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

Ballerina Frogs

A little hand appliqued and hand quilted doll quilt from 2002.  When I hung it up I noticed it looked like 2020.  

I made this in my early folk art days.  Note the polkadot leaves, the blue leaves and non realistic flowers.

 I used an embroidered hankie that belonged to my Grandmother, Gertrude Miller Clarkson.

I added some embroidery.  And look!  a heart on a stem like my recent Solidarity Block.    The lettering is obviously hand cut with no pattern.

 Ballerina Frogs on the back.

My friend, Kelly made this fabulous paper pieced quilt.  I love it!

When she offered to share her pattern I jumped right in and you can too by going to her blog here and requesting the pattern via email.

Love these bright prints.  I'm adding batiks and animal prints and several different solid and printed black fabrics.

And this is what happens when you watch TV while sewing.  Ha ha I forgot to flip it before I sewed it. 😝😜

 speaking of TV I watched Hollywood on Netflix and it was terrific.  If you liked Mad Men or 50s period pieces I think you would like this.  Warning - It is naughty and there are some sexual scenes.

It is fictional tale of the Hollywood era that suppressed people of color and sexual preference.  Rock Hudson is a one of main characters.  The wardrobe and set design is luscious.

I found these liberated basket blocks with my African fabrics.  I made these in a Gwen Marston workshop years ago.

 They might make it into this quilt.

I made this Dutch Baby Pancake recently and it was delicious!

 You can find the recipe here.

In other sewing news,  I made this little mug rug for Joyce in NJ.  I used 1" cut strips and surrounded a tiny basket block.

Geeze you'd think I could have centered that back print better.   I hope Joyce didn't mind too much.

I made a 1/8th binding.  The back of the binding is 1/4". 

I hope you had a nice Memorial Day Weekend. 
I'll be back soon with my May Modern Mini.
xo

Doll Quilts Everywhere!

Doll Quilts are everywhere right now. Yay!  Here is my February Modern Mini.

Candyland

I fussy cut stripes and printed fabrics to elevate my candy theme.  I took this snow shot outside this morning.

the backing

I did a drop diamond pattern with orange, yellow and 2 pink lines.  What do you think? 

My new unicorn scissors likes it.

I started with this, but it just was not the right scale for the small quilt.  So I doubled it by added lines each way.

Okay, it is a bit of cheat because it is also a new Lollipop Workshop Sample for my Finished Edge Machine Applique' Workshop.  I made a new one with different options.  I highly encourage pattern manipulation.

I read a few comments about having more binding on the back than the front (never bothered me), so I tried cutting my strip 1 1/2".

I pressed the edge up about 3/8".

It worked just fine.  So if you like less on the back, go for it.

Thank you to all who commented on my Single Binding Tutorial.  It was so nice to see new names in the comment area, sadly many of them were non-reply blogger :(

The little giveaway goes to Kathy who said:

Kathy HFebruary 8, 2019 at 4:03 PM

Thanks for the tutorial, Barb, it was very helpful. I understand so much better when I have lots of pictures too.

Please email me (barb.vedder@gmail.com) with your  mailing address.  

 There was a big Doll Quilt swap hosted by Tossed_by_not_sunk     on Instagram. You can search for hashtag #dollquiltswaptbns2019 to see them.  So many cute little quilts.

Did you know that you can join Instagram on a laptop or tablet?  You just sign up in the APP store.  You don't have to share photos to enjoy seeing others.  It is an open platform and very fun. 

I'm going to have a giveaway on my Instagram Account, Fun With Barb on Friday so hurry and sign up and join the fun.  The prize will be this book, 4 FQS and a surprise.

My buddy, Wendy is hosting a Monthly Mini Sew Along for the second year.  check it out on her blog, the Constant Quilter, here and follow to see what we are making each month.  

Here is my next Doll Quilt Project.  It is definitely not modern.
I have wanted to make this quilt since I first saw it in this book:

Here is a peek and to show you that I NEVER get it right the first time.  That is why it is so great that you don't have to as long you get it.  3rd try is often the ticket for me.

Have a great week!   Eat some Chocolate Tomorrow :)
xo