Come Over and Play!

is the name of a new little liberated house quilt I made this week using some brights and low volume fabrics.

 I started with these two blocks and a mailbox.  I use the number print because it reminds me of marking the sidewalk for hopscotch...remember hopscotch?  Sky blue and all?

I did machine fan quilting.

Here is the backing fabric.

Can you believe the mess I made with my drawer of polka dot fabric?  gee wiz.

 The goldfinches are back and looking fabulous.  The Hummingbirds are back also, but I haven't caught a photo yet.

 Hello handsome.  I think they heard the shutter through the window.

I finished the king sized log cabin top for my son, Andrew.  

 I'll start quilting it very soon.  It is about 96 x 96" so I'll quilt it in sections.

Coco has been limping lately, so I've been resting her from long walks.  Between that and the rain lately she's been very bored.

I'll be visiting the Herring Run Quilters Guild on Saturday to present a program on Scrap Quilting and hold a Liberated House Workshop.

On Sunday I'm going to the Northern star Quilters Guild Show.

xo

I do Windows

I interrupt my window washing to bring you this post...

My finished "Girl Friend" quilt using the pippi longstocking block.  Here we are:  Nancy, Pauline, me and Norma (who has been known to color her hair for various holidays).

 I used this sweet backing filled with all of life's good things.  This was a gift for Pauline who will be spending a month with family in England.  We'll miss you!

To make your own pippi block,  follow the great tutorial here.  I wish I knew about this before I made mine.  Luckily I have an advanced degree in liberated quilting, ha ha.

The other day I shared this quilt on IG.  Olympic Eagles  or Obama for President which was it's original title.  The Vermont Quilt Festival made me change it to avoid political opinions, but rewarded me with a blue ribbon.

I quilted it exactly as it was shown in the pattern.

 I used a bark colored thread.

You can read more about this quilt here.  I made it before I started blogging.

I found the pattern in this book which was given to me by my friend, Mary.

I checked Amazon and there are 25 used books available.

Windows....No one like to wash them, but it is so nice when they are clean.

Here is my recipe, which I learned from a professional years ago.

 Fill half a bucket of warm water, then add a small squirt of Joy.  Joy is the secret - see that wine glass on the label?  Crystal Clear.

I use micro-fiber wipes and a foam sponge to clean the window.  I go over twice, wringing the wipe (I use 2, one in the bucket 1 in my hand). I use a squeegee from the top down, wiping off the dirty water with a dry cloth.

Change the water often and do the inside of the window first, then the outside, which is dirtier.

I keep my supplies on my step  chair and move them from room to room - I only do 1 room a day so I still have sewing time.

As part of my spring cleaning, I decided to try a minimalist approach to the family room mantel.

I asked Hanna what she thought, and she said "it looks sad"....Well, I asked, lol.  I picked up the carved stone owl at Homegoods and the sandpiper at my local consignment shop.  The rocks came from the beach.

I finally got my front urns planted with my favorite combo.

Friday I'll be going to one of the final Performances of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.  It is the end of an era.   I intend to indulge in hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy.

Have a Great week and thanks for stopping by!
xo

Springtime in PA Heaven

Happy Spring!

Do you recognize this gal?   It is my first attempt at the Pippilongstocking block that I saw on IG.   I wish I knew who to give credit to for this cute free pieced block.

Thank you to all my new and old friends at Calico Cutters Quilt Guild, Brandywine Valley Quilters and Penn Oak Quilters.  I had such a good time visiting your groups!

Kelly, of Pinkadot Quilts,  was my hostess and driver and I could not have done this trip without her support and help (and coffee). We  managed to steal a few minutes to play with some of her swap blocks.

 Did I mention she has the best kitchen I've ever seen?  the best.  I'm so glad I accidentally made all the swap blocks finish at 4 inches so they can go together.

After my workshop and programs I was treated to an afternoon at Longwood Gardens.  It is a life's dream and I plant to return soon!

Here are some highlights - red and yellow catch a fellow.

This is a living green wall - amazing!

I have a real fascination with Bonsai.  some of these are over 100 years old!

 The silver room in the conservatory - this is for Kathy S. in Illinois.

Hanna is a nut for catus.  They are so big right now in home dec.

what a fabulous display in the gift shop.

With spring the flannel sheets are off and the beds sport new quilts. 

 Mr Starbuck always takes the opportunity to sit on a pile of softness - what a princess.

Have a Great Week!
xo

The Big Rooster Reveal

All Cooped Up

I machine appliqued the rooster and year.  It is machine quilted.  I lost my coin :(   I was going to sew it on.  I may turn up one day.
Here is the back

Thanks Two Thimbles for hosting a really fun challenge.   Lori is having a linky party if you want to see more.

Thank you all so much for your kind comments and emails.  It really gave me courage this week and I'm grateful to be part of such a supportive community.  I received these beautiful flowers from my family.  (you can see my new counters, range and sink, sort of)

At the AQS show in Lancaster my friends and I bought THE BEST NEW LIGHT - EVER.  It is a slimline light from Daylightcompany.com 

 With it off

Aaahh, that's better.

I love that it doesn't obstruct my view of the awesome things that I'm sewing.  (okay, well I'm not sewing anything here, lol)

You can see in this un-retouched photo on a very dark and rainy day that my work area is lit up perfectly.  You may want to ask for the "show special" if you want to order one.  You never know, they may honor it.

I hung this fun quilt today because we're celebrating my son, Andrew's, birthday tonight.  I made it in 1996 which was is golden Birthday turning 7 on april 7th and it was Easter Sunday.  The eggs are gold lame' - now that's 90s for you!

I'm hitting the road again next doing
Tues 4/11 - 9am workshop (full)
Lecture and Trunk Shows:
Tues 4/11 - 7pm - Brandywine Valley Quilters 
Weds 4/12 - 10am - Calico Cutters

xo