September Mini quilts

First, of all,  I want to thank everyone

for the encouraging words that many of you shared with me.

No, I'm not hanging up my quilting needles 

and tossing out all of my fabric.

I was feeling "stash obligations" and not feeling 

the love or the creative challenge

that it brought.

It really did me in!

So, since I last wrote,

I have bundled up lots of fabric, 

approx. 150 yards,

and sent it off to a wonderful local charitable group.

I have started some new projects,

and have continued to work on the things

that I love and bring me joy.

My latest X-stitch finish.

"Be Ye Thankful"

a design by Brenda Gervais

I am thankful for everyone's positive thoughts.

*****

The end of September

means it's time to share a monthly mini quilt.

Vintage Baskets #2

24" x 24"

This little quilt began it's life as a full size 

quilt from the 1930's.

When I received it from a friend, 

it was just a top and 

the 10" blocks were well loved and 

very thin and frail. 

I took some of the blocks apart and resized them

which made them very cute.

After sewing the top together I decided

to add embroidered flowers to each basket.

That was the "FUN" part.

When I was given this quilt top,

the original Nile Green binding was included.

It wasn't in the best shape, but I made do.

I "love" how it finished.

Vintage Baskets #2

Time for my barbed-wire fence parade.

There was a very fog morning this week.

A perfectly quiet, uncluttered background for a photo shoot.

Baskets

If you get the chance, check out Wendy's blog

the Constant Quilter to get the list of other

bloggers working on and sharing their monthly minis.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

A Dutch Treat May Mini

Welcome to

 another Monthly Mini installment. 

This month I decided to have a bit

of quilting fun with my collection of 

Dutch fabrics.

I can't really enjoy them while

they're in a pile 

on a shelf.

Why do I save them there?

Why do I save so many of my

favorite fabrics?

No more lamenting.

Here's what I did this month.

Dutch Treat

24" x32"

The pattern is from

Petra Prins and An Moonen's

book, Promenade in a Dutch Garden.

It was easy piecing

hst's together from small colorful pieces

from my treasured collection and

then using only one fabric piece for the light.

The center star

acts as a small calm medallion

surrounded by the busy chintz patterns.

I finished the edge with a  traditional Dutch

invisible binding.

In this method you finish the edge

on the top with strips that are 

then folded it to the back of the quilt and

stitched down.  Instead of stitching

I used a narrow stitch witchery on the edge

to hold it in place.

I machine quilted a simple diagonal grid 

over the top.  I didn't want the 

beautiful designs of the fabrics to be 

covered over with threads.

To make it's debut,

I headed out to the barbed wire fence.

The bright green of the spring hay made the colors pop.

"Dutch Treat" was joined by two other Dutch favorites.

It made for a sweet mini May parade

in the open field, early in the morning.

Don't forget to check out what other

May minis were created on

Wendy's blog, The Constant Quilter. 

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Home Again

 Momma Mia!

I'm finally back.

Having the opportunity to travel again

has felt incredible. 

Running Man and I were 

extremely cautious, wearing our masks,

using plenty of hand sanitizer,

and trying to avoid crowds as much as possible. 

Being careful though, didn't interfere

with our ability to have an awesome trip

because we certainly did.

Where in the world have I been?

Can you guess?

Yes!

We were able to travel to

Bella Italia.

Beautiful Italy.

We were with a small group

from Odyssey Tours traveling 

to multiple regions and cities

of northern Italy. 

We flew into Milan and made our way

north to Stresa located on 

beautiful Lake Maggiore

on the south side of the Alps.

nearby Lake Orta

After a couple of days exploring

the area we traveled to Santa Margherita

along the Mediterranean coast. 

The view from our hotel.

The sea was a brilliant blue.

We enjoyed the fresh pasta

and pesto this area is known for.

Next we traveled by train and then by ferry

to explore the

5 Italian villages nestled on the coast

known as the Cinque Terre.

The colors of the villages

along with the blue water was stunning.

Then we moved on to the rolling hills region

known as Tuscany.

First stopping in the charming town

of Lucca and it's medieval walls

We stayed in the small village of

Radda in Chianti

surrounded by vineyards

and forests

It was delightful, just what you 

would imagine. 

One day we explored Florence.

Ponte Vecchio

So many incredible sights.

The Duomo

Another day was spent in Siena 

marveling at their Duomo and

 the spectacular Piazza del Campo

We traveled around in a very comfortable motor coach 

and had an incredible tour director.

Both important factors for a great trip.

From Siena we traveled further north to

an area looking very different from the way we

 usually visualize Italy.

We went to Balzano located in the Italian alps.  

 

The scenery was breathtakingly.

  The peaks of the Dolomites are so powerful.  Very different from the 

Rocky Mountains I see at home.

This area has an Austrian vibe rather than Italian.   

The people speak German first, then Italian.

Strudel not tiramisu 

Beer not wine

Then one last stop along the Adriatic. 

Of course, you know where.

Venice.

The Grand Canal

St Mark's Basilica

There aren't enough adjectives to

describe this special unique place.

We walked and walked for two weeks

in this beautiful northern part of the country.

We ate and ate wonderful food.

But like any fabulous trip, it's always

nice to head back home.

One last water taxi ride on

our way to the airport.

Arrivederci!

Until Next Time-

Kyle