Table Runner Time...

One of our daughters-in-law celebrates a birthday next week. She uses table runners all the time on their main dining table, and I've gifted her seasonal runners in the past to adorn it. So, I think it's time to make a new one for her. I'm leaning toward one of these.

I'm also going to be seeing a dear friend, Judy (from Tennessee) this weekend, as she's going to be in Wisconsin for a competition event. Her corgis run in FASTCAT, which is a timed running event. Each dog individually chases a lure and is the only one on the course. I'm not sure of all the rules, but I think they get two chances to achieve their best time. I'll tell you more about it after the weekend, and there will be photos!

I'll be a spectator for her two dogs, plus get the added  bonus of visiting with her. When I'm home, I'll be sewing. I may do one of these patterns, or I may decide to do a pieced runner. Either way, I'll quilt it when it's done (by mid-week) and finish it in time for our DIL's birthday. I'll definitely share what I decide with you.

Enjoy your weekend, friends. I'm sure looking forward to mine!

 

Working On A Special Project...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jerry Gadamus Labrador Fabric Panels

This project is long overdue, but I'm going to do it now. If you've followed me for a while, I've sung this song before, but I really am doing it this time.

Handsome had asked me to make a new quilt for him to replace one that I made for him forty years ago. He loved the last one so much that I'm still patching it so he can keep using it.

It's not one of the highly embellished quilts like those I've done more recently. He wants fiberfill batting and minimal finish quilting just like that first one I made from a single, repeating, long panel from all those years ago. 

So I went looking for retriever fabric to stay with the same theme. When I saw the fabric that used the paintings we recognized and loved from years ago, I bought what I could find from the line. Unfortunately, a long repeated panel wasn't available. That means I'm going to have to piece it with other fabrics to create the size I want. He asked for a larger one this time. 

The last retriever quilt was about 76" long by 48" wide. This one will finish closer to 85" long by 60" wide. I began with a drawing of how I want it to look, and worked out measurements from my drawing. From there I started cutting and piecing. 

I'll be working today, so I won't likely won't complete the top tonight, but I'll get it done soon so I can share it with you. I'm really happy with what I've got so far. I think Handsome will like it, too. More soon!

Nearly Done...

Freehand Quilting The Bluebirds

I was hard at it yesterday, quilting on my bluebirds. I spent hours quilting a meander pattern around the main block that will highlight my birds.

Border Details

The meandering was the easy part for me. I'm working on the borders now. I've done a straight stitch "in the ditch" (along the seams) for the straight borders. Those were all complete, leaving the half square triangles. By dinner I'd completed two sides of the wall hanging. I have two sides and corner details to do before I've finished the quilting. Once that's done, all that will be left is to trim the excess, bind, attach my hanging sleeve and my label.

I work today, so I know I won't get it all done until tomorrow...My Birthday! It will be a perfect day to finish this piece! Then I can really celebrate!

Lab Quilt Fabrics...

When Handsome and I were first married, I made a whole cloth lap quilt for him from a fabric with dog panels on it. I used a high loft batting, and did the "stitch around the blocks and dogs" quilt thing that was popular back then. I'd never made a quilt before, so this was my sewing background attempt to put it together. He's had it on our bed or on his lap nearly every day since then. He would even take it with him to Florida when he traveled back after we returned to Wisconsin.

That quilt is still in (mostly) one piece, but it's showing its age, and is fraying in more than a few places. He's asked me to make a new one for me. He only had one request. That I make it with high loft batting and the same scant quilting so it would stay lightweight and puffy. (yikes)

I went looking for panels that could be sewn together like I did the last one, but there aren't a lot of companies that do that, so finding dog specific wasn't easy. I kept looking and I've managed to find a lovely fabric line that will do just what I want. The fabrics above are part of the line, and I'll likely piece them into the project. (Jerry Gadamus Labs for QT Fabrics)

Handsome took me aside yesterday morning and asked that I wait on this project until he's in Florida. Once I complete it, I can mail it south to him - or he'll let me know if I should just keep it here to wait until he comes home. I admit, I'm a bit relieved that I'll have ample time to give it the thought and attention to detail it deserves. 

I'll set this aside until later, and will turn my attention to the other things I have on my list for this week. Don't worry, though. You'll see these fabrics again very soon.

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!

Red & White Quilt Show...

Diana and I drove to the Primitive Gatherings' Red & White Quilt Show yesterday, and it was a phenomenal show! So many gorgeous quilts executed by talented artists around the country. There were a total of one hundred forty quilts on display.

The first quilt I saw was "Best of Show", created by my buddy, Kathy D. I can see why it was a judge's favorite. Kathy made this one from the first fabric cut, to the stellar machine quilting. I love it!

All the quilts are hung from rods and along the walls in the Gathering House. Kathy's sitting at the table, preparing kits for a cute counted thread Make & Take class she's teaching all weekend. Her pattern is available HERE.

There are so many beautiful quilts to see. How is one to choose a favorite? (Of course, the people who view all the quilts will be able to vote for Viewer's Choice during the show.) 

This is looking back at the front doors of the Gathering House. Everywhere you look there are more wonderful quilts!

Sewcial Sister, Lori is teaching "Fresh Stitched Trees" (available as a pattern or kit on the Primitive Gatherings website HERE).

Diana sat down to make a ceramic ornament with Lisa Bongean. Now she has a beautiful new trinket for her family tree. (I couldn't find a link to these on Primitive Gatherings' website. Sorry.)

This is the hallway leading to all the retreat "hotel" rooms. Each room has a quilt block that matches the block on the key fob for that room. The usual ones were all switched out for red and white ones for the show. I loved that! This hall was also lined with quilts for the show, and this is where I found mine hanging.

I'M EXCITED!!!

I have a blue ribbon to add to my collection of quilting awards. This one means a lot to me, as I dedicated this quilt to my dad. Thank you to the judges for choosing my piece. I'm so grateful.

After doing a little shopping (to get the free with purchase holiday patterns), Diana and I turned for home. She had a new ornament for her tree, and I had my new purchases...and a happy heart. It was a great day for both of us.

Congratulations to all the quilters who submitted their gorgeous works of heArt to the show. If it's possible to get to Larsen from where you live, it's well worth the trip. 

A Few More Decisions...

I've assembled the inner borders and half square triangles, so I'm well on my way to completing this wall quilt. Then I have a few more decisions to make.

Once I have the final outer borders on, I'm going to embroider small branch segments and berries in the corners of the main piece, and also in the music fabric squares in the triangle borders.

A - Red Outer Border    B - Berry and Red Borders

Now, I need to decide on the outer border(s). These are my two choices: A is on the left...a simple red outer border. B, on the right...a narrow berry border, with the red outer border. I'm leaning toward B. What do you think? I'm also going to go with a red binding, which would be the same as the outer border, and they'd overlap.

So, this is what I'll be doing today...adding the outer borders, and then embroidering the corners. I'm saving the quilting for Friday. I'd better get to it, so I can stay on schedule! Coffee and breakfast, and then off to the studio. See you tomorrow!

Hobo Quilts...

I thought you might like to know more about the Hobo Quilts book I have. Debra G. Henninger is the author, and it's a book brimful of designs and delightful stories. I've had it for a while, but have yet to start making blocks from it. I first wrote about this book HERE in 2011.

This is her design for the "Kind-Hearted (Woman) Lady" in her book. She refers to hobos as the "Knights of the Road", and there's a short tale to go with each block, along with photos from those bygone days. There are 55 blocks in the book, as well as patterns for assembling the blocks you create.

Here's the story she included for her "Kind-Hearted Lady" block. The hobos would simply draw the symbols on the gate posts or fences as a signal to other travelers whether or not the inhabitant of the house were friend or foe. There were symbols like "Bad Tempered Owner", "Catch Trolley Here", and "Doctor, No Charge". Whether or not I ever make any of the blocks, it's a unique look into our history. You might find it as interesting as I did.

I've Been Everywhere, Man...

Can you believe I have not one single photograph of any part of my day yesterday? I spent most of my day behind the wheel of my Explorer, running errands hither and yon. Tag was my wingman. 

Together we traveled from home an hour and a half northwest to my brother's home to pick up tomatoes he'd grown; stopped at a farm local to him to purchase sweet corn (only $5/dozen!); went to the Fleet Farm store; stopped at Primitive Gatherings to pick up backing for my Everlasting quilt; made a fuel stop closer to home; and picked up more tomatoes just up the road from our farmhouse. whew!

By the time I got back home, I had an hour and a half to rest a bit, change clothes, and drive back to town to chair a meeting of our 50th (high school) Class Reunion planning committee. I ordered dinner from the restaurant where we were meeting and took it home afterward. I decided that cooking dinner was definitely not on my agenda.

I went to Primitive Gatherings to choose backing fabric for my quilt to match the outer border (darkest fabric above) of the Everlasting quilt. I'll use the same flannel fabric for the binding when it's all finished and returned to me.

When I stopped at my brother's, he pulled out a pressure canner he hadn't been using and gifted it to me. It needed the pressure weight (jiggler), so I went to Fleet Farm to see if they had a replacement. They didn't, but they did have the exact same pressure canner I had on order from Amazon for $30 less! So, yes I bought the one at Fleet Farm, and as soon as I got back in the Explorer, I cancelled the online order. I'll order the replacement piece online.

Tag rode in the cart at Fleet Farm, and got all kinds of attention. He took it all in stride, and was grateful for the extra pets and giggles. ("Look! It's a Corgi!") I have to smile just thinking about it.

I was pretty well gassed by the end of the evening, went to bed early, and slept like a log. Today, I'll be putting up tomatoes. I'll let you know tomorrow whether I used the water bath canner, or if I decided to dive in and use the pressure canner. I'm going to mull it over a cup of coffee and breakfast. 

Winter Song Fabrics...

I've selected the fabrics I'll use for my cardinal piece. I've already chosen the name for it..."Winter Song".  Next, I'll choose the threads I'll be using, and begin setting up the fabric I'll be using for the embroidered block. This is going to be so much fun!

All That Glitters...

...is a royal pain in the butt! This is the quilt I did as a favor to my sister, Di. The fabric she chose for the backing has a glittery finish, and it "sheds". I've got glitter all over my studio, my clothes, and who knows where else! 

This is a Christmas/fairy-themed piece, and Diana did all the piecing. She's a beginner, and I'm very proud of how she calculated all her blocks and measurements. I've suggested she toss it in the washer and dryer to purge some of the glitter before she gifts it, so the recipient isn't a sparkly mess, too.

Now I can get back to my own projects, and things I want/need to do around the house. Tonight is Handsome's first concert in the park for this season. I'm hoping the forecasted rain doesn't come to pass, so we can be outdoors, as opposed to a large pole building facility at the fairgrounds. Either way, I'll be there to enjoy watching my guy play again. It's going to be a great night, and yes, I'll take pictures to share.

Sewcial Sisters Retreat...

Primitive Gatherings Retreat House

I promised to tell you about the retreat I'll be attending next week. I'll leave on Monday for Larsen, WI to join some of the Sewcial Sisters for three days.

I'll be rooming with Kathy D. at Primitive Gatherings' Retreat House. I haven't seen the guest rooms yet, but I promise I'll take photos while I'm there! The reservations include three meals a day, morning coffee (yay), a swag bag with as yet unknown goodies, and three days of fun with the Sewcial Sisters.

I'm really looking forward to it, and promise that I'll take you along on the trip. I'll share updates while I'm away so you don't miss a thing.

My "Everlasting" Quilt Top - So Far

I'm definitely packing this project, and will be working on finishing the embroideries in the outside border while I'm away. I'll likely pack a few other things in case I need a break from this. I'll share project photos while I'm there, too.

I'm going to spend this weekend choosing my attire, pulling projects and packing all my essentials for my getaway. Handsome has reluctantly agreed to make sure the Barn Girls and Leo have fresh water and food every day while I'm away, and I know Tag and the Labrador Ladies will be well-cared for, too. Handsome was completely self-sufficient before I married him, so I know he'll be happy to have a little time to himself, as well.

It snowed on and off all day yesterday, and frankly, I'm so tired of white stuff - even if it quickly melts away. I'm ready for spring and so are the tulips that have already popped out of the ground in the kitchen garden. I'm itching to get the flower beds cleaned out, but I'm waiting until the cold is gone so the little bugs and critters that might be resting under the leafy debris aren't displaced into the elements. I'm hoping that by Easter, or soon after, we'll be able to look forward to more time outdoors. In the meantime, I'm going to finish up a few projects next week, and get myself ready for gardening again.

Thanks for all your comments about seeing my progress photos and posts as I work on my embroideries or other projects. I really appreciate your kind words, and will continue to give you updates on small accomplishments as they come. For now, I'm anxious to get to Larsen and play with my friends. 

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend. I hope you have better weather where you are. If you're in the same boat as we are, you have my sympathy. Let's cross our fingers together that warm weather is just around the corner.

Corgi Caboodle...

Corgi Caboodle From Plum Street Samplers

Look what I found! Of course, I ordered my own copy, and it arrived last week. This is a definite stitch on my list, but I have another project to complete first.

My Version of Primitive Gatherings "Everlasting Quilt"

I'm going to bring out my "Everlasting" quilt project and finish that next. If you remember, I chose to personalize my version with a bee skep, lavender and bees as the center theme. I'm going to add lavender and bees all around the border to finish it.

Once all the stitching is complete, I'll be on the search for a long-arm quilter to custom quilt it for me. I may send it back to Florida to one of my talented friends. We'll see. First things first.