Mary Brown Update Plus Finishes

Time for July's Mary Brown update.  This time I stitched the left corner section which involves three blocks.  You will also recognize last month's sunflower block as I needed to sew it in to complete the corner.  The left corner section has a red bird.  This one has the blue bird.

Quite some time ago, I stitched sixteen "Simple Life" blocks from a pattern by Norma Whaley.  Instead of the blocks being in a crate in a closet, I decdided it was time to do something with what I had completed.  A quilting friend helped me lay the blocks out and decide on sashing and border fabric.  Here is the completed top.

Here are close up picture of the blocks.

Next up is a finish.  The "ABC Sampler" from Lori Holt's pattern.  The blocks require many, many connector corners.  It was a fun sew done with my quilting friend.  We got together once a week to sew on our quilts.

Love the typewriter in this section.

I used some cute ABC fabric for the backing.

Next up is another finish.  I made this quilt from a design Found in "Nuts and Berries" which is a Blackbird Designs book.

Lots of quilt projects in the works in my sewing room!  I am heading to my comfortable chair to stitch and watch television.

Karen

July Farm House Sampler Update and More

July's block.  Julie should have her block posted also.  http://juliekquilts.blogspot.com/  I am enjoying stitching the blocks as they are fairly easy.  And being prim in style, not a problem if something is a bit off.

My recent quilt top "Austin Bluebird Sampler" came back home from being machine quilted.  I added the binding for a finish.

I am working on two more quilt bindings so should have more finishes soon.

My "Beyond the Cherry Tree" blocks came out of the closet.  With the help of my friend Jean, they were arranged on the floor into their final setting.  I will be trimming and then stitching them together.  Then come the borders.  This has been a long time UFO.  I wonder how many of these quilts have been completed over the years since Gay Bomers first offered them as a free sew-along.

Stay healthy!

Karen

Celebrating Mary Brown June Block

I am late doing my post today.  I had company yesterday and today and forgot to rinse my block, dry and press it.  But better a bit late in the day than not at all.

I like sunflowers and do like them for quilt blocks too.  I don't plan on making this block a second time but if I did, I would make less points on the smaller flower inside yellow parts.  It was too hard to get defined points with such small size to work with.

I added a little bit of fabric to stash from the local shop closing sale.  And I did an online order for a fat quarter bundle of Regency Romance that will be coming in a few days.  Not that I needed even one inch of fabric to add to stash.  But when is it a requirement to need fabric before purchasing more?

Karen

Victorian Rose, A Star Quilt, and Sleigh Bells Quilt Update

I was cleaning off the sewing machine cabinet and unearthed a quilt project that has lingered for a while.  Rather than move it to another storage spot, I decided to do something with the applique block and fabrics I had pulled to go with it.  The pattern I started with was a free design by Jill Reid called "Victorian Rose".  The fabric with the children and also the border fabric is by Mary Koval.  I made the decision not to do the flying geese round from the pattern as the quilt would have ended up too large for a wall quilt and too small for anything else.    I have a co-ordinating Mary Koval fabric to use for the backing.  Love those children.

I have finished several more blocks for the Jan Patek "Sleigh Bells" quilt.  I am showing a sampling of the tree blocks as there are sixteen.  I used different fabric combos for each tree.  You can see all of them when I get the quilt put together.  I still have large blocks to applique but am moving along at a good pace.

The last picture is of a combination pieced star blocks and four applique blocks quilt top.  I did not have a good space to lay it out flat today but you can see what it looks like.  Most of the fabrics I used are by 3 Sisters.  I almost always add other fabrics in from my stash.  The pattern I used was a free one by Barbara Brackman called "Morris Earthly Paradise".  It was designed for some of her Morris fabrics but worked well for the fabrics I chose.  A red, cream and blue wintery look.

I spent the day waiting on a repairman who never showed up and no phone call.  Wonder if I misunderstood when he was to come.  I used the time for sewing though so not a loss.

Karen

Farm House Sampler Block Three

Farm House Sampler block three is done.  Six more blocks to go.  I am using fabric that says "Time Worn Tool Box" on the selvedge.  I am not sure I like the very pale green look but am continuing on with it.

Julie posted hers early this month.  You can see it here.

I am working on a Jan Patek quilt pattern called "Sleigh Bells".  I have several of the easy blocks done and will share them later on.  Today, I am sharing one of the snowman baskets.  There are three in the design. I have quite a stack of fabric pulled from stash for the quilt.  I am working on getting everything prepped so I can put fabric away and move in the sewing room.  The main fabric line that I have chosen is "Garden House" by Jan Patek.  I have so much in stash that will work with this line.  I need to make at least one more quilt from what I have.

I pieced a few more of the "not my usual fabric choice" blocks.  I am liking the look and am sure it will make a good gift quilt for someone.

And last are two applique blocks from Jan Patek's pattern set called "Over the Meadow".  None of my applique blocks are trimmed to size yet.  I do that when I am ready to assemble the quilt top.  The main fabrics I am using are from Jan's line called "Fern Hill" with additional fabrics added from stash.  The Fern Hill fabrics were on sale from a shop called "Tennessee Quilts".  I like to peruse their online sale section and have ordered several times from the shop.  Always good service.  Years ago, I was in the area the shop is located and paid them a visit.

Have a great week!
Karen

Flowers Quilt, Mary Brown Block, and More

It is May 30th and time to share another "Celebrating Mary Brown" block.  It is not the block design I should have done but that block did not do well.  It is a feathered star block and is not laying real well nor quite the right size.  So instead, I have done a block with many leaves and will debate with myself about the failed block.  I look forward to seeing what block design my stitching buddies have done this month.

The "Flowers" quilt is completely done.  A lot of quilters have made this same  design in the last couple years.  It was a sew-along on one of the Prim Facebook groups for one.  I had stitched my blocks before that sew-along, so it has been a while getting it quilted and bound.

I have started a new quilt project.  One block pieced using fabric from the Abby Rose line by Robin Pickens.  A very different choice for me but a good one for a family member gift.

I am watching "Thirteen" on Amazon Prime.  Quite suspenseful.  And doing applique stitching while watching.

Karen

Farm House Sampler Block Two

Julie and I agreed before starting "Farm House Sampler" that we would do a block a month and share it on the 15th.  Today is May 15th so it is time for block two.  To refresh your memory, the pattern set is by Dawn Heese of "Linen Closet Designs".

The shapes are large and fairly easy to stitch.  I usually do needleturn applique but on these blocks, I am doing a bit of starched edge prep ahead of time.  I did that for the flower shapes and leaves.  The background alternates between two fabrics.  I will put a picture of last month's block below so you can see the shade difference.  Both are a pale shade of green.

Are you having trouble like me in these trying times sticking to projects already started?  I started a new quilt last evening and have a pattern sitting out for two more!

Karen