Di's Patriotic Bella Tote...

Di's Patriotic Bella Tote

You know how I dislike cutting out the pieces for new projects, right? I usually cut one day and sew the next. Yesterday was different. I cut and completed the tote for my sister in a few hours, and man, was I chuffed when it was finished.

So, here's the tote I made for her. She wanted it to be highly patriotic, so I combined navy and red cork, eagles and flags on the exterior pocket, and "America" and flags on the interior.

I sent photos to her when it was finished, and she whooped she was so tickled. She'll be in town today, but I'll likely see her in the morning when she comes out (with Grace!!!) to pick it up. She's excited to get her tote, and I'm equally excited to meet Grace (her new Corgi). I'll be sure to have Bella and Carly crated so no one bullies the puppy.

Yes. I'm still doing laundry. It's wonderful to have a second (and first) story clothes chute to the basement, but it can be a shock to see what's accumulated when you go into the basement. I'm going to keep after it until its all done and put away...and the basement it back to normal. 

I want to make curtains for the basement windows, too, so once the laundry is finished, I'll probably get after that project. I want something that will let the light in, but won't allow views into the basement from outside. I'll probably just choose a white cotton muslin. No frills. Just something practical and simple.

That won't happen until next week for sure. In the meantime, I'll work on my needlework in between loads of laundry. I work tonight, and then I'm off until Tuesday. I'm sure I'll accomplish something between now and then! 

Happy Weekend!

Laundry Day Stitching...

It was laundry day (actually most of this week...sigh), but I did manage to get in a little stitching amid the sorting, washing, drying, and folding. I'm adding new colors into the mix, so we'll see where this goes from here.

Laundry was (understandably) neglected over the past few weeks, so it's time to catch up. I'm glad there's not a lot of ironing to do, but if I decide to tackle Handsome's white formal band shirts, I'll be doing that in the basement where it's considerably cooler.

With a little help from #2 son, we got the window air conditioner down from the attic and installed on Tuesday. The larger of the three is now installed in the kitchen, too, so we have cooler air downstairs for as long as we need it for this current heat wave. People and pets are all much happier. Of course, we prefer the birdsong during the day and yips and howls of the coyotes at night, so as soon as the heat breaks, we'll be back to open windows around the farmhouse.

Di will be back in Wisconsin this weekend, so I'll work to a deadline to get her patriotic tote sewn together so I can give it to her when I see her. I'll share the finished project with you first. It should be an interesting day. Laundry in the basement, and sewing on the second floor. I see a lot of ups and downs in my immediate future. 

And then there's this (already)...

 

A Surprise For Di...

I'm hoping to see Di next week, and if I do, I'm going to have a surprise for her. She's a patriotic gal, and has been asking for this for a while. I keep telling her I'll do it for her Birthday in November. This would be early - and a real surprise.

If my travel plans hold, I'll share a photograph of her receiving it next week. For now, I'm going to get busy in the studio! Once I have my morning cuppa, I'm going to be cutting and sewing! It's going to be a fun day.

On My Short List...

I saw this quilt last week on FaceBook. It was created by Diane Miller Hedrick as a Birthday gift for her husband. I saw it posted on a page called "24 Blocks". You know about me and patriotic quilts by now. I was immediately smitten.

I don't need a pattern, per se, for this one. I can see that the stripes and stars were created with the fabric. I went on a hunt.

It didn't take me long to find what I was looking for. This fabric line is called "Stars and Stripes" (Stonehenge), and was produced by Northcott. Within the hour, I'd found a supplier and had ordered the basic fabrics I'd need to make the quilt. I still need a solid navy for the star blocks, but that won't be hard to find. The fabrics I ordered arrived yesterday. How's that for quick?

I'll draw this out on my EQ7 program (on my Mac), and I'll be able to start sewing on it next week. (Another open house on the weekend, so I'll stick to smaller projects for now. They're easier to put away quickly.)

It's always fun to dream about a new quilt even if I don't immediately have the time to work on it. But I wasn't kidding. This one is on my short list!

Wisconsin 1848...

I spent some time yesterday checking out the patterns for two of the kits I

purchased from Primitive Gatherings when I was out with Kathy last week.

I needed to see what I might have to purchase to work on one (or both) of them

while we're still in Wisconsin. (I found that I do have to get some Heat n' Bond.)

I think it might be fun and appropriate to work on this kit while we're here.

It's the 2014 "Wisconsin Quilt Shop Hop Quilt". (Click on the title. It's a link.)

I saw this small quilt made up and knew it had to come home with me. There are 

Primitive Gatherings' equivalent of "thangles" in the kit to create the half-square

 triangles. Just look at the fabrics they chose to create the them! So much fun.

 I also love the wools that are in this kit. The wool work applique' will be stitched 

onto the beige-patterned fabric behind my watermark. This is going to be fun!  

Darn! All my Valdani, DMC, Anchor and overdyed perle cottons are at home.

I might have to pick up just a few more while I'm away!

  The other (another) kit I purchased is this flag pincushion. I know. I need another  pincushion like a moose needs a hat rack. But, this one is patriotic...and colorful...and  wool...and did I say, patriotic and wool...and colorful? See the measurements? 4" x 10" finished. I'm going to fill mine with crushed walnut shells, so it's going to say put, too!

These are the wools that were included in the kit. There are cottons, too and they're just as prim as can be. Once I stitch this one up, I'll take it home to fill.   Hope you have a fun weekend planned. More time with family for us... and perhaps just a little more shopping. I couldn't possibly comment!

Tribute To Betsy...

When I visited the Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin last
month, I was taken with this simple, primitive patriotic quilt that hung
on the wall right inside the front door. I saw it when I walked in and
then kept going back to it while I was in the shop. I really liked it, so
of course, I purchased the fabric and pattern to make one of my own.

There are only three different fabrics used to assemble the front.

A navy background with white stars; a cream and red stripe ticking;

and a solid, taupe colored cotton. The quilt top finishes 52" x 57".

"Tribute To Betsy" is a Em & Me Designs pattern, in case you'd like

to find a copy for yourself. This kit is on my "short list", which means

I'll be stitching this one sooner, rather than later. I wanted to share it

with you because, even when we don't have time to sew, we always

have time to dream about it, right? I'll be showing you more of my

little kit purchases in the coming weeks. Bit by bit is more fun.

Happy Independence Day, America...

Vintage Postcard Image

We'll be spending the day celebrating with friends.

I've made Dump Cake and Seven Layer Salad to take along.

There's going to be a lot of good food to go with all the visiting!

There may will also be fireworks. 

*Let me know if you're interested in recipes. 

I searched Pinterest yesterday and decided to share patriotic quilt images with you.

A Fabulous Fat Quarter blog

American Quilting

Artistic Quilting blog

Humble Quilts.com

Kim's Big Quilting Adventure

Quilt Hollow

As we celebrate today, we'll stop to acknowledge that we're so 

blessed to live in the Land the the Free and Home of the Brave.

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America from our home to yours.

The Problem With Pinterest...

I love looking around on Pinterest. There are so many wonderful things to see. But 

there's a problem with Pinterest. If you "graze" around there, too, you probably already 

know what I'm about to tell you. Pictures don't always link back to the original source.

This gorgeous patriotic quilt is just such an example. I am smitten with this quilt.

I love everything about it...the colors, the theme, the applique' work. Everything!

And after going back as far as I was able through Pinterest, I then "Googled",

"Binged" and "Yahooed" in an attempt to learn more about it. Do you think I

was successful? GAAAHHH! No such luck. That's where all of you come in.

All I was able to discern from my attempts was that this quilt was created by 

a very talented woman named Teresa Wade. I'd sure love it if any of you were

able to help me find out more about this quilt. Who designed it (was it Teresa)?

Does she have a blog or pattern company? How can I find out more about her?

If you know anything at all about this quilt, or are able to find out more, please

email me through the button on my right sidebar. I can't tell you how grateful I'll be.

Oh, and one more thing...If I am the original pinner of something I see on the web,

I always add the url for the original in my description. I think it would be a great

idea if everyone who pinned something did the same thing. It's not only great for

helping others find the original source, but it's the polite thing to do, too. 

Credit where credit is due, after all.
Thanks.

UPDATE 04/26/13:  I've got the best blog friends in the world!!!
I received two replies to my inquiry. I just knew you'd be able to help me out!
The information is as follows: This pattern is called "Patriotic Rose", by Janet Miller
of The City Stitcher. © 2002 It's available through The Quilters Warehouse.
Thank you to friends, Carolyn L. and Ruth for pointing me in the right direction.
(I've already ordered my copy and updated my pin to include the new information.)
I'm sending HUGE hugs of gratitude to each of you! 

ANOTHER UPDATE: Thanks also to Danice who sent a message about a way to
track pins to their original post. She informed me that Graphics Fairy has a tutorial.
You can click here for more information. I know I'll get a chance to try it again soon!