Friday, June 27, 2014

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-

Monday, June 23, 2014

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-

Friday, June 20, 2014

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-

Monday, June 16, 2014

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-

Friday, June 13, 2014

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
to learn more about Noah and Matilda.
  Until Next Time-

Monday, June 9, 2014

"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-

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

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-