For the Kaffe Fans

I don't know how many fans of Kaffe I have reading my blog, but I do know at least a lot of you like his fabric. Did you know until 2 months ago I never even knew how to say his name?! I was pronouncing it like Cafe'.  I took these photos in PA just for YOU, because at this point, I'm sure I will never make anything like these. Of course, I should never say never!!

The quilts were from this new book of Kaffe's.

Hey, wait! How did this get in here? LOL I loved the chicken on the top as it reminded me of the  eagles that usually grace a patriotic quilt. The whole thing made me giggle!!

My Favorites From the PA quilt Show

 Is this quilt gorgeous?! I loved everything about it.

 The quilting had some wonderful features and motifs.

 Look at this flower! I still don't know how that was done, but it is fabulous!!

 The applique on this was terrific but I was really intrigued by the border. I'm not sure I've ever seen leaves done in reverse applique and in red.  It is beautiful, but I personally would like it better if it was appliqued on top of the background.

 I've seen this pattern before, but what really drew me in was the beautiful floral border fabric.

 The border on this one reminded me of the Jane Stickle quilt. I also liked to see the sampler blocks used around the medallion.

 This was the one we had out photo taken in front of. I've seen it done in pastels, but I like the bold colors so much better.

And I loved the hand quilting. You don't see too much of that anymore.

Barb from Fun With Barb & Mary posted one of my other favorites which was the village quilt. The quilting was wonderful and really enhanced the whole quilt.
Meredith at Quilt Threads posted about a terrific exhibit using antique blocks. Enjoy them at her blog.

Antique Hexagon Quilts

At the show in PA there was an exhibit called "Through the Garden Path". It was a collection of antique quilts presented by Mary Kerr. I know many of you are making hexagon quilts and I thought it would be fun to show you some fantastic antique examples.

I'm not sure if you can tell in the photo but this one was quilted with red thread. What a brave quilt maker!

I always get such a different view as I move in closer.

I think we talked Jill into making one like this! I love the little stars!!

This one looks pretty traditional and not like an antique at all...

Until you take a closer look at the beautiful prints!!

I love the fabric she used for the path. It is quite unusual for this style of quilt. I love it!!
Seeing these quilts almost makes me want to start one, but not quite! LOL We really didn't talk Jill into making the little stars either!!

Baker's Star and More...

Do you remember seeing another one of these? Libby sent me two vintage stars all assembled and I appliqued them. You can read about the process here. This one I actually appliqued on wrong but if I remember right Ann Champion mentioned this one looks more like a flower and the other was more like a star. I sent Libby a finished little quilt and I like the idea that I will have one and she will have one.

I used a piece of fabric that looks like a vintage tablecloth for the backing.

Anybody else sensing a pumpkin theme with the Wool Crazy round robins? This time I put a little kitty inside. And look, there's my acorns!



There's room for Kaaren to add a bit of stitching. I can't wait to see it all finished.



I received the cutest scissor fob from Darlene. It's hard to see on the black countertop but it is adorable. I love the little card her hubby designed too. Thanks Darlene.

I'm all current on my Soot and Ashes blocks. I think the last three will be applique.

I received the Sunshine Award from Emily. I think I'm supposed to name so many blogs, but how can I choose just a few from so many wonderful ones? I would like to mention Karen Dianne at Lee Haven. She makes fun of my typing and makes me crack up all the time. You are all an inspiration and you've brought a lot of sunshine into my life.

Quilt show report next week!! Oh, yeah, I'm going to a quilt show today too! Double quilt show report next week.

Quilt Tour Pennsylvania

Our first stop in PA was Hayloft Fabric in Morgantown. My friend, Jill, told me I needed to stop and she was right!

As you can see to the right of this photo the quilt store overlooks a grocery store! I thought that was pretty funny.

The place is huge and runs three sides around the grocery store.

They had wonderful fabric and so much of it!! Turns out the woman who checked me out was from Oregon. What's the chances of that?

Our second stop was Burkholders. I love the sign out front.

And the location is so picturesque.

Next stop was Sauder's. Do any other states have quilt stores in the middle of cornfields?


What a lovely entrance way! NOT!

We realized that they do things a bit differently in PA. Need a license plate? All you need is some cardboard and a marker! LOL

These are the wonderful girls who talked me into going to PA and the quilt show. I'm so glad I did. From left to right- Me (don't mind the hair, the climate played a few tricks on it!), Jill, who I met about 12 years ago when we were both making the Dear Jane quilt, Susan, I met her two years ago in PA, and Barb, who I met online. She is just as charming in person as she comes across on her blog.

Barb did both quiltalongs I shared on my blog and happily brought them for show and tell. It was so fun to see them in person!!

Home again, Home again, Jiggety Jig....

I'm back from a whirlwind trip!! My brain is not really functioning very good this morning. Hubby and I took the red eye out of Portland to Philadelphia on Wednesday night, arrived Thursday morning, got our car and headed to Gettysburg by way of Hayloft Fabric, Sauders and Burkholders. The museum at Gettysburg was awesome as was the town. The next day we saw the cemetery that President Lincoln gave his two minute address and did a little shopping. Then it was off to downtown Philadelphia. We did the walking tour and basically flopped into bed a little after dark! The next day I met my friend Jill, Susan and Barb at the Pennsylvania Quilt Show. After that we did a little tour of Valley Forge and saw a little of the suburbs. We didn't fly out until the next afternoon so we went to a Towne Fair in Media, PA then a stop at Fort Mifflin which is very close to the airport. We got home about midnight last night. Every night we pretty much flopped into bed exhausted!! Fun but tiring.


I thought I'd keep it simple for my brain today and show you this charming quilt top I picked up at an antique store in Bird in Hand. It was a steal I couldn't pass up!!


A simple 4 patch. The fabric is in really good condition. The majority of the quilt is sewn by machine but one seam in almost every 4 patch is done by hand. It is put together like a strippy with that wonderful bright double pink.
Oops, that strip was too long.... I love how the maker cut it right off!

I would say most of the quilt top is from 1880's-1900's.

I do believe the turkey red is older than that. The dyes they used then tended to disintegrate, but this is in fine condition. My plan at this point is to remove the border and give the top a bit of a soak. Despite the wrinkles and folds it is pieced pretty well.

The girls thought it was funny that I collected acorns to bring home. I live in the high desert and there are no acorns near me! I thought they were so cute!! Does anyone know if they will dry out? Or will they just rot? I'd like to keep them if it is possible.

I'm glad to be home. I'm sure it will take me all week to get caught up, so bear with me.