Bird's Nest Soup

 My summer applique project is now in full swing. Most people call this style of applique “tile”, but here in New England (or at least in Maine) we call it “stonewall”. I prefer that name anyway since they are among my favorite things. You will never get lost in the woods if you simply follow a stonewall. 

 There will be a bird in the center of each 9” block surrounded by random bits of delicious fabrics. I have tried to stay with reproductions from before 1850 to give it an early feel. I am also trying not to use the same fabric twice so I may have to break my pre1850 rule. I am having a ball grabbing fabrics and simply chopping them into weird shapes and stitching them down. So satisfying!

 This one just begged for me to use the potholder method. When I went to layer my first block for quilting, I discovered that I had mismeasured. Yup – the very first block measures 9” x 9 ½”!

I could have remedied that by simply taking off the corner circles on that one side. However, I am cutting the backs out and placing a tiny bit of batting behind each one (just the corner circles, not the other applique shapes) to make them “pop” a bit more. 

Of course I had already cut out the back out of these so... into the “orphan block” box it goes!

 The next block was perfectly square! I’m using toiles for the back of each block. This is one of my favorites from my friend Judy Roche (and Corinne Kramer). I just adore it. 

 I’m going to call it “Bird’s Nest Soup”, which fits my method of using some reference to cooking when naming my potholder quilts.

 Hope you are getting lots of fun sewing in too.

What a Noodle!!

 

So sorry!

 I had some bad spam comments and when I went to delete them, I must have hit the wrong button so no one could comment!

 I simply cannot be trusted to fix my own internet problems. It always gets me in hot water, and in this outfit that could be dangerous! 

 Hope it is fixed now. Will be posting more about the summer applique projects soon. Have a great weekend!

Summer Stitching - Circles and more

 

I’ve been sewing a bit every day, but can’t seem to muster the time (or energy) to post. 

 I have finished 220 of the 238 appliqued circle blocks needed for my Betsy quilt. I am now waiting for “Maria’s Sky” to arrive to finish the final 18. They finish 4” and no fabric was duplicated. Yes, that amounts to 476 Betsy Chutchian fabrics! Haven’t decided on a border yet. I’ve had fun with the circles. Mindless applique each morning helps get me ready for the day! 

I am not a ruler collector. I have used the same 12 ½” Optima ruler for years. When the numbers faded away, I was able to find one online but it came in a set of 4 different sizes. I took the smallest (4 ½”) one and taped a circle in the center to make the trimming of these little guys a breeze. 

I cut the backs out of all my circles and sent them to a friend who loves to applique circles as much as I do! 

 And, since there was a lull in the circle applique, I decided to start something new. I have wanted to make another “stonewall” (aka “tile”) quilt for quite a while. The center of each block will be some sort of bird surrounded by simple, random shapes of early reproduction prints. And yes, I am once again utilizing the potholder method. There will eventually be thirty two 9” finished blocks and one 18” block in the center. This should keep me busy for the rest of the summer!  

 Hope you are all getting some summer stitching in.

Maine Quilts: 250 Years of Comfort and Community

 

I have been remiss in posting about the publication of a most marvelous book. My friend Laurie LaBar’s “MaineQuilts: 250 Years of Comfort and Community”  is finally here!

It was to be published in conjunction with the Maine bicentennial, but we all know what happened in 2020 to delay and delay and delay the process. But good things come to those who wait and this one is really a gem. You can get a copy (here).

 Lots of wonderful photos and history of Maine quilts. 

 My local group’s charity endeavors are featured. 

 And, a few shady Maine characters are mentioned as well… 

 One of my favorite parts is the story of my friend Judy Roche’s quilt. Judy followed along with Audrey’s (QuiltyFolk) Quilty 365, making one circle block a day. What is unique about Judy’s quilt is that she recorded the day’s events along the seam allowance of each circle. What a marvelous thing to do. It is a real treasure. 

Judy's quilt reminds me of Shasta’s (High Road Quilter)  “quote” quilt that I have been enjoying immensely and am now inspired to do something like this myself. Stay tuned!

June Monthly Mini

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, but I fear I am dangerously close to the edge! Where did June go?

A few weeks ago I opened my mail to find a delightful surprise. Knowing how much I love tiny quilts with tiny pieces, Pam Buda (Heartspun Quilts) sent me her “Tiny Baskets” pattern.

Pam’s patterns are so well written and precise, it was a cinch to follow. You can find the pattern (here) and it includes all 3 of the quilts pictured.

 I made this little one first. I have the dime on there to show you the scale (and admittedly to cover up the fact that that point didn’t quite line up!). I used one of my favorite Pam Buda fabrics for the border and binding and one of her fun stripes on the back.

I decided to call it “Hummingbird” as it would be hard to fit any other type of egg in that basket!

 The other 2 are on my “to do” list and will show up as a monthly mini in the future.

 I’m linking up all the usual mini makers. I know you will want to see what is in their basket this month!

Quilting Babcia (Amity Quilter)

Randy (Barrister’s Block)

Cathy (Big Lake Quilter)

Cyndi (Busy Thimble)

Grace (City Mouse Quilter)

Barb (Fun with Barb)

Gladi (Gladi’s Quilts)

Shasta (High Road Quilter)

Robin (I Like to Create)

Julie (Julie K Quilts)

Kathy (Kathy’s Quilts)

Katy (Katy Quilts)

Sandy (My Material Creations)

Angie (Quilting on the Crescent)

Barbara (Quilts, Gravestones and Elusive Ancestors)

Janet (Rogue Quilts)

Kyle (Timeless Reflections)

Cynthia (Wabi-Sabi Quilts)

May Monthly Mini

 

Do you remember May Baskets?

The road I grew up on was sparsely populated but it just so happened that ours was one of the four houses that made up the village of East Edgecomb. In the mid 19^th century this was a happening place with commerce coming up the river to Poole’s Landing and then up to the store that was once across the road. However, by the time I came along, we were just 4 little houses.

 Every May 1^st, my mother would help us make May Baskets and sneak up to our neighbor’s doors and hang them on the knobs. After a few years, we were down to 3 families and I finally realized that no one was going to wonder who they came from. Somehow without that element of surprise I lost the desire to participate.

 We rekindled the tradition for a few years when the kids were small. They too found delight in surprising our neighbors. The last time I made one was 2018 for an elderly friend. She told me how someone had made her day by hanging a May Day basket on her door. She truly enjoyed the mystery of it all. I never let on and I now cherish that fond memory.

 I had fun making this little “May Basket” mini. I gave it to a friend last week who has a May birthday and has been going through a rough patch. She was thrilled! 

 Let’s see what you all have been doing this month.

 Quilting Babcia (Amity Quilter)

Randy (Barrister’s Block)

Cathy (Big Lake Quilter)

Cyndi (Busy Thimble)

Grace (City Mouse Quilter)

Barb (Fun with Barb)

Gladi (Gladi’s Quilts)

Shasta (High Road Quilter)

Julie (Julie K Quilts)

Kathy (Kathy’s Quilts)

Katy (Katy Quilts)

Sandy (My Material Creations)

Angie (Quilting on the Crescent)

Barbara (Quilts, Gravestones and Elusive Ancestors)

Janet (Rogue Quilts)

Kyle (Timeless Reflections)

Cynthia (Wabi-Sabi Quilts)

Mini Memory Quilts

 

My friends Randy (Barrister’sBlock) and Barb (Fun with Barb) and I rented a tiny cottage on Plum Island for a few days last week. We had a marvelous time stitching and chatting and walking the beach each day. I can honestly say I get much more stitching done at home, but it is never this much fun!! 

What we lacked in production, we made up for in mess! 

 We had decided to have a block swap of 4” baskets. We were to make 4 each and swap them. When I got home, I looked at my little lovelies and realized I needed to make 2 little memory quilts to remind me of our special time together.

 When Randy asked me what colors I wanted, I said “surprise me” you know I like brights. I think she nailed it! She also brought Hawaiian fabrics to share so I used this little sandal fabric on the back. 

Barb knows my penchant for reproductions and did a great job of slipping in that chrome yellow! She also brought fabrics to share and so I used a small bit of this fantastic toile on the back of hers. 

 I quilted both of them in wavy lines to represent our walks along the ocean and the waves of communication among friends. We had a fabulous time!