Marvelous May

It is finally spring here in Connecticut.  Happy Memorial Day!  I've been BUSY!  Last weekend I took a ferry to block island to meet up with New England members of the American Quilt Study Group the Historical Museum.

We saw beautiful island quilts and learned about shipwrecks and salvage operations on the island.   Some of the shipwrecks were carrying calico fabric and it was spread on the hill behind the church to dry.  It is still known as calico hill.

A friend at my Ninigret Quilt Guild gifted me this shipwreck reproduction fabric a while ago.  It was so interested to learn more about it!

 

I loved this court house step log cabin very much.  I've never made one.

I wonder if it would make a good sew along?  What do you think?

 I think it would be fun.

I also loved this nine patch.  I have a soft spot for them.

We also had a little back stage tour and saw these incredible dresses.  The first one was a wedding dress.

Check out those sleeves!

Earlier this month,  I made some Kentucky Derby fascinators for me and my girlfriends.

It sure was a sloppy run for the roses!

I taught a Liberated House workshop for  the CT Piecemakers.

This is always such a fun class.  No two houses are ever the same.

Mr fun and I have been working to prepare our new raised planters.  I'm excited to get plants.  I hope it doesn't turn into a deer buffet.

Here are my columbines.  I planted seeds last year and I'm so happy with the variety of colors.

I just returned home on Saturday night from Bridgton, Maine where I taught the Pineapple Workshop.   Here is my instagram collage.   Isn't that a beautiful sky?

Finally, I listened to this book and really enjoyed it.  It is a family story set a the base of little bighorn mountains.  It was gentle and good for the soul.  

Happy Spring Everyone!  Thanks for coming by.

xoxo

stuff and things

 That is our family answer when asked: "what you been up to?" Here goes....

I had a great time teaching a Liberated House Workshop for the Wayside Quilters in Sudbury, MA.

There are no two houses the same and it makes it a lot of fun to see what happens.

I love this quirky one.

It is so rewarding to see students having fun!

I took a workshop hosted by my guild; the Ninigret Quilters make to make this bag.  Our teacher, Charlie was wonderful!

I did most of my homework, while still taking care of Mr. Fun and his new knee.  I used two pretty large scale florals for the outside.

and two others that look like 1970s polyester sheets to me.  ha ha

So, I decided to approach the workshop as a fun day out and did not pressure myself.  I did make the complicated zippered pieces.  I will finish it at some point.  Stay tuned.

I was honored to be awarded 2nd place Hand Applique' at the Connecticut State Fair Banquet for my Chrome Quilt.

Every quilter who attended the banquet  received a nice zippered pouch and gift certificates from two local quilt shops; what a nice surprise! I also received a nice $35. money prize.

I'm back to winter beanie crocheting with this new pattern for  my guild's Holiday Charity silent auction.

Hope you are all staying warm and doing well.

Thank you so much for visiting my little corner of the blog world.  I know it is not as popular as it used to be, so I appreciate it even more!

xo

Leaves of Grass - Modern Mini

 I decided a little modern sewing was just what I  needed this month.

I used scraps from a recent finish to make this little cross quilt.  I've called it Leaves of Grass to reflect the greens and blues.  

I used this Frida fabric for  the backing and did a little scrappy binding.

I machine quilted it with matchstick quilting using different thread colors.

I love this easy quilting design.  I tired to do a repeating pattern, but I messed it up - not that you can tell.

I also don't mind at all if they are not perfectly straight, do you?  

Hello and thank you to my new quilt friends of Q.U.I.L.T. Arkansas.  I had such a nice trip and met many friendly and talented ladies.  Here are some great Liberated Houses they made in my workshop.

What a fun day! What a fun group of women :) 

Sewing Machine Update~  I zipped back up to Maine on Monday to exchange my Janome.  Lucky for  me I stayed with my friends, Wendy and Gordon.   We went for a waterside lunch and then to their family property.

Cocktails on the porch - Heaven

Dinner at the Robinhood Marina where they have worked for over 30 years.  Gordon is retired, and Wendy is soo to be.

We watched the tide go out.

and the seals come in :)

Pop over to Wendy's blog to see the Monthly Mini she made with bits she made in my classes at Maine Quilts.

Finally a shameless cat photo.  I think Nutmeg has missed me with all the running around I've been doing.

xo

barb

Here Comes the Sun!

Whig Rose Update - almost finished with the third border - YAY

I appreciate all the support that keeps me encouraged to finish.

I sent this little house quilt to my friend, Diane for her 2021 Birthday.

  I made this house block during a liberated house demo for my guild.

 The back is almost better than the front.   I adore this fabric.

Last weekend I taught my Pretty Pineapple ZOOM workshop.  I had 14 students and we had a great workshop.  Thank you, Oxford Quilters of Canada!

Here is one of my new blocks.  I plan to make a runner.

And some of the students blocks.

Gail:

Lois:

Lynn's - this is a hybrid block, flying geese pineapple (a small trimming error) then traditional pineapple.  I like it!

If I were to give this workshop ala carte, would you be interested?  I could pick a date and take sign ups.  Let me know and I'll consider it.

I have been working on my fitness this year following my leg issues last fall.   Anyone using Apple Fitness can identify with this, haha  When you miss closing your ring by 1 minute.  Of course I did close it right away.

Who can resist tulips a the grocery store this time of year?  I came home and said to Rich "I bought these because I knew you'd want me to have them".  he did.  😀

Spring is almost here!  

xo