firefly needles and threads

wool applique

2010-09-18T09:45:00.003-04:00

Oh My It's almost fall! I love this season of crisp days, sure wish they would arrive in KY!

I've been busy with my wool applique projects.

I have 15 blocks done for Elegant garden and 2 done for Folk Art album.

Also working on a crazy patch round robin with my local group, not prim but fun just the same.

elegant garden

2010-08-13T15:24:00.003-04:00

I started elegant garden several weeks ago, the pattern is by Laundry basket quilts, 25 9" blocks in all. I decided to do them on heavy flannel with wool applique, I added embroidery to add a bit of spice and love how they are evolving

autumn crazy patch

2010-08-08T08:24:00.003-04:00

Finshed my Autum crazy patch! Love how it turned out, now to start a sewing theme.

Worked the last several days at our quilt extravaganza what fun, we had the Quilts of Valor and the KY census quilt as well as many quilts from our local quilters. This takes place all over town this is the 5th year and it just keeps getting bigger and better.

fall wool crazy

2010-08-02T08:01:00.005-04:00

the Fall wool crazy is taking shape, I have a bit more to add and then some seams to add stitches. I love fall and am running out of room to add all the things I love. I want to add leaves to my tree and a rake, have so many memories of raking leaves before going to the football games.

I also framed my Lori Smith "fit to frame" love how it came out. Now to finish my Summer Gatherings daisy wool picture. Also need to clean up my sewing room it is a huge mess!

My Goodies from Knoxville

2010-07-30T13:40:00.002-04:00

Several weeks ago I went to the Knoxville Quilt show and I found some great wool and a few books. I also bought Fons and Porters new glue stick pen, very cool can't wait to try it.

I also bought several bed springs fo some make do's.

fall themed crazy wool

2010-07-28T13:09:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I started my fall themed crazy wool. I wanted to do a round one and wanted it to be only about 18". I drew a circle on freezer paper and then made lines to design the patches, this was a bit more formally than I did with my first wool. I then made a second copy of my pattern on freezer paper and used the first copy to cut apart and iron onto the wool, leaving a fat 1/4" around the entire piece when I cut it out, this way I could decide which piece I would lay on top or underneath, and I also would not waste my lovely wool.

As I cut out the pieces I then placed them on my original pattern which I had placed a piece of fusible fleece underneath, the fusible side was placed down and the wool pieces were placed on top, then I basted the pieces together. This way I can fuse the backing to the underside backing of the mat when I am done.

I think my theme is more fall and autumn rather than just halloween, I love fall and all it's flaming glory of colors.

wool crazy

2010-07-27T09:28:00.004-04:00

I finished my wool crazy summer! I love how it came out, I want to start another for fall, I do love the round ones I have seen, so that is the next one I will try.

I also started a quilt on flannel with wool applique using Laundry basket quilt pattern Elegant Garden, I have one block done and have 4 more prepped, so will make a great carry along project. The green wool is some I dyed and pictures are brighter than it really is. I want to try more wool dyeing with Wilton's food coloring.

Red White and Blue Ribbon Day

2010-07-24T11:57:00.002-04:00

I won 9 ribbons at our county fair!!! so exciting I entered 9 different items, jam, perserves, jelly, and barbeque sauce and pickles, as well as my sunflower pillow and mini flower table penny rug!

What fun to enter the fair, I hadn't entered anything in a while and having so many ribbons was a real thrill!

My husband gave me a very early birthday present a wonderful jam cupboard! Guess he wants me to keep it full ? And it is just about full and I haven't even gotten to apple picking!

On Tuesday a friend gifted me with a huge bag of tomatoes, so I made barbeque sauce and then on Thursday I was gifted with 14 lbs of peaches so I made spiced peaches. Boy are we going to be eating good this winter, and yes I have to buy more canning jars LOL

wool crazy and sunflower make do

2010-07-18T08:55:00.004-04:00

I found a plain glass candle stick at a garage sale ... okay so I was looking for one! I made a sunflower make do, how cute is that! The instructions were in Needl'Love's French Market threads, I loved making it and I absolutely needed more sunflowers in my home. I made this to match the pillow I made from the same book.

The wool crazy table topper is almost ready to finish, I have to start another, just so much fun and I have a new collection of hand dyed wools. I have to decide if I want to add borders or just bind it. I want to make a round one for fall and maybe winter, the possibilities are endless!

another day at the cannery

2010-07-17T16:51:00.003-04:00

PEACHES!!! yummy! what to make with a wonderful bowl of peaches you ask?? I made a zesty peach barbeque sauce and still had a few peaches left (not enough for a pie) and I had a good amount of cherries in the frig so I made peach cherry conserve!! My kitchen smells so good! Tomorrow it's hot pepper jelly cause the peppers are arriving......then the red tide starts rolling in.....better known as tomatoes and then apples, need more jars,need more jars! if only my friends that are gifted with these yummy delights would remember to return my jars!

PS I don't use the same jars for canning that I use for dyeing, I have separate utensils for both

dyeing wool

2010-07-16T19:17:00.004-04:00

Microwave Kool Aid

Country classics acid dye

Wilton food coloring leaf green darker is over dyed

Today I played with dyeing wool, I did Kool Aid Acid dye and Wiltons food coloring.

Most came out great and I look forward to using them in my next project, I want to try some more of the wilton food color, the green I used was leaf green with a dab of brown, I dyed the lighter one on white wool and the deeper one was over dyed on camel.

I did some over-dying with the kool aid and the wilton's and had good results.

With the price of wool I decided to experiment and was happy with the results, I want to do more! Need to make a trip to Good will and see what wool they have hanging around!

wool crazy progress

2010-07-11T11:50:00.004-04:00

I've been working on my wool crazy summer themed block and having lots of fun, so many ideas and so little space LOL may have to make more, just to much fun. I have really needed to brush up on my embroidery skills or should I say lack of??

my month of june

2010-06-30T09:20:00.005-04:00

Dilly green beans, zucchini relish, lime pickles, strawberry jam and bing cherry conserve

Sweet Liberty pattern by Pat Sloan with my personal touches

Baskets of Geraniums

Moda U basket quilt

Been busy canning, made strawberry jam, Dilly green beans, lime pickles, zucchini relish and Bing Cherry conserve, sure will enjoy these next winter, my gardens have been taking it tough with the extreme heat, but we now have a few days of cooler weather.

Finished my Moda U basket sampler quilt, several wool table mats and have continued working on Calico garden.

I have done a bunch of projects from Primitive Gatherings "Summer Gatherings" have to finish/frame my fresh cut daisies.

wool wool and more wool

2010-05-12T12:43:00.004-04:00

I am having such fun with wool! I made this cute pillow from Needl' love's French Market, and there's lots more from that book I want to make. I did make several changes, I sewed the rings of petals down with my machine using the walking foot and then not feeling the love with my attempts at rug hooking ( I did really try) I used a brown plaid wool, blanket stitched it on and added chenille knots. I used saftey pins to attach to the pillow top, this way I can make more flowers for different seasons and not have to make another pillow. Thinking I might need to make a daisy or a zinnia maybe a rose??

Earlier this week I started the flower penny rug from Summer Gatherings the flowers are the same as in the flower walk table mat but much much smaller I placed a dime on the mat so you can really see the size, I did use fusible web for the mini flower, I kept the pieces in little glassine bags, so I wouldn't lose them.

Mini charmer bag and garden walk

2010-05-08T08:51:00.003-04:00

Mini Charmer

Garden walk

love my little brown jug that was my mom's and is the perfect size for the mat

I finished my wool table mat and just love it! the pattern is from Primitive gatherings new book Summer Gatherings I also bought the kit for wool flower pennys and boy oh boy are those flowers tiny!!

Our quilt group made these cute purses mini charmer so many cute bags I added bows on the side and changed the pocket on the back so have room for my sunglasses and cell phone.

where have I been?

2010-05-02T09:02:00.002-04:00

goodies from Paducah

Moda U

wool crazy

I have been busy knitting all winter, not sure why I let my quilting lapse, but I have started Crazy wool and am having a blast.
Had a wonderful time in Paducah and got some lovely wool and kits from Primitive Gatherings.

Home sweet home

2009-08-19T09:21:00.004-04:00

Home Sweet Home

Block 3

Block 4

filler blocks

Home Sweet Home is now a TOP!! I finished the borders now on to finding a backing and deciding on the binding! I am thinking I might do a curved border.

I also worked on my moda U baskets I did some fussy piecing on the woven basket. I may change my mind on my border fabric have to wait till I see how I arrange the blocks.

watermelon pin cushion

2009-08-14T15:54:00.003-04:00

Gee I haven't been around in a while and now 2 posts in one day!!

I saw these cute pincushions at the AQS show in Knoxville I have a pattern by Need'l love from Summer spirit and made one today, I stuffed it with walnut shells. I think I need to make a few more watermelon things before summer is over.

busy sewing

2009-08-14T12:10:00.004-04:00

and lots of other things, I finished block 8 of home sweet home and almost done with block 9 just a few more leaves to stitch so top will be done soon, I have sewn 3 of the 4 borders I think this will be really pretty.

I started Moda U with friends and have several blocks done, my colors with this are chocolate brown reds and pinks.

Had such a mess to clean up after nasty storms last week took out our patio furniture and several trees, so much glass to pick up safety glass is so tiny we used spatulas to try and get it out of the mulch.

I also have the Aug, block done for Bunny Hill's BOM I did change it a bit who hasn't had a picnic disturbed my bees and ants? and I had to have a slice of watermelon to go with my cupcakes

Home sweet home

2009-07-19T09:28:00.002-04:00

I cut all the swags for the borders yesterday, I have 1 1/2 blocks left to finish, so it was time to start the borders. I cleaned my sewing room and decided to get that done, I was also organizing fabrics to start Moda U's peace and plenty, which I was lucky enough to find at creative patches.

I will be going to Knoxville this week and hope to find lots of fabrics for this fun quilt.

Blueberry peach crumb pie

2009-07-19T09:18:00.002-04:00

OH YUM!! who wouldn't love a slice of warm blueberry peach crumb pie with vanilla ice cream???

My mom made this pie every summer, started with not enough of either fruit for a pie so she tossed them together added her famous crumb topping and a tradition was born, she made this pie for my husband's birthday, she' has been gone for 8 years I finally got the courage to make one, I must say it turned our great, my sweet hubby says it's just as good as Mom's (or he was just being kind) but I think I agree!

so I'm sharing the recipe.

Blueberry peach crumb pie
1 prebaked pie shell I buy the Pillsbury and bake it 9 minutes at 425 using pie weights
1/4 C plus 2 Tbsp flour
1/2 C white sugar
1/4 C lt brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 cups peeled and sliced peaches about 4 to 5 peaches
1 pt blueberries cleaned
mix all dry ingredients and toss in the peaches and blueberries put into the pie shell and make crumb topping
streusel topping
3/4 c flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 c white sugar
1/4 c light brown sugar
5 Tbsp butter cut up
use 2 knives to mix crumb topping
sprinkle evenly on the top of the pie and bake 1 hour at 375
serve warm with vanilla ice cream

quilters Back pack and July Bunny Hill

2009-07-18T08:17:00.002-04:00

Finished my July Bunny Hill block, these are like eating candy I just can't get enough!

I started this bag several years ago and had everything cut out and then for some reason I put it away, well I'm going to the AQS show in Knoxville next week and thought it would be great to have it done!

I used decorator weight fabric for the outside and reg quilters cotton for the lining

Sooooooo 5 heavy duty machine needles later (I think at sometimes I was sewing thru 16 layers of fabric) LOL it's finally done! It has 3 outside pockets and 5 inside pockets, lot of room to store all the goodies I will buy!

last quilt

2009-07-12T16:30:00.002-04:00

My last quilt is Simply Romantic by Hop Scotch Quilt Co, Peggy Waltman, I must say my favorite method is applique, which I learned when we moved to Ky. this quilt did combined both piecing and applique which was so was such fun to do, started Jan 2009 finished May 2009 so that was very speedy.

Maybe we need to share quilts that are finished but took a really really long time to complete?

1st quilt

2009-07-12T16:10:00.005-04:00

Camille over at Simplify got together with a friend, Carrie of LaVieEnRosie and cooked up this marvelous idea for quilters everywhere to show their first and last quilt. I"m game, are you???

Techniquely speaking my first quilt was a cheater panel that I made for my DD in 1978 for her big girl bed, but then I made a log cabin in a class that used a ruler and strips and was a "speedy" method. Did this in a workshop using strips and rulers I made it for my sister as a wedding gift, she has used it ever since, but when home visiting talked me into giving her a new one, so I gave her Bloomin 9 patch, and also caught her "trying" to load a few others in her suitcase LOL that will teach me to store my quilts in the guest room. She refuses to send me a photo says it has been well used.

sock sack

2009-07-10T09:37:00.003-04:00

I made this cute sock sack last night, who says Quilter's don't do zippers?

I want to make a few more as gifts, very easy and uses scraps. I even started a pair of pink socks last night, this will be a great travel bag cause it will fit in my purse. I am so addicted to bags and purses.

baskets of hope

2009-07-09T08:26:00.002-04:00

My quilt group have all been doing the Bunny Hill BOM and we decide to make a wall hanging for the Markee Cancer center. Lots of different levels of experience but I think they did a great job. We started with the basket and they could add what ever they wanted to fill the basket.

pin cushion

2009-07-07T14:44:00.003-04:00

I found this darling pin cushion and just had to make one. This was such fun to make, the directions are great

salute to the red white and blue

2009-07-04T10:24:00.003-04:00

Happy 4th of July!! here are several of my wallhanging to celebrate the holiday

Liberty is in Pat Sloans "Folk art favorites" and the uncle Sam is my own original design.

Everyone have a safe and fun holiday

A Toast to Issac Newton

2009-07-02T13:40:00.004-04:00

The ladies are going to Knoxville, they have been excepted into the AQS show they are so excited! the show is July 22 thru 25. I had to do a new sleeve as they have a new hanging system, so that was a bit of a pain.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-02T13:28:00.004-04:00

We bought this lovely bird bath and it looks perfect in my rose garden, the roses are Knock Out roses and very easy care. The bush in the back is a purple smoke bush and looks very misty when it bloom, which was about 3 weeks ago.

Happy 4th of July I made this penny rug several years ago and I so enjoy having it out frm Memorial day thru July, the pattern is an original from a friend and I don't believe it's available for sale.

back in the groove again

2009-06-27T13:01:00.007-04:00

Life sure gets in the way! way to much house stuff and yard work!

But I have had fun too! I went to Irish Acres in Nonesuch KY for a fun day of shopping in their antique store, and then a wonderful lunch at the glitz!

My husband and I also went to Maker's Mark distillery in Loretto Ky it's a fun tour and we got to dip our bottles in the hot wax.

I finished working on another barn quilt wall hanging this will be hung in the municipal hall in Richmond Ky very patriotic and a perfect place and timing!

Been keeping up with my Bunny Hill BOM and have been thinking about settings May's block I added a second butterfly.

Hmm and where am I in my home sweet home? I have 7 blocks complete.

lace knitting

2009-05-17T08:35:00.004-04:00

Finished May block for A tisket a tasket the Bunny hill BOM I added a second Butterfly to fill out the bottom.

Still addicted to lace knitting, I made a the "flower basket shawl" not pictured yet, I still need to dress it, but I also finshed the Peacock tail and leaf shawl by Nancy Bush in her book Knitted Estonia Lace. The fountain pen shawl which was in the spring issue of Knits I used Gloss a silk and merino blend in a pewter grey from Knit Picks. The peacock shawl and flower basket are also Gloss in celery, yeah I bought to much LOL

Almost done with the Willow house for Home sweet home then only 2 more blocks before I start the borders.

Also I just started Madlii shawl in a lovely shade of lavendar, had this yarn for a very long time, it's so fine Skacel lace merino, didn't think I would ever have the nerve to use it, but after 3 trys I finally got it started.....

April projects

2009-04-26T10:17:00.003-04:00

Been busy trying to finish my shawl, I want to enter it in our Homemakers cultural arts show, it needs to be turned in tomorrow, but I just blocked it and finished weaving in the ends. It is a bit shorter than I would have liked, I used Knit Picks Bare and the pattern is by Nancy Bush Estonia lace.

I also finished the April Bunny Hill block and the 6th block for Home sweet home.

I took a class "Scrap Therapy" I was so disappointed!! I expected to get tips on organizing and preparing my scraps, but all we received was a plastic container, a pin and the cutting directions for a scrap quilt, and told to cut squares, it was such a waste of time, I could have cut the squares at home and saved myself $10.00 and a 150 mile round trip. This class is required to take any of the other scrap therapy classes and for what?? I know how to cut fabric!

Simply Romantic

2009-04-06T10:15:00.004-04:00

I had a very productive weekend, but staying inside was really hard, weather was gorgeous!

I finished quilting Simply Romantic, got the binding on and used an extra block for the label, I need to finish sewing the sleeve down, but will save that for quilt group on Thurs. I also finished the next block "Berry Street" for Home Sweet Home, prepped 2 more blocks, this is going together very quickly, I really love this pattern. We were under tornado and severe Thunder storm warnings last evening and being a quilter I just took my hand sewing in the closet as we waited out the storms, I just can't get used to the storms we have here in KY

Now I really need to buckle down and get some cleaning done, get ready for Easter, our daughter is coming down for the weekend and bringing a friend......????

The new Bunny Hill block is out too, so I need to prep the block.

Home sweet home

2009-04-04T08:34:00.005-04:00

finished block 41 Thistle hill Terrace, I also prepped blocks 5 and 6 so I am moving right along.

Today I want to finish machine quilting Simply Elegant, and make the binding, it's such a springtime quilt and I need to get it finished!

I did some Easter decorating this week, got out my lovely eggs and a few more rabbits.

I was so bad this week, I bought a new set of dishes, Butterfly Meadow by Lenox, I have loved these dishes for a long time, I think I need to make a new table topper to compliment the lovely flowers and butterflys.

Home sweet home

2009-03-24T13:10:00.003-04:00

Finally finished block 2 of the Home sweet home series, I can't say this was the easiest block, had a bunch of trouble with the curving vine, I finally used Wash Away Wonder Tape by Collins, which is double sided clear wash away 1/4" tape, it works well with placing the vines after sewing the vines. I soaked the block to wash away the tape, and the block puckered up and I had to press the life out of it. I tried to make the flowers with the bias but that was a pain too, so I made some rushed flowers, I then decided I didn't like the roof.... so I took the first one off and used a different fabric, so glad this one is done!

Happy Quilter's day out!

2009-03-21T09:18:00.003-04:00

Today is National Quilter's Day Out!! this event began in Kentucky! So I hope everyone is planning some wonderful quilty events.

Since I have been out shopping for the last 2 weeks, instead of going out with my freinds I'm going to stay in and sew all day.

I picked up The DVD John Adams so that should be fun to watch this weekend.

I have to get my new fabrics washed and ironed and hope to finish quilting my Simply Romantic.

I also had to purchase a new iron, I got a Shark Rapido... hope I like it, I am so hard on irons, have gone through 4 in 10 years, including 1 Rowena, 2 Black and Decker and a GE

I bought this great panel yesterday, the panel is by Andover fabrics and they have a pattern for the tote on their website, won't it make a great tote bag?

Everyone have a wonderful day filled with lots of fabric and fun!

Home Sweet home

2009-03-20T14:15:00.004-04:00

Finished my first block for Home Sweet Home, welcome to 23 Sunflower lane, I really love the names of the streets for these wonderful blocks, wouldn't it be fun to name our own homes?

might name mine "goldenrod hill"

I did a bit more damage fabric shopping and also picked up a pattern that I had ordered a while ago. Aunt Millie's Garden by Piece O Cake just calls my name, I will be using chocolate brown BG fabrics so I did find a few this week, and should be able to pull the applique pieces from my ever increasing stash.

shop hopping in southern KY

2009-03-19T17:13:00.005-04:00

What a great way to kick off Quilter's day out! We loaded 2 cars and 8 gals and headed south to Somerset KY where we went to Pauls' discount, we found those cutie pie paper doll fabrics and a few other great finds, they off to a new shop in Somerset called Back Porch Quilts, she had lots of great fabrics and had a trunk show of Elenanor Burns quilts which she happily showed off. Then we headed out to Liberty Ky where we went to Lavendar's which is owned by a menonite lady who's shop is way up in the hills. Along the long winding road we passed a buggy full of beautiful babies and toddlers, as we headed up the steep hill we passed a farm where a young Amish boy wearing hip boots that were way to big was happlily playing in a big mud puddle.

We arrived the shop and got a few more pieces of fabric and then headed out to "Staff of Life" which is a restarant run by the Gideon's, several ladies approached our table and asked if we were quilters, we said yes, and then asked her how she knew, well she said, quilters always travel is packs and look like they are having a blast! which we were.

After a great lunch and renewed energy we got back in our cars and headed into town, where we went to Kings department store, which had lots of great fabrics too, but too soon we had to head for home with the trunks of our cars full, we traveled 180 miles on a beautiful sunny spring day.

Quilters are dangerous when on the hop!

Last week we went to eastern Ky and hit 3 stores, that group was 16 Calico Patch in Morehead, Sterling thimble in MT Sterling and another in Winchester, which I can't remember the name of, did a bit of damage then to.

I have added quite a bit to the stash and picked up several patterns, one is Aunt Millie's garden and another is a darling basket quilt by Windham fabrics ( chocolate Baskets) using their line Pink Chocolate. I also picked up a FQ pack of Plantation and found that there's a great pattern for it on their free project page

Home sweet home

2009-03-15T19:08:00.005-04:00

I started a new quilt, Home Sweet Home by Alma Allen and Barb Adams, well I've had the book for a few years (when it first came out) and even had most of the fabrics in a container just waiting till I got some other things done, and in fact I have looked at the book so much that some of the pages are falling out. Since I am still waiting for my Primitive Garden Pattern to arrive my fingers were itching for some applique. So I started the first block and prepped the 2nd block so I am off to a great start.

Our quilt group went on a mini road trip on Thursday and I picked up just a few more FQ's that I just couldn't live without, I may need a few more reds.....

I finished March Bunny Hill BOM how sweet this BOM is! I think if I add the buttons it might be a bit to much and not sure about the bow, may have to look for a bit different ribbon

Quilt trail project

2009-03-09T15:31:00.010-04:00

Madison county KY has been working on the quilt trail project for 2 years and we have 50 quilts now hung on the old tobacco barns around our county.

Some are being hung on historic buildings in town, we have such fun driving around and seeing all the wonderful quilts that are being enjoyed by so many. There will be maps available they have made them destination rides one way will lead to a local winery, another to a pottery artist, the art center and just some lovely rides thru the farm land.

The link above shows the quilts that have been hung and a map to enjoy a nice drive

The quilt guild is making wallhanging to hang in places around Richmond and Berea, we finished one and presented it to the RECC our rural electric company to hang in their office, those men have hung all the quilts and have enjoyed the project.

Simply Romantic

2009-03-06T18:22:00.003-05:00

Update on my simply romantic quilt, I got the top set and then added the first 2 of three borders, the last border has an appliqued scallop, so I got 2 ready for hand stitching and will sew them on before I measure and cut the other two, need them to fit exactly. Quilt isn't crooked the photographer is LOL

Back to the paint buckets tomorrow, doing the guest room, will be the same blue as my sewing room, and will look lovely with my quilts. Got to finish these indoor projects cause the weather is finally turning to spring and there is much clean up to do after the ice storm.

nine patch done

2009-03-01T09:24:00.003-05:00

I finished the little 9 patch yesterday, what a sweet table topper! I still have a pile of UFO's but this little gem is done.

I also found a double wedding ring that must have been started by my grandmother, the seams aren't very good, will probably have to rework it, she was almost blind, and yet she still made the most wonderful chocheted table cloths, and always had some tatting in her pocket, I still have pillow cases that she made.

Buried treasures

2009-02-28T08:47:00.004-05:00

Oh Look what wonders you find when you dig deep and clean out the closet! I emptied the closet in my sewing room while re-organizing and found a few things I had forgot about! This little 9 patch top was buried in a box at the back of the closet, I made the little 9 patches while visiting my grandmother back in the 60's! Yup was sewing back then. I rediscovered them in the late eighties and sewed them together and then put it away again, I added the border yesterday and today I will quilt it, won't it make a cute table topper?

I also found Sweet Peas, from a workshop I took with Nancy Pearson back in 2002, now I need to work on that also. I tool a 3 day workshop with her at the American quilt museum in Paducah, and it's where I really learned how to applique.

Another top I found was my very first attempt at applique, the pattern is from Baltimore Bouquets by Mimi Dietrich, oh my stitches were terrible, I can't decide if I want to redo it or just go ahead and quilt it, it shows just how far I have come.

Orange envy

2009-02-27T09:01:00.003-05:00

Oh I had such orange envy! While Pat Sloan was having her OP (orange pile) challenge we were involved in OP (Operation paint) so after getting my sewing room back in shape I pulled some fabrics and made a block, what a fast fun block! I made 4 blocks and made a table topper.

It's even finished! I used a theme fabric Easter eggs and will be a bright addition to my Easter dinner. So I may have arrived late to the party but I still had fun!

sewing room make over

2009-02-23T16:54:00.003-05:00

After reorganizing my sewing room last week, my sweet DH said he would paint it! See me jumping up and down??? I've Only waited about 5 years for this big event, so faster than a speeding bullet I selected the paint and we had a painting weekend. Of coarse I had to empty all the cabinets again and when we put the room back together I moved my fabric cabinets to a wall where they fit better, Painting was done Saturday and it took me 2 days to get everything back where I wanted it, I need to find a nice piece of decorator fabric to recover my big top, found some great window toppers in the sale bin at Lowes. I really love the seamist shade. Still have to hang up my design wall, but for now I am just enjoying the fresh new look

Calico Garden

2009-02-16T09:09:00.005-05:00

Finished the center of this small quilt and put it together, now onto the borders, I decided on the modern method. The quilt is a replica of one at the Shelborne museum.

The borders have 1" squares set on point and individually appliqued down, and fussy cut florals above that, this should probably take me a while.

The fabrics are all scraps and some are from the 30's thru the 90's from my mom's and grandma scraps as well as my own and some friends.

reorganizing sewing space

2009-02-15T19:48:00.006-05:00

Three days and many hours later the cleaning frenzie is almost done! I have gone thru every nook and crany, even the closet! then all the drawers! I tossed out a bunch of stuff, I have bags of fabric for Women's industrial, quilt magazines I will take to the guild and boxes of craft supplies for the 4 H ...gee how does this stuff multiply? Honestly I am not a pack rat! LOL

I love my big top ironing surface, it's actually a TV stand and I have great storage underneath for my current projects and supplies

Peg board helps store lots of tools that I use frequently and don't get lost in a drawer, I use pencil boxes to store small spools of thread that I use for applique, the little drawers hold needles, pens, pencils etc.

My DH is going to paint my sewing room, I think we can get to the walls now LOL. Will be doing more after the painting is done, new curtains and a bit of rearranging. Last year we bought 2 cabinets for my fabric and I could use a third! See what happens when you have 3 gals coming over to work on the quilt trail wallhangings?

Sweet retreat and Vintage valentine

2009-02-08T09:42:00.007-05:00

I started these tops last year, had all the fabrics for the chain blocks in my stash and was going to do something else for the center floral blocks, but when I went to the quilt shop to get backing and thread for another quilt lo and behold she had the rose fabric! so I treated myself and bought the panel. The Pattern is from June 08 American Patchwork and Quilting. I dragged the blocks out this week and finished piecing the top and then added borders rather than the pairrie points but I may still add the points, I need to think about that before I quilt it.

I also but borders on my Vintage Valentine, so that's ready to quilt, I will hand quilt it, hope to have it done by May. I pieced the backing for VV today and then spent hours looking for the patttern I can't remember where it is, or if I gave it to someone? hate when I lose my mind.

Bunny Hill Feb. block

2009-02-06T16:21:00.002-05:00

Yesterday the Feb. block was posted at Bunny Hill I couldn't wait to get going on this sweet block and it's done, and now I have to wait till March for the next block, these are just too cute.

sewing machine cover

2009-02-06T12:57:00.003-05:00

Sometimes you just need to play! I made this cute machine cover which doubles as a chair cover and it's so bright and cheerful, I used Pat Sloan's Nicki fabric and the flower pattern is hers too.

just measure the size of my machine and kept adding strips around till the size was right.

Dear Hannah

2009-02-05T13:35:00.007-05:00

Goodness gracious I finally made these darling blocks into a top, now need to decide on borders I can't believe I started this top 4 years ago, I used just the applique blocks, and will make a lovely little wall hanging. Most of the fabrics are Batik or hand dyed. I used the hourglass block to set it up with, love the green stars.

I resumed work on Calico Garden another quilt with tiny appliqued blocks only 16 more to do and then the borders

In memory of Putter

2009-02-03T09:05:00.004-05:00

We lost our little kitty Putter yesterday, he was my quilt buddy, loved to sit on my sewing chair and supervise my sewing, or just keep me company, we will miss him so much.

walk in the moonlight

2009-02-02T09:50:00.006-05:00

Farmer's market

Two more quilts I finished last year! and I so love Walk in the moonlight, I think when my daughter sees this one will probably go home with her!

Pattern is by Pat Sloan from her book "Learn to Applique"

I also finished Farmer's Market by Pat, I'm donating this quilt to the 4 H so they can earn money for the camper scholarships. Pat offered these as a free BOM last year.

Friendship garden

2009-02-01T11:52:00.007-05:00

In my year of getting things finished!! I hand quilted Friendship Garden by Alma Allen and Cherie Ralston, I just love this quilt as does my fur buddy Tinker, I hand quilted this and only took me 2 years! LOL
I used a wool batt and it's so toasty
warm, which we sure have needed this winter.

I finished 14 quilts this last year!! I can't believe how many still need to be done! some will be machine quilted by me, and I hope to send several of the larger tops out. I must admit it feels great to have finished so many. But feels great to start a few new projects, while working on the stash reduction

Celebration Of American Life

2009-01-31T15:23:00.003-05:00

Finally finished my "Celebration of American Life" by Barb Adams and Alma Allen for Kansas City Star, bought the backing and hope to get it basted so I can hand quilt it while it's still quilting weather, was hoping to do that sometime over the last few weeks, but weather has been an issue, I go to the Ex. center and where they have large tables, but the snow and ice has kept me home, it's a bit large to do on the floor and my knees don't like that method! I bought antique gold YLI thread I think it will look great.

Ice storm

2009-01-30T13:46:00.005-05:00

Brr an ice storm has had KY in in grips since Monday night power outages are wide spread, but we've been spared, we have lost many trees, when ever I look out the window I hear the music of Dr. Zhivago and can see the sleigh gliding thru the snow to the ice palace.

Sew what does any good quilter/ knitter do? well I cut out a cute Candle Mat from Privitive gatherings so I will have it ready for fall if I statr now? While digging around in the piles in the sewing room I found the wonderful fabric that my friend Imi sent me from Holland and am trying to decide what to make with it, such a lovely chintz so I don't want to cut into that.

Simply Romantic

2009-01-26T18:00:00.005-05:00

Need to chose the sashing and border fabrics these are two of my options, I love the floral but it might be to busy and the plain stripe may work better, need to get a few more blocks done

I did get 2 blocks done, the basket block is a bit fussy to make so will have to work on those along with the floral blocks.

Simply Romantic

2009-01-25T09:40:00.004-05:00

Started this yesterday, working out of my stash, I dug in and found the perfect fabrics for this quilt. Simply Romantic by Hopskotch quilting.

Last year I didn't start many projects it was a year of getting stuff done, only buying fabrics for backings, borders, and bindings, I also finished a few tops. I'm so excited to be starting some new things

Charm tote

2009-01-24T10:17:00.005-05:00

So many cute and cool ideas for those charm squares, I made thetable topper last year, I also found this cool pattern to make a scrappy quilt

I also used a charm pack to make the scrappy baskets for Signs of spring by Seams like home. I wonder what things I find to do next? any ideas?
I made this cute Charm tote yesterday, I used a Moda charm pack "Meadow waltz" which I've had hanging around for a couple of years, got to use a fancy stitch on the machine for the quilting. I want to make another one in spring colors, it has 2 pockets inside and used fusible fleese I think next time I will make it a bit bigger and piece the handle with more charms. I also have a charm pack of Valentine fabric, that might be fun to make.

Sweet clover

2009-01-19T09:06:00.005-05:00

See how busy I have been, I finished a bunch of quilts this last year, Sweet Clover is by Fig tree quilts and I made it all from my stash, had lots of fun with this scrappy quilt, I named mine "sweet red clover"

This last year I only bought fabrics for finishing, borders, and backings. Using stuff from my stash I hardly made a dent!

knitting too

2009-01-18T12:22:00.005-05:00

I have had my needles flying, trying to finish up the warm woolies, I made lots of mittens, hats and scarves for Christmas gifts, my favorite mitten pattern is Newfoundland mitts, so pretty like stained glass, I made 2 pairs using Noro Kureyon and am on pair # 3 finally for me, made this cute hat from Knitty.com used Jo Sharp DK tweed, so warm and toasty, and so needed this past week with minus temps and wind chills.

I made a dozen baby hats for the pregancy help center, need to keep making more, they are really in need, I made 6 baby quilts for them last year, may dig in the staash and make several more, used the 6 hour quilt pattern so easy.

back in the groove

2009-01-17T09:33:00.002-05:00

Well looks who's back?? I have been busy with finishing some quilts(14) and 15 more to go, my knitting needles have been busy too, But I need to start some new things and these are the ones I have been thinking about.

I started Bunny Hill's tisket a tasket BOM and am thinking about Willowberry's stitchery.

Happy stitching or knitting I'll show more next time

Let there be chocolate

2008-02-12T21:25:00.000-05:00

Oh YUM!! Valentines' day chocolates what could be better? NOTHING!

I used Pat Sloan's fabric line Sweetbriar I love the great chocolate browns and pinks she has in this line and were perfect for Lizzie B Cre8tive pattern.

This was such a fun pattern to make, and I think I put on a few pounds cause I wanted chocolate everyday!! don't we all?

Okay I need a Snicker bar!!

Hope everyone gets something sweet for Valentine's Day

applique and knitting

2008-01-28T09:39:00.000-05:00

This was a productive week, I finished clue 4 for the Springshawl surprise, finished clue 2 for Secret of the stoleii and finished block 7 for Vintage valentine. See what a cold week does? keeps me home LOL
Block 7 is done and onto block 8, I do hope I can finishe the blocks by the end of Feb. that's my goal anyway, and goals are a good thing.

Secret of the stoleii I am loving this pattern and the malabrigo yarn is so yummy, the clue this week was fun and the hint for the theme is interesting, "incommunicado" Name a place of rest, well cemetery crossed my mind, but also cloister, I would hope it would be Cloister, as that is a lovely thought, I think of cloistered gardens, a wonderful place to retreat.

spring shawl surprise clue 4
this one is driving me crazy I may place it in the corner till it learns how to behave properly, I don't believe I have ever had to tink a pattern as much as I have this one, and now I am not sure if I will continue it, we'll wait and see

secret of the stole 11

2008-01-21T13:38:00.000-05:00

Finished clue 1 of the SSSii not once but twice, I started with Zephyr plum 2/18, I do love that yarn, but the color was too dark for me right now, so I pulled out some yummy pink Malabrigo baby mmerino and started again, I really love the softness of the yarn and the stitch definition is lovely. I will be buying more of this yarn. I am using size 4 US needles and used a size 6 for casting on. Clue 2 is coming out on Friday. I've been trying to guess what the theme is, our first clue is "America" seems to remind me of an indian blanket and then the center stitches look like a dream catcher.... Hmm wonder what it is?

spring shawl surprise

2008-01-18T09:44:00.000-05:00

I've been hard at work on this lovely pattern, been doing alot of tinking but I finally finished clue 3 I love how this shawl is turning out. I have never done patterning on both sides, so I have been using a lot of lifelines, they are sure saving my sanity.

Today we get clue one of the secret of the stole 11 so I will have 2 shawls on the knitting needles I hope it won't overwhelm me.

I have also been plugging along on Vintage valentine, almost done with block 7 and have used the embroidery unit on my machine to do the words for block 8 I hope to have all the blocks finished by mid Feb. I haven't used that unit in over a year, so I had to get out the manual, but I did get it done and happy with how it looks

Vintage Valentine, and lace knitting

2008-01-12T12:15:00.000-05:00

Block 5

Block 6

Got going again on the VV blocks I completed block 5 and also block 6 and started block 7 so hope I can keep up with my applique as well as knitting, so many things that I want to accomplish this year... so far so good.

I finished clue 2 for the Spring shawl KAL and love how the pattern is developing, I did have to do a bit of frogging but those life lines are a blessing.

I also received my order from Sarah's yarns this week, so have a nice supply of lovely wools in my stash, yarns can be just as addictive as fabrics. I bought some lovely Malabrigo yarn in a pretty

shade of pink and that too will be a shawl, I am so addicted to the lace patterns, must be a bit of influence from my grandmother.

The Secret of the Shawl II KAL starts this week so I will have 2 shawls that I will be working on.... do you think I can keep up? I guess only time will tell.

I will be using a shade of Plum Zephyr YUM just love that yarn.

lace, knitting KAL

2008-01-02T19:16:00.000-05:00

I started another shawl KAL with the nautical knitter this should be lots of fun, I chose a lovely shade of plum lace weight wool/silk from Zephyr I did my swatch and like how it looks, this will be starting the middle of Jan. but I have lots to keep me busy.

I have a pair of socks that need to be finished and also working on

the knitting KAL Spring shawl surprice I am using a medium blue Zephyr same weight as the other, so I guess my knitting needles will keep clicking. But I will be doing some quilting too. When the weather is frosty perfect time to stay inside and create.

shawls lace knitting

2007-12-30T09:55:00.000-05:00

I just finished lavender linen lace shawl I made it with merino/cashmere yarn called Gentle by Yarn Place I doubled the yarn.

The pattern is from Nancy weisman's book, shawls and stoles, can't remember the exact title.

I love the way it drapes, I have become adicted to knitting lace lately, I have to admit my quilting has been on the back burner, but at least I have been keeping my fingers busy with fiber.

I also finished Mystic waters KAL and am about to begin "secret of the stoleII, I still haven't decided which yarn to use, It's between Malabrigo or Zephyr I hope to swatch the malabrigo today and then decide.

Japanese folding

2007-12-12T09:50:00.001-05:00

Last week at guild we learned how to fold kimonos, how sweet is this? I need to get a chop stick to hang it on, I know just who I will give this to.

See I have been doing a bit with fabric not just my knitting, but I still have some knit hats and socks to finish, I made 3 over the weekend and got 2 packages out in the mail, I seem to get further behind the faster I go.

I also dropped off a big box of small baby knits to the pregancy help center.

Today we get the final clue for the KAL Mystic water shawl, so hope I can have it done for Christmas

2007-12-11T15:10:00.000-05:00

I have been very lax in posting to my blog, but I have been busy knitting the shawl and a few Christmas gifts

This is my mystic water KAL I have one more clue before it's done, I am sure it will be so soft and warm, perfect for a cold evening.

I found a cool website for Christmas recipes and activities, found some yummy recipes and lots of things you can do with your children, this link will take you straight to the Northpole, how fun is that?

I received a most wonderful secret santa package from Holland yesterday, I now have my very own "Nisser" who has happily taken up residence in my gingerbread tree, I have to watch him carefully in case he eats to many sweets. According to my friend Imi these little fellows are a bit like Gnomes and can get into all types of mischief, but he sure brings a smile to my face. I also recieved a beautiful Gingerbread wallhanging, complete with sacks of flour and sugar with words and rusty tin embellishments so delightful, a piece of reproduction Dutch Chintz, several wool dolls, candy and Christmas tea, which just smells like Christmas, I do believe I have been spoiled.

If you look closely at the tree you will see a small tin horn, it's dated 1895 and was on my grandfather's first Christmas tree

knitting and yarn dying

2007-10-21T08:29:00.001-04:00

I had such fun yesterday I went to Berea and learned how to dye yarn and fabrics in Indigo dye

I did 3 skeins of Baby alpaca this will make a lovely scarf or shawl.

I am also working on a shawl so I did a swatch with wooly wonka fibers in Nantucket this was my 3rd swatch for the Mystic water KAL and so pretty

painting

2007-09-24T07:47:00.000-04:00

We've been busy painting, after all when you are in a home for 9 years things need to be done.

so we finally finihed our bathroom and I am still waiting for light fixture and new faucets and hardware to arrive. I also want to paint the cabinet with a buttermilk paint.

the color of this type is about the shade we painted.

Enchanted autumn

2007-09-19T14:49:00.000-04:00

I started this quilt by Verna Mosquera of Vintage spool

I need to quilt it! So I dragged it out and pressed it and have the

backing pieced so tomorrow I am taking it to guild to pin baste I love using those large tables, sure is better on the knees!

I decided to machine quilt it, I need to get things done.

Think it will be quilt in the ditch between the blocks and then a

bit of meandering inside the blocks

wish me luck!

fall table runner

2007-09-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Basket of sunflowers

this is the center of my fall table runner

the pattern is from the new Quilt sampler Fall,

I am mixing wool and cottons

I have one of the other blocks done and hope

to finish this by the weekend.

See I have been quilting, not just knitting.

fall swap

2007-09-14T16:33:00.001-04:00

I made these for Dawn for a fall swap

The Scarecrow mat is from Dec. 2006 Create and Decorate Magazine

the pineapple is from the book "Primitive Gatherings" by Terry Burkhart and Rozan Meacham I also made her a pair of my crazy socks and a jar of Tomato butter.

Last Saturday I made 14 jars of this wonderful condiment and we just love it. Well we must LOL cause you have to cook it for several hours and stir so it doesn't stick, but well worth the effort.

I spent the morning stripping wallpaper, sure not exciting but glad it's done, then I cleaned the oven, don't you hate it when you work so hard and no one sees what you've done? Just like cleaning closets, only you know what you have accomplished.

fall in a package

2007-08-31T19:30:00.000-04:00

Look at the wonderful package Dawn sent me!!

What a fun package to receive, I only hope she likes what I send her, which I still need to finish up this weekend.

Looks like I should pull fall decorations out, well at least my sunflowers, love those at this time of the year.

Been so bad about adding to my blog, had a lightning strike behind our property that did alot of damage, as well as knocking out my ethernet cards so was with out PC over a week. So now that I have finally gotten the house back to normal I hope I can post more often.

Sew till later

Victorian lace socks

2007-07-28T09:14:00.000-04:00

I have been knitting like a crazy lady lately, just finished these cute socks. I used "Mon Amour" by Schaffhauser wolle, which I believe has been discontinued, I have had this yarn for about 9 or 10 years vintage LOL so glad I found something to use it for, the pattern was from a Yahoo group six-sock knitalong.

Love how they turned out.

My Yarn stash isn't nearly as big as my fabric stash but loved just the same

Times Remembered

2007-07-12T15:29:00.000-04:00

Must be something in the air cause I have started several new BOM projects this week, like I have nothing else going on right?

I pulled all the BG fabrics and did the angel block today, had to give her a few curls, after all what'a a retired hairdresser supposed to do with a bald head? also gave ger a spiffy shiny gold halo, used stitches on my machine.

I should get on with my Vintage Valentine, so nice outside, maybe I need to go outside and stitch??

Pattern is by Pat Sloan, I will be working with her Yahoo group doing one a month, so I should be able to keep up.

these are my background fabrics.

Farmers market BOM

2007-07-11T08:48:00.000-04:00

Love Pat Sloan's new free BOM Farmer's Market, this was the 1st block "jam jars"

Our Farmers market just had it's grand opening, had such fun finding lots of fresh veggies and lovely fresh sunflowers, they just make me smile.

here are my jam jars, and some of the fabrics I have ready for other blocks. I think at some point I was planning to make a canning jar quilt.

I used to make jams and jellys all the time. My mom made so many unusal kinds, ginger peach, ginger pear, mint jelly, beach plum, blueberry yummy!

Berry picking was such a big part of our summer activities, we had so much fun, with prizes for the basket that was the fullest, fill their basket the fastest, of coarse some of us ate more than we picked. We made homemade ice cream and scrapped the jelly pot to top our ice cream.

quick pillowcase

2007-07-10T12:20:00.000-04:00

fun to make and great gifts and perfect for kids going off to college, you can really personalize them to their hobbies and sports Etc.

Hope my directions are okay. I couldn't seem to get the photos in order

Took longer to write than to make

Supplies to make 1 pillowcase

29" by width of fabric for body of case

2" by width of fabric for accent strip ( fold wrong sides together and press)

11" by width of fabric for cuff

step 1
place 11" by WOF cuff piece right side up, pin the pressed 1" accent on along the top edge
step 2
pin the 29" piece right side down on top of the trim and pin in place, use the same pins as for the accent. It's okay if the lengths are a but off, you will straighten them in a later step.
step 3
Accordion pleat the rest of the 29" piece of case fabric, so it is above the bottom edge of the cuff but below the pinned edge/ now bring up the lower edge of the cuff fabric ( 1st layer) and pin to the top using the same pins, you have now created a tube, everything should be neatly inside, make sure you haven't caught any of the case fabric in the top pinned SA

Step 4

sew this seam using a 1/4" seam allowance
Step 5
place your arm inside the tube you just created and pull to right side out , slide your arm between the trim and the cuff grab hold of the end and pull thru
Step 6
press
step 7
trim off any excess from the sides
Step 8
Make french seams: place right sides together and sew a scant 1/8th inch seam, then turn inside out and press and then sew a 1/4" seam from the wrong sides.
do the same with the bottom of the case

knit tee top

2007-07-10T11:30:00.000-04:00

I made this cute tee top using Hempothy yarn, nice and cool, pattern is an oldie by Bernat booklet #569, I have made this top before and had to do some figuring on gauge but came out great

Happy 4th of July

2007-07-03T10:52:00.001-04:00

these are a few of my Patriotic wall quilts, Hat's Off is my orginal design I used to teach needleturn applique. Liberty is by Pat Sloan as is the lady slipper.

Just love getting them out for the summer holidays.

Still doing a bit more knitting than quilting, but I did finish a few things for a swap.

My poor gardens are still suffering from the drought, all my hard work this spring and now I'm just trying to keep things alive.

sew till later Happy 4th

Hibiscus

2007-06-30T09:04:00.000-04:00

Made this art style quilt several years ago in a workshop, this was a fun way to play with colors and Shading, we used a photo of a flower and then enlarged it, the class was taught by Juanita Yaeger of Louisville. I have an Iris on my design wall that I need to find a background for.

sew till later

Been Tagged

2007-06-26T18:08:00.000-04:00

I have been tagged by Libby I have been thinking all day what I can tell you about myself so here goes:
1. I can't sit still, I always have to have something to do with my hands or brain, reading, quilting, knitting, I can't even sit out side and just enjoy the weather, I usually see something that has to be done, like a weed or watering.
2. Fibers have been a life long adventure, including being a hairdresser for 32 years, just another fiber right? I also think that's why I can't sit still, and am very aware of the time, can't stand being late for anything.
3. I am totally addicted to coffee, guess that's where I get my extra energy from?
4. I never do dishes, my sweetie does them everynight, gotta love a man that does dishes.
5. I am crazy about sloppy love stories, and OH MY I love the Hallmark channel, just keep the tissues handy for those sappy happy endings!
6. I can't stand being un-organized, need everything in its place, can't work in a mess.
7. Love the rush of a planning a new project or trip, the planning and details are such fun, guess that's why I don't like kits, to me it feels like someone has licked the icing clean off my cupcake.
Sew till later

when you really have no time to bake

2007-06-23T08:59:00.001-04:00

We had party to go to and my kitchen was under construction, so what do you do?? No bake cookies of course!!! These are fabulous and when you really have no time to bake and you need something quick, these are so easy and yummy.

1 bag of butterscotch morsels 11/12 oz

1 6oz bag of milk chocolate chips

1 eleven oz can of spanish peanuts or almonds

melt the chips and stir in the nuts, drop by spoonfuls on either parchment or foil lined cookie sheets, chill and serve.

thought I might try peanut butter chips yummy!!

The lovely table topper was made by my good friend Cathy, we had a swap last year and she made this one for me, perfect on my table!

sew till later

been busy

2007-06-23T08:49:00.000-04:00

I have been busy knitting instead of quilting, I made these 2 cute shells they are so cool and comfy I have a 3rd one on the needle now, but I need to get back to the Vintage Valentine and a few other projects that keep nagging me when I walk into my sewing room. I also need to get that room cleaned up, can't work when everything is a mess! LOL

Having a month of Jury duty hasn't helped, just grabbing my knitting bag is so quick.

Ky is in severe drought so been trying to keep the shrubs watered as well as the garden, I feel so for the farmers.

A Toast

2007-06-05T09:15:00.001-04:00

As each year passes it's a very frightening thing to have to put on a bathing suit, the laws of gravity never lie!!

I made this quilt for a KY state guild challenge, I had such fun trying new techniques, the design was inspired by Barbara Lavallee , love her play on words and how she interprets them with her wonderful art. I did start with a pattern but then did my own thing, the theme of the challenge was "make me laugh"

this quilt has traveled the state of KY all year and I will be getting it back next week.

Now where do you hang something like this? I'm thinking of giving it to a very good friend, who has a hot tub hmmmm.....

Sew till later

honeysuckle and needles

2007-06-03T08:29:00.000-04:00

I have been knitting this week, made this cute sleeveless shell
I have had this bright lemon yellow cotton yarn in my stash for 8 years!! only had 5 skeins, and thought I didn't have enough, but I found this cute free pattern online and had enough to make it and I think enough left over to make a premie hat for charity! The shop is very close to my DD, so guess I will visit the next time we go to Illinois!

I also bought this gorgeous yarn by Takhi, called Tweedy cotton, I have my needles ready to knit while I am on Jury duty this whole month, need something to show for my days, also have some blocks prepped, some books to read in case they don't allow needles and scissors at the court house

The Honeysuckle and roses are blooming in my secret garden, but with this high heat and humidity I don't think they will last long, we need rain so bad.

Sew till later

Happy Memorial Day

2007-05-26T12:42:00.000-04:00

Take time this weekend to remember and honor all the men and women serving our country here and abroad. As we honor and remember those that have gone before us, take time this weekend as I do each day to thank them and pray for their safe return. Bless them and their families while we all enjoy the freedoms they protect.

Dear Hannah

2007-05-26T12:30:00.000-04:00

these are a few of my Dear Hannah blocks I have all the applique blocks done, and decided not to do the pieced blocks, I even have the fabric for setting them, I might set them with an alternate block like courthouse steps, still thinking about that........now just to find the time!
I used lots of hand dyed fabrics and batiks, I think the black really sets them off, the setting fabric is a blue green batik I think it will be so pretty. I think I have all the blocks I made in my webshots
gotta get stitching so many projects to work on
sew till later

Calico Garden

2007-05-25T09:34:00.000-04:00

I fell in love with this quilt after seeing it at the Shelborne Museum, so I got the pattern and really got going, but them for some reason I put it away. Calico Garden is such a delightful quilt so I decided to drag it out and get a few blocks prepped so I have some small carry along blocks. These blocks are so tiny they will finish at 3"

I do tend to like these tiny treasures, I also have a Dear Hannah and a Dear Jane in progress

sew till later

Happy Anniversary May 24th

2007-05-23T22:12:00.000-04:00

Have you cake and eat it too!

Well I sure don't know where 38 years went!! but Happy anniversary to us!!

Look how young and innocent we were??? What did I know at such a tender age!

I really was a child bride by todays standards.

This year he didn't just send me roses he planted me a rose garden.

I remember those funny little machines that the fabric went thru to be measured, they used to fasinate me. I always loved going to the fabric store, some things never change, I can still see that shop and what a wonderful selection of fabrics they had, I also remember going into NYC for the speciality fabrics, stores no bigger than a shoebox with just buttons from floor to ceiling and the bead and lace shops, I get to go back occasionally when I visit back home.

Back to Endless chain, I hand pieced the quilt, it was a carry along project for several years, then I decided it had to end!

Endless chain is by Barbara Brandeburg, "Fancy things cabbage rose"

Sew till later

mini quilt and endless chain

2007-05-22T13:24:00.000-04:00

This mini was the pattern in the little tin Sanctuary line by Moda

the quilt is backed by wool and I used some vintage buttons for the tacking

easy LOL Hand blanket stitched the outer edge and the melons were hand appliqued down.

It feels great to have something finished and looks great on my coffee table, and is perfect with

my Endless chain lap quilt I made a few years ago, scrappy and the backing is

from a piece of fabric that I found in the cedar chest when I was cleaning out my

mother's house. My sister and I had dresses out of that, mom used to buy fabric by the

bolt, do any of you remember when cotton was only 36" wide? seems to me that

the manufactors are heading back in that direction?

Need get back to sewing

sew till later

Vintage valentine

2007-05-20T09:24:00.000-04:00

Block 4 of Vintage Valentine, I finally finished my April block.
I will cut out May's block today, and work on a new summer purse,
I also have Moda's Sancutary tin that looks like fun.
I have been spending so much time working in the yard that my
quilting has taken a back seat, but that all changes today!!
The weather has been really wonderful, so I hope to sit outside this afternoon
and do some stitching and relaxing in my secret garden.
Sew till later

gardening

2007-05-18T09:01:00.001-04:00

Oh MY Can you see those metal Palm trees??

we call that house "hooter's" good thing I can't really see it from my house, think I need to plant another tree.
Front 2 tier basket, can you see my old garden shoes??
the bird and butterfly garden is coming along

The view from my inside my secret garden

Little Brown Bird

2007-05-18T08:07:00.001-04:00

Some of you wanted to see more close ups of the blocks.

These are the 1st 4 blocks I made, I did end up redoing a few, but this was a learning experience, so I didn't redo any till they were all done.

The fancy fruit basket was the last block, before doing the borders that took me almost a year of on and off sewing

Little Brown Bird

2007-05-09T09:12:00.000-04:00

I started Little Brown Bird in 2000, I finished it in Jan. of 2007, when I started this quilt I knew practically nothing about applique, but I fell in love with this quilt the pattern is by Margaret Docherty, I had the honor of meeting her in Paducah several years ago.

My favorite block is the rose basket, so much life happy and sad has occured while I worked on this quilt as I was working rose basket over Mothers' day weekend 2001, my mother passed away shortly after that . Mom loved seeing all these beautiful blocks, she wondered if I would ever finish this quilt so Happy mothers' day mom I did it!!

sew till later

quilting

2007-05-06T09:19:00.000-04:00

Oh the Kentucky Derby was so exciting!! I did this quilt for a guild challenge this past summer. The pattern ( Slice of summer) was started in a Pat Sloan workshop and has lots of things that KY is famous for.

I named this quilt "Lucky in Kentucky"