Nine-Patch Paradise

**update 6/27 - I have a typo in the poll.  should be "not this time" on the repro poll.  Blogger won't let you update after publication - sorry, this is my first one.

I recently finished my king sized quilt "King George".  Can you believe I'm going to add a print border to either side.  I still want it just a bit wider.

I contains 250 3" 9 patches.  Whew, that's a lot.

My Illinois friends showed me a new technique for making them that is easy, quick and really good for making scrappy patches.  I wish I had learned this earlier it would have been great for this quilt.

No Strip 3" (finished) Nine Patch

Cut 2 squares of contrasting fabrics, 4 1/2" each - (one light and one dark)

Place right sides together.

With right sides together, sew the outer edges (all seams 1/4").  I pinned in the middle to keep it lined up nicely.

Cut a 1 1/2" strip from the raw edges on both sides that have been stitched.

Press the pieced strips to the dark side.  Line up the free strip with the stitched strips to form opposite sets.  Stitch and press again to the dark side.

Now sandwich the them together finger pressing to nestle the seams.

Stitch each side.

Cut 1 1/2" strips from the raw edges on each side.

Arrange the free strip to make 2 opposite 9-patches (an X and a O)

Stitch to complete the set (2 opposite blocks).

I like to press the last seams open to make them lay nice and flat.

In no time at all you'll have a nice little pile of 3 1/2" (3" finished) nine patches!

Is anyone interested in trading some of these blocks?  Would you want reproduction patches or new bright patches?  I've posted a poll for each one.  You can also do both.  If there is interest I'll organize and host a swap.

Fun For Friday - a Cat's Tail

Scene:  while sorting fabric, Luna enjoys a roll in the fabric pile....Starbuck sneaks in from the hall and pauses.....

Starbuck:  Can I play?   Luna:  I don't think so.....

Starbuck:  Please?    Luna:  I said NO!

Scene:  Luna feigned a chase....Starbuck runs for the hall.

Luna:  Victory is MINE !

Have a great weekend.  The Swap Poll will be open until July 15th.

Whirlwind Trip

A get away is always good for the soul.  Thank you to Ellen and all the members of The Village Quilters in Lake Bluff/Lake Forest who came out for my lecture.  You have a wonderful and welcoming guild.

I met with friends to visited the Civil War quilts at the Illinois State Museum in Lockport.  Click here for details, it is a wonderful exhibit.  Small, but choice.

Here is my favorite.  I'd love to make one like this with one of those beautiful big floral prints.

We went to the International Quilt Festival.

What a fun surprise!  I finally met Jan and Vicki.  I've been following "What a Load a Scrap" and all their adventures for years.  Can I just say that are the most delightful and friendly ladies I've met!

Here is Mary's guest room made up for my short stay.  She called it "The Eagle Has Landed" - perfection!

Two Fabulous eagle quilts!

 

Thanks Mary, you sure treat me good.

I snuck in a short visit with my High School buddies - The Champagne Girls.  We went to the Botanical Gardens.  The gardens were stunning and we saw 3 brides.  We added a summer flute to our 28 year collection.  Thanks to Joan!

 
Finally, I had one of my absolutely favorite meals -

Have a great week.  Hope you are finding a little time for sewing during these long summer days.

Summer Quilts on Parade

Happy Monday!

While packing my trunk show, I decided to switch the quilts that were hanging about here at home.

This is "Bloom Where You're Planted"; a quilt that I finished in 1996.  It was a year long class and we learned a technique a month.

This is the first time I added lettering to a quilt - they are a little too spread out, but I got better at it.

The pattern was created by Irma Gail Hatcher and here is the original.  Mine is quite a bit different.

I learned ruching fabric.

I also inked the initials of our family members.

these are stuffed grapes.

It's a big one - about 100" square.  I really love the double diamond quilting. It is the only one I've quilted this way.

I also hung my Olympic Star quilt.  The quilting texture looks good with this overhead light.

 The best view is coming up from the lower level.

Have a great week!

Self Publishing

A lot of us think of Blogging of self publishing, and it certainly is.  The only problem with it for me is that you can't touch it.  So I've been "real" self publishing my blog each year through a website:  Blog to Print.  It is very easy and very professional.

I learned the other day that the Library of Congress transfers Hollywood movies from digital to "real film" - so there you go.  It's all about the archiving.

I have noticed that each year is a little thinner.  But that seems to be the way of blogging in general.

My friend, Kelly of Pinkadot raised this question in a recent post.  Stop by and weigh in.  I blog to keep a visual record or journal of what I'm working on and creating.  I also enjoy meeting quilters around the world through their blogs.

A reader contacted me this week and is desperately seeking this fabric.  Please leave a comment here and I'll get you in touch with her if you have some you are willing to share/sell.

Fun For Friday 
New US Postal stamps. Vintage Circus - how fun are these?   I can practically smell the peanuts and cotton candy....and elephants :)

I'm hitting the road on Tuesday to give a lecture and trunk show in Illinois for the Village Quilters of Lake Bluff/Lake Forest.  Click here for details and come if you are in the area, I'd love to meet you.  I'll be adding my lecture/workshop information soon and would love to visit your guild.

Happy Weekend!

What's Up Girl?

Gosh, I feel like I've been a real slacker on this blog.   I guess I'm just not doing all that much sewing at the moment or what I'm doing is slow.

Here is a quick update on my King Quilt.  I have a 6 x 11 block section put together.

I've added a row to 3 sides of the quilt after laying out my first strip on my bed.  I just hate it when a quilt is a little too small, don't you?

So this means that I'm adding 15 more double nine patches.  Ouch!  I have to make about 50 more of those 3" nine patches.  I keep saying it will be worth it.

Here are the pots that I planted for the decks this year.  Simple....I'm still not sure where to get the best or most interesting plants.

My buddy, Norma, made the ceramic snail - Mr. Slugworth and my new bunny.  Still need a name for him.  I treated myself to a miniature blue hosta (in the green pot).

I have a potted herb garden, complete with a fairy and a pixie.

Here was a great cheat!  A pre-potted morning glory.  I love this deep blue color.

My baby, Hanna, turned 21 last Friday - I made her a liquor bouquet  and found some fun girl party lights and supplies to take back to school.

That's a wrap for now.  Thanks for checking in - be back again soon.

Birthday Blessings and a Miss

Well, my 52 Birthday has come and gone and I'm still not finished with my Jubilee Quilt.  You would think after such a horrid winter I would have had the time to finish this.   I first blogged about it here.

I have almost 2 of the borders finished.  It is amazing how different it looks quilted.

I received another antique quilt from my dear friend, Mary (this makes four!).   I love half square triangles and I'm thrilled to have this beauty.

It contains lots of interesting shirtings and stripes and plaids.

Mary Pat sent me this fabulous Nancy Drew Fabric - I love it!  

How cute - the selvage bubbles are her silhouette.

And finally this special gift from Jill.  She finished and sent it in April with the help of her sister-in-law, MJ.  I was away when she mailed it and she had passed away when I picked it up at the Post Office.  It was such an amazing surprise.

This pincushion has everything I love; toile', birds, pink, house, hand stitching, hexies....It is just perfect in every way.

Jill and I exchanged many gifts over the years.  This one will have to last the rest of my life.  I'll cherish it.  A gift so special it broke my heart a little.

Thank you to all my friends for so many Birthday Wishes - 52 is going to be a great year!