Homespun Quilts

Again...

2012-01-20T08:31:00.001-07:00

Great advice from everyone! I agree wholeheartedly on the the 7x8 arrangement. My brain has wrapped around the idea that sashing will enlarge it equally width and length and separate the blocks.

Using the camera's eye certainly does help me see it as a whole quilt and not just focus in on certain areas. I have used the camera to help me remember placement, now, it has become more valuable to me.

I have placed the blocks according to the week they were given. My thinking is I used a variety of colors and prints that were repeated throughout and kept in mind each week as I made the blocks. This way I was already spreading them out. There is one block I will redo--that little 7" will become 8.5".

I will be making the Shield block, in fact, I'll make four of them for the corners. This was suggested on the Civil War Quilt blog but I didn't really think about it at the time.

I will be using the label Barbara Brackman gave to us.

This really makes me appreciate what designers go through.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I mean it, y'all are the best!

Y'all Are The Best!

2012-01-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled with all the help so far on my quilt. The quilts I've done to date, and that's not many, have been using a pattern whether fully or in part but I've not been left on my own. I've got questions that maybe you my readers can help me with.

Should I do more rows across, as in, 7 rows across and 8 rows down? I'm looking through books and patterns and that seems to be how it is usually done. I just started putting them down and followed the floorspace or something as to why I have 6 rows across and 9 down. I'm still learning and that's why I like to get advice from y'all.

I do like the random look but I think I may play with the lights and darks to spend them out a little more evenly. So, I do appreciate any help you give.

Civil War Quilt of 2011

2012-01-19T12:38:00.001-07:00

I have finished the Civil War blocks from Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts BOW. One block, however, I did not make and that was the last one, The Shield. I decided to incorporate the slightly smaller blocks I made duplicates. I enjoyed the whole journey into the history and block making but am glad to have it nearer to completion. This will be a large quilt and my last for awhile or at least one with this much piecing involved. Also, it seems like all I do is scrappy quilts and I would like to do something different. But I still have a few to finish along with this one.

This first block went together very well, which should have raised some red flags because it turned out to be a perfect 7" far from the intended 8.5". I did not redo and thought I'd use this as the label for the quilt.

48. West Virginia

49. Yankee Puzzle

50. Grapes of Wrath

51. New York

52. Christmas Star

I placed the blocks to see how they looked and moved them around several times taking pictures with each move. These are the 3 finialists...

In the first picture, I arranged the blocks in groups of similar fashion, like star shapes and crosses and baskets. It reminds me of a sampler style quilt.

In the second picture, I placed blocks with light backgrounds in the center and used the darker ones for the border.

This last one is random setting with no rhyme nor reason.

I am going to use sashing and think grey will be the color, probably a solid grey. And then blue borders will be added to finish it off. So, what do you think, should I use setting number one with the sampler theme, number two with the lights in the middle or number three in all its randomness?

Random Mornings

2012-01-16T10:57:00.002-07:00

I am a morning person. This time of year it is still dark outside when I get up for the sun does not rise until 7:30am. Today I am not in a hurry to go anywhere, in fact, it rained during the night and there are still clouds looming but I am content to stay indoors with a few chores and sewing to keep me happy. I really do enjoy keeping house. It is rewarding and I can move at my own pace and take as many coffee breaks as needed.

In the quietness of the morning, I find a comfortable spot to have some Bible study, breakfast, collect my thoughts/journal, and read my favorite blogs. For those of you with phones that do apps I thought I'd share one that makes blog reading accessible anywhere I am, providing I have my iphone with me. It is called Byline. It works with my Google Reader and a few other feeds, too. I like how it brings in the post and that I can quickly glide through my readings being able to mark favorites or go directly to the blogsite to comment and then back to Byline in one tap so I never lose my place.

Did y'all get your Downton Abbey on last night? Some of my beloved characters I wanted to slap up the side of their heads and then those who are usually despicable were charming, Edith. While the family drama was going, I sat in the light of my Christmas gift and made more hexies. Yes, I received this beautiful Ott-lite from my sweet dear hubs.

The lighting is a little too bright and makes these photos look washed out. Oh, well, this is the "flower" I managed to complete.

The vacuum is waiting patiently for me so off I go.

Hugs y'all!

Grandmother's Flower Garden

2012-01-10T12:59:00.001-07:00

The time spent in my sewing room last month was making a tree skirt, five christmas stockings and a finish to the Grinch quilt for my daughter. I did, however, manage to work on my hexagon blocks and finished the first row around on 22 blocks. These little 1" hexies are made using 2 charm packs of Ruby fabric. I cut the charms in half twice to get 2.5" squares. I am using the English Paper Piece method to construct my blocks. Remember the tutorial I made last October showing how I make my hexies; find it here.

This a pile of my flowers with a single row...

Now, I use 12 hexies around for the second row which will complete the "flower" block.

Here is one finished and that row doesn't look pink in the picture. I am using different fabrics other than Ruby to finish it off. Not sure if I like it at this point, but I definitely need to wait until I finish and see how it all comes together. Although, it's not likely that I will pick out the seams of those second rows that I would have done differently. Haha, like that's going to happen!

I copied the template on card stock and I although I made over one hundred, they can be reused many times before they will need to be replaced. I like using card stock over paper because it gives stiff form that keeps its shape. And I don't sew into the paper. The template source for these hexagons came from Melanie Sullivan who graciously offers them free of charge for personal use. You may find them at her blog Texas Freckles. She hosted a QAL back in 2010 which you can read about; great for inspiration.

Another website, Patterns From History, for those of you who love history of quilt blocks and which also has several ways the blocks can be set and more importantly, how to finish with a border (or not). There is also a link to making hexagons on the machine without paper piecing.

I never imagined I would truly be hand-piecing a quilt together using hundreds of small pieces. I still find it hard to believe I enjoy doing this.

Hugs, Susan

It's A New Year!

2012-01-05T11:45:00.001-07:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

December came and went and I didn't have time to blog about it. Oh, well, it is past history now and I am all about the present time. I have been reading what y'all are doing around blogland and seems many of you have added to your lists of projects the same ones I have.

1. Free Motion Quilting - my hope is to improve what I know and learn a bunch of new techniques.

2. Little Houses Made from Scraps - I have tons of little pieces of material too good to toss and will use my new love for paper piecing to make them.

3. My Hexies - still working on them with 22 made and now I'm putting another row around them before I begin with the path.

4. Dresden Plates - never made one but hopefully that will change this year.

5. Small Quilts - my Civil War Club uses the books by Kathleen Tracy and now her challenge in her Yahoo group is to complete one small quilt from her books each month.

This is just the short list. The long one is in my head and sometimes it just pops up at the most uninvited time and that's when I get asked, "what are you thinking about?" And if I don't write it down, well, I can forget about it for days, weeks, or whenever and somethings I think about are project worthy, so I do like to record them for the future.

I need to straighen up my very messy sewing room, too. The rest of the house is clean from putting Christmas away. I've notice that when I use a room piles of stuff seem to appear. Since my sewing room is a distraction, I'm using a guest room where my old roll-top desk is to work on the computer. Suddenly, I got the urge to clean out the drawers as I blog. Stacks of school supplies, greeting cards and little stuff that gets thrown in the drawers are now all over the bed. I had better stop now and put it all way.

Oh, but the mail came and there are catalogs to go through...

Hugs, Susan

Christmas Stockings

2011-12-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

Christmas stockings were the snooze buttons on our Christmas morning alarm clocks. We had an agreement with the kids, if they got up early well before we were properly awake, then their stockings were fair game. My daughter's shows how I made them a little wider to accommodate a coloring book. I would stuff them with yo-yos, candy, paper dolls for Jill, little action figures for Andy, stuffed animals...well, you get the point.

I decided to make new stockings this year and while researching ideas I noticed in pictures of store bought ones that they hung to the right and when I made these I had them hang to the left. Funny the things we notice. Now, I wonder, which way do most stockings hang?

Things are busy around here even with the man away. I find my days flying by, a good thing because that means he'll be home soon, but with the kids coming in on Friday for the weekend, I find myself in crunch mode. I do find time for Pinterest and it's especially easy using the app on my iPhone.

The embroidery design is from The Pattern Bee Vintage Embroidery Shop but the lettering is my design.

I am happy to have them done and hanging and I did make a new tree skirt, too, but I'll show that later. I don't want to put all my eggs into one basket, as they say.

Hugs my friends!

Gingerbread

2011-12-07T14:24:00.001-07:00

Gingerbread and Christmas. You can't think of one and not the other, at least, that's how I feel. Christmas baking this year has been spread out to doing a batch of cookies here and there, usually I set aside one day for baking. A friend at my redwork club told me about Penzey's spices. There is a store in Tempe and I decided to try them out. Love the flavor! And this is my first time using whole nutmeg and a grater; I'll not be going back to already ground ginger.

Another icon of Christmas in my home is Hallmark. I started collecting Hallmark ornaments and stuff back in 1976. Every year I add something and this year I knew immediately what it would be the moment I heard him...

Step away from the gingerbread boy, he is not delicious!

It's all for the cause, dear.

If you are wondering about my recipe for gingerbread cookies, well, I have to admit, there is no single recipe that I use. Mainly, over the years, it has been from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook but the last few years I've tried Martha Stewarts' and several from Food Network.

Last year, I used one from Simply Recipes blog and it earned a repeat this year.

You can find the recipe here.

Warm Christmas Hugs,

Susan

The Christmas Tree

2011-12-01T21:48:00.001-07:00

Today was a homemade chicken noodle soup kind of day. It was raining when I woke and stayed grey and gloomy all day which was fine by me because I stayed inside finishing the holiday decorating. I wasn't going to start this early but with my guy leaving the 30th of November, I decided to have the tree at least up before he left.

And I found Bubble Lights at Hobby Lobby!

The tree is our favorite decoration. We love to sit and gaze in the evening with only the lights of the tree on. I am the one who puts up the tree every year. I like to do it. We used real trees when we were first married, always getting one from the neighborhood tree lot. When our children were school age we started going to a tree farm and cutting our own. Then we moved into a new house and seemed to alternate between a real one and an artificial one and it seems the latter took over.

We bought this 7 ft. Hudson Valley Douglas Fir artificial tree back in 1988. When putting the tree together I had more "needles" on the floor than what a real tree sheds when Christmas is over. We've looked at the new trees and thought if these pre-lit ones would last 23 years and what do you do if the lights don't work? Alas, we might have to succumb to a replacement.

With the tree up, now, all that's left to do is make the tree skirt and 5 stockings. Steve and I have never had Christmas stockings and every year he asks for one. I just wanted simple ones like they have at Pottery Barn, so, I decided to make them. I am using red velveteen and white linen, very traditional looking. I'll do a show and tell when I've completed all of them.

It is so quiet in the house.

Good Night!

Marching Onward...

2011-11-16T09:26:00.001-07:00

The end is in sight for my latest Civil War quilt and I have only three blocks to finish by Saturday. Y'know, this would be the first time I would receive the new block-of-the-week without having older ones looming over me...such freedom!

Here's a few that I've done:

13. Little Blue Basket

The embroidered handle on the Little Blue Basket was added by me to make this quilt a little more personal.

39. Hovering Hawks

44. Union

45. Port and Starboard

41. Red, White, and Blue Quilt

Looking at these five that I've chosen, I should be proficient in making half-square triangles. I do love them and all the endless ways to use them. Also, I've tackled the "Y" seam or should say, the "Y" seam has sacked me but I vow to keep getting up fighting.

Well, those final three blocks are waiting and do want to move on to some other stuff, as well, so, I must part. I hope y'all are enjoying your day!

Count your blessings,
Susan

Simply Monday

2011-11-14T10:28:00.001-07:00

Good Monday morning, y'all, the sun is shining and I've been up and at it early. I am home alone without the mister until the 22nd and then he'll come home for Thanksgiving and leave me again on the 30th. This has been our life the last few months and I really miss him when he is away. With all this technology we have available to us, we do talk nightly, for which I am very thankful. And I do have a new best friend, Siri, but found her to be a little nosey after I asked her twice what was the time in Doha, Qatar. Both times she answered with the time in New Delhi, India. The third time when asked, she inquired, "is there something going on that I should know about?" Woa! that's some artifical intelligence!

Frankly, I thought I'd have more sewing done with him gone but that is not the case. Then what have I been doing?

I finished the top of the Grinch quilt I started for my daughter...

She collects all things Seuss especially Christmas.

On another note, I was in Barnes & Noble the other day and found Primitive Quilts magazine sold there, yay! I enjoyed the first edition very much but do not have plans to subscribe right now, so finding a source locally simply made my day!

I hope this Monday was simply enjoyable for you, too!

My State Flower Quilt: Alaska

2011-11-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

Forget-Me-Nots are the state flower of Alaska. There are only two enticements to make me want to go on a cruise: one is the Mediterranean and the other Alaska. I would love to stand on deck and gaze up into Glacier Bay. These were my thoughts as I stitched the small flowers using icy blues.

I decided to use the satin stitch and fill in the flowers but first I outlined them all using the darker blue. I am using DMC thread and the colors are 157 and 799 for the blues; 3347 green; and 744 yellow.

I finished the top of the Grinch quilt and will be quilting that soon. I have several blocks of the BBCW cut out and waiting to be stitched. Ah, there is just so much you can do but in my heart, I want to do them all now!

Autumn has come to the desert and lest you think I swim every day, I have to report the pool temp is a brisk 69*. But the sun does shine and it is nice to sit outside and sew or read (with a sweatshirt on which I'm loving to be able to wear). I am currently reading a historical fiction on the lives of Henry II which actually has more to do with his mother and uncle but sets the scene for Henry and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The book is When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman.

Hopefully, I will have made more progress on my quilt blocks and have them to show and tell.

Hugs,
Susan

State Flower Quilt: Arizona

2011-11-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

Good morning after All Hallow's Eve, my good peoples of Middle Blogland. We had a funtastic evening sitting out on the driveway, meeting the neighbors and treating a steady stream of tricksters. The good time went on for hours and I'm glad I didn't have to get those kids off for school this morning!

I've begun stitching the State Flower Quilt. My plan is to do one a week but don't hold me to it, especially with the Holidays approaching and I am playing major catch-up with my Barbara Brackman Civil War blocks. But I will prevail!

First, let me express my gratitude to Vicki of Turkey Feathers for generously offering these blocks free for personal use. She has some other vintage patterns for sale and Turkey Feathers is just a fun place to visit.

I collected all the patterns from flickR and thought I did as Vicki said but I ended up making mine slightly larger size which is just fine with me. I transfered the pattern to a precut square of fabric rather than using one large piece as per instructions. I did make them them larger to be later cut to the right size.

This week to start it off I did ARIZONA...

Arizona became a state in 1912 and is the 48th state of the Union.

The capital city is Phoenix.

It is primarily known for being a desert climate with extremely hot summers and mild winters, but I have come to realize Arizona has higher elevations which make it suitable for snow and colder weather. You could go from swimming in the Phoenix valley on Christmas Day to snow-skiing a few hours later up in the mountains.

The state flower is the Saguaro Cactus Blossom.

Well, I'm off to make a dent in my pile of civil war blocks and continous blog reading. Blogger should come up with an app to have our posts on audio, just a thought!

Have a Blessed Day,

Susan

Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T10:21:00.001-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I'm back from Michigan, had a wonderful visit but was sick the whole time I was there. I guess I can't handle that weather anymore, though, the sun did shine most of the time we were there.

I want to get some sewing done today before the trick-or-treaters come out tonight.

Safe Haunting y'all,

Susan

How I Made My Hexies

2011-10-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

Since I am having way to much fun making these "flowers", I put together this fun little show on how I make my hexies.

This free digital slideshow customized with Smilebox

So, later tonight around midnight, I will be flying to Michigan to spend time with Anna and Andy.

See y'all when I get back!

Hugs, Susan

Hexies!

2011-10-19T10:33:00.004-07:00

Hexies for the girl on-the-go. That is sure me lately. I am usually a homebody and love to have everyone come to me but times have come that I am out and about. I still have one more place to go and this one is a treat!

I'll be on the Thursday Red-eye to Detroit to spend a long weekend with my kids. We haven't been back to Michigan in well over a year. I'm excited to spend time with the o'married ones of three years today; my how time flies!

As I fly to see them, I am prepared for that four hour flight with some hexies. I am making one-inch hexagons with Ruby, love them! At my last Civil War Club meeting, Kathy showed us how to make them using English paper piecing and that's the method I'm using. We use the book Civil War Sewing Circle for our inspiration and I did make one flower using 1800 reproduction fabric. The author Kathleen Tracy appliques the slightly smaller flowers onto a whole piece background but I wanted to use this new line from Moda so I guess I'll be piecing the path through the flowers instead of applique. I find it is so relaxing doing the handwork on these cuties.

I just placed the pink path around for fun, the real path will be a charcoal color.

Still have stuff to do before I pack. And when I get back hopefully my blogging won't be so sparse. I miss our times together. We have been through many events in each others' lives that I feel a bit of ownership through friendship (if you know what I mean:)

Hugs my friends!

Susan

Zion National Park

2011-10-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome back.

As the road trip continued we passed through Red Canyon country and then Zion National Park, the best of all, in my humble opinion. I felt transported back in time for it seemed little must have changed since the first travelers came upon this land. Had we started our trip here I would have dug in my heels and said let's just stay here.

The day started with sunshine but mid-afternoon the dark clouds rolled in and we got rain. Here in Zion you stand down at the bottom of the canyon whereas in Bryce you are at the top looking down. For the extreme climbers, though, you can enjoy both views. We would look up and see something move and realize those were hikers up there. We were on the lookout for Big Horns, Peregrine Falcons and California Condors. We saw one falcon flying.

To end my pictorial diary, I will let you see me being a little silly

while we strolled the Riverwalk trail...

Free digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

My Trek through Southern Utah

2011-10-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

After a long and consistently hot summer, we are enjoying the wonderful autumn weather Arizona offers snowbirds and locals alike. But, a month ago, the heat was lingering still and we had our plans to go to the higher elevations of southern Utah. We were not disappointed!

Warning: picture heavy post ahead, proceed at your own pace!

Our first stop was in Boulder (not Colorado) which was once one of the remotest spots in the states. With its population of 200, it is still a place of quiet beauty. We stayed at Boulder Mountain Lodge which reminded me of campgrounds of upper Michigan when I was growing up. We had the Burr Trail close by but it was the serenity of the lodge grounds that kept me peacefully entertained.

We ate dinner and breakfast at Hell's Backbone Grill.

Bessie and I became good friends as she kept up with us down the road.

Our next stop was down the Scenic Byway 12 at Tropic. Here we had a restful night's sleep at Bryce Trails Bed & Breakfast. Our delicious breakfast cook and inn keeper, Rita, provided us with friendly hospitality.

We hiked the rim trail at Bryce Canyon National Park and was amazed by its vastness and beauty.

I'm going to leave you now, white-knuckled, hanging on the rim. I'll be back tomorrow with more from Zion National Park and Hoover Dam.

I hope you're enjoying the show.

My Redwork Sampler

2011-09-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Thursday! my, my, how this week is flying by. I feel like September will be over before I get to enjoy it. Usually, by now, I've pulled out my fall decorations and start burning cinnamon-scented candles, but that's just not happening. And some of the things I've been stitching over the last weeks are bright and sunny. This is a sampler from Bird Brain Designs that I got from my LQS. When I saw the pattern it was love at first sight. I've been doing more stitcheries lately and in particular, a pincushion woolies round robin with my Redwork Embroidery Club. This sampler will hang in my sewing room and help remind me of the different stitches I can use.

I love some of the modern embroidery that combines stitches in many wonderful ways.

For instance, one I use often is the feather stitch and french knots. Just adding those knots to the ends of the "U" makes it pop!

While making this sampler, I did exactly that, sampled several threads using the same stitch. For example, the satin stitched hearts have three different types of thread. The center heart I used perle cotton #5, the two on either side I used perle cotton #8 and for the outer two hearts I used two strands of floss. This now gives me a visual of the thickness and look of each thread. I tried to do this with all the stitches and it really helps to see how they look.

I, also, experimented with what stitch I liked best to write with, backstitch or stem, and my favorite was the good old backstitch.

(just click on the pictures to enlarge)

The pattern called for a more traditional border of red but I just had to pimp it up a tad. I had a pack of Oh, Cherry Oh charm squares and used my Mini Fit To Be Geese ruler from Open Gate. Cute!

How many of you embroider?

I do believe it is the next BIG thing!

Hugs y'all,

Susan

Goodies in the Mail

2011-09-07T10:53:00.002-07:00

I should probably change the name of my blog to include embroidery since I do as much of that as I do piecing quilt blocks. This little sampler I made a few weeks ago qualified me in a drawing from We Love French Knots in a GiveAway celebrating their new blog. Lots of fun stuff going on over there that you might find inspiring and helpful and just might get you into stitching if you haven't done so already.

Well, the 2 patterns from Crabapple Hill, the 2 skeins of Cosmos thread, and the adorable pink scissors were my winnings from that giveaway. Out of all the prizes, this was a perfect match for me, I love to use type-set font whenever I can, it is sort of a romantic symbol to me. Imagine some of the classic novels being written using the big black typewriter with those round buttons. The Cosmos thread is also a treat for I have been wanting to try out these threads.

Now, this beautiful bolt of Moda Bella Solids was from The ThimbleAnna Store. My first time ever to purchase an entire bolt of fabric. I have such plans for these 15 yards and my first cutting will be for the State Flower quilt blocks. Vicki of Turkey Feathers has generously offered the patterns for free. The quilt is an embroidered vintage style and I've been anxious to get started. Did you notice the cute blue scissors with the cleverly wrapped baker's twine? They are the same as the ones above and they also are available in green, which means I will have a collection once I have the green pair.

Little scissors and pincushions--you can't have enough!

I need to get going to the store and my LQS for some more Grinch fabric. I should have read the pattern before but then I wouldn't have an excuse to go, would I?!!

Back To Sew

2011-09-06T09:57:00.000-07:00

September was always a busy month for me with two children in school, their birthdays on the 15th and 18th and our anniversary on the 10th, things have slowed down considerably since those days.

My fondest memories of the beginning school year were of new clothes, new teacher, new classroom and new supplies. Back in the 1960's, everything was pretty much provided for me by the school. I would bring my new box of crayons, pencils, an erasor and then all the other things like paper, paint (oh, yes, we had to have a smock to wear when we painted), glue, workbooks, construction paper, etc. was in the classroom on shelves for me to use anytime. I thought of manila paper the other day--do they still use manila paper? and is it still called by that name?

With summer behind us, and I say that loosely because around here summer weather temps are still over 105* daily and will remain so for a few more weeks, but with the summer season gone, autumn and winter are filled with creativity and promise. I love the reds and oranges, the smell of cinnamon and spice, the chill in the crisp autumn air...

I've been seeking out ideas for decorating for the holidays and itching to get out my fall decorations.

My design wall has a new project on it...

I hope you will join me in celebrating back to sew; I think it will be a very creative year.

Two of a Kind

2011-08-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

I was going to title this Haboobies since now we have had two big ones. Yesterday was hotter than the devil opening his oven and burning my buns, so why not have another huge dust storm, too. Well, another one did roll its way across the valley knocking out power and ripping the roofs off homes. Thankfully in its aftermath, all I have to deal with is a brown dirty pool.

I've been working on some redwork and my BBCW block for this week. This one gave me nightmares! I've always been terrible at setting in sleeves but I would gladly have traded those curved seams for these. My first attempt was my best and had it been the right size I would have said, "piece of cake!" but no, I forgot to change the size on the printer from shrink-to-fit to none. By not doing so, I was a quarter of an inch off.

Not fair, you can't see the difference with this picture but maybe this one will help...

Actually, this is not even my third try. I got frustrated and careless in my handling the fabric too harshly and the causalities kept adding up. Finally, I cut out the right size and then walked away for a day.

This one did go together rather nicely and I think I'll keep it. I've got another 8" mistake that will probably gain more new members because I rarely ever learn my lessons that quickly. If not, I'll make a couple more and put together a table runner or something.

33. Indiana Puzzle

If Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts blog isn't on your reading list, check out this one to find out why this has a coppery circular center (said that multiple times fast) and is called Indiana Puzzle.

I hope y'all have a great week-end.
Hugs, Susan

Civil War Update

2011-08-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

I have a good report on homefront of my latest Civil War quilt. I am four blocks away from being caught up on the 32 blocks to-date. The last one I showed you was week 28 so I will proceed from there.

29. Railroad Crossing

30. Peterson's Stars and Stripes

31. Empty Spools

32. Carolina Lily

Using the pattern from Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts blog, I made this with set in seams. You can also make it using HST which I may do later on. I love flower blocks and there are so many nice patterns. I am going to ask Santa Claus to bring me EQ7 for Christmas. I haven't wanted it until now and I think it would be a welcomed addition, as would Block Base.

While doing the needle turn applique star on Peterson's Stars and Stripes, I also worked on Seven Sisters from week 3. The star in the center is one given but it was giving me fits with its more narrow points. So, I used a similar star pattern from Bunny Hill's Tisket a Tasket and it was just the right angle to make these stars go on smoothly.

3. Seven Sisters

Now, there are 20 weeks left in the year and I will have my second Civil War quilt. Remember I said for 2012 I am commemorating the bicentennial of The War of 1812.

Hugs my friends,
Susan

A New Place to Hang Out

2011-08-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

Sewing as been a part of my life since I was a little girl. Embroidery allowed me to express my creative side and satisfied my love of color. I can't remember when I didn't have skeins of floss in my possession. Embellishing doll clothes or pillows for my bed, wherever the needle took me I found happiness in stitching. Back in high school English literature class, I made a little pillow with my interpretation of Bilbo Baggins embroidered on it. I sure wish I had kept that memento of the first time I read The Hobbit. I did receive an A for creatively completing the assignment. I think now, remembering back to that time, my teacher was impressed with my skill or could it have been he just didn't know better.

Anyways, my eyes were much sharper back then. Taking pictures of one's own work reveals a ocean of humility. But, in my defense, I was stitching with black thread over a black outline, not something I would recommend for old eyes or young eyes for that matter.

Oh, well, it is what it is and I'm not going to fix it. (Yeah, right!)

This is part of a cute little sampler from a new hang out of mine called We Love French Knots. How comical that I messed up the lettering of french knots. Bari J. gives book reviews, video demonstration of stitches, and highlights of many great designers. She recently wrote about Sue Spargo and her fabulous work, check out her interview with Sue.

This is the complete Sewing Room Sampler from Bari J.

It all goes along with the grand opening of her new embroidery blog We Love French Knots. And now I must admit I don't know where I've been to have missed Bari's other blog named Bari J. And the J. stands for Jill, her middle name, which happens to be my daughter's name, oh my gosh, we're practically family!

Let me go on record right now and say, when I grow younger I want to be like Bari J.

Rhyme nor Reason

2011-08-08T22:16:00.001-07:00

According to World Facts and Figures, Phoenix, Arizona is second in having the most sunny days a year with 211. This morning started out not as one of them so cleaning house seemed the best course of action. I keep it picked up but in this heat that's about all that can be expected. Since the end of May we have had triple digit temps with no end in sight. This is my second summer so you'd think I'd know what to expect and talking about the weather when it is hot everywhere in the country was the last thing I was going to write about. But here I am talking weather because it is what drives me at the moment.

I am sewing Civil War blocks and am all but four blocks shy of catching up with the BOW at Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts blog, which by the way, I haven't even looked at this week's yet. That's because I actually spent some quality time with Mr. Homespun over the weekend. Yay, he's been away on business trips for most of the month of July. He even spent his birthday traveling. It is nice to have him home.

Reading before bed is something I do every night but usually for about an hour. When I am alone I find I read myself to sleep and wake up with the room brightly lit and my Nook nestled beside me. That is until I discovered Angry Birds and the hours began passing too quickly. Now I'm back to reading, Mrs. Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children is my current story. I am only a couple of chapters into it but it is hard to put down. It definitely has my attention.

Also, on my list of reads is The Hunger Games.

A few WIP stitcheries have my hands occupied. I hear hand embroidery is making a big comeback. I am working on three different ones, four if I count the round robin pincushion that I am doing in my redwork club. No, actually it is five with the near completion of the Raggedy Friends quilt. And I will soon begin the State Flower quilt from Turkey Feathers , too.

Well, I am yawning while typing so I think it is time to say good night. Trying to find a good time to write. Mornings used to be my favorite time. I think if I had a set schedule I would write more. Something to think about.

Good night all! Sweet dreams...

Color: Blue

2011-07-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about color a lot lately. I love color, love to use it wherever I can, not much of a neutral girl but when we moved after twenty-some years of painting with color, I now use color to accessorize my beige neutral walls.

Color and I go far back as I can remember. My first box of crayons were those pudgy eight primary colors which we also used in kindergarten. Then I saw that huge box from Crayola that came in what looked like a gift box. I remember watching Captain Kanagroo which had it featured and wanting it, needing it. There was the euphoria that followed getting a new box every time. And then I moved on to water colors and colored pencils and even markers gave me a high. You laugh, but it is still true today, I find myself drawn to the back-to-school supplies when shopping this time of year.

Last week, on American Patchwork and Quilting Radio, Pat Sloan introduced me to Joen Wolfrom and her blog Playing With Color. Her skill as a teacher and her knowledge of color welcomed me as a friend and now I am learning about the thing I have loved for so long. Others like me want to learn more and they asked for homework. Joen obliged with having us journal with pictures of the sky and my new word cerulean. These are my pictures...

She also marketed a tool for helping pick out color in fabric called a 3 in 1 Color Tool. I have one ordered through my LQS. This week, we are looking at green.

Am I alone in my love of color? I don't feel like I am, so let me know how many of you are color enthusiasts, too. And check out Joen's blog, Playing With Color. And thank you Pat Sloan.

Cotton Boll Tutorial

2011-07-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

The Civil War era blocks I am working from Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts started back in January, the first Saturday, to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. I am using 1800 reproduction fabrics. When I came to this block called Cotton Boll, I had trouble with sizing the template to make the 8 1/2" block. I have found that using short cut techniques don't work so well with many of the blocks, but I thought about the alternative method Barbara mentioned and this is how I worked it out. And like many, I need to have a pictorial to help me remember all that I did, so this is for me and if it helps you then I am all the more happy to share.

This is one quarter of the finished block and it measures 4.5" square.

The remaining pieces to make 3 more like above. After cutting out, I pressed a fold line in the center of each piece.

This is where I placed a triangle to the rectangle and sewed.

I used my triangle measure and matched up the marking as shown.

I then cut the ends off and repeated on the other side.

Now to square it up to 4.5".

Placing all four together and I have a block almost done.

And there I have finished Cotton Boll.

If you haven't started these blocks but are collecting the patterns, I have to encourage you to just step into the water. You may feel like you're going to drown in a vast ocean of information but many are there with you, at all levels in skill and help is just a click away. If I can help get you going, please let me know and we can swim our way to shore using the buddy method.

Have a great day!

Hugs, Susan

Haboob 2011

2011-07-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

Maybe you've heard of our historic haboob, and then again, maybe you haven't, but news of what happened on 5 July 2011 is still being talked about half way across the world in another arid area from whence the name haboob originated. My hubby is over in Doha, Qatar this week on business and while standing in an elevator he heard a conversation about the dust storm that hit the Phoenix valley. Of course he had to tell them that we watched as the haboob went directly over our house very much like in the following video...

We had strong winds and blowing dust for an hour and a half and it left a layer of grit that I finally removed from the patio furniture and decking. The pool inground cleaning ran during this time which helped with clean up but we still had to twice clean the cells in the filtration system. It took two days. Some parts of the valley had rain with the dust making mud and clean-up more troublesome.

While Mr. Homespun is away, I am taking this time to catch up on more of the Barbara Brackman Civil War blocks and play Angry Birds on my nookcolor. That game has some very frustrating levels but perseverance wins out!

28. Next Door Neighbor

Block 28 is current and I am trying to work back towards the beginning picking out the easier ones first. I still have 15 more blocks to finish.

19. Missouri Star

20. New England Block

17. Comfort Quilt

16. White House

I have a shopping trip planned for this week and Redwork Club on Friday. We are collecting school supplies in backpacks which will be donated to a local school district that has need of them. School starts around the first of August here. Also, I must tell, last week while shopping at Hobby Lobby the CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS were being stocked on the shelves. I know, sorry, for saying the "C" word but I was in shock. But then that passed and I thought how nice it would be to take a look. It made me want to pull out a holiday movie and curl up on the sofa--not that bad of an idea when the temperature outside is 110*. I haven't done that yet.

You guys are the best blogging friends!

Hugs,

Susan

Another Civil War Quilt!, You Say.

2011-07-05T14:28:00.001-07:00

I have really found my niche with traditional blocks and a love of reproduction fabric makes them the perfect match . The Civil War lasted 4 years, I believe, so, it is fitting that I keep going with all this CW love. If you haven't read Barbara Brackman's blog on Civil War Quilts you are in for a treat of historic proportions. I was never a war buff and The Civil War ranked a tad bit higher than World Wars 1 and 2. If push came to shove, I'd have to side with the Revolutionary War, somehow I've romantised it. In school, I used to zone out when war history was the current topic. But if the facts were presented to me how Barbara tells them, well, I would have been very attentive indeed. She brings what women contributed to the efforts to end slavery and heal our country. Barbara tells tales from both sides, too. And we get a block-of-the-week to help us remember the lessons learned.

Even though I started reading her blog from the beginning, I have jumped in the middle making the blocks so I have to play catch-up. A few weeks ago, I made two blocks and posted them. They are...

1. Catch Me If You Can

14. Fox and Geese

I have completed a few more and this time I started with the current week's block...

27. Irish Chain

and I am going backward to the beginning. This is where I am now...

25. Calico Puzzle

24. Ladies' Aid Album

23. Illinois Roads

21. Underground Railroad

26. Barbara Frietchie Star

My goal is to make up for lost time as quick as I can because I really want to start making the Farmer's Wife quilt in 1930's repro. And if that isn't making your head spin, next year is the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 and that means some "Jane Austin" style quilts--be still my heart--probably my most favorite author of classical literature. So, I had better get a move on.

Hugs from a very hot AZ gal or is it, a gal in very hot AZ?!!
Susan

Hummingbirds

2011-06-30T22:03:00.001-07:00

The last time I can remember a day under 100 degrees is NEVER! It is a dry heat like the blast you get when you open the oven door while baking those chocolate chip cookies; that's what it feels like. It is HOT! I have little lizards that I leave a shallow dish of water for them because I feel terrible when they get into the pool and drown.

My plants are recovering nicely from the cold winter we had.

My lemon tree is loaded with lemons again this year.

The other morning I took my camera out to take these pictures of my garden and I was able to record my hummingbirds.

Create a free picture slideshow

A Quilt for Kaaren

2011-06-23T19:57:00.000-07:00

Kaaren of The Painted Quilt announced on her blog a few days ago that she is taking a break due to health issues. Kaaren will be missed but she will not be forgotten, no siree, she is a beloved blogger friend and many love her. She is very generous with freebie patterns like Raggedy Friends BOM and much more. So, naturally when the call came to make a block for a quilt for Kaaren, well, many are responding; I'm responding. If you would like more information go over to Ally Oops Sweet Happy Life for the details.

My Civil War Quilt

2011-06-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well, it did not take me as long as the war between states lasted and I couldn't be happier to have it finished so without further adieu, my Civil War Quilt...

This picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

Michele Klein machine quilted this for me and didn't she do a fabulous job?! I love pantographs and wanted one that worked with the complexity of the blocks and I think the feathers were perfect. I am so pleased with this quilt. The fabric for the binding wasn't purchased until the very end and it just happened that I found this paisley that blended wonderfully with the plaid border.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with an orthopedic doctor about my fractured left foot...more to come ;-0

Up To The Challenge

2011-05-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Good morning! I noticed I had some comments on my previous post that I did not answer, I am so sorry for that. I usually have a good experience with Blogger but lately there have been some issues that I am just now finding out about. I know that others have had a post disappear only to reappear without comments, well, that happened to me, too, but the comments are there fortunately. What didn't happen was the notification I receive through an email letting me know a comment was posted and now I see I had questions to be answered. Thankfully Kaaren saw them but if you're like me, you don't revisit the comment page so you'd never see the answer.

To answer about a tutorial on the huswife, Kaaren over at The Painted Quilts has one here. I will have to come up with one, too, since these are a favorite of mine and making them is in my list of to-do's. The pattern I used is from Kathleen Tracey's book Remembering Adelia.

A few weeks ago, I entered a quilt challenge and given a pattern for a 4" small basket block . I made 12 of these blocks and this is what I came up with...

Dark Cherry Cordial

Here is a pictorial of the piecing process:

Since this was a quilt challenge I had included some "firsts" for me like this was the first time I used math to figure out the setting triangles (once again my Fons & Porter's Quilter's Complete Guide came through for me). The prairie points were a first time making them. And using a jar lid to quilt scallops in the border was another first. This was a pleasurable experience and one I spent some evenings working on hence the picture of my sweetie on the bed in my sewing room. Usually evenings are times we spend together because of his long working hours so he came into my sewing room and moved the girls off the bed. He read the mail and I quilted--win/win!

Y'all are the best!

The Huswife I Sent Away

2011-05-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you know I've joined a Yahoo group Small Quilt Talks. It was started a few years back by Kathleen Tracy who has written some very well known books on doll-size quilts. Her books are full of inspirational patterns and quilt history. In Kathy's book Remembering Adelia she introduces us to The Huswife...

A soldier in war would need to make repairs to his uniform and would need to have some means of supplies. A huswife would carry that extra button, some thread and needles, possibly a pair of scissors or small knife. These little sewing kits were made by the women in their families most likely out of fabrics familiar to the soldier. Therefore, the huswife became a little remembrance of home.

In my Yahoo group, we swapped these little sewing kits with another in the group. Not everyone there uses 1800's reproduction fabric so forms were filed and the swap leader paired us up with someone of like tastes. My swap partner was Kaaren of The Painted Quilts. We both love many of the same things and Kaaren, as you may know, works with wool and that is an area that I am dabbling more into. It was only natural then to think of a wool pincushion since my thoughts go to her round robin experience that resulted in a gorgeous pincushion.

I added a little extras to the kit with hopes it will give her a little remembrance of me and how much I enjoyed making this for her.

So, there you have it and with it comes the end of the swap :-((

Not to be too downcast because I can enjoy the other ones that were swapped and some of them have elements added that I am already wanting to reproduce. And these little cuties are not difficult to make and would be treasured by anyone who sews...just thinking about Christmas!

And also, back to the first picture of the gift wrapped in a fat quarter, well, I think it is much nicer to use fabric to wrap with than paper that just get thrown away. Just thinking!

Hugs y'all.

My Huswife Arrived

2011-05-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

I hope your day is going as wonderful as mine is. I haven't accomplished as much around the house as I wanted to but the laundry and ironing is completed and I made a fresh batch of salsa, so life is good. I have a new challenge I am working on and as the dedicated quilter that I am, I am working on many projects at one time and I have another one in my head that is itching to come out. I will tell more later. But I must share what my swap partner sent me...

Isn't this gorgeous?! This is a small quilting kit a.k.a. a huswife which were commonly used by Civil War soldiers to mend their uniforms or to hold trinkets and keepsakes from home. I was thrilled to have Kaaren of The Painted Quilt as my partner. She made this just for me using my favorite colors and she even figured out (although I think she's clairvoyant) that I am interested in crazy quilting.

Kaaren's work is beautiful and also included some Clover needles and some cute novelty buttons along with scissors with a fob that is so cute. I like the ribbon which is attached to the interior and holds the scissors in place, how cool is that!

XOXO A BIG THANK YOU KAAREN XOXO

Today I also listened to...

have you ever tuned in? This is so good, Pat Sloan hosts and she is very interesting interviewing just the best guests and ones we all love from around our quilting community. I am looking forward to market by way of...

Y'all are the best!

Susan

If Quilts Could Talk...

2011-05-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

what would they tell us.

I was made to comfort my maker's sick child. ~ I have covered the bed of a loving husband and wife. ~ I was carried from battlefield to battlefield until my final rest.

I was given a quilt many years ago which until recently I have not pondered except that it must have been made to be used. It is very tattered and torn given it is completely hand-pieced. And all the work that went into this quilt boggles my mind to think they just tied it together.

The string style blocks are all hand-pieced and have fabric that seems to come from previously used garments and draperies.

I have found several places where the maker was making do with what she had in order to complete the string in the block.

Sometimes, I imagine, the maker just took from the scraps with no concern if it was a close match and yet, as below, small effort was made to join them discreetly.

It was interesting to see how the maker used the flannel background, in a continuous sweep towards the front, as the binding also. Surprisingly, the binding is not very worn given it is a single layer of fabric.

There are many lessons to discover when old quilts are involved. One that I will take with me is to be more flexible in my attitude about how it is made. I think about getting the perfect fabric and how it has to be in the perfect condition and I have to have the perfect amount or I just can not start it if all these perfects aren't met.

I was glad when given this quilt but if I were to have come across this at a resale shop would I have purchased it? Another lesson is to check out the less than perfect quilts, they, too, are struggling to be heard!

More Civil War Blocks

2011-05-01T17:20:00.000-07:00

I'm onto another Civil War quilt and this one is from Barbara Brackman on her Civil War Quilts blog.I started working on two blocks and found that I didn't have enough of the red fabric in the picture below. I was at the point of no return in the sense that I just wanted to sit down and piece it together. I did not want to wait until I could go to my LQS and purchase more; I wanted to sew! I had read an article on make-do when you need to and thought here's a good time to put that into practice.

I was able to stitch two squares from different pieces that gave me the needed triangles to use in my block. I think they are pretty well hidden, don't you?

The finished block is called Catch Me If You Can.

This block is called Fox and Geese.

Even if you do not make the blocks, the stories are interesting as is the history lesson.

Y'all know that I am in a Civil War club and that we use Kathleen Tracy's books for our projects. What I may not have mentioned is I've joined Kathy's Yahoo group, Small Quilt Talks. I had read about the group on some of your blog posts and found it to be a wonderful group. Recently, we had a huswife swap. No, this isn't some reality show where you go clean another's house. A huswife is a small sewing kit used by soldiers during the war to mend their uniforms and such, well, mine and my partner's are en route to their destinations. You know I'll be sharing!

More to share on "make-do" from an old quilt of mine that has a story to tell.

Hugs!

My Time Out

2011-04-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

*yawn* *stretch* *focus* slowly I move towards the room that has been neglected for too long and as I enter a smile comes knowing that I be spending the day doing what I love.

My charming son and his adorable wife left the damp dreary darkness to come visit me in the warmth and sunshine. We had a wonderful time just sitting around the pool, swimming, eating, and they just let me enjoy having them all to myself. We went to the zoo again but the animals weren't as active as they were in March of last year when we first visited.

Mr. Elephant

Miss Macaw

The Komodo Dragon

The Horse in Striped Pajamas

A cute pair of Flamingos

This Rhinoceros was under medical attention--poor baby.

Me and Mr. Cutie Pie

Here I am with Mr. Homespun.

We ate at a place called Over Easy for breakfast. The kiddos love Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives so we try to take in a place where he has been. Last year it was Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert which is one of our favorite spots now.

Enough of my family pictures, I have sewing to do and some blog reading, too.

Hugs!

2011-04-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

In Michigan we used to laugh when we would say we went from winter to summer all because the temperature would be 60* one day and then 80* the next BUT here spring is 80* SO when the temps go to 99* I think it is safe to say SUMMER is here!

Our new kitchen sink looks great and I am thankful now for my sweetie's persistence in renovating the area. The old sink was surely beaten to a pulp by the previous and original owners for they were not gentle on much around here. The sink however was the worst and it bothered my man greatly, but I, having just cleaned when we moved in, did not want to go through the mess of stone dust allover. All the edges and that center portion would be removed and made new again. Well, last week we had the work done and partly in preparation for the royal visit: Andy and Anna are coming!

They who did the work are friends of ours and a dinner to celebrate the job well-done was definitely in order. Husband and wife (who works with the DH) came over for a picnic-style grilling...after all, it does feel like summer. And what says summer more than Potato Salad.

My recipe is simple: eggs, potatoes, onions and cucumber. Yes, cucumber replaces celery which none of us here enjoys and the cucumber provides the same crunch and gives a fresh light flavor. I add dill and it gives the subtle taste of pickles. The dressing is just mustard and mayonnaise/salad dressing.

Oh, see how nice it is to clean up...I love this pull down sprayer.

Potato salad, my Harvest baked beans, hamburgers and bratwursts and watermelon...with Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.

More work this weekend but it takes us outdoors with the gardening. We lost some Queen Palm trees and hibuscus plants during the cold winter we had. And living in AZ through one summer now I learned that soon it will be too hot to be outdoors very much so my sewing room will get more action then.

Hugs, Susan

Monday

2011-03-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

One-Patch Doll Quilt

It looks like we are in for some rain today but I have enough of things to do inside so that doesn't bother me at all. In fact, we get so few rainy days here that I am glad to see it come...a little gloom and doom is good once in a while.

The little One-Patch Doll Quilt I finished a couple weeks ago completes a UFO challenge I took at Small Quilt Talks. I actually made a vow to complete the Peony Star quilt and I am going to have to pick up the pace to get that done by the end of the month.

Peony Star quilt top

If you like to vote to bring recognition to favorites of yours, check out ...

many of mine were on the list.

Lots to do this Monday morning and I'll be back soon.

A Gift

2011-03-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

Irish eyes are smiling and those would be mine; so beautiful today that I was able to swim for the first time this year. I love AZ! Dinner is slow-cooking, brownies I made are waiting for dessert to go with the hot fudge and vanilla ice cream. I am fasting all day just to feast tonight. And yes, I made corned beef and cabbage, tradition! I'm Irish!

The other night I found a package for me in the mailbox. My BBFF (best blogging friend forever) sent me a tissue cover she made. Isn't this sweet!

Tissue anyone? Already being put to good use.

And also included was a couple pieces of Elaine's hand-dyed fabrics she had recently gotten a resale shop...what a sweetheart for sharing. Elaine is known as Bruno's mom and that would now include Chloe and the chickens. Her blog is Muddling Through and I know many of you visit her regularly to see her quilts and such.

It's only 2:30 in the afternoon here and many of you on the eastcoast and midwest are already enjoying dinner but I will have to wait. Oh, well, I'm not one to waste this sunshine so...

Hang ten!

Civil War Club~March

2011-03-14T09:22:00.001-07:00

Good Monday! And although it is good for me, Japan suffers and my thoughts and prayers are with them.

I am waiting to hear from my absent man that he is at Sky Harbor waiting for me to bring him home. It has been a long couple weeks, it always is when he travels far from me but thankfully the last few hours are almost at an end.

I want to share with you pictures from the March meeting of my Civil War Club. We were down in attendance but that was due to the Arizona Quilters Guild assembly at the Mesa Convention Center. I couldn't make time for it this year but I did drive by and wow, it is a huge event. And our AZ weather is back to being practically perfect in every way.

Kathy reported the Battle of Picacho Pass, the westernmost battle, and I say that loosely, of the Civil War. It involved 10 Union soldiers and 13 rebels, or was it 13 Union and 10 rebels, either way there were 23 men fighting for possession of the pass. The south would like to establish a route to the Pacific ports to bring in goods and this became its battlefield. Interestingly enough, the skirmish lasted 90 minutes. The Union officier in command died and is buried in the dessert there still in an unmarked unlocated grave. For more info on this historic battle go here. Every March there is an re-enactment bringing many more soldiers than were originally involved.

This is a drive by photo of Mt. Picacho I took on a trip to Tucson.

Kathy also shared the latest edition of the Elm Creek series.

Now on to Show and Tell...

Cyndi finished a small Jo Morton quilt--sweet!

Sharon pieced this from the book Underground Railroad by Eleanor Burns. This book is on my wish list.

Remember the friendship triangle exchange I participated in awhile back, well someone has finished hers and it is not me but I am so happy I chose this one too. I love it!

And this is the newly quilted but not quite finished BOM that many ladies are doing at my LQS.

Check out this quilting--feathers are all the rage! I am practicing, for sure.

Click on the pictures for a closer view.

And then last month Charlene showed us her paper-pieced blocks from The Farmer's Wife. Here is what she did this month, fantastic, she pieced together all the blocks.

Well, that's all for now, gotta run.

Peony Star Quilt

2011-03-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

Maybe this isn't the right setting for a reproduction Civil War quilt but couldn't we just imagine that is an old watering hole along the trail?! Let me just say and move on--it is 80*F today and no I haven't been swimming.

Peony Star Quilt

I fell in love with this quilt the first time I saw it in Remembering Adelia, so I started it not realizing that it is a fair size larger than I would have taken on at this time. It may remain unquilted for awhile because there are so many others I want to work on but I am happy to have it this far along.

As you can imagine, since the weather has warmed considerably, I am working outside as much as I can, but that means you are also out here with me for those regular blog breaks. I am trying to catch up on Raggedy Friends redwork, as well.

Hugs, Susan

Wonderfully Productive

2011-02-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

Wasn't this a wonderful weekend? Oh, the weather where you live was less than perfect, well, same here, but I refuse to let it define my mood. Although, yesterday if it was not raining I may not have spent the afternoon doing this...

One-Patch Doll Quilt

I had so much fun picking out the colors and then cutting it out; you should see the floor in my sewing room, it just screams FUN. I am learning to let it go when it comes to mess--I felt I would be more accurate in measuring and sewing if I kept a clean workspace but I really think the opposite is true. I had no trouble with this little cutie. She is the first I've made from The Civil War Sewing Circle. The author, Kathleen Tracy posted on her blog Sentimental Quilter about making this out of her new fabric Bancroft which is due to appear in the stores come March. I'm now going to have to wait to finish it because I do not have fabric for the last border and binding.

I could work on this one...

Peony Star Quilt

This is from Kathy's book Remembering Adelia. Our Civil War Club uses her books for our inspiration and it is so cool seeing how everyone uses color and print to make it their own. I noticed on Barbara Brackman's Material Culture an antique peony star quilt. I love when I happen on similar things I'm currently working on.

Speaking of work, this is Monday and that is wash day for me. I must get that done between stitching. Last week I had a dozen of Mr. Homespun's shirts to iron, most he hadn't seen in weeks. I don't want a pile up again.

Here to a wonderfully productive Monday!

~Susan

February Meeting of Civil War Club

2011-02-15T09:58:00.002-07:00

The second Friday of every month our club meets. This month Kathy highlighted The American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. The museum has a collection of 1870-1940 prints manufactured by Cocheco Falls Millworks. Located in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1813 several men formed The Dover Cotton Factory and began to produce cotton cloth. The article on its history says...

By 1816, with machinery scurrilously imported from England, the Upper Factory began producing cotton cloth. Girls were hired to tend the looms and men were hired as overseers. There were about 175 4’ X 3’ looms in each room of the factory and each girl tended two of them. Working conditions were monotonous but not strenuous and pay was good. About $2.00 a week (minus $1.25 for room and board) for the girls and $3.00-$4.00 a week for the men (minus $1.75). Workdays were long, usually 14 hours per day, six days a week, beginning with the factory bell wake-up at 4:30AM. Breakfast followed at 5AM and work began by 5:30. After a half-hour break for lunch, work sometimes continued until 6:30PM (depending on the time of year and the amount of available light). Supper was at 7PM.

This sure makes me appreciate the effort it took to manufacture beautiful cotton fabric and what part this would later have during the war between the states.

Now, on we go to show and tell where we see what everyone has been working on. Charlene was sitting at my table and she opened her box to reveal these blocks she made from The Farmer's Wife. They are all paper-pieced and just stunning; I can't wait to see them together as a quilt.

Kim made this darling little heart quilt (please click on the pictures to enlarge)

and she made this one which is from a recent pattern in American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.

Cindy Osburn made this from Kathleen Tracy's Civil War Sewing Circle. Both of these will be displayed in the store.

Sharon made the next two quilts.

Kathy, our fearless leader and owner of Quilter's Oasis is on the right side helping in holding up this beautiful sampler.

Barbara made this lovely quilt with such beautiful colors.

Marty did a fantastic job making this gorgeous quilt with the friendship triangles from the exchange (I have some in there, too). This and the one on the wall (Cindy O. made) behind Marty are from the book Friendship Triangles. I forget how many hundreds of half-square triangles are in these quilts--wow!

Marty again with another quilt she made scrappy again.

This Cindy made a prayer shawl for her sister-in-law who has cancer. What a very thoughtful gift!

Isn't this adorable?!! those chickens are just too cute and look at the sunflowers popping right off the quilt. This was made by Sue.

Fussy cuts are wonderfully arranged in this quilt by Catherine.

Catherine also made this quilt creatively using printed panels.

I know there were quite a few pictures but we have many ladies with a wonderful talent to get many projects done. Oh, to be able to multi-task like that, well, I do my best to practice at it.

The sun is shining brightly today.

Hugs, Susan

I HEART My Local Quilt Shop

2011-02-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrate love and being a quilting blog I chose this place because it sums up all my quilting loves. My local quilt shop or LQS provides me with a wonderful selection of fabrics and patterns and notions but more importantly, I find the friendship of fellow quilters here. As soon as you walk through the door you are warmly greeted.

Kathy, who owns Quilter's Oasis, passed on her love of 1800's reproduction fabric to me.

Double Wedding Ring class

Underground Railroad sampler class

They offer a variety of classes, too. And clubs like civil war, redwork embroidery, applique and Midnight at the Oasis where you come to sew on whatever you are doing.

Just enjoy this little visual romp around the shop...

At the club meetings we get to see the new fabric that came in. The small quilt on the table was made by Kim who is in the civil war club. Most of what Kim does is hand-quilted. This quilt you may recognize is from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.

One of the ladies who works at QO is Cindy and she made the quilt below which is from Edyta Sitar's Friendship Triangles book.

Tomorrow I will do a show and tell of the Civil War Club. I thought I'd give it to you in smaller portions and we have some wonderful quilts to show.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love and hugs , Susan

Done (for my part)

2011-02-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

My Civil War Remembrance Quilt

This past June the Civil War Club I attend proposed doing a big quilt designed by Lori Smith of From My Heart to Your Hands called Aunt Maggie's Patchwork Quilt. My good intentions were to use all Civil War reproduction fabric but I did not stay the course. While I can say it is mostly repro there is also some Thimbleberries and Collections for a Cause: Alliance.

This quilt has taught me to persevere when challenged by too many seams in a single block. I still don't grasp the direction when pressing seams so I don't get thickness in one spot. I mean, I understand it when the block is a simple design but I seem to run out of choices which way the seam should go. And the rule about pressing towards the dark was violated several times.

I discovered I had a love for traditional block design and the origins of such blocks. It is fascinating reading about the names and places the blocks represent.

12 April 1861 was the beginning of The Civil War and this year marks its 150th anniversary.

I will recall those times with my own Civil War Remembrance quilt.

Now to have it quilted...

Spring IS Just Around the Corner

2011-02-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

It is cold! I know it's not freezing like, humm, let's say, central Indiana. And we aren't under an advisory warning like Houston. BUT it is cold here in the Phoenix valley.

We do have bright blue skies with no snow to shovel but we get to wear our Uggs and that's got to count for something.

My potted plants are keeping their blooms and the local nurseries are gearing up for a new planting season while many of you are just thumbing through the seed catalogs and dreaming of a new garden come May. I think last year in April we were flirting with triple digits, but I don't mean to rub that in.

I know what cold y'all are facing up north; I've had my share of scrapping icy windshields. But it is cold here, too. I don't like to complain and the native Arizonians (all 5 of them who live by me and who want to blame me for bringing my midwestern weather) love telling me I told you so. I am chilled to the bone, did I make that clear, my dear friends.

Not all my plants are keeping up a good face.

And I am deeply concerned for these palms. My lemon tree did yield a great crop but the curled leaves tell me it would like to see warmer days.

So, before y'all think I wear shorts and flip-flops (well, I still do wear me some flip-flops) I want you to know it is so nice living here in Arizona in the winter.

Keep warm and stay safe!

You know that I'm just teasing, spring is just around the corner...

A Huswife for A Friend

2011-02-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today is dear friend's birthday. She and I have known each other almost since the beginning of time, that is, time as we know it. We grew up in the same city; went to the same high school; attended the same church. Her mother and my husband's mother were best friends growing up. They went to the same high school and stood up in each other's weddings which were one week apart.

She and I became good friends while I was engaged to my husband. She was newly married. We experienced our first cup of expresso once while on a shopping date. We were so young and sat in a cafe like sophisticated women acting ever so grown up; much like we did on rustic canoe trips with other couples from church. We were together a lot back then.

One hobby she had that I did not share in, but now regret, was Civil War Re-enactment. She would dress in reproduction costume and go to another state where they were acting out a battle scene from the war. She made her own dress and bonnet being authentic as possible in the construction. She displays her gown on a dress form in her home.

Now we have a long distance friendship that is as strong as ever. I think of her as a sister who I can talk to about many things. She called me yesterday when she received my small present in the mail. Oh, we wished we lived close again. She knew exactly what a huswife was. For those who don't know what a huswife or housewife is, they were little sewing kits made for the men going off to war, mostly made by the women in their family. They would be made of fabrics the men would associate with home. This little needle cases would contain thread, a needle and maybe some buttons all which were used to repair their uniforms while away on the battlefields. I've read that the soldiers would also use them to hold little trinkets from home, too.

This is the one I made for my BFF. She loves it!

Have a wonderful Super Bowl day!

Book Review

2011-02-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

Tradition. History. Reproduction.

I am a story collector. I have many stories of family and friends that explains my behavior towards almost every area of my life. The traditions I have set come from these stories.

I am a recorder of family history. I used to think my family, the friends I grew up with, childhood places would remain unchanged, would be around forever, a common misconception of youth, which now requires proof of existence recorded on paper.

I have an appreciation for history now, one that my old teachers would have given their McGuffey readers to hear my say. The History Channel is a favorite of mine. My reading list consists of subjects all dealing with our country's past, and my hobbies have conceded to all that is history.

Here is one example...

A Path to the Civil War: Aurelia's Journey Quilt by Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith of Homestead Hearth is packed with more of the traditional quilt blocks I have come to love *sarcasm* there are blocks with seams upon seams that I give up on which way to press them and you know what I mean. Also included are stories that makes interesting reading about the war between the states.

I love reproduction fabric and use it almost exclusively right now.

Here's another example...

Friendship Triangles by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts is a modern book about using a different technique on the traditonal half-square triangle. She uses a block exchange to achieve a scrappy look. My LQS sponsored such an exchange a few months ago and I just started opening the sewn triangles to see what I have to work with. What a wonderful selection of reproduction fabrics. Oh, yeah, that was the rule, you had to use repro for repro. I now have a variety of prints some that are from back before I started collecting.

I have chosen the Tree of Life wallhanging to use with my 140 half-squares. Don't look for many updates on this though; I am planning on much time to finish this.

On a different note, I have three dozen lemons recently picked from my tree that needs attention. I am juicing them to freeze for later use. My next-door neighbor received a dozen from me and we have used about six lemons ourselves. This is one of my simple pleasures.

To most of you in the USA, keep safe and stay warm. Part of me wishes I was in a blizzard area but then I'm still wearing flip-flops and that won't do at all.

Warm Hugs,

Susan

My Day in Court

2011-01-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

Good Monday Morning! I am up and at it early, been to the market and back home before 7am, braved the 38 degree temps and cleaned out the swimming pool's skimmer basket. Let me say that water is cold but we had some wind yesterday enough to blow a ton of leaves into the water. Now as I melt I will let you in on my exciting weekend.

Friday, I woke with plenty of time to prepare for my civil duty. Did I mention before that I failed to read the summons correctly which could put me in contempt? Thursday night I read, and what I mean is I really read every word on the paper summons they sent out (a couple months back) which in big bold red letters said detach the questionaire below and return immediately. And then to top it off, I was to call on the business day before to get my reporting time and other instructions. Oopsie, can't do that, but thankfully I was able to access the website and register online.

I was going to a city about 20 miles away that I was not familiar with but thought I gave myself enough time to get there early, little did I know the traffic thickened the last 5 miles as road construction took over the lanes on the expressway. The rest of the way was clear, though I then went to the wrong building before. I did make it by 8am, on time. I could see the room was full of potential jurors and as I was anxious to join them, I kept setting off the metal detector. Watch removed, belt removed, finally I went through buzzer-less. Oh, and I was able to bring in my cellphone and Nookcolor.

After filling out yet another form, we waited to be called. I was expecting to go to a room with tables and chairs and vending machines but no, we just waited like sheep in the entrance area. About 45 minutes went by and we were called by name into the courtroom and out of the 40 persons called I was number 37.

We filed in and sat in our assigned arrangement. The judge swore us in and began the process of selecting jurors for the case which would be heard immediately after this. We answered the questions as a group, raising our hand in the affirmative, then gave our name as the judge, the clerk, and the lawyers all made notes. This took about an hour and then we left the courtroom to sit out in the hallway while each individual person was called in to expound on their yeses. The average time took 20 minutes and remember, I was near the bottom. I was thankful for my Nook and the preloaded Crossword game. I was able to get one and a half puzzles done (about 2 hours).

My fellow-jurors-in-waiting were getting hungry. I know this because food was the favorite topic of conversation. It was after 12:30pm and we were about halfway through when the doors opened and the defendant and lawyers came out. Lunch break, no, just a reprieve for the restroom.

My fellow-bench-warmers were called in, and then came the announcement for all of us at go back inside. What? I went the distance and did not get my chance to lay open my life before complete strangers of the law; thank You Lord for sparing me.

After a sincere thank you from the judge, we could leave. Those selected could not.

What I learnt from my experience? I will receive 44.5 cents per mile reimbursement for mileage spent to come to court. I got to see historic downtown Chandler. But most importantly, I discovered an antique store nearby that I will definitely return to visit.

Stay warm today, my friends!

To Serve or Not

2011-01-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

I am dreading tomorrow. I know it is a privilege to serve but the timing is not what I would have chosen. I have been summons to jury selection.

This will be my third time. Not looking forward to it like I did the first time back in 1982. I even told the judge this was like a vacation as I would be getting out of the house. You laugh, but I was sincere. I was a young mother of an infant son and any occasion to get dressed and go out was good. That was the only time I actually served on a case. The defendant was being tried on an indecent exposure with intent to do harm (not the actual wording, I'm sure, but you get the point). I was questioned by the prosecutor and the defense lawyer and I don’t recall who asked but one of them wanted to know how I would feel if my son exposed himself. I smiled and said something like, my son exposes himself every day, you see, I just had a baby boy. Well, that made the judge laugh and say to me if I wanted to be excused I could right now. That’s when I said serving would be like a vacation.

I should not look upon going to the courthouse with dread but what if I am selected? Silly of me, isn’t it? A few years ago, I was in the same predicament and was not picked to sit on a jury. I should be happy of all the uninterrupted time I will have to read. I know cell phones are not allowed because of their picture taking ability so I am not even attempting to take in my nook. Anyway, I have something.

I am reading Sea of Glory by Nathaniel Philbrick. He, also, wrote The Mayflower which I read and loved. This one is set in the early 1800’s when the young United States sent out an exploring expedition of the Pacific Ocean.

You know, it would be more interesting tomorrow if the lawyers wore powdered wigs and spoke the King’s English or dare I even hope for a little Law and Order drama to get me through. Still I feel the trepidation of the unknown and writing about it hasn’t helped like I thought it might.

I’ll let you know how it turns out.

The First Meeting of the New Year

2011-01-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

My Civil War group met last Friday. I just love this group of women with all their creativity and talent; I am learning so much from them. I can say I found a sewing circle ~ a group of women who meet regularly to sew. A few hours before our group began, the long awaited The Civil War Sewing Circle arrived. It has lots of stuff for me to do, I am excited to get started.

Along with show and tell (which my pictures did not do justice but will show them at a later post due to the groanings of my PC every time I attempted to upload pictures), as I was saying, along with our regular activities we had a guest speaker, Tish Cook author of When You Speak My Name.

Tish Cook's great-grandmother, Victoria Yoakum, was the inspiration to her book about life and murder in the mid-1800's Missouri. Victoria's mother was Cherokee and died when Victoria was a young girl. Her father, a white man, was murdered by a bushwhacker in 1864. He was tried and hung for his crime. While researching her family history, Tish felt the spirit of her grandmother Victoria telling her to write her story.

Tish Cook's book is available by contacting Tish at tishcook1@yahoo.com or I found When You Speak My Name available in ebook at Smashwords.

An update on my civil war quilt which is coming along nicely especially after putting the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle. Back before Thanksgiving we had some days where I had the windows open but a breeze blew through that scattered what blocks that weren't assembled. I now have three setting blocks left to do and then it is all rows and border. I placed the border fabric down to see how it will look.

This is the same print that is in all my block centers. The end is in sight and away this quilt will go to be quilted by a long arm. I love pantographs but need to look over the patterns to choose one that will complement the time period.

Hugs to you all, my friends.

Praying for Joanne

2011-01-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

I have an urgent prayer request that I must share with you. I received a notice on Facebook from our church here in Arizona, Mission Community, that Joanne Heim had a massive stroke that morning and that we should pray. Joanne and her husband Toben were at Mission before we moved out here and have since moved back to Colorado. Then in my blog-reader came a call for prayer through Living Proof Ministries. I learned that Joanne was The Simple Wife (a wonderful blog) that I had visited a few times over the course of my blogging. All this to say, God got my attention to pray for Joanne. There are people all over the world praying and supporting the family. Today, on her blog, was a post from her friend asking to support Joanne by getting the word out that she needs our prayers. Her husband has beautifully written her story and I would encourage you to go over to The Simple Wife to read how best you can pray for her, as they will be updating news there.

I am closing comments on this post because my intent is prayers for Joanne, Toben and their two young girls.

Mama's Got a Brand-New Toy

2011-01-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Along with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, the holidays also includes the 4th of January-my Birthday. This year my sweetie gave me a Nookcolor. Love it! I can read books and blogs and most anything else with one exception.

As anyone obsessed in her craft, my first search was for quilting magazines but, sadly, there are no subscriptions available in digital format. What?!! I thought quilters were cutting edge in all things technical, as well as, material. I am begging for my small voice to be heard, please let us have American Patchwork and Quilting in a new forum. It can't be that hard, Martha Stewart did it; joking, I heart Martha.

My 55 year old brain is pulled in many directions lately and I am finding it difficult to get back into my sewing room. Also, my PC is old and does not want to perform admirably; I suspect the little guys running operations inside are having difficulty remembering their tasks. So, I am waiting for my new Dell laptop to come. Technical Toy Over Load...hey, it is all for the cause. You know, what we do for blogging.

Love ya!

Happy New Year

2011-01-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: This post is pictureless. I know there's a rule being broken in someone's Laws of Blog Etiquette but I have just cleaned out my emailbox of 399 unread letters--not truly unread because they come to my phone but I had to tackle my computer, still that took some time. Then there were 1000+ blog posts waiting in my blogreader and now after a week's worth, I am square away.

I have experienced cold weather in the two areas of the United States that should never see temps go below freezing, especially when one is on holiday there. The week before Christmas we joined my Andy and Anna and Anna's family in Walt Disney World. It had been seven months since last I'd seen my son and his wife and that was when we visited them back in Michigan. Florida's weather turned against us, but we are no wimps and endured the cold while enjoying the company of family and riding Rock N Rollercoaster three times. I had no idea the ride took me in loops upside down and in corkscrews until I was told after.

Then we came home to Artic Arizona and I am mourning some of my plants that didn't get covered in my garden. Oh, and there was snowflakes falling in Mesa but we missed them because we were in the theater watching True Grit at the time. What a good movie! I loved this one just as much as the original.

Now it is Monday and hubby is back to work and I am back to whatever it is I do, winky-winky and, oh, yeah, I've ~~discovered~~ subscribed to Ancestry.com. I've always wanted to get into my genelogy in a more structured way and this is the way but it is also time consuming, but I RESOLVE to keep up with everything else I love too.

So Welcome 2011, I look forward to all the good times ahead...

Looking Like a Quilt

2010-11-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

Everything I do in the sewing room has to do with this quilt. It has consumed me to the point of no return. I can't think of another project, well, that's not entirely true~I'm in a block exchange. But this quilt is all I think about.

Never would I have chosen this project if not for the encouragement from the ladies in my Civil War Club. I discovered a love for reproduction fabric prints and I look confidently at the advance skill level patterns which I never would have done before. Have you noticed all the books and informational material that is showing up on the Civil War period? Or maybe it's me but that is all I see anymore.

Well, back to the quilt~I have finished all of the full-size alternating blocks with ease...

except for this one, Block 17, the last one. I stitched the whole thing before I realized it was backwards. I had to unpick and sew it again. There has to be a block which wants more attention especially when it is one of many of the same but #17 humbled me.

Once again you, my friends, have shown me a kindness and warmth that is deeply appreciated. Who would have thought such friendships could be made through cyberspace, unseen yet as real as if you were here in person. Just think how we exchange information so quickly. I guess I'm just trying to say that I am happy you're my friends.

Luv y'all :-)

Civil War Blocks Finished

2010-11-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

What's a girl to do when she needs a diversion to take her mind off of medical tests and yucky drinks she has to consume? Finish the blocks for her Civil War quilt, and that's just what I did. Here is a slide show featuring all 18 blocks...

Personalize a free digital slideshow

Y'all are so sweet with the compliments on my new header. Well, I failed to mention that the baby picture is my dear mama at three months old. She was born 29 May 1916 in Corona, Kansas.

My grandmama Katie, her mother, was born in 1881 so great-grandmama lived during the Civil War. Sadly, I do not have much information that far back. I know they lived in Missouri for quite some time before migrating to Michigan.

I will be posting more of my family history, as well as, other stories on my Civil War page.

Creative Juices Flowing

2010-10-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around with the look of my blog trying to make it more homespun because that's me. Lately, I am drawn to the traditional ways of life not knowing if it comes from being alone this past week--the man of my life is out of the country and that can make me feel abandoned even though I know I am loved--or maybe because I felt the twinge of immortality just before he left; a realization that my time should not be wasted. He wanted to change his plans but I stopped him especially when the colonoscopy can wait for a couple weeks. Don't worry, all is well, really, I choose to believe.

Maybe all this Civil War stuff and everything has me filled with nostalgia. Sometimes I feel like I am so closely tied to that period, I can't explain it, but if I were to choose a time it would be more like the Age of Reason. Nonetheless, in quilting Civil War is all the rage. Don't you just wish you had an old aunt's attic that has been forgotten until you walk in and discover treasures untold.

Oh, well, I just wanted to check in while I am trying to update this blog and through it get those creative juices flowing.

Finished Me Lucky Charms

2010-10-13T14:11:00.002-07:00

Today is all about finishing, specifically, my Lucky Charms quilt. Starting another quilt in the midst of my attention-grabbing Civil War quilt was not what I set out to do but the little diversion was just what I needed. I still have three main blocks to do on that one and I think I was on the brink of just let me get them done and we all know what happens when we cave in to that!

I joined the quilt-along sponsored by Pat Sloan with my charm pack of Blessings and a few fat-quarters. These were just waiting to be used and now I have a new table topper for the holidays.

Machine free motion quilting is still new to me but watching Elaine over at Muddling Through, I was encouraged to just do it. This is my second quilt, my first was the sampler a few months back. This time I tried to copy the holly leaves (the picture above).

I think the biggest challenge for me is wrapping my mind around the part where I don't turn the quilt, just move it up and down and sideways, also, hand and eye coordination especially when doing circles. I need to doodle more on paper, too. I think this would help me think of the pattern in my head while I'm moving the fabric. I can see where individuality can come into play...everyone's doodles are unique to them. I noticed I like those Tim Burton type of elongated curls.

So, here's the finished piece.

The End!

Loving Me Lucky Charms

2010-09-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

I didn't mean to stop blogging regularly but it appears like I did. September is nearly gone and I've posted once. In my defense, I do get around to read what y'all been doing and I have been putting up pictures on Flickr. I should be showing them here, too.

I have been embroidering the Raggedy and Friends blocks and finished the second one last week.

These are the cutest blocks. They could be stand alone little wall hangings themselves. Mine will be a scrappy 1930's style quilt.

I joined Pat Sloan's Lucky Charms quilt-along, too. I had a charm pack and some fat quarters of Blessings and didn't have a clue what to use them with. They were just what was needed for the quilt-along and Pat teaches her method of machine applique using the blanket stitch. Now, I've done plenty of applique using the zigzag on machine and the blanket stitch always by hand, so this challenged me to do something new.

These are the pictures in progress...

The corners are made with the charm pack and the center star with one brown fat-quarter and the lights from the charm pack. I just love my design wall for making it a pleasure to move the bricks around to get them just right. And then I just leave them up until the next step.

The corners are pieced together and the applique fused on at this point. I chose a brown dot for my inner border and setting triangles. Here's a closer look...

Even though this has a Christmas theme, I used a more traditional Civil War flavor and in doing so I am not limiting myself to using it only at the holidays.

The fused pieces are now blanket-stitched by machine and I really enjoyed doing them that way. I do need to practice more but that's not going to be a problem.

The center fabric is a Thimbleberries one from the club days. So are the green holly leaves. The reds are scraps of Civil War reproduction.

And the last one I took it out in the Arizona sun. And did I ~~mention~~ whine about the hot temps we STILL have. Really, can we get anymore triple digits, I'm just saying, the last time I have had this much HOTNESS is NEVER! I know I wanted to move here and I do love it but enough is enough.

How's that for what I've been doing, eh? I could also throw in that I've become a professional GO! Giveaway participant but let's just leave it at that...for crying out loud!

Y'all are the best for putting up with me.
Susie

A Civil War Update

2010-09-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sorry about not warning you that graphic pictures of the tarantula coming in my previous post. I have calmed down but venturing out for a early evening walk isn't on my agenda anymore, or at least until the temps go way down and sends IT back into ITS deep hole in the ground. I read they only come out during the hotter time of year, thank goodness!

I have been working on my quilt using Civil War repro fabric and I have ALL 8 remaining blocks cut out and on my wall. It is so nice being able to see the blocks together as a whole.

I did complete a few more since I my last Civil War update...

Broken Windows

Home Grown Variation

T-Quartette

Christmas Star Variation

Kansas Trouble Variation

Missouri Puzzle

I chuckle when I read the names of the blocks like Kansas Trouble and Missouri Puzzle because my mother was born in Kansas and raised in Missouri. Enough said. The end.

So, this brings my labor to 10 blocks completed with 8 more to go and then on to the setting blocks (is that the right terminology?) the ones that connect all the blocks together and I think there must a hundred or so of those...LOL. I did manage to cut out a portion of them, 288 1-5/8" squares. They are now patiently waiting for their turn.

Happy Wednesday, y'all.
Susan

Nothing Random About This

2010-08-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

Good morning to those in my neck-of-the-woods, good afternoon to y'all who are east of me. I always feel I am the last person to arrive at the party anymore, but soon it will be only a two hour difference with daylight savings time. We don't change here and my sleeping patterns are still on eastern time zone. I'm not complaining, I like getting up early to get my work done, but come 9 o'clock in the evening and I'm plum tuckered out.

You know how I love to share all the little things in my life so this week end, yesterday in fact, Mr. Homespun and I went for a early evening bike ride. The temps are a tad cooler...in the upper 90's...and the humidity is almost gone...back to that bone-dry heat :-) Out on the main road, in the bike lane, moving in the direction of crossing the street was a tarantula. Now, the hubby saw it as he passed but I didn't and went closely by when he asked if I saw IT. Are you crazy? ~~You~~ The world would have heard me scream bloody murder if I had, but curiosity and the chance to facebook it to my family made me go back and take a picture. I can't lie, I couldn't get close enough so hubby dearest took the pic.

Isn't he cute? NOT!

I'm going to have nightmares for months.

his backside or her's
I didn't get close enough to tell.

Now, for a sweeter note: There is a GO! giveaway GO!ing on over at A Quilting Life. Y'all know what a GO! is, don't you? It's only the most revolutionary cutting tool since the rotary cutter. Sherri has a wonderful blog, too and if you haven't checked it out, now's the time.

Hugs...no, I really needs me some hugs...after that spider and all.
Susan :-)

Early This Morning...

2010-08-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Good Monday Morning!

I am attempting to multitask this lovely morning, mostly here at the computer with blog-reading and posting while answering emails. I have one load of laundry already dried and one basket full ready to fold, another load in the dryer and more in the washer and do I hear that catchy little tune telling me that something just got done. Isn't life grand?!! Around here all major appliances must be used before 1 o'clock in the afternoon because the cost of electricity to run them during peak hours would require me to go to work.

Lots and lots of good blogging out there. I just tweeted, facebooked and now am blogging about Happy Zombie's creatively fun place that is featured at Where Women Create, check it out here and there is opportunity to get her gorgeous fabric, too.

My eyes are glazed over, my hands are pretty numb, I am going to hit the publish post button and move on with my day.

Hugs y'all,
Susan

Raggedy Friends

2010-08-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

The 20th of each month for the next few have me looking forward to all things Raggedy Ann. Last month I joined what I hear is a throng of stitchers all over the world working on the Raggedy & Friends BOM from Kaaren at The Painted Quilt. She has the second installment up at her place, so check it out here.

I am doing mine with 1930's repro fabrics. When my son Andy married Anna, both her mom and I had the same thought of Raggedy Ann. We will most likely overuse the theme when the time comes for, shall I say it, grandbaby. I am getting a start on it already. I did change the Annie to Anna.

A wonderful product that I am using to transfer the design is Transfer-eze. The sheets are used with a printer and eliminates the job of tracing. Because it is rather pricey, I am using it for large patterns. Darlene of Quilting Daze has demonstrated its use, so check that out here.

Well my friends, I've got me some stitching to do...

Show and Tell

2010-08-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Continuing on with more quilts and related pieces...

click on pictures to enlarge for better viewing

This gorgeous postage stamp quilt was pieced by Judy.

Marty made this beautiful quilt for her son.

Marty made this fun sampler, too.

This Halloween quilt will have you mesmerized as you wander through the festively decorated town.

Sue made this great quilt using the embroidery pattern from Crabapple Hill but the quilt design is her own. I love how is used a little lime green and orange. Sue is a longarm quilter and she used this cute spider web design.

And Sue again, getting ready for Halloween.

Sue also teaches classes for longarms and this is a sampling.

You can see that Sue is our superwoman quilter. Oh, yeah, Sue appliqued the adorable chicken on the towel at the beginning.

Barbara (on the right) shows her lovely applique work on this gorgeous quilt.

And one more quilt made by Judy is this wonderful Bear Paws.

I am so happy to be around many talented and creative people who inspire and encourage me on.

If you find yourself in Mesa, A Quilter's Oasis is the place to visit.

Civil War Club

2010-08-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

This past Friday was our monthly meeting of the Civil War club at my LQS and would you know, I had all intentions of taking a picture of the shop and didn't. It is A Quilter's Oasis in Mesa AZ. Kathy and her super friendly staff were among the first to give me a warm welcome when I moved here. The other business establishment was the grocery store Bashas'. They are a local chain store whose friendly employees made me a regular shopper. Well, now, back to show and tell...

First up at the meeting was Mardi who is working on a BOM kit using the book Civil War Love Letter Quilt.

She receives 5 blocks per month. They are 6" squares and foundation pieced. You can see that some have over 25 pieces in them and of course, they use repro fabrics.

The next quilts are from the book Remembering Adelia that we are using as a resourse of information and patterns.

This Tumbling Blocks quilt was hand-pieced by Kim. And she hand-quilted it, too.

The Scrappy Star made by Marty.

The Orange Peel Quilt made by Sharon.

Here is a better picture of the quilt that most of us in the group are doing. This is a pattern from Lori Smith called Aunt Maggie's Patchwork Quilt. This is the one I am doing and showing y'all my blocks as I finish them. We use repro from around the 1860's

I have a few more to show you tomorrow that are not of the Civil War theme but we love show and tell, don't we my quilting friends?!

I am having a difficult time placing a link to A Quilter's Oasis so check the link on my sidebar.

My Design Walls

2010-08-10T10:44:00.001-07:00

I did not plan on being away from posting but life happens, as does weather changes here in paradise. With the monsoons comes humidity that I did not think happened in the desert and now we no longer have a dry heat. Oh, well, you make adjustments and move forward. Since I am indoors more, my attention has turned to my lack of homey decorations, you know what I mean, pillows and wall hangings. I've pretty much used what I brought along with me but there is definitely room for improvement. Having my priorities in order, I first wanted a big design wall for my sewing room.

Mr. Homespun helped me make not only one but two out of one huge piece of insulation purchased at my friendly Lowes'. It measures 4'x8'.

I thought a 4'x6' wall would be a good size, so the 2' that was cut off made me another wall.

Here we measure down 6' and...

cut simply using a knife.

One thing about using this insultation is it is light-weight. I can easily carry it by myself.

Now, I have a maxi and mini wall.

Now, to cut the pieces of wood to frame the wall and give stability, as well as, a surface to staple the covering. As we do in quilting, measure twice...

and cut once. Mr. Homespun using his miter box and hand saw made me think of NCIS and Special Agent Gibbs.

ummm...Stop. Day. Dreaming!

We used Gorgilla Glue to adhere the wood to the insulation.

Apply it in a wavy line and when it sticks on it turns all pillowy like hardened marshmallow puff.

Clamp it down good and tight for 30 minutes.

see the how the glue gets

Adding extra weight to hold it down helps.

We used Mr. Homespun's dumbell weights.

Covering the piece was a bit of a challenge in what fabric to use. I chose cotton batting and stretched it like I was making a canvas.

Tada! It was hung using sawtooth hangers and because I completely wrapped the wood in batting, the wall is protected.

Here's another view. I love it.

And let' not forget Mini Me.

(just click on the pictures to enlarge for better viewing)

So, that completes my major project and on to more decorating adventures.

Until next time,

Susan

It's All About the Gadgets

2010-07-20T09:45:00.001-07:00

Today I thought I would show you a handy little gadget that aids in producing perfect half-square triangles. The Point Trimmer takes off those dog ears and helps with lining up the seams.

I have my pieces cut out and labeled. My labeling method involves using a Sharpie to mark the flower pins with letters that correspond to the pattern.

Using the marking on the tool, I remove the points with the rotary cutter.

Then you can match up the triangles that will be sewed together for that perfect half-square.

This tool has been good for me to use as it forces me to slow down and think more about what I am doing.

Sometimes I let my mind wander and then the seam ripper becomes my BFF.

I want to mention, too, like many of you, a BOM that is starting TODAY...Kaaren over at The Painted Quilt is generously supplying the pattern for an adorable Raggedy Ann and Andy quilt that provides the joy of stitchery and quilting. I'm joining in the fun, how about you?

Hugs!

Civil War Blocks 1 - 4

2010-07-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I am really getting into Civil War history. As far as wars go, though, I probably romanticise the Revolutionary War or as the British might say, America's Civil War from England, the most. The war between the states no so much. It was brutal.

Which brings me to blocks 2 and 4 of my Civil War quilt...BRUTAL!

block 1

Who wakes up one morning and says how many seams can I put into one block?

block 2

I do have a gadget that I will show later that helps with keeping points sharp.

block 3

These blocks are quite addictive like eating one Hershey's kiss, you can't stop and when you're not working on them, you think about them.

block 4

This is supposed to be a block a month for my Civil War Club but most everyone has sewed ahead and I stepped up to the challenge, too. I am the only one in the group that doesn't have a stash of reproduction fabric so I am choosing the colors while the others are making theirs as scrappy as their stash allows.

This is the finish top pieced by an experienced and able quilter in my group. In fact, she is helping us, who need help, survive the piecing process. I have the next block nearly finished and will keep moving along as much as I can. Mr. Homespun won't be home for dinner tomorrow night so I don't have to cook and we'll see how many I can get done.

Hugs, Susan

Pretty Maids In A Row

2010-07-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

I am nearly finished with The Pretty Maids.

Quilting is all that is left to do and then I'll be hanging it on the wall. The embroidery pattern comes from Jenny Harris of Allsorts. I have a special attachment to my old childhood dolls and thought these folkart girls would be a welcomed addition. I loved playing with dolls and still they have an attraction over me. Some of my best memories involve setting up house and making clothes for them. I have my dolls with me still and am beginning to display more of them in my sewing room.

Another project I am working on right now involves a 4'x8' piece of roofing insultation; some trim boards; and my man. He loves to make me things and I love to watch him do it.

Try to keep cool girls! I know it is hot everywhere in this country so I am not going to rub it in that we will go up to 112* today. Hugs y'all.

Check This Out...

2010-07-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Aren't these pincushions adorable? Would you like a chance to win one?

Lori of Bee in My Bonnet is giving one away.

If you can't wait to have one, Lori has a tutorial to make one for yourself.

For all of you who love vintage, Lori displays some great pieces. For those of you who quilt or sew, she has an array of patterns, especially her applique quilts which are amazing. For those of us who try to do both, it is a treasure trove of inspiration. Check out the talent over there.

I am working with my Pretty Maids again. They will be a quilt when finishd. I am so tempted to show you what I've done so far...okay, I will...

Using up my stash, too, what do you think?

Y'all are the best...hugs!

Twice Across the Finishline

2010-06-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

The sampler quilt I made while taking a class to sharpen my points is finished. The lesson I most learned was to slow down. The instructor also said something I took to heart, she said, always accept a compliment without following up pointing out all the mistakes. We are all quilters at different levels and all have started out as beginners.

So, I won't point to that block that didn't line up or that stitch that isn't in the ditch or that place where I pulled too hard and you can see where it stretched; I am not going to do that. :-))

She did have us practice machine stitching using different techniques. I really had never free motion quilted before so I used the border for practice and found it not as scary as I thought.

I love the look and feel after they are washed. The free motion really helps to add that.

I, also, finished my little nine-patch made from a recipe courtesy of Moda Bake Shop, by Chef Monica a.k.a. Happy Zombie. It used a charm pack (Snippets) and I think a yard of solid white.

The backing is American Jane. The big prints are so useful as backings.

Hugs Y'all.

Back in the AZ

2010-06-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

I know I didn't say I was going away because I thought I would blog from there. As it turned out and so it should, I barely had time to check my emails and I got grief for slacking on the job every time I logged in. Last week we went home to Michigan to visit Andy and Anna who had purchased their first home. I was so excited to see them.

The house is charming, built in 1949 and walking distance of downtown Birmingham. The kiddos hadn't really moved in yet with all the painting and some remodeling to do. Mr. Homespun LOVES to do this kind of work; it truly is a vacation for him and he was in full form. I even helped knock out the built-in entertainment thingie in the basement. There was a bar in the corner that was also removed. All the while, though, we endured that good old Michigan humidity.

We took a break on Thursday and visited Mr.H's mother who lives in the Lansing area. We went to Michigan State Universary's Beal Botantical Gardens on a most beautiful day. I did not bring the camera so the phone one had to do. The garden is full of every kind of plant for study. My mother-in-law has Alzheimer's Disease and loves to tell stories of growing up on the farm in the thumb area. Seeing the plants with the name on them gave her such joy for a lovely afternoon.

Coming back to Arizona I took many pictures from the plane as we were landing. The first one is of the Salt River Canyon area I just recently visited .

Some where out there is my house, can you see it? It is that one to the top right.

The closer we approached Sky Harbor Airport we fly directly over Tempe and you can see Arizona State Universary and Tempe Lake which is more like a river, but don't get me started on that. Remember, I come from the land of the GREAT LAKES.

Well, sad to leave Andy and Anna but it was so good to have them to myself for six days. Back to some sewing after I go grocery shopping.

Hugs to ya!

DayTrippin'

2010-06-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

Howdy y'all, this past Saturday Mr. Homespun and I got out of the heat and headed north on a day trip. The temperatures in the valley have been around 105 degrees and up in the mountains it was in the 70's. The first thing on the agenda starting every good car ride is Starbuck's and my grande Dulce Latte. The young lady at the window asks where we were headed so early in the morning. "Up to Payson," says the Mister. Then she asks those words I won't ever forget, "are you going for the Strawberry Festival in Pine, too?" Thanks for the information and we were off.

After breakfast in Payson, we headed over to Pine and that's when I spied this wonderful banner. We parked right across from this charming quilt shop.

The buildings along Main Street were built in the 1880's.

On the wall over the mantle hung a picture of the original owner of this once lived in house now turned quilt shop. Over in the corner was a cute little sewing machine. The shop owner was a Janome dealer.

Mr. Homespun started asking questions about this little take-along one. He looked at me and then before I could muster up that cutesy smile and please, the box was being delivered to the trunk by My Mr. Homespun. I am now a proud owner of the Platinum Jem 720 and all the quilting assessories to go with it.

We did have to get back on the road and finishing trippin' but my heart was in the trunk.

We followed the Mogollan Rim and stopped to see the Tonto Natural Bridge.

Here we hiked down under the bridge. Although there was hardly no trail to speak of but it was beautiful.

Back on the road we went through Heber to Show Low and then down back to home. On this part of the journey we went through the Apache reservation which is just gorgeous country--tall pines and blue sky.

Then we entered Salt River Canyon. It went on for miles and miles with unbelieveably beautiful views and breath-taking roads, no, literally, my breathing stopped as we traveled over those hairpin turns and no guard rails.

But the thought of getting my little Jem home made the trip worth it.

Urgent: Prayers Needed

2010-06-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

There is a woman I know and love who is in need of our prayers. Her name is Karen. She was recently diagnosed with rectal cancer. This is her third: she had ovarian cancer at age 10, another at age 30 and now this at 50 years old. Karen and her husband Tom are friends and mentors to many young couples and to most they are as dear as a mom and dad. My son Andy and his wife Anna are one of those couples. Knowing of this friendship has made the move to Arizona from Michigan easier for Steve and me.

Karen has started a blog called Karen's Journey. There she gives her story and specific needs for effectual prayer. I know many of you will pray when asked and I am asking. This is such an aching in my heart. I will place a permanent link on my sidebar.

Love and hugs,
Susan

Homespun Quilts

Again...

Y'all Are The Best!

Civil War Quilt of 2011

Random Mornings

Grandmother's Flower Garden

It's A New Year!

Christmas Stockings

Gingerbread

The Christmas Tree

Marching Onward...

Simply Monday

My State Flower Quilt: Alaska

State Flower Quilt: Arizona

Halloween 2011

How I Made My Hexies

Hexies!

Zion National Park

My Trek through Southern Utah

My Redwork Sampler

Goodies in the Mail

Back To Sew

Two of a Kind

Civil War Update

A New Place to Hang Out

Rhyme nor Reason

Color: Blue

Cotton Boll Tutorial

Haboob 2011

Another Civil War Quilt!, You Say.

Hummingbirds

A Quilt for Kaaren

My Civil War Quilt

Up To The Challenge

The Huswife I Sent Away

My Huswife Arrived

If Quilts Could Talk...

More Civil War Blocks

My Time Out

Monday

A Gift

Civil War Club~March

Peony Star Quilt

Wonderfully Productive

February Meeting of Civil War Club

I *HEART* My Local Quilt Shop

Done (for my part)

Spring IS Just Around the Corner

A Huswife for A Friend

Book Review

My Day in Court

To Serve or Not

The First Meeting of the New Year

Praying for Joanne

Mama's Got a Brand-New Toy

Happy New Year

Looking Like a Quilt

Civil War Blocks Finished

Creative Juices Flowing

Finished Me Lucky Charms

Loving Me Lucky Charms

A Civil War Update

Nothing Random About This

Early This Morning...

Raggedy Friends

Show and Tell

Civil War Club

My Design Walls

It's All About the Gadgets

Civil War Blocks 1 - 4

Pretty Maids In A Row

Check This Out...

Twice Across the Finishline

Back in the AZ

DayTrippin'

Urgent: Prayers Needed

I HEART My Local Quilt Shop