Monday, March 30, 2015

Beyond the Cherry Tree-Slow Going

 I knew It was going to be slow handquilting this 100x100 quilt and I was right. I brought it out when the weather cooled, probably about November, got a few stitches in, then put it away because of Thanksgiving company, then Christmas, then superbowl..........I ran out of other hand work and brought it back downstairs this weekend.
 I stitched around all the applique first, except for the border; that was a little daunting and I wanted to get going on the motifs. So the motifs were next. It was great that Gay added those into the pattern.
 Then crosshatching- 1 1/2". I've got a few blocks 100% complete.

 It was when I got to this block that I switched from hand applique to machine applique. 50+ fiddly leaves- nope.
The pineapples were hand appliqued. I'm using my frixion pen to mark my quilting lines. You can see a few motifs in this photo.

I'm hoping to keep plugging away one stitch at a time.
For information on this quilt go HERE. It wasn't working when I tried to add the link.
It is http://sentimentalstitches.net/ and the quilt is called Beyond the Cherry Tree

Happy Monday.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Ohio Sampler

 I looked at several eagles in the Album Quilts of Ohio's Miami Valley and they were pretty primitive, not at all like the sampler eagle of Anita's. So, here's my version from Electric Quilt.
 Reading the book the eagle block is what drew the author in and made these so familiar to one another. Many had embroidery from the mouth to a banner. Mine is not appliqued and not sure it will be, but I'm ready to add it if I want to. I love making eagles and have made many. After making this one I wasn't sure it would go with the other sampler blocks I made.

After seeing them all together I don't think it looks too bad. I'm going to replace my drunkards path and add that to my orphan block quilt. I am not liking it at all.
Karen and Cathy are making the Ohio sampler too! See their work HERE and HERE.

Here's what was happening on Instagram this week!

                                                            Have a beautiful weekend.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

European Patchwork Meeting



Look what I'll be enjoying this fall! This is the countryside in Alsace, France where the
European Patchwork Meeting will take place. This show tends to be more modern, but what an opportunity to see France.

 My daughter and I have talked about going for a couple of years now and she mentioned it again so, we thought, if not now, then when?

 She visited last week and we went back and forth about dates/flights etc.. then she left me this note.
 " I really cannot wait to go to France with you. Any way we get there, and however long it will take doesn't matter. What matters is spending time with you and exploring the quilt world of France together."

 How cool is that? She speaks French too, so that will be very helpful! We will be in Paris for a few days as well. If you have any tips, sites, museums or textile places we must see, please let me know. If you happened to be going I'd love to know that too.

Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

A Few Finishes

I had these all quilted, binding on and ready to hand sew. Now they are DONE!

my sample from Sujata's book, Cultural Fusion

Small version of Market Day by Pam Buda

Folksy Christmas by Cheri

Fun pumpkin quilt made by Barb Veddar, finished by me.

My stars in a time warp- green calico/ditsy prints.

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, March 23, 2015

Airing of the Quilts 2015


I saw a blurb on Bill's facebook about a quilt show and lecture he was doing this past weekend, so I took the opportunity to go to my first quilt show of the year! I met Bill Volckening at the debut of the Oregon Quilt Documentation  project in 2010 and we run into each other now and then. 

Willow Tree whole cloth c1815
 He had a small exhibit of botanical quilts on display. If you have followed Bill's blog you have seen these, but when it comes to spectacular antique quilts, once is not enough!
Prince's Feather c 1840

Floral 6 block c 1860

Album with Lyre c1850

block-printed blue resist from 1760

Album with rooster c 1868
My favorite of this collection

Birds and Wreaths c1870

six block whirling leaves c 1880

This is my favorite from his hour long lecture. He has posted his lecture quilts HERE. I recommend a peak!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Friday, March 20, 2015

Label Mabel

I was surprised to hear how many of you do not label your quilts. It doesn't have to be a long, drawn out chore. Mine are usually super simple and easy in my own messy handwriting.

 I adhere my label fabric (usually muslin) to freezer paper to stabilize it as I write.  I've always been known to write uphill, so I draw lines with my Frixion pen using a ruler.
Then I write whatever I want. If I made the quilt for someone, I write their name and the occasion. I usually add who quilted it as well, and I know some designers would like you to add their name as the designer. If you were entering it into a show that would be an excellent idea.

 Then I iron away my lines made with the frixion pen. Look how crooked it is even when I used lines! lol
 And this is how I apply it to my quilt. The raw edge will be sewn in as I apply the binding and I will applique the other two edges down. Done!

I picked up this book from Amazon and now I wish I would have made my sampler block more like Karen's, imitating these wonderful quilts. I do plan on adding more cheddar!

And if you aren't following me on Instagram this week, here's a few photos of what you missed!

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Ohio Sampler


 Here are my next blocks. They are a variety of sizes so don't let that throw you.......
I'm letting Karen take the lead. Is it any wonder I have 10 blocks done already?! LOL

Go see her lovely blocks HERE. I like her color scheme, but I didn't want to purchase fabric and probably wouldn't have been able to find it local anyway. Mine will be a colorful mix.

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Quilt Label Winner

Happy St Patrick's Day! My Grandmother's maiden name was McNees and her ancestors came from Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland in the 1750's. I'm celebrating my distant heritage today!



I'm surprised at how many of you do not label you quilts. I just made a label yesterday for a larger quilt and took photos as I did. It is easy and we should all be labeling one way or the other. Thanks for your input! 

Only one person will win the package of labels, but Pam has let us all be winners by offering 10% off any order- enter coupon  code "save10" Thank you Pam!

She can make the font smaller and add more info as well. (up to 4 lines!) If you aren't sure what she can do, just ask and I'm sure she'll reply quickly. 

The label winner from mountain Street Arts is :
Rebecca, who wrote:
I finely started labeling my quilts about 3 years ago... Sometimes with more information then others but always with the month and year.

Thank you all who took time to enter; Visit Mountain Street Arts HERE

Monday, March 16, 2015

A Little Country Comfort

I finished the woodsy quilt and got it mailed off on Friday! 
After taking this photo I noticed I needed to fill in an area. So I quickly added a tree.

What is fun about this quilt is that you can truly make it your own. Doni has added many applique motifs and you use what you want and like. I opted to keep this one more cabinny/woodsy. It  will be hanging at quilt market in the booth with Diamond Textiles. The pattern can be purchased HERE and there is even going to be a block-of-the-month, which you can order HERE.

Have a terrific Monday!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Friday Fun and A Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed!

When I was in North Carolina late January I was contacted by Pam about doing a review and giveaway on her lovely labels. She has been very patient with me. 
This week I got several small quilts bound and I added the label while I was putting on the binding. I will add the date with a permanent pen.  But aren't these so cute?! Pam has many designs to choose from and has generously offered one lucky reader a set of 15 personalized labels! You can see them at Mountain Street Arts HERE and HERE.

To be entered leave me a comment and tell me if you label your quilts. I will probably only use these on my little quilts as I do put more information on my larger quilts. They are machine washable too! Thanks again Pam!



 I was told to do what pleases me on the woodsy border. I'm hoping to show you the completed quilt on Monday and give you info on ordering the pattern for those who have asked.  (trying to get it in the mail today!)
A few of you want to sew along with our Ohio blocks which would be fun! As far as I know the book is only available on Anita's website. You can find it HERE.

For those of you who have generously donated to my shoe shine boy family, you will be happy to know that all the kids have new shoes! This is the old photo. My angel Francisco went shopping with the dad and with the extra funds were able to purchase some school supplies. Thank you again!

This is what went on at Instagram this week.

Have a fantastic weekend!!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Weekday Sewing

Here's the top (pre-outer borders) that I'm making. 

To make this quilt top quicker I've taken over our downstairs. That way I can keep an eye on the dog or dinner and still sew!
In between the lodgy Country Comforts I sewed these bindings together.

And then got them on! 

Trying to stay focused and get the commissioned quilt top finished by the weekend!
I hope you are able to sew this week.




Monday, March 9, 2015

Stars and Samplers

You all know I need another project, right? Well here it is!

 Karen and I are doing a fun sampler based loosely on Anita Shakelfords Ohio Sampler blocks.
My log cabin didn't turn out like hers in the book...oh well. My humble version!
Here are my past two weeks of Stars in a Time Warp by Barbara Brackman. Red madder and indigo are the colors we learned about.

And this is what I have so far. I'm not loving the shirtings on shirtings but I think it will add interest, so I'm leaving them in.

I hope you enjoyed your "extra" hour of daylight. (yes, I know we lost an hour) Seems it is always Monday that is difficult to wake up and get moving. Enjoy your day.