Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Finished Something! Well.....almost

This is my quilt for the Maine Shophop in April, using "Hamilton" by Windham Fabrics.  I think I will call it "Eliza" for Alexander Hamilton's wife who lived into her 90's.  The Medallion-style is in keeping with the early 1800's time period.  Working on the binding today after my friend Nena quilted it for me........



 Pam Buda very generously shared her new Shirtings line with me......oh.....now what to make?!?!  It feels so good to be done with the shophop quilt but I can't decide what to work on now......at least it will be leisurely!!  Will wait until more of her fabrics arrive I think............



And speaking of Pam, I will be offering her "Tokens of the Past" Autumn Sampler.  Marcus Brothers has kindly put together the fabrics for the three darling, colorful little quilts from her new line "On Maple Lake".



Just when I resolve not to become involved in anything new, Something catches my eye!  This book contains the patterns (by Carol Hopkins and Linda Koenig) for 182 Rectangular Blocks that we will be using as a BOM starting in August.  Will be using Judie Rothermel's new line, "American Swatch Card".  


Recent new fabric arrivals include "Sweet Cherry Wine" by Blackbird Designs.  Loverly Toiles!  Precuts are Layer Cakes and 5" Charms.....



Nice long-tailed bird!




There are two more lighter toiles that I did not photograph separately ....one light green and one tan, both on off-white background. 





This line is what I call "loosely reproduction"....not marketed as reproduction but it really looks like it, both in design and colors!   And here is another surprising line, "Bee Inspired" by Deb Strain (both lines are from Moda).  Nice Jacobean-style florals, ferns and butterflies that could be used for Broderie Perse applique! Mustard yellow background seems to be popular this year!  I feel we are seeing fewer reproductions and surely hope that is not a trend!  Very Sorry to learn that Barbara Brackman is retiring from printing fabric  (sob-sob) as when her current fabrics on 3 fabric racks are gone, there will be no more!!  However, we all must make that decision to retire at one point or another!  I call myself "semi-retired" as my shop is open only 4 days a week......







Lastly, this is a baby quilt for great-granddaughter Madilyn (lives in Maine!). Looking forward to getting it together so I will have a handquilting project for quiet evenings.....REALLY will look forward to those until May 1 as I will need to have the shop open Every Day in April for the Maine shophop!!

Yes, she is already six months old so I am behind.......again!!


Other great-granddaughter, Penny (lives in Florida), is 7 months old..........her quilt was late too!  She will be visiting in June!!  Her Mom too.

I have really reached the end!  Thought I was done several photos ago, but keep thinking of something else!  The End.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Working on Quilt for Shophop..........



Working on the April Shophop Quilt.....will be late......deadline is tomorrow and I will miss it!  But it will be done by April 1 when it Really Counts!   Making 3" Eight-Point star cornerstones......two done and two for this evening......well, probably will only finish one......am pretty slow hand-piecing!  
Using the "Hamilton" part of the line from Windham Fabrics for this quilt......it has some absolutely gorgeous and accurate fabrics!!  



Found this pattern w/templates recently.......love it!  I remember when the "Star a Day" challenge occurred a couple years ago......



New fabrics arrived recently...."Bally Hall" from Di Ford.......Very Nice Birds and Florals .......think "broderie perse"!       She also has a new book due soon from Quiltmania!


Added a few Di Ford's "Giggleswick" fabrics to what I already had.....some blend well with "Bally Hall"........

Always need backgrounds......I personally like "busy" backgrounds....so here is Carlisle by Kathy Hall for Andover.



And likewise for "Pondicherry" backgrounds from French General (Moda)!


Also got labels for those making Quilts of Valor.......


And I could not resist the Eagles.......love watching Eagle Webcams .......babies are now hatching in MN........Decorah Iowa has two webcams with babies due in a little while!  What a privilege to be able to see nature up close and personal!  

We are in the midst of a  Spring Blizzard today!  Wind is howling and snow is blowing!    We are cozy and warm with the woodstove!  Cleaning out will take place tomorrow!  Snowplow and snowblower will make quick work of it.....and then it will Melt Away to Green Spring!!  Am looking forward to the Daffodils!!