What a Month!

August has certainly been an eventful month for me!
Major surgery, an Earthquake and Hurricane Irene have certainly kept me pre-occupied. I would like to thank all of my blog friends for their well wishes!

With limited use of my left arm, I've still been able to work on some small stitchery projects. Here is my Calendar Girls quilt block for August.
Tomorrow is my post-operative Dr's appt. I'm hoping to get the "thumbs up" for getting back to normal activities. I've really MISSED my sewing machine!

Sending Prayers & Well Wishes to all those still effected by the Hurricane!

every quilt tells a story...

Civil War visit and taking a Bloggers Break

July began the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
The very first battle took place in Manassas,Va.
In Old Town Manassas there are commemorative flags hanging on every lamp post as far as the eye can see. It's a lovely place to walk around. There are lots of wonderful old buildings that house Shops and Restaurants with outside dining near the old historic train station.

Last week we took our 6 month old grandson for his first visit. He was fascinated by all the people and stayed up WAY past his bedtime.



I will be taking a bit of a break from blogging during August for health reasons. I'm going into the hospital for surgery in a few days.
Not sure how long I'll be off line yet - hopefully just a week.
It will probably be several weeks before I'm sewing again - but during my recovery I'll have plenty of time to catch up on everyone's blog chatter and wonderful accomplishments!


Wishing everyone a Happy & Productive August!

every quilt tells a story....

Quilt Block updates

These are the last 4 blocks I completed for the CW BOM.

July has proven to be a very hectic month for me. Although I've managed to work on some hand piecing & applique' I haven't had much time for blogging or machine sewing.


Here are the first 4 Reverse Applique' blocks I've made for a Dutch Treat quilt.
Most of the blocks in this quilt will be made from the "waterlilies" multi-colored batik, but I thought I'd toss in a few purple & green blocks for a little pop & sparkle.

every quilt tells a story...

Assembling the first Rows of my Jane

I didn't get much sewing done this week due to an annoying head cold. Up until yesterday, my Civil War block was all that I'd done.
Now that I'm feeling a bit better, I was determined to accomplish something today. My pile of Jane blocks had gotten way too high so I decided it was time to take the first 4 rows and sew them together.


I've been sewing the sashing strips to each of the blocks as I go - as seen here. It was fairly quick and very easy to sew each of the rows together this way. The best part was that I didn't have to deal with sewing long skinny sashing strips between the rows - and the blocks & sashings all lined up and fit together nicely.

Here is Jane taking a quick rest on the couch.
Just a few random blocks left to complete in the next couple rows and I'll be able to sew those together too.


Wishing you all a Happy Independance Day and lovely weekend!

every quilt tells a story....

Ready for the Road..and a tip or 2

Here is a peek at one of the small Red & White quilts I'm making.
It's all marked out, sandwiched together and hooped up for our weekend getaway.
My methods for the creative process of Small quilt making are not for everyone but I thought I'd share a few little findings that work well for ME!

I know that many quilters like to use white/light chalk pencils to mark on red fabrics. However, I still prefer using a blue water soluable marking pen for drawing out my quilting designs. The color of the ink changes to black and I don't have to worry about erasing white chalk (which often leaves smudges elsewhere on my fabric)

Here is another tip for lending a vintage look and softer, subtle drape to small quilts: Instead of cotton batting, I will often use white or cream colored brush cotton/thin flannel fabric. I pre-wash the brushed cotton before using it as batting. This batting substitute works well in preventing quilt stiffness, especially if your quilt has a lot of small/intricate pieces.
As a final note - it quilts up lovely and I really enjoy how tidy my hand quilting stitches look.

I'll be sure share more of this little quilt in a future post.
Wishing everyone in Blogland a Happy Weekend!

every quilt tells a story...

Catching Up...

My oh my...the past few weeks have flewn right by!
Although I haven't posted - I've been very busy sewing.
Do you like these little Birdie Pin Cushions? My DIL and I made them for a pin cushion swap held at our local quilt club meeting.

We stuffed the little birds with crushed walnut shells for weight and to keep the pins sharp once inserted into them.


I've also spent time catching up on my blocks for the Civil War BOM.
Although I don't post pictures weekly, I do update my Civil War chart on my sidebar. I've been trying never to get more than 2 weeks behind on these.
(the key word here is TRYING...lol)

On a Nervous Note... I shipped my Doll Quilt Exchange package off to Heather in Canada a week ago.
There is a major Postal strike going on there :{
I haven't shared any pictures of the quilt I designed and made especially for her so that she can be surprised when her package arrives. So I shall continue to nervously wait until her little quilt has arrived safely to her doorstep.

In lieu of their postal strike I feel a bit guilty to say that I have received some WONDERFUL goodies in the mail the past couple of weeks. I'll be sure to share more about these in my next post.

every quilt tells a story...

Displaying tiny treasured quilts

I LOVE to create small & miniature quilts.
The quilt shown above measures 7" square.
I chose 1820's reproduction Madder red & black print fabrics and an early 1800's shirting for the background.



Because it was a special gift for Nell, I hand quilted it and decided to set it into an 8" frame.

Here is another little gift I created. This time for my blogging friend Carolyn.

The little quilt block that I framed measures approx. 2.5" x 3"
I embellished the framing mat with a teeny 1" colonial acorn doll that I made from wool felt, a wooden bead and an acorn cap.

I sent this off to her along with a doll exchange quilt a few months ago.

I would love to see how other quilters are displaying and/or gifting their tiny quilted treasures! I am always looking for new ideas!

every quilt tells a story....

Double set of Janes completed

I got busy again with Jane last week. The picture above shows the 4 blocks I completed for my Dear Jane quilt. The top 2 blocks were made using fabrics that I received from Faye for my quilt. Aren't they pretty?

Here are 4 additional Jane blocks that I made.
These are for my friend Sue's quilt.
Using Autumn rich colors and quite a few Jo Morton fabrics, I'm making all of the center square blocks for her quilt.




every quilt tells a story....

My 1880's Sampler blocks to date...

These are the blocks I've created so far for Cheryl's 1880's Sampler sew-along.
At first I thought I would try to replicate the fabric colors in the original quilt as closely as possible. After laying out the first 9 blocks - I changed my mind.

I love Jo Morton fabrics and have decided to add more warmth to some of these blocks. I've chosen some FQ's in spicy tones of nutmeg, mustard & pumpkin.
Below is a picture of my 4 newly completed blocks in the series. In Steps to the Altar - I've added a dash of pumpkin and really love how warm the block looks.


every quilt tells a story...

Civil War block update

I'm finally caught up again on my Civil War BOM blocks.
A bit behind in several of my ongoing projects - it felt good to check this one off my list.

Next, I'm on to much smaller 5 inch blocks.
Yes, that would be Cheryl's 1880's Sampler sew-along.
And NO I haven't forgotten about my 4 inch JANEs.
I'm working my way downward in block scale right now. :D

every Quilt tells a story....

Update on Strolling thru Paris quilt

I finished all the center 9X blocks of my Strolling thru Paris quilt this weekend. As you can see from the sneak peek photo little miss Mya approves!
Right now the center section measures 57.5" square.


Tomorrow is my Swirly Girls Club Meeting at the LQS.
I will pick up the rest of the fabric I need to finish this project then.

every Quilt tells a story...

My 100th Jane Block!

I can hardly believe it...WHOO HOO...my 100th block!

Papa's Star is the block I chose for reaching 100. It holds very special meaning to me. My father-in-law was known as Papa rather than Grandpa. Sadly he passed away nearly 7 years ago.
Our son became a father on New Years eve. When he handed his son over to my husband to hold for the very first time he said "here you go PAPA".
(the torch of honor has now been passed)
Here is a recent picture of our very first grandchild Alexander.
He is now 3 months old. And yes...he certainly is Papa's Star!



every Quilt tells a story...

I am SEW ready for this Quilt!

I managed to cut out all of the pieces for my newest quilting project. It's been too long since I've completed a bed size quilt and I so love these French inspired fabrics!

Hubby & I made our first trip to Paris this past September and we fell in love with the City of Lights!
We enjoyed walking thru it's beautiful streets,parks and pathways.
So I've chosen to name this quilt - Strolling thru Paris.
Next week I'll begin sewing the blocks together.
This should prove to be a fast & fun quilt to assemble.

every Quilt tells a story...

Civil War update & Special Delivery

Little Blue Baskets, block #13 of the Civil War BOW
(I decided I liked it better with a handle sewn on)
Also here is Louisiana, block #12 from last week.


I received a special package in the mail from Faye.

Faye is working on a Wedding quilt for her daughter using Pink, Brown & Green fabrics. You can see her progress on this gorgeous quilt here on her blog Mimi's Passions.
She has graciously shared some of these wedding quilt fabrics with me to use in my Dear Jane quilt!
These fabrics are gorgeous & the perfect colors for my project! LUCKY,LUCKY Me!
Thank you SO much Faye! I am very appreciative of your generous gift!

every Quilt tells a story...

Pink & Brown Janes

I really enjoyed working on these little blocks!
The pink & brown prints are some of my very favorite fabrics.

G3 Four Leaf Clover - 3 pieces, hand applique'
M13 Lynette's Diamond - 12 pieces, machine & hand sewn
K7 Rose of Sharing - 2 pieces, hand applique'
K2 Grandpa's Chickens - 40 pieces, machine sewn

More blocks to post in a couple of days - including my 100th Jane block!

every Quilt tells a story...

A new project on the Horizon

I celebrated my 50th Birthday last Saturday.
My sisters gave me a gift certificate for Quilter's Corner (our local quilt shop) I love this store! They carry such beautiful fabrics and Susan, the store owner and her cohort Christine are madly talented! (they have a book coming out in April with the most Awesome bed size quilt projects) Anyway... this is the fabulous FQ bundle I purchased with my birthday certificate! It is called Penelope by Holly Holderman for Lakehouse.

Because I have black & white toile draperies in my bedroom - I thought this French inspired fabric collection would make a fabulous matching quilt.
I decided to go with the pattern Hot Cross after falling in love with my best friend Sue's quilt found HERE on her blog. (it's GORGEOUS)

With all the BOM projects I am working on - it will be nice to complete a simple yet elegant full size quilt in a fairly short period of time.

every Quilt tells a story...