Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Little Porch Time top Completed!

I am beyond thrilled to have this top completed!! This was a monthly project for 2012 and I really liked the way of setting a monthly goal and working toward that during the month. It was fantastic to be working on it with some blogger friends too. I'd love to have you add your quilt, even if it isn't complete. The border was a lot of applique and I set a pretty ambitious goal to complete it.
Thanks for spurring me on!!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

January Adventures with Sven

I thought before the month was over I'd share Sven's adventure. It was a perfect week for a quiltalong and I enjoyed reading the comments and emails and seeing the wonderful photos of Abundance!!

Here's my bags when I took off for Ohio. I also had a pack back that was pretty fat too and that is where Sven rode safely. Crazy quilters haul all kinds of things. The black duffel bags was 38 pounds worth of quilt tops, quilt backing, and quilt projects. I checked both bags and they made it fine round trip.
The first morning I was in Ohio it was snowing! It was lovely so we went and stomped around in the snow and fixed the feeder for the birds.
The next day we woke to beautiful blue skies so we knew we had to have a road trip.  Don't you love the name of this shop?


Sven found something at the next shop that reminded him of his relatives.

I knew when I saw this fabric I'd have to have a little.

Is this the cutest quilt shop you've ever seen?  It may be tiny but it was jam packed and the owner was young and cute and so friendly!
And it's called Olive Grace. Very sweet....
So pretty and picturesque.
 After all that shopping we had to revive ourselves at Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar. Need I say more?Yum!!
On the last day we went to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. They were very strict about photos, but I did manage to catch Sven wishing he could have played this guitar.

It was an awesome week spent with my good friend Kat. It was relaxing and we got A LOT of stitching done!!

On Thursday I'm posting my A Little Porch Time Quilt. It was a lot of applique this month but my top is complete!! I want to see everyone's quilts, even if it isn't complete. I know many of you have been working hard on it.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Abundance Finale

 I really wish I would have had fabric that was closer to the original, but I'm still happy with it.

 My backing is a simple blue and pink print.
 I opted to write my quilt info on the binding, instead of a separate label. I used one of my faded pink prints for the binding.

This almost looks like my quilting stitches! LOL  I used photoshop to highlight the areas that are quilted on the original.


Thanks for playing along!! We will have a Linky party next week so we can see all the doll quilts!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Quilting Along in Ohio

I am having a wonderful time visiting my friend, Kathy, in Ohio. It's snowy and cold outside but we are warm inside chatting and sewing.


I've gotten a lot of small projects almost complete. I'm saving some handwork for the way home.

Gracie, the cat, loves my porch quilt!


Kathy adores blue and white quilts and she is working on a lovely, small double nine patch. The block will finish at 6"!!





  I just wanted to drop by and say HI!! I Have really enjoyed seeing your little abundance quilts!!! Keep it up!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Abundance Part 2

We will make the pieced border for this step.
We will start by making the blue and pink half square triangles.
 Cut 2 blue squares 2 7/8", then cut on the diagonal once for 4 triangles.
 Cut 2 pink squares 2 7/8", then cut on the diagonal once for 4 triangles.
Piece these together as in the photo. They should measure 2 1/2".

We will make four more flying geese units. You'll be an expert at that block!! From the cheddar (mine are brown) cut one 5 1/4" square, then cut twice on the diagonal for 4 triangles.
From the blue faded print cut four  2 7/8" squares, then cut once on the diagonal for 8 triangles. Piece the flying geese units as you did previously.

From a different faded light pink cut eight 2 1/2" squares. Lay out your block as in the photo and piece the border and add it to the center block. Yay!! Isn't it adorable? Yours should measure 12 1/2".

I'll post my choice of backing and quilting on the third and final step.



Monday, January 21, 2013

Abundance- Part 1

We will be making this unit for step one. I put the original here so you can refer to it for fabric choices.
I didn't take very many photos so bear with me and do not hesitate to ask questions.
We will make this unit  first and it will finish at 4". It sounds small, but you can do it. Take your time and sew your 1/4" seam allowance as accurately as possible. (but it won't be the end of the world if it's humble!)
Cut the pieces this size:
(A) Blue- four 1 1/2" squares
(B) Blue- one  3 1/4" square cut twice on the diagonal for 4 triangles.
(D) Blue- one 2 1/2" square
(C) Pink- four 1 7/8" squares, then cut them in half on the diagonal for 8 triangles.

Make 4 flying geese units by attaching C- (Pink) to B (blue).  Add an A (blue) to the sides of two flying geese units. Add the two remaining flying geese units to the center D (blue). Assemble in rows. Your block should measure 4 1/2"


Now we will work on the hourglass blocks. The original has a large blue check print and a faded tan calico.
From the blue print cut two squares 3 1/4", then cut twice on the diagonal for 4 triangles.
From the tan print cut two squares 3 1/4", then cut twice on the diagonal for 4 triangles.
Piece the hourglass blocks. They should measure 2 1/2".

Now we will make four more flying geese units. These ones will be larger then the first set we made.
From the brown, pink, blue print cut one 5 1/4" square, then cut twice on the diagonal for 4 triangles.
From the light pink print cut four 2 7/8" squares then cut once on the diagonal for 8 triangles. Piece as before.
Line your pieces up by rows, then attach the rows to make the block. Your block should measure 8 1/2"! Ta-Da! Admire your work!!!

Next step is Thursday, January 24th.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker -Winner

Paulette is the winner of the book! Congrats Paulette. Please send me your winter address and I'll pop it in the mail soon. I'm close to being finished....

Here is Sven getting ready for his January adventure! I'm gathering all my quilting projects....gee, I hope I have room for some clothes!!

Friday, January 18, 2013

2013 Quiltalong- Abundance

Here's the little vintage doll quilt we will be reproducing. Adorable,  huh?
All the fabrics are printed. As you look through your scraps there are 2 different faded pinks in this little cutie and two double pinks.  The "plain" looking blocks are a light pink stripe and the flying geese with the brown print have a faded pink as well.
The hourglass blocks are a printed/faded tan and blue/brown checked.
As hard as I tried I couldn't find a gold/cheddar that didn't look completely pukey. I'm sure someone will put it in there anyway and it will look super charming, I opted not to.
Isn't it adorable? I'm calling it Abundance. It is so easy to take things for granted. As we move on into 2013 I want to be thankful for the Abundance I have, including family, friendship, health, food, a house, a paycheck and a substantial fabric stash.
Now, you've got the weekend to search through your scraps. I'm not telling you how much you need because it is such a small amount. You may opt to make 4 blocks and put them together. The one I made finishes at 12".
Come back Monday for directions!!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Big Stack O' Quilts

Look here!! A little stack and a big stack. All washed up and ready to be displayed at Quiltworks in Bend, Oregon for the month of February.
February 1 is the First Friday Gallery Reception and I will be the Featured Quilter along with the Woolie Mammoths. Now I'm not sure if Anna started that group, but her blog has the same name. I look forward to meeting her and other quilters from Central Oregon. If you are anywhere close I'd love to meet you!!

PS- the quilt hanging in the background is Primitive Primer by Jan Patek
PSS- I'm not leaving for Ohio until next Tuesday!!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Book Review & More

Thank you all for your encouraging and kind words about my Just Takes 2 quilt. It means a lot when you take the time to leave a comment.

The rest of the month is going to be a blur......

Next week I'm heading to Ohio to visit a dear friend (who happens to be my main long arm quilter) and want to bring some quilts with me for her to quilt. Plus I need projects to work on.....So that means I am trying to get backings made and quilt projects ready.

 I've been frantically working on my porch quilt trying to finish it before I leave, then yesterday I  decided to stop fretting and bring it to work on! If the weather permits we will have a couple of day trips planned, but I should have plenty of time to finish the hand applique.

Ok, so what does all that mean? No photos to show you what I've been up to. Oh yeah, I did put the final stitches in the binding for our little quiltalong. It is almost too easy to be a quiltalong, but it is so cute.... to be revealed very soon!!

Book review and giveaway:

If you've read this far, you are in for a treat! Many of you  know Jennifer Chiaverini from her Elm Creek quilt series. I'm reading her first stand alone novel!! I reviewed Sonoma Rose almost one year ago and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. While the author was doing research for another novel she came across the story of Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker, confidante and friend. What I found fascinating was Elizabeth Keckley wrote her own memoirs published in 1868. I've never heard of her!
I was asked to do a book review and couldn't refuse.

From the publisher:
"Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker unveils the private lives of the Lincoln's from the time of their rise to White House glory, through the president's shocking assassination and its aftermath, until the end of Mary Todd Lincoln's troubled life."



If I'm not sewing I've been reading. It's a fairly meaty novel- 350 pages worth and I've been hooked!! I was thinking last night how interesting for me to read about the Civil War with Washington DC as the center. I haven't given much thought to the idea they were surrounded by Southern states and to think of how vulnerable they were. I've enjoyed reading what it was like to be a free black woman during this time period.  Can you imagine being the first lady's dressmaker, and eventually,  friend?  Jennifer has done an amazing job of bringing this story to life.

I'm only half way through the book, but if you are interested in reading it next, leave a comment on this post and I'll draw a name to pass it to when I'm finished.

Oh, and if you cannot wait, the book is being released today!!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Red & White Finale


 I got a border put on my Just Takes Two. I really wasn't feeling anything sentimental about this quilt so felt fine slapping a 6" red border on it and not doing anything more fancy.
 Here it is hanging on the other side of the rail. The quilt ended up 76x101. I plan on having it machine quilted. It is too big for me to handle on my home machine. It will be a fun quilt as a reminder of my trip to NYC to see the Infinite Variety quilt exhibit,
Here's a close up of the border. Certainly not red and white, but I had it in my stash and didn't want to purchase a red for the border. It is a beautiful fabric but not one I would have chose for this quilt if I was shopping for it.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Red & Green Blocks

 Here's the start of a Christmas quilt I am working on this year. I plan on making 3 blocks a month. By October I'll have what I need then I will still have time to get a top done and possibly quilting. The block on the left is one I made last month and the fabric/color placement is where I wanted them. The next two blocks didn't turn out that way.....
 Who knew texting and sewing was not a good idea! lol I'll leave them and it should add some interest to the quilt.
 These are the Sally Post blocks I am doing this year too. Gaye at Sentimental Stitches is making them free for a limited time. Next time I get to a quilt store I will purchase a red for the setting triangles.  I also plan on doing three a month.
Somehow this block will be the center of a little AAQI quilt called the Dark Side. I haven't quite thought it through yet and was making it as a test. It's a pretty cool block.

Monday, January 7, 2013

First Finish of the Year!!

I didn't even notice until several comments in that my last post title and list were both labeled 2012! Too funny! Well, here's my first finish of 2013 and  it's crossed off my 2012  2013 list!
Cowboy baby quilt. From the cowboy fabric I had and the ones I swapped and some given to me I've made three quilts! All going to the same family. You can see the other two at this post. Thank you again friends and readers!! You are so generous!!
This isn't your typical baby quilt backing, but it was in my stash and I thought it looked pretty good. The label is on and it is ready for baby who is due February 3, which I believe is Superbowl Sunday.


Thursday, January 3, 2013

2012 quilts

Making a list checking it twice......

I'm a list maker and for some reason I seem to get more done when I can see a list in front of me.

First up is the cowboy baby quilt, since babies don't wait for quilters! I've already got a check mark on "add borders"!! I'm cutting out the backing and plan on getting it spray basted and quilted in the next few days.





Someone had asked me a little bit ago if I was doing another quiltalong after the holidays. So I am! Here's a little stack of scraps that I'll be using. This time it's going to be small- 12" square. It will be easy to add to it if you wish. It's a replica if a vintage doll quilt that is 11.5" square. It is so precious!!

Lizzy added her link to the Porch Quilt post, be sure to take a look!!

And, if you are interested take a look at my active 2012 Year in Review..

Have an awesome weekend!!