January = Sanctuary

Happy Tuesday!

I'm starting this post with an oldie.  I made this small quilt in 1994 for Mr. Fun's Office in Chicago.  It measures about 36" square.  I love to visit my earlier quilter self.  How organized I was with the placement of the pink and turquoise.

I admit I purposefully mixed up 1 of the nine patches.  I loved the look in old Amish quilts so I included it in mine.

Here is the back.  I machine appliqued along the print of this funny fabric and 

added a red sun to the purple sky.  Pretty arty for 1994.

I've been enjoying on my dining room table

Have you ever made an Amish style quilt?  I think I'd like to make another one to hand quilt.  It's been on my to do list for years (okay decades).

Hooray!  I finished my first block of hand quilting.  I am so so glad that I cut out the back of the applique'.  It's going really well.

The back - boy you sure can tell when I change directions.  I think it will block out, but we'll see.  You can also see I skip a few stitches.  So sue me!  I know the judges hate that, but I want the top to look even.

My fingers are already getting rough and a little sore.   I use Bag Balm.  It is a veterinarian product to heal superficial abrasions.

Take care!  It is very greasy.  I put in on AFTER I quilt or do dishes.  I massage it in and then wipe off any excess with a paper towel.   Trust me, a little dab will do you. I'll never finish this tin in my lifetime.

Thanks for all the nice comments on my newly finished top.  This year I'm going to include my inspiration where appropriate.  In this way I hope to encourage you to make it your own by using inspiration and not copying.

Here was the inspiration photo.  I don't know who's quilt this is, but I took the photo at Gwen Marston's Retreat on Beaver Island in the late 1990s.

This is what I mean when I say "make it your own" when I lecture.   You don't have to copy to use a great setting idea.  Mine quilt is quite different, but obviously related.

Coco is taking sanctuary this January in her favorite chair.  I rarely see this dog without a pillow under her head.  What a princess!  Yes,  my angel tree is still up.  I am enjoying it on these long dark winter nights.

OH my!  Look at this beautiful Red Shouldered Hawk.  He flew in last week and perched in the backyard.  I took this photo through the kitchen window on super zoom.  Can you see how he is standing on one foot? (claw)

I posted this on IG this week.  It is one of my favorite winter things to do.  I simmer citrus, apple slices, fresh ginger, cloves, rosemary, cinnamon, bay in water to scent and humidify the dry air.  It smells wonderful and lasts for several days of reheating.  I bet you even have most of the ingredients on hand.

I hope you are staying warm and busy!

xo