Happy February!

Punxsutawney Phil says that spring is on its way!   Actually we haven't had much of a winter if I'm honest.

This wasn't on my UFO list, but I did finish these pretty ornaments in time for  Valentines Day.

I also finished this little dolly quilt while on my first January retreat.

Do you like a flat quilt?

Or a washed and crinkly quilt?  I like this one :)

I finished the baby quilt and I'm just waiting for the baby information so I can make a cute label.

I used this sweet Paris print to set the swap blocks.

I tried this "Green Batting" from Quilters Dream and I liked it, especially after I washed the quilt.  

I used a Paris Black and White print on the back.  My friend, Norma, gave it to me and it is perfect!

I went on a second retreat in January and it was a great retreat center with nice big sewing stations.

We each had our own little dorm room.  I brought 2 quilts because it was a really cold weekend!

Well some of you may have noticed on Instagram, I joined a group to work on Jane Stickle blocks.  Jane Stickle of Bennington VT is the original maker/designer.

I started with a modern bright color palette, but its not working for me.  

I have decided to, with the support of my great friend, Wendy Reed to make this quilt potholder style.  I'll let you know what my color theme will be soon.

On the wild side, just today I saw this beautiful hawk land in my tree.  He was flying with another hawk but she kept going.

I saw this lovely doe having a little breakfast last week.

I hope you had a nice peaceful January and I wish a happy February!

xo

Open Quilt Surgery - STAT!!!

Hello - Warning these photos of quilt surgery may be difficult to see for more sensitive quilters.

I was all set yesterday to my equiptment outsite to photograph my Alice Payne quilt, but then it started to drizzle - darn it!

Later I realized there was a weird line on the quilt below the pink flower in the bottom corner....huh???

It appears to be inside the quilt!  you can see it a bit better in B&W.

I set up a tray of instruments - the chocolate was for stress management, just in case).

I unstitched the flower applique (so as not to disturb the quilting) and peeled it back.  The problem is gone below, as this was a re-enactment.

I used my sewing tweezers to reach down and get it out.  It came out in a few pieces.

Here is a very blurry photo of the extraction....I think the brown piece was in the seam allowance of the stem and then moved when it was washed.

All joking aside, the surgery was a success.

I still need to suture it and I'm waiting for a cloudy day to photograph.

I've been playing with my solid broken dishes since my last post.  I really wanted to pink to work.....I tried a total of 4 different shades.  I don't know - not loving it.

 I thought maybe puddy.....

 I even tried chocolate (in honor of coco) and a deep butterscotch....

Hmmmnnn......I have a new plan on the wall and will share that one soon.

Tuesday, Hanna and I worked the polls and helped over 4700 voters in our district.  It was 16 1/2 hours of election work and a long 21 hour day for both of us.

For us it was about helping the process of free elections.  How you feel about the outcome is not part of Fun With Barb - so NO comments.....please!

We decided to dry the herbs from the garden this year, so I rigged up a simple rod in this south facing window.  Looks like my Christmas Cactus is going to bloom for Thanksgiving.

We are having a lovely long and colorful fall this year.  Maybe we do every year and I just forget.

Monday evening I'll be presenting my Scrap Quilt Lecture and a Trunk Show for the Penn Oaks Quilt Guild in PA and having a visit with Kelly of Pinkadot Quilts.  Visitors are welcome to attend and I'd be happy to see you - here is their website.

xo

Oh My Stars!

Thank you all so much for your nice comments on my Medallion Project!

I hung up my Sumptuous Stars quilt for the first time.  It's perfect for fall.

 I also hung Happy Town in the Sewing Room

It's Fair time in New England!  Hip Hip Hooray.  Is there anything more American?

 Hanna and I love to see the exhibits of flowers, jams, and baked goods.

What beautiful horses.

 we love the petting area!

This Darcy - a 3 month old calf.  Everywhere mom went, Darcy was by her side.

This bunny is so over the whole thing. 

Hanna's college pong skills earned her a new Goldfish:  Pumpkin.

MMMmm the food.  Fried dough and lemonade.  We have plans to attend 2 other major fairs.

We've had a very fun time this summer taking care of Timothy, my son's science classroom pet.  He's a skinny pig, which is a hairless guinea pig.  He does have hair on his cute face.

It was fun making little houses for him.

For no reason at all - he tossed his cage one night, lol.  He moved literally everything in his enclosure!

First Day of school photo of my science teacher son Andrew.  We're so proud of him.  Have a great year at PS 28.

I hit a real speed bump while making my repro swap blocks.  I spritzed a block and pressed it and this happened.

To test my other intended fabric I sprayed each with water.

 I layered them and pressed with a dry iron.

 Here you can see the transfer onto the muslin :(

These may be slightly older fabrics and not as colorfast.  Without knowing what process everyone uses when piecing their quilts, I think it is safer this time to pre-wash and begin again.

Have a great week!
xo