Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Sweet Land of Liberty Linky Party!

Linky parties are always fun to see all of a certain quiltalong in one place. I know many of you do not  have a blog to link up, you can also link up with an instagram post. If you have neither, and are on the Humble Quilts facebook  group, share your photo on facebook today! (even if we've already seen it) 
Month 2 blocks will be shared on Friday. 

 My month 1(I can already tell mine will be way more humble than most!)
Denise's month 1

Now, let's see yours!


Monday, January 29, 2018

Homespun Tornado

I've been attempting to work on the Lincoln quilt blocks, but having to dig out my boxes, look through for a few blocks,  put boxes away, make blocks... was not being efficient. I thought I'd just get all of the blocks cut out! That was my Sunday project. 

 I've got blocks cut out to make 36 sixteen patches. 
 Here a stack...
 There a stack...
 Everywhere a stack stack!


A quilter never wastes, right?! I even found these in my box! Yes, I cut a strip!!
And the stacks await my arrival this week to start cutting for the sawtooth stars. Then I will organize them and have my "normal" messy room back.

Have a lovely Monday!

Friday, January 26, 2018

Friday Folly

I had a hair appointment in Portland with my daughter for last week, then she wasn't feeling good so we rescheduled for yesterday. 

Lunch date after hair appointment. She always has a new place to go. 
This time was  Kure juice bar. 

Earlier in the week the forecast was calling for a hefty amount of mountain snow all week and my husband kept adding auto parts stops to my schedule, so instead of leaving at 5AM to try and get it all done I left Wednesday and was able to drive in the afternoon and spend the night with my daughter, which was a way better plan! I was able to drive back home during daylight hours as well.
One of my stops is directly across from Fabric Depot so I made a quick stop in. 




 If you can't find what you are looking for in here, you probably don't need it. 
I needed some decor weight fabric for a chair I'm working on this weekend and found a piece on the remnant rack- I hope it's large enough!
 Here is a quilt I gave to my daughter in 1998. It was a mystery quilt class with Laury Thorn at the Stitchin' Post. I can hardly read the label but I did make out the date! That quilt is going on 20 years old- no wonder it is getting threadbare thin.
Because that one was getting thin I made her this one for Christmas 2015. She has 2 more quilts I made that I didn't get photos of. I love seeing my quilts well used.

And, not much on instagram this week. I sent Michelle a message after arriving in Portland to see if she was up for an impromptu dinner. It was a fun night- I had to kill a little extra time waiting for my daughter to get off work so we did a 2 brewery hop!! (on foot in the rain!) Making memories!!

Sweet Land of Liberty Update:  January 31st we will have a linky party- if you don't have a blog or instagram we will share on facebook. If you have none of these, let me know and we'll figure something out.

Then on February 2, I'll post month 2. February is a short month, so get your needles ready!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Monday, January 22, 2018

Weekend Stringin'

I saw a string quilt some time ago and started on a few blocks and then set them aside. I needed an easy project on Sunday, so I could keep one ear on the playoff games. 
I save string pieces and Linda O gave me a bag of them. I thought I better get busy using them up! And if you don't know what strings are they are long pieces of fabric in various widths and lengths.
I use telephone book paper as a foundation so the blocks don't get too stretched out. You can use muslin or ugly fabric too. 

 My blocks will finish at 4" so I cut the papers 4.5"
 My blocks will be sewn on the diagonal and I want a red fabric in the center of each one. I start by placing it right side up in the center.
 On one side of the red strip I want to sew all light strings. I start by putting my first one on the red,  right sides together. Then sew.
 Press.
 Then keep adding strings, placing them right sides together on the last sewn strip. 
 Do that until the paper is covered, working out from the center.
 Trim to 4 1/2"
 Admire your blocks. This, like a log cabin, has many settings. 
 I'm doing mine in a zig zag, like the one below.
The one on quiltindex uses 8" blocks.


String or Streak of Lightening. (Maker not recorded). 1901-1929. From Connecticut Quilt Search, Connecticut Quilt Search Project. Published in The Quilt Index, http://www.quiltindex.org/fulldisplay.php?kid=47-7B-8DE.
And I'll have a lot more blocks to make!

Love to you all! Have a wonderful week!

Friday, January 19, 2018

30 Day countdown to Colombia

If you've read my blog for any length of time you know I've been collecting dresses to take with me to Colombia next month.  Since my week consisted of work and end of year payroll, W2's, W3, 1099's....... and NO sewing to speak of, I thought I'd post a few photos from the last mission trips. 

I left my heart in Guatemala.

Coming back from the fields with their big machetes.
And then there was Bolivia.
And Peru

 Quilters and friends, far and wide, were generous. 
 I got suitcase number 2 and it all fit perfectly! (really, it did!)
And now I wait. 
Flights were confirmed, 2 bags will be checked for FREE, Colombian pesos ordered. These 30 days will fly by! Thank you all who donated!!!

Have a fantastic weekend!!

Monday, January 15, 2018

Stitchin' Post Update

Jean Wells, owner of the Stitchin' Post in Sisters, Oregon,  is retiring and along with handing the reins to her daughter Val. The store closed for a few days While they and updated their store look.  I was in Sisters on Saturday which was the day they reopened. 
It was bright and airy and it looked fantastic!

 I saw my online friends, Diane's book, displayed prominently. I love that!
 Saw this adorable display hanging. I thought it was one by Tonye but it isn't.  It reminded me of my long put aside house quilt. You can see it HERE. I need to get back to that!
 The Stitchin' Post will have their grand re-opening on January 27th. 
My friend, Michelle, brought her Cheri Payne Santa quilt for basting. She had also brought fusible batting, which did NOT work with the sf 101 interfacing on the back of her quilt top. It gives the quilt a bit more body when appliqueing wool on cotton. We ended up pin basting it. This is her first hand quilted quilt project! I don't know why I didn't have her hold it up- it is super adorable!!

That's it for today. Make it a fantastic week!



Friday, January 12, 2018

Lincoln Blocks and More!

 I've made a little progress on the Lincoln blocks. I need to get a few Ohio stars cut out now to catch up with the 16 patches. This is a fun bold project to work on!
I got some of this in 108" wide for a backing on the Fall Festival quilt. 
It has made its way to the quilters! Sometimes on an especially large quilt an extra wide backing is so much easier than piecing. 

And then others are pieced, as usual. This is my backing for the Bricks of Wabash Co blue and tan quilt. This one made its way to the quilters as well. 

My Instagram feed for the week. It's been a good week!!

Make it a wonderful weekend!


Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Drum Roll..........Pillowcase Dresses

I asked my friends to come and help me organize the pillow case dresses that were made for my mission trip to Colombia next month. I feed them a light lunch and they help me! I think I'm getting the better end of the deal. Christy, in the turquoise shirt, came with me to Peru last year and she is going to Colombia as well! Thank you to all of those who made dresses and donated finances. I am always overwhelmed at your generosity. My plan was to limit the dresses to 50. 
Sometimes plans go awry! LOL  


 We (mostly them) separated the dresses by size.
 This was the "before" photo.  I'm still waiting for space bags to arrive in the mail. 
 I feel so fortunate to be able to bring these dresses. How many? you ask...... 108!!! In Colombia I'll fill my backpack every morning and every afternoon and bring them out with me to give away. I love to put them on the girls when I can. I'll take as many photos as I can too, so you will see them wearing the dresses you generously made and donated. We also prayed for the girls who would be receiving them. 
Bless you all!


Monday, January 8, 2018

Easing into the Week

Some time ago I purchased a Boro bag kit from French General- one for me and one for my daughter. 

I started it on New Years Eve. My base was muslin and a piece of batting. I placed the indigo 
randomly and started sewing with sashiko/primitive stitches. 



 The circular piece on the center left is one I dyed in Lori Triplett's class in November. The weave was extra tight so I only added a small piece. Stitching through it was hard! The cool looking piece on the lower left was given to me by my friend Phyliss, but its weave was tight too.
So, I cut that piece down a considerable amount then I added a few other pieces.

I then buttonhole stitched around it to attach it to the linen bag. 
I'm so happy with it and it was incredibly easy!

I'm actually thinking about doing the other side the same way, but with red fabric. 

Make it a wonderful Monday!