Sewcial Sisters...

 

This is what I worked on yesterday when I was in Larsen with the Sewcial Sisters. I still have more to do on it, but this is what I accomplished in a few hours. It was so great to see all the ladies again and to be able to see what everyone has been busy creating. There were some gorgeous projects in the works!

 

I didn't stay into the late afternoon as usual because I needed to get back home to finish preparing my "inventory" for the Purge & Splurge Sale at The Gatherings this weekend. There will be about thirty of us with booths of personal quilting, sewing, needlework, knitting, etc. items to sell. Handsome is going to help me move everything into my area this afternoon, and then I'll drive up again on Saturday for the sale.

Fingers crossed that I sell a bunch and come home with as little as possible.

 

When I was writing this post, I realized that the date was wrong for yesterday's post, so that's up now, too. You'll get to see two posts today instead of just one! I still have a few things to pull together before we leave, so I'll close for now. I'll take some pictures while I'm setting up my tables today, and share them with you tomorrow.

 

More Work...

                                                       
   

Thanks to a certain elder Labrador who wanted to spend all her time running around on my planting beds, I had to figure out a creative way to keep her off them. I told Handsome I didn't want to try to drive posts into the rocky soil, so this is what I devised. Lattice and posts that sit on the ground (for now).

We worked for part of the morning over the weekend, and yes MA, I overdid it without even knowing it. I started to feel queasy, and recognized immediately that I needed to get out of the sun and heat. This feeling happened to me once in Florida while Handsome and I were riding our Harleys. I managed to get a signal to Handsome and we pulled into a Walgreens parking lot. Once inside, the pharmacist came to the front, recognized that I was suffering from heat stroke, made me sit on the floor, and brought ice cold water bottles for me to put against my carotid arteries in my neck. A half hour later, I was well enough to drive the ten more minutes home. I was feeling that same way on Monday.

Handsome brought ice to me, and then I doused my head with 55º well water. We went indoors where I rested for the balance of the day. We didn't go back out to complete the garden fence setup until yesterday. I went out early, and only stayed out for about 30 minutes. I've learned my lesson for this year!

Anyway, the garden is fenced now, and I proceeded to plant more seeds. I added sweet peas, regular peas, bush beans and a few unplanted marigolds.

 

 

 

I have lettuce growing in one side of my elevated troughs, and it appears that my lemongrass won't be coming back this year. I've been advised by a friend to remove the plastic junction boxes that I've planned to use for composting bins. I'm taking that under advisement for now and will decide soon whether to remove them. Something about the plastic being toxic. I'm doing a little more research.

This side of the planter has garlic and onions. I also planted onion sets in one of my fabric potato/onion bags, and have three more to plant. One more with onions, and the other two will be filled with potatoes.

I'm going to Larsen today to stitch with the Sewcial Sisters. Tomorrow will be load-in for the Purge and Splurge Sale event at Primitive Gatherings, and Saturday will be the big sale. There are over thirty tables so I suspect there will be some awesome items for sale. I know I've got a lot! My tables will be overflowing! I'm even going to sell the white cotton version of the "Princess Bride" wedding gown I made for my niece. It would be perfect for a Renaissance Fair or even a summer wedding! It's going to be a fun sale, for sure!

Well, I'm going to close for now. Lots to do when I get home, but I need to get on the road so I'm not late!

Stitching Tummies...

 

I took supplies with me on Thursday to stitch bear tummies while I was with the Sewcial Sisters. I do these freehand, so I never really know how it's look in the end.

 

I made the trellis, but my flowers are completely covering the details. I'm going to leave this, but add vines and a few more details. The second one will be in purples or lavenders. I won't make the teddies until after all my show sewing is done, but I'll likely stitch in the evening after I've been at the machines all day. Doing this restores me and makes me happy. 

What makes you smile? What brings delight to your day? I'd love to know, so share away, please. I'll definitely respond. Happy Weekend!

The Cardinals Are Home Again...

 

While I was at Primitive Gatherings yesterday for Sewcial Sisters, I collected my Winter Song quilt to bring home. In the package along with my cardinals and First Place ribbon, were two surprises...prizes I earned for first place in my category.

I earned a fat eighths full assortment of Red and White Gatherings from Primitive Gatherings, along with a $300 gift card for the shop!! When I realized what I'd received, my first words to Kathy D and the ladies were "I'm gobsmacked!" When Lisa Bongean joined our group after her live YouTube video earlier in the afternoon, I thanked her for her generosity. I'll be sending out a thank you card today. 

I've made and competed more than a few quilts (and my quilted elephant) in the past. They've been shown from SW Florida to southern Wisconsin - and even at the World Quilt Show - and I've earned beautiful ribbons, but this is the first time I received prizes, too. Generous prizes. I'm so very grateful.

I'll be hanging my ribbon with the others, and Winter Song will join Song of Spring in my studio. Every time I glance at them, I'll remember that 2022 was a quilting year to remember. Thanks again, Lisa!

Images From December Sewcial Sisters...

Sewcial Sisters - Terry's Christmas Cushion Project

I'm sharing pictures today from our December Sewcial Sisters day at The Gathering. It was a perfect day for a drive, and the sun shone on Primitive Gatherings' retreat house all day. 

As you look through these photos, I'd like to also draw your attention to all the gorgeous red and white quilts that surrounded us as we visited and stitched on our respective projects. These are all part of the Red & White Quilt Show now in progress. I think Lisa said there were about 140 entries, and they're all so impressive!

Sewcial Sisters - Maryann's Wall Hanging

Sewcial Sisters - Lori's Table Mat

Sewcial Sisters - Kay's Candle Mat

Sewcial Sisters - Kathy D. Sharing Gift From Jody

Sewcial Sisters - Judy's Mini Wall Hanging

Sewcial Sisters - Jean's Christmas Quilt 1

Sewcial Sisters - Jean's Christmas Quilt 2

Sewcial Sisters - My Needlework in Progress

I shared the baby kimono during our Show & Tell. This is what I worked on while we chatted all day. I was inspired by the work of another artist on Instagram. I'm going to turn this into an ornament for a friend.

We all brought treats that we shared (before and after lunch), so each of us went home with a nice assortment of cookies, fudge, and other confectionaries. All my cookies were either eaten or went home with the ladies. 

The ladies all asked for my recipe, so I pointed everyone to the original source. In case you're interested, click HERE for the cookies. THIS is her frosting recipe, which I use every time - unless I make royal icing. They're both delicious and fool-proof wonderful cutout cookies, and they're the only recipe I've used since moving back to Wisconsin seven years ago.

I've got errands this morning, and then I'll be home working on my class project for tomorrow in Portage. I'll give you a sneak peek tomorrow, so you can see what we'll be working on. See you tomorrow!

Sweet Treats...

 

 

I've got two get-togethers this week. I'm going to Larsen today for a day of stitching with the Sewcial Sisters. It's kind of our Christmas party, so I wanted to make some treats to take along. I'm also going to Portage this weekend, so I'll take a treat with me (it's my Birthday on Saturday!).

 

First, I went to my Toll House cookbook. I love this book. It's constructed like "baby's first book", with heavy carboard, laminated pages that can't be bent or soiled. That's all bonus to the great recipes that are found inside. Take this one...

 

I used milk chocolate chips, sprinkled sparingly on the top because I wanted more pecan pie flavor than chocolate. To me, it was just the right amount, and Handsome thought they were really good, too. These are going to Portage with me this weekend.

 

I decided on cutout cookies for tomorrow. I did Wisconsin cookies and when I decorated them, I put a special snowflake in the approximate location of Larsen. Because Primitive Gatherings specializes in wools, the sheep were appropriate, too. Of course, there had to be a few black sheep!

 

 

Someone (who could remain nameless, because you know who I mean) took the last piece of pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving. That's absolutely promoted here. I always leave the last cookie, candy, piece of cake or pie for him. He washed the pie plate, too. (He's been an equal and participating partner for nearly forty years.) 

I came downstairs the next morning to find this on the kitchen island. I laughed out loud. For a guy who says he doesn't have a sweet tooth, he sure does love the treats I make. So, I'll likely make another pie and save the other treats for when we have guests. (I'm not optimistic that that plan will hold.) 

So, I'm away today, but I'm going to make more holiday treats. I want to make them as gifts for a number of people and families for Christmas, so I'm going to make a list and work to it starting after Saturday.

Do you bake for the holidays? Do you share your creations? I'd love to know what your favorites are. 

I'd better get on the road if I don't want to be late. I'll take photos today so I can share them with you again. I love seeing what the ladies have created, and I love showing them to you, too! I'll see you again tomorrow! Gotta run!

 

Oh, Oh!!! One more thing...

 

November Sewcial Sisters...

I love the time I spend with the Sewcial Sisters. They're all such talented women and I learn so much from them. 

Lori is an accomplished quilter, and I watched her hand quilt on her Everlasting quilt on Monday. She took the time to show me how to do it, and shared a few other pointers. I'm really inspired to work on a sample piece with the goal of getting good enough to hand quilt my own Everlasting quilt. 

During our monthly Show and Tell (or, as I call it Bring & Brag), she shared this lovely table mat she'd completed since our last gathering. I love how the colors just pop off the black ground fabric.

Kathy D. has been busy! She shared five or six finished quilts, but this one was one of my favorites. It's so colorful! Kathy has her own longarm quilting machine, so she always finishes her own pieces. Her machine quilting is so professional and beautiful. It really enhances (as it should) her precision piecing. 

Karen made this beautiful quilt and shared it with us on Monday. She's always shy and hides behind her quilts when the cameras come out. The colors make this piece subtly Christmas, but it's perfect as a year-round quilt, too. 

Darcy has been working on the multiple blocks of this quilt as a gift for her husband. She's completed most of the blocks - which I think she said she started in 2016 - and it getting really close to putting it all together. I had to get a photograph of this block, because of the sweet camper. I loved this quilt, and would love to create my own version. Note to self - Add this quilt to the list!

Before we left for the day, Lisa B's son brought Darcy's new sewing machine to her. It's a Ltd. Kaffe Fassett Bernina. Sorry I don't know the model number. The machine is decked out with the same decals as the colorful fabric shown on the protective cover. As you can see, she's in love with it. I have to admit, I was a bit taken with it, too. Lucky for me, they were all sold out of the Ltd. ed machine.

Our next meeting is December 1st. I'm planning to have a few pieces completed so I can brag, too. If I don't get them done, I'm perfectly happy to cheer on the accomplishments of my friends. They're the best!

Play Day Today...

I'm meeting up with the Sewcial Sisters at Primitive Gatherings Retreat House for a play day today. I'm taking this kit with me to set up and start stitching. Once I complete the baby kimono (getting close!), I might be able to finish for Thanksgiving. I have a few other things I'd like to work on, too, so we'll see.

Tag will be here tomorrow, and I'll be back on Wednesday with more photos to share. See you then!

Sewcial Sisters...

I had a great time yesterday with the Sewcial Sisters at Primitive Gatherings. I took lots of photos to share, too! 

This is Mary Ann with her version of the Everlasting quilt. This is a Primitive Gatherings pattern for anyone interested. The custom quilting on this piece was wonderful.

Karen also had her finished Everlasting quilt with her. It was quilted by the same longarm quilter. Karen customized her center, too. She also omitted the outside border because it would have been too large for where she wants to hang it.

Lori shared her finished quilt. Lori frequently hand quilts her pieces, but this one was quilted with an overall Baptist fan pattern. I love its simplicity. 

Kathy D has been a busy beaver, too! She does all her own longarm quilting, and this is just one magnificent example. This is actually a quilt panel. She concentrated on different quilt patterns to complete it. We all thought it was wonderful.

Kathy also finished this fun string quilt, and chose a really interesting placement for the blocks to create this pattern.

She also shared the blocks from a block of the week project she's been working on. The blocks were each designed by a different designer or shop owner. So many baskets, and so many flowers. (Lisa Bongean's design is the blue hydrangeas in the upper left corner.

Kathy also shared two cross stitch pieces she finished. This is one of them. I think she was thinking about finishing this one as a pillow.

When it came around to my turn, I shared my Everlasting quilt top. I took it along to finish the embroideries. I worked on bees all day, and shortly after I got back home, I stitched the last three bees.

It's finished! Well, except for the longarm quilting and binding, but all the bees are done, and now it's ready to be layered up and bound. I'm planning to send it off to the same longarmer who did Mary Ann and Karen's quilts. I wonder how she'll feel about having to quilt a third one?

I haven't go anything on the shedule except mailing out some orders today. I think I'll take the rest of the day off.

August Sewcial Sisters...

I spent most of the day at the clinic yesterday. I had tests in the morning and a CT scan in the afternoon, trying to figure out just why I'm still having back issues. Perhaps I'll have some answers in the next couple days. While I wait...

The Sewcial Sisters meet today at Primitive Gatherings. It's early for our monthly get-together, but that's alright with me. I'm looking forward to some uninterrupted stitching time. I'm down to making bees for my Everlasting quilt, so that's what I'll be doing today. Stitching wee bees for the border.

I'll try to remember to take pictures today so I can show you what the other ladies are working on. It seems I have so much fun visiting, that I forget. I'll do my best to do better today. I need to get on the road so I'm not late. See you tomorrow. 

Sewcial Sisters - July Edition...

I had a great day on Monday with the Sewcial Sisters. I worked on my Everlasting (aptly named, don't you think?) quilt borders, and visited with the ladies. I only took one picture of a quilt (this one) because I really loved the colors. 

After we spent the day together, I drove another half hour from Primitive Gatherings to have dinner with my brother. We sat at a nice bar and grill right on the water and got caught up. I dropped him back at home and then turned for the farmhouse before it got dark. He lives in a high traffic area for deer (I saw them near the road on three different spot just driving him home!), so I wanted to get back to the main highway before they really got moving in the dark. I accomplished my goal and was home and hour and a half later.

I made a cool discovery yesterday that I really want to share with you, but I've decided to do it in a separate post tomorrow. I think it's going to be fun - not only to share, but to tell you what I have in mind. I hope you'll be back tomorrow to see the reveal.

I'm going to keep this short today. I'm going to be working outside for a while, and I think it's best for me to get out there before it gets too warm. I'm just going to grab a big cup of water and I'll be on my way.