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