Monday, March 25, 2013

Bits & Pieces and New Book

Have been going through some boxes in the attic recently and found a treasure trove of small fabric samples to cut into 1-1/2" squares for my postage stamp quilt............would love to have it be a Charm Quilt also.....each fabric used only once!  The packets above represent only a small sample.....the four at the top of the photo are the Smithsonian samples from around 1994-95!  When I first opened my shop in 1990, we had few salesreps (and no Andover, Moda, or Windham yet!) and this was the method of ordering fabric..........never one to throw anything away, I saved them.  I know where there is another box full but not all the fabrics will be useable to me as they are not all reproduction.  
This is a lovely new book from Betsy Chutchian and these are the two quilts I would like to make!  Love this Courthouse Steps done in mostly madders and shirtings, with a few greens, yellows and indigoes thrown in for good measure!
And then another Favorite!  Pinwheels, again in the madder fabrics I love.....brown, rust, gold, red, pink and again I see some poison greens and indigoes for interest!
Just finished quilting the border on "Stars to Freedom" from Carol Hopkins' "Civil War Legacies" pattern.  Love this wavy border that I have been using for a few years.....have 3 different sizes.  The red pen is "Sewline" from United Notions....I use only the White tho it comes in other colors too; it gives the nicest, and thinnest line, to follow while quilting and by the time the quilting is done, there is not much left that is easy to remove just by brushing or using the eraser on the pen.  Great also for marking applique pieces.....

Another darling little Four Patch quilt from my friend, Wendy!  She used Brackman's "Metropolitan Fair" line...............love how she placed the stripe for the borders!  Machine-quilted around the blocks but hand-quilted border with her lovely stitching!  Should have used a coin for a point of reference.....the blocks are 1" finished.

This little quilt hangs in my shop ......made it about 16 years ago when someone gave me a shoebox full of 1950's scraps (and some a bit earlier)......all neatly cut and stacked in the box....perhaps for a railfence block?  The string star pattern just happened to be in an issue of Miniature Quilts (sure wish we still had that magazine available!) received about the same time!
New fabrics in the shop!  Jo Morton's "Blue Variety" with shirtings!

This is "Virginia" from Windham......these Jacobean prints always make my heart go pitter patter!!


The final 4 bolts from "Women of Courage" by Windham.

  That's it for now, but stay tuned, another scrap box is nearly full for a Giveaway!!  Newest additions seen below!  The "scraps" are mostly all full widths (44-45") strips 5" or less.  




29 comments:

  1. Oh Cyndi, would that pink and green zig zag print look good as a border to my BOM?

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  2. Love the quilts and the fabrics are wonderful.

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  3. Let me be the first to volunteer to help you clean your attic! :-)

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  4. Cyndi, you sure do have a treasure trove of oldies, but definitely goodies. Love the little quilt your friend made for you. I have to agree about Betsy's latest book I have seen the quilts in person and they are wonderful.

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  5. I love all the quilt pictures you posted and new fabrics.

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  6. Love your little string pieced star! Just purchased the same Jo tower of blue and Betsys newest book. The border stencil you are using is one of my favorites..have it in all three sizes but use the small and medium the most..what a fun post this was to read!

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  7. What a wonderful find of little squares, aren't you glad you didn't throw them away? It pays to be a saver.

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  8. Isn't it fun to dig through the attic and find something wonderful! Yay! And your quilting on that border is wonderful. Thanks for the info on the marking pen. Wendy's little quilt is so dang sweet! And all those fabrics are gorgeous....and yeah, I love those Jacobean prints, too! Yummy!

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  9. Lovely little quilts. What a nice attic find - that will make a great quilt! Love that line "Virginia" - bought some as soon as I saw it!
    Hilda

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  10. Oh, how I wish I had an attic with fabric squares waiting to be found! I like that wavy border stencil...do you think it could be done on a DSM with a walking foot? Thanks for sharing.

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  11. another week and i get to fondle my blue variety and those jacobeans? be sure and show them to me.... i love the top one!

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  12. So much wonderful stuff, but I especially love the little 4-patch. So sweet!

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  13. May I help you clean your attic, Cyndi? I'm wondering if I could use that floral from "Virginia" with the deep, blue ombres such as I show in the photo I sent you. What do you think? So close.

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  14. May I help you clean your attic, Cyndi? I'm wondering if I could use that floral from "Virginia" with the deep, blue ombres such as I show in the photo I sent you. What do you think? So close.

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  15. Aren't you smart to have saved those samples. Loved reading and viewing your post. The little quilt you received is so beautiful with the Metropolitan Fait fabrics, and the new line of blues is wonderful. Thanks for sharing so many great pics. Another scrap bag as a giveaway is very enticing!

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  16. What a wonderful pictures and those quilts are a pleasure for the eyes.

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  17. If this is a sampling of what can be found in your attic Cindy, next time I visit would you mind if I get lost up there?

    I just love that "Women of Courage" line of fabrics and of course I'll have to add some of Jo's blues to my stash as well.

    Thanks for all the eye candy. I'm inspired!

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  18. I bet it's fun to go through all those forgotten pieces of fabric - lots of memories in those little packets. Love all of your projects. I've got Betsy's book on order and can't wait to see it in person!

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  19. Thanks for the eye candy Cyndi. I've just received the same book and its just wonderful. I wish I had your attic with forgotten treasures! How much fun are you having?

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  20. Wow! The Virginia line is beautiful!!
    How fun to have little samples of those lovely early lines.

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  21. Love that little quilt made out of BB latest line and lovely yp have all those small fabrics to have some fun with.

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  22. Loved everything you showed today. I have some of the Smithonian fabrics too and still like them. I'm with you and the Sewline pencil. White is the best lead to use. Have fun with the samples.

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  23. What a nice blog you have. I am your newest follower.
    Riet

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  24. Just love your taste Cyndi.Glad you have more Jo Morton material.Can't get enough of her things.Thank you for showing us your ideas and books.Be back soon.Thanks Cyndi.
    Debbie K

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  25. Love the post ....finishing first Jo Morton mini quilt... Love her fabrics....new blue line is beautiful...

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  26. Love the quilt from your firend Wendy. Such tiny blocks with a fabulous border.

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  27. New quilter and overwhelmed by the fabric choices. Yet I see that variety seems to make the quilts I'm drawn to. Still learning this art I have admired for so long and your informative blog certainly improves my skills. Thanks. Karen in Vancouver.

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  28. Mmmm, very pretty fabrics and quilts...lovely colors! Where is your shop? I've looked a bit and can't seem to find it with a search on Google...thanks!

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