Big Fun on Hump Day

Happy Hump Day!   I finished the Boy Quilt Top.  I used Sujata's new book.  The blocks were really fun to make.   Hooray, it's all from stash fabric!

My stencils have arrived and I'm open for business at my new Etsy store.  My mailing supplies came and I'm ready to ship.  Thank you, Linda, for being my very first customer!

**Update 1/22/15 the Large Baptist Fan stencils are sold out.   I have re-ordered more and will let you know when they arrive.  I still have the Double Fans.  Sorry!**

Since my main goal was to have them produced for my own use, I've reduced the cost as much as I can, considering the shipping, so that they are affordable.  As I said to Rich.  I don't have to make money, just not lose money.

Nancy, asked me about the quilt that was under my potholder project on the last post.   So I'm re-sharing it here today.

It was a challenge quilt that I made in 2008.  We were each given a 1/2 yard of the Asian print and had to use it.   I added all solid fabrics.  I would call this a modern quilt, wouldn't you?  Imagine, a modern quilt - before the modern quilt movement.  (meow)

It may appear very random, but all of my scrap quilts contain some order.  Can you find the order?  Order always makes scrap quilts more pleasing.  If you figure it out (or make a guess), I'll put your name in to win this custom made potholder.

This backing is one piece but really looks like patchwork.  I wish I had more of this one!

I'm still working on my antler project.  It is proving to be a difficult one and I've had some set backs.  I hope to show it to you soon.

One other bit of exciting news;  I own the domain name FunWithBarb.com.  Now that domain is automatically redirected here to the blog where all Fun can be found.  (sounds like a small thing, but it took me several days ;0 - Thanks again, Anna, for your techy help.)

Good luck in the potholder drawing!  I'll ship anywhere.

Mr. Kittie, Starbuck:  fabric inspector.

Well, That's Over....

Christmas that is.   It is always a little surprising how fast the whole shabang is over after the weeks of preparation.  Fortunately, there are still lots of cookies, candy and wine to consume :)

Here are a few things that I got for Christmas.  A new sewing chair from Ikea.  I may change the cushion, but for now I like it.

A new Quilt Book.  It is good, more words than photos, but still a good additon to my collection.

Hooray!  Santa brought my custom stencils!  Here is the double baptist fan.

The basic large baptist fan.

And here is one that I designed called "wave length".   The company is adding it to their wholesale on line catalog.

They will not be offering my large fans as they said that quilt shops don't have the room to display them.  No Problem, I will be selling them here at the blog and will add the pricing and order information soon.  I also have to order more as they only sent a sample set.

Not technically a Christmas gift, but I did win an awesome give away from my friend Rachael, at Bluemountaindaisy.  Rachael's blog is always a wonderful place to visit.  Her work and style are a constant inspiration to me.  She makes beautiful things and always has wonderful photos.

I won this delightful group of kittie fabrics.  I plan to make a little Luna memory quilt from them.

She also sent this large piece of bonus fabric~  She remembered that I was really taken by the Shelburne circus exhibit a couple of years ago.  I A-dore this fabric!!  Thank you so much Rachael for a super fun surprise package.

Speaking of Luna, I made this label for my Hot Flash quilt, which included a little tribute to her.  Was a sweet visitor to the sewing room.

 I mentioned in my previous post that I made a wide binding.  It was an after thought.  Here is how I did it:  I cut 4 strips 3 1/2" and pressed it in half.  I  attached the binding in the usual way then I trimmed the backing and batting 1/2" from the edge of the binding/quilt.  It is 3/4" finished on both sides.

I have been using Sharon Schamber's method of gluing the binding down on the back side and drying it with a hot iron.  You must use school glue ONLY so that it washes out completed.  I use a spare amount a bit away from the edge that I'll be stitching.

This makes sewing the binding down a pleasure!

From my home to yours, I hope you had a nice Christmas and have a safe and Happy New Year.

See you in 2015

Better Stencils and Gardens

Here is something I hope you really like -

I saw stencils being displayed this way in a little quilt shop recently and all I could think was eureka! I've had a storage problem with my stencils for going on 20 years now. All it took for better stencil living was a package (about $2.00) of standard shower hooks and a hanger. There. Done.

I sorted them by category; blocks, feathers, borders, small, etc. When I need a certain type of stencil I can just go to the closet and take that hook off the hanger. I can also easily look through them all - Brilliant!


Michelle, of the Betwixt the Between blog is having a give away with 4 great prizes. Click here to visit her wonderful blog and put your name in. Check out the great angel applique' project she has going.

Here are my backyard gardens, taken from the Juliette balcony outside my sewing room.

This is year two on the "white garden". I planned and installed this garden (with Andrew's help) last year after the patio went in. This year I added just a dash of blue, which I love in the garden.


The herb garden. Moon flower vines will climb the structure.


This is the hydrangea garden, not in bloom yet. This is also the site for my lily of the valley and spirea.


In the center here are some of my many, many hostas and other shade loving plans. On the fence is a climbing hydrangea, which smells heavenly.

more shady plants.

This year I treated myself to these flower boxes and hung them on the inside of the railing so that I can enjoy them while in the sewing room. Actually, it doesn't look too bad from the yard either.


I'll take some front photos soon. In the meantime, I finished the quilting on the pineapple quilt, so now I'm on to the sleeve and label. Yesterday I took a deep breath said a little prayer to the quilt gods and shipped my two quilts to Columbus for the show. I'll be seeing Mary in just about a week!