Sunday, October 30, 2011

SUNDAY PROGRESS

After Sunday dinner was done, and the kitchen put back together, I had a chance to sew.  Here are a few things I am working on:

Farmers Wife block #5--bat wings (with the fabric in the right place)


Block #6--big dipper



I sewed another row onto the "girls best friend" quilt. Half done!



Lastly,  this is Christmas crackers.  This is going to be pretty.



 Hope you had a restful Sunday.




Friday, October 28, 2011

FARMER'S WIFE FUDDLE?

Block #5  Bat Wings

Some of the farmer's wife quilt blocks can be foundation paper pieced.  Although this has never been a favourite technique of mine, sometimes it is good for hard to piece angles.  Having said that, ANGLES are hard to foundation piece.  The fabric needs to be more than generous in order to cover the space.  I knew this.  I have a layer cake of terrain for this project, so I had 1  10" square of the blue to work with for this block.  The pieces are sewn down in numerical order in sections. Easy enough.  I sewed down piece #1 and then piece #2.  It didn't cover the space so I did it again. Then again---then again!  Finally, I got it right......or did I?




Have you ever seen a white bat???????  After all that, I had put the background where the blue is supposed to go.  This confirmed the fact that I don't like foundation piecing.  

With what I had left of the blue, I managed to piece half the block. I'm now out of blue. Good thing I can get a bit more.


This time, I put the white down first, then added blue to the ends.  Much easier.

How are your blocks coming?  Have a great week-end.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

WHY NOT? WEDNESDAY

We all know that inspiration can be found just about anywhere.  Even buttons?  Why not.
 The other day, our notions order came in.  Katja orders buttons by the pound sometimes.  We got 5 pounds!  It's like getting grandma's button box in the mail.  Katja decided a little " therapy" was in order, so she went through them and picked out all the ones she thought Scarlet should have.
There is something soothing about running your hands through a huge bowl of buttons.



Suddenly I want to make Scarlet a little sailor dress and matching sweater.




I love these ones.





  How cute is that ladybug!  I already have a red sweater on the needles that I have knit once and ripped out.  I think I will like the second attempt better.  There are so many cute things these buttons could go on.  I'm inspired for sure.  Thanks Katja.


Oh!  This little package is off to Germany in a day or two.  I wonder what goodies it holds?  :)



Have a fantastic Wednesday.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

A SEWY SUNDAY

I had another quiet Sunday where I got to sew for a bit.  I managed to piece two more farmers wife blocks.

block #3 Basket.  My handle is a bit big.  There's not a lot of room for seam allowance but I think I can make it work.


Block #4. Basket weave



Four down, one hundred and seven to go.



Happy Sunday.

Friday, October 21, 2011

PROJECT ELEVENTY-SEVEN


This is a new line of fabric out called "Little Gatherings" by Moda.    I really like the earthy colours of this line.
It should make a nice man's quilt.  Tonight I started playing around with this block.  I think I like it!



Each of the prints is quite tiny so they would lend themselves to the civil war era quilts quite nicely. I got myself some fat quarters, but I'm thinking that's not enough.



Also, we have a new baby in our church, little Jessica Grace.  I think EVERY baby needs a hat and this one is no exception.  I missed her baby shower but will have to give her mamma the goodies this Sunday.


Have a great week-end.


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

WHY NOT? WEDNESDAY

 Why not a new start!  I purchased the Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt book a couple of weeks back.  I wouldn't let myself start it until I finished up a couple of things.  They are done, so I've given myself permission to start this amazing quilt. When I joined the group, I discovered that it's been going for a couple of years already. Well, this farmers wife is obviously behind the times. This may take a long time to piece, but will definitely be worth the investment.

My fabrics are "terrain" by Kate Spain, plus some scraps thrown in , in an effort to  "use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without".

blocks 1 and 2:


I also wanted my white to have a lot of texture, and this one does. Love it.






The flour bag was given to me by a neighbour when we used to live on a farm years ago.  She gave me about 6 or 7 of them.  They are really neat.  I'll show you more in future posts.

Speaking of new starts, Scarlet is going to be a big sister.  Yay!!





Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.


Monday, October 17, 2011

A FINISH

Yesterday was a very relaxing day.  After church, I had the afternoon to sew.  I started something new because I finished something!  These are the last 2 blocks for Dawn.  They were easy to do, which made them fun.  The blocks are part of a red and white stitchery quilt that we are both doing.  She did the embroidery for me and it is beautiful.  Thanks Dawn!


As for the new project, I will post pictures on Wednesday.  There is something to be said about soft music in the background and an afternoon to oneself .  Therapy.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

OCTOBER MODA CLUB

So, it's over for another month.  All the sewing, prepping, and fretting.  We had a good turnout today.  Thanks, Ladies!  The following pictures are the quilts for this month, then the show and tell you brought.  Great work, and lovely quilts.

Wonky Bricks

3D Log Cabin




This is a laptop case











Thanks to each of you who took time out of your day to come.  See you soon.


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

WHY NOT? WEDNESDAY

THE GREAT PUMPKIN

How cute is this?



I don't like Halloween.  I usually avoid it like the plague. After all the kiddies have finished coming to the door, we go out for a nice family dinner .  I do however, like all the fall colours that come with the occasion. So........ I made this little mug rug. Why not?   It measures about 6" x 10".  



  The tractor was my dad's when he was about eight.  The chair it's sitting on has been mine since I was three.  I love that chair.   Soon my little grand children will be sitting on it.


The pumpkin was made by sewing folded squares to the corners of the orange fabric, then turning back the fold and appliquéing it down. The rest is just 2 1/2" squares.   There are enough squares left over to do a table runner or something.  

Just in case Dawn thinks I have forgotten about her, 2 more blocks : )


Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Wednesday.


Monday, October 10, 2011

WHAT I'M THANKFUL FOR


These are a few of my favourite things........
I don't remember if I have shared this photo or not.  These are 3 of our 5 boys and my hubby.  From left to right are Jake, Owen (Scarlet's daddy), hubby, and Chad.


I love how they all stand the same!

This is Owen (again), our daughter Carli, and our oldest Joe.  Trying to get them to stop fooling around long enough to get a shot, is hard.  It's fun to watch them all together.



Lastly is Nathan.  He's the quiet one.  He lands 4th in the lineup of boys.  He's a drummer. Can you tell?



I can't leave out Scarlet.  Kissable cheeks.


We were all together this week-end for the first time in a year.  I'm very thankful for that.

I am spending the day quilting this quilt.  All that bulk is hard to stuff through the machine, but I am going to persevere. 


Have a wonderful day.

It is the nature of grace, to fill the places that have been empty.

Friday, October 7, 2011

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

I have an appointment this month with Linda.  I was debating as to which quilt I should give her.  The smaller ones I think I can do myself, but not these big ones.  I can't believe this top has been in a rubbermaid tote for about 5 years (or more.)  I'm thinking it's about time.



The quilt was a block-a-week stash buster that is made up of 12, 9, and 6 inch blocks.  There are some filler blocks of 3 inches.  This is one of my favourite blocks.   I had fun doing all these little half square triangles.  The block finishes 6 inches.


A few more of my favourite blocks:




I am a HUGE fan of toile.  


That's it for now.  I'm excited to see what Linda does.  I will show you soon.

Have an amazing Thanksgiving week-end with family and friends.  





 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

WHY NOT? WEDNESDAY

I am weak.  All over blog land, I have seen blocks from the farmers wife quilt along.  Some are really, really pretty.  I thought I would just ask the local bookstore if by chance they could get me the book.  No harm in asking, right?  Wrong.  Oh they could get it, but it would take 4 to 6 weeks.  "Okay" I said.  It was here in 4 days.  Now what ! ?




I think I am going to take some time to finish a few UFO's , before I jump into this.  So many choices of fabric to consider. I may fashion mine after this amazing quilt. (photo from greenfairyquilts)





It may take me years, but why not?  In the meantime, it is making for some very good reading.

Happy Wednesday.