Vintage Find.

Awhile ago,Jeff and I decided to spend the day looking at antiques.
One of our downfalls is a vintage log cabin or flower garden quilt.

It's made up of fabrics from the 50's and 60's.
(Funny how we have several reproductions in the shop that resemble them.)

This quilt isn't hand pieced but it's hand quilted. There are no frays, holes or other marks on it. When we got it home, we filled up the bathtub and put in about a half cup of vintage quilt soap. After about an hour - and lots of pushing up and down into the warm water, I drained it.
The water was actually brown. I re-filled the tub and continued to push the quilt under the water to rinse off all the soap. Would you believe it, three times until it came completely clean.

What a difference in the color. It went from tan and taupe to cream and off white.
The colors really came back and it feels so much more snuggly. The cotton batting must have been filthy as well as the quilts top.

This was a wonderful find.... I can tell you it's used every night and truly enjoyed.
To the quilt maker, whoever you are.... Thank you for a much loved quilt.

Holiday Remembrance.

Memorial Day was always just a day off school, or a day off work. Now that I'm older and understand the true meaning of Memorial Day, it means alot more than just days to play.

You take for granted certain freedoms that other countries don't have. You never really think of them as freedoms, their just our way of life.

Alot of husbands & wives, fathers & mothers, brothers, sisters and friends died to insure those freedoms. Take just a minute of your time this weekend to say a silent "Thank You" to all those men and women. And may the soldiers who continue to serve over seas ... a safe return.

Patti

A day at the beach for Gingie.

I guess Gingie decided to go to Florida with my Sister and her husband, Kevin.
Here she is at the hotel getting ready to go to the beach. What a lovely bathing suit. Cute tote bag with her towel in it.

Enjoying a refreshing cocktail with my Brother-in-law Kevin. You can almost feel the breeze off the water. Don't forget the sun screen... oh never mind, she's already golden brown.

The start of something pretty.

When you find a pattern you like, and you can't get it out of your head - then it's time to make it.

This was a free pattern from "Andover Fabrics". I've had it for a few weeks and couldn't seem to get it out of my head. I kept looking at different lines to make it out of but for some reason, it always came back to "Daydreams" by Riley Blake. This will be the second time I've used this line. I guess I really like it.
I still have to go around the block one more time and then add the corners to make it square.
It's going to be a topper so I have to make 2 more blocks (4 x 4) and add borders.
It's funny how you can get a feeling or picture in your head about things. When I look at this, I can picture it on a deck or porch with white wicker furniture.

Memorial Day - Weekend Sale

Memorial Day - Weekend Sale!!!

Friday, May 27 through Sunday, May 29

**20% off Bolted Fabrics**
**20% off Books and Patterns**
**$2.00 pre-cut Fat Quarters**

( Civil War Fabric,books and patterns NOT included in sale)

Looks like Gingie is getting ready to travel.

I think she's at Walgreens picking up a few items for her trip. Dramamine means flying to me - I wonder where she's headed?

Oh No... Where did Gingie go???

I've been working on these Gingerbread projects for the past week now.

Got up this morning and ... Gingie is gone.

Where would she go?

I see she was sitting on my machine and it looks like she was relaxing on the deck.




Hmmm... we'll have to see where she turns up next. Where ever she went, she better be back on that placemat in time for the Minnesota Quilters Show which starts on June 16th.

Keep track of her journey, when she returns to the placemat... bring your completed list to the shop and receive a Fat Quarter Pack.

To get your list started:

1. Placemat
2. Sitting on Bernina
3. Relaxing on the Deck.
4. ???

Where ever you are Gingie... have a nice trip. See you soon.

Patti

Great "Scrap User-Upper".

I was visiting my Mother yesterday and the gift shop at her Nursing Home was open. She and I went in to see all the new Spring things they had for sale.

On the floor in the corner was this little chair and one a little larger. I immediately knew what I was going to do with it.. and what Becky would do with the other one. So to the cashier I went with my two new treasures in hand.

After my visit with my Mother, I headed to the shop to give Becky hers and I headed home.

My chair is only 10" high and 5" wide. The seat is made of jute. I didn't measure the other one but it's probably 12" or 13" high and 6" or 7" wide.


Both are perfect for Miniature quilts. Especially "Civil War". The black paint is perfect to compliment that era.

Once I got home I found the box in my sewing room that has all the tiny scraps from various projects. I usually throw out everything... I've never been a tiny scrap saver. I was afraid I may have gotten rid of the box but it was in the cabinet.

Now to find the size scrap that would make the right size circle. I needed at least 2". I traced around my template and cut out an assortment.

I like to make yo-yo's. I don't use a yo-you maker, I do it the old fashioned way.

I made up 20 so I could see if it was going to be the right size and look good on the chair.

These are sewn together, I think it's going to take 4 or 5 rows to get the right proportion.

They ended up being approx 1" when done.







Here's what the two rows look like on the chair. I'll make up the additional yo-yo's and it should be really cute.

Becky hasn't said what she's planning to do with hers. I can guarantee it'll be more involved then this one. Becky excels at miniatures.

Mine should be done by next week and will be in the shop. This is a great way to use up your miscellaneous scraps. Find a little chair and make a miniature quilt to fit it. Cute idea for a decoration, or a gift for a friend.

Spring time...

Spring time...

Refresh, Renew and Revitalize.

Just a few of my favorite trees. How can you not feel good when you look at the wonderful colors.

Hmmmm... what will this be?

I love it when you have an idea in your head, (especially when it comes to you in the middle of the night) and you have to get it from your head to paper and then go from there.

Here we have a jelly roll, rick-rack, fabric and a Gingerbread man.

Now the designing begins.....

Accuracy at your fingertips.

I realize that this is not a new gadget. But I want to Thank Celine Perkins for putting out one that is easy to use and makes my 1/4" seams accurate.

If you have a problem like I do with accuracy, this little ruler is wonderful. I realize it's hard to see in the photos but it has a tiny hole in it. You place it under your presser foot and lower the needle down into the hole. Check to make sure the ruler running parallel with the edge of your throat plate. I use moleskin as a guide but you can use tape if you like, I place it up against the ruler and I know that I'm sewing with a perfect 1/4" seam.

I'm all for anything that makes my quilting better. This is an inexpensive little gadget and one that's well worth the purchase price.

Once again..... Thanks Celine.

4 new books arrived today... the possibilities!!!

Today, Scott from UPS arrived and brought us these 4 Wonderful New Books.

I'm looking forward to finishing up the projects that I'm working on so I can start on a few I found while checking out the "Strip Smart" Quilts. I just can't get out of my box... Scrap quilts Rock!!!!

Just a little Sneak Peek...

This is a sneak peek at my newest project.

I found a cardboard daisy decoration at the party store and this idea came to mind. Actually, several ideas popped up but this is the one I decided to try.

Once again, I'm working with 1930's prints. I just seem to be drawn to them, maybe it's the softness. Even when I purchase Antique quilts, they all seem to be Feed Sacks.

Right now I don't have the entire layout planned. They"ll probably end up measuring between 13" and 14" so they aren't small flowers. I was thinking of a 3 x 4 block layout and then sashing them with the assorted colors. I don't even think it'll need borders. Just sash all the sides and then add the binding.

I'll have to talk to Patti H, (www.quiltsfromthetrail.com)
and see if she can quilt it using a small meander so the flowers pop.

On my list of "Favorite Things" you can add small meander... when washed the quilt gets that vintage crinkled look. For some reason that reminds me of my Grandmother. I'm not sure why, She didn't quilt - but she sewed unbelievable clothing, and never had handmade quilts on the beds. I'm not sure what memory old quilts evoke. I just know that what ever the memory is... it's comforting and warm.

This project will take me a little time to complete, I have to squeeze the hand stitching part in between everything else. I also am still working on my NY Beauty when I get the chance. I may just have to take a few days off to do nothing but complete projects. Oh darn, days to sit home on my deck and sew... don't you hate it when that happens??? Me too....

5 Week Mystery revealed

Our "5 Week Mystery" has ended and it's time to reveal the finished quilt.

This pattern is Here There and Everywhere by Susan Nelson of Prairie Sky Quilting. Many thanks Susan for a wonderful pattern. When Susan wrote it, it was not intended as a mystery, Lola divided it into sections so we could use it as one. The fun part of it was it took only 3 fabrics. you made 3 different block segments and depending on how you put your segments together.... several different blocks could be made. That was our mystery ending and it surprised everyone.

I do apologize for the poor quality photo, I just tacked it up on the bolts to take a quick picture. The colors are not as rich in this photo as they are when you see it in the shop.

We have been asked if we're going to do another mystery.... Lola is already working on it.

Many thanks to the fun ladies that participated, I look forward to seeing all of your quilts.
Again, Thank you Susan, keep those patterns coming.

Bus to the upcoming Minnesota Quilters Show

Hi,
This is just a reminder. Our bus going to the Minnesota Quilters Show on June 16th is almost full. We have 3 seats left. If you were thinking about taking the bus, now would be the time to call. If you have signed up and not paid for your spot - please stop in and do so (or call us).

Have a nice Spring Day!!!
Patti

New York Beauty - Update

Back in March I posted the first 4 blocks as I attempted to make a New York Beauty quilt.
I have to admit, I wasn't sure if those were going to be the only blocks that got done.
Like I stated in March - not hard to do, but what I didn't mention is that accuracy is vital.

For those who know me, my sewing is never accurate... I am known for the "Variable Block Size"
Once when making a log cabin quilt my blocks ranged from 9 3/4" to 11 1/4"... and I really thought they would work. I'm considerably better now, but still not perfect. The first 4 blocks you saw in March had to be taken apart and re-sewn. At that point I was sure I would never continue with this project. Becky showed me what the problem was, I corrected it and
the truth is, I'm lovin' it. I wish I had the time to just work on it til' it was done.
I laid these out at the shop so I could take this photo and show you how much I have accomplished. I think I've actually surprised myself.

16 out of 36 blocks are done so far. I work on it whenever I get a minute. It's on my dining room table, so I can just sit down and do a little. Poor Jeff is probably getting tired of eating around spikes, cutters, mats and the machine. He's pretty much a "go with the flow" kind of guy so he hasn't said much. Face it, he's the husband of a quilter....

Embroidery

Just a few samples of the wonderful Embroidery displayed
at the shop. There's a lovely section of samples to see.The stitches are so small and even.... it's amazing.

If you're interested in learning to embroider or would just like to enjoy the company of others while you work on a hand project, check out Becky's embroidery club.
Lots of fun and talented ladies.

Everyone's so willing to help you perfect your craft. Learn all kinds of tips and techniques by just listening to what everyone shares.

What do you get when you mix Wool, glue, floss and a Lamp?

Today was a kick back and work on a few projects - kind of day.
There have been a few new projects that I've been wanting to work on for a while. This one requires, wool pennies, glue, embroidery floss, needle and scissors. And don't forget the lamp.
I started with an assortment of 4 different size wool pennies in a variety of colors. I chose Black, Dark and Light Rust, Gold, and shades of Brown. The wool included tweeds, hounds tooth, and plaids. Next I layered the pennies into stacks of two's, three's and fours and tacked them in the center with glue to hold them together.
Using two strands of black embroidery floss, I blanket stitched around each penny.

I had gone to Target this morning to find the perfect lamp. This lamp is black metal, small and the shade almost looks like tan linen. Perfect color to go with the variety of wools I'm using.
( the next picture shows it alot lighter than it is)

When I had all my pennies stitched, I started to glue them in place on the lamp shade. I am really pleased with the results. It turned a plain lamp into a really warm accent piece.

I have enough pennies left over to make a little topper for the lamp to sit on.
They'll be in the shop when I get them finished. If you enjoy a little handwork, this project was fun. We"ll have bags of pennies pre-cut for you if you would like to make one for your home.

Weight loss Journey

Awhile ago, I had decided not to blog about the weight loss and Weight Watchers any longer.

I wasn't sure how many people really cared how much weight I lost, or how I was doing it. The other ladies who were doing it with me had suggested we do it every few weeks - that was fine.

During our Shop Hop I had more people ask me how it was going - and that they had seen it on our blog. Several said that they were not blogging it but had been doing it with me as well.

I must admit that lately, I haven't been tracking my food and have been off program. I try to make better choices than before, and it helps but not like when you are totally committed.

At this point I have lost 21 lbs. I haven't gained any of it back, and my goal is to weigh in again and get back on track.

I will let you know how it's going - from time to time. I hope you all continue to work toward a healthier life style. If this weather ever clears up I plan on walking Quahog every evening. He can finally walk "nicely" on a leash and it's fun to go out with him. That should help with the exercise portion of my plan.

Please continue on your weight loss journey and let me know how you're doing.

Patti