Logs and Stars

I've been plodding along on this Country Living quilt kit. The many red stars seemed to give me fits for a while.

Then these courthouse step log cabin blocks seemed to take forever. Probably because those logs are one inch wide! I still need to join them together and attach them to the quilt. I do really like the checkerboards. They just seem to set all the other parts off.

The last component is another star block for the corners, which is waiting it's turn here, and then it's done-Yay! They advertise this kit as for an advanced beginner but I think that's stretching it a bit. This kit had a lot of parts and any seam that's a little less than perfect could really snowball and throw this quilt way off. After this it's quilts for my grandson's new beds in his new room as his baby sister or brother comes along this summer and takes over the crib. What fun that should be. Thinking about summer-it's all that's keeping me going during this horrible winter.

Color, Contrast and Hue

I have found it hard to produce much of anything in this brutal winter we are having mainly because my sewing studio tends to be cold and I don't like it. Note to self-get a space heater. But anyways I have done a little bit of sewing on my Country Living quilt.

This is a quilt kit and it arrived with the fabrics nicely divided up by reds, greens, blacks and lights. The fabric in the star blocks are supposed to consist of a dark red for the stars and a light for the background. But the star fabric on the right just does not have enough contrast in it to stand on it's own with the background. So I turned that particular fabric into a background fabric and it works just fine.
I have not had that problem with any of the other fabrics. They are behaving very nicely for me. I worked at an art gallery at one time and I learned a lot about color, contrast and hue in that job. Everyone thinks color is the most important part of a quilt but it's really hue which in turn provides contrast. So if your quilts just aren't looking quite right, try thinking about the hue of the fabric and get some contrast in there!

Fall Quilting

It finally feels like Fall here so some of the decorations came out and then over the weekend I whipped up this little table topper. I have been making a concerted effort to use the fabric I have on hand, and all of this fabric I had in my stash. Some of the fabrics I have had for a lot of years.
My long arm quilter actually quilted it for me Monday. I dropped it off on the way to work and she called me to let me know it was done. I picked it up on the way home. Now that's what I call service. Thanks Susan!
And to show you that I really am using my stash, this is the back of the quilt. I had to really scrounge and creatively piece to make a square of fabric big enough. I really love the back-kind of contemporary looking. It's like having a whole other quilt!
For those of you who experience Fall vicariously through us New Englanders, like Libby, I'll try and post some pretty foliage pictures in the next few weeks. The leaves, they are a-changin'!

Time for Fall?

I've seen on a blog here and there that there's a lot of fall decorating going on already but I've had a little trouble getting going. I think it's because it was so hot and humid here this past weekend. A cold front came through today so it should be cooler tomorrow. Anyways, I have managed to get my Halloween quilt out early. I was making this last year but never got it done in time. It was inspired by Nicole at Sister's Choice who made a fantastic one last year. She had some fabulous Halloween fabric which I wish I could find.
I had some great fabrics that were fun to work with.
The focus fabric is from Marcus Brothers and it's called Tricks and Treats. I think there is a second version of it out this year too. My quilter did a wonderful pumpkin and vine pattern in orange that I love.
And here's Miss Penny who always seems to find a quilt to nap on. I tried to edit out her freaky eyes and didn't have much luck so I guess they'll just be her Halloween eyes. Isn't she pretty? She sort of matches the quilt.
There will be more decorations to follow soon. I've been spying pumpkins on porches around here and the leaves are changing so it's time.

A Give Away to Check Out

Go to Canton Village Quilt Works to check out her give away. She will quilt a quilt for you, up to a twin size, if you are the winner. That's a pretty good give away!

And stay tuned-if I can ever get my act together here I will be having a quilt related give away soon, very soon.

And this picture has nothing to do with this post. Just baby C watching Nemo in my Mother-in-law's rocking chair from when she was a little girl (she's almost 87).

Finally Some Quilting

I have finally gotten something done around here. I've been finishing the "Fruit of the Loom" quilt (I am going to have to come up with a different name) and instead of making one I made two quilts. One is a lap size quilt and the other is a wall quilt. In the above picture I was auditioning borders but ended up not using any.

I did use borders on the smaller one. I love the orange and green together. Who would have thought I would like orange! I don't think I've used much of it over the years unless it's in a Halloween quilt but I love it here. So it's good to try colors you might not think you'll like.

And this is my first post on my brand new computer. I love it! I have never had my own computer and the computer we had in the house was a hand me down from my daughter. I think she had it in high school and she graduated in 1999! My husband says she had it in college. It is an awful computer but hubby doesn't mind using it and I refuse to use it so here I am on my new laptop. Hopefully I'll be able to post more now with this fast computer. Now if only I could finish the UFO's as fast.

I'm Here-Can You See Me Waving?

Honest to goodness, I'm still here. I think after being in winter prison here in NH for such a horrible winter, when the first hint of spring emerged we were all like in the Shawshank Redemption, outside with our arms raised to the sky saying, "I'm Free!" So hubby and I, but especially hubby, have been getting caught up on outdoor chores and I have been enjoying the walks with Baby C when I babysit him. I think we are almost due for a post from Baby C since he is one now. Maybe this Friday. He has changed so much since that first post last year.

Most of the time has been spent at work. I work at a college and the end of the year is so busy. But graduation happened Saturday and new shiny faces will be here in August and I have the summer off starting next week. A new cycle begins. Perhaps I can get to the sewing machine and finish Fruit of the Loom, or whatever I end up calling that quilt. Plus many other UFO's that need attention.

So I promise, more posts coming. Until then, happy quilting, or thrifting, or knitting or whatever you do for fun.

Fruit of the Loom

A cold and rainy weekend in NH so I am doing some sewing on my fruit and vegetable quilt and having fun with it. My husband unfortunately came into my sewing room, saw the quilt on the design wall and declared it the "Fruit of the Loom" quilt! Now I have a picture in my head. Help!

Perhaps If I Make a Summer Quilt....

I'm thinking if I make a summer quilt it might become summer here. After all we seem to be skipping spring. Anyways., I got my Fourth of July quilt back from my quilter. I seem to be doing a holiday series with this quilt pattern here, here, & here. I feel a Halloween quilt in my future!
There is a wonderful variegated star quilting pattern on this quilt that I love. Once again my quilter did a wonderful job.
So on to the next quilt and in honor of summer I have started, of all things, a fruit and vegetable quilt. So the center of the quilt might look like this....
....or perhaps it may look like this. I'll have fun on the design wall with this one.
I only have to make about a million more of these half square triangles.
But who can resist these fun fabrics that I never thought I would like in a quilt. I love them!
Now excuse me while I wrap myself up in a quilt and try to warm up in front of the fire as it is cold, cold, cold here today in NH. Apologies to Libby, Nicole and other California friends who are sweltering.

Mr. Winter Has Left the Building

I haven't updated this blog in almost two weeks, which my son pointed out to me over the weekend, at which point I pointed out to him that he hasn't updated his since before Christmas when Baby C was crawling. Now Baby C has turned one and is walking. Time flies!

Anyways, we finally got some spring weather and I was loving it so much that I was outside instead of inside at a computer so that's my excuse and I am sticking to it. It has been a welcome break from an awful winter. I am not getting my hopes up too high as it has been known to snow in April and sometimes even in May. I have done a little quilt making. I could not resist this patriotic print called Hip Hip Hurrah from Marcus Brothers. It's by the same designers that I used in my Christmas and Valentine quilts so I guess I like what they design.

I have put together some blocks and will sew them together one of these days.
My daughter and I also went to a quilt show and one of the vendors had the Prairie Paisley line and it is really a beautiful set of fabrics. I bought a few and one of them is this blue fabric which I am using in this little quilt. The rest of them are probably going into another scrap quilt I have planned.
Other than that, let's hope spring stays here but I've lived in New England long enough to know not to get my hopes up.

Ginger Belle

My Ginger Belle quilt came back from my awesome long arm quilter today. She is a very creative woman. I never tell her what to do on my quilts or what color thread I want and she never disappoints. It takes a lot of trust with someone to let them take your creation and hope they see your vision but Susan always does.
This quilt came out more autumn looking that I expected so she took it from there. I used almost all scraps from my stash in this one.
She used a wonderful leaf pattern that I think looks perfect.
And I am happy to report that our winter/fall-like weather left us for at least today. It was 59 degrees on my car thermometer so I did what all New Englanders do when it gets blazing hot like that-they open their car windows and sun roof! It was also Red Sox opening day at Fenway Park so spring must be here. If that's the case why do I still have snow in my front yard?

Please Mr. Winter, Go Away

We're still in the grips of winter here if you can believe it. More snow today and several other days last week although there was one day last week that it got up to 55 degrees and I had to open my car window because I was hot! We have now broken our 100 year record for most snow in a winter and are still working on the all time record. I lost track of how many more inches we have to go to get to 122 inches but I think it is only about 5 inches which we'll make for sure at the rate we're going. Now all you southern and Californian bloggers please stop showing us your pictures of your flowers blooming in your yards and I'll be a much happier blogger.

In the meantime I have done some sewing and have managed to put together this quilt. It is a Miss Rosie pattern called Ginger Belle and I love it. I used a lot of my stash for this which I am going to try and use a lot of this year. Just need to add the pieced borders onto it and then off to the quilter it goes. Now if all these fabric designers would stop making all those new fabulous fabrics out there I could get my stash down. Have you seen Prairie Paisley? I may have to break my vow and get some of that.
In the meantime I'll leave you with a picture of my grandson, Baby C, who is almost one year old and now walking! Only one tooth that just popped through this past weekend, but other milestones, like walking, he has down. Running will probably be this week! I babysit him every Friday and love seeing the changes in him from week to week. His Dad, my son, used to make this exact face. If this pictures doesn't cheer you up nothing will.

The Cure for Cabin Fever

Still snowing off an on here if you can believe it. Cabin fever has set in but a good cure is to pull out some happy fabrics and start sewing. I have actually got all the blocks ready to go together for this quilt but I needed to get something done quick for a pick me up. So I did another one of this pattern that I have done here and here. Since heating fuel is so expensive we tend to keep the house cool so I sit with one of these quilts on my legs at night. It's the perfect size. This is my spring version. I know I'll be making other versions too.

I found this delightful tulip fabric at a local quilt shop in the bargain corner for $2.99 and the rest of the fabrics are from my stash.
My favorite long arm quilter once again did a wonderful job and I am in the process of sewing on the binding.
Now if only spring would show it's face and we'd see some of these little bumble bees I'd be a happy camper! Until then I'll be in the sewing room.

Sitting and Sewing

Still very winter here in NH so I have been getting a lot of time behind the sewing machine when I'm not at work. I've been working on my Ginger Belle quilt and it is coming along. Had to make a lot of these 3 1/2" blocks........

so that I could put them together into these two blocks.

I have managed to use a lot of scraps up which is a good feeling. The quilt is definitely getting an autumn look to it. Can't wait to put it all together. That's what I like about quilting; you start with a big pile of fabric, you cut it up and make a mess, then you make order out of the mess and magic happens!

In the Meantime....

Thanks for all the opinions on the last post about Extreme Home Makeover. As a last note about this subject, it was in our local paper this week that the new home owners are going to auction off all the artwork and some of the accessories in the home to help other families who lost homes so that is good. I'm done ranting!

On to other things like quilts. I have started a new quilt. The pattern is Ginger Belle by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company, whose patterns I love. So I've been sorting, and ironing and cutting fabric as I am trying to only use scraps.
But it's not all scraps as I bought some backing fabric and binding fabric from the Rhubarb and Ginger line from Moda that was used in the original. I'm using the excess of this fabric in the field of the top. It would be a lot easier to start with nice neat fat quarters as far a cutting goes but I am determined to use my stash.
So after work each day I've been sorting and ironing and got to some sewing this weekend, in between my SIL's surprise 50th birthday party and a football game I'd rather not remember.
Now would someone please come over and refold the leftovers and put them away? One of my cats keeps eyeing this pile as a nice place for a nap.

A Cold Breezy Day

A very cold day here in the north so a good day to watch the Patriots and sew the binding on this quilt which I got back from my quilter. I think she did an excellent job picking a design and a thread color for this colorful quilt. It sure feels good over my legs keeping them warm as I sew. It's always about this time of year I dream of an escape to Florida!
I also got my Valentine quilt back and once again she did a great job with a cute heart design in red and I have already sewn the binding on this one. I love sitting with it on my lap in the evening when I am unwinding.I haven't been in too many thrift or second hand stores recently but I did find this drying rack recently that I am using as a quilt rack. I love the green color of the chippy paint and it's perfect for my smaller quilts in my family room.


So that's about it. I have been very busy at work as second semester starts at the college where I am employed so that's the excuse I'm using for the lack of posts. That's the curse and the blessing of working in academics. You have very busy times rewarded by long stretches of time off. I'm counting the days until the next stretch of time off. Spring break-soon, very soon.