Sunday, September 25, 2022

CAMDEN STATION FINISH & POSY

All of a sudden it seems like all sorts of projects are being finished up. It may be time to check out all those storage boxes and containers under the cutting table and see what long ago forgotten UFO's are stashed there.  

Camden Station is finished.  I am very happy with it and just need to finish off the handwork on the hanger on its back and it is going up on the wall in our entry area.

Now there was just one issue.  Note the bottom row is missing on my piece.  I purchased this project as a kit.  Usually a kit involves way more fabric than really needed.  This time that was not the case.  I was out of several fabrics needed to complete the last 3 rows.  I did investigate shopping for more fabric without much success.  The very tiny prints in these fabrics were just not available at my local quilt shop.  Frankly at that point shopping on line for small bits and pieces of fabrics seemed way to labor intensive so I decided to stop where I was and call it a finished.  

The Hello Posy quilt top is finished and should be off to the quilter this coming week.  The pattern is from A Life With Quilts by Melanie Traylor.  I actually ordered the fabric from Melanie as well.  I have found the fabric bundles she sells are very different and Oh So Pretty.  Currently I have another bundle I just purchased from her and am thinking about another quilt out of the 5 featured in  her book.  The low volume background fabrics are all scrappy out of my own stash.  Another reason I am so fond of her patterns, she often features low volume backgrounds in her patterns and sells quarter yard bundle as well.  




Sunday, September 18, 2022

SEPTEMBER BOM, FEATHERS & CAKE

 This past week has been a great relief.  Our previous week of temperatures at 110 to 115 degrees has cooled down to lovely high 80's and low 90's.  My ordeal with a dental root canal is over and the tooth seems to have calmed down and is behaving itself.   

I finished my September Garden Party Down Under BOM blocks this past week.  Only 2 more months to go.  
Curio came back from the quilters this past week.  I moved it up into a slot with another quilt to get it done as quickly as possible.  We decided on feathers for the quilting and it really is just lovely quilting.  Really like the 108" backing we selected for it too.  I ended up having to move my sewing machine out to the dining table to sew the binding on.  It is huge 78" by 90" so needed the extra space.  Going to take a bit to get the handwork done on the binding.  

We celebrated my birthday last Sunday.  My youngest daughter's sister-in-law makes the most beautiful cakes and they are just absolutely delicious too.  Received some very nice gifts as well.  Between my daughters and granddaughter I received a 18 by 24 inch wool pressing mat, $75 in JoAnn's gift certificates, and $75 gift certificate at my very favorite local quilting store and several other lovely gift. too.

Sunday, September 11, 2022

CURIO OFF TO THE QUILTER AND IMPROV WITH ALEX ANDERSON

The early part of the week has been fairly productive.  I was able to finish the top of the Curio quilt.  It has been hot here, 108 last Monday, and 115 on Tuesday.  Wednesday and Thursday dropped down into 110 and 105 finally.  Best to stay in doors and sew.  Thursday was a bust, I spent the greater part of the day at the dentist having a root canal.  I do not recommend it, but given the fact that the tooth was becoming a problem it became a necessity.  Glad that is over and I can get back to better use of my time. 

Curio is finished and off to the quilter.  It is huge, 78 by 90.  It really is pretty and can hardly wait to see it quilted.  The pattern for quilting it is feathers of course.  
I have been watching Alex Anderson's new class on line on Improv.  Not something I have done much of before.  Decided to give the first lesson Sticks a try.  Keeping it small, just 18 by 18 inches.  A great way to use up some of my solids, I am not much of a fan of them.  However, it has come out pretty nicely. 
 

Sunday, September 4, 2022

CHARITY QUILT, BABY QUILT, & PICKLES

It has been a busy week trying to finish up some projects and get back this week to Month 9 of my Garden Party Down Under BOM.  Plus I have been working on getting the Curio quilt top completed as well in order to get it to the quilter and back no later than mid December, as it is a January birthday gift.

I got the 4 patch 9 patch blue and cream/tan charity quilt top finished and prepared a binding of blues for it completed.  While doing a much needed carpet shampoo in my sewing room I discovered a bin with all the block pieces cut and ready to go.  It was a good project to start and finish while the carpet dried.

I had to replace a baby quilt in my stash, as one of my daughters needed one for a baby shower she was attending.  Often I have had them long arm quilted, but decided to quilt this one myself.  A bit larger than I prefer to quilt things at 42 by 42 inches, but it was a breeze.  I certainly, in the future will do more of these small quilts myself.  

Last Sunday evening my two daughters, a daughter in law, and I attended a fun event at our local synagogue for Rosh Chodesh and canned pickles.  Just bring 6 mason jars and $10 and they provided everything else.  Such fun!