Oh where oh where has my little blog gone??

 I am no longer going to promise myself to be better about blogging. When it happens it happens. I have long since figured out that I can quilt or blog, so I guess I can see which wins out! I don't want a mile long post, so I will just show a few of things I have been working on. 

I love making donation quilts and most of mine now go to the local "infusion center" so that the patients can be wrapped in a quilt to keep them warm during those long hours! 

This first one was quilted by our "quilting angel" Sharon Patterson. She too understands how important it is to keep warm during those long stretches and also how nice it is to know that someone cares. She does a magnificent job!

 

The next two were very simply (yet lovingly) quilted my me. I am not fond of machine quilting but I can seem to manage straight lines when I need to. I had a big stack of yellow strips leftover from another project and thought they would be perfect for brightening gloomy days in a chair! 

 

This one was really fun to make. I used lots of small chintz pieces leftover from another quilt. I must admit, this setting is not for the dyslexic. It isn't difficult, you just need to pay attention to which side the white strip is on! 

 

I also finished (quite a while ago!!) my "bonbons" quilt utilizing a fantastic collection of fabrics by Brigitte Giblin. This quilt was sooooo much fun to make! I hand quilted this one, just for me!

 

I'll post more later. I know we are all busy and "post overload" is something none of us need. LOL. Hope to get back to reading and commenting too! Hugs to all!!

Goodbye Dear Friend

 I met Judy Roche at an antique quilt exhibition about 30 years ago. We struck up a conversation and it became immediately evident to me that she had more knowledge of quilts and quilting than anyone I had ever encountered. It would be impossible to list all of Judy's attributes, but I what stands out in my mind as Judy's best quality was her willingness to share. She shared her quilts, her research, her knowledge and her friendship freely and for that the quilt world is forever grateful.

When Judy and Pat first moved to Maine full time, I was lucky enough to join a quilt study group at their home. I didn't attend as often as I would have liked because she lived an hour and a half away and I was still working. But when I was able to make the meeting, I was greeted with open arms and Judy's impish  smile and immediately handed me a recent acquisition to fawn over. She would give us homework for the next meeting which we rarely finished, but almost never scolded us. She never lost the "teacher" in her warm heart and soul.

On Monday, her sweet husband, Pat invited us all to have one last "Study meeting" at their home. We gathered to pay tribute to our dear friend and to help choose quilts for a special exhibit in her honor at our state show, "Maine Quilts 2023" this summer. The show will be curated by our dear friend, Sue Rivers and will be at the Augusta (Maine) Civic Center, July 27- 29. I hope those of you in New England will be able to come and see these treasures and feel her presence.

Judy designed quite a few amazing fabric lines over the years. I loved them all, but this particular fabric is one of my favorites. It is on the back of one of my potholder quilts that is now on display at the New England Quilt Museum's "Portable Patchwork" exhibit curated by the author of the book, "Pam Weeks". If you make it to the museum before the exhibit comes down (July 15), please stop by the quilt and say hi to Judy. I'm quite sure she will give you a wink! 

We miss you Judy!

Something Old, Something New

 Something old, something new, something fun for me to do! I found myself clicking the "purchase" button on these delicious Brigitte Gilbin French reproduction fabrics during a bit of cabin fever last month. 

I decided on a medallion style quilt, but I wanted it to look fresh and whimsical - sort of 1823 meets 2023. The background fabric is called "Alsace" by Skipping Stones Studio for Clothworks. Here she is so far.

I only bought fat quarters, so I think maybe just one more border. Time will tell. Hope you are working on something fun today.

Circle a Day

 I must admit, I missed making a monthly mini in January. My solution is to take my "daily circles" and turn them into a monthly mini. The layout for the quilt will be 12 "potholder" blocks (3 across x 4 down). Each blocks contains 30 circles. Obviously, not every month has 30 days, so there will be some adjustments to make. And, for the math minded I'm sure you have already figured out that 30 x 12 does not equal 365 so there will be five little circles on my label on the back!

Here is my January block. 

 

I'm pretty sure I am going to use the same binding for all blocks, but the backings will all be different novelty feedsacks. I have decided to call this one "Sugar Cookies". Yum!!

 

Have a super day!

Housing Project

 Here are blocks 4 and 5 in my "Cecile and Corinne Quilt-a-long". 

 

 

I'd like to share a little bit about my construction of these humble abodes. Because feedsacks tend to be quite bulky, I am assembling them in "units" so that after I applique the entire house unit down, I can cut out the background for less bulk when hand quilting. 

I had a little trouble decided on the front door for block #5. I played around a bit and learned (after 3 tries) that it is best to audition "before" appliqueing the entire thing down! 

reject # 2 

reject #3

 

Red wins! 

 

When the applique is done, I choose the backing and cut my square just a bit larger than the front. I add my wool batt (split in half for a light loft). Then I baste "waste" fabric strips along the edge so it will fit in my 14" hoop. 

"Potholder Quilting 101"!

Enjoy the day!

 

"Mathilde" - Quiltmania Mystery Quilt 2023

 I have fondly followed many Quiltmania mystery quilts over the years, always thinking, "This looks like fun!" So, with a little encouragement from my friends Barb (Fun with Barb) and Randy (Barrister's Block), I finally took the plunge. This is the first step (Quiltmania issue number 153). Thirteen 4" stars and four 6" applique blocks.

I am using Dutch reproduction prints including a few vintage fabrics I bought on a sailing vacation in St. Barts in 1993!! Once again, my "scrap' gene took over. There are 26 different fabrics in the stars alone. I auditioned several backgrounds.

I really wanted to use a buttery yellow but feared I might not have enough to finish, so I opted for this lovely "Arundel" by Christopher Wilson Tate (because I had 5 yards!!).

The stars went together quickly as I used my square in a square method to make the geese units.

There is a bit of waste with this method, but at this point in my life, time saved is worth more than fabric wasted. The gorgeous print I chose for the appliques is quite airy, so I softened the concave of the leaf a bit to get as much color out of it as I could. It makes it look a little more "folky", but it works for me. I can't wait for step #2!! 

Sugar Shacks

 Just a quick update on my Corinne and Cecile quilt-a-long house project. The little houses are coming along. Number 2 block is now quilted and bound.

The backing for this one has thankfully been reproduced but, this is the real deal. 

This is block number 3. 

This backing sack is one of my all time favorites. 

O.k., I do love them all, but isn't this one sweet?! Do visit their Facebook page to see all the fabulous progress. I know I keep saying this, but there is so much creativity this year! Enjoy your day.