Sewing Needle vs. Trowel...

Looking back over my recent posts, it has been a long time since anything substantially "quilty" has been shared. Probably because garden trowels, seed packets and work gloves have been a major part of each day.

It has also been ages since any finished quilt has been shared and sad to say, it is going to be a while before that happens. But today, allow me a break from the gardens and let's talk quilting. While visiting other blogs, I have come down with a case of "finish envy." Judy over at Shade Tree Quilting has been setting land-speed records with her completed quilts and Kathy at Inspired By Antique Quilts - well - I don't think she ever sleeps and is always sharing her newest creations. Be sure to visit some of the other quilty blogs on my sidebar to the right...have added a few more lately, mostly applique, Civil War, reproduction quilt lovers, like myself. 

So what has been going on in the sewing room...mostly a mess! But I pledged a while back to Showing the Process. Making slow progress on my Canadian Rose Summer quilt (and here it is mid June- was supposed to be on our bed by now!)

Looks washed out - hard to photograph.

Lots of 1/2 square triangles being made - and these are finished to 2 3/8" so have to piece them the old fashioned way - 2 triangles at a time and just keep feeding them through chain-piecing. About 192 of this particular size.

Also have started strip piecing my 1" reds & greens with the shirting background - using this stack of reds and greens 

and need a whole bunch of little nine-patch variations to make this quilt...they will finish to 1 1/2".

From left to right #1 - need 288/ #2 - need 214/#3 need 191
Only need to make 287/213/190 more...and since I have all the other shirting squares and rectangles cut - it won't take long at all...in my dreams...



And still keeping up with Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilt weekly blocks. 
These are from the last 2 weeks - # 24 & #25.

And in the quiet evening hours, I continue to do applique on the Beyond the Cherry Tree blocks...so focused on this project - it is one of those that has "taken on a life of it's own." Another block has been completed (still undecided about the embroidered stems - have done half way around and will sit on the rest for awhile) and I am prepping the next one - I dream of cherries constantly!

 This is my favorite light box to use for transferring patterns - it is an old paper testing box from Weyerhaeuser. They used to do quality control testing on new paper runs and when it became obsolete they were literally getting ready to throw it out...Mr. Outback rescued it and put it on top of an old desk in our basement. It weighs a ton and is huge...I love it!!

I will close for today with something my friend, Connie, made for me...isn't this the cutest tea towel? Love the watering can, love the colors and love the ruffle! Anyone even thinking of using it to dry dishes in this house is in big trouble...

Thanks so much for dropping by today and sharing this little bit of quilting time with me. I so enjoy your company! Have a great week and keep those creative hands busy...


Pat

PS - Our Mr. Bear dropped by a few days ago - he says "howdy."

The bluebird house is about 5 feet from ground level. Mr. Bear is a nice size.