Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Fall is Here – I think

In Texas you can never tell when fall is REALLY here.  Oh, how I miss Michigan in October.

Yesterday I did a little fall decorating.  I am about a month late for me.  Here are a few pictures.

 

I have a new finished a new quilt.  Sorry the pictures aren’t better, but I just don’t have space to hang it or lay it out flat.

Harriet Tubman Quilt 001

Harriet Tubman Quilt 002

This quilt is based on the Harriet Tubman block by Kaye England.   I attended a weekend Civil War Mystery Quilt retreat.

My friend Betsy Chutchian has a new book out from Kansas City Star.  It is based on Betsy’s great great grandmother’s 1857 journals and it is a wonderful book.  I have had a the privilege of seeing some on Betsy’s quilt in person and they are beautiful.

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I have two new things in my sewing room – a new sewing chair that I love  and a thread tray for my most used threads.

Fall 012

Fall 013

  That’s it for today.

Pat

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Back Home

I arrived home from my quilting retreat.  It was great fun, as usual, and I am already looking forward to the next one.  I did accomplish quiet a bit, but not what I planned to get done. This post in long and filled with pictures so grab a cup of tea and enjoy.

Here  are a few  pictures of the ladies busy working on their projects or taking a break.

 

Sarah is busy working on the last few blocks of her “Dear Jane” quilt, which she finished piecing at this retreat.  Congratulations Sarah aka SIS!

 

Retreat 003

Shirley finished the last of her beautiful hand pieced “ Seven Sisters” block.  This block was inspired by an antique quilt Shirley saw and her husband drafted it out for her.  The quilt will have four blocks and most likely an applique border.

Retreat 029

We all got a good laugh over this it is oyster crackers from some snack mix that looked like a miniature Grandmothers Flower Garden. 

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Show and Tell

We did not have as much show and tell this time.  Everyone was working on the own “Robin Border Quilts.  I have to apologize for the photos we were crowded in a small area.

 

Retreat 009Sarah with her Pat Sloan quilt and her Thimbleberries quilt pictured below.

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SIS is also a knitter here she is modeling her very cute shrug.  It was knit in one piece.  She is a very busy gal being a elementary teacher and still finding time for her hobbies.

Retreat 011  Retreat 012

Mary has a very cute “Sunbonnet Sue” quilt to show

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ML has a beautiful appliqued quilt done in neutrals.

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Gloria finished her block for the Baltimore style quilt we have all contributed blocks to.  We have not decided yet exactly what will be done with the quilt when it is finished.  Most likely we will donate it to a charity for fund raising.  This is the first time Gloria used the  back basting method of applique and did a beautiful job.

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Now for the “Robin Border quilts” 

Retreat 016 Gloria’s challenge was curved or circles.

Retreat 017 Shirley’s challenge was half square triangles.

Retreat 018 Cherie also had curves or circles.

Retreat 019ML was another curves or circles.

Retreat 020 Barbara was a late starter and this is her center.

Retreat 021 Penny’s challenge was dimensional and she “wowed” us with her unique way of accomplishing it.

Ladies you all did great work on your challenge.  I can’t wait to see what you do next.

The quilts looked like so much fun that I decided to join in.  This is my center.  My next two rounds will be, Circles or curves – pieced or appliqued, and squares or rectangles.

Retreat

After all of the ooh’s and ahh’s we had to acknowledge our much loved leader.  Sarah aka SIN is a Dear Jane Goddess and our mascot for the retreat group is the frog.  Gloria found the perfect gift for SIN and we were all surprised.  And as you can see SIN thought it was great too!

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Retreat 030 

Debbie was unable to attend the retreat this time, but did stop by on Sunday.  This is her “Robin Border”

Retreat 033 She also had a quilt to show

Retreat 032 It is hard to see all of the embroidery, but it is Dick and Jane and Debbie did a beautiful job and added a lot of detail to the blocks.  Great job Debbie.

She also gifted all of us with these darling sewing kits that she designed.

Debbie Gifts to Us 001

Debbie Gifts to Us 002 She also gifted us with two darling frog keychain fobs that her husband made.

Debbie Gifts to Us 003

Thank you Debbie!

Now that reality has set in I need to get off this computer and do the laundry and grocery shop.

Until later.

Pat

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

A Good Day

It has been awhile since I have posted. Now that I am ready for my retreat coming up next week I have been working on this quilt from the Blackbird Designs Book “When the Cold Wind Blows”

 

Frost on the Ferns

But another reason this is a good day,  the mail brought me two new books to enhance my library.  The first is the new re-release of Barbara Brackman’s “Encyclopedia of Applique” it has five new projects in it, which I think are wonderful.  A great reference book. Then the other is “The Farmer’s Wife Sampler Quilt” by Laurie Aaron Hird.  It comes with a bonus CD.  The finished set on point quilt is very pretty and block pictures with letters from farm wives are great.  The block drawings are clear and easy to follow.  You can tell I am excited about these books.

And to top the day off, we signed a contract to get new windows and storm doors.  This is something I have wanted for a long time! What more can a girl ask for!

Until later.

Pat

Monday, September 7, 2009

A Long Weekend

I have been bored this weekend for no particular reason.  I guess I was so busy getting ready for my upcoming retreat that I didn’t know what to start next.  Not that I don’t have several projects in the works. 

Today I finally decided to join an online BOW and start the Calico Garden Quilt.  I have had the pattern in my collection since 2002, and was fortunate enough to see the original a couple of years ago.  The blocks measure 3 inches.  They are soooo cute!

Row 1 Calico Garden

I have also been working on my Mary Wigham Sampler.  I have almost finished two sides.  I will post a picture later.

Until Later.

Pat