Friday, Friday!

It seems the more I get done on this quilt, the more I want to do! Thanks goodness for cold weather!!

 My quilting lines may not be correct, but hey, that's pretty good lookin' hand applique! LOL 

 One more block complete.

 I have had a really busy work week and haven't had a chance to respond to comments left. I was asked for more details about my hand quilting. Along with everything else I do with quilting, I'm sure there is a better way, this just happens to work for me. Everything in the above photo is kept on the coffee table, so when I watch a little evening television it is ready to pick up and quilt. (I don't recommend foreign films with subtitles!)

John James size 11 needles. They are tiny. (about 3/4" long)

I have to admit to using a variety of threads on my large, slow hand quilting. Right now I am using this Mettlers 50weight cotton  in ecru and I like it a lot. It doesn't twist or break.

Then I have my dollar store magnifying glasses (needing them more and more!) my Frixion pen, which irons off (yes, controversial, I know) and super simple metal thimble that is flat on the top. 

I also have an inexpensive  14" wooden hoop that I use.  I've tried various types and styles of hoops and this works for me.

That's it for my humble supplies. If you have a favorite hand quilting "tool or supply" feel free to tell me in the comments.

Not much new on my Instagram feed this week. I've been busy pushing auto parts instead of taking photos. I did sign up for a class at Sisters- taught by Sajuta- Yay! and I loved the book "The Taming of the Queen". I cannot remember who posted about it on their blog, but thanks!

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Love to you all!

New Year Sewing

It was nice to stay indoors a bit on New Years Day with no work and no schedule, to get some prep work done in my sewing room.  The first of the year is my time to get some quilts completed and look ahead to this years quilting and sewing projects.

In preparation for my Stars in a Time Warp quilt I needed 2 more blocks. Corrine from Cocopatch blog sent me some lovely purple fabric (bottom star) that I wanted to include in my stars quilt and  I decided to use some of my French fabric in it as well. Here are those blocks. I hope to start cutting/sewing on it this weekend. 

In preparation for quilts I've sent out I got labels made...

and binding. 

Not super exciting, but at least I'll be ready!

The sewing machine man called and my machine will be in for about 2 more weeks because of some part that was missing. It wasn't even a part that was causing the problem. Aargh! 

Happy winter Wednesday to ya'll!

Handquilting to Bring in the New Year.

I've been hand quilting my Beyond the Cherry Tree quilt this winter and back at it  to ring in the new year.. I had to spread it out and remark, so I thought I'd take a few photos of the blocks that are quilted. Here are those photos.
PS, There is a reason Sharon, Grass roots quilting sent her quilt off to be marked. It is nearly impossible to keep straight lines across the top of a quilt that measures 100" square! This quilt will be keeping with the Humble Quilts theme on my blog.

If you love reproduction quilts Gay is back at it again! Recreating an antique quilt in her collection and offering the blocks free for one month. Check out the new 1857 Album Quilt HERE.  She has other giveaways going to celebrate 20 years of Sentimental Stitches. Thank you Gay!!

I hope your new year is off to a terrific start!

Happy New Year!

Happy New year to my quilt friends! May 2016 be filled with peace, love and lots of quilting!!

Here's my instagram feed if you missed it this week!