Happy Halloween!

Here is probably my favorite quilt of those that I've made. This was a Red Wagon pattern in the early 90s. I remember running out of the red background fabric, as I was fairly new to quilting I didn't know to buy a lot even if you need a little! The quilt is the better for having two different background fabrics, I think.

These skeletons have buttons for their elbows and knees. They are made of bone, and the original use was for underwear. Before elastic was invented, from what I've learned. From skivvies to a quilt; bet the guy, or gal, whose drawers these belonged to would be surprised.

Some of the fabrics were vintage; for example, the shirt on this scarecrow. I would be tentative now to mix fabrics from different eras like this. This quilt receives no wear, so, hopefully, it will hold up.

The label.
Halloween is my dad's 83rd birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad, and Go Yankees!

TMSE (Too Much Stash Enhancement)!

This is my recent stash addition. To my credit, all but two pieces were acquired on the PA trip. You have to buy fabric when you're in south PA - you can't visit Sauder's without substantial acquisition! The top grouping is larger yardage. I've been looking for the Rothermel fabric 4th from the left for the Temecula lightning streak 'T'. Two fabrics to the right of that is a Windham from the sale table - $1.99/yd - you just gotta buy the rest of the bolt for a back! They'll all find a home eventually - that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. The second picture is my 1/3 yd stash - my standard cut for small yardage.

Can't wait for next weekend's sew-in. Hope to get the border on the Colorado quilt, catch up on exchange blocks, and start the 9 patch blocks for the 'Road to Burkholder's'!

Making a Little Progress

The pieces and parts for my Jewel Box top are all sewn and squared up. I think most quilters love containers of various types. I am sure that you are all envious of these lettuce boxes that hold my four patchs and hst. They can be recycled later, but they proved to be the right size for these. There are also box lids full of strips for a log cabin in my sewing room. Pretty fancy stuff. This week has been quite busy, but I did manage to make a few blocks. There is not much on the schedule tomorrow, and the beautiful, but short, Indian summer we have had the last couple of days will be turning to rain, so it should be a good sewing day. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will grow...

Checking In

I haven't had much sewing time lately. I hoped to have the rick-rack border done on the Colorado quilt, but it's still on my 'To Do' list. I haven't decided on the final measurement of the borders, but this is close - 1 1/2" inner before rick-rack and 3" outer.

I have a couple week-end retreats coming up soon, so Delora (my Featherweight) and I will be spending some quality time together.

More Show Pics

I like the way this one interlocks. Would be fun to try in repros (of course). Just triangles, but I love quilts like this. A star type variation. Pardon the bum. Don't know who it belongs to! From Kim Diehl's new book. Nice and graphic. A flag made from a repro line featuring a printed coverlet fabric.

Another interesting pattern to ponder.

From a Bonnie Blue pattern.

The only antique bed sized quilt that I saw in the show. I haven't seen the leaf pattern set this way before.

Sunday Morning Shopping

Look what we found in the barn. Aren't they cute - big balls of fluff. They are now living in a pet crate in the garage, but I'm hoping to find them loving parents soon.

Remember the quilt I posted about recently that I saw at the antique show held at the fairgrounds? The show is held a few times a year (always on Sunday). Hubby and I went this morning. Look at the beauty that was folded up on a wooden ironing board! The vendor graciously allowed me to snap a few pictures, but I couldn't get a shot of the whole quilt. The pink is deteriorating and there are visible stains, but a choice piece. Sadly, it didn't come home with me, but I did snag embroidered/hand-crochet edged sheets ($5/ea) and pillowcases ($4/ea). It's sad that such time intensive handwork is valued so cheaply.

Quilt Show

This past weekend was the Heritage Quilters of NW Indiana show, of which I am a member. We make a raffle quilt for the show, which is biennial, but also make one for the alternate year. Two of my friends, Pat and Sandy, and I made this quilt for last year's raffle. As it happens, one of the guild members won this, imho, fabulous quilt. She put it in the show, and won 1st place in the group category. The three of us that made this quilt just absolutely love it, so we were thrilled. Sandy machine quilted it, and here is a detail shot for you to see. She really does a beautiful job, don't you think?

We named the quilt Sturbridge Stars, as it was made of the Marcus Fabrics line by Judie Rothermel. At the time we were choosing the pattern, there was a full page ad in a quilt magazine for the line, and a very small quilt that Judie had made. We really liked it, so I emailed her for permission to use the idea for our raffle quilt. She, of course, agreed, and thought it would make a lovely quilt. We made the blocks smaller, and reworked the star block for ease of piecing. The quilt is quite large; about 100 inches square.

Another Top

This is a finished top from one of Gwen's retreats - the topic was strip quilts (as in bars). I merrily cut/assembled pieces in the most unconventional way, but things went together better than I expected. I seem to make things harder than they need to be. It's taught me to take more time in visually dissecting the layout before beginning. I assembled the borders when I was without my fabric stash, so things grew from necessity. I'm thinking it was serendipitous because I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Below is a picture of my Halloween mantle - Halloween is my favorite holiday. The picture on the right is of my Mom and Aunt trick-or-treating at their grandparents. This must be from the early 1930's. I treasure this picture and look forward to displaying it every year!