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????