Roseville Album, Again

There are some quilt projects
that are quick and easy.
Then there are others that
are a very long term commitment.

Over the past couple of weeks,
I've continued to work on the
Roseville Album Quilt.

Mostly because I'm committed to getting
this done...sooner than later.

I'm at the point where there are
two side panels left to do.

I decided to do them both at the same time because
1.  the designing process would be easier,
2.  it would help to keep the color selection balanced,
and then the third reason is
 so I wouldn't have cut any more pieces
and that step would be done!

I started with the branches
and thread basted them in place.

The next time I worked on it,
I began adding the 90+ leaves.

Of course, that meant tracing the 90+ leaves

on freezer paper,

cutting out 90+ paper leaves,

auditioning fabrics,

tracing the leaves one more time on fabric,

and finally, cutting them out

one more time!

Still more leaves to add.

This work day was fun.

It was time to start adding the birds and animals 

living in the branches.

Each panel has about 15 birds and a few other animals.

It all continues to be a slow process.

But it means the designing process is almost done.

Along the way, of course,

some pieces were rejected and others

substituted.

Sometime first choices don't always work out.

With the first panel done,

it was time to concentrate on panel two with

more birds plus a couple of squirrels

and a cat.

All the main elements have been cut out
and are ready to applique.

 The animals are taken off now

and I've started stitching the branches and leaves.

I'll let you know when that part 

gets done.

Don't hold your breath. 
I don't want anyone to pass out.

Of course, when all of these pieces 

are appliqued, guess what's next?

About 70 circles!

Eeee gads!

Until Next Time-

Last Week

The calendar last week said
it was time for me to celebrate
another birthday.

Look who came to my party.

Deenie, (Everdeen) Baby Odder, (Oliver), San the Man (Sanford)

It can't get much better than this.

Of course, to extend

my special day,

my daughter and baking partner,

did some baking to share.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting.

They were the perfect combo

for the beginning of summer.

The zesty lemon flavor

in both the cake and the frosting

created a delicious treat.

  Both for us

and the co-workers.

The only traces that Elizabeth could

find after a couple of minutes

was one lone blueberry

that had been accidentally dropped on the floor.

****
Now for the update on my
garden art.
Running Man took it back
home and worked his magic.

It went from this....

to this....

Big difference.
 It really has added a focal point in the garden.

I'm hoping this week
I can stay focused as well.
It's my last full week to be the caregiver
to the littlest grandson.

There's going to be lots of cuddling
going on, of course,
with a little sewing sprinkled in.
Loved those nap times.

Until Next Time-

More Than Quilting, Once in Awhile

This week included

some utility sewing.

Every two year old boy

who loves cars and trucks

and anything with wheels

needs new curtains

that are for big boys.

These are things that Nana's 

just have to do.

 Quilts and arty things just

have to wait.

Even Michelangelo had

(online photo)
 to paint ceilings once in awhile.

Until Next Time-

Treasure Hunting

There are just certain activities

that spell the beginning of summer.

One of them for me is heading 

off to the Old Glory Antique Fair in Denver.

There are always so many

wonderful vendors with booths

filled to overflowing with vintage treasures,

 that are eager to go to new homes.

Running Man and Oliver

browsed for awhile, but

 the warm sun just makes you

too tired to keep looking.

I always find some fun things.

Although, I was gently reminded

 that we had just recently moved and 

were suppose to be lightening our treasure troves.

But here's what came home with me.

I'm always on the lookout for these

vintage picnic baskets.

They're a fun storage solution and
are generally, inexpensive.

Projects, fabrics, kits, they all fit inside.

I'd recommend them to everyone.

Then, of course, these antique fairs are 

a good source for vintage quilts.

I found this one in a small booth

where the owner was lightening her load 

of quilt treasures.

This red and white log cabin quilt called my name.

No, more like shouted my name!

The only inforation she had was that

it had been collected in Illinios.

I love the turkey red and the small shirting print.

It was pieced on a muslin foundation.

Some of the blocks were stitched by hand and

others done on the machine.

The individual blocks were

sewn together by hand and

the backing is the muslin hand whip together.

The quilt has no batting.

I'm estimating the quilt

was done in the early 1900's.  

I think it will look perfect

displayed at Christmas.

I knew I didn't have much room in the car

for any big items, especially

with a car seat and big stroller taking up

most of the room.

But Running Man surprised me

by finding something he liked.

This vintage wrought iron armillary sphere garden ornament.
 It might have been a sundial.
The time was told by the shadow of the arrow

falling on a callibrated band in the middle of the sphere.
Or it was just a decoration of connected spheres
representing the heaven being pierced by an arrow.
The trend now is to make any old  object
shabby chic by painting it vintage white.
So we're going to repaint it
an antique bronze color.
I'll post another picture
once it's settled into the garden.

And yes,
it all did finally fit into the car
and Oliver did too.

Until Next Time-

Hanging Out with Noah and Matilda

 It's always nice to be able 

to hang out with friends.

Over the past 6 months

Noah and Matilda and I

have become pretty good friends.

 They drop by once a month

to show me something new.

We talk about colors

and share stories.

Then they leave me

with lots of stitching.

I'm finally caught up from May

and June is all about borders.

Those won't get stitched for awhile,

but they suggested I might want to start 

cutting out a few of the pieces

when I had a few spare moments.

I appreciated their suggestions,

but would really appreciate it more

if they'd help out.

Matilda, I know would probably smile

 and sweetly reminded me 

she had done it all once before.

I guess she's right.

Visit Dawn

at Collector with a Needle

to learn more about Noah and Matilda.

  Until Next Time-

"LMNOP"

 When kids learn to sing the

alphabet song,

 the letters

"L,M,N,O,P"

get lumped together.

So, little kiddos,

sing merrily along,

not aware that there

are 26 letters in the alphabet,

not just 22.

I finally had a chance to get caught up

with the Quilt Show's BOM

A-Z for Ewe and Me,

by Janet Stone.

It's too easy to get behind.

This week, I worked on the 

letter

"LMNOP" plus a few others.

A sampler is fun, but 

it's important to pay attention

as you work on each new block.

It's all about balance.
Making sure that the colors and fabrics
are evenly distributed over the quilt top.
Especially, when the BOM
has you sewing the blocks together as you go.

 Then it's easy to get off balance.

But, so far, so good, I think.

Especially the letter
"LMNOP"

Until Next Time-

High Kickin'

 I've been doin'

some high kickin'
and dancin' and prancin'.

 Why?

I'm so happy.

I finished another panel

on the Roseville Album Quilt!

It's the top panel

with lots of leaves and circles.

Now I have two panels finished,

 but still two to go.

This one was done in record time

because of all the encouragement 

from all of you.

Thanks!

Until Next Time-