February - Longest Month Ever!

Hello! Here is my first 2025 Finish.  Sweet little dolly quilt.

I also made a little doll quilt for a sweet girl turning 1 year next month.

If it looks familiar, I made it using leftovers from this quilt and it is for the same little girl.

In January, we went to Chicago for  a family wedding.  Here is a group shot of the "Danish Cousins".  It was a wonderful occasion to reconnect with family.

Rich and I spent a whole day visiting Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.  It is by far my favorite museum.  I've been visiting it for over 50 years.  The U505 Submarine exhibit space is incredible.

I have always loved getting a mold-a-rama as museums and zoos.  They had a special exhibit with many vintage wax molds.

It was a fabulous day and trip down memory lane. Here is my little pile of treasures.

You may have seen this in IG.  I Mod-Poged  a quilt puzzle.  

I have made several more Jane Stickle blocks.  I'm using a variety of techniques.

I'm making this quilt with the pot holder method, so there are a lot of single bindings to sew.

Woo hoo!  I finished stitching the large black ring on my Eagle.  I'm getting close to finishing this quilt top.

I found this beautiful lamp at the Good Will store.   It needs a larger shade, but for  now I'm enjoying it.  The price you ask?  $7.99.

The Magnolia has such a soft pretty look, and I also love the gold accents.

Just last night we enjoyed a candlelight concert.  It was wonderful!  I highly recommend finding one near you.   We heard 4 young men from Yale play Vivaldi's Four Seasons and a few other pieces.

When the house lights go out, and hundreds of (flameless) candles are the only light, it is truly magical.

Finally, if you are still here I wish you peace and comfort in these troubling times.  

Stay warm and well friends.

xo

barb

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.

FFF - Crafting (all sorts)

Happy Friday!  Most fun thing today?

Opening Ceremonies of the 2-12 Olympics!!!  

College Crafting:

Last Friday Hanna had 3 college friends for a visit.  It was a stormy day, so they tie-dyed in the garage (how glamorous).

The shower curtain drop cloth looked a little like a crime scene.

What a sweet group of girls.

Here are the finished shirts.  You can really tell which one is a cotton/poly blend!

Hanna also made this cool crayon canvas with a hair dryer.

Aircrafting:

Look who my seat mate was?  This sweet little ball of fluff.  Can you imagine my coco on an airplane?

First stop in Chicagoland?  Portillo's.  I like to eat regional food when I travel, wee.

We attended a lovely wedding in Lincoln Park.  When I think of Chicago, somehow I always forget about the traffic.

Here is a car shot of Buckingham fountain.  Pretty.

This was the view from the terrace at the wedding.  Best wishes Chris and Emily!

Without a cute doggie on the way back, I had to content myself with these little indulgences.  I like to splurge when imminent death is a possibility.

Have a Wonderful Weekend and enjoy the Olympic Games!!

Sweet Home Chicago Part I

On my recent trip to Chicago, I spent 2 days in the Windy City visiting my oldest and best girl friends of 25+ years. We get together every year around the holidays (quite late this year) to celebrate our friendship by drinking a lot of champagne and eating and catching up.

This year we visited one of my favorite places the Art Institute of Chicago.

Here are some of my favorite things:



These are the Thorne Rooms which are miniature studies of various periods of interior design.

They are displayed as individual viewing boxes. It's easy to forget these are miniature.




These are views from the new Modern Wing - my home city, isn't she nice?



I thought these were quilt worthy. Maybe applique'?



I loved this clock and doggie -


And finally - 1 quilt on display - nice


I'll have quilts to share next time and my favorite quilt shop!