ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI BLOCK 5

A big block and one I didn't find especially enjoyable to stitch.  Mainly because there is a base house underneath the logs.  I had to stitch the house in sections sewing the logs on before another base section went on.  There are two more blocks with log houses but not as big or as complicated as this one.

I am back working on the snowman row quilt.  I am close to finishing the last of the applique preparation.  Still a lot of stitching to do.

I am looking forward to quilt market pictures and seeing new things!
Karen

LADY'S GARDEN CLUB AND SEWING CIRCLE FLIMSY

I recently completed the applique for "Lady's Garden Club and Sewing Circle".  It is to the stage of needing to be quilted.

The pattern I used is by Linda Brannock and is found in "Miss Jump's Farewell :Cotton and Wool".  I like the muted background created with rectangles.  The applique was not hard to do.  I used wool for the baskets and lady's shoes.  The rest is cotton.

Take time to sew today.  I know I will be.
Karen

BLOCKS WHENEVER

Not really block of the month projects.  More like a block whenever I feel like it.  I made two more blocks for "Sweet and Simple".  The first one is "Pear Tree".

The second block is "Bird's of a Feather".

Then I made the center block for Lori And Randy's medallion "sow-along".

I changed the vase handles just slightly to accommodate the needle turn applique method.  And I added a wing to the bird.  I like to use a stripe or zig-zag design for the wing.  I am ready for the part two instructions which will be pieced blocks.

I am stitching on a log cabin house block that I have put off making because it looked a bit challenging.  I hope to finish it today or tomorrow.  That's my update for today.  Back to the sewing room.

Karen

HOW MUCH IS TOO MANY?

I have not kept track of how many quilts I have made since starting in 1990.  That is twenty-three years of quilt making.  Many have been given away.  A few sold.  But just how many quilts is too many to still have in my collection?

This is one cabinet of quilts and a large basket full.

Another cabinet and a rack of quilts.

A floor rack.  The top quilt has needed binding for quite some time.

Wall displays.  There is a quilt hidden underneath the one showing.

A spring quilt that needs to come down.

Above the family room sofa.

Above the fireplace.  Who needs a fireplace in Florida?  We have never used it.

In a wood box.

In the hallway.  I know it is a Christmas themed quilt but I love the design.

Bedroom wall rack.

Another bedroom wall rack.

On the back of a chair.  A quilt on the top waiting for binding.

Quilt tops waiting for quilting.

Quilts waiting for quilting or some UFO's waiting for the final touches.

Fabric waiting to be made into quilts (and a couple quilt kits).  Everyone worries about the leaning cubicles.  They have been that way for years.

And last, a sofa full of quilts waiting to be sorted.  My husband shampooed the carpet recently and stacked quilts from a couple piles on the living room floor onto the sofa.  I want to sort all the quilts in the cabinets along with these into seasons.  In other words, Christmas quilts all in one place for storage, spring quilts together, etc.  (That is a wall of mirror behind the sofa.)

There is a quilt tucked in here and there that I have not shown but you get the idea.  So what do you think?  How many is too much?

Karen

NANTUCKET SALTBOX AND MORE SNOWBOUND

I designed a wall hanging with the idea of using some Blackbird Designs stash fabric and this is what I came up with.  I named it "Nantucket Saltbox" because most of the fabrics came from a line called "Beach House".    I associate the soft look of the colors with a beach house in Nantucket.  The piece still needs to be quilted.

I also completed two more blocks for the "Snowbound" quilt.

This evening, I am cutting out applique pieces for the quilt Lori and Randy are doing as a "Sow Along".  I like the prim style.  I should be working on other projects but I do want to participate when most others will be doing it.  I don't want to be a Johnny Come Lately like I am with the Snowbound blocks.

Have a good evening and take time to stitch.
Karen

A SURPRISE PACKAGE WOW!

I received a surprise package in the mail a couple days ago.  From a good friend (non blogger).  It contained an antique quilt.  She had been lucky enough to get several quilts at a garage sale for twenty dollars each.  I saw Jean a week ago and she showed me pictures of the quilt and said she thought I would like it because it is brown.  I had no idea she would send it to me.  Here is a picture.

And a close-up.

I think this is a Triple Irish Chain but correct me if I am wrong.  The colored squares in the main body of the quilt have an "X" quilted in each.  The off white squares are quilted with a square about 1/4" in.  The squares on point and the strips surrounding have a continued pattern of squares quilted just as if those strips consisted of separate squares.  There is a small hole in the quilt.  I can see that a thin cotton batting was used.  The quilting stitches nicely done.  The corners of the quilt slightly rounded.  The young people selling the quilts did not want them even though they were passed down in the family.  Thank you, Jean!

I have updates on quilt projects to share but will do that another day.
Karen

SALLY POST BLOCKS 10, 11, AND 12

I just finished up my April Sally Post Floral quilt blocks.  I am now 1/3 of the way done.  Twenty-four more to applique.  I like the sound of 1/3 done better than 24 more to stitch even though comes out the same.

I still have not settled on a sashing fabric to use with the blocks.  I wish I could find it at the local quilt shops but no such luck.  And it is difficult to determine looking online if the fabric I am selecting will actually be what I want when it arrives.  The last I ordered was not.

I just pulled out another UFO that has been lingering and am going to work on it this evening.  I should be working on another block of the month project but I feel this UFO will not take a lot of time.  It is a summer quilt and summer is just around the corner.  Those of you with snow may not feel that way.  Here in Florida, we do.
Karen