Sewing: What Else?

 This is a little dolly quilt I made for my friend, Diane Burdin's Birthday. Who can resist a purple basket quilt?

I only had a fat quarter of this fabric but I just had to use it on the back.  It paired perfectly.

It looked very sweet on my little spool doll bed for  a few days.

I'm continuing to work on my Vedderstone Ranch.  Here are the latest houses:  Bunkhouse and Implement Shed.

This is what's on the wall - this is not the layout.

This was an inspiration quilt that I really like.

Last weekend we went to a wedding in Indianapolis by way of Philadelphia (both ways) and I saw this interesting art installation.

We were rushing to our connecting flight so I didn't get to see the information plaque (if there was one).

It looks like found objects maybe.  I wish I had had more time to look at it.  I'm amazed at airport art.  It can be really great!

Linda Swanekamp sent me a photo of her Star Swap Blocks.   Read more on her blog here.  She really went the extra mile making these double stars with lots of great black and whites.  I love it!  Can you spot your stars?

Just when I thought I was done.....I found an arc that needed big stitch.

I love how it looks on the back as well.

As for  sewing today....I'll be sewing the binding down on the Double Wedding Ring quilt!  woo hoo!  

I'm doing well on my Black Films.  I'm concentrating on the top 50.

I'm also working on the Oscar Nominations.  They are always problematic in terms of equality.

Thanks for  stopping by!  Happy Sewing.

xo

Baby It's Cold Outside

I'm glad I don't live in this log cabin - I bet it is drafty!  It is -7 here in Connecticut this morning.  Yikes!

You might have seen this on my social media, but there is a backstory.  I found a UFO block in "Jill Reid's" box of things that I took home after she passed away.  

I was very happy to rework it so I could have it in my House Quilt Along quilt.   I'm making a Ranch that I think I'll call Vedderstone after the TV series Yellowstone which I have loved to watch.

I'm moving right long doing big stitch quilting on Hanna's wedding quilt.  Less than 2 months to go.  It will be done by the end of February.

I've been cleaning out my quilt stuff and trying to get it more organized.  You can tell which color stacks I've sorted.

When I saw Wendy's (The Constant Quilter) blog, it made me think I wonder what is in my little lunch box?

Well bust my buttons, I have circles in mine too!  and they were from wendy!

Hhhmm, what was the plan for these???

Maybe something like this?

Okay, I have to be honest.  I am not loving these.  Maybe that's why they were put away.  I may have 'unsew' these and come up with a new plan.  

My new movie challenge is watch the 100 Best Black Films to celebrate Black History Month.  I've seen several but if I don't really remember it I will rewatch it.   Yesterday I viewed Malcolm X and it was powerful!  Denzel is one of my favorite actors.

It has already warmed up to -4

Stay warm and well!

xo

p.s.  boo hoo, I didn't get my quilt into the Vermont Quilt Festival.  It filled in 30 mins.  I had trouble with their website so I'm on a waitlist.

boo hoo hoo

Sweet Retreat!

Happy Friday!  The big stitching has begun! 

I first machine quilted in the ditch all the blocks and arcs......sigh.

I'm making color choices as I go along.  My plan is to do the 4 patch intersections the same way and use black on all the backgrounds.

I got away for  3 days for  a quilting retreat.  It was wonderful.  I always bring a pillow and quilt from home to sleep under if I'm driving.  This one went perfectly with my hotel room decor.

First up, was the tissue covers for  my daughters wedding.  They will be added to the welcome bags.

Retreat Tip:  Doing your cutting at home with fewer distractions.

If you get; you get it.

I was in mass production mode.

Viola'

they still need pressing - yes, I press them after I put the kleenex in.  See the cover third up from bottom on the right.  That one is pressed.

I made a dolly quilt inspired by Beth's quilt in Yellowstone.

I didn't have the right grey, but I made do.  I also added the yellow floral print.  My sewing neighbor, Alice, agreed it added some sweetness and color.

The way to appreciate a doll quilt is on a doll bed.

I also made a block for  the house sew along.  A hen house.  Here is my sketch.

and my finished block.  The girls are inside laying eggs. ha ha

I'll leave you with this gorgeous photo of sunrise yesterday from my front stoop.

The old saying is true: Red sky in morning, sailors take warning.  The day ended with an electrical storm with lots of lightning and thunder!

Take care and stay well friends!

xo

Thank you for Coming!

Happy New Year and Happy January!  Thank you for visiting.

I love the fresh start of a new year.  I don't even mind that it is January. All I need is a cozy quilt, a quilt book and some good movies.

Here is the full quilt I made in 2005.   It is not big, but just big enough to cover me up on the couch.

The baskets are 3" finished.   I swapped them with my Illinois friend, Sheila.

 Here is the rough pattern I use if you want to try sewing some.

I can not thank you all enough for  continuing support of my DWR quilt.  It really has been a labor of love.  I did take out the center (with a new seam ripper)

Under my bright sewing light, I actually could see that these browns were just slightly different and went with the other browns. 

Live and learn.

Here is the backing with a hidden seam.

It is hard to see the seam on the back, but there is one.

I basted it last week while watching the nonsense in Congress.

I spent the weekend machine quilting it in the ditch to stabilize it.

  This year I'm practising Dry January, which means no Friday Cosmopolitan and no wine.  I'm getting pretty good at mocktails.  Kombucha with fruit is my favorite evening drink. (second favorite)

I'm having lots of fun thinking about the houses I'm making for  Corrine's and Cecile's 2023 Quilt Along.  See details here.

I'm planning a rural farm scene and will be making a horse house, or barn next.

So blog friends, how are you keeping up with your blog reading?  I am having a challenge since Bloglovin is gone.  I have built a list on my home blog page and I also check my blogger dashboard reading list, but it is more challenging.  

When boggers leave a comment, I am adding them to my blog homepage. 

Thank you for visiting and I wish you a Peaceful Happy New Year!

xo