Tasty Morsels

My friend Randy asked me the other day, ”Why aren’t you machine binding all of these?”. It would definitely be faster, but I am enjoying the slow hand stitching on these blocks each night. It gives me time to connect with each quiltmaker as I sew along.

Here is the next installment in the ever evolving, “Community Supper”.

Lori DeJarnatt (HumbleQuilts), Madras, Oregon. So many of you follow Lori, I almost don’t need to say anything about her. She is a passionate, generous and talented quilter and I adore her gorgeous flower block. It is from the Noah and Matilda quilt by Collector with a Needle. You can order the pattern (here). I admire anyone who can machine applique (I really have tried, but have no patience for it). This is truly beautiful. Lori also shares my passion for eagles on quilts so I used one on the back. Thanks Lori! 

Rose Mikuski, Algonquin, Illinois. (Something Rose Made) I started following Rose’s blog when I spotted a feedsack quilt she had made. She is one of the most prolific quilters out there. Take a look at her colorful, happy quilts on her blog (here). I love this block and to my surprise I don’t have one single fabric in it. With the stash I have, that is close to a miracle! Thanks Rose! 

Sally Murray, Topock, Arizona. Sally and I share a passion for 19^th century conversational prints. She has done a lot of research and has a wonderful collection. I am very happy to have this block from Sally with a 21^st century conversational print, which she is calling “Lunch with Wendy” (Wish I could have lunch with you!) I love it! Thanks Sally! 

Dawn Cook-Ronningen, Maple Grove, Minnesota (Collector with a Needle). I have made quilts from Dawn’s (Collector with a Needle) patterns many times and have to say they are the best I have ever used. I can’t wait to get started on their latest, “Fig Leaf and Flowers”. Dawn sent 2 blocks. A tiny appliqued beauty (which I am saving for something just for me! – photo to follow when finished) and this lovely 10” block. The name, “Brave World” comes from a Judy Hopkins block. Very fitting for this project. Thanks Dawn! 

Barbara Schaffer, Wilmington, New York. (Quilts, Gravestones and Elusive Ancestors). I followed Barbara’s blog long before I ever started my own. Barbara’s label expresses it best, “Love getting together with you”. I love the fabric in this star. It reminds of end papers in old books. I chose the back fabric for this block as it is based on a quilt made by the great quilt historian, “Florence Peto”. Barbara wrote the book, “A Passion for Quilts: The Story of Florence Peto 1881 – 1970” which I believe is now out of print but I highly recommend trying to find a copy! Barbara was also published recently in Barbara Brackman’s “Divided Hearts; A Civil War Friendship Quilt”. Read more about it in Barbara’s post (here). Thanks Barbara! 

That’s it for now. Have a great weekend!

Yummy Treats!

Here are the latest finishes in the Community Supper quilt. The hardest part about this project is deciding which one to finish next. I have decided to just pile them up and take the next one as it comes. They are all so wonderful!

Angie Helman, New Orleans, Louisiana. Although we have not yet met in person, I think Angie must always be smiling. Her blog (Quilting on the Crescent) is chock full of color and beautiful quilts. This schoolhouse block is a perfect representation of her wonderful use of color. And don’t you just love her label? That’s the spirit! Thanks Angie! 

Dorothea (Dottie) Koene, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Another Sheboygan Falls block. You must grow quilters out there! This one is a wonderful folded log cabin type and I recognize some of my favorite fabrics from the 1990’s. A perfect orphan Dottie – just what I was looking for! Thanks a million! 

Janet Olmstead, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Mrs. Sew n’ Sew). Janet said, “I made this block on vacation in Mexico several years ago. I wanted to try backbasting and this was the result. I was going to make it into a potholder for my Mom who loves cherries, but somehow it never got made.” Well Janet, I am sorry for your Mom, but I also love cherries and this is a sensational addition to this quilt. Delicious! I am trying to choose backings that match with the block or the quilter. This one was easy. Janet made a reproduction of this Susan McCord quilt. It is fabulous and you can see it (here). 

Claire Witherspoon, Soquel, California (Cspoonquilt). Claire came to visit me last summer with my friend Randy We had a blast! Claire says “I have literally hundreds of orphan blocks so I had a hard time choosing. I decided to use the old wedding rhyme to guide me. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Something old – the pineapple block came from a foundation piecing class I took at a Sister’s (Oregon) class in 1998! Something new – the brown star block. Something borrowed – I got literally over a hundred thank you blocks from my fellow guild members when I was Quilt Show Chairperson in 2019. I thought this one was really cute.

Those who know me have already figure out that I would choose “something old”. And, to make it more special the fabric Claire provided to add to the border was designed by an old friend from AQSG, Pat Nichols. Don’t worry, the rest of the blocks will go into my next pot luck quilt! Thanks Claire!

Keep Calm and quilt on!

Saving Room for Pie

I’m hoping that “Community Supper” will be displayed in a special exhibit of “Covid 19” quilts somewhere, someday. With that in mind, I have to be careful of the overall size. I know in our state show, if the quilt is over 88” tall, the bottom gets tucked under. I do not want that to happen as I think everyone who participated in this should be well represented! To date, the layout I have planned will work perfectly. If I get more than 74 blocks, I will have to re-think (not an easy task with my aged brain!). Don’t worry if you have promised me a block and haven’t sent it yet, I am holding a spot for you.

I sincerely love reading the sentiments you have sent with your blocks. I am keeping a notebook with all your sweet notes and a journal of my progress and my thoughts as I go along.

This weekend I had a ball adding sashing to all the undersized blocks and cutting and mating backings to each one. It feels good to be so organized! Now I can just grab and quilt a few each morning and bind them at night.

Here are 3 that I completed after all my organization efforts!

Kathy Parsons from Franklin, Massachusetts. I love Kathy’s note and message: As you can see, the design is a little off center – the way I feel without a normal routine. I have been staying with my son, daughter in law and 2 teenage grandsons during this “stay at home” phase. On nice evenings we sit on their deck and have a glass of wine and watch the boys play soccer in the yard.” Kathy’s message rings true for all of us – “Count Your Blessings”. Thanks Kathy! 

Lana Reed, Chattanooga, Tennessee. In her note, Lana wrote – “This has been a difficult & challenging year for all of us – some more than others. I am so glad to have my “stitching”. Yes, indeed Lana, thanks for reminding us how lucky we quilters are. 

Barb Vedder (Fun With Barb), Madison, Connecticut – Barb said, although she has always wanted to make a “Pickle Dish” quilt, this is a “one off”! I love it!! Barb is sending a label which I will add when it arrives, but her sentiment at the end of her note was “I’m bringing pickles”. You will always find me loading up at the condiment table of any community supper. I love anything pickled, especially homemade. Thanks for a gorgeous block Barb! 

Hope you are all enjoying some late Spring stitching in the sunshine!

Lip Smacking Good!

All I can say is “wow”! Every package I open reveals another sensational block. So far, the only problem I have had is how to get enough sleep. I find myself organizing and planning layouts in the middle of the night. Then I get up at 4:00 because I just want to work on these beauties. All my problems should be this easy!

Here are the latest finishes:

Robin Booth (I Like to Create) from Utah. Robin says: “The reason this block was orphaned is because the basket was supposed to be 5 ½” unfinished. This block ended up being 6 ½” unfinished. Then I tried to make it into a larger block for something else and that didn’t turn out either.” I am glad it didn’t work out Robin, because it is a wonderful addition to our community project! 

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Karen Martin (Moose Bay Muses) from Minnesota. Just look at those tiny fussy cut hexagons. Amazing! I felt guilty not hand quilting all of this beauty! Thanks Karen! 

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Sue Pittman from Oklahoma. This one is really special to me because it was one of Sue’s mother’s blocks. If you follow my blog, you know how much I love “vintage”. This one just sings. I am trying to choose backings that are appropriate for the block and this repro looks like the right vintage to me. Thanks Sue! 

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Pat Taylor (Thoughts fromTaylorsoutback) from Wisconsin. Pat said: “This orphan block is probably more like a “humble block”. It turned out an odd size so got stashed away in the closet. Tried adding a little border to bring it to 10 ½” (unfinished) so hope you can use it.” Yes indeed Pat, it is perfect! I would have felt bad covering up the white star in this cheater print I used on the back, but Pat's gorgeous label made up for that guilt. Thank you Pat! 

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Unless otherwise instructed, I have sent a little thank you (in the form of small scraps of some sort) for each block I receive.

These 3 ambitious ladies have already used their pieces to whip up something fun!

Chris Nett from Sheboygan Falls, WI

I announced this project and made the orphan block request on May 16. This was the first block I received on May 21. It was so much fun to open this and see all that happy color. I just knew this was going to be great. Thanks Chris! 

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And here is what Chris made with her squares. 

Joan Schueffner also from Sheboygan Falls, WI. If I learn anything from this project, it will be how to spell Sheboygan Falls! You must have quite a group as I have 4 blocks from there. Joan calls this block “The Virus”. I couldn’t resist quilting little nodules to make it look even more “Corona” like. And, don't you love her label? Thanks Joan, it is perfect! 

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This is Joan’s creation from her pieces. 

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Kay Pungatore from Massachusetts. Kay obviously shares my love of turn of the century “neon” fabrics. I rummaged through my stash and found this gorgeous neon fabric to add to edge to make it 10”. I used a reproduction crazy quilt fabric on the back that seemed age and color appropriate. Thanks Kay! 

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Kay made this marvelous Flying Geese with her thank you scraps. As she said, “she just couldn’t resist playing with them”. 

That’s it for now. Stay tuned!

Unite

Instead of posting my progress on our “Community Supper” today, I would like to pause and reflect on the civil unrest we have experienced in our country this past week.

A man lost his life in an incident that should never have happened. Of course, as a nation, we feel shocked and horrified but why do we always resort to violence? We need to figure out what we can do as individuals to help bring peace to our unsettled world.

As quilters we often find tranquility by quietly stitching and sharing our efforts with those in need. We are the fortunate ones.

In a time where it is not possible to physically reach out our hand, let’s find a way to share our hearts to build a better community.

Peace be with you.

Let's Eat

“Community Supper” is moving right along. Since I posted my request on May 16, I have received 53 blocks and have promises for 9 more. I am beyond thrilled with this response. I have a preliminary layout of 64 10” blocks with 10 more 5” blocks along the top with a header block. This is all subject to change if I get more than 74 blocks. I may have to make some blocks 2 sided – again that is the beauty of the potholder method!

I’ve decided from now on I will post each block after it is completely done (quilted and bound with label attached to the back). I have spent almost as much time organizing and communicating as I have actually quilting so I feel this is one way I can stay organized with the posting. I am working in no particular order so don’t worry if you don’t see your block right away.

So, here are the next 3 quilted and bound blocks.

Randy (Barrister’s Block) Randy visits Hawaii quite often, can you tell? 

Karen K. (Karen used to belong to my local group but she moved to Texas where the sky is big and the weather is warmer! 

Debby D. from Oregon. I think Debby’s block and her message say it all! We all need to have a heart and look out for one another. 

I wish I could express how much fun I am having with this project. I thank each and every one of you!

Monthly mini May

A Tisket a tasket

A mini May Basket!

Had this little leftover block from my Humble Quilt doll quilt swap and decided to make it into a mini. I have always loved this sweet fabric from Judie Rothermel’s Civil War Dressing Gown fabric line. It seemed to fit the project perfectly. 

Click on my fellow bloggers to see their May creations. I am in hopes that when we post our June minis, we will begin to see light at the end of this dark tunnel!

Quilting Babcia (AmityQuilter)

Randy (Barrister’s Block)

Cathy (Big Lake Quilter)

Barb (Fun with Barb)

Julie (Julie K Quilts)

Kathy (Kathy’s Quilts)

Katy (Katy Quilts)

Sandy (My Material Creations)

Barbara (Quilts, Gravestonesand Elusive Ancestors)

Janet (Rogue Quilts)

Kyle (Timeless Reflections)

Cynthia (Wabi-Sabi Quilts)