Compiling For Sale...

Kathy Schmitz Table Banners Set

I spent part of the day assembling sets from my vast collections of kits and patterns. This is a twelve pattern/fabric set of kits for sweet table mats. I've stitched all of these and they're ready to assemble into a seasonal quilt, so the ground fabric is missing from the kits, along with the small appliques (in color) for each one. If I were to do this set again, I'd plan to embroider or applique' the missing elements. 

I'm going through all my patterns, kits and fabrics, and pulling those things I know I'll never finish. I'll offer these for sale soon, and whatever isn't sold ahead of time will go with me to the Purge & Splurge event in June at Primitive Gatherings. I'm going to have some great deals!

Primitive Gatherings - Twilight Gatherings BOM 12 kits/Fabric

Case in point...These quilt blocks were all part of the Primitive Gatherings Wool Box subscription. I have all twelve kits, including wools for each block. I also purchased the flannel that is the ground fabric for each block, and another 4.75 yards to use for finishing.

When all twelve kits had been distributed through the Wool Boxes, anyone who wanted to complete the quilt to king size needed to purchase the kits and patterns for the large center block and vine-laden borders. I chose not to do that for a few reasons. Mainly, we no longer have a king size bed, and I decided not to spend the extra money for something that would have to hang on the wall when it was complete. I chose to stick with a finished size more conducive to either my farmhouse bed or the queen size one.

You can see the kit was dated 2018, and truthfully, I haven't gone back to it since stitching the first block (minus some wool circles) and setting up the second block. I've not determined that with light and dark dogs, as well as two cats who love to sleep on my bed, I'm going to offer this kit (at a nice discount) to someone who'd really enjoy making it.

I'm pulling and photographing more, and will plan to make everything available to my blog, Facebook and Instagram friends first. If you see anything you'd like, just shoot me an email and I can message you the prices, including shipping.

Today is craft day in Portage, so I really need to get rolling. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll tell you all about mine on Monday. Gotta run...

Needle Dancing With My Friend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Working On A Primitive Gatherings Project

 

My girlfriend, Kathy D. came out to the farmhouse to visit yesterday. We decided to have a stitching day (lunch included), so I had to decide what to work on before she got here. (I made homemade vegetable beef soup with corn bread and honey butter for our meal, in case you're interested.)

 

I have the current Wool Box projects I could have pulled, but I didn't feel like cutting, fusing and prepping, so I decided to take out one of the blocks I've already prepped from last summer's Primitive Gatherings "Twilight Garden" Summer Block of the Week from last year. 

If you've been following me for a while, you may remember that I was keeping up with the prep work at the beginning of the summer, but fell behind when I went to the Royal School of Needlework classes in July. It really derailed me, and I never got back to the project. It's time I get back to it.

This is the first block in the series, and it was all fused and ready to embroider. By the end of the day, I got quite a bit finished. I have to stitch the oak leaves, birds and two of the calyxes for the center buds, and then most of it will be done. Then, I only have to add twenty one white wool berries on the ends of the little stems in the center motif. When the berries are all stitched down, I'll set this one aside and work on Block 2 (of 12) next time I want to work on it. 

I played yesterday, so today will be a full work day. I'll share photos of that project when I come back to visit with you again tomorrow. Coffee first, and then off to the studio. I need caffeine first. wink

Perfect Timing...

Simple Abundance Book

 

This book, Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, resides in my bedroom. I don't read it everyday - I've had it for years - but whenever I pick it up and turn to the current date, it still reveals a perfectly timed message for me. Such was the case yesterday.

 

August 30th Entry - bookmark created by Daughter-in-Law #2

 

You may have noticed that I haven't been too busy in the studio these days. I kind of hit a creative wall following my trip to Kentucky. I had so many irons in the fire that I didn't know where to turn. In my effort to choose, I ended up overwhelmed, and doing nothing.

 

Yesterday's date entry was about not holding back - or procrastinating - on doing the things I enjoy. How can I go wrong, if any one of the projects waiting for me would be the next thing I work on?

 

I then read ahead to today's entry which says it's perfectly all right to embrace the downtime, rather than fight it. It said that when the creative spark lights again, there will be a flurry of activity...like you've come to expect from me.

 

So, either way, I can see busy-ness in my future. (Of course, I realize I haven't just been "sitting around"). All I have to do it open our pantry doors to reveal all the jars, filled with my kitchen endeavors.

 

Lisa Bongean's Twilight Garden Quilt In Progress

While I've been inactive in the studio, Lisa Bongean (owner of Primitive Gatherings) has been busy completing the quilt I've only begun setting up. You'll remember that my quilt has a gray background, rather than Lisa's dark one, but the wools for mine are the same as hers.

Lisa is two borders short of completing her set up. All her blocks are stitched, and she's working on those borders now. Then it will be ready to assemble and quilt. 

I'm actually hyperventilating a little, looking at this. I see just how much work is involved - and how very much I have yet to do. (And this is just one of the projects that I have on my list.) That could completely scare off any needleworker, so I don't feel alone in that regard.

Guess I'll be putting on my "big girl panties", close my eyes and just pick something - anything - to work on. There's a lot of value to the old "fake it 'til you make it" saying. Yes. I shall do that, I think.

And, The Kits Just Keep On Coming...

Block Ten - Primitive Gatherings "Twilight Garden" (and Weekly Freebie)

 

The old saying, "Time waits for no man" is absolutely true! Since I went to Kentucky, I've been busy with outdoor pursuits, and studio work (and play) as time allows. Truth is, I'm waaayyyy behind on setting up my Twilight Garden blocks, and stitching the Summer Freebies.

 

I'm seriously craving studio time, but have had other obligations keeping me away. We also have company on the weekend, and I want to make sure everything is "just right" for their first visit to the farm. 

 

Even so, I'm going to work on some portion of this today. I think I'll cut out lots of little, red flowers, and green leaves so I can at least get something done on the minis. Time to try to catch up!

 

Salsa and Stitchery...

Tomato Salsa From Our Farm Tomatoes

Our harvested tomatoes became salsa yesterday. There are more tomatoes to come, but they're not ripe enough yet to pick. This is our grandson's favorite, so there will definitely be more salsa! Soon.

Primitive Gatherings "Twilight Garden" Block 8 & Week 8 "Freebie"

 

I'm so far behind on my Primitive Gatherings "Twilight Garden" blocks, that it's going to take a concerted effort to catch up. I've finished preparing three weeks' worth, so I have five kits to get to now. I'm also behind on my "Freebie" kits...arghhh! I'll definitely work on those soon, too.  

Today, however, I'm doing my civic duty. I was called last weekend to see if I could help paint the inside (only two rooms, plus two bathrooms) at our town hall. There are more of us working, so I was happy to help. Hopefully, we'll get it all done in one day. I've got other fish to fry, if you know what I mean.

I hope you're enjoying your summer. I pray for the victims of the fires out west, and for their safety. Seeing the images hurts my heart. 

 

I'd love to know what you're working on, too. Feel free to send me an email to let me know. (link in my sidebar.) I can then respond directly!

 

Summer Block of the Week Progress...

"Twilight Garden" Summer Block of the Week Progress

I'm all caught up on my "Twilight Garden" Summer Block of the Week setups. They're all cut and fused, and available for my needle and Valdani™ thread whenever it strikes my fancy. I am falling in love with this colorway!

Freebie Summer Block of the Week

 

I'm fully caught up on the FREE Summer Block of the Week blocks for weeks 1 through 3. They're stitched and finished.

I'm thinking there will be blossoms on each basket which will correspond to the week that the block debuted. (ie. Block One has one blossom; Week Two has two; Week Three has three.) I'm definitely seeing a pattern. 

I'm looking forward to seeing what Block Four has in store! I know that, whatever it looks like, it will be fabulous.

I hope you all had a safe and fun day off. We sure did!

Stitching, Of Course...

Week Three Primitive Gatherings Summer Freebie

 

This is the design for the third week of the summer freebie blocks from Primitive Gatherings. Week Three - three flowers. (Week One had one...Week Two had two...) I think I've identified a pattern here. 

I completed the stitching on this one, but not before dark. I'll show you the completed block when I show you the Week Three design for Twilight Garden. For now, I'm getting back to a little holiday relaxing...stitching, of course!

Summer Block of the Week - Progress Report...

Beginning Layout For "Twilight Garden" SBOW Block 2

I'm writing a very quick post today. I'm finished setting up my first Twilight Garden block, and am now working on Block Two. (Block Three arrived in yesterday's mail, so I need to, at least, get them set up and fused so I can stitch at my leisure.) 

The wreath vine and stems are all affixed. I'll add the flowers, buds and leaves today. (After I make strawberry jam for the pantry!)

SBOW Summer Freebie Block Three

 

Along with Block Three came Week Three of the Summer Freebie! I was right. Do you see the patterns emerging here? I'll stitch this one today, because I am going to stitch these every week to keep up.

 

So, I already told you I'll be making jam. I also have a hair appointment late day! (I don't want to forget to go.) In between? Well, I'll be back in the studio, of course. What are you doing these days? I'd love to know!

A Primitive Day...

"Twilight Garden" SBOW Block One

Tuesday was Sit & Stitch Day with the ladies from the Primitive Gatherings' group. We met at Lisa Bongean's home for a potluck luncheon, and day of stitching.

I finished cutting out all the pieces for my first block of the Summer Block of the Week (SBOW) "Twilight Garden", so I could start my layout before it was time to leave.

Swedish Tracing Paper Layout Template

Some people who are participating in this SBOW use vinyl, while others are using sheets of plexiglas and a dry erase marker to make their layout templates. I chose to use Swedish Tracing Paper for mine. I can pin it over the flannel and then lift it as needed to place my pieces.

I completed the layout once I got home, and then I took a break. I've photographed the entire piece, now that the layout is done. That way I can look at the photo to see if everything looks the way it should. You can see things through the eye of the camera that don't always show "in person". This technique works for pieced quilt blocks, too. I've found placement errors where a color block was turned the wrong way, and I was able to catch it before sewing. It sure saves ripping out to fix!

Lisa Bongean Demonstrating Big Stitch Quilting

 

Lisa has one of her quilts on her hand quilting frame, and had previously told us about "big stitch" hand quilting. Some of the ladies, including me, were unfamiliar with the technique, so she graciously demonstrated it for us.

 

Lisa Bongean Demonstrating Big Stitch Quilting

 

The technique involved using a large-eye needle (Big Stitch Quilting Needles - available through Primitive Gatherings) and #12 perle cotton thread. You can see from the photo how the resulting stitches look on the quilt. I really like the effect, and I'm definitely going to try this...probably on a smaller scale to start!

Today, I'll be fusing my block and starting the stitching. I would like to finish Block One before Block Three arrives!

 

Visitors To The Farm...

Susan and Me

Sunday was a perfect day here at the farm. The weather was sunny and warm, and the breezes moved through the house as they have for the past century.

My dear friend, Susan Slaton (of Wazoo Quilter) arrived in the afternoon with her daughter, Jennifer and friend, Georgia. Susan is a Wisconsin girl that I met when we were both quilt guild members in Florida, and I've written about her and our friendship before. She moved to Georgia a year or two before I moved back to Wisconsin. I hadn't seen her for at least two years, and she was in Wisconsin to see family and friends. I'm so glad seeing me was on her agenda while she was here.

I gave her a tour of the farmhouse, a few Hickory Hill Farm treats and we were able to just sit and catch up for a little while. (Susan gave me a lovely memento of her vacation here, too.) Her daughter, Jenny, is delightful and a carbon copy of her mama. She still lives in Wisconsin, about an hour from me.

Georgia, also a Wisconsin resident, went with Susan and Jenny to a James Taylor/Bonnie Raitt concert on Saturday night, so we talked about that. James Taylor's drummer is Steve Gadd - a favorite of Handsome and mine. She told me that he'll be performing with Taylor/Raitt at Summerfest this week. That may be just enough to get us to this year's festival in Milwaukee! We have to check our schedules right away.

Of course, there were more pictures during our visit. Tag is going to talk about them tomorrow, too. I'm pretty sure he and Bella were as sad to see them leave as I was! I'm so glad that Susan took time out of her schedule because she's one of my favorite people, and I'll look forward to seeing her again.

Working On "Twilight Garden" Blocks

After Susan, Georgia and Jenny left, I went up to the studio to start working on my Summer Block of the Week project from Primitive Gatherings. I began by cutting twelve blocks from the beautiful blue/gray flannel fabric. This will be the background for all my blocks.

"Twilight Garden" Wools

 

I also traced the design placement onto Swedish Tracing Paper. Some of the participants in this project used plexiglas (or their square plexi rulers) and a dry-erase marker to trace their layouts, but I don't have either large enough to do that (yet). A benefit is that all you have to do is clean off the plexiglas and you can trace the next design. Until I get a piece of plexiglas large enough to trace my design, I'm going to use the tracing paper.

 

These are examples of the wools that will be used to create the designs for my blocks. Each kit I receive in future weeks will include the wools for that weeks' block. I'll continue working on mine  during the week. In fact, tomorrow I'll be with the ladies from the Primitive Gatherings Sit & Sew group, so I'm sure I'll see more of these kits in progress. They'll be motivation to get busy with mine!

 

Busy Friday...

Primitive Gatherings' Week Two Summer Block of the Week Freebie

I received my second installation of the "Twilight Garden" Summer Block of the Week yesterday, and with it, Week Two of the Summer Freebies. I'll be setting up the Twilight Garden blocks over the weekend. I'll start by cutting all the background blocks of the gray flannel that will be consistent throughout each block design. I have eighteen 20 1/2" blocks to cut, and then I'll trace, cut and fuse blocks one and two.

I stopped everything, though, to set up and stitch the second freebie within an hour of opening the box. The finished blocks are only 3.5" x 5", so it didn't take long.

Primitive Gatherings' Week One & Two Summer Freebies

 

After finishing the block, I headed to the kitchen and started a new batch of hickory syrup. I had it bottled by dinnertime. I'll be listing them up in the shop today as soon, as I've got all the bottles labeled. 

In looking at the two finished freebie blocks - Week One in front and Week Two behind it - I think I'm beginning to see a pattern. I'll know for sure next week. Do you see what I see? I bet you do.

Improving The Compass Barn...

Liljegren's Compass Barn

 
I was asked what a "compass barn" was yesterday. I thought I'd explain to you, too. When we purchased our farmhouse, there were three outbuildings on our five acre property. One is our large pole barn building (which we just completed paving); the wood shed (great for "Wednesday night beatings". I'm just kidding. Really.); and a machine shed (this building).

I found the metal compass in 2017, and Shelly spotted me on the tall ladder, so this acrophobic, but nimble sexagenarian could climb up and hang it. ("Don't look down. Don't look down.") Upon returning to terra firma, I christened our machine shed, The Compass Barn.

Inside Our Compass Barn

After the paving was finished in our larger building, we decided that we'd also improve the dirt floor in the Compass Barn. It was pretty unlevel and the sod was humped up in front of the barn doors, making it difficult to drive into the building.

I'm not ready to agree on reinforcing the walls of the barn. The light coming in between the boards is one of the things that makes me love it so. See the light shining on the floor. Yeah. That's what I'm talking about. However, I fully agreed that the floor could use a little upgrade.

Another View Inside Our Compass Barn

That square of concrete in the photo is a concrete pad that will act as a footing for a jackpost to support the hand-hewn beam that spans the building. The flooring is a material called "screening" over a sand base, and it's been wet and compacted.

My vantage point from these photos is through a doorway into a room that has a concrete floor. It housed a hog or two in its day, but it's completely cleaned out now. It has a loft above it, and I'm using the area below the loft as my potting shed.

There are also two windows in the "potting shed" area, and my plan is to take some old barn boards to make window boxes that I can hang under each window to fill with pretty flowers for the rest of the summer. I'd like to work on those while I can still enjoy them this summer. We'll see what I can find for boards around here. I find everything about this building charming!
 

Re-Grading The Drive

 

Last winter, the area out in front of the Compass Barn retained water, which froze the doors in place when it got really cold. We wanted to take care of that, as long as we were working over there.

The area is now regraded, and there will be gravel placed first, for drainage. Then, we'll have new black dirt trucked in to grade over the top. We're going to plant grass seed (and I'm hoping it will be mixed with clover) so we have a grass drive into the barn.

 

Our View Up The Hill In Front Of The Barn

 

The guys checked out the grade with a transit when they were all finished, and told us there's a 28" drop from the dirt fill up the hill, down to where I'm standing to take this picture. Add the gravel and dirt, and we don't think there will be any standing water from now on. It will run right down the hill past the barn, and it's going to look beautiful, too!

Tomorrow is a studio day. I'm working on setting up my first Primitive Gatherings "Twilight Garden" Summer Block of the Week. I want to get that done before Week Two arrives! I'm hoping to show you photos of it tomorrow. Gotta run!

Primitive Gatherings Summer Blocks Of The Week...

Primitive Gatherings "Twilight Garden" Block 1

Don't chastise me, please. Going to those monthly Sit & Sews at Primitive Gatherings is to blame for this. I saw a number of Lisa's blocks for this quilt at the last get together and couldn't resist participating. I purchased the summer-long set; the thread kit; the pre-cut, pre-fused 1/4" circles (there are 1500!!! of them in this quilt); and the supplies kit.

My first kit, along with the ground fabric for all 18 blocks, arrived on Wednesday. There were three choices for ground fabric color (red, navy and gray), and all the motifs are kitted with the same color wools. I chose the gray to fit in with the farmhouse colors - and a happy medium when Labrador and Corgi hair sticks to it. sigh

Lisa suggested that, even if I don't have time to stitch each one as they arrive, it's a good idea to at least set them up (fuse, cut, and place) until I do have time to sit down. I'm definitely going to do that.

Primitive Gatherings "Summer Freebie" Block of the Week - Block 1

 

There is also a summer-long free block of the week. If you stop into the shop and make a $25 purchase, you get the kit free. Otherwise it's $5 a week for the pattern and fabrics. However, if you signed up for the Twilight Garden Summer Block of the Week, the free kit is included with every weekly installment of the larger quilt.

 

I've committed to keeping up to date with the little block of the week. Each finished one is approximately 3" x 5". This one arrived Wednesday, and I finished stitching it yesterday. One down...