A Little Love Story

This is a short story of 

love affair that I have had 

with this book and, especially, with

the Burgoyne Surrounded quilt on the cover.

This wonderful book was published 

in 1991 and I'm sure I bought my indigo fabric 

close to that time.

You might remember my story.

 I had bought this.

 Documentaries from Benartex.

When I decided last June to finally begin

this quilt, I quickly discovered I was now

2 yards short!

Some how and some where

I had used some of my dedicated fabric!

I was fortunate to find a Betsy Chutchian

indigo print that would make a great

addition.

Now I'm happy to say that my 

Burgoyne Surrounded quilt

is finally finished.

"The Blue Winds of Autumn" 

Burgoyne Surrounded

2020

(Photo taken in the lodge of
The YMCA camp in Estes Park, Colorado)

The two different fabrics

worked out well.

80" x 98"

I guess, 

I'm just a traditionalist

at heart.  I love the simplicity

yet the graphic element,

of a two color quilt.

My long arm quilter,

Kathy, at Hearth & Home,

did a fantastic job.

 I love those feathers.

They show up so well

when the sunlight creates those 

lovely tiny shadows.

I used one of Christopher Wilson-Tate's

fabrics for the backing.

The photo doesn't show it,

but I was able to match the strip perfectly

down the center.  You wouldn't even know it was there.

You might even recall my

humble piecing.

That really is totally me.

As the days click by,

I need to consider what other

quilts are on my "need to make" list.

If I'm like you,

that list is long and continues to grow.

Take care, everyone.

Until Next Time,

Kyle

Just a Quick Check-In

The 4th of July holiday weekend 

is over here in the states.

We had great time 

celebrating with the family.

Hope you did too.

****

I also wanted to thank everyone

for your birthday wishes and 

for leaving comments for 

my birthday giveaway last week.

Running Man wanted to choose everyone,

but we limited it to 3 and those

blogging friends  have been notified.

Michelle B.

Angie H.

Cathy B.

Thanks again, everyone.

I'm looking forward to a

wonderful year.

****

My maniac sewing resulted

in my finished top for

my blue and white version

of a Burgoyne Surrounded.

But right after I posted my photo

my eye immediately saw this

I felt bad for a few moments

until I remembered that the original

quilt made in 1880 had an oops too.

Am I going to change it?

Nope, it's going to stay.

*****

We've had some violent thunderstorms

rolling through the last couple of evenings.

The yard and garden got pretty beat up 

with the hail.

I just wanted to show you

a photo of these clouds
I took from the backyard.

Mammatus Clouds 

They can be seen before, after or during

a thunderstorm.

They are pouches 

formed by sinking air.

Cool, huh!

****

My upcoming week is

going to register high on the fun meter.

Running Man and I are going tent camping

with our daughter and her family. 

Should be fun!

I'm even going to bring along

a little stitching.

It's always good to think positively.

Until Next Time-

Kyle   

Celebrate with Me

Well, it's been another 365 days

and another orbit around the sun.

Look who I was able to celebrate my

birthday with.  Quite the gang.

Each year is a reason to  celebrate

So I'd like to celebrate with you too.

Just leave a comment

sharing your favorite birthday dessert.

Being a summer birthday mine is Fruit Pizza.

Sorry no photo.  It was eaten before I

got the camera!

Next Wednesday, July 3,

Running Man will draw three names

in order.

This year, I'm afraid I won't be able 

to mail to international addresses.

I hope you'll understand.

Take the time to leave a comment,

even if you've never done it before,

make sure if you are a "no reply blogger"

that you include your email,

and maybe you'll be celebrating too.

Thanks, as always, for being such

dear blogging friends.

****

Wanted to include an update on

my Burgoyne Surrounded quilt top.

There she is, blowing in the wind.

It turned out just like I was hoping.

I've been a sewing maniac.

Until Next Wednesday,

Kyle

No Better Time than the Present

I'm sure each of us have a quilt book

or two that is special for one reason or another.

This is one of mine.

I've enjoyed this book since it was

published in 1991.

That means it's been 28 years

that I've been admiring and wanting to make

the Burgoyne Surrounded quilt that

is on the cover.

It's one of those classic two color 

quilt patterns that speaks to my heart.

In fact, I purchased this fabric almost

that long ago. 

I'ts a Documentaries made by

Benartex, I believe.  I have the same design

in tan.

Why wait any longer.

I decided this was the week to dive in 

and start sewing.

Got out my long loved fabric and 

quickly realized I was two yards short.

How could this be????

I tried to think.

Hmmmm.

It really is a mystery to me.

My only thought is that over the 

last 20+ years I used 2 yards for something else?

Although, I have no recollection of using

my treasured fabric.

So moving on.
I cut and scrimped
and used every last inch of my original fabric,

adapting the cutting directions in the pattern
for the 5 yards I had rather than the 7 it called for.

Still didn't work.

I lucked out on a trip to the LQS 

and found a navy fabric designed by Betsy Chutchian

Evelyn's Homestead

The color was a good match 

and the design, although different,

seems to have worked very well once it was cut.

I think it will all work out okay.

I've been having a great time
stitching the small parts
together to make bigger parts.
This week should be fun
trying to get the top finished.

I thought I'd also share 3 of the other quilts
I've made from this book.

The first one was another classic
blue and white quilt.

Checkers and Rails
1993

Patterned from an 1870's quilt

Hand quilted

The second one was a
Christmas Irish Chain

2003

Patterned from an 1880's quilt.

machine quilted

#3 was Sawtooth Stars

2008

Patterned after an 1850's sawtooth star quilt
Pennsylvania

machine quilted

Are there still more ideas and patterns 

in this book?

Of course!

It still is a favorite.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Secret Santa

I'm sure at one time or another

you've been part of a Secret Santa 

gift exchange.

This year I was a recipient of 

a secret Santa gift from

the Temecula Quilt Co quilt shop.

I have never been to the shop in Temecula, California,

or never have met the shop owner, Sheryl Johnson,

but she shared a wonderful secret Santa mystery quilt design

with anyone who read her blog.

What an awesome gift!

Each week we received another clue.

A little more cutting and

some more sewing.  

Nine patches...

4 patches...

Greens...

and plenty of Reds and Neutrals.

Lots of oldies, but goodies, for sure.

After 5-6 weeks

this sweet Christmas variation of 

the classic Burgoyne Surrounded quilt

was sewn together.

"Secret Santa"

42" x 54"

I machine quilted using a 28wt. Aurifil thread.

I love the texture it created.

Snowflakes, and 

snow blowing swirls.

Of course, there were lots of 

things I should have been working on,

but it was exciting to get a mystery 

Secret Santa gift each week.

This pattern has been on my

perpetual list for 20+ years.

Sheryl divided up the construction 

in easy and doable segments.

I think 2019 will find me 

FINALLY making this pattern

1991

in the indigo and white fabrics I had planned 

so long ago. 

Thanks, Sheryl for sharing 

your mystery with all of us. 

It was a fabulous seasonal project.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday season

and Merry Christmas.  We'll catch up

after the New Year.

Until Then-

Kyle