Go 4 spring!

My Go 4 it quilt is done! Fait Accompli ! 

It was started in the spring of 2015 using left overs and addition purchased fabrics soft peaches, yellows and greens. Small building blocks of 4 patches and squares attached to green fabric were made. They were all tucked in a bag and left.  I completed the rest was this summer.  And then I got it back from the quilter last week. DONE! Hooray!

Here is the back: I like to use an extra wide fabric as I hate piecing backs. 

This is the same print as my summer quilt on my bed. It is hard to see the beautiful soft scrolly flowers in a pale yellow thread from the quilter. 

Here is my shadow while photoing.

And more.

Lastly, one of my yard birds protecting it!

Hearts abound

Last year in anticipation of the 30s category for the quilt show in spring, I made 40 of these hearts in a log cabin variation. And it had stayed in that stage until I uncovered them this week. ( other projects got in the way)  As I have just finished 2 large quilts, it is time for a new focus.

Here is the pattern I sketched on graph paper for a 6 and a half inch block using 1 and 1/4 inch cut strips. 

And here is one square completed shown on point. 

And here is how I am starting with a center focus.

So while I had my camera out photoing my blocks, who should pass by my window but a lone turkey? Mind you, I live in a city. But behind my yard is a small section of woods. We saw him last night as well. Last year, it was a whole family who would amble across the yard. Maybe he is just returning for old home week.

 

Birthday table runner

I have not sewn much this weekend. I went shopping for the summer sales with my daughter in law and one grandson.  So much fun!  Oh, I did get to see the bathroom a lot as we are potty training the 3 year old.

And we did have a fabulous BBQ birthday gathering of my kids and significant others. It makes my heart sing to have us all together sharing food and laughter as the little ones kept us busy.  

Sunday, My hubby and I had a lunch out by a lake and loved people watching at the beach. Special time.

So progress on the sewing front: here is the applique I was able to complete on the birthday table runner. These letters are only about an inch and a 1/4 inches tall with the K and H being about 2 and a half. So tiny tracing, cutting and applique by machine.

But it really adds to the table runner. I had such a decision for the blue and did not like the business of the fabric provided.   But is is really cute.  Now just to assemble the last couple of pieces and quilt. 

Here is the book it is from:  It is part one as this is only for January to spring. 

here are the other patterns for the birthday section.  

Oh, and here is the little guy who knows how to swipe a smart phone already. He loved seeing this picture we took of himself, blurry though it is. He is such a dear.

Sharing with :  Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll quilts. and 

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Back from vacation

My how time flies when you are away! I spent a week in Canada with my Mom and her spouse. It was great to be away. And the best part was spending time with her.  The weather was rainy and  cloudy most of the week. But I got to eat great meals both at home and out at restaurants.

Here are some pictures:
Of the Lock at Young's Point




Of Fred, the blue heron whom my husband saw almost every day


Of the gorgeous Northern Pines by the lakes:


I could spend a copious amount of time just gazing at these:





 And I spent hours embroidering my Crabapple Hill panel. I was able to finish a lot; but there is so much more to do.

Slow stitching the trees

A trip to visit my Mom again in Canada. That gives me hours in the car to stitch while my husband drives and relaxing evenings with family to spend on stitchery. And lots of time spent carefully with needle and thread slowly expands the areas completed.

This is the 2nd panel of 3 of Crabapple Hill's "Over the river and through the woods".

Doing the Dresden Spin

Dresdens: a fun block.  This went together well with the templates from the pattern by Edyta Sitar.  It is an oldie. She has a more modern looking one; check out her blog.

But I have had these dresdens made and appliqued to large squares. The layout had even been planned, cut out, and partially assembled. I believe I started this at least 7 or so years ago, but think it is longer... maybe 10 years. Piecing the dresdens was fun; my goal was to use as many different fabrics as possible, all Thimbleberries. 

My delay was what to do with the points as they were not tacked down on the sides. I just decided to  machine applique them with YLI's monofilament.  I am not thrilled with the effect, but I am thinking done is better than perfect. Here is the completed top.  Off to the quilter tomorrow.  I would like some designs in the large triangles, maybe feathers?  

Yes! !!! Another UFO out of the way, and flimsy together. 

Secondly, here is the latest Blockheads block.  Nice 6 and a half inch block.

Have you ever had a day where things just don't go together as well? Yesterday, I had that day.  I remade a friendship star.  Easy peasy.  Maybe to assemble.  Just make sure your layout is right.  It took 2 more tries for me., and then the same thing happened with this block. But it is done, too.

Here are all 18, so far.  For 17, I made the piecework version by Lisa Bongean. I liked the flags, but just didn't want to applique it. 

Odds and ends

It's a new month!         Happy Canada Day late for those up north, a little late. 

Happy 4th of July for the Yanks!

I made my Stash Bee blocks:  They are string blocks using muslin foundation.  The hard part was selecting the strings. I sorted my scrap bags. I really don't have a lot of strings and was unsure what colorways to choose. But they are done.

Then I started my Rainbow Scrap Challenge Blue blocks.  I know; one of them looks more gray than blue. But it is a good start. 

But mostly I am glad to post this start on the 2nd panel of " Over the River and Through the Woods by Crabapple Hill .  Yeah! The first one is done. But this one has a whole lot more lines to follow. 

It has been a year since I cut the panels and traced them, followed by hand basting them together.

Oh, and here are my dear daughter and husband from our day Sunday. We did trivia at a bar which was fun, and then walked the lakefront of Milwaukee.

I love the water and the reflections of light. It was kind of a cloud-ish day. 

And I loved this flower that looks like little white spiders in clumps. So delicate and beautiful!