what I've been doing

I haven't posted in a while but I've been doing a lot of sewing. I made PJ's for my 4 kids. They were very eager to have them made and and if I got caught doing any "other" sewing I was in trouble :0)

 

We had a fun evening of hexie making with my guild a couple weeks ago.  I don't think I'm going to start a Grandmother's flower garden quilt or anything but I spied this project in the Spring 2013 Primitive Quilts and I think I will make a couple more flowers and applique them onto something.  



 

I've also been working away on my Susan McCord Vine quilt panel #6.  I finally ordered the Fons and Porter book after borrowing it multiple times from the library.  The middle of Panel #6 is right in the middle of the quilt - it's not quite halfway but I'm getting close :0)

 

I've also been working on machine quilting my courthouse steps quilt.  Isn't the quilting lovely?  lol - I decided to stitch in the ditch (every other ditch) and let this quilt be all about the fabrics.  It is a very large quilt and with all the seams and the warm and natural batting it is VERY heavy.  It is taking forever to finish this one!

 

The squirrels have been enjoying our bird feeder.  We get lots of entertainment from their antics.  I'm going to put a squirrel on my next Bird of Paradise block but perhaps not hanging from the bird feeder like this one  :0)

Happy Quilting!!

Step 2

 

I finished step 2of Lori's Abundance quiltalong. I think I must have auditioned 1/2 of my stash before I decided on these fabrics. It was a challenge to find a yellow/gold that worked with the others.  The original doll quilt on Lori's blog is so charming - I wanted to choose similar colors.  I am thinking about adding a border.  It has been such a fun little project  :0)

Happy Quilting!

Abundance

Abundance - I like the name of the quiltalong Lori has chosen this time.  I feel very abundantly blessed and have many things to be thankful for.  It is good to be reminded of that.

 

 

It was lots of fun to dig through my stash and choose fabrics for this little project.  Here is step #1.  I'm ready for step #2 anytime Lori  :0)

 

Happy quilting!

My Mom's wallhanging

Last weekend DD#3 and I went to visit my Mom and Dad in Kelowna.  My Mom showed me this top she had completed.  I had helped her get it all cut on my last visit in the summer.  I think it is beautiful.  All of the fabrics she had picked up on trips to Holland and to Amish country in the USA.  The bright blue sashing I especially love - it reminds my mom of the pillowcases her family used when she lived in Holland as a girl.  She plans to quilt it this week.  Go Mom!!



I take back what I said about handquilting this top being a mistake  :0)   I've been enjoying it very much.  I haven't really planned where the circles go - I just mark them where they fit and keep going.  I've been staying nice and cozy under this quilt in the evenings.  I also work on my Vine quilt in the evenings. Panel #6 is progressing.



 

I've also been making more blocks for my zigzag quilt.  I've got 40 more blocks made and I'm still loving it! (still playing with the blocks too  :0)

 

Lori has another quiltalong that started today.  It's so hard to resist joining in - she chooses such great projects!  The doll quilt this time is very sweet. 

 

Happy Quilting!!





blocks with embroidery



I am happy to have another block made for my Bird of Paradise quilt.  It is my DD#1's block and it would not be complete without her holding a book!



 

I worked on the grapes while my company was here.  I tried 3 methods for making the grapes before settling on basting them over dimes.  I shot them with a bit of starch and when they were dry I removed the dimes.  They still aren't perfectly round.  Maybe this takes more practice...  ? 

The grapes just looked like floating circles until the embroidery was added.  A friend came over to stitch with me - I feel more confident to embroider with her encouragement.



 

The embroidery was going so well that when I finished I got out this cherry block and embroidered stems for it too.  I need to have her come back and help me with some of the bird crests on the other blocks!

So only 2 more blocks and the borders left to make for this quilt. Will I finish it in 2013?

 

Happy Quilting!!

 



Merry Christmas

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas! 

I finished my Christmas sewing - I had one more stocking left to sew.  I've been working on these making one per year for a long time.  DH's was the last one - it is blue with the reindeer on it (he wanted a deer) 

 Here are all 6.  My red and white one stands out a bit - oh well  :0)  Tonight they all get filled!!

 I opened this little gift from a quilting friend yesterday. I think it's just beautiful!  She knows I love red. It has wool applique in the center.  I will have to find a good spot to hang it up.

I'm expecting a lot of company in the days ahead but, I will find a moment or 2 to pick up some stitching.  I hope you do too  :0)

Happy Quilting!!

a finish and a mistake

 The binding is on and I can start using my new tablerunner  :0)   I like how long and skinny it is and how it dresses up the table. 

 I have one more Christmas project to sew - I better get at it!!

 The basket block reminded me of a quilt my Grandmother made - probably mid 1970's.  (my sister would have been a toddler at the time)  It has the date embroidered on the binding along with my sister's name but I don't have a picture of that.  It was intended as her wedding quilt.  My sister was married in 2002.  I'm glad Grandma made these quilts for us long in advance as she didn't live to attend any of our weddings. 

  I love how scrappy it is  :0)  

 I celebrated my birthday on 12/12/12.  A date like that won't come around again for awhile.  My DH spoiled me with this absolutely lovely book. SO MANY beautiful old quilts with lots of ideas for how to display them.

Now for the mistake...  This quilt has sat around in the ufo pile for a long time.  I didn't want to hand quilt the center but I also didn't want to machine quilt the appliqued border.  I decided finally to handquilt it.  There are WAY too many seams to make handquilting very pleasant.  I knew this but I went ahead anyway.  I'm quilting these big circles - I'll be at this for awhile...

Happy Quilting!!