Boy Quilt Finished!

Hip Hip Hooray.  I finished the boy quilt AND it's almost Friday so I have a lot fun to share.

Finished Size is 52" x 70"

I'll let you know who it was for after it is delivered.

As far as the fusible batting goes, I loved it!  Against all odds as I was prepared to not like it.  I wouldn't use on a quilt larger than my big ironing board is wide, but I will use it on smaller quilts and wall quilts.

I quilted all the 4" squares, then through the middle of the zigs and the zags.

I approached each border differently according to their printed designs.  I love the star binding.

It was a pleasure not have the pins.  It was a bit stiff to start but got much much better as I worked with it.  The Steady Betty hand grips really helped move it along.

Susan gave them to me and the package looks like this.  I'm sure it is widely available on line.

I'm sure glad I remember to throw a couple of these in - look at all that red.

There were zero pleats on the back which I was a little worried about with the fusible batt.  I used this dark red toile'.

My babies are back!  I've had the feeder ready for 2 weeks.

Don't mind if I do....

Saturday is the Run for the Roses!  I love to watch this springtime ritual on TV which is held in  Kentucky (once all the quilters leave).

I'm rooting for Gary Stevens.  He is my age at 52 and riding Firing Line.  Hey Kelly, don't you love his Pinkadot silk?

How about a pop up giveaway?  I'm offering this book of inspiration and creativity, some left overs from this quilt and a chocolate bar to those who are still here.

To enter, please follow me on Bloglovin (hit the button on the right), even if you already follow me on Google.  Also tell me your all time favorite novel and what you are currently reading.

To be fair my favorite novel is

and I'm currently reading

I'll pick a name and announce Tuesday morning and ship anywhere in the whole wide world.

Have a fabulous Friday!

FFF - Retreat & Book Reveiw

Happy Friday!

We had a great time at the retreat at Rose Mountain House.  Click Here to see the website.  Thank you Pat for your hospitality and delicious cooking!

Here is a new quilt that I worked on.  It is a 4-patch posie, like my India quilt.  Thank you friends for helping me with the placement of the blocks!

Here is the beautiful view from the Rosa house:

Here are some photos of my friends on this retreat -

sew, barb, sew! You can see Nancy's 4-patch posie on the wall.

And some of our projects:  Nancy's 2 doll quilts, and her special quilt for Emily.  My Lavender quilt.

I actually made a "key" for the color placement - thanks Pauline for your help.

Margaret's 4-patch posie Halloween quilt-

Pauline's -

Norma's 4-patch posie -

It was so fun to get away to such a beautiful place and spend time sewing with friends.

Book Review:
Here are 2 books that I like that couldn't be more different.

English family saga, WWII era with a little mystery.  Think Thomas Hardy meets Dickens.

And here is one I just started.  It is a fast forward in time from the Shining.  Vintage Stephen King; funny, creepy and very graphic.

Hope you have a great weekend!

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!

As The Iron Steams - finale

It was a quiet, somber, dignified affair.  

I would like to thank everyone for their concerns.  It has been a difficult time for us...

All kidding aside, I did try to save the old iron.  I just could not trust it again.  I hold myself to blame for some of that.

I have betrothed myself to this new one.  I would not ordinarily buy such a fancy one, but Macy's was having a great sale.  I've tattooed the date on her just to see how long our relationship will last.

As you can see, I've put her on a pedestal and intend to treat her with respect and kindness.  I also plan to use a tap/distilled mix to help prevent build up.  I have also promised to clean it as instructed, at least 2x a month, if not more.

I went to the Mancuso Tri-State Quilt Fest and saw some lovely quilts - report to follow.

In the meantime I have some new reading:

Great photos and inspiration here -

Have a wonderful weekend everyone - and thanks again for tuning in to "As the Iron Steams (and dies)".