Quilting adventures

Santa's Coming to Town.... well not yet anyway!

2012-02-15T16:59:00.000-05:00

I'm still here! I did manage to ~~finally~~ piece the center of the General's Wives quilt .... only because I needed my design wall for another quilt.

Multi tasking as usual, so what else is new? lol

As you know, I have been doing a lot of hand embroidering. I am in need of a mindless project, something that soothes the mind and is not demanding.

Why you might ask? Well, do I have news for you! I am now the sole owner of Fibre Junction. Yes, you read right. Jennifer needed to move in another direction and asked if I would take over her share. It's all very exciting for me and my mind is overly busy with lots of new ideas! ;o)

Guess what? Yep, Another block done!

I decided for this block to embroider the names of people I knew, as opposed to what the designer wrote. It makes the quilt a bit more personal! ;o)

Oh.....Yep, mindless.....

I must admit, stitching writing is my least favourite! There's just something about it that I haven't figured out! All I can say... it's done... no more for that quilt!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I know that I've been a solitary blogger as of late; mainly due to my need to retreat and regroup. Thank you for your understanding!

More Santa's Comin' to Town.....

2012-02-05T22:35:00.014-05:00

Still plugging away at these blocks. Soothing.......!

I'm using this project to test Cosmos floss and I do like it. The colours are rich.

For those inquiring mind, it's colour number 245.

As much as I like the richness of the colours, am I ready to toss my gazillion DMC coloured floss for Cosmos? Not really ... but it is nice!

I do have a couple of other projects that I will be using Cosmos! ;o)

Thanks for stopping by!

Farmer's Wife part whatever....!

2012-02-03T00:00:00.007-05:00

Well, I managed to get more of the Farmer's Wife blocks done!

I am definitely not making the larger version. ;o)

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Santa's Coming to Town....!

2012-01-30T22:16:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know, Santa just paid us a visit ... but there's nothing like getting an early start! ;o)

Remember this pattern that I ~~complaint about~~ mentioned on a prior post?

Well, I finally got around to making the photocopies. I do love the blocks.

Yep, I have all the blocks traced onto "antiqued/aged" muslin from Marcus Brothers Textile!

It's one of those project that I classify as mindless. It does not require a lot of thinking thus soothing to the mind.

I have had a need to quiet/sooth my mind as of late and this is the perfect pattern.

First block done!

I always tend to work the tedious block first, as the motivation is over the top. It's so much fun starting a new project! ;o)

However, the motivation does tend to slowdown towards the end, hence why I like to keep the less complex block for last. It just makes it that much more motivating to get the quilt completed.

Thanks for stopping by! cheers!

Do I have to have a title....?

2012-01-27T20:48:00.003-05:00

Guess what? The General's Wives from the last post is still "up right" on my designer wall. No... I have not had a moment to sew the center together. Soon... I am hoping... However, I do have some blocks for the Farmer's Wife to show you.

Voila!

Slowly this block of the month is getting done!

Did you know that Laurie Arron Hird has another book out called "The Farmer's Wife Pony Club"? And.... ~~I'm not touching it with a 10 foot pole~~ it is NOT on my "do do" list! lol

You know, I'm using Blogger's new interface and am not sure I like it. It's very white, making it difficult to work with.

Back to the old......

Thanks for stopping by!

Designer wall Friday ...!

2012-01-20T12:51:00.003-05:00

I've been reading on some blogs about a designer wall day and thought perhaps ~~as a means of hiding my lack of organization~~ I should post what is on my designer wall. ;o)

Except for the middle block, I have had these blocks pieced for quite some time. On Wednesday, I decided it was high time to get that 5 star block prepared for hand applique. Now, please excuse the mess....

Voila! General's Wives - BOM that Fibre Junction is offering!

The top is not pieced, yet, but in my defense, I barely finished appliqueing the 5 stars' block ~~late Thursday~~ early Friday!

I'm working on having the top pieced and quilted soon. It would be such a great feeling to strike off a project on that long list of UFOs!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Gratitude....!

2012-01-08T23:35:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone!

Lots to blog about here ... I just haven't organized anything ... yet! ;o) In the mean time, I would like to share with you some goodies I received from some wonderful people.

I must admit, Blog Land has been very good to me. I have met, via cyberspace, some wonderful people, one of which is Deborah from Woolensails. Deborah is an expert on making anything look prim. She always has something "primming" on her blog! lol

This is what the surprise envelope I received late December 2011 contained!

Beautiful! Of course the picture does not do it justice. I love the prim look!

Thank you again Deborah!

The other gift comes from my Aussie friend Cheryl. I have known Cheryl (no blog) for quite some time. We have not met in person, YET! BUT .... it is on my list of things to do. ;o)

I have been ~~coveting~~ wanting the Vignette magazine by Leanne of Leanne's House for quite some time. You can imagine my surprise when this package arrived in the mail from Daisy Cottage Quilting.

Sharon always does such a nice job with presentation! It was none other than:

How sweet is that? I'm so glad that Cheryl found Sharon's site for her order. Thank you again Cheryl for such a wonderful gift! You are the bestest! ;o)

Now I need to get off the computer and spend some time with my magazines. I just love Aussie magazines.

As Donna from Chookyblue would say.... Catch you later........! ;o)

Secret Santa Christmas Swap 2011....!

2011-12-25T10:02:00.008-05:00

Hello everyone! Merry Christmas! I hope you are enjoying a pleasant holiday celebration.

I would like to share with you the rest of my gifts from the SSCS 2011 swap. Here are the rest of the goodies I received from Lurline.

Thank you Lurline for the wonderful gifts and thank you Donna from Chookyblue for hosting such a wonderful swap.

Prim Swap

2011-12-20T21:28:00.036-05:00

I so enjoy belonging to swaps during the holiday time. There's something about exchanging a hand made gift with another quilter that just makes my heart sing.

Another swap that I enjoy is one from a Primitive Folk Art quilting Group. It was organized by Debbie of Woolensails.

My secret swap partner was Barbara and here is what I received from her.

Sweet hey?! ;o)

When I first saw that table topper I thought "that sure looks familiar!" Come to find out, it's from the very first issue of the Primitive Quilts and Project magazine. The pattern is call Cold Days by Lynda and Rebecca Hall.

I also received these two little guys. Aren't they cute! Now if that wasn't enough...

Barbara made this very nice framed prim cross stitched. I just love how it looks old, something I have yet to master.

Thank you again Barbara for the wonderful goodies you sent me! Cheers!

Secret Santa Christmas Swap ....!

2011-12-18T16:37:00.000-05:00

Every year Donna from Chookyblue Blog Spot organized a swap known as SSCS and ... I haven't missed one yet!

When my parcel arrived from Australia, I was all excited to see what my ornament would be. This is what I received from Lurline.

Isn't she just the cutest?

I love dolls!

She makes a cute addition to my growing collection for ornaments from Blog Land!

Thank you again Lurline for the ornament! I love it!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Antique Quilts .... another treat!

2011-12-11T13:34:00.001-05:00

As of late, I have been racking my brain in an attempt to figure out why it is that I seem to continuously be rushing here and there and everywhere. Even staying up till 2 in the morning does not give me the time I require to do the things I want to do. Yes, I am exhausted!

I am also starting to sound like a broken record with "It's been so busy" and "Just playing catch up here". At last, it has occurred to me this very morning, while writing my standard broken record phrases on blog land, to do a bit of math regarding where I spend my time. Well....... I found the culprit!

The ICE RINK!

Yes indeed, I spend on the average 12 hours a week at an ice rink, give or take a couple of hours. All for the love of my daughter. Oh.. and I do love her dearly!

Now that I know the culprit, will I do something about it? Not a chance, but it does make me feel better to know that I am not inappropriately managing my time. Do you think the rink manager would let me set up a sewing area? It would be a tad cold thought! Br.....

Here is the other antique quilt from Barbara Stadnicki's collection that I promised you.

This little gem is actually foundation pieced.

The block pattern is a variation of courthouse steps, however Barbara said that is is also called Chinese Lanterns. Can you see the lanterns?

It's construction is quite particular as it does not have batting in between the layers. The maker merely finished the quilt by sewing on a binding.

Look at that tiny binding. It is not more than a quarter inch.

A block showing the various fabrics used.

Another block.

Just so you get to see a variety of fabrics, and we quilters do like fabric! ;o)

Thank you again Barbara for allowing me to share your treasures.

I hope you have enjoyed this little treat. Thank you for stopping by my little corner in cyber space! Cheers!

Antique Quilts ..... what a treat....!

2011-12-07T14:59:00.006-05:00

Being an owner of a quilt Shoppe that specialized in 19 century reproduction has it's fringe benefits! I would like to share with you two beautiful antique quilts that I had the privilege of admiring, for the first time, last Summer.

A few post ago, I shared with you an historical club that I organize called Prairie Women Sewing Circle Club. I am fortunate to have a participant who not only collects antique quilts, but is presently working towards becoming an appraiser. Her name is Barbara Stadnicki, and she has allowed me to share with you a couple of beautiful quilts she brought to our last meet for other club members to experience.

Those of you who love antique quilts, you are in for a treat!

The first quilt I want to share with you is a doll quilt. Doll quilts are a rare find. As you can imagine, they are loved to pieces by the child who was privileged to have one.

This little gem is a unique piece and is quite valuable. Barbara had it appraised when she acquired it.

It's increase in value, aside from being a doll quilt, is due to having the bed post cut outs.

I am told that this is very rare for a doll quilt.

The bed post cut out provides a clue that this doll quilts most probably comes from the New England area.

According to Barbara, judging from the fabrics, it dates anywhere between 1825 to 1850.

A block from the quilt!

If you look closely at the bottom right square, you will see that two pieces of fabrics were sewn together to make a bigger block.

I purposely left the picture size large so that you could admire its construction.

Here you have the side of the quilt.

Notice the same technique of adding/sewing an extra piece of fabric in order to create the proper size block. That is one small piece of fabric.

They truly did not waste fabric. I'm sure our fore-mothers would be outraged at what we throw out as "useless scraps!" lol

They were also not afraid to work with directional prints! And.... they matched the pattern to the sewn piece! Wow!

The back of the quilt!

A pieced back, three panels plus a side strip.

The quilt is hand pieced and hand quilted. Most probably made by a 9-10 year old girl. Unfortunately, it does not have a label.

Words cannot accurately explain the feelings I experience when I am admiring this quilt.

To touch a time in history!

If the maker only knew what joy her creation would bring to another quilter centuries later!

Thank you for allowing me to sharing this beautiful creation with you. Stay tune for the second quilt.

Cheers!

Stuffed.... but content.....!

2011-11-27T19:43:00.000-05:00

I do hope that those who celebrate Thanksgiving had a wonderful time.

This year I decided to let someone else handle Fibre Junction and celebrated Thanksgiving with Stephen's family.

What a wonderful time we all had. Everyone pretty much over ate... you know... the normal stuff! lol

On the following day, it is customary for us to do something as a group. Richard, our host, decided that we would walk around New York City. More specifically, we visited the World Trade center.

Look at that majestic tower!

It is the Freedom Tower!

There are still quite a few stories to be added!

I have been told that it will be taller than the original towers.

Quite impressive, don't you think?

This is "us" along the waterway, Battery Park.

Quite the group!

Yes we are a large group. Hum... 30 if I am not mistaken. We were much larger for Thanksgiving dinner! ;o)

We all had a wonderful time visiting. I love New York City! Although I enjoy living in the country, I do miss the city!

Thank you for visiting with me. Keep well everyone! Cheers!

Turkey time....!

2011-11-24T00:00:00.011-05:00

It is that time of the year when we take this special time to be thankful!

I want to thank you for visiting my little corner in cyberspace! Although I do not post as often as I would like, I truly enjoy having a blog.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Keep well everyone! Cheers!

Magazines.....!

2011-11-10T14:09:00.001-05:00

I love magazines! I think some would say that I am a magazine junkie! There is just something about looking at wonderful pictures of whatever pleases me. I especially like to look at holiday issues!

One magazine that I would like to tell you about is MaryJanesFarm. Why you might ask?

The December/January issue has a nice article on the Buggy Barn Ladies and their annual quilt show.

Oh how I would love to visit!

One day, I will be there!

There's nothing like looking at photographs to take you there. They certainly did a great job of doing that in this issue.

Aside from the quilting article, it's actually a great magazine. Although I have been raised in a large city, I'm a farm girl at heart and this magazine satisfies that inner calling. ;o)

On the Buggy Barn note, I did start a new project.

Folk Art Bloom by the Buggy Barn ladies!

I'm using lots of plaids as well as scraps from prior hand applique projects.

So far I have 4 blocks prepared, ready for the hand work.

I cannot wait to finish one so I can show & tell!

I'm lovin' how it's turning out!

On the Cyber Club Front, there does not seem to be enough quilters that are interested in participating, so I will put that on the back burner for now. I just thought it would have been nice to have a place for those interested to meet and have fun.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Keep well! Cheers!

Clubs, clubs and more clubs... Sew much fun...!

2011-10-28T00:46:00.014-04:00

Some of you might know that I have been running a number of clubs at Fibre Junction. Allow me to share with you a new one I have started that is called Prairie Women Sewing Club, designed by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts.

The first Journey was conducted in the summer and actually done in French. What a blast it was!

Although my native tongue is French, I have lost some of my abilities to communicate in that language. When your world is continuously in English, it is difficult to maintain a certain level of "French conversation". The opportunity to conduct this club was quite a welcomed challenge. Thank you Diane, Gisèle and the rest of the Mötley crew! ;o)

The pattern for Gathering 1 is called Leap of Faith.

The key concept of this club is the "make-do" mentality, which is not as easy as one thinks.

In a disposable easily accessible world, "make-do" has become quite foreign to many, including myself. It is much easier to run to the quilt shop and buy more fabric than it is to look for something else that would work.

This quilt offered my first opportunity to "make-do". I ran out of the background fabric! Off I ran to Fibre Junction to purchase more, only to find that the bolt was sold out!!!! WHAT??????

I seriously thought of making another top by ~~buying~~ using a different fabric.... but... that would be cheating. Right???

I was forced to "make-do." ;o)

The background on the outer edge is actually a fabric I bought back in 1996. It was a remnant from the sampler quilt that is responsible for this ~~obsession~~ hobby of mine! lol You may read all about here.

If anyone of you are interested in doing a "web" based Prairie Women Sewing Circle, send me an e-mail and we can chat about it. I would be happy to open a group where we can chat and share our projects.

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Time is relative...... Thanks Einstein!

2011-10-25T00:53:00.006-04:00

How easy it is to get caught up in time. The next thing you know it's been a couple of weeks since you last blogged! sigh!

Here I am.......

Did you ever have that feeling that someone is trying to tell you something?

Leave it to my 14 year old Pumpkin to get a subtle point across! ;o)

Yea, the Spring Fling quilt is still on Penelope and has been for quite some time!

I guess it's time to take her for a ride and get that top finished once and for all!

Keep well everyone! Cheers!

The designer gene...!

2011-10-12T12:43:00.019-04:00

There are some individuals that were born with the designer gene. They just seem to have a knack for decorating.

Take Kaaren from The Painted Quilt blog, she is just one of those talented people that I admire. I look at the pictures of her home and WOW! Wish I could do that. She has such an eye for colour and placement. There are many on blog land that I admire and I enjoy reading about their decorating adventures.

Sadly, I do not seem to have been born with that special decorating gene. To compensate, I subscribe to magazines and at times buy books on the subject, all in the hopes that it will come naturally for me.

Let me share with you my latest magazine find.

A Primitive Place and Country Journal, what a great magazine!

If you are into primitive anything, this is the ONE for you. Well worth the price!

I just love looking at the photographs and day dream!

Oh...... how I wish my home looked like that!

Of course, I have to be realistic. I could have it looking like that but ... I'd be spending my day following DD and DH with a vacuum cleaner and bucket to clean up after them and/or replacing the items to it's original place! lol I would much rather be quilting! Oh well!

They do have a blog called A primitive Place and Country Journal, for those that are interested.

Simple Country Wisdom - 501 Old-Fashioned Ideas to Simplify your Life by Susan Waggoner it another of my find.

Lots of pictures, which I so enjoy, and wonderful suggestions!

I have not finished reading it yet. It has been so busy with the many quilting classes that I am teaching, but I have enjoyed what I have read so far.

On the quilting front, Spring Fling by Jane Patek is still on Penelope. Sigh! Not enough hours in the day!

I still have not attempted to transfer the design from the Santa's Comin' to Town pattern, so that means I am still itching for a hand project.

Today, I will be making an attempt to dig myself into my sewing room. Yes, you read right! It's been a dumping ground for the past 2 weeks. Anyone want to come over and help me dig? lol

I did pick a winner of the "name that quilt" challenge and it is Pam from Pam's Place. Pam, if you would kindly refresh my memory as to where I should mail this little prize, I would be much obliged.

Thank you for stopping by. If you do not see me again for a while it may be that I have become lost in my sewing room. Perhaps even managed to be under a fabric avalanche! lol Cheers!

What's new in my world.....!

2011-09-27T16:10:00.002-04:00

Really not much! I do need a hand project badly, so yesterday I proceeded to work on getting some blocks ready for hand embroidery. Off I went to work on this pattern:

Santa's Comin' to Town by Olde Green Cupboard Designs. I just love their logo, don't you? Sweet!

I picked this pattern because it reminded me of the old colouring books I had as a child. Besides, I love Santa and this project certainly has a lot of Santas! lol

So off I went to cut out my blocks and get them all ready to be marked.

I choose a pattern sheet, place it on my light box and proceed to trace.

Hum..... this isn't working very well ..... oh turn on the light......

Well.......!

That made it worse because the designs are printed on both sides of a thin sheet of paper.

Okay, so I guess I need to photocopy these pattern sheets if I want to be able to trace it. Somehow that bothers me! I paid $20.00 for this pattern, you would think I wouldn't have to go to a photocopy shop to get 9 sheets printed. Sigh!

It's those little things that really makes a difference between pattern designers.

You know, I have a whole new appreciation for Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill Studios. I enjoy working with her patterns!

Thanks for stopping by! Keep well! Cheers!

Talk about a good laugh....!

2011-09-18T12:24:00.084-04:00

Donna from Chookyblue made a wonderful suggestion about placing a page translator on our blog. What a great idea! .

Of course, I have to try this gadget out!

So, I asked that my blog be translated into French and started reading.

Coming onto the post "Driving me to the Brinks," it could not translate the word "brinks" (for the translator: Edge - like the guitar player in the band U2 ;o)

I continued to read and came upon the line, "there are quilters and than there are sewers."

So here is what the translator wrote in French, "there are quilters and than there are sewage systems"

I couldn't stop laughing!

The word "sewer" is "egout", which is correct except that I did not mean sewer in the sense of waste system but in the sense of a person who sews!

Hum... Although it is funnier as "sewer", I did reword that! lol

On a quilting note, guess what I'm working on?

I have just started a new BOM that Fibre Junction is offering.

I have completed 12 blocks so far! For a close up look, click on the block.

Let's have a little fun!

Since I haven't done a give away in a long time, if you can guess what the name of this new BOM that Fibre Junction is offering, your name will go in a draw for a notion holder.

If you are not familiar with a notion holder, they are beautifully made by my DH, Stephen. You may check one out here.

And ...... if you can guess which block I have not completed and your name is picked, I'll include an extra surprise!

The "give away" will close on October 1, 2011!

Thanks for stopping by and having a little fun/laugh with me! Cheers!

A done deal.....!

2011-09-14T15:20:00.005-04:00

I like to think of myself as proactive!

What a fancy word for what used to known as "planning ahead". When I worked for a corporation, our vocabulary was full of buzz words! I've forgotten many of them. I just don't get to use them in a quilt Shoppe! ;o)

Knowing that I had hocuspocusville to machine quilt, I went ahead and ordered a larger spool of YLI monofilament thread. I figured that normal little tiny spool just wasn't going to get the job done.

Imagine my surprise when I received this in the mail!

Yea! Okay, what the heck is this?

That ... is what they call a pound of monofilament thread!

It does not look at all like the picture on the website! As a matter of fact, far from it!

Does this actually fit on Penelope?

Surprise, surprise it does!

Needless to say, I have monofilament thread to last me a couple of life times! I just hope I not only remember where I placed it, but that it's actually still a good thing to use when I come back for another round! lol

After finally finishing to croak Hocuspocusville, I went to work with Penelope and now have a finish!

Tah dah!

Use lots of monofilament thread on the houses. ;o)

No.... I did not put a dent on that huge spool, if you want to call it that. lol

I do like the way it turned out!

I chose not to hand embroider between the blocks. I wanted the quilt to look like a neighbourhood!

Of course you all know what is on the back! The Ghaslies!

You know, it's a great feeling to be able to cross out a project from my 2009 UFO list! Hurray for me!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Driving me to the brinks.....!

2011-09-11T12:41:00.042-04:00

You know, there are quilters and there are ~~sewers~~ people who sew. I'm a quilter! However, some people seem to think that just because you can quilt, you can sew. Well, I've got news for you!

I cannot say that I know how to sew. Sewing is a specialty just as much as quilting is a specialty. However, just because I do not know how to sew, it doesn't mean that I will not, on a rare occasion, try to sew something.

This weekend was the Battle of Plattsburgh. I had been asked to participate by offering to teach children to sew. Of course, I felt that I had to dress the part.

So off I went to make myself a skirt and petticoat/undergarment, easy enough ... so I thought! Jennifer was kind enough to make the apron!

Well.....it took many nights of going to bed at 2:00 a.m. to get this, what seemed simple enough, project finished ... It doesn't even have a zipper!!!!!! .... You know it wasn't invented in 1812! ;o)

So I did wear the skit and no it did not fall apart! However, it's too big! Will I take it in? No way nor am I gaining more weight so it fits! lol It will just have to hang loose on the hips! lol

Thanks for stopping by. Now that this project and event has passed, I have more time to concentrate on quilting.... something I know a bit about! ;o)

Cheers!

Rip it....rip it....!

2011-09-04T22:53:00.001-04:00

I've been croaking!

All because of this race to get some machine quilting done! Not sure who I'm racing against, but I think it's winning.....

Way too many mistakes for my liking. And... you know what happens when you make mistakes? Out comes the seam ripper..... Yep, spent 4 hours ripping out a design all because I was in a hurry! Sigh!

A while back, my friend Cheryl, from Oz, sent me this little gadget:

It's called a Cotton Picker!

And you know what? It works...

That little gadget was quite useful to help rid of the threads left behind from croaking!

It certainly made thread clean up more tolerable!

Now that I'm done croaking, perhaps I can get Hocuspocusville machine quilted!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

And the beat goes on.....!

2011-08-31T00:57:00.000-04:00

Ya know, all these new tools I have blogged about (here and here), they are really helping me finish my hand work. Goodness, are they doing a great job at keeping my fingers from getting sore.

I can hand applique for long stretches at a time! I'm talking until I get tired of it and/or need a change of scenery!

I no longer need to take a break in order to give my fingers time to heal! Yea, I'm on a roll! ;o)

Penelope has also had a tire change, those new M & M wheels I bought at VQF! DH finally set aside some time to change them.

So, I needed a quilt top to take those new wheels for a test drive. Given that the blocks were all done and that it was just a matter of piecing the top, I was able to quickly finished this little quilt!

The Orange Peel quilt from Kathleen Tracy's book Remembering Adelia!

Yea, those new wheels make such a difference! Smooth!

You know, I really like that I used scraps for make the center of the quilt.

I'm slowly getting proficient at scrap usage!

It used to be that I could not work with anything smaller than a quarter yard! lol Now, I'm using up pieces as small as 1 1/2" and it's not in applique projects but actual piecing. And.... I actually enjoy it! lol

Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace! Cheers!

A new Flimsy....!

2011-08-27T00:10:00.056-04:00

Yeap, I've been a busy bee! I started this hand applique quilt back in July!

The pattern is called Spring Fling By Jan Patek!

Whenever I start a hand project, whether hand applique or embroidery, I always begin with the block that requires the most work. I then work my way down to the simplest block.

I really find it easier for me to get motivated to finish the quilt, as the blocks get less and less intense.

I also tend to prepare all of the blocks at the same time. When one block is completed, I can quickly pick up another.

I'm also a gluer! I'll have all of my pieces glued down. It makes my blocks portable, allowing me to work on them whenever and where ever!

I do like the way this quilt turned out. I think I will call it Summer Days 2011. We really did have wonderful weather this summer. The quilt is now awaiting its turn on Penelope.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Keep Well!

Another Fat One bites the dust....!

2011-08-24T00:36:00.049-04:00

I've been plugging away at the Fat Quarter Book by Lori Smith.

I've had this little quilt done for quite some time. It was just a matter of loading it on Penelope and getting it machine quilted.

The pattern is called Square Dance. I actually foundation pieced the center of the quilt.

If you've been following my blog from the beginning, you know that I am not a fan of paper piecing. The technique and I just do not get along.

Way back in 2007 I even wrote an entry on 10 reasons not to paper piece! lol

I've worked around the whole personality conflict thing by using Ricky Tims' Stable Stuff Poly!

I print my blocks and piece accordingly. I do not have to remove the foundation. Once washed, it blends in with your batting.

I don't even have tension issues!

Yea, I'm in love with Stable Stuff! lol Basically, it's machine embroidery stabilizer cut in a convenient size 8.5" x 11" sheets. Works for me!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Plugging away ....!

2011-08-22T22:36:00.000-04:00

I managed to put on the borders for Hocuspocusville by Meg Hawkey of Crab Apple Hill Studio. I haven't decided if I will be doing the hand embroidering between the blocks. It's now on my design wall awaiting my decision.

However, I have picked the backing. I've waited for this fabric for a whole year and it has arrived at Fibre Junction.

The Ghastlies!

It is so perfect as a backing! Although the Shoppe has a few colour choices, I chose the dark grey! I first saw this fabric on Thimbleanna's blog and immediately fell in love with it! Oh yea, it's a beauty. ;o)

On a different note, I continue to plug away at the Farmer's Wife and have completed the following blocks:

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Guess what's on my design wall......?

2011-08-19T12:36:00.002-04:00

It's been a long time coming! Hocuspocusville by Crabapple Hill.

Gotta get more fabric for the borders! I knew I shouldn't have touched that black for a another project!

Oh well, off to Fibre Junction for border fabric! It's rough.... but I gotta do it to get that quilt off the wall! ;o)

Enjoy the day!

Vermont Quilt Festival - Some of my favourites......!

2011-08-17T00:48:00.020-04:00

This has got to be one of my all time favourite! Of course, I'm just a push over for a hand applique quilt! Stunning! The picture does not do it justice!

The Pride of Iowa Revisited made by Miki Peine of Saint Paul, MN

"This quilt was inspired by a picture I saw while visiting Marge Lydecker. Each night as I fell asleep I saw this picture of an antique quilt from Old Sturbridge Village. Hand quilted."

Vitamin C - Marion Perrault and Helena Scheffer (Beaconsfield, Quebec)

"Dozens of oranges were sacrificed in our quest for the perfect model for this quilt. The orange is composed of hundreds of fabrics collaged onto a flannel foundation. The pith is made of cotton batting painted, dyed and quilted. The background fabric was dyed and over dyed, then free motion quilted using 100 weight silk thread. Stationary machine quilted by Helena Scheffer."

Licorice and Lace - Birgit Schueller (Germany)

"After I pieced the top that is an original pattern, I thought the contrast between the licorice candy colored printed fabric in the triangle and dark brown background was too strong. Thus, I used my melon template set by Kim Brummer to design the very geometric quilting design. Contrasting thread and Swarovski crystals softened the contrast and added a filigree feeling like lace. Track machine quilted."

I did not re-size the photograph so that you could enjoy the details! What a gorgeous quilt! The machine quilting is phenomenal!

For those who enjoy looking at the machine quilting detail. For greater detail, click on the slide show and it will take you to the Picasa album:

These are just a few of my favourites. As with many quilt shows, there were so many beautiful quilts.

Thank you for your patience. Keep well! Cheers!

Vermont Quilt Festival - Antique exhibit......!

2011-08-15T13:44:00.008-04:00

Okay, it's been a while and I do want to apologize. It has been so insanely busy, I will spare you with the boring details. Today, I finally sat myself down and organized my photographs from the Vermont Quilt Festival, you know, the one I attended back in June! ;o)

The exhibit was entitled Patterns of History: Quilts from the Vermont Historical Society collection sponsored by Yankee Pride Quilt of Essex Junction, Vermont.

It should be noted that all these quilts are documented as being made in Vermont. The captions under each photographs were taken from the Vermont Quilt Festival program. If you want to view the quilts in greater detail, just click on the slide show and it should bring you to the Picasa album.

Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T00:18:00.005-04:00

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T12:35:00.001-04:00

Quilting therapy....!

2011-06-25T21:53:00.001-04:00

I've been spending the last couple of days in Vermont! Doing what you might ask? Visiting the Vermont Quilt Festival, walking the many quilt exhibit and doing just a bit of spending!

Bought Penelope a new set of wheels!

Yep, M & M wheels, "decrease friction and increase fluidity". She's getting a tire change as soon as they come in! I can't wait!

I'm off to organize my photos. I have so much to show!

Thanks for stopping by!

Farmer's Wife Part 6...!

2011-06-16T00:55:00.004-04:00

Yep, I'm still at it. Of course the customer commitment certainly helps with the motivation! ;o)

Thank you for stopping by!

Life, the universe and the possibilities of UFO quilters....!

2011-06-13T09:44:00.004-04:00

I seem to be picking up a tad of a gloom and doom attitude as of late! Have you ever watched the series Ancient Aliens?

It is/was a documentary on the History Channel about Alien earthly visitations (past and present) and the "evidence" they have. Anyway, it's scaring the crap out of me! Not that I think their theory is well supported, it's just my imagination that is running wild! Sadly, so far none of the aliens appear to be quilters!

As hand applique entertainment, I tend to watch Netflix instant view. It's great if you're like me and do not watch TV; all of the older programs are new! lol I think I will revert to scientific and historical documentaries for learning entertainment! ;o)

As a quilter, I am always looking for tools that make my quilting experience more enjoyable. One of the issues I had with hand applique was the soreness of my under finger as the needle picked through the layers. A while back I had written about the UnderThimble as a possible tool for hand applique (you may read about here)! Why not, it worked great for hand embroidery. Unfortunately, it just didn't cut it for hand applique.

However, Thimble-It works wonderfully!

What I do is cut the ovals in half, round off the corners and place it on my index finger. Voila! My finger is protected.

I can go on for hours and days hand appliqueing with no pain!

The problem with the UnderThimble was my inability to grasp my work tightly. Thimble-It is more flexible, allowing me to get a firm grip of my work.

If you are like me and unable to hand applique for long periods of time, you might want to give Thimble-it a try.

Thank you for stopping by! Keep well and if you meet aliens who quilt, do let me know. I'd love to see their work!

The wonder of it all.....!

2011-06-05T21:43:00.001-04:00

I have been living here in Upstate New York for quite some time. In our back yard, we have some beautiful old trees, some are more then 100 years old.

More particularly, we have this thorny tree that Stephen calls a Locust tree. I have never much appreciated this tree and often wondered why we had not taken it down.

During this time of the year (late spring), we would always get this wonderful perfume smell in the air. A smell that not knowing any better I had attributed to honey suckles. Strangely, we have no honey suckles around, but I just could not figure out where the smell came from that is ..... until tonight.

As I sat outside this evening enjoying the sweet smell in the air all the while reading my book, I looked towards the Locust tree, which is in the middle of the yard, and noticed it had blossoms. Hum..... I've never seen this before...

So I walked over to the middle of our yard and saw these beautiful blossoms on its branches, thousands of them!

As I stood under its canopy it smelled oh so sweet!

I ran to the house to get DH!

Believe it or not, he did not know that the tree blossomed in the spring. Well...

Now I know where that beautiful smell comes from and it's not from honey suckles! lol

And if that wasn't enough....

It was buzzing with activity!

There were these huge bumble bees buzzing about from blossoms to blossoms.

As I stood underneath, all I would hear was the buzzing of bumble bees.... and there were many.

I soaked it all in....!

It is amazing how blind we were to its beauty! I will never look at our Black Locust the same again! When it shed it's thousands of pods on the lawn, I will remember my Spring experience! ;o)

On the quilting front I have been a busy bee, buzzing from one project to another. I have finished a hand applique quilt that I hope to show you soon.

My orange peel stack is slowly going down.

I have 18 more peels to hand applique! I will then be ready to piece the top! Yea!

I'm off to do a bit of hand applique before it gets too late!

I wish you all a wonderful week! Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner in cyber space! Cheers!

Farmer's Wife Part 5 ...!

2011-06-03T00:33:00.001-04:00

Another month done!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Another Fat Quarter one....!

2011-05-30T19:47:00.006-04:00

I finished this little quilt from the Fat Quarter Quilting book by Lori Smith. This project is from the hand applique class that I am presently teaching at Fibre Junction.

It's called Vase of Flowers. Not sure what I will be calling it! Any suggestions?

I do like how it turned out!

It is one of my favourites thus far!

It has a flat piping and would you believe it's actually the first quilt that I actually sew/use a flat piping?! I cannot believe I waited so long! lol

The designer called for 3/4 of an inch folded and I thought it would be much too small to be noticed, so I cut mine 1 (one) inch!

Thanks for stopping by! Keep well!

Helping others .... !

2011-05-25T10:42:00.008-04:00

So much devastation on this good earth.

Picture by Nasa

If you are moved to assist the Southern areas of the United States, those that have been battered by tornadoes, Checker's Newsletter blog has posted information on how you can help by donating quilts.

Please send them to:

Skip and Peggy Ackfeld
Ackfeld Manufacturing
360 Emerson Road,
Reeds Spring, MO 65737

They will deliver the quilts to the Red Cross for distribution.

You may read the post here.

Namaste!

Hand embroidery project .... why not.....!

2011-05-23T00:29:00.000-04:00

Back in August 2010, I saw that Wendy from Snippets of a Quilter was working on a new hand embroidery project. I just knew that I had to make that quilt!

You know, I love blogging but gosh darn, the hidden cost associated with this media is phenomenal! lol

Anyway, I loved it so much that I went and purchased the pattern. What is it called you might ask? Ruby Garden by Waltzing with Bears.

Here are all twelve (12) of them waiting patiently to be pieced together!

Believe it or not, I have had all of the blocks stitched since September 2010 and haven't done a darn thing with them! Well, I was going to offer it as a block of the month at Fibre Junction, but I ran out of time. We do have the patterns should anyone be interested.

I'm liking this Picasa web album program. Could you imagine if I posted each block? That would be 12 entries! And to say I could have blogged more often last year! lol

Hope you are enjoying the hand work coming from a stitchin' fool! Told you so! ;o)

Keep well! Cheers!

Farmer's Wife part 4...and some goodies.!

2011-05-19T00:03:00.000-04:00

Will you look at those sweet fabrics!

I won them on Vicki's blog, Field Trips in Fiber!

The colours are just lovely.

I haven't decided what I will do with them yet... but I'm thinking! ;o)

Thanks again Vicki!

As for the Farmer's Wife, another set done!

I am slowly catching up to where I should be in order to have this quilt finished in 18 months!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Rain, Rain and more Rain.....!

2011-05-17T00:04:00.007-04:00

Yep, that's been pretty much our weather as of late. So, being of the "practical nature" kind of person that I am, I decided to make the best of it and put up my pool.

Yep, that's right! Why not?!

No, it hasn't rained that much but we have certainly received quite a few inches of rain.

Given that the forecast is rain for the week, I turned off the hose and allow Mother Nature to do her thing!

With the 4,000 gallons required to fill it, every little bit of help counts and.... it doesn't cost anything! ;o)

On the quilting front, I continue to keep myself out of trouble be productive and finished this little hand appliqué gem from the Fat Quarter Quilting Book by Lori Smith.

The pattern is called Tumbling Leaves.

It's been a flimsy for quite some time awaiting patiently to be loaded on Penelope.

The dilemma was, how do I machine quilt it?

After much thought, I decided to make it appear windy ...... sort of give it the blowing leaf look! I call it Blustery day!

Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner in Cyberspace!

Keep well everyone! Cheers!

Jo's Little Women' Club ....

2011-05-15T00:02:00.011-04:00

Another one bits the dust!

This was our first project for Club 10 - Jo Morton.

The pattern is called Point of View!

Not sure what I will be calling this quilt ...

perhaps .....

Purple Dare! lol

Yes, I used purple as the setting triangles.

I told you I really push the envelop when it comes to quilts from Jo's club patterns! lol

I neglected to show you another small quilt I made from the very first club I hosted at the Shoppe.

This little gem is from Club 9.....

The pattern is called Patriotic Strippy.

I call it Seeing Stars!

I love that large star print. It is the exact one Libby, from A Simple Life, used to make curtains in her New England laundry room. That's when I fell in love with it!

Jennifer also made a valence for one of the Shoppe's window. It has such a country feel!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Keep well!

What's new......!

2011-05-11T00:07:00.007-04:00

Have you seen this book by Kathleen Tracy?

I didn't know when I purchased the book, but it is from the same author of the Civil War Sewing Circle & Prairie Children and their Quilts! No wonder I love it!

Lately I've been on a mission to reduce my 19 century reproduction scraps. There's nothing like starting a new project to get the creative juices flowing....

So....

I'm seeing orange peels!

I've always wanted to make one of these quilts and.... besides

I needed a new hand applique project to keep me out of trouble occupied!

As I type this post, I have 22 made! Forty two (42) more to go!

Penelope and I have had a couple of play dates! I'm looking forward to showing you some finished hand applique quilts!

Off to hand sew some bindings! ;o)

Thank you so much for stopping by! Keep well!

Jo's Little Women' Club .....

2011-05-07T00:05:00.001-04:00

I do hope that you are keeping dry. Here in wayyyy Upstate it has been quite wet. So much so that many are experiencing flooding. The lake has never been as high as it presently is. We are breaking records! I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to put my pool up and save on the water bill by letting Mother Nature fill it up. Hum.... I wonder how many days it would have to rain to obtain 4,000 gallons? LOL

On a dryer note, I have finally had a few minutes to finish a small quilt I started in February of this year. I am trying very hard to only show you projects that are completely finished and what I mean by that is, machine quilted and binding sewn on!

I do have quite a few hand applique tops done, but not yet machine quilted. In other words, Penelope has a line up of quilts awaiting the operator! ;o) I am slowly catching up from the busy month of April.

Tah dah.....

The pattern is called Keystone Medallion by Jo Morton and it is from the club 9 series.

I have named this quilt Summer's Eve.

Although we are now on club 10, it's never too late to show a finished project from another club! Who doesn't like to see quilts? ;o)

I do enjoy coordinating the Jo's Little women' club at the Shoppe! These small quilts are fun to make and if that wasn't enough, there are a great bunch of ladies that make the meeting pleasurable and interesting.

And...... these small projects become wonderful decorative accent pieces for my home. :D

When it comes to these little projects, I really push the envelop. I will work in colours that are not my usual choices. It is fun to see how it turns out. You'd be amazed at the knowledge you acquire just from pushing the envelop! ;o)

Thank you so much for stopping by! Cheers!

Farmer's Wife part 3....!

2011-05-03T00:57:00.002-04:00

I am attempting to catch up on my Farmer's Wife show and tell.

I must admit, I do like the slide show for blocks. It makes it so much more interesting.

Thanks for stopping by!

Enjoy the moment! Cheers!

A tad late......!

2011-04-30T00:13:00.000-04:00

How's the weather in you neck of the woods? Goodness, Mother Earth has been quite active this year! I do hope that this blog entry finds you all safe and healthy!

I finally finished a quilt that I had planned on having done before this Easter. I'm a tad late! In fairness, the top had been pieced since April 2 and was loaded on Penelope awaiting patiently but...... I could not carve out some time to machine quilt it. On a positive note, I like to think that I'm ready for Easter in 2012! ;o)

La voici....!

The pattern is called Rabbits Prefer Embroidery by Bunny Hill designs.

Once again, I use the Moda French General line called Rouinerie! I do like that line. The reds are so sweet.

I also took the opportunity to practice my free hand feathers. They are not yet at the level that I would like them to be, but good enough to leave them be! ;o)

Thank you so much for stopping by! Enjoy the moment! Cheers!

Small but meaningful...!

2011-04-26T00:00:00.008-04:00

I would like to share with you my last project for Jo's Little Women' Club. It is a small quilt that became therapeutic for me. You could almost say, it was a method for mourning a dear friend.

You see, I started this project the day my friend Cheryl left the bonds of earth. Yes, on that very day! So in her honour, I have named it Stone Patches.

The pattern suggested that I hand embroidered 4 (four) of the ladies, but I chose to high-lite only one! Her name is Cheryl! ;o)

It's a cute little project! Scrappy!

I even used a couple of hour glass squares from a previous project! Yea, scrappy!

I must admit, I am enjoying working on these small quilts. They make gorgeous accent pieces in a room.

I have picked a winner from the post Things that make you go Hawwwww! Thank you to all those who posted. I enjoyed reading your entries.

The Winner is......... drum roll please...........!

Kimberly of numerous blogs! So I did a inimimimanimo and picked her blog My brown bag Studio to link too! ;o) Kimberly, please e-mail me with your mailing address so that I can get the hand made notion holder out to you.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Cheers!

Farmers Wife Part 2...!

2011-04-23T00:45:00.005-04:00

I'm still playing around with Picasa. I think I've figured out how to do a slide show as opposed to a movie! Not sure it's the way I want to go but........ here goes! lol

I plan on finishing this quilt in 18 months. Seems like a reasonable goal, don't you think?!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Cheers!

More Civil War stuff .....!

2011-04-20T00:25:00.003-04:00

A while back I had blogged about a quilt I had made out of the book The Civil War Sewing Circle by Kathleen Tracy (post may be viewed here). I find her new book so inspiring! There are so many projects I could make out of that book!

Anyway...... I completed another quilt!

A Soldier's Cot Quilt.

I did use up some scraps making this quilt but frankly, I created more scraps than I used! lol

Have you noticed how scraps just seem to multiply? Just when I think I've got a handle on the scrap situation, more show up! lol

Given that I'm visual, I need to see the fabrics in order for me to use them. What that does is only create a messy sewing room! lol Seems I'm continuously cleaning fabric off my cutting table! sigh!

Oh well, it's not like they're ugly scraps or anything! lol

Thanks for stopping by! Keep well!

Farmer's Wife Part 1

2011-04-17T15:22:00.013-04:00

I thought I would share with you a quilt I started on January 7. 2011. I've been searching for a way to show you quilt blocks that I've been working on without having to post a gazillion pictures! lol Picasa seems to be working for me at the moment, I think!

It is allowing me to create a movie, which is much better than the alternative. I am looking for a way to create a slide show! I think I'm getting there!

Anyway, the blocks are from a book titled The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird. Each block, and there are 111 blocks, was inspired from letters submitted by women for a contest offered by the Farmer's Wife magazine back in 1922. The question they had to answer was "If you had a daughter of marriageable age, would you, in the light of your own experience, want her to marry a farmer?" The entries are fascinating to read.

The quilt is being offered as a block of the month at Fibre Junction.

Given that the creator of this sampler quilt chose to hand pieced this project, hence templates are offered, I have taken on the task of writing the rotary cutting instructions.

As a bonus, I get to make this quilt! ;o) Well, okay, I'm testing my written instructions! lol

Well, that took me all day to figure out! lol

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Older but new to me.........

2011-04-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Have you seen this book?

Fat-Quarter quilting by Lori Smith, published in 2009 by That Patchwork Place! It's a somewhat of an older book, but a must have in my opinion!

What a great book! Every time I look through it, I feel inspired!

It has both hand applique and machine pieced projects! All are lovely!

All small projects, allowing you to use up your scraps! You know, those small pieces of fabrics that you cannot bare to part with! ;o)

I love this book so much that I have tailored a hand applique class that I am presently giving at the Shoppe, Fibre Junction.

Every month, I work on a technique that is associated with a quilt in the book.

Last month's project was.....

Birds in the air!

This quilt to me is what I consider a "made do" quilt. I used all scraps!

Well, except for the background, which I needed a fat quarter, the fabrics comes from my hand applique scrap bin!

The binding is a left over from my Rural Jardin quilt! I had just enough left to bind it!

What a great feeling to be using scraps! I feel so efficient! lol

The Birds in the Air quilt was a great exercise in working with what I have. I will be the first to admit, it is so easy to be inspired by new fabrics! My mind goes wild with all the possibilities. However, the challenge, for me, is working with what I have in the scrap bin! Talk about pushing the comfort envelop! lol

Thank you so much for stopping by! Enjoy the moment! Cheers!

Things that make you go haaaaaaaw...!

2011-04-07T00:00:00.010-04:00

There are items in my life that represents a certain state of mind.

Take my latte for instance! This to me is relaxation!

Of course it must be served in my special cup, otherwise it's just caffeine! lol

Seriously, I make myself one of these, and it's an instant relaxing state of mind!

That cup is meaningful, some would even think of it as sacred, as it brings on a certain state of mind, a state of being. It is not any different when it comes to quilting.

I also have special tools that assist me in "being" in a quilting state of mind. One of which is my thimble.

Sadly, I lost my special thimble more then 2 (two) years ago. I checked everywhere. I cleaned my car, took everything apart. Nothing!

I have been waiting, patiently and not so patiently, for this special thimble to show up. When it was time to discard our other car, that too was taken apart and I do mean apart, nothing. The thimble never showed up! :o(

Having waited more then I could bare, continuing my search high and low, I broke down and bought myself another thimble!

I loved my last thimble so much that I purchased the exact one!

You cannot imagine how happy I was when I found it!

I bought it from Silver Thimble Gifts! They have a very nice selection of thimbles! However, I was too attached to my old one to consider another model.

So now.....

I sit with my special notion holder, housing the tools that make hand applique so relaxing for me and work away.

Quilting is a way for me to get away for the daily stresses. When I do hand work, I'm in my own little happy place! My tools are just a means for setting me in the right frame of mind.

Do you have personal tools that you like to use for certain quilting work? I'd love to read about it. Leave me a comment and I will have a draw. The prize? A unique notion holder made by my husband Stephen.

Perhaps, the loss of my thimble was the reason for my not doing much hand applique, something I dearly love. I have certainly been busy with needle and thread since the arrival of my new thimble! Stay tune for show and tell! ;o)

Thank you so much for stopping by! Oh, by the way, I have picked the winner for the mass production half square triangle fun post. Jane from quiltsmiles! I know where to find you! ;o) You will receive a notion holder! But hey, you can still leave me a comment and if I pick your name, I'll think of something else! ;o) Drawing will close on April 16, 2011! Cheers!

Things have settled a bit....!

2011-04-04T12:51:00.009-04:00

My world is slowly going back to a somewhat state of normalization. There are still a few things that need tending to but.... in the grand scheme of things, life is good.

Yesterday was a gorgeous spring day for us people wayyyy up north! It was a perfect opportunity to go out and take a picture of a quilt I have recently finished. I am thankful that I did not procrastinate, as today would not have been ideal. It is SNOWING! Ah... the month of April, always fooling us weather wise! lol

Back to quilting! Yes, things are getting started and some are getting completed!

One of those completed project is a from a pattern called Snow Sparkle by Edyta Sitar designer of Laundry Basket Quilts.

The border and large snowflakes are from her Moda fabric line Let it Snow Favorite Batiks by Laundry Baskets Quilts. The nine patches and side triangles were made using a variety of batiks from my stash. Always a nice thing, as it makes room for new fabric! ;o)

I love the way the quilt turned out. However, what I love best about this quilt is having the opportunity to use a backing fabric I purchased many, many, many moons ago.

Or would that be many, many, many mooooooooos ago! lol

I just love this fabric! The colours are vibrant and the wintry scenery..... oh so sweet! I still have a couple of yards left!

It's funny how one can remember where a fabric was purchased. I guess it really made an impact! lol I bought the yardage approximately 6 years ago at Keepsakes Quilting! It has been patiently folded away in my stash awaiting the perfect quilt to back it with! A match made in heaven! lol

Well, thank you so much for stopping by! I do hope you are enjoying your day! Cheers!

A tribute to a dear friend...!

2011-04-02T14:00:00.003-04:00

Today is a sad day for me! A dear friend of mine "slipped the bonds of earth to touch the face of the creator"! Love that quote from Ronald Regan.

Two weeks ago, I was given the personal task of finishing her first quilt, which she made in 2006; I was to machine quilt it and bind it. It was the only quilt she wanted to keep for herself. It was my desire to complete the task in time for her to enjoy it before her passing. It was an honour to be asked to do this and what a pleasure it was to be able to lay it on her while she was able to enjoy her creation. I love you Cheryl. Thank you for being a dear friend!

Goodbye my friend, you will be sadly missed! See you on the other side! ;o)

Call for quilts for Japan

2011-03-22T10:50:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone. I'm here! Just very busy with dd's figure skating show. Lots and lots of work, but so worth it when I see her on the ice.

I do want to tell you about a cause that I feel compelled to participate in - Quilts for Japan.

Quilter's Newsletter magazine is doing a collection of quilts to send to Japan earthquake and Tsunami victims. You may read more information about it here:

There is also Quiltsalott blog that has information on the subject.

Thank you for your visit!

Enjoy the day! Hugs!

Scraps etc......!

2011-03-03T11:56:00.010-05:00

So glad you enjoyed the tutorial on mass production HST. Some of you expressed a fear with working with the bias on the outer edge of the square. There is really nothing to fear at all. It's not any worse than the other method. Do give it a try!

Thank you for the starch suggestions. Vicki from Field trips in Fibers provided a link to her own starch recipe. You can view it here. If you are acquainted with Vicki, you know it's been tested and it works! ;o) I plan on making a batch as soon as my other starch is gone. Thank you Vicki!

On the quilting front.......Have you seen this new book by Tara Lynn Darr - Simply Charming Small Scrap Quilts of Yesterday?

It's a great book for using all of your scraps.

Since I am not a scrap hoarder, the book provides me with lots of inspiration!

I know that some of you have no issues with scraps. I mean, you have them all categorized into size etc... Myself, once I've finished a quilt top, I want to get rid of the left over pieces. I'm talking the pieces and not the yardage that may be left over, that goes back in my stash! ;o)

Often, I will think or look for a project to use my left overs. Don't get me wrong, I do have a scrap drawer! But what's in there are fabrics that I will want to use again, real soon!

When I am not attached to a fabric, in a box it goes for donation to a worthy cause! That's how I clean out my stash to make room for fabrics that are more me! You cannot imagine how liberating that is! Why hang on to fabric that is not your taste anymore?

From my scrap drawer, this is what I made from the book:

The pattern is called Grannie's Scrap Box quilt!

What a great way of using your small scraps! Who doesn't have a gazillion small pieces looking for a purpose? lol

I'm so glad that my small pieces found a home in this cute quilt!

Thank you for stopping by! Keep well! Cheers!

Mass Production Half Square Triangles..... a tutorial....!

2011-02-27T14:19:00.026-05:00

Have you recently popped over to Donna's blog, Chookyblue? She's started to work on her Civil War Chronicle quilt. So, I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to start mine.

Given that this quilt is pretty much a half square triangle quilt, I thought I would share with you a method I like to use for when I need a gazillion HST. I like to use what I call the Strip Method!

Let me begin by saying that I will always starch my fabrics when I'm working with a bias.

Whatever starch you like to use is entirely up to you. However, as of late, given that I seem to be going through starch like there's no tomorrow, I find Best Press to be a tad expensive.

Yes, it smells wonderful but it certainly requires a lot of squirts to get my fabric stabilized. Needless to say, I've been using it by the gallon.

Unfortunately, the Linit Starch, which allows me to dilute according to the level of crisp I want, is no longer available at my local grocery store! Sigh!

I will be looking into another starch that is less costly. I may even attempt to make my own as I want to stay away from aerosol sprays.

Let's talk math! ..... Please come back! lol

We all know the general rule for for HST - finished size + 7/8 = square cutting size. However, for the strip method the rule is - finished size + 1/2 = strip cutting size.

If my finished size for my HST is 2 inches, I will cut my strips 2 1/2 inches.

I will place my two fabric strips together and sew a quarter (1/4) inch away from the edge.

I sew on both sides of the strips. It creates sort of like a tube.

Press your sewn fabric strips flat.

This is the ruler I like to use:

Quilt in a day Half Square Triangle ruler.

There are a number of companies that make a similar type of ruler, however this is my favourite. I find it more versatile!

I like this ruler because it also allows me to create HST in 1/8 increments as well as 1/16. Most other rulers I have seen only provide 1/4 or 1/2 inch increments.

Now, take your sewn fabric strip and lay it on your cutting board.

Line up the desired ruler marking size on your sewing line. In this case, I want 2 1/2 inches.

Your sewing line becomes the guide for the ruler position.

Take your rotary cutter and cut your HST.

It doesn't matter which side you like to start cutting first. I like to start with the right side and cut the left side last!

When you cut your second HST, you bring your fabric strip to the left and cut. Continue flip flopping your fabric strip until you either have the strip fully cut or the desired number of HST.

If you are accurate in your cutting, you can line up the ruler to the last cutting edge. Myself, I like to re-cut therefore, I leave a bit of fabric and cut both sides fresh.

This method uses the least amount of fabric!

Voila!

You have a perfect half square triangle.

The strip method makes it so simple for those sawtooth borders! Of course it would not be an ideal method if you only need a couple of HST.

Can you guess where the bias is?

Hum.... provide me with the correct answer and I'll put your name in a draw for a prize! Deadline March 31, 2011.

I don't know about you, but I always need to square my HST. No matter how accurate I try to be, they always seem to come out wonky. The Strip method allows me to cut and square at the same time!

Thanks for stopping by! Have fun making a gazillion half square triangles!

Civil War stuff......

2011-02-11T00:00:00.006-05:00

Have you seen this new book from the author of Prairie Children and their Quilts?

Kathleen Tracy has come out with The civil War Sewing Circle book - Quilts and Sewing Accessories Inspired by the Era and was a gem it is.

It's so inspirational!

There are so many projects I could make out of that book!

As a matter of fact, I have recently completed a small quilt from that book!

Tah dah.....!

This cute little doll quilt is called Scrap Square Doll Quilt!

Except for the sashing, I used all scraps to make it!

It's presently in the Shoppe on a shelf, keeping a doll warm! It is winter! ;o)

I have another project started that I hope to show you as soon as I complete it! Gotta get moving so I can blog about it! lol

Thanks you for stopping by! Keep well!

Stintchin' fool..... the stitch goes on.....!

2011-02-08T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here in the Northern hemisphere, we are continuing to have snow storms. Was I complaining about the lack of snow? Well ......

We came home from a weekend in Massachusetts only to find our driveway blocked by at least 3 (three) feet of snow. Gotta love plows! There's nothing like having to clear a drive way after a 4 and a half hour drive! lol Oh.... on Superbowl nite too! Oh joy! Well, it was good exercise!

What did I do while in Massachusetts? Visited my favourite quilt shops and had a wonderful luncheon at the Longfellow Wayside Inn - situated in Sudbury. It was my Aunt Marjorie's 80th birthday parrrty -> pronounced the Sponge Bob way!

Happy Birthday Aunt Marge!

We had a great time eating and celebrating! We did have an uninvited but welcomed guest, Jerusha Howe, the lovely Inn Ghost! The Inn is haunted, don't you know?! lol

On the quilting front, I'm continuing to stitch away and recently finished this little project:

The pattern is called Cinnamon and Cocoa by Bunny Hill Designs.

I used the Moda French General line Rouennerie for this little gem.

I do like that line! The reds are so delectable!

Thanks for stopping by! Keep well!

Quilting fun with Kim Dielh ....

2011-02-05T00:00:00.002-05:00

Back in November 2010, I had the opportunity to spend a quilting weekend with .......

Kim Diehl!

Yep, you read right! None other than Kim Diehl!

Kim was the guest speaker at my guild, Franklin County Quilter's Guild. Gosh, what fun!

It was wonderful to be able to see her quilts up close. They are all stunning!

She is such a prolific quilter! I don't know how she gets so much done! Of course a publishing deadline may help a tad! lol

Her trunk show consisted of a variety of quilts from each of her publications, including her most recent book.

One of my favourite quilt is not even from any of her books.....

It is called Scrap Basket Blossom!

What a sweet quilt!

It is a pattern that was published in the Australian Quilter's Companion magazine, Volume 36!

I don't recall if it's hand or machine appliquéd, nonetheless, it's beautiful!

Sadly, I do not have the magazine. Stonehouse publications has sold out! Sigh!

Anyway, all of her quilts were stunning! I love her style!

I also had the opportunity to take the two (2) workshops she was offering on Invisible Machine Appliqué.

The first workshop was on her Mocha Star quilt.

This pattern is from her book Simple Comforts 12 Cozy Lap quilts!

Kim will admit that what she's a self taught quilter. Her approach to quilting is simple and down to earth, "a lot of it is common sense!" lol

I'm not sure if I'll complete this project! However, I certainly enjoyed learning her method for doing eight pointed stars!

I may tackle it in the near future! It would make a nice souvenir of the Kim weekend!

The second workshop was on ......

Bittersweet Briar!

This pattern is from her latest book Simple Graces - Charming Quilts and Companion projects.

Both quilt versions are stunning!

I chose to make the dark version. It's presently folded away in a drawer waiting for me to pick it back up again!

I do plan on completing this quilt, I just don't know when! lol

I have all of Kim's books! There are so many projects I could make from each book but ..... for now I just enjoy looking them at them and being inspired!

What a great time it was! I would recommend that you take a class with her. She's an amazing quilter! Oh... and quite entertaining too! I enjoyed hearing the stories that went with her quilts!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed reading about my time in a workshop with Kim Dielh! Cheers!

Quilting and SNOW DAY .........!

2011-02-02T13:09:00.014-05:00

Hurray! We have a snow day! Happy dancing in the snow storm!

We have not had a good snow storm this winter at all. Every winter storm has by passed us people way up north, you know, the ones that are suppose to get snow in the winter time. Perhaps the Heat Miser has now relinquished the North back to his brother, Snow Miser! It's high time! lol

Notice the new addition to the backyard?

It's DD's tree house! It was build last summer prior to the renovations!

I've always been under the impression that a tree house was made of left over wood; anything you could scrounge! Not this one, we had to budget for it! lol Stephen's reasoning was, "if I have to look at it, I want it to be nice." Nice it is!

All she needs now is running water and electricity! When that comes in, I'm moving in! lol

On the quilting front, I've been a busy bee! One project that keeps me busy is the Jo's Little Women' Club. I organize this club at the Shoppe and I really enjoy it. Jo Morton has created lots of cute projects for each club.

This little gem is called Autumn Crossing and measures 28 x 31 inches.

It was the first quilt we made from the Club 9 pattern set.

I must admit, I'm turning into a Jo Morton Groupie! lol

I just love her fabrics. Needless to say, we have a nice collection at the Shoppe.

The second quilt I want to show you from Club 9 is this little one.

Would you believe it only measures 13.25 x 17.5 inches?

It's called Bittersweet Stars!

I ended up giving this quilt to DD as a Christmas gift. It's perfect for Kit's doll bed!

I need to come up with a name other than DD. Thimbleanna has such cute names for each of her family members. Must think of something....

Back to Jo, I must admit, making these little quilt projects has taught me a lot about piecing and precision. They've also great for providing me with the opportunity to express myself using exclamations from my not so socially acceptable repertoire of adjectives! lol

Jo Morton has said that her club projects are skill builders and she is right! My piecing has improved tremendously since I started making these small projects. The smaller the pieces, the less room you have to fudge! Precision is key! I love it!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are enjoying your day where ever you are on this good earth! Piece!

Quilting Recap 2010......!

2011-01-31T21:36:00.011-05:00

Allow me to share with you a quilt I made in December 2010.

I've never been a fan of the use of fusible web for a quilt. I decided it was time I took the opportunity to justify my opinion by making a raw edge applique lap quilt using Stream a Seam lite 2.

Using one of the contemporary line from the Shoppe, I made this pattern:

Make Life go Round by Sweetwater.

However, I call this quilt Ruffled Feathers!

Why you asked? Because I used this quilt to practice my freehand feathers and some are, let's say, ruffled! lol

Although I feel that fusible web has its place in the quilting world, it's not for me. For one thing, it increases the cost of making a quilt. Would you believe I used over 4.5 yards of fusible; that's the cost of a couple of yards of cotton fabric!

To my surprise, the circles are soft and pliable. I somehow expected the quilt to be stiff!

Not sure it cuts back on the time it take to make the quilt. I still had to stitch around the outer and inner edge of the circles.

Another down fall, I had lots of odd size pieces of the fusible web. Sigh!

Given that I am not a scrap collector, less so of fusible, I had to do something with all those odd pieces....

So I made this cute little table topper!

The pattern is from Sweetwater and is called, Heart Table Mat.

Perfect for Valentine's day!

I now have my fill of fusible projects! lol Onward to something else. lol

I did mention in a prior blog entry that I would publish the winner of the quilt kit, so..... First, I want to take the opportunity to again thank all those who partook in the auction to benefit Queensland Flood Relief. You gals are great!

Drum roll please ........ The winner of the Civil War Chronicle kit is Donna from Chookyblue blog. Thank you Donna for your generous contribution.

Off to work on a quilting project! Thanks for stopping by!

Gratitude, thank yous..........!

2011-01-24T13:33:00.010-05:00

I want to thank all of my friends who helped me get the word out regarding the auction to benefit Queensland Flood Relief. I know that I have been neglectful of my blog and I am truly grateful that you helped me get the word out. Thank you so much! You cannot imagine what this means to me. I could not have done it without you.

The winner of the Civil War Chronicle kit has been contacted. Once everything is in order, I will publish the winner. Thank you to all those who participated in this auction.

For those who were unable to bid and would still like to help, you can make a donation to the disaster relief appeal here. Every little bit counts!

Thank you again!

Queenlands Flood Appeal Auction..... please!

2011-01-19T16:51:00.018-05:00

Hello everyone!

Quilters are amazing people, always there to help when in need. I have made some wonderful friend across the globe, many of whom are in Australia.

I am sure you have read about the devastation in Australia. It is now my turn to give back. Please help me raise money for this cause.

I am auctioning a Civil War Chronicle kit. The newest block of the month designed by Dolores Smith & Sarah Maxwell.

The kit will include the patterns (which have been written by professional pattern writers) and all of the fabrics to make this top including the binding. It will come in a beautiful canvas bag designed specifically for this quilt. Retail Value apprx $320 US.

Funds will be in Australian dollars and is open to everyone across this beautiful planet earth. If anyone in outer galaxies are following my blog, you may also bid and we'll figure out the delivery logistics! ;o)

Auction ends on January 24th, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time.

How this auction works:

1. Bidding is in Australian dollars.
2. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address. Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.
3. Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.
4. This auction is open to everyone.
5. The auction begins NOW and will END at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Monday 24th January 2011.
6. At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner via e-mail. The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email. Once proof of payment has been received, I will post your Civil War Chronicle kit.

Thank you so much for helping to raise funds!

Happy bidding!

Quilting Recap of 2010 ......Part 1!

2011-01-17T10:26:00.005-05:00

Last year was a busy year for me in terms of completing projects. I must admit, one of the positive perks of owning a quilt Shoppe is the motivation to finish projects, as they become displays for the Shoppe! A draw back, if there can be such a thing as a quilt Shoppe owner, is the lack of time to complete the projects started prior to my ownership! Although I have the opportunity to work with new fabrics all the time, the stash sits there patiently waiting for their time to be a star in a project! Sigh! Somehow, I think I can live with that, for now anyway! ;o)

I have mentioned that I had been a stitchin' fool in 2010 and it does not appear to be letting up! lol I have lots of new hand embroidery projects that I want to share with you, but first, allow me to catch up with 2010.

This cute little quilt is from a pattern designed by Stacy West of Buttermilk Basin called Cold Nose Warm Heart.

I made this quilt for a Secret Santa swap! I belong to a primitive Folk Art group and we had a gift exchange!

I just love Stacy West's patterns. They are just right for my prim taste! ;o)

I used some homespuns for the border and binding. It had been a while since I played with homespuns!

I just love them! Guess what is now expanding at the shoppe? lol Yea, the homespun collections! lol

I must blame this new expansion on Linda from Plain and Simple blog. lol When we met last year, she began re-igniting my passion for homespuns. Thanks Linda! ;o)

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you a wonderful day! Cheers!

Is there anybody out there..........?

2011-01-05T10:26:00.004-05:00

Did you listen to Pink Floyd in your youth? Well I did, as a matter of fact, I went to their Animal concert.... I'm dating myself again! lol Anyway, the line is from The Wall album. It's an album that must be listened as a whole to be understood. I mean, they did have a few single hits off of it but it really was a story presented in the form of music. Okay, enough about music in the 80's! lol

On the quilting front, I have been extremely busy. I do want to apologize for the deficiency of posts. It's really not for lack of projects to blog about, but more about taking the time to write.

On my last quilting post, I mentioned a list that I keep of the projects I start each year. Well, according to my 2010 list, I started 26 quilting projects and have finished 20. Of the 6 (six) left, I hope to get those finished soon! All that to say, stay tune for future post on what I've been up too! ;o)

Last year I participated in 2 (two) gift exchanges, one of which was the annual SSCS organized by Donna of Chookyblue. I've been participating in that swap since I first started blogging and have always been pleased with my Secret Santas. This year is no different!

My Secret Santa was Bec, an Australian, from Oh Sew Busy blog! As you can see, she made me this beautiful lap quilt that already has a place in my living room. I just love the fabrics she used.

She also included a quilting kit and a tea towel made in Australia.

There was also a cute wool ornament, but it has been put away before I had a chance to take a picture. This year, DH took the tree down way too early for my taste. sigh!

Thankfully, you can see it on Bec's blog as she did post a picture! Thank you again Bec, the quilt is gorgeous!

The other swap is from a primitive group I belong too. This is my second year swapping with that group. My Secret Santa was Debborah from Woollen Sails.

Unlike with Bec's gift, which sat under the tree for what seemed an eternity, I cheated with Debbie's gift and opened it as soon as I received it! lol

This is what Debbie made for me! Aren't they sweet! She has that "prim look" so well done!

One of the ornaments is an original pattern that she has offered as a freebie on her blog. You may check it out here!

I you can see, I have just been spoiled again! Thank you again Bec and Debbie for the lovely gifts!

As for a New Year's resolution, I will resolve to post more often! I love blogging and I have made such wonderful friends! There is no excuse for the neglect!

Thanks for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace! Cheers!

2010-12-24T22:13:00.003-05:00

Wishing you all a wonderful and joyful Holiday Season!

Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all!

Cheers!

UFOs in the closet....!

2010-11-02T00:44:00.003-04:00

Back in February 2007, I had become a member of the Stashbuster yahoo group. That year, I decided to join their UFO challenge. It was a perfect opportunity for me to finish some long over due projects.

I began this challenge by doing an inventory, well okay, cleaning out the dust bunnies so to speak! Once I had an inventory of all of my on going projects, I decided that it was time to keep a list.

This is what I came up with.

I remember Nancy, from Nancyquilts, commenting on how I was just a baby in the UFO department! She had 86 UFOs! Not sure my heart could take it! lol I wonder how Nancy is doing!?

As you can see, many of those projects have been completed.

What I have done, is continued a yearly listing of each project I start. This allows me to know the year and date I began and finished my projects.

Now I'm curious, how you organize your ongoing projects? Do you keep a list of your projects?

All this to say, my guild Franklin County Quilter's Guild, is doing a UFO challenge! I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for me to work on the "prior to 2007" list.

Sunday, I dug for a project to add to the new challenge list and decided on Wildberry Vines by Nancy Odom of Timid Thimble Creations. This project was on the original 2007 Stashbuster UFO challenge and did cost me a penalty of a FQ! Should you wish, you may read the story associated with this quilt here.

Harmed with determination, by 2:00 a.m. I had pieced the center of the quilt! Yea!

There really wasn't much left to do on it. Trimming the blocks and doing a bit of hand embroidery in (2) two of the blocks.

For now, I must leave it on my design wall, as I do need to get my Jo's Little women' club project done for Thursday! I've got to set a good example! ;o) lol

Off to play with some Jo Morton Fabrics! Pressure, pressure, but I can handle it! ;o)

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Hocus Pocus .... Happy Halloween....!

2010-10-31T00:27:00.005-04:00

I have continued to be a stitchen' fool! I'm telling you, those 2 (two) little thimbles are a dream. My fingers are nice and soft!

If you recall, I had set a goal to finish the Hocuspocusville quilt by October 31 of this year! I wasn't sure I would make it! It was a bit tight, but I made it with moments to spare.

Block 6

Last but not least, block 11

I always keep the easiest block for last. It's probably psychological, but it's a great motivator!

I wish you all a safe and spooky Hallows Eve! Thank you for stopping by!

Stitchen' away....!

2010-10-28T15:31:00.008-04:00

Indeed, I've been a stitching fool! My goal was to have samples done to decorate the Shoppe for fall. Mission accomplished!

I've fallen in love with Stacy West's designs - Buttermilk Basin. She has such a sweet collection of primitive stitching designs.

Ready? Oh, the centers are much darken than shown in the photograph. Gotta have that prim look!

Voici Moon, Cat & Jack

Owl, Jack & Bat!

Three Stacked Pumpkins!

Last but note least - Halloween Blackwork!

Told you so!!! LOL

Thanks for stopping by! I still have lots to show you on the stitching frenzy front!

Guess What.....?

2010-10-03T17:25:00.001-04:00

That cross hatching quilt is still not done! So much for wanting to finish it that day! It really is a lot harder than I thought! The hatching is all done, it's just the baskets that I have no clue what to do in them. The inspiration will come!

You know, machine quilting inspiration and/or determining the quilting designs is what I find the hardest. I just do not spend enough time with Penelope to have it come to me naturally. Sigh...!

On the quilting front, I've been a busy bee!

I recently finished this little gem!

BOO! I love Halloween!

This is a pattern by Stacy West of Buttermilk Basin! Her patterns are just so adorable! Love her primitive style!

I used reproduction fabrics with Jan Patek's Blessing line. I love that poison green!

I have another one to show you! But first, I must machine quilt it!

Thanks for stopping by! Off to do a bit of quilting!

When was the last time you thanked the moon?

2010-09-27T12:10:00.012-04:00

I've always loved the moon. Of course, I was just a kid when mankind visited this celestial sphere, but I remember! I watched it at our neighbour's house. They were the first people on the block to get a colour television. Okay, so I'm dating myself! ;o) Ironically, the event was in black in white! lol

I've been watching a documentary on the History Channel via Netflix called The Universe. That's how I get a lot of hand work done. There's nothing like getting an education while working on some hand projects. I'm the queen of multi-tasking, but I'm digressing..... ;o)

Anyway, come to find out that had it not been for our moon, this earth would be in a big mess! I learned so much about the positive benefits of the moon's gravitational pull and I'm not just talking about tides here! ;o) Next time you look up to the heavens, be thankful! This planet we call earth and it's surroundings is truly amazing!

On the quilting front, I've been scheduling play dates with Penelope.

This weeks lesson, cross hatching!

It's a lot harder than it looks! It's challenging to say the least!

I'm positive I have some warpies going on here! But, I won't show you where they are! lol

I've had this little reproduction quilt top done for a while, waiting to schedule some time to quilt it! I'm hoping to have it finished today so that I can show it to you as a finish!

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the day! Cheers!

Another finish.....!

2010-09-16T00:40:00.005-04:00

Some of you have been asking about the renovations. There are coming along nicely. We are moved back into the living room. What remains is the dinning room.

As I've mentioned in a prior post, I'm just pleased that the hot water heating system is up and running. Let me explain!

Have I ever mentioned how Stephen and plumbing do not mix? As talented as Stephen is in many fields, plumbing just doesn't work for him. Oh, he can do it, it's just that .... well ..... we all pay for it before, during and after. The last time he touched plumbing, I firmly informed him that he had 2 (two) choices, either we hire a plumber or a lawyer! lol

Thankfully I do not need to hire either, as my favourite brother, has he likes to be known, graciously offers to do any plumbing that needs to get done in the house. Now you know why I am so pleased that we have heat! lol

Hubby has been busy taking care of the finishing trim, and there is lots of it!

We have crown molding in both the dinning room and living room! The lower part of the walls will have wainscoating!

On the quilting front....

I finished Rural Jardin, a Moda pattern by French General. It's another free pattern and you can access it here.

I used both Rouinerie and Rural Jardin fabric line by French General.

I used the Plumage panto on this quilt and I really like how it turned out!

I love a scallop border, I don't know why I do not make more quilts with scallops! It is a pain to mark, ruler or not, but so worth it once it's completed!

I use the Large Scallop Radial Rule from Katie Lane Quilts to mark my scallops. The ruler does make it easier.

Thanks for stopping by! Keep well!

The beauty of it all......!

2010-09-12T13:48:00.018-04:00

It is hard to believe that fall is quickly approaching! The leaves on some of the trees have already started to turn their magnificent colours.

Here last week we had the most amazing sight!

The picture does not do it justice! The colours were so vibrant!

I hadn't seen a double rainbow since I don't know when! I cannot say, "since I was a kid" because, well I don't think I've grown up yet. lol

Adulthood is so over rated, who needs it! ;o)

I love nature!

Speaking of nature, our vegetable garden has been quite productive this year.

Last year, the tomato blite claimed most of our potential harvest. Thankfully this year it has not been the case. There is nothing like a fresh home grown tomato! Beats store bought anytime!

Hubby has been busy drying, as our supply of garden fresh sun dried tomatos has been exhausted.

On the quilting front, you will be astonished at the amount of quilting I have been doing! It's always a great feeling when you have completed a project!

Tah dah!

Machine quilted and all! Yes, I've been enjoying play dates with Penelope!

The pattern is called Park Avenue by 3 Sisters. It's a free pattern on the Moda site under the Fun Stuff heading. You can access the pattern here.

There's something to be said for a quilt that does not have borders. It's probably psychological, but it feels like a quick finish! ;o)

Thanks for stopping by! Keep well!

Friendship and stitchn' away ....!

2010-08-25T18:33:00.012-04:00

A few weeks ago I had the wonderful privilege of meeting a blogging friend.

We had planned a trip visit to my in-laws in Massachusetts. As you all know by now, they live close to one of my favourite quilt shops. What a perk!

Anyhow, that Saturday, The Quilted Crow was hosting their monthly Breakfast Club. I thought perhaps Linda, from A Simple Life, would like to join me, and she did. What a wonderful time we had! So much so that we went to a coffee shop to continue our visit! I so enjoyed her company!

A couple of weeks ago I received this lovely note from Linda.

I am so glad that we had a change to meet in person.

Wow! Now I have two perks for when I visit my in-laws! lol

Thank you again Linda for your company!

On the renovation front, we've moved back into our living-room! Yea! Oh and the heat is functional again. You just never know in the north! lol

Now, I did mention in my prior blog entry that I have been stitchn' away! ;o) Well, get a load of this!

Voila! Block 7 (seven)!

Have I shown you block 8(eight) yet?

I'm telling you those 2 (two) little thimbles are marvelous! I can go on for days on end! It's great!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to do some more hand embroidery! You never know, I may have that quilt done by Halloween!

Cheers!

I've been a stitchin' fool.....

2010-08-22T20:20:00.012-04:00

Last week was one of those weeks where solutions to problems just seemed to come. You see, I've been bothered by the fact that I was limited on the time I could spend hand embroidering.

For some reason, when it comes to hand embroidering, I find using a normal thimble cumbersome. So, the finger I use to push the needle would develop a small surface hole that's quite tender and the middle finger underneath my work would get scraped by the point of the needle, thus becoming sore.

You would think after years of hand embroidering I would get callouses rendering this a none issue, but that is not the case.

It was time for a solution!

It dawned on me that we had these little Thimble Pads at the Shoppe. So, I gave them a try!

They work beautifully! They are not cumbersome and thus allow me to push my embroidery needle through.

I was impressed!

They last too! The adhesive works for a long period of time. I've been using one for the past 4 (four) days and it still sticks to my finger. As for the colour, well it sort of has picked up the colour of my thread - black!

Of course this didn't help the left hand issue, the one that's underneath my work. Sure I can alternate between fingers, but after a while they all get sore.

Ding, a light bulb came on!

Why don't I try the Under Thimble by the same company?

Picked that up at the Shoppe too!

It was my week off, but you wouldn't know it by the number of times I found myself at Fibre Junction! lol

Well, stuck one of these metal spheres on the other middle finger and gave it a try.

Took me a few minutes to get used too, but it's working great.

The needle scrapes the surface of the metal as opposed to my finger.

No more sore fingers!

Look out, I'm armed!

With these little thimbles on, I can stitch for days on end!

What a relief!

Now, try getting a 13 year old to take this picture? Yea, she wouldn't stop laughing! "Mommy..." lol

Of course I feel kind of funny myself when I show off my middle fingers with the thimbles on! LOL! Kids?!?!

I haven't tried the Under Thimble with hand applique yet, but I sure will give it a try. I'm hoping I can extend the time I spend hand appliqueing! When you're on a roll, it's nice to be able to keep the pace!

Tell me, do you get sore fingers when you work on your hand embroidery? Do you use a thimble? I'd love for you to share your method/tools!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

2010-08-04T19:39:00.007-04:00

Despite the crazy busyness going on in my life, I am still somewhat accomplishing stuff.

The renovations are going according to schedule. Hubby has been hard at work getting the molding up and is now applying polyurethane to the livingroom floor. Once that has harden, we can actually start moving in! Onward to the dining room!

On the quilting front,

I have Hocuspocusville block 10 done.

The quilt is slowly getting done! I haven't had much time to do some hand work as of late.

I've been in a piecing mode! I will have lots to show you in a bit! I hope! lol

I was really hoping to have this quilt done by this Halloween, but..... not sure I will be able to meet my goal. Oh well, there's always next year!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

New family member.......and the winner is........!

2010-08-01T13:06:00.002-04:00

Firstly, thank you to all that participated in my "one of these things" game. I do want to apologize again for taking so long in posting the winner, but you all know what's going on in my life from the last post. Oh, and it's really only the tip of the iceberg! lol

Second, I would like for you to meet a new family member

Meet Lillith!

She's an African pygmy hedgehog! She's such a cuty pie!

She's been with us since the beginning of June. She was rescued from a bad breeder in Texas.

Alright, let's get to the give away! This is the kitted pattern that I've decided to give as the prize.

The pattern is called Make Life .... Fresh by Sweetwater.

I chose from the Neutral Territory fabric line. It is a line designed by Terry Atkinson and Liz Lois of Red Rooster.

Alright, here we go for the draw.

I took out my trusty cauldron again!

Don't mind the mess! ;o)

I'll spare you the details of my ritual, as I am sure you are all well acquainted. ;o)

As I stirred the content of the cauldron, out jumped an entry! Wow!

Now, I know it wasn't a funny trick/spell from one of the participants, because well, you know my routine! ;o) So it must be meant to be! ;o)

And the winner is:

Anonymous Linda in IN.

Congratulations!

Please e-mail me so that we can arrange for the delivery of your prize.

Thank you again everyone! Enjoy the day! Cheers!

Excuses, excuses.... ?

2010-07-30T13:02:00.003-04:00

I do have good reasons to be away from blog land. July has been busy with lots of activities, one of which is renovations.

This year, we are doing both the dinning room and the living room.

It's messy and time consuming but oh so rewarding when completed.

I'm so glad that wall paper is gone! Oh, and that fire place mantel too! I think it was added much later. It really does not represent the time period of our home.

Once we took the plaster off the walls, we were able to determine if my plan to have an exposed brick wall on your right (the same wall as the built in cabinet) was feasible. Sadly, it wasn't. The wall was too damaged to be exposed.

But, the fire place looks great!

Comes complete with spider web for that added decorating touch! lol

I'm all set for Halloween! lol

Stephen will be making a mantel for it.

The only brick exposed will be that of the fireplace chimney.

So, there you have it, my excuse for being away from blog land. I'll spare you the living room for now! ;o)

As for the draw, I have all the names printed out and I will post the winner this weekend.

We now have Internet at the Shoppe, so I'm hopping to be more productive in my personal life. I do enjoy blog land and reading from my list of amazing blog friends, but work always seemed to take priority. Now with the Internet at the Shoppe, things will change and I should be back on track! ;o)

Off to do a bit of catching up! Thank you for your patience!

Happy Canada Day!

2010-07-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

To all of my Canadian friends on Blog Land, Happy Canada Day!

One of these blocks is not like the other....!

2010-06-21T11:00:00.012-04:00

Yesterday, Stephen reminded me that I had not blogged in quite some time. How can that be? Time really is relative! Thank you Einstein!

In the meantime, I've been plugging away at various projects; so I have nothing completed to show you at the present moment. Since I like to play games, I thought we could play one together.

Those of you young enough to remember Sesame Street may be familiar with Cookie Monster's game "One of these things is not like the other." I love Sesame Street. It wasn't around in my early youth, but since I haven't grown up yet... of course I'm familiar with the show! lol

Let's start!

Remember Coney Island, well there's a humility block in there. I didn't notice it until I was almost done with the machine quilting. And, I only noticed it because my quilting movement did not feel like the others. ;o)

If you leave a comment telling me which block is not like the others, I'll put your name in a draw for a prize.

I haven't decided the prize yet, but I will pick something nice. Hum....

Oh.... this is going to be fun!

Deadline for the draw is July 1, 2010. Good luck!

Thanks for playing with me. Have yourself a great week! Cheers!

A finish.....!

2010-05-18T00:00:00.001-04:00

At last, it is done.

Voici Coney Island by Fig Tree & Company!

I love how that quilt turned out! It's hard to believe that the top had been sitting, or would that be hanging, in a closet for so long.

It's such a great feeling when a quilt has been completed. For me, complete means the binding has been sewn.

No, it doesn't have a label, yet! I keep a yearly record of the starting and finishing date of my projects on a Word document. I began this system when I joined Stashbusters in 2007. I needed to know how many UFOs I had. It's amazing how much I get done in a year! Really!?!?

So, when I get in the mood, that's when I'll stitch a few labels on my embroidery machine. The mood just hasn't come on yet! lol

For those of you who, like me, wants to see the machine quilting up close....

I didn't do anything complicated. I used the square points on the cones as a guideline for my loops!

I was going to do feathers on the sashing but...... I didn't like how they were turning out. So I croaked!

I just wasn't able to figure out how I would connect the feathers between rows. Given that each block is done in the ditch, leaving the sashing area blank just wasn't an issue for me.

Simple is good! ;o)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

New Project .....!

2010-05-10T20:09:00.005-04:00

Thank you friends on blog land for your lovely comments regarding the newspaper article on Fibre Junction. It has been quite the year, an extremely busy one, yet quite rewarding.

Lots has been going on, I finished machine quilting Coney Island, a pattern by Fig Tree & Company. However, I cannot show it to you until I have sewn the binding on it. That's my motivation to get it done so I can show it to you! I'm anxious to call this one finis!

On the quilting front, I decided to start a new project! Well, I did almost complete one! ;o)

The quilt pattern is called Trick or Treat by Blackbird Designs. It's from their book When the Cold Wind Blows.

These are just a few that I've completed. There are 291 baskets in the quilt. So far I have completed 164. Just a few more to go! ;o)

I fell in love with this quilt and just had to make it. To quote Alma "Anytime someone tells me to cut 300 of anything, it takes my breath away ... but one look at Barb's quilt and I had to say. 'Let me get my scissors!'" My sentiments exact!

The block are machine appliqued! So, as I prepare the blocks I read a book! ;o)

Yes, it has dawned on me that I do not need to physically sit and read a book. I can have it read to me. What a relief that is! lol I love to read so now I get to do two (2) things I enjoy, read and quilt, at the same time! ;o)

Thank you for stopping by! Have a great week!

Can I Brag....?!

2010-05-03T13:44:00.005-04:00

I am so excited to share with you that Fibre Junction - A quilt Shoppe is in the news! Suzanne Moore of the Press Republican did an article on the shoppe.

What a great feeling! You can read Suzanne's article here.

Thank you Suzanne for writing about the Shoppe!

If you would like to take a virtual tour of Fibre Junction, you may do so here.

Thank you for allowing me to brag a bit! ;o)

The beauty of it all......!

2010-04-27T14:15:00.008-04:00

Today is a SNOW DAY! ;o)

You can always expect a snow storm in April. It's just a question of when!

Thankfully, the beauty does not hang around for too long. It is spring you know!

What a perfect day for a latte and some quilting! I'm working on a project that I hope to share with you soon.

On the project completion front, I finished Tic-Tac Baskets, a pattern by Jan Patek Quilts.

I used Jan Patek's fabric line Blessings from Moda. I love Moda! ;o)

The quilt is machine pieced and appliqued!

As much as I enjoy needleturn appliqué, I also find the preparation for machine appliqué quite relaxing.

I use that prep time to listen to audiobooks. Not something I can easily do when I'm using my sewing machine.

Penelope and I had some bonding time. I played with rulers and free-form on the Tic-Tac Basket quilt.

Gosh, I'm loving ruler work! ;o) My, in the ditch work, has improved quite nicely!

What's on Penelope at the moment you might ask? Well, my Coney Island quilt! Yes, I feel comfortable enough to tackle that one! I can not wait to share the finish quilt with you!

Have a great week! Thank you so much for stopping by! Cheers!

And the winner is....!

2010-04-18T09:42:00.011-04:00

I do hope you have all had a wonderful week. Here, it's been mud/spring weather for the week. It's okay, water is good! Besides, it wouldn't be the North Country if it wasn't for mud season!

For this event, I took my trusty cauldron out of the pantry.

Hum... I see that it's been a while since it's been used. Either that, or I need to dust more often! lol

Well, given that I'm allergic to house work, I will have to have more give away! lol

As you see, the cauldron is filled with the comments from you wonderful people on Blog Land!

Good Luck!

Next, I went for my old book of Spells, Potions and Creepy Concoctions!

Blew the dust off that one too! Gosh, has it been that long?

I did cast my usually spells over the cauldron just to make sure there wasn't any funny stuff going around. lol

I like for things to be fair! ;o)

Once the cauldron was out, Thing came running to my sewing studio! She's always up for a good spell! ;o)

No, it's not from Dr. Seuss, Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Did anyone watch The Addams Family series? The earlier Muster series was pretty funny too! Of course, that was when television had quality programming! LOL

Okay, now I'm sure you are all pretty anxious to see who Thing picked as the winner!

Alright, here we go!

The winner is.... Anonymous Nancy E.!

Congratulations!

Would anonymous Nancy E please contact me!

Thanks everyone who participated in this give away!

2010-04-10T00:03:00.005-04:00

How did the week go by so quickly? Sigh! Oh well. I've been quilting away and actually have pictures of a finished project to show you.

I've been working on this little quilt, more like a table topper.

The pattern is called A Little Twist by This & That, designed by Sherri K. Falls.

I had a fun time putting it all together!

I used fabrics from Moda, Simple Abundance designed by Bonnie & Camille . Ya know, that picture does not do justice to the orange. It's much prettier than in the photo.

Now that this little quilt is done, I'll be looking into making some Schnibbles patterns by Miss Rosie's Quilt & Co. I've seen them on Darlene's blog and they are enticing!

Yea, that's all I need, another project! lol

What the heck! Quilting is suppose to be fun and fun I'm having.

Don't forget, today is the last day to leave a comment for the give away. Good luck to all that commented.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of cyberspace! Keep well! Cheers!

Time for a give away....!

2010-03-31T23:59:00.001-04:00

I've been a busy bee, working on some of those projects bins I blogged about a few weeks ago. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it feels to complete a project. It's the perfect motivation! I mean, I feel full of energy and pep, ready to tackle the next bin. Maybe even start a new project! ;o)

On the finish front, I have been working on The Circuit Rider's Quilt - An Album Honoring a Beloved Minister by Jenifer Dick. It's a needleturn applique class I'm teaching at the Shoppe.

The block is called Album Leaf. There are a couple of variations that I'm presently working on.

I decided to use some of my scraps from the Women of Influence quilt.

I'm not a scrap collector and therefore am always looking to use any left overs as soon as I can.

I really admire people who are able to work with scraps. Unless I can use them within a reasonable time frame in another project, I give them away to a good cause.

This is the Cornerstone Flower.

The leafs and center bulb are fabrics from the newest Judy Rothermel collection, The Civil War Tribute, from Marcus Bros. What a sweet line of fabrics they are. I do plan on incorporating more of that line in future blocks. For the circles, I did use scraps.

I realize that I have not been as diligent about blogging and I do want to apologize. So to make up for my lack, it's time for a give away.

Remember that quilt I finished a while back? You can view it here.

The pattern was called Stars Aligned by Cozy Quilt Designs.

Well, I have a kit prepared for you. The size of the quilt is 53" x 68" (Throw size).

All of the fabrics, except inner border and corner stones, come from the Moda line; Glace by Three Sisters.

The blueish fabric that you see is called Grunge Blue, also a Moda designed by Basic Grey.

There you have, the prize to be given away.

So, leave a comment on this blog entry and you will be entered in the give away.

The dead line is April 10, 2010. Good luck!

Thank you for stopping by and for your patience with my lack of posting. Cheers!

All gone ....!

2010-03-08T13:29:00.008-05:00

Well, we did finally get some snow but alas it is gone. Today, I am enjoying a beautiful spring day! I love spring!

Recently, I've sat myself down and had a talk with my self. I said,

"self, you need to get organized. You seem overwhelmed, frozen on the spot, not knowing which pile you should tackle first. You're like a candle in the wind, blowing at which ever direction the wind sends you."

That, is so not me!

After my little talk, I decided that it was time I finish some way over due projects. You see, I bought myself some nifty little stackable bins. They even have a carry handle. The problem you might ask?

It wouldn't be so bad if this was the only stack of projects I've got going on.....

But I have two (2) more piles, and they don't all have just have one (1) projects inside!!!

It's almost gotten to the point of addiction. I mean, should I be starting out the post with, "hello, my name is Carole and I have an addiction to anything related to quilting......"

This is my most recent one! It's a huge bin, I rationalized purchasing it with the idea that I would keep my thread collection in it once emptied.

Have I mentioned another addiction of mine, thread, but I digress...

Anyway, the bin contains a new hand appliqué project, The Circuit Rider Quilt.

It's actually for a hand applique class I started to teach at the Shoppe last week!

I knew that buying more Art bins was not a viable solution, so I decided that I had to finish a project and empty a bin.

So, this is what I chose

The quilt pattern is Stars Aligned by Cozy Strip Club. It's a queen size quilt!

I've just recently finished hand sewing the binding. I used Matilda's own wool batting with silk. My friend Cheryl from Oz sent it to me. What a sweet batting it is.

I do love Matilda's own and, I have found a supplier for the Shoppe. Wool is so nice for those cold winter nights! According to my friend Cheryl, Aussie wool is the best! ;o) I have to say that so far, it's the one I like the most! At least, I haven't had any surprises like I did with Hobbs!

What a relief it was to have finally finished something from one of those bins. Of course, no sooner was the bin empty, it was refilled again with yet another project that "needs" to get done for someone! Sigh!

Note to self, "self, no longer accept commissions to make quilts!"

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your day! Cheers!

2010-02-22T00:12:00.007-05:00

Well, still no snow in our neck of the woods! We've had very little snow this winter, it's frightening!

Gosh, I'm in the mood for a good snow fall. You know, the kind every State that's not suppose to have so much snow is having! It would be nice if they shared! ;o)

I WANNA be able to fill my pool in May! Come on, share the snow! lol ;o)

On the quilting front, I've been plugging away at the Hocuspocusville quilt by Crabapple Hill Studio.

Block 3 - Bubble & Brew Coffee shop!

I just love the fly through! ;o)

I lost count of how many blocks I have left to do.

I'd like to finish that quilt before Halloween of 2010. I love Halloween!

I'll just keep plugging away!

Summer Rose block from the Baltimore Country Cousin is done.

Hummm...... I do see something I want to fix on it! Strange how I didn't see it before the picture was taken. Oh well!

I have 2 blocks left to do in order to complete the quilt. It will be nice to have all the blocks finished. It's actually one of my first large hand applique projects!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

For Fairy Girl......in Oz!

2010-02-14T13:32:00.015-05:00

Do you believe in fairies? I certainly do.... and Sprites too! Remember, I think they are responsible for taking my silver thimble amongst other things.....!

This is our Fairy Swing!

It is called that because, you see that big old oak tree? Gosh, it has to be more then 150 years old (that's how old my home is). It is quite a majestic tree. That, my friends, is where our Fairies live!

This is their front entrance! Of course, it could be a back entrance, who knows with Fairies! ;o)

There isn't much activity going on as it is quite cold.

Fairies are more active in the summer time, when the weather is nice and warm. ;o)

They love to garden! Around the oak tree, there are a few wild flowers growing during the summer months. It's really the only place I have wild daisies! I love daisies!

Here is a close up of their front entrance.

The reason it's off the ground is to keep the animals and other creatures out! As you know, Fairies fly! No need for stairs! ;o)

This is on the other side of the oak tree.

There's a tree mushroom growing. It would be quite big had it not been for our pesky neighbour kicking it off last summer.

So there you have it Fairy Girl, that's where our Fairies live.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm still here......!

2010-02-08T13:34:00.005-05:00

I seem to have lost my mojo for blogging. Well, for a lot of things as of late! I'm thinking it's because I am working too much. What's that quote from the movie The Shining, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Not that I've ever seen the movie.... well okay, back in the early 80's I went on a date with this guy who took me to see the movie. Hum... I'm dating myself....

As some of you might know, I do not handle horror very well. As a matter of fact, to give you an idea of my fear level, I was scared watching ET The Extra Terrestrial. Within the first five minutes or so of the Shining, I walked or was that ran out of the movie theater. He stayed to watch the whole thing, didn't even come out to see what I was up too! I cannot remember his name, not that it matters because I wasn't interested in seeing him again! lol Wow, I what a digression....

It's been quite the week. My weekend was spent cleaning my home, including my sewing room. It's my way of mourning, clean everything! I do have a nice clean house, always a good thing!

On the quilting front, I want to show you a quilt I made not only for my swap partner Sandy from OH, but also for myself.

This is Crow meets Jack!

The pattern is called Jack at the Gate by Jan Patek.

It is machine pieced, machine appliqued using the Moda fabric line Blessings, designed by Brannock & Patek.

This is the fabric I used on the back of both quilts. It was a special gift that I received in June 2007 from Connie of Cootie Bug 2.

Isn't it just perfect?!? I just love that fabric! Thank you again Connie for the sweet gift!

I'm off to do a bit of hand applique. I'm working on a Jo Morton, Little Womens' Club piece. Have a great day and thank you for stopping by!

Goodbye Midnight...!

2010-02-04T21:41:00.007-05:00

Came home from my hand appliqué class and found a black clump in the middle of the road, not far from our drive way. Stopped the car to take a look and it was Midnight!

I cannot believe that he's gone. We are all so sad. Stephen picked him up, I was hoping he was still alive, but no.

I feel so badly. What do you say to a child who has lost her first pet? He was so young, barely 3 years old! I wish people didn't drive so fast on residential roads!

He will be missed! Goodbye you little Stinker!

Jo's Little Women's Club....!

2010-01-12T00:08:00.001-05:00

Our Shoppe is hosting part 8 of Jo's Little Women' Club . We meet the second Thursday of the month. We opted to not follow the sequence that was provided for us and did the second quilt first.

This is my version of Meg's Basket a pattern from Jo Morton!

I called it Holiday Baskets!

It became a gift for my Secret Santa partner Kaaren from The Painted Quilt blog. You might want to check out her blog, it's really nice.

You can read about read about her experience of the quilt here. She cheated and opened her gift before Christmas! lol

The SSCS is organized by Donna from Chooyblue. I've been a part of it since Donna first started! Lots of fun!

Thanks for stopping by! Keep well! Cheers!

Hello.....

2010-01-08T00:00:00.002-05:00

It's me again! Surprised!

I've been working on that time management thingy! ;o)

On the quilting front....!

I've been working away at my Baltimore's Country Cousins quilt.

This is the Scottish Thistle block!

I'm plugging away at another block and hope to have a show and tell soon.

I'll be happy when that quilt is done. Gosh, I think I started that in 2004. I'll have to check my date!

I've also been working on my Hocuspocusville quilt, a pattern from Crabapplehill Design.

This is block 12!

I am enjoying working on this quilt. It's so mindless! Sometimes, I need that!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

It's been a long time coming ....!

2010-01-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

I must say that I do like the way it turned out. It sort of makes up for all the pattern problems I had.

Ta dah... my Women of Influence BOM Quilt.....!

It's done and hanging in the Shoppe!

I couldn't get a full picture of the quilt, as it's quite large (92 x 116)!

It's machine pieced and machine appliquéd.

The pattern is now available from the book Women of Influence 12 Leaders of the Suffrage Movement by Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith. You can read more about this BOM it in a prior post here.

I used this project to push my machine quilting comfort zone. I don't know if you can see some of the details, but I have some echoing going on in 2 (two) of the machine appliquéd blocks and lots of "in the ditch work" AKA ruler work etc.

Let me tell you, after machine quilting this project, Penelope and I are getting quite comfortable with each other! ;o) I can not even begin to tell you the number of hours I spent quilting it! And, I enjoyed every minute of it. Well, okay, some minutes were filled with colourful adjectives! LOL

I've even machine embroidered a label for it!

It just needs to get sewn on! A minor technical detail! lol

It's been a long time coming.... but I did have some skeletons in my quilting closet to work out! ;o)

Thank you for visiting my little corner in cyberspace.

Keep well! Cheers!

Hey.... it's me again.....!

2010-01-02T12:01:00.001-05:00

Notice the time lapse between post? Yea, I think I've gotta this time management thingy figured out.

The lack of posts is really not because I've had nothing to write about. I have been busy quilting away. Things are getting done on the quilting front, it's the pictures and the sitting down to write that isn't.

So today is a new day!

We finally had some snow! I love snow!

It's nice to know that the snowy weather decided to come northeast as opposed to every where else!

Notice the barn? It does look nice in the snow!

Speaking of barn..... I think I did mention in a previous post that my DH thought that having a stash was such a great idea, that he build a barn to hold his.

Well......

Will you look at that? Proof! lol

Now, that's only on the main floor. There are lots of wood stash on the second floor of the barn. ;o)

Hum..... he's got me beat!

There's no way my fabric would stack up as high as this! I'll have to work on that! lol

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

To all in Blog land....!

2010-01-01T00:00:00.002-05:00

May 2010 bring you all that your heart desires, or better! ;o)

Cheers!

Primitive Folk Art Quilting Swap...!

2009-12-29T11:15:00.008-05:00

Notice how this entry is posted in a timely manner? Well, you'd think I finally got this time management thingy figured out, but NO! I just decided to create the post in advance and allow Blogger to post it a few days later. Would that be cheating? lol

My partner for the Primitive Folk Art swap was Sandy from OH. I'm not sure if she has a blog or not! Oh well....

First of all, she made me a wool pincushion and a needle holder.

Notice, another wool project! lol I can see wool in my future! lol

She also included some handmade ornaments that she herself fabricated.

Here you have some cute primitive snow person ornaments. They are adorable!?!

There's also a Santa! I couldn't get him to lay face up! Must be tired from all his travels! lol

She made me this wonderful "useful" bag, as she likes to put it and included other little goodies!

I love the fabric! As a matter of fact, I have that very same fabric in my stash! What great taste she has! lol

Thank you again Sandy for the wonderful goodies!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!