Spring 2013 Hand Quilting Blog Hop

So happy you dropped by to visit - thanks to Caron Mosey at Celebrate Hand Quilting for organizing this blog hop. I joined her group a few months ago and have discovered a bunch of very gifted people who love hand quilting. Back in 1982 when I started on the path to quilting (for which there is no turning back) we were taught the basics of how to quilt by hand. As the years moved along, I left that technique behind for basic home machine quilting or sending my completed top off to one of the talented long arm quilters in our area.

A couple of my favorites were done by other quilters...

A Log Cabin quilt I pieced and sent off to Polly Swartzentruber of West Salem, Ohio - i bring this out every Spring.

The label I made indicates she used 675 yards of quilting thread...

This quilt was presented to me after serving as President in our guild for 2 years. Hand quilted by Kathy Christianson and signed by the members - lots of special memories.

 

In 1999, after seeing a similar quilt done by Marsha McCloskey, I pieced and hand quilted this Churn Dash using an allover Baptist Fan.

 

I like to make inked labels for the back.

Summers find me outside in our gardens so this embroidered wall hanging (pattern by Crabapple Hill) was a must! I did hanging diamonds in the sashing and quilted around the embroidered designs.

 

Most recent is my Beyond the Cherry Tree quilt which is my first large applque project and has brought me back to the gentle art of using a thimble and needle to quilt. I plan on returning to it after the June 1st wedding of our son and soon to be daughter-in-law.

Do you have fingers stiff with arthritis like I do? These little rubber thimbles help me to grip the between needle more comfortably. I wear it on my thumb and use a leather thimble on the standard quilting finger.

Thank you so much for visiting today - I hope you will give hand quilting a try or return to it if you have been away like me. Be sure to check out the other blogs which are participating in this hop. Caron will post additional new blog links each day. My own work is not fancy and is quite simple and there is much to learn from this truly incredible quilting group!

Happy stitching everyone!

 

Pat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"Finish each day.....

.....and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and

absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow

is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be

encumbered with your old nonsense. "

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Isn't that a great quote? It sure describes recent days at Taylorsoutback! But not much nonsense here as we try to stay focused.

The Wedding Quilt is Finished...

No fair peeking...we will wait until the couple arrives back in Wisconsin in just a few weeks...

And keeping up with Barbara Brackman's 2013 Dixie Sampler....

Plus have all those 1/2" hexies together - now to figure out how everything goes together to make that little purse!

Look at this....bare ground, ice free pond and the spring peepers are in full chorus today. Our pair of geese have returned to nest and Mr. and Mrs. Mallard have settled in amongst the cattails to raise their family.

We have waited for so long - the winter was endless. Just in the last 2 days, the grass has a tinge of green, and even though the ground is still cold, signs of new growth are evident in the iris, phlox and daffodils - all of which will be late but doubly enjoyed.

The weekend was taken up with the start of yardwork - endless loads of thatch, downed branches and fallen leaves were gathered and carted off to a distant part of our south field where Mother Nature does her part to return everything to the earth.

And so, each day has it finish and as Mr. Emerson says, complete with blunders and absurdities. But somehow complete nevertheless.

And tomorrow is indeed a new day and counting....

33 days to go........

Wishing each of you many finishes to your day!

Pat

 

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Look what arrived in the mail...

After inhaling a winter's worth of dust while "Spring cleaning" (despite a steady snowfall outside) Mr. Outback's office area this morning, I am treating myself to this...

Yes! in my hot little hands - Di Ford's new book - a late birthday present to myself. This has got to be one of the most beautifully published quilt books ever.

I have long coveted this particular pattern - Drayton Hall - and here it is complete with instructions (both in English and French).

But wait! There's more....

And....

And....

Sixteen gorgeous projects in all. Plus lovely side notes to accompany each one. Can you tell I am just a tad excited? I will take the summer months (if they ever arrive) to choose a first quilt and gather special fabrics. Working from this stunning collection could keep a quilter going for 10 lifetimes!

Paper templates and pattern pieces...

There is a special connection - though distant. While on an Australia quilt tour with Doreen Speckman in 1994, we were hosted by the Waverly Patchworkers of Melbourne. Di was (and still is) a member of that group and all of us spent 2 days being shown the amazing sights in their area. That included a trip to Primarily Patchwork, the quilt shop owned at that time by Di.

This is one of my photos taken while we enjoyed a picnic in one of the spectacular parks. Di is on the left. Wonderful memories and it seems we have "met" again through her book.

If you love 19th century inspired quilts - you will treasure this book (published by Quiltmania)

Happy stitching everyone

Pat - in quilter's paradise.

 

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Handwork and more thoughts....

....hoping this finds each of you enjoying some jelly beans or little chocolate ears from an Easter basket bunny...

We are still waiting for the arrival of Spring...

And wishing there was something quilty to be shared with you...am anxiously awaiting of this -

 

flying direct from Australia...Di Ford's book - oh happy day - postage is over the top but this is a very special late birthday treat...handwork of a different nature is happening though - working with beads (photos later!) and paint brushes...

This is the rather basic cupboard that started out with "merlot" paint

- Not!! Ended up fuchsia - Not! And now like a little Basic Black dress....that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Besides it goes with my desk nearby...which is getting a freshening up...first coat of accent paint "pine needle green" on interior shelves.

And...the search for a comfortable MOG outfit continues with online orders being received....and rejected...and reboxed...and returned...

One of my stitching buds, who will remain anonymous, but has frequently been known for her attachment to all things Sock Monkey...has offered this little number as another possibility...

Another friend thinks it might work but I should "lose the red bow"....

And the search continues....

57 days and counting...

 

Pat

 

 

 

 

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On being a MOG...

...both families are in full preparations for the June 1st wedding...compared to the 1960's when our own wedding took place, it is sure a different world out there. Being the Mother of the Groom has led me down a path of discovery and revelations! Since everything from the rehearsal dinner to the actual ceremony & reception is being held at Taylorsoutback, we have been thoroughly involved with much of the planning and everyone is on the same page!

Tent set up, chairs, tables, porta-potties (living in the country with holding tanks is not large gatherings-friendly), catering and supplies, linens, flowers - the list is long. This is definitely a Team project. Throw in the fact that our Dave and Jena are thousands of miles away in Alaska - thank goodness for Face Time, emails and digital photography!

The latest decision is looking at dozens of possible outfits - what to wear? I have always tended towards low key, understated clothing & buy and wear what is purchased until it wears out. You won't find one dress in my closet...lots of corduroys, sweaters and even a flannel shirt or two. That fits our retirement style of living. Put me outside in nice weather and off I go to the garden in jeans or shorts and a floppy straw hat. Things are very casual around here....

Imagine my amazement when coming upon these two little numbers while Googling Mother of the Groom dresses

 

 

 

What do you think?

One - no way could I walk in something like that and two, the cleavage alone would make me faint. Three? I would need a bowl of fruit to wear on my head a la Carmen Miranda. What were these designers thinking?

Cha, cha, cha...

Speaking of what to wear on one's head...after showing this hat to our son - who still has not recovered, I have decided to go hatless.

 

Again, what was the designer and Princess Beatrice drinking, I mean thinking?????

Yesterday I went shopping for an outfit but came home with a new wallet & 3 pairs of socks - beige - keeping in mind the old adage - a MOG wears beige and remains quiet...and so the search continues.

My apologies if I have not responded to your comments - life is a little crazy these days. I will try to do better. Have a good weekend dear readers - and so happy you dropped by to visit.

 

Pat

 

 

 

 

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Pumpkin vs. Cheddar?

What do you think? Those alternating blocks look more like antique pumpkin then the brighter cheddar in the original quilt -

In an earlier post, I mentioned easing in to using cheddar - so next project might be a little bolder! For now, have to cut the triangles for the edges and corners. It has been fun to move out of my little "fabric comfort zone".

While waiting on the Wedding Quilt to return, my time is also occupied with this mystery bowl of beads and this stack of fabrics - more reveals down the road....if I can remain lucid....

And painting a storage cupboard, desk & bookcase in "merlot" - upon opening the can of paint, eeeekkk! It looked like fuchsia and not remotely close to the chip card. Back to the store where a "know it all" kind of young sales associate grudgingly added a tad more of black coloring - back home - repaint a sample cupboard door and will now do a second coat. The verdict is not in yet....I don't want this frustration. But I am just not a fuchsia kind of gal.

Having rediscovered the pleasure of hand quilting - at the end of each day I look forward to an hour or two - making progress - slow - but progress. If you are wondering - will she go back in the opposite direction to do more grid lines??? Am thinking ..... Yes! At first I was undecided but have received gentle encouragement that it would be the right and proper thing to do...we shall see....

Working on this allows for a little thought time as I review pre-wedding details and what needs to be done yet on our end. But all ready the nights are bringing wakeful moments - how will this unfold, will the weather cooperate, will my Mom do okay in a large crowd of people, some whom she is meeting for the first time. It may be overwhelming for her and she tires easily. Her memory issues are a constant now and there is no turning back. It is difficult to watch these changes.

 

Ending on a happier note - hope you are enjoying this National Day of Quilting - Happy stitching!

Pat

Wedding Day Countdown - 76

 

 

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Coming out of my sewing cave...

....at least that is what it feels like - I have been a bear hibernating.

The Wedding Quilt top is finished and is off for some beautiful machine quilting.

Just a peak as the final stitches were taken....

Given that February here in the northwoods brought what seems like a daily dose of snow, the time at home has allowed for staying focused in the sewing room.

My Mom's 88th birthday is in March and when I saw this fabric collection at our LQS, it was a perfect choice for her new placemats. These are her colors - soft Spring-touched greens. The pieces are from Moda's Field Notes grouping. (Blackbird Designs)

Just could not resist joining in on Barbara Brackman's 2013 Civil War BOM - Dixie Diary. When I heard the words "pink and brown" - well - it didn't take long to get caught.

These blocks are for January and February...

And starting to piece the first blocks using some new indigos and alternating cheddar squares. It might look like a hodge podge but there is a plan in my winter weary brain...

And in the quiet of a late winter evening - the hand quilting marches on. Just got these little Bohin rubber thimbles to wear on my right thumb - they cover the split nail & am hoping it will start to heal.

Now if this unexpected arrival of a head cold would go away, I would be happier - have never sneezed so much in my life!

Wishing each of you a good week ahead.

 

Pat (achoo....)

 

 

 

 

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