Getting Back To It...

 

I'm finally back to working on my Everlasting quilt top. I'm working on corner three now, and after the corners are finished, I'll add a few random bees to the borders.

I've got my reunion meeting this morning, so I'll get back to it this afternoon. It should be a great day for it, as the weather is supposed to be on the cool side again. I mean, really? It's almost JUNE! Oh, well. I guess I'll just don a sweater and stitch. 

A Quilty Finish...

 

A Completed Birthday Quilt

 

I sent this quilt off to be longarmed by the guys at Primitive Gatherings a few weeks ago when my machines flat refused to lend me a hand. Don't tell Jane and Destiny, but I'm glad I did. I asked for an all-over Baptist fan pattern, and they sure delivered! I love the way it looks on the design I executed in French General fabrics. 

As I write this, I've put the final stitches into the binding, and it's ready to be gifted - an "extended" Birthday gift for a loved one. I'll be presenting it today. Yesterday, I was telling my friend, Kathy D. that I was doing the binding so I could give it to the recipient today. Nothing like last minute. Her reply was, "Isn't the the way binding always happens?" She's right. It seems we're always sewing on the binding at the last minute. 

Well, I'm happy this one is finished and I'm looking forward to the reactions. Thanksgiving was quiet, but busy. I was baking, not just for dinner, but also for lunch today. We'll have company for a few hours, so I wanted to make something special. Quiche and cranberry cake are on the menu. 

I'm starting the day much earlier than usual for me, as I'm meeting one of my nieces for an early breakfast. Then off to Wendi's so she can cut my hair. I'll be home just in time to greet our lunch guests. My plan is to take a nap after they leave. 

No Black Friday shopping for me, but I will be working on getting my Etsy shop reopened over the weekend, with some sale pricing for those looking for gift ideas. I'll also list up some items here on Monday with direct purchase links. I guess I'd better be off about my day. I'll be back tomorrow. If you're braving the stores today, stay safe out there!

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day...

September 18th - National Sew A Jelly Roll Day
 

Did you even know? I have lots of jelly rolls, so I might just need to jump onboard! Here's a link to learn more. There's a full explanation of the event, and you can even find links to scads of free patterns.

 

Are you going to participate? If so, which jelly roll (Designer and fabric line) are you going to use?

Getting Close Now...

Brynwood Needleworks - Main Border Motifs - Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt

All the main quilt motifs are finished on my Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt borders. The only thing left (on the borders) is to attach them to the main quilt, and applique' the corner motifs that span the seams into the side borders.

Brynwood Needleworks - Main Border Motifs - Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt

 

I'm going to add a motif above the bluebirds on the top border; add a few leaves, my initials, and the year on either side of the basket motif on the bottom border. I'm really getting close now!

The next time you see these borders, they'll be attached to the main quilt - and finished. That will be in the next day or so.

Tag will be here tomorrow, and I'll be back with updates on Wednesday. I must say, I'm so glad I write a daily blog post. Otherwise, I'm quite sure I'd have trouble keeping my days straight. Every day seems to feel like a Saturday to me. sigh However, today is Monday...I hope you have a great week!

Keep Calm and Carry On.

So Many Leaves...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Top Border Detail

 

Well, this has been taking longer than I expected. So many leaves! (I have a lot more to go, too!) I added a pair of hearts below and between the lovebirds, and I'm really happy with them.

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Top Border

 

I admit there were other things on my agenda last week. We decided to self-quarantine, so I deep cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms. It's critical that I keep myself and Handsome healthy as he recuperates. He cancelled his physical therapy appointments for the near future, so he's even more committed to his own rehab for now. 

 

I also got all our tax preparations done for our accountant (even though the deadline has been extended). I like having that job out of the way. There were a few other tasks that I needed to accomplish, too, so it took a little longer to finish this first border.

 

I'm going to set up the side borders next, as they'll have to be attached to the main quilt first. Then the top and bottom will be attached. Yep. More leaves! sigh I'll keep you posted.

 

Don't forget to enter my 11th Blog Anniversary Giveaway! Just click on the Giveaway button in my sidebar to go to the post and leave a comment. 

 

"Tribute To Betsy" Quilt - Complete...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Tribute To Betsy" Quilt Detail

My current quilt project is machine quilted, bound, and complete! I shared photos with the Brynwood Needleworks FaceBook page today and was asked about the flags, and whether or not they were actual little flags sewn into the quilt.

If you look closely, you can see that they've all been pieced. There is a block of stars, joined to a short stripe strip, and then joined to a longer stripe strip. You can see in the flag in the bottom of this picture, they aren't all matching and perfectly pieced. They definitely weren't little flags. They were pieced.

I wanted to keep the quilting as simple as possible, to follow the lead of the simplicity of the finished quilt. Straight lines all around.

Brynwood Needleworks - Completed "Tribute To Betsy" Quilt

 

So, here is my finished "Tribute to Betsy". I've even sewn a little symbolism into the borders. There are nine parallel lines that march around the outside of the quilt. The nine lines represent the nine letter in our last name. 

 

I've got my Brynwood label on the back, but I'll also add another label with the quilt name, my name, date and location where the quilt was created. I'll do that today, handstitching it onto the back when I've printed it out.

 

I also worked on another project yesterday, so you can expect to see that tomorrow. Hint: I'm already working on the next holiday! 

So, I have a question for you. Do you add symbolic touches to your work? If so, does it depend on the piece, or is your secret touch consistent on everything? I'd love to know.

 

Background Chosen...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tribute To Betsy Border and Background Fabrics

 

It's been snowing and blowing all night, but I managed to get to Menasha yesterday before the storm. I had to get a bit more border fabric (the one right under the pattern page), and then chose the fabric I'll be using as the back of my quilt. It's another coordinate from a different line from Primitive Gatherings, and the colors are almost identical.

So, while it's blustery and cold outside, I'll be busy working to complete this quilt over the weekend. Of course, I'll be back to the Habitat to make sure there's food for the critters and birds, too. Tag and Bella will only go out when they have to, spending the rest of their day inside with Handsome and me.

Hot coffee is definitely on my agenda this morning, and then it's off to the studio to get this quilt done. See you tomorrow!

A Fun Road Trip...

Brynwood Needleworks - 2018 Sun Prairie Quilt Show - Part One

 

No, I didn't finish sewing together my pillow yesterday. Kathy D. and I took a road trip to Sun Prairie, WI (Located near our state capitol, Madison) instead.

Kathy had four quilts entered in the show, and three of them got ribbons. She's standing next to two of them in the collage above, plus the pretty green one on the right side, middle is hers, too. That one was a Nancy Ziemann "Landscape or Column Quilt" challenge piece, which will travel this year with all the rest of the challenge pieces. 

 

I think Kathy was really clever to incorporate the column theme inside a television with Nancy's logo embroidered in the corner, reminiscent of all the years Nancy was a fixture in the homes of all of America's quilters and sewers.

I took more than a few photos, so this is just one set to share today. All of these quilts had one for or another of applique', except for Kathy's in the center top. I wanted you to see all her ribbon winners first. I'll do (at least) another collage to show you more gorgeous-ness another time. (Don't forget, you can click on my images to enlarge them, too. It might help to see the fabulous detail!)

I'll finish the pillow today and show you how it turned out tomorrow. In the meantime, if you haven't entered my 10th Blog Anniversary Giveaway yet, please click on the link in the upper right sidebar so you can join the fun. I'm really enjoying the feedback you're sharing!

Well, I'm off to the studio for the day. I'm going to finish my pillow first, and then I'll be listing up more fabrics in my shop. I'm hoping to add at least fifteen new ones before the day is over. I'll be back tomorrow!

I Was Clueless...

Fortnight Game Image - Brynwood Needleworks via Web

I'm seriously clueless when it comes to online gaming. I've only played two adventure games since we first got our computers in 1984, and they were "Myst" and its sister game "Riven?". Nothing since.

When I was at the Birthday party for my twin great-nieces, I had a conversation with one of my great-nephews. He was pretty interested in the quilt I made for his brother last summer (HERE). I asked it he wanted a quilt, too, and he said he would.

I asked him about his interests, and he said "Fortnight. Fortnight. Fortnight. Fortnight..." and one other game (which I promptly forgot). ugh.

I went online that night to see if I could locate any Fortnight fabric. That was obviously his first choice, right? I couldn't find any. So, this great aunty thought "Game of Thrones". lol 
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Game of Thrones Fabric

I went to Etsy's site, and immediately found three fabrics that I thought would be perfect. I told his daddy about it right before the fabric arrived in the mail, and he said, "Aunt Donna, Game of Thrones isn't an actual game. It's a series (movie. Whatever) on tv." Then he giggled at me.

Brynwood Needleworks - Minecraft Game Image via Web

I said, "Well, P. told me two different games and I could only remember one." To which he replied, "The other game is Minecraft." Oh, for pity's sake. How lame am I? 

So, I went back to Etsy in search of Minecraft fabric, and although I found some, I wasn't really thrilled with my choices. I've decided instead to print out some of the images of the game that I found online, and I'll print them out onto fabric. I'll use fabrics I already have to make up the rest of his lap quilt.

I'll likely resell the Game of Thrones fabric. I've never seen that show, and have no other use for it. In the meantime, I'll begin making my nephew's quilt today. (His Birthday party is March 9th.) I'm still shaking my head, but I'm glad it will work out in the long run.

Are you wondering why I'm not printing out Fortnight images? Well, it seems there's been a problem with hackers frightening and bullying kids who play the game online. When I talked with my nephew about an article I'd read, he told me he'd shown one of the images to his son and asked whether or not it had popped up on his screen when he was playing Fortnight. His son said, "no", but it scared him off the game altogether. I don't think I'll rub it in by making a Fortnight quilt, but I'll ask his dad one more time before I start printing. As crazy as the boy was about the game, I want to make sure I make a quilt he'll love. Minecraft or Fortnight, but definitely not Game of Thrones. (facepalm)

A Few Quilt Show Quilts...

Quilt Created by Susan Lawson from DeForest, Wisconsin

I've got to share just a few quilts with you from Kathy's and my trip to the Sun Prairie Quilt Show last Monday. There were so many beautiful pieces, including a display of quilts created by the late Nancy Zieman (of Nancy's Notions). I'm just going to show four of my favorites now, and maybe a few more later this week.

This bed quilt was created by Susan Lawson from DeForest, Wisconsin. It's called "Fresh Cut", and was machined quilted by Pat Geishuit. (Don't tell, but I chose this one for Viewer's Choice.)

Quilt Created by Kim Van Etten from Poynette, Wisconsin

This beautiful bed quilt was created over the course of one year, by making one block a day for 365 days. The pattern is Kathryn Kerr's "365 Day Challenge Quilt", here created by Kim Van Etten from Poynette, Wisconsin. She quilted it herself. It's a truly stunning piece.

Quilt Created by Judy Goldammer from Hartford, Wisconsin

This cheerful beauty was created by Judy Goldammer from Hartford, Wisconsin. It's called "Common Bride", and it was quilted by Rebecca Silbaugh. This one features pretty, appliqued motifs on a white ground. So pretty!

Quilt Created by Wanda Nelson from Monona, Wisconsin

 

The last quilt I'm sharing today is a wall quilt after my own heart. Wanda Nelson appliqued' and embroidered every motif (in Sue Spargo's style), to create a vivid and lively piece. It was also machine quilted by Pat Geishuit.

 

Kathy and I had a great day, visiting one of the local quilt shops; sharing a tasty lunch; and then taking in the show. There were approximately 100 quilts, and every one of them was lovely. I don't remember seeing a single one that didn't impress.

 

The show was set up in the community rooms of a lovely church on Sun Prairie's north side, and there were vendors to visit, too. Kathy and I are already planning what we may contribute to their next show in the spring of 2019.

 

When we left Sun Prairie, we headed back up Hwy. 151 north to our own neck of the woods, but we knew we were going to drive straight past Beaver Dam and the home of Nancy's Notions. Of course, we took a slight detour to visit the shop before going back home.

 

We each came back home with a small bag of purchases (no cotton fabric for me!), and lots of ideas for what we'll be making between now and next March. Don't worry, my friends. I'll be sharing my creations with you as I go through the process of making them. 

 

Tax papers are on their way, so today I'll be getting back to the fun stuff! First, I'll be doing a short inventory of fabrics and then I'll be listing up a lot of new ones into my shop. Fun, fun, fun!

 

The Retriever Quilt...

The 30 Year Old Retriever Quilt

About thirty years ago, I wanted to make a lap quilt long enough for my husband. Handsome is 6'5" tall, so not every lap quilt is long enough for him. I had never made a quilt before but I'd seen this great panel and figured, "How hard can this be?".

I'd already been sewing for decades at that point, so I just purchased enough yardage to use as the top, and then found more retriever-themed fabric for the back. I put the (polyester) batting, backing, and panel together so that I could sew three and a half sides, flip it right side out and sew the opening closed. Then, I sewed around the dog motifs and borders of each square (well, you can pretty well see where I sewed)to hold the batting in place.

Edge Detail

I even added a few rows of specialty stitching for interest. I didn't know how to bind an edge back then, having never made a "real" quilt before, so I didn't know about how it protects the edge of the quilt. As a result, what you see in this photograph demonstrates what happens after thirty years of use.

Handsome loves this quilt. He loved it from the moment I gave it to him. Many naps have occurred under this quilt. In fact, it's so warm and comfortable, it's almost impossible not to nap when using it. Frequently, if I fall asleep in a living room chair, or watching something on television, I'll awaken under the warm quilt that Handsome has lovingly placed over me.

When it started to fray on the edges, he would ask me to affect some sort of repair. Mind you, there are holes on the edges, but everything is faded, and a far cry from the sorts of quilts I make now. Even so, Handsome asked me to fix the frayed edges, so I did.

Binding Repair On Retriever Quilt

 

This should come as no shock, that I actually have about two yards of one more fabric that coordinated with the rest of these. It's dark green with small yellow labs scattered all over it. Yes. It, too, has been in my stash for thirty years!

 

I made a proper binding and sewed it to the edge of the quilt yesterday. I machine stitched it instead of finishing it with hand sewing, and now the edge is good as new. Handsome is very glad. I think he feels a nap coming on.

Bring It On...

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey

The "Gathering of Quilts" show opens today in Punta Gorda at the Convention Center. All the pieces have been judged; all the quilts have been hung and it's time to invite everyone in to see all the results of our hard work.

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm

Posey will be on display with the rest of the "Home Accessories and Wearables" entries. When she competed in our guild challenge last November, she earned a Second Place Ribbon.

When she was judged this past week, she earned another ribbon. Posey is now a First Place ribbon winner in her show category!

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm Detail

While she was on break (between appearances), I added some more handwork to her head and back pieces. I added yards of hand ruched ribbon to her head piece, and I trimmed out her blue medallion with ruffles.

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm

She's on her own pedestal at the show, and on her best behavior, too. Her ribbon will be pinned on her back piece before the show starts, and she'll stand quietly for all to see.

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm Detail

If they look closely, our show visitors might even catch her batting an eyelash in their direction! She still makes me smile.

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm and Me

 

Posey is for sale at the show. She'd like to find a new home where she can be on a pedestal every day. Smiles should be shared.

 

If she's still available after the show ends on Saturday, I'll be listing her in my Etsy shop. My one-of-a-kind, patchwork pachyderm. She was truly a labor of love. 

I'll have photos from our show to share with you on Monday. There are so many beautiful stunning pieces, and I'm inspired by the talented quilters I'm privileged to know. They're true artists.

 

I Did It...

Brynwood Needleworks - Sewing Bindings

It took all afternoon, but by dinnertime, I'd finished hand sewing the binding to my Pineapple quilt.

Brynwood Needleworks - Sewing Bindings

Handsome came to check on me (and bring in fresh, hot tea) as I was about half-way. I really appreciate when he comes into the studio, and I often ask him to share his opinions on my projects. The tea is a sweet gesture, and a bonus! (Call me "Lucky Girl".)

Brynwood Needleworks - Birds In The Pineapples Quilt

 

All I have left is to make the tag for the back, sew it on and then sew a piece of fabric over it to hide it until after the quilt is judged. I'll give the quilt a good press, and it will be ready to turn in.

I'm really looking forward to quilt show week. I can't wait to see what my guild friends have created!

Life Is Art...

Web Image

  I'm still quilting my Birds In The Pineapples quilt. Hoop, stitch, unhoop...repeat...a lot. I'm making art - and loving my joyful and creative life.

Quilts From The 2016 World Quilt Show...

Brynwood Needleworks - World Quilt Show - Neroli Henderson's "Coco"

I'm sharing a few images from the 2015 Orlando World Quilt Show today.

I have more photos, but these are some of my favorites, so I hope you'll like them.

This first quilt is called "Coco", created by Neroli Henderson of St. Kilda, Australia. Coco is 17 years old, and was a mistreated show dog, rescued by Neroli and her family.

The sweet bichon frise' face on the quilt is surrounded by machine stitched text that explains how Coco came to live with his new family incorporating humor in the story. The quilt employs trapunto, confetti (without a sheer overlay); text and free machine quilting. 

It's adorable.

Brynwood Needleworks - World Quilt Show - Donna Douglass "Flourish On The Vine"

This is Donna Douglass' "Flourish On The Vine". Ms. Douglass lives in Appolo Beach, FL. She  used hand piecing and applique' techniques, along with machine quilting. I love her choices of shades of peach and green.

Brynwood Needleworks - World Quilt Show - Donna Douglass "Flourish On The Vine" detail

"Flourish On The Vine" was a Blue Ribbon (Best Of Show) winner.

It measures 71" x 60".

Brynwood Needleworks - World Quilt Show - Rosillis Rosario "Dancing Vines"

"Dancing Vines" measures 73" x 73" and is the work of Rosillis Rosario.

Brynwood Needleworks - World Quilt Show - Rosillis Rosario "Dancing Vines" detail

There was no other description on her quilt. It was stunning!

Brynwood Needleworks - Quilt Show - Rahna Summerlin "Grandmother's Cabin"

Another Blue Ribbon winner is Rhana Summerlin's "Grandmother's Cabin". Rhana won her ribbon for Best Machine Workmanship. This piece, using 1930's reproductions fabrics, is a tribute to her grandmother.

Brynwood Needleworks - Quilt Show - Rahna Summerlin "Grandmother's Cabin" detail

The quilt incorporated machine and hand quilting, as well as hand applique'. This quilt is her original design. The quilt measures 91" x 91" square.

Brynwood Needleworks - Quilt Show - Gail Smith "Roses For Katrina"

The last quilt I'll share today is called "Roses For Katrina". Ms. Smith is from Barrington, Illinois, and it won a Green Ribbon (Honorable Mention in the Traditional category). Yup. More applique'. I can't help myself. I love the detail and workmanship in applique' quilts. This quilt was designed by Sue Garmin.

I'll share more quilt photographs from the show on Wednesday. There were so many more gorgeous pieces!

Tag will be here tomorrow. I'll see you again on Wednesday!