July monthly mini

Well, I warned you that you would laugh when you saw how simple my July monthly mini was. Here is it! 

 And, it was even simpler because I had a stack of 4 patches already done. Cyndi (Busy Thimble) gave me 750 inch and a half squares and I use them as “feeder” pieces beside my sewing machine while I am working on other projects.

As you will see, my cohorts in the monthly mini project have been much more creative! Please visit and see their wonderful minis. Let me know if I have missed anyone. Happy quilting!

Barb (Fun with Barb)

Janet (Rogue Quilter)
Randy (Barrister’s Block)

Kyle (Timeless Reflections)
Sandy (My Material Creations)
Barbara (Quilts, Gravestonesand Other Elusive Ancestors)
Shasta (High Road Quilter)

Karen (Log Cabin Quilter)

Summer!

I’m back – did you miss me? I am really looking forward to catching up with my Blog reading!

I’ve decided that next year I am going to skip July. Oh wait, that is what I did this year! Yes, it has been a trying and fitful month. I just couldn’t stay focused. I would walk into my sewing room and fondle each of the 15 ongoing projects, and walk out as my eyes glazed over. Part of my problem is that I am in between major applique projects.

I always have “busy” hand work at the ready (EPP, mini bindings, etc.) but, I feel lost without a serious applique mission. I have a few on the horizon that should bring me out of this fog by Fall so stay tuned.

In the meantime, I have managed to get “clue #1” of Kevin’s (Kevin the Quilter) summer mystery sew-a-long done.

aerial view

You can see that my “summer fog” crept into my sewing machine and caused a few minor mishaps.

I can’t wait for the next clue!

And, my monthly mini is almost complete. It’s o.k. to give a little chuckle when you see how simple and small it is!

I had a fabulous time at the Vermont show in June and was able to meet up with lots of friends. My friend Randy (Barrister's Block) came to visit me with her friend, Claire (Cspoonquilt). We had a great time at my husband's family summer home before we all went to the show.

Randy and Claire brought me all sorts of goodies, but I just had to share this little pin cushion that Randy made for me.

The elephant is a vintage planter (my favorite kind!) and she made a felted wool ball in colors to match the elephant. Too cute! 

I entered my Noah and Matilda potholder quilt in the Vermont show. 

We (the Seven Sewing Sisters) arrived too late for the award ceremony so we just went straight to the quilts. It took me a while to find my quilt because Sharon Waddell's fabulous antique exhibit captured me and would not let go! There were many people all standing around my quilt and I heard "Gee, I wonder why this quilt didn't get a ribbon?". I stood there a while listening to the comments and then a few friends came over and said, "wow, you were robbed!". Now, I am the first person to say that I don't enter shows for ribbons (and I truly do just like to share my work), but I have to admit I was disappointed. So, back we went to our hotel. Came in the next morning to get my badge (no ribbon, but at least I get in free!) and the lady at the desk couldn't find one for me. Hmmm, this is getting interesting! But, finally a sweet young woman came over and said, "Oh I am soooo sorry, I was the one in charge of ribbons last night and I somehow missed yours. Long story short (I know, too late) I had won a blue ribbon. There is no moral to the story, just a good laugh! Please visit Barb's (Fun with Barb), Randy's (Barrister's Block) and Gladi's (Gladiquilts) to see excellent shots of the show. I really stink at photography! 

I have been plugging along on my c1880 blocks with Pam Buda at Marcus Fabrics.

It has been so much fun making these little guys.  I joined through Cyndi's Busy Thimble quilt shop. Visit Pam's website (here) to find out how to join the club. And visit Janet (Rogue Quilter) to see her glorious version in the making! 

Last, but not least, if you are looking for a great (and I mean super!!) book to buy this summer, I highly recommend this one.

Lori Lee and Kay Triplett have done a fabulous job with this book. I have many of their books, but this is my new favorite. I will tempt you with just one photograph.

You can get your copy (here). You won't be disappointed! 

If all goes well, I'll be posting the monthly mini's next week. Wishing you all cooler temps and lots of quilting time! 

Vintage Patchwork - July project

Vintage Patchwork (by PamBuda) project #7, “Scarlet”. 

When I started this monthly project back in January, I cut out each month’s project (as Pam suggests in the book) and placed them in labeled bags. I did not try to match Pam’s fabrics, I just chose 40 ten inch squares of my favorite fabrics. I found it interesting that the colors for this little project were so close to Pam’s.

This is the first one that I had trouble with. I am not the best at following directions. I suggest that you pay close attention to Pam’s tips

if you want yours to come out correctly! Her message and helpful hints were spot on - if only I had read them first!! I had to “improvise” after I realized that I did not adhere to the written instructions. I was able to fix the problem, but I admit I took the photo from as far back as I could!!

It is still sweet and will become part of someone’s Christmas package this year. Thanks Pam for another great project and I will pay closer attention to the next one!