fields Pattern Co. Mine is the simple version compared to hers, but I think it is very sweet. Thanks for your generosity Liz and your help in getting it together.
And for those of you in the United States have a safe and grateful day as you celebrate Thanksgiving. We are down to three- a Thanksgiving first for me!!

Monday, November 21, 2011

On Going Projects

Look at this!

Nicky suggested it after the last post since I do not have a place to lay out my blocks. They are in the order of the original quilt and I can see that I will probably be changing them around a bit. All except the middle block which has my signature.
I laid out my Jan Stickle quilt and had 41 triangles to complete- most of them are the plain ones. So if I do 8 a week, I'll have the triangles done in 5 weeks! Wow! I like the sound of that.

I finished 4 last night- 8 a week should be no problem.
I did take a peek under the basted edge. It looks like I have the scallops all marked and I'll want to quilt a little in there.

I have a little time to figure out how to apply binding to a scalloped edge, and get some fabric for it. I'll have to look at the book, but it seems to me Jane used a medium blue fabric for the binding.

I made a change of plans and it will only be 4 of us for Thanksgiving dinner this week. For that, I am thankful.

I have much to be grateful for- one is the many readers of this blog that I consider friends. Have a lovely week.

PS- My AAQI quilts never made it to Houston, but they are for sale now. Click on either quilt (upper right on my blog) and it will bring you to the AAQI website for the particulars. Thanks for considering a purchase of my little quilts to help find a cure for this horrible disease.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Beyond the Cherry Tree

 Here is block number 24- one more to go!!
I finished one border. I'm going to start prepping the next one.

I haven't been this excited about a quilt since finishing my Blind Man's Fancy. (which is at Linda's waiting to be quilted)

I'm sure it will be a few more months before the Cherry Tree quilt will be together, but it is nice to think about being so close.

Monday, November 14, 2011

PJ Sale

       I finished this little fall pillow this weekend. I started it so I'd have a little hand sewing while attending to my grand jury duties once a week. I thought I'd better get it finished before it is time to take out Christmas decor. It was in the fall issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects. The first 3 issues of this magazine have been fantastic!!
 Saturday morning was the yearly Pajama Sale at the Stitchin' Post. I didn't need much but it is a fun, busy event to go to.
Carrie of Cricket Wood Prims and Gardens lives in Bend but we've never met- until Saturday. She was with Michele of Mocha Moochell  so it was a double surprise. Remember it was a PJ sale!! LOL

I had enough excitement on Sunday for quite some time. Check it out on my other blog- Get to Goal.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Basket Block Challenge

Back in June or July Kathie sent out basket blocks to several bloggers. She didn't want to make a quilt with them and thought a challenge would be fun and stretching. I have to admit I always jump at the chance for a challenge but I am not any good at them and have a hard time getting creative.
Well, one thing led to another, (Kathie lost her block in her sewing room!) and the challenge lost all rules. Maybe I work best that way! LOL

The 4 baskets in the center were attached as one block and that's what I started with.


I suppose my color palette reflects the autumn colors outdoors. I tried to bring in a few of the same colors that were in the center.

On my agenda for today? Baste, Baste, Baste!!

This quilt, my Twelve Days of Christmas, the Bible BOM, and my red and white Irish chain.
Follow this link to see my basting method. All of these will be machine quilted by me.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Winter Stitching

 Look what came out of the dungeon!? It's my Jane Stickle quilt....it has only been a 10 or 11 year project! LOL  Will winter of 2011-2012 be the finale?! I sure hope so!!
 Here's the cute red and green block turned into a little pillow. I had to replace the hst red and still managed to cut off the points. I love it anyway.
Here's Henny Penny one more time with my initials appliqued in the corner. I like it a lot better without the big blank spot.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Surprise Box

My friend and quilter extraordinaire sent me a box of quilty goodness. A woman from her guild was doing some purging of her sewing room. Kat knows my style and also knows I buy old quilt blocks or tops and repurpose them, just as this woman did.


Here's some vintage black and white fabric. I think I'll move one seam on the longer piece and make a doll size quilt.

I'm not exactly sure what to do with these. Look at the little pile of yo-yos! I've always wanted a yo-yo pillow top. I'm not sure if there is enough at this point.
These quilts from the 30's are not in too bad of shape. I little bit of black buttonhole and the Dresden will be as good as new.
This is about a crib size so I haven't thought much about how this will be used.
Kat also knows I work with wool. This is an old pattern but I love it. I have all the wool felted and ready to go.

Thanks again Kathy!

Can ya'll believe I am home SICK?! Aargh. I got ready for work this morning and about 8:30 instead of leaving the house I thought I'd lay down for a little while.....3 hours later I woke up!  I guess I needed my rest. I'm heading that way once again as I am really running out of steam today. I think everything from the past 2 weeks is catching up with me.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

2011 Fall Quilt Festival


Here is my 2011 submission to Amy's Quilt festival. I have no idea how she got started doing this but it is such a fantastic idea. If you want to see a quilt show and cannot make it Houston then you must go to Amy's and look at all the lovely quilts.

I finished this quilt earlier this year and love it as much as I did then. I adore anything patriotic and this quilt took center stage all summer long at my house. It is a pattern designed by PieceOCake.
My friend Kathy McCarty (from Ohio) did the machine quilting.


I hope you enjoy seeing it again.