Life has been kinda quiet.................

 which, of course, is just the way I like it! However, it doesn't offer much about which to talk (write!).......well, actually I found a few things since it has been So Long since I have written a blog post!!   Spent quiet time in the shop handstitching the bindings on these two pieces.  Left is "GreenAcres" by Jo Morton.  This was a club project but I found it available here at AllPeopleQuilt, in case you would also like to make one!  It is about 15" x 18". On the right is a tablerunner made of charm squares from Jo Morton's "Gratitude" and "Reflections", using Miss Rosie's Large Crumbler template (several sizes can be cut from the template.....a smaller Crumbler template is also available.

"GreenAcres" by Jo Morton.

Have loved Betsy Chutchian's "Eliza's Indigo" line and wanted to make her little quilt from the book "Mini Marvels"..........

So, it is Started!  Everyone knows how good I am about "Starts" and not so good about "Finishes".  Tho I try.....not ready to make it a New Year's Resolution yet.....It is actually now assembled as far as the flying geese border but forgot to take a photo!  Lots of Snow Weather happening in Maine now and through Christmas so I should find lots of Sewing Time!  Interspersed with filling the woodstoves so we will be cozy and warm!

And speaking of Betsy Chutchian, she has a new book coming this spring from Quiltmania (don't you just love their books?).  It is "Quilts for All Seasons" available to pre-order in January.  You will love all her quilts!  Just as we did in the three books she wrote for KansasCityStar.

Here is another Start!  A Russian Sunflower (or Sunburst) from "Quilts from the Colonies", a Quiltmania book by Margaret Mew of Australia.  A lovely book full of  Early American quilt designs.  She visited me this fall while she was touring the USA!  Lovely lady who has more quilts to make!

My block (and Margaret's too) is hand-pieced.....slow-going for me but think I might pick up speed if I always had one ready to pick up and work on!  

My Leaders/Enders project is coming along!  Need 576 blocks of the 3" Railfence blocks for a 72" x 72" quilt and now have 555!  As usual, have changed my mind and should make a larger quilt.  That size is fine for me but this quilt will end up someday with one of my children and they need larger quilts!

No worries......Easy to make more!  Many shoeboxes  of 1" strips waiting for me!  The smaller box contains the "cutaways" from the 6" x 1" strips that just fit one of logs on the 6" log cabins that will like be my next "Leaders/Enders"!  I liked the small Log Cabin quilt that I made for the quilt show that I want to make a bed-sized one!  And then Handquilt it......just because I loved the feel of  that handquilted Quilt!

And since I love the Sunburst block so much, I think I'll make Another One!  A six inch block for my Enhanced 9-Patch that will contain a Sampler of many blocks just because it is more interesting to work on!  I have chosen to use Cindy Blackberg's stamp patterns for this one.....stamping all the pieces was easier and quicker than I thought it would be!  Back someday with my finished block!

  And quilting life would not be complete without Yet Another Start!  This is also for the Enhanced Nine Patch......Another favorite leaf pattern appliqued with back-basting technique perfected by Jeana Kimball.....she has lovely tutorials on her Facebook page!  This photo is of the drawing of the pattern on the reverse side of the fabric using a light box.

And now it is back-basted and ready for needleturn!  The scissors are from Karen Kay Buckley and are Excellent for trimming/clipping in small spaces......very sharp, serrated blades.

Will leave you with the photo of my favorite Christmas decoration (and this year, my Only One!) .......a lovely Nativity Scene to remind us of the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place!  

Merry Christmas to everyone reading this today and may your New Year be filled with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness! 

Once in a While....................

I do manage to finish a quilt!  Albeit a small 24" x 24" one!  I was not intending to handquilt this beyond the red center squares but was not happy with it......sooooo, I quilted each log and now I am Very Happy with it.......it is SO Cozy and Soft that now (looks crinkly as if I had washed it!)  I think I should get busy and make Many Many More Log Cabin blocks (6") for a fullsize quilt.  Guess I don't think I have enough WIPs!!  AND, I am ready....several shoeboxes full of 1" strips are ready and waiting!  

Decided to quilt these blocks as Jo Morton often does.......just a scant bit from the outside edge of the log.  I think I like it better than quilting down the center of each log!  (Except for when the last round has the seam allowance under it!).  When I handquilt, I tend to pull the stitches just a tad and I wonder if that created that crinkled (washed) look?  Maybe it is the close (1/2") quilting.........I soon must send it off and won't see it for 3 years .....hence, the Strong Desire to make another one soon!  Both daughters want this little one as a table topper so I will likely make another one this size and then a fullsize for Me!  Or............my Railfence blocks are piling up and will soon have enough to make the fullsize quilt top.  Maybe I should handquilt that one............good thing I don't mind working on several projects at once which, of course, prolongs the completion date of any of them!

Got some major obligations completed recently (Love getting things Done and off my mind so I can concentrate on doing What I Like to Do instead of What I Have to Do!) and can now spend time handquilting the Medallion quilt I started piecing a couple years ago.  Center (the Hewson panel) is cross-hatched in a 1" grid and I am now working a single cable along the 1-1/2" brown border.    

New fabrics for Fall have started arriving!  First up is "Crystal Farm" pre-cuts from Edyta Sitar!  She designs such wonderful Fabrics and Patterns!

Seven bolts of "Compassion" Collection for a Cause from Moda.   These first four bolts remind me of the old "seaweed" pattern (in pink, blue, mint green, tan, purple, yellow) that we could order from P&B for literally Years (about 8-10 as I recall).   Used them in So Many Quilts!  Lovely for backgrounds!

These little birds are darling..........love interesting  Figured Backgrounds!

"Sycamore" from Jan Patek....could not resist these large florals and leaves in beautiful colors!

I am also drawn to fabrics with colorful leaves!  And the tonal green I expect to use for appliqued leaves..........

Will leave you with this photo of the flowers my wonderful Husband had sent to me on our recent 36th wedding anniversary!  He is So Thoughtful!  I was floored when the delivery lady walked in the door!

Almost forgot!  Terry in PA who won my last scrap box giveaway sent me this photo of the Mugrugs she made with her Featherweight while camping this summer!  Aren't they gorgeous!

New Pattern, Book, Fabric & Antique Fabric Study

This is new from Edyta Sitar (Laundry Basket Quilts)..a very simple flag that makes an eye-catching patriotic quilt.  Looks like I used darker red fabrics!

This new book is from one of the Nineteenth Century Patchwork Divas (includes fabric designer Betsy Chutchian) in Texas, a group that makes wonderful reproduction quilts. This book is different in that she presents lessons on dating blue fabrics!  Timelines of 1840 and Earlier, Mid-century 1840-1870,  Late-century 1870-1900 both in fabrics and styles of quilts.  Makes for a very interesting read and there are at least 2 quilts that I would like to start NOW....but that is unrealistic for me at the moment!

New fabric from Di Ford-Hall and Andover......"Clotted Creams"......lovely variety of background fabrics.   Look up "clotted cream" to see what it is!

A friend of Wendy's brought this quilt top to show me.....love it when folks do that!  My favorite name for this pattern is "Old Maid's Puzzle" (Brackman 1689a)
but there are others.  Wonder what the maker called it, if anything!  Just noticed after I put up the above photo that the blocks are not all oriented the same way....did not notice that when photographing the individual blocks!

I think the fabrics are around 1840-50.......the paisley-like sashing fabric with its rust background seems unique to me....not sure I have seen anything like

 it ......does anyone have an opinion?

Always love Prussian blue, especially with that chocolate brown!

Just a few tidbits............

Finished this little top (about 20" x 27") "Morning Walk" by Betsy Chutchian using her "Rachel Remembered" fabrics.  Love that Betsy includes two sizes of quilts in her pattern!  I made mine a bit different (what else is new?) in that I used the stronger "Plantation Linen" blue for the chain squares.  Betsy used a lighter blue....was concerned that it would be "too blue" (too much contrast....but I am happy with it!)

Recently ordered some stencils from The Stencil Company and they sent me this paper catalog.  I love paper (rather than looking at computer screen) so am very happy they sent it.  Have already found favorites....lots of red check marks!

Recently finished this log cabin top from Pam Buda's "Tokens of the Past Autumn Sampler"....three patterns in one package!  Excellent deal!  Especially since I love all three designs and I love Fall Colors!  AND, I have to tell anyone who is having trouble making small log cabin blocks that they should try Pam's pattern!  Her instructions are SO explicit that I am sure anyone would be happy with their blocks!  These are 6".  Will be making 3" maple leaves next.!!

Here is the pattern cover.....all are delicious!  

Three o'clock in the afternoon on my last day off .......... need to get off the computer and find something to Sew!  Not hard....have a Long List!

Finished this Jo Morton Club 16 quilt top.......Love that border fabric from "Gratitude"!!!

Also finished the "Morning Walk" top using "Rachel Remembered" and pattern from Betsy
Chutchian.   Next up is the miniature (20" x 27") when I can get back to my sewing room!  Just love that yellow/indigo both for the print design and for the colors!!

Heard from Terry in PA yesterday after she returned from a week of camping!  Box will be on its way Monday, Terry!  Shall I start another scrap box?  Years ago, I kept these scraps but I just can't any more!  I have enough already!