stockings

I am feeling inspired after seeing Libby's stockings on her blog http://simplylibby.blogspot.com/
I have a goal to make a quilted stocking for each person in my family. Last year I managed to get these 2 made to match my tree skirt. If I can get 2 made this year then I'll only need to make 2 more next year and I'll be done.

My quilting guild learned to make these cute little bags this week. I made a handle for mine, and then forgot to sew it on - opps!
My DH has his truck engine all apart in the garage - putting in a new head gasket or something ... I should have a little more time to sew this week which is good because I promised to sew daughter #2 a halloween costume. She is very into the American Girl books/dolls and wants to dress up like Kirsten from 1854. Last year I made a Little House on the Prairie costume for daughter #1 so this will be my second go at making this pattern.
I am happy to work with nice - easy to sew cotton fabric and am relieved she didn't want a fairy or a mermaid costume :0)
Marcie at http://patchalotmore.blogspot.com has her new free Christmas pattern ready to go. I really like it - I'm hoping to get started on it this weekend. As always, so many sewing projects - so little time...

trying new batting

After handquilting through Warm and Natural on my last quilt I was ready to try some different batting. This time I have Heirloom 80/20 cotton /polyester batting. So far its okay - I thought it would be a lot better. I think I'll try at least one other type of batting before basting up my 4 block applique quilt. Any suggestions??
Happily this project will keep me busy for awhile - I just have to have some portable handwork on the go! - at all times :0)
Happy Thanksgiving !

pumpkins

With Canadian Thanksgiving just a couple of weeks away I'm happy to have this little pillow finished to display. This project also comes from the UFO pile. 2 years ago I bought it as a kit and did the wool pumpkins and the blanket stitching (the fun part) and this week I finally got to the rest.


I'm happy I pulled this out because now I see I have lots of leftover orange felted wool to make snowman noses with :>)
This was the first kit that I ever bought (a Terry Morberg pattern again) - I couldn't resist the striped binding cut on the bias. In fact, in my stash I have striped fabric that I've bought intending to bind quilts that I haven't even planned yet. I'd better get sewing... :)
Happy quilting!

4 block applique

I haven't been quilting much this week as my parents have been here visiting. Last night I did get the last 2 borders sewn on this applique quilt. I had finished the borders months ago - I don't know why I didn't sew them on immediately. I suspect this quilt will sit in the UFO pile again for a bit while I work up the courage to hand quilt it.
I thought I'd show a bit of a closer view of the block design. I thought it would be easier to applique on smaller background pieces so I pieced the blocks from 4 finished 9 inch sections with 1/4 of the design on each. I'm not sure it was a good idea - I have seams in my blocks now but that's how I learn - trial and error! :0)
It is an original design inspired by an antique quilt made around 1860 in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln collection. This picture is from a book but its on their website too. I LOVE to look at antique quilts for inspiration!

So now I need to get a new applique project started soon.... LOL

Happy Quilting!

dust cover

The first weekend in September I bought this little table to sit in my room by the window. I was very happy with the size and the shape and I like the little glass knobs. However, after a couple days I noticed that since this table is black it ALWAYS looks dusty. This would not do - and so, since I like sewing better than dusting ...
I made a dust cover (sort of) This little table topper is made of simple 2 inch blocks, quilted, and then cut into an oval shape.

Now I can enjoy my little table and not worry about a little dust :)
Happy Quilting!

a bit of this and that

Since finishing my last quilt I haven't really accomplished much. I made some small stars with a border - I have no idea where this project is going.



I also got started on this snowman pattern.
And I finally found a store selling Moda's Prairie Paisley line of fabric. I was very excited and bought a bunch of small pieces and some bigger bits too. I have been looking for this line all summer. I came very close to ordering it online but having never done that before I was a bit scared to try. I'm glad to have finally found it close to home. What I really want to do is get handquilting again. I know there is a UFO or 2 that I could get going on - I just need to find a big enough block of time to thread baste something.

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post :)

Happy quilting!

I finally finished Lucy's geese

I put the last stitch into this quilt this morning and I am so pleased to have it finished so I can use it.
This quilt was inspired by Lucy of http://lucyquilting.blogspot.com/.
I found her blog about a year and a half ago and just loved it. I read every post back to 2005. I enjoy her blog so much, her quilts are all so very lovely and inspiring. Her Dec 27,2005 post had directions for this lovely 6 inch block with flying geese in it. I ran right out and bought the ruler I needed for it and got started.

When it came time to quilt it I just knew I had to handquilt it. I thought it would take forever to do but only 2 months later it is finished. It is the first quilt of this size that I have handquilted but it won't be the last. I enjoyed the handquilting of it just as much as the piecing.
So today I experimented with taking pictures of it - in the sun, in the shade... with my garden (you can just see my favorite foxgloves in the background :o)
This will be its resting spot for now. Here in my bedroom I can cozy up under it when reading a book, quilting magazine, or just dreaming...
Thank you Lucy! for all your inspiration - I just loved making this quilt.