Christmas Town Sampler

I have been following the Blog Hop/Mystery being presented by Denise Russart, Judy Laquidara, Sheryl Till and Susan Neves.  I was able to put the quilt top together this week while in Gulf Shores, AL.  I am so pleased with how it turned out.  Thank you ladies for your generosity.  You designed a lovely quilt.

Catching Up, Orca Bay and Easy Street

It's been awhile since I've posted (in case you haven't noticed).  At the end of the retreat, I had some major back issues which are just now improving.  In fact, I'm on yet another retreat.  Who goes to the beach and stays in the room sewing?!?!?

So far I finished the Orca Bay that I had worked on dilligently at the last retreat.  (See picture below)  I have the pieced border assembled but it didn't quite fit on the quilt so it's going to be back to the drawing board when I get home to figure out what to do to make it fit.

I'm following along with Bonnie Hunter on her latest Mystery Quilt, East Street.  It's not too late to follow along.  Get the clues here.  She's also doing a linky where we can chart our progress along with all the others who are making the quilt.  It's fun to see the different colorways chosen and to see if anyone else is using the same fabrics as you.

4 Patches and Flying Geese

I love Bonnie's Mystery quilts.  This is my third year to follow along.  Here is my Orca Bay sans the borders.  I'll repost when I finally solve the border issues.

Retreat, Day Two

I've been working on the 56 Ohio Star Blocks.  I have them completed...28 Dark ones and 28 light ones.  Now I'm taking a break and working on another project for awhile.

I forgot to mention on yesterday's post that I logged 9 hours of hand quilting last week.  And I also said this was my very first retreat.  I had forgotten about one a little closer to home a couple years ago.  It was very nice and I was able to accomplish a lot of sewing in the couple days we were there.

Better get to work.  I'll be back tomorrow with another update.

One Hour of Needle & Thread - Week 1

Following along with Bonnie Hunter with her "One Hour of Needle & Thread" I finished another block this week.  I did get started on the next one also but only have about 4 rounds finished so I'll wait until next week to post the progress on it. 

Sweet Pea

I'm at my very first quilting retreat this week.  So I'm not sure how much hand quilting I'll get done this weekend before the next post, but I didn't bring hand work to do on the retreat.  In fact, I'm working on Orca Bay.  I'm on Part 1, 224 quarter square triangles.





This is my work station.  Check back again tomorrow to watch my progress.

Hand Quilting

I've been working on hand quilting this quilt I've named "Bloomin' Flowers".  This was from a BOM at Hancock Fabrics a long time ago.  I had planned to enter it in the Pine Belt Quilter's Fiber Art Quilt show in October but due to the finger surgery, I had to make the decision that I was not going to be able to get it finished in time.

Then today Bonnie Hunter mentioned on her blog that she was going to start hand quilting one hour a day and asked if anyone wanted to commit to join her.  Since I'm already quilting, I decided, why not?  It'll be fun to see how much everyone gets done from week to week.  She's letting us link up to her blog post starting today (Monday) and we'll check in with our progress each week.

I have my frame set up in the living room and usually quilt in the evenings while watching TV.  (Mostly watching the Atlanta Braves)  You can't see it very well in this picture but I have a TV tray to the left of the quilt frame with my thread, scissors, thimbles, TV remote, cell phone, water...all the essentials.

I'm echo quilting each of the flowers.  I have finished 4 blocks so far:

Dogwood

Iris (it wouldn't rotate for me)

Hydrangea

Poppy

Check back again next Monday and hopefully I'll have at least one more block finished.  This is not going to be a good week for me because I have to work Tues thru Friday so it won't leave much time for quilting. 

Christmas Town Sampler August Blocks

I finished the following August blocks just barely in time before the September blocks were offered.

Bells from Susan Neves

Patchwork from Judy Laquidara

Business District from Denise Russart

I have not been able to do the applique block from Sheryl Till.  I had surgery on my right index finger 4 weeks ago and since I'm right handed, my hand sewing has been a little deterred.  And unless my hand sewing days are over, I'll wait until I can needleturn applique again before starting the poinsettia block.  Looking forward to that day (hopefully) real soon.  But until then, I can work on catching up on other projects...a never ending process.

Christmas Town Sampler

I have been wanting to make a Christmas quilt.  When I saw Christmas Town Sampler on Denise Russart's blog (block of the month/mystery/blog hop)  I just couldn't resisit.  The first clues were posted the first Saturday in July.  I am currently caught up (until the first Saturday in August), so hopefully I'll stay that way. 

Applique' Block

This block was designed by Sheryl Till.  I still have to add a bead for the eye on the dove but decided to wait until after the quilt is quilted.

Pieced Block

 This block was designed by Judy Laquidara.  I really liked how this one turned out.

Paper Pieced Block

 This block was designed by Susan Neves.  The title of the block is The Three Trees.  You need to check out the story on her blog.

Manor House Block

This block was designed by Denise Russart.  The houses go in the border all around the quilt.  I had to make eight of these.  I could have made them all different but decided to make these all the same.  I may change my mind on the next one...who knows? 

It's not too late if you decide to join in.  Are you game????

Mystery Monday's



Sherry Falls, of Little Bits of This and That, had a fun idea last fall of doing a small project in a series of Mysterys giving us clues each Monday.  The first one was a candle mat.

Mystery Monday #1

The second one was a table runner.

Mystery Monday #2

The third one was a cute small quilt.  I didn't get a chance to follow along on that one but after seeing the pictures I wish I had taken the time.  She plans to do it again soon.  Subscribe to her post so you'll know when she does start up again.

Fairy Quilt Godmother

A couple months ago, Julia Graber asked if we would like to make a Fairy Quilt Godmother to display during our Quilt Show in July.  I checked out the website she referred us to, Paper Panache, answered the questions and printed out the one selected for me.  I had fun making Miterlara.  Be sure to check out the website to see the parade of all the Fairy Quilt Godmothers.



Miterlara



Eleven year old Granddaughter

I let Megan dig in my scraps this afternoon and she is busy making a mini quilt.

Concentrating



Smile

Meet Little Piggy with Pigtails!!

Happy Girl!!

Possum Town Quilters 2012 Challege

Each year our guild, Possum Town Quilters, has a block challenge.  We display the blocks during our Quilt Show at the Rosenzweig Art Center for the patrons to choose their favorite.  This year our quilts and blocks will be on display for the month of July.  Opening reception will be July 12.

This year's Challenge Fabric

We were given eight 5" squares and were commissioned to produce a 12" finished kaleidoscope block.  I had to practice first. 

Practice Block

Then I chose fabrics and made the "real" block.  I actually like the practice one the best, but since I didn't use the challenge fabric in it, I guess I'll have to go with this one.



Challenge Block

You'll be able to see pictures of all the blocks that were turned in soon on our PTQ blog.  Or come by the Rosenzweig Art Center, corner of 5th and Main in Columbus sometime during the month of July and vote on your favorite.



Trip to Indiana in May

My Brother-In-Law chauffered my sisters and me to Indiana in May to visit relatives.

James, Sandy, me, Eva Marie

My mother's sister, Betty and her daughter Pam came from California.

Aunt Betty and Pam

Another of my mother's sisters, Deloris (aka Dee) lives in Indiana.

Aunt Dee

Several first cousins were able to come visit.  It was nice to be able to see everyone.

Coryell Cousins

While there, we also got to see our Dad's sister-in-law, Doris Jean.  We met her daughters at a local restaurant and also had a surprise visit by another first cousin, Allen and his family.  Failed to get pictures but we had a good visit there too.

Eva Marie, Aunt Jeanie, Sandy, me

Explanation for my Absence

I had bunion surgery April 20.  I failed to get a "pre-surgery" photo but trust me, this looks good.  I'll spare you the unbandaged version.  I also had a neuroma removed between 2nd and 3rd toes.  But I am mending very nicely.  I had to do a lot of sitting with foot elevated so I was very much out of my comfort zone.  Anyone who knows me knows I had to work at sitting for hours on end.

Mountain Quiltfest 2012

This was my 5th year to attend Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN. There were several Possum Town Quilters who attended this time. My first class was "Feathered Stars" by Nancy Mahoney. I finished my star since I've been home and am debating on how I want to incorporate it into a quilt. I've got some ideas floating around.


The next class I took was a two-day class taught by Annie Smith on "How to Choose Your Fabrics. I think I learned a thing or two. Still assembling my blocks but eventually I'll have a quilt put together.

This is Annie and me. Next is my friend Brenda who also took the class. We had a great time at Quiltfest and already have our reservations for next year.

I won a ribbon!!

Mountain Quiltfest was in Pigeon Forge in March. I had shown you my entry on my last post. Well, I won a ribbon!! Excellence in Hand Workmanship. I was (and still am) very surprised, shocked and excited!! I bought the challenge packet for next year and already have ideas swimming in my head. Dates for next year are Mar 13-16.

What Tickles My Fancy?

I have enjoyed participating in the Mountain Heritage Quilt Challenge the past few years. This year's theme is "What Tickles My Fancy?"
My answer is "Quilting, Of Course!!". And also Christmas decorations. The poinsettia in the center came from 'Another Season of Beautiful Blooms' by Susan Taylor Propst. I am so happy to be finished. And the deadline is another month away. Whew!!

Orca Bay Revealed

Because of all the busyness associated with the holidays, I was unable to keep up with Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay Mystery Quilt. However, I was able to make some of each step. So when the mystery was revealed on Jan 1, I was able to pin 2 complete blocks on my design wall...a positive and a negative.

I I really, really like it and can't wait to get more pieces sewn together.

My Family

This is my family. (or at least the ones who were able to be there for our Christmas celebration)
Ten of the 21 grandchildren!!