A Little Quilting....

About 3 weeks post cataract surgery and the world is brighter!  Had the right side done and will have the left eye taken care of in early December and then - oh wonders! - new glasses to start off the New Year...what a treat that will be...in the meantime, you will have to put up with a larger font on my blog...that is about as good as it gets for the time being:o) The down side of this whole thing is becoming aware of just how dusty all our interior logs had gotten...so have been doing some heavy duty Fall cleaning...

Note: Did you know you could get little foil wrapped chocolate eyeballs? My quilting Bud, Dee, knew where to find them and presented some to me as we celebrated my new brighter outlook!

 

That's what friends are for!!!

So...a little quilting...did take some time to complete a couple of smaller projects.  Carpenter's Wheel - about 15" X 15"

 A Fall tablerunner - Moda's Dominque fabrics...

Trying to keep up with Barbara's Civil War Quilt Blocks.

Yep - I know the one corner patch on the bottom block runs differently - thought it added to the vintage look - maybe?

And was rummaging around in the sewing room in one of my UFO bins...pulled these two "littles" out - done so long ago, I can't remember when.

Time to get them layered and quilted. Since I hand pieced the small red baskets, handquilting is probably in order...might give the quilting hand another go and see if it has gotten more comfortable. Even found a little piece of ivory and red toile for the backing.

You never know what lurks in the stash. The '30's piece - "Water Wheel" was paper pieced and with all the seams, it will probably go under the machine for completion. 

And that is about it for now...a busy week coming up with my brother flying in from the West Coast for a visit...my folks are so happy he will be here - long overdue. Then our Liberty Ladies Quilt History Study Group is doing our annual Potluck...and somewhere in between all of this, need to pack for my Fall Retreat next weekend...really looking forward to that...great friends, great times and great sewing!!

Wishing each of you a good week and lots of accomplishments - no matter how "little."

October Eves....

Visiting all the wonderful blogs these days can sure attest to the popularity of Halloween - so much creativity and whimsy going on.... here at Taylorsoutback, things are very low key compared to many others. The overall look is more of Autumn - a leafy garland along the fireplace mantle, a bundle of Indian corn on the table or perhaps a favorite seasonal tea pot waiting to serve a delicious tea.

Propped on the hallway bench is a large pillow - this came out of a long ago workshop I took with Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. It was my introduction to working with wool applique and a lot of fun...

But the real conversation starter is the rather large embroidered pumpkin - which some of you may have been introduced to before...

Thinking this was going to be something smaller, I started cutting out the pieces and quickly realized that it was not going to fit on the coffee table very well. So every Autumn, it holds forth on the buffet, making its own statement...and a reminder to me to check dimensions of patterns before purchase:o) To give you an idea of its scale, there are 8 yards of braided green cording surrounding it. I must admit though to having grown rather fond of it over the years and always chuckle when I walk by.

A few other minor accents, and that is the story of Autumn at Taylorsoutback...Miss Jenny has us on a Fall Break with Alphabe-Thursday - so be sure to visit all the other Autumnal postings.

"Listen! the wind is rising,

and the air is wild with leaves,

We have had our summer evenings,

Now for October eves!"

-Humbert Wolfe 

 

A Quilt That Whispers....and A Winner!

Do you favor vintage or reproduction quilts over more contemporary ones? Get a little weak in the knees when looking at a breathtaking antique red and green appliqued beauty? Does your heart sing when you spy a quilt that has shirtings or madders or touches of cheddar? 

Years ago, I found this quilt top in a shop just west of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 

Not sure what initially drew my attention but I liked the pink sashing, the variety of reds, shirtings, and the one block featuring fabric from the Centennial in 1876.

It is said that dating older quilts means it is only as old as the newest piece of fabric. This particular quilt top is 1900 or so (at the latest ?). Like those of us today who pull from our stash, the quilter might have done the same thing. Most of the blocks are hand pieced though the sashing was applied by machine. Notice the frugality - the red and black check (known as Garibaldi red) square has been pieced to make a complete square.

The block pattern goes by numerous names according to Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Blocks...4X Star, Churn-Dasher, Five Patch Star, New England Block, Greek Cross and my very favorite - Father's Choice.

Not sure if it was a group effort as the work is quite consistent. Did a single quilter sit quietly of an evening, pulling scraps of fabric from her basket as thoughts and dreams circled in the room around her? It has never been quilted or tied and is in quite good condition with a few minor stains. It is whispering to me..."please add a nice batting and a simple backing so I can be shared with everyone...my quilter would like that." Maybe an all over classic Baptist Fan to add soft curves...keep whispering...I am listening...

Oh! I suppose you would like to know the winner of the Quilt Book Giveaway...just had to watch our Packers go 7 and 0 in the season! I will wander over to that name-filled pumpkin...who will it be...??


And.....it is Carrie from A Passion For Applique! Carrie has a great blog with lots of wonderful posts that include applique and informative tips...be sure to give her a visit. 

That's it for now...have a good week and listen for whispers...you never know where they might come from.

Quilt Book Giveaway - reminder!

Wishing everyone a Happy Friday from the Northwoods of Wisconsin and sending a quick reminder out that you have until Sunday, October 23rd to enter your name for the quilt book giveaway - visit here for more background info on the book...

Just leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing - become a new follower and it goes in twice...there is still room in that pumpkin, so get goin'!!

 See you on Sunday....

A Quilt Book Giveaway!

Have some projects in the queue for 2012 and one of them involves the Russian Sunflower pattern based on an antique quilt I saw...so, of course, that meant ordering a new book.., .which I received from the Pickledish Store in a very timely fashion. But on Friday of this week, another package from Pickledish arrived...turns out it was a duplicate. I got a reply from them right away to my email and sure enough...their warehouse had made a mistake and shipped two copies. Incredibly, they said to just keep the 2nd copy with their compliments...how is that for customer service? Soooooo....want to turn this around and hope to find a new owner for the duplicate which is....

This 2001 publication (Kansas City Star) presents patterns for both a pieced block and an appliqued version - side by side. Edie McGinnes also includes interesting snippets on the history of the blocks. Many are 1930's or earlier - so if you love vintage looks, I am betting you will enjoy this. A little glimpse...

All you have to do is leave a comment on this posting & your name goes into my little pumpkin - would love to have you become a Follower - do that and your name goes in Twice...

The winner's name will be drawn next Sunday,  October 23rd. So sorry, shipping confined to US and Canada. Checked international rates & so prohibitive...so sad :o(


I would love to see that little pumpkin over flowing with entries - so be sure to leave that comment right away! 

"Z" Is For Zinnias

As the last summer-like days fade, the gardens are cleared and prepared for the long winter ahead. Little treasures are found...

This tiny bouquet has lasted for over two weeks in a favorite little jug.

Renee's Garden Seeds - Persian Carpet Zinnias

Be sure to visit Miss Jenny's Alphabe-Thursdays "Z" postings and wishing each of you a week filled with your own new found little treasures.

Guilty pleasures...fabric & books

Up here at the edge of the Northwoods, we are enjoying 80 degree days and full sunshine...very different from a typical October. Needless to say, everyone is out savoring these last days of summer-like weather. We are wise - we know what lies ahead...we cannot be fooled into thinking it will linger much longer. All too soon, the days will turn brisk and nightfall will bring below freezing waves of air. We will draw close to the fire, add more layers of warmth to the fading tans of our bodies and look intently at the pantry for comfort foods - soups, stews and hearty casseroles.

Being seriously into quilting, my other pantry - the fabric stash - is receiving close inspection. I feel like a squirrel chasing around gathering acorns to hide away for winter consumption. So, confession time...I have been on a little binge of fabric buying...yardage & fat quarters have begun piling up on the cutting table. This has been going on for a few months...
From a couple of favorite vendors at our recent quilt show...

And more fat quarters purchased while on another fun bus trip with our Liberty Ladies group. (Well - more like a 3 car caravan due to our regular bus being attacked by a falling tree during last weeks wind storm - how could that tree single out our favorite mode of transportation?) 

Oh, how could someone resist these at $25.00 for 25....

Or these...can you tell a few have all ready been put to use?

My naughtiness continues with this growing stack of books...

What? You say...Only one book related to sewing? Not to fear...on order from the Pickledish Store - an older book that is on sale...hope it arrives soon...There is a certain vintage quilt pattern that has caught my eye...more about that down the road...

I have managed to finish another BTCT applique block in between 

buying sprees....

 

Hmmm...just had a scary thought...what if Mr. Outback decides to check out this latest posting? Should I gently remind him of all the lead shot, hulls & primers purchased for winter reloading in the man cave...no, I would never do that....but just in case, I should make his favorite carrot cake...
Guilty pleasures?  No Quilty pleasures...to ward off the approaching winter...



Pat

Taylorsoutback is where...????

Joining in on the fun over at As Sweet As Cinnamon  Dawn has been blogging about how your blog name came to be. Be sure to visit the links from everyone - makes for some fascinating reading!
So here is my story and I am sticking to it...

Our son, Dave,  got me started on blogging as a birthday gift - I received an email from him and was told to go to the link he provided...there I was - all set up with the basics for a brand new blog called The Journal of Taylorsoutback. (WordPress) I still remember the excitement of seeing that first official comment from someone...and was amazed that people actually stopped by. 

January of 2011 brought me to Blogger and some of their features which I enjoy using vs. WordPress. The name of the blog was switched to Thoughts From Taylorsoutback at that time. It has been a good move.

Taylorsoutback refers to where we live in Northern Wisconsin...on 40 acres of former farmland with a nice pond and natural spring. Other than the original homesteaders who lived in a log cabin initially,  we are the only family to have occupied the property. At some point, the cabin was replaced by a brick farmhouse which apparently burned quite a few years ago.  We have a modern version of the first log cabin. We built our log home in 1995-96. 
My husband was born in Sydney, Australia in 1943. My mother-in-law was born and raised in Australia and was one of the first Australian brides to marry an American officer during WWII. When we moved into our new home, Mr. Outback called it Taylorsoutback.

This is where my Thoughts From Taylorsoutback come from - way too many and never enough time to do it all...always busy with quilting, gardening, our shelties, and watching bears, deer and abundant water fowl on the pond throughout the changing seasons. 

Thank you for dropping by - and please come again real soon!!
(And if you like to see quilts - check out my earlier post here.)

Linking up with Alphabe-Thursday for the letter of the week - "Y" - stretching it to include My Back Yard...too many fun places to be!

Come See the Quilts.....!!

What a weekend! The Packers won, the UW Badgers won and the Brewers won...And our guild held its 15th Biennial Quilts Among the Pines. Wisconsin is an exciting place to be right now - so come along and see some highlights from over 300 entries. This year we saw lots of applique quilts and pieced star quilts on display...there were some beauties...(You should be able to click on each image and see an enlargement.)


Let's start off with Best of Show - from a gifted Texas quilter - hand appliqued and quilted on a long arm machine...

By the way, when you visit the Museum in Paducah this quilt will be on display and you can see it up close.


Make yourself comfortable...lots of images!


The 2011 Raffle Quilt was presented to the lucky winner at the close of the show on Sunday...

Blue Ribbon - 1st, Red - 2nd, White - 3rd & Green - Honorable Mention...
Pieced quilts...

Applique...

Photo does not do this one justice...the colors were wonderful - lots of French General pieces on a warm, taupey-gray background...

A contemporary approach...

This antique bed was the site of our popular Bed Turning...this year each quilt shown and discussed had to somehow be "recycled." Old quilt tops, rescued blocks, etc... The bed had quite a history of its own in that over the years, 13 babies were born in it! 

More applique..

 My first official applique quilt ...

Stars...!

Embroidery with wool applique...

And more applique...!

Don't you love this quote - I found it in a brand new quilting book just received. (more about books in the days ahead!)

"Methinks it is a token of healthy and gentle characteristics,
when women of high thoughts and accomplishments love to sew;
especially as they are never more at home with their own hearts 
than while so occupied..."
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun, 1859

Are you "at home" with your own heart when quilting? We sure are!
Have a good week enjoying "high thoughts and accomplishments."