Tuesday, February 12, 2013

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow!

Happy Birthday Abe!!  This is a magnet that my friend Margaret brought me as a hostess gift.  Isn't he the cutest? 


Interesting that I'm exploring Log Cabin quilts this year.  Coincidence?  I think not....

I'm currently reading (on my ipod) "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker"  by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It has been interesting and offers a different prospective on Mary and the Freed Slave experience during the Civil War.  It is easy for forget, but these women sewed these gowns by hand, talk bout haute couture!


Non sequitur:  How about those mourning dresses on Downton Abby?  I was sorry to see a character die, but I'm so glad we got to see the Jet dripping black dresses.

After seeing the movie "Lincoln" I decided to make a companion quilt to my Abe quilt.  This one will feature Mary Todd Lincoln.  I feel she is a complicated and misunderstood historical figure.  I'm hoping to start work on it soon!

Friday before the big storm on Friday, I finished my Jubilee Top!!


I had  HUGE snafu while finishing the borders and you can read the whole sad story here on the Jubilee Blog.

When the top was finally together I celebrated!  You know how I roll:


This is the beautiful new Christmas 2012 flute.  It is a BIG flute and has a gold trimmed red bauble on the stem.

I'm hoping to finish the marking and baste it today.  I'm using wool batting for the first time, wish me luck!

Here are some photos of the Blizzard of 2013. It was beautiful!  The best part?  We did not lose power!!  Hooray!

I love the bluish color of the dawn snow.


Our wrought iron chairs look like thrones for the snow king and queen.

 See you Friday with a recipe and fun.

Happy Birthday Abe,
Happy Mardi Gras,
Somber Ash Wednesday,
Happy Valentines Day....
what a busy week!

34 comments:

O'Quilts said...

Barb...WOW on the quilt...wow on the snow and wow on the flute. A really inspiring post. I love it all.

Angie said...

What fun reading all of your Random Thoughts today!
Abe has been eclipsed by Mardi Gras this year, but then he was never overly popular in New Orleans. I do have Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker on my Amazon Wishlist - I may have to move it to the top of the list. I have also enjoyed all the period dresses on Downton Abbey - I would so buy a book that discussed the styles of the day and how the dresses were chosen and made. Congrats on your Jubilee Quilt - the design is amazing and I can't wait to see it quilted! Glad your power stayed on during the snowstorm - the thought of cold and no electricity gives me the willies! Happy Mardi Gras back atacha! I am craving one last piece of King Cake before Lent.

Karen said...

Your Jubilee quilt top is wonderful, wonderful! It looks like it was a lot of stitching to do all the princess feather shapes and the circles. Good design. Did you do needle turn?

I don't miss snow but I have to admit your pictures show it in a very pretty way.

I have the "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" book and have read a few pages. Not enough to say whether I am going to like it or not. I was reading another book in the car and it had grabbed my attention.

OT Quilter said...

Your Jubilee quilt looks just gorgeous! It is going to be a show stopper when you get it quilted. Your work is always inspiring; thank you for sharing the process, both smooth and bumpy.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Your Jubilee quilt is gorgeous! Love your solution to the border too you clever girl.
I want to read that book too, it is on the list.
I am only on season 1 of Downton Abbey, Sybil dies!! Oh no!

Sujata Shah said...

Enjoy the week full of celebrations!
Your quilt is incredibly beautiful. Those quilting lines tell me it is going to be even more gorgeous after you finish quilting it.

Nancy said...

Your quilt is just beautiful, and ready for quilting now. Well done. I have the same book and it really is good reading! Good post.

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

Your Jubilee quilt is gorgeous, congratulations on a great finish! I love looking at snow, as long as it's not through my window, brrrr! BTW, I'm loving your banner, I'm a nut for houses.

Kyle said...

Your Jubilee quilt is spectacular and only you will ever know there was an Opps! Great solution. The wool batt will be fun to use. Glad the snow didn't cause too much inconvenience for you. It is pretty to look at when you're snuggled inside.

Lori said...

I really liked Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker, but I'm a bit of a book junkie, esp historical fiction.
What a fun week of surprises!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

I just finished reading Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker. I enjoyed it! Your quilt is gorgeous.

Me and My Stitches said...

Love this post! I love Abe, partly because we share a birthday - except he is just a few years older than me! I'm reading Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker on my Kindle right now. I LOVE your Jubilee quilt - it is just fantastic. And I can't wait to see your quilting - love it!! Oh, and the snow...so pretty (when you can stay in and just look out!).

Nifty Quilts said...

Your Jubilee top is a masterpiece! It will be wonderful quilted with wool batting. Congratulations!! Happy celebrating all week.

Janet O. said...

Very cute--and appropriate--magnet'
Your jubilee quilt is amazing! I'll have to go read about your "snafu".
Love the way you slipped that "Somber Ash Wednesday" in there. : )

audrey said...

Your jubilee quilt is fabulous! Truly inspiring! I can't wait to see it finished.:)

regan said...

Congrats on your jubilee finish! Woohoo! And awesome pics of the snow! I, too, loved the mourning dresses on DA....of course, I'm in love with all of the dresses on this fabulous show.....they have an amazing costume dept!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on finishing your Jublilee top!!! I remember being at your house when you started it! All those stuffed berries...my my! Totally awesome quilt!

Barb said...

That is one amazing quilt...and I will have to just get that book...

Ginger Scott said...

I recently used wool batting for a hand quilted quilt. I love it. It is easy to needle and shows off the quilting stitches. Also, it is lighter in weight and puts less strain on the shoulders and arms, etc. The only problem I had was it is so warm and comfy I would frequently fall asleep while sitting in the recliner and quilting!

Karen said...

Love, love the Jubilee quilt!! Are you hand quilting? If so, you will love the wool batt. It's like quilting thru butter.

Pat said...

Stunning - your Jubilee quilt is stunning!! Thinking you will like quilting with the wool batting. Makes the needle glide through the layers.

Your Lincoln magnet looks like Daniel Day Lewis :o)
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker is on my to read list too.

Have a great week.

Rachaeldaisy said...

Great to see you celebrate such a stunning quilt top. Your little Abe is very cute! I'm looking forward to reading that book. I'm first on the list when my local library gets a copy. I'm looking forward to seeing your quilt inspired by Mary. I'm so glad you didn't lose power in the latest storm. Those chairs look surreal perfect for visiting snowmen.

QuiltSue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
QuiltSue said...

Lots of great pictures today, thank you.

Your quilt is just amazing. Will you be hand quilting it?

I'm willing to bet you didn't go out and sit on the throne in your garden though.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary too!!!! From:Mary Pat

Sharon said...

Congratulations on your finish! The quilt will be just stunning after you finish the quilting. Wow, what a big project. You get a big gold star for that one!

Love your snow thrones! And the champagne flute is awesome too.

Anonymous said...

Your Jubilee top is so beautiful!

Judy in Michigan said...

Happy Anniversary you two!! Get that bubbly chilled!!

Dixie Howard said...

Love, love your jubilee quilt - it turned out so great! My friend Alex put Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker on hold at the library, and when it came in, she asked her husband to pick up her books. Being the sensitive sould that he is, he came home and could not tell her enough how embarrassed he was to have to check the book out for her! We were rolling on the floor cracking up when she told this story - literally crying with mirth. You probably had to be there... Anyway, it sounds like a great story and I have it on hold now too. Wonder if my hubby will dare pick it up for me. :)

Ruth said...

Yes! It is definitely worthy of a celebration! I want to read that book too. Right now I'm reading "Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly and plan to watch the movie Sunday night. I'll either record the movie or Downton Abby, as I can't miss that - it's the final show already. What a bummer.

antique quilter said...

Oh Barb the quilt is just amazing. love the birds!
this will be an heirloom quilt for sure.
just incredible I can't wait to see this hanging at the quilt show with a big ribbon on it!
Kathie

Quilter Kathy said...

SO many things to comment on...
Can't wait to read the book...LOVE everything about Downton Abby especially the outfits, congrats on finishing the jubilee quilt ...and LOVE the snow photos!

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