Until next time.

Pat

Anonymous Commenter

 

I ordinarily do not answer anonymous commenters, but will this one time.

The fabric is Bancroft Collection by Judie Rothermel for New England Quilt Museum. 

Handwork

When I am not making quilts I love to do needlework.   So today I am showing you some of my projects that I have made or finished lately.
First is a English Paper Pieced Sewing Box designed by Sue Daley.  The box was made as a gift for one of my retreat sisters.

This was also part of the gift – it was finished as a tree ornament but I forgot to take a photo after it was finished.  It had a dark green twisted cord around it with a red fabric back.  This was designed by Little House Needleworks.

I  also finished stitching this reproduction sampler.  I love the wayward “f” in the middle of the lower case alphabet.  The original is part of the Chester County Collection in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I also think that the verse is good advice that we could all follow.








Lastly are some items that I just got back from the finisher.  The Pilgrim Couple is part of a set that I will stitch in the new year. The Snowman is a Christmas Ornament and will hang on my tree this year with the other handmade ornaments that I have made over the years.

 The pilgrims are designed/handpainted by Sandy Jenkins. The Snowman is likewise designed/handpainted by Rebecca Wood.


Thanks for stopping by.
Until next time.
Pat

Third time is a Charm

 

Like they say the third time….. After purchasing two other fabrics for my Nearly Insane Quilt I have finally got it right.

Lynne if you are reading this it is next on my list!  After finishing up a quilt that I am hand quilting.

A friend of mine is down sizing and she gave me this antique ironing board.  I plan to use it to display some of my small quilts in my sewing  room.

 

 

 

 

 

That is about it for me.  I have been  making some gifts for my retreat group and will show those at a later date.

Til next time.

Pat

A Public Service Announcement

 

In the past I had inserted some online Picasa photo albums into my blog posts.  Recently when researching something I went to one of the posts and when I clicked on the album it directed me to Sky Drive.  So in an effort to change that album over I apparently did something and now, with the exception on my last post, every picture is a big black rectangle.  So if you have an album in your blog be very careful that you do not try to change it.

In the effort to find a solution I found that this has happened to many people and apparently you can no  longer direct help questions directly to blogger.

I do have an external backup drive from my old computer and I am going to attempt recovering all of the lost photos.

It has been awhile!

Life keeps getting in the way.

Since I posted last I finished  The Farmers Wife by Laurie Hird.                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

While at a retreat I sewed some of the Lost Ship swap blocks together, it will be going to the long arm quilter next week.  I am not sure what I will do with the balance.

 

 

I have had a goal to document and photo my quilts for a long time.  So it was time to refold the bed size quilts that are stored and I enlisted Mr. Quilts to help hang them for photos.

 

 

Blooming Nine Patch and Close Up – Traditions with a Twist by Blanche Young

Civil War Diary Quilt – Rosemary Youngs

Civil War Mystery – inspired by Harriet Tubman block designed by Kaye England

Dear Jane  (My Love Hate Relationship with Jane) from the book by Brenda Papadakis

Stitches from my Heart – designed by Veda Wilhite

Women of Charm and Grace – Blackbird Designs

Women of  Design –  Barbara Brackman

Note:  The Women of Charm and Grace was done at a local workshop/retreat with a kit provided.  In my estimation this is an example of the fabric not matching the design.  The workshop was not by Blackbird Designs.

 

I have also finished assembling my Carolina Lily Quilt and will post about it at a later date.

 

I am almost at the half way point on Nearly Insane from the book of the same name by Liz Lois.  I have tried to maintain the integrity of the antique quilt with my fabric selections.  Today I was auditioning fabric for the sashing.  I am not sure if I like it or not.  The colors in the book are not true, but I have other books where the colors are more accurate.  So what do you think about this one – which is the second piece that I have purchased?

 

Thanks for dropping by.

 

Until next time.

Pat

 

Short, Quick and No Photos

 

Today I had the opportunity to attend the Lone Star Quilt Study Day in Waxahachie, Texas.  It was very interesting and informative.  The lecture/talk was about quilts from the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania.  Carolyn Miller showed her collection of Lancaster quilts.  The quilts were absolutely stunning.  I wish I could share my photos,but was requested not to do so.  Dawn was able to view some of the quilts at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum and you can see them here.

The point of this post is – if you get to attend one of the Regional Study Groups that are forming in various areas do not hesitate to do so.  Or if you get the opportunity to see Carolyn Miller’s quilt collection do so.

Hope you enjoy  the rest of the weekend.

Until next time.

Pat

Lately

 

I need to make a clarification before I start.  I have a new computer, new camera and a new operating system. 

It has been awhile since I posted – July was a busy month  for me between sewing swap blocks and a five day quilt retreat.  I still do not have my Carolina Lily, from last post, completely assembled.  But I am very near finished with my Farmers Wife quilt – but I will save that for another post.

A few years back I decided to step outside the box and I joined in a group project on one of Yahoo Groups.  I do not ordinarily make this type of quilt but I am pleased with it now that it is quilted.  I think that the quilter did a great job on the quilting.

This is Feathered Stars designed by Kim Diehl.  It is in her book “Simple Traditions”

 

 

 

 

 

I have also kept up to date with the Summer Star Sew Along that Temecula Quilt Company is having.  I love getting something “quilty” in the mail.  Don’t you?

Here are my stars so far

On Saturday I have a class with Paula Barnes of Red Crinoline Quilts aka Bonnie Blue Quilts.  I am looking forward to the class.

Until next time.

Pat

It is all about the fabric

Now that my Lady of the Lake swap blocks are completed and ready to deliver, I pulled out a work in progress.  The antique quilt had sashing on each side of the block with one long sashing between the rows.  I just could not get the blocks to line up like they should.  So I looked at the blocks for a few days  and a light went off.  Cornerstones, nothing original here, but I would make them a nine patch.  My thoughts being pink and green and pick up the like backgrounds of the blocks.

So, of  to sewing I went.  I looked at the setting over and over, slept on it, and looked some more.  Something  just wasn''t right I kept saying to myself they overpower.  Well it was all in the fabric, Kathie has mentioned this several times on her blog.  So I took this photo and emailed it to my friend Betsy and asked for a truthful answer.  She said it is the cream. 

 

Why didn't I think of this is beyond me, because I had used a similar effect before in this Toile Challenge quilt

 

 

 

 

 

So I made the changes and this is the result.  Thank you Betsy and Kathie

I am so much happier with the results.  I guess I just couldn't think out of frustration.  Does this ever happen to you?

This quilt is from the book "History Repeated" by Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle

Until next time.  And remember it is all about the fabric!

Pat

Catching Up

I can't believe that it has been so long since my last post.  My husband had a knee replacement and while he was recovering I had to run errands and other chores.  Never realized how much running he did, but shhh don't tell him. 

I did get this little quilt hand quilted.  

This quilt was inspired by Jo Morton's book  "Vintage Moment" which I made a couple of years ago.  I sent it to the long-arm quilter and I think she did a great job.

I have also been making Lady of the Lake Blocks for a swap that I am in.  I  really like these 1840's Reproduction Fabrics for a change.  I usually use fabrics with smaller motifs and this has been fun.

When I finish up with these blocks I plan to get back to work on Lily Rosenberry.

I have also done some needlepoint for a change of pace.

The snowman will be finished as a flat ornament and the Pilgrims are part of a 7 piece set and be free standing. 

That is about all for this time.

Until next time

Pat

Marching On

It is a beautiful day here in North Central Texas.  The sun is shining, the trees are budded out, the sky is blue and the  Blue Bonnets are blooming in all of their splendor.  I only wish it would last through the summer, but I am sure we will sizzle in a couple of months.  Last weekend I spent at a delightful retreat here the center is located out in the country, the food was wonderful, as was the company.   My friend and author  Betsy Chutchian taught a great workshop from "History Repeated"

This is a sampling of my  Carolina Lily blocks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw this quilt in Vintage Quilts magazine and decided I just had to make it.  I  finally got it long arm quilted and bound.  This picture does not really do it justice and I don't have a better space to lay it out.

The border can't really be seen.  There are 3 navy, red, yellow green and bound in red.  Mr. Q&H is looking into making me a rail with clamps that I can hang quilts to document and photograph them. 

Next week I will be retreating again.  Jo Morton is returning to Texas.  She has come  here every year since 2005 to do a workshop and all the attendees have a great time.  The retreat will be held at Our House In Milford, which is another great place to get away.

One more thing - I need to correct last post the little quilt is Shoo Fly not Churn Dash.

Until next time.

Pat

On My Way

This week I have accomplished quiet a bit.  I now have my second block of Lily Rosenberry completed only 2 more to go then the swag border.                                                                                           

Recently I was part of a block swap and had a lot of small leftover pieces of indigos and shirtings.  So I decided to put those scraps to use.  I made this little quilt.  The Churn Dash blocks are 3 inch finished.  I am calling it Blueberries and Cream and I will hand quilt it.

I  have tons of scraps and will probably use them up in other doll size quilts.  Do you use your scraps? 

Until Next Time.

Pat

Word Verification

Just wanted my followers to know that I have turned off the very irritating word verification. So if you desire to leave a comment it will be easier. Thanks.
Pat

A change of Heart

After turning my first Lily Rosenberry block on its side, the way it will be set, I have decided that it isn't that bad.  Perhaps when I finish the others I will decide differently, but for now it is a go.

 The background doesn't show up, but it is a light tone on tone from Mary's Blenders by Moda.

Being like most quilters, I have more than one project in the works.  This is a hand piecing  project.  The blocks are 3 inch finished.  I made my templates out of template plastic and I find if I use my 18m rotary cutter I can cut around them.  The pieces are small enough that I can just use the dots to piece them together.  This was started with a doll size quilt in mind but after making a few I found out just how fun they are to make, and I may make more but not the 810 blocks that the antique quilt has.  They are sooooo cute.:))  I will use a palette of pink and brown one of my favorite combinations.

 

Until next time.

Pat

New Fabrics

I appliqued my first Lily Rosenberry Block and I was not pleased with it so I am starting over.  My layover slipped and it was not real symmetrical.  Not a real good start for 2012.

But I did take advantage of Reproduction Fabrics Superbowl Sale and purchased these fabrics for stash enhancement.

and

How has your year started?

Until next time

Pat

The 2012 Calendar

I can't believe that it has been so long since I have posted anything.  But that could be because there hasn't been much done lately.  But I plan to have a productive year 2012. 

I just finished this quilt that was started in 2011 and just recently quilted.  I had never seen a Burgoyne Surrounded done scrappy before but I do like the look.  Have you?

I have hopes of completing the tops of these quilts in 2012.

First I am about to start Lily Rosenberry by Sue Garman here are the fabrics I have chosen.  The urn will be fussy cut with the print.  Windows Live is giving me trouble but you can see the pattern here. http://www.quakertownquilts.com/patterns/sue-garman.html?p=3 I plan to make the four block version.

 The background is a tone on tone from Windham Fabrics called Mary's Blenders.

Then I want to make this quilt that I have been collecting fabrics for.  It is in the Quilts of Virginia book. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Then lastly but not least I want to make Ballaarat Beauties by Michelle Yeo.  I have always wanted to do a Mariner's Compass quilt.  I guess I could say that 2012 will be a year of circular blocks.  Do you have plans for 2012 on your calendar?  I know that this sounds very ambitious for one year, but I am going to try really hard to accomplish these plans.

Until next time.

Pat