Two years ago....

....in a galaxy, far, far away called Taylorsoutback...I decided to jump in with other quilters and begin appliqueing the first of 25 reproduction blocks that made up the Benjamin Biggs Wedding Quilt (c.1848) In case you are not familiar with this particular quilt, one block was offered each month by Gay Bomers of Sentimental Stitches and Brenda Papadakis of Dear Jane.

In December we received the final 2 blocks. The pattern for the borders had been downloaded previously. Everything has been filed in this binder - it helps to keep me focused.

These are my final 5 blocks which were not posted about before.

And here are all the blocks completed and sewn together...it will finish to 100 x 100 and go on our king size bed...

The first border is marked for back basting and soon I will begin there...

Border strips cut and waiting...

This is what is left of 2 full bolts for background & blue and original 3 yards of the red.

I continue to learn about applique and also about appropriate fabrics. As much as I love the red chintz (Portobello Market by 3 Sisters/Moda) the thread count/heavier cotton made for some squirrely needle turning. However, I wanted a random, vintage fabric look, so think that it worked out okay.

Next time I post about this, hopefully it will be to share a finish -

Meanwhile, taking a break and doing some more quilting on Beyond the Cherry Tree - would love to have it wrapped up later this year...besides it is cozy when the outside temperature sits at -0 during the day...

Wishing each of you hours of happy stitching...

Pat

 

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Quilting with grins and giggles...

Needing to take a short break from a couple of long term projects...

So, here come the grins and giggles....knowing our Dave and Jena are fans of all things Minions...this was a very fun, quickly done, utility quilt - perfect for car travel or just curling up on the couch with Kodi - their 80# Golden...finished in time to mail off in their Christmas box

Did a darker blue flange next to the striped binding....

It was a first for me - never having done a "panel quilt" before...found myself grinning throughout the whole process...even though not overly fond of all that orange:-)

Then in the November-December Quiltmania - this retro pattern - the little rv and the long boat of a car - so early 1970's!

...Just about the time we gave up tent camping and went to this...1973?

Camped up in the mountains of North Georgia

My heart said - a must do! One of my long time quilting friends said -" yes, you must but it is out of your comfort zone a bit!"

Off to the quilt shop to buy fabrics with a touch of glitz - certainly not a normal part of my stash...more grinning going on...homeward bound and thinking - dare I do machine applique instead of hand?? Go for it! All this just before Christmas?

Obviously, it did not get completed in time for 2015 - but now it feels good to know it will be ready for Christmas, 2016...car is a dark green like our station wagon.

Getting set up to do some easy free motion quilting - a touch more glitz? A light gold metallic thread? Add a tiny red bow to the wreath and little red buttons to the Christmas tree? Grins continue...

I keep thinking of how far we have come since those earlier times of simplified camping. That 14' Shasta (note the trademark silver wings on the back) had no heat source, water came from a manual hand pump, no refrigeration or indoor plumbing...now we pull a 34' foot 5th wheel, complete with fireplace, tv and queen size bed. Sometimes I miss that little 14 footer - could turn it into a "glamper" like this lady did...

....then again...no indoor plumbing? Maybe not!

Hoping your New Year is filled with many grins and giggles too...

Pat

PS - You may have seen this announcement elsewhere - If you have a Non-Google account to follow my blog, you must sign up with Google before January 11 and establish an account with them - it is free and easy to do. Then refollow my blog or any other blog you wish to continue following. Thanks so much!

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