What Goes Around, Comes Around

I've finally reached an age where all I want for my birthday is not to be reminded of it, unless of course, it’s with a birthday quilt from my friend, Barb Vedder. For that, I’ll own up to each and every one of my advancing years!

Imagine my surprise when I opened this year's package only to find a block I’d given Barb a few years earlier. “Wait... What?” It took me a moment to realize she’d transformed it into this stunning quilt! 

The pattern is from Applique with Folded Cutwork by Anita Shackelford. Since I'd taken a workshop with her, I was eager to tackle something more advanced like a four block appliquéd wallhanging. Unfortunately, my hands got the better of me partway through the first block (MS), and I had to ask for help. Our friend, Kathy Smith, was kind enough to complete the block in time for me to send it to Barb for her birthday.

Notice Barb's use of echo quilting, a traditional Hawaiian technique that outlines the appliqué with concentric rows of stitching. Machine quilting with silk thread also adds a subtle elegance to the overall design.

On the back is a tribute to Barb's former stomping ground, New York City.

Thank you for this tremendous surprise Barb! I imagine it was as hard for you to part with as it originally was for me. The best gifts always are! ❤️

A Tisket, A Tasket

This time of year, I think about making a living Easter basket. The problem is I filled mine with ceramic figures and colorful candies like the scenes inside those sugar eggs we had as kids. 

Three weeks before Easter we planted grass seed in an old wicker basket. Within days, the tender shoots sprout and continued flourishing with sunshine and watering. In fact, by Easter it was ready for a trim!

Isn't it sweet? 

Instructions HERE.

This basket quilt was made using blocks I won in a guild raffle. The pattern is from Fons and Porter’s Classic Basket Patterns, 1984 (out of print).

In any sort of block exchange, sizes can vary. I used the smaller ones to make a pillow...

 

and label for the back of the quilt.

Raffle Baskets

36" x 51”

Stover Quality Quilting

April Fool

I’m Back!

Hi everyone. After a two year hiatus from this space, I bet you didn't expect to hear from me again! Somewhere along the line, I lost my mojo for blogging and wasn't sure it would return. 

In the meantime, I switched to genealogy, in particular, the collecting, restoring, and archiving of old family photos. While I was at it, I rejoined ancestry.com and developed several new branches of our family tree.

What I came to realize is how similar these two hobbies are. Each requires focus, attention to detail, photos, research, and telling a story to share with others. The problem is I don't have the energy for both, at least not at the same time.and preserving something for

A few friends have encouraged me to revive my blog and are even willing to help out. Since taking photos, my friend, Linda, has volunteered for the task. Sherry Simonetti will focus more on quilt portraits and glamor shots. I'm lucky to have their help and support!

Most of all, I want to assuage any concerns about my health. I’m still here, not necessarily "kicking" but relieved to say my Multiple Sclerosis seems to have slowed its progression. As long as my left hand works, I can still use the computer to reconnect with you.

It’s good to be back!

A Good Day

Any day spent with friends is a really good day!

Quilt friends, Sheila, Kathy and Mary.

Garden Maze

It finally feels like Spring here. Time to celebrate with something fresh and new! Aussie quilter Marian Edwards posted this little quilt on her beautiful blog, a must read for anyone interested in antique and reproduction quilts, especially of the small variety.

Marian designed her quilt with bits and pieces leftover from previous projects. Hmm... I had some of the very same bits lying around my own sewing room!

A single Dresden Plate block,

a couple of appliquéd flowers,
embellished with buttonhole
stitch embroidery,

and precut strips of 1930s repro fabric.

These particular bits were leftover from various classes I'd taught. By making class samples and demo blocks from the same style of fabric,  it was easy to incorporate them into another project later on.

Kathy Smith used my pieces to create a miniature sampler style quilt. She brought new life to what certainly would have remained scraps if left in my care.

Kathy hand quilted simple designs, reminiscent of 1930s quilts.

I've named it "Garden Maze," for the labyrinth pattern created by the strip pieced blocks. The quilt measures 27” square and is backed with a sweet jonquil print.

Our grand kitty, Gandalf, laid claim to it just as we tried taking pictures. I love the way his tippy toes rest right at the edge of the quilt. 

Tickled Pink!

Hi everyone! What could be sweeter on a birthday than cake and ice cream? How about a pink and white confection like this one from my buddy Barb? It's the latest in a series of birthday quilts she's gifted me over the years. 

I'm "tickled pink" with this Courthouse Steps Log Cabin! Isn't it delightful? Barb's arrangement of double pinks and shirting prints reminds me of French pastries stacked in a patisserie window.

 

Et voilà!

Barb must have had the same idea because look what she put on the back -- a luscious toile depicting Parisienne advertising labels. Ooh la la!

But wait, that's not all... there were birthday treats from other friends as well! Terri baked a tray of mini cupcakes that were moist, chocolatey, and way too easy to pop into our mouths whole. Linda brought the perfect accompaniment, pink peppermint ice cream, and even took these scrumptious photos of the quilt!

Thank you for making this the sweetest birthday ever! 🩷💕