Where Did 2013 Go…..

 

It seems like just yesterday that I was asking about 2012 and now here it is almost 2014. 

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and that your New Year will be all that you hope for.  As always I appreciate you stopping by and love to read the comments you leave.

I have not been in my sewing room for a long time – life just kept getting in the way.  I have done quite a bit of cross stitch and recently had this piece framed.  It is “Birds of a Feather” designed by Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle and Thread.  Brenda does such a lovely job with her designs.

I am currently working on this one and working with the silk thread is a real plus.  It behaves wonderfully. 

I planned to sew today, but I am not sure what I want to work on – do  you ever get that way?  I did make a challenge quilt, but I cannot show it until the fall. 

After all of the Christmas decorations are put away I  will be hand quilting this.  I am thinking way ahead and it will be for my grandson when he is grown up.  When he was just a little guy he loved to watch the birds.  I am still debating about what I want to do on the bottom I might just quilt the date into it.

Until next time.

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

STAGES

Sounds like a self-help book  LOL - well I am in various stages.  My Frost on the Ferns quilt is back from the long-arm quilter.  I think she did a great job.

Today I picked up the Nebraska Waves quilt, but haven't even sewn the binding on or trimmed it.  I think I will leave the hand sewing for a retreat I am going to  in a couple of weeks.  It is quilted in an all-over design here is a close-up.

I have also put the last cross stitch in the Mary Wigham sampler from the Ackworth School.  I think this was one of the hardest samplers I have made. The counting was very hard.  I should have basted a grid on it.  However, it is a reproduction of what Mary did.  I am blown away how these young girls executed these samplers.  Mary was only 7  when she stitched hers.    I still need to press this before I take it to the framer.

 

Today I finished my Burgoyne Surrounded top.  This is not the best picture it is only bordered on the top and bottom.  The pattern is from Kaye England based on an antique quilt she saw.  I think it is unique since this quilt is usually done in as a two color quilt.

 

 

 

 

Until next time.

Pat

Just 15 Minutes a Day

A very nice lady, on one of the yahoo groups that I subscribe too, challenged us to sew 15 minutes a day.  For me this was a no brainer since I sew every day with a rare exception.  So I decided that I would do a 15 minute a day project.  I have this quilt that I wanted to hand quilt so I thought what a great opportunity.

 I had already started, but it was put aside for another project.  So this way I will have it done in time for fall decorating.  Why don’t you challenge yourself to 15 minutes a day on a project.  And be sure that you let me know of your progress.

As you know from my last post I also enjoy stitchery so I wanted to show you a new project that I received in the mail a few days ago.

This is a Shepherds Bush Design and I ordered it directly from them.  The box is sold separately.   The box is hinged and lined.  I thought it would make a great gift  - maybe for some lucky Mother on her special day, or to keep for yourself.

Mr. Quilts just stuck his head in the door and said “mail’s here – nothing much except a Primitive magazine” little does he know I have been watching the mail every day for this.  LOL

I don’t know about you but I am so bored with the quilting magazines on the newsstands today.  With the exception of Quiltmania.  But I think I am going to really enjoy this one.  There is very little advertising and the projects look to be very nice.  So if you like the looks of primitive quilts and darker fabrics you might want to check it out.  I subscribed here.

I almost forgot to show you my newest finish.  It is called Baby Rose and was a project from Jo Morton’s Little Women Club.  I am pleased with the way it turned out and am anxious to display it.

Don’t forget about your 15 minutes a day!

Until next time….

Pat

1st Design Wall of the Year

Where did 2010 go?  My year is starting off with some ripping.  See the block on the right some of the pieces are not where they should be. 

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The block on the far left is from Barbara Brackman’s new blog – see previous post for information.

Then over the weekend I made this handy little bag.  It is just right for carrying thread, scissors etc. and an applique block.  The pattern is from This and That.  It makes up quickly you can use a charm pack or cut your own 5” squares.<>I found these fabrics in my stash, which is so unlike me as I am a reproduction fabric person,  so I think I will make some more for gifts.<>

Until next time.

Pat

Today

Last week I showed you some fabrics that I wanted to use on a challenge quilt.  So today I will show you how far I have progressed.  I need to find the right fabric for the stems. and the center element.

 Be sure you stop by Judy’s blog to see what other quilters are doing.

Hope this week goes well for you – I know that I will be busy with last minute preparations and baking.

Until next time.

Pat

UFO’s

I have several projects that are near completion.  So I decided to put the “Power of Ten” to work for me.  What is the “Power of Ten” you ask?

The "Power of 10" in quilting is not some higher mathematical formula that quilters all need to learn to make a quilt. It is a simple way to complete those projects we want to finish before we buy anymore fabric.

First, simply find the projects that you are no longer interested in completing and pass them on to someone who would love it as much as you once did.

Second, list "10" projects that you would like to complete. Now remember "Only 10" projects are to be on the list.

Third, begin working on the projects on the list and spend three hours toward completing it.

Fourth, keep a list of projects and the hours worked.

Fifth, once three hours are spent on a project move to the next. A quilter's interest wanes and is usually spent after three hours.  Now if a project requires two to four hours it doesn't matter. Simply finish the project. Feel good about finishing it.

Sixth, find another project and add it to the list. Remember, only Ten Projects are your focus.

Seventh, continue to rotate the projects you are working on.

Eighth step is to list the supplies needed to finish your projects.

Ninth would be to shop at (substitute your favorite quilt shop)for items to finish your projects.

…and Tenth, the `Power of Ten` becomes reality when you are able to share your project.

Note: I need to give credit to Texas Quiltworks for this sage advice.

So today I pulled up the list on my computer and chose this project to work on.

So tonight I will prepare the elements for the bottom border while I watch some TV and soon this will be done.

It looks like my friend Daisy will be at my feet while I work.  Do you see her peeking at you?

So what are you working on?

Until next time.

Pat

I AM NOT PERFECT

I have joined the I am not perfect protest.  Because I am not perfect!  I enjoy life, I am not a fashionista, the points on my quilt blocks are not always perfect, but I enjoy the process.    If I have a dust bunnie on my floor it will get swept up another day if I choose to wait.  And I could go on and on.

Now, since I have admitted it I will show you what I have been up to the last few days.  I have been trying my hand at various applique methods, but I think I will go back to my tried and trusted method.   Here are three not so perfect examples but I will probably go ahead and use them in my quilt.

  Until next time.

Pat

What I Have Been Up To …..

It has been a long time since I have posted anything.  Since last time I attended a retreat with the 19th Century Patchwork Divas.  I count myself lucky to have been able to be with these women and their extraordinary quilts.  Sorry I can’t show pictures of their quilts and some of them will be in their book that will be coming out.  

I worked on several projects while attending the retreat.  This being one of them.  It is now ready to be sent off to the long arm quilter.   It is called Star Peony by Kathleen Tracy.

Yesterday I picked this quilt up from the quilter and sewed the binding on last night.  It  is called Pieceful Nights by Lori Smith.  Sorry the picture is so dark.

 

Now I am working on this quilt.  It is from the book “When the Cold Winds Blow by Blackbird Designs, and is called Frost on the Ferns.

I need to finish up the bottom border and dye some ric-rack that goes around the center. 

I am also getting ready to attend another retreat in a couple of weeks.  I am not sure what I will work on.  I have another quilt in progress and I am getting itchy to start a new project.

School started in August here Texas and my Granddaughter started Kindergarten and her big brother started third grade.  They are growing up so fast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time…

Pat

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and I want to wish you all a Happy New Year.

With this new decade starting I have been looking to the past.  It seems just like yesterday that we were frantically preparing for 2000.

Today while looking for something I ran across a box of “trinkets” that my Mother-in-Law left to me.  In it were an assortment of old greeting cards.  I thought it appropriate to share pictures of two New Years cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next year I will need to display them on an easel during the holidays.  They are backed with Christmas greetings.

I do not make resolutions as they always seem to get broken, but I do set goals.  This year one of my goals is to quilt this top.

My Mother appliqued this in the early 1930’s while waiting for the arrival of her first child.  If I am reading Barbara Brackman’s “Encylopedia of Applique” it was a pattern called Pride of the Garden and was published by a Needlecraft Service in the newpaper.  I looks like the leaves were reversed from the original.  My paternal Grandmother was to quilt it, but developed an illness and was bed ridden for the balance of her life.  I would like to pass this along to my Granddaughter someday.

Another of my goals is to finish up some “works in progress.”  I hate to have things “hanging over my head”

Did you make resolutions or set goals for yourself?

Until later.

Pat 

Borders

What is there about borders that can slow you down.  I finished sewing this top together in September 2008, and in May 2009 , I finally sewed one border on.  Here it is almost September 2009 and it is not done.  So today I drug my project box out and prepared another border.  I am taking it along to a retreat I am attending next month and finish it up!

The next few days I will prepare more applique to take with me.

Until next time.

Pat