New Design

Well, I've been playing around with this for a while, and finally decided to take the plunge. I switched to a new blog template. It feels lighter and more open than the old one. I'm still tweaking it, it HAS to have purple somewhere, but I really like it so far.







I have a couple of Morrell blocks done. I think the Broderie Perse one turned out good, but I think I want to do a smaller buttonhole. I'll try it on the next block and see if I want to do this one over. I don't want it to look overworked, though, so I'll see which I like best.

I also prepped three more blocks. I'm really liking the Broderie blocks. I find intricate handwork so relaxing, and I need all of that I can get! I know some people have done some of the blocks needleturn. While I love doing needleturn, right now I'm thinking I'll do them all buttonhole. I was sceptical at first, but I really like the look.

I also decided to toss out most of the Civil War fabrics I collected, and use some earlier fabrics, more appropriate for the early 1840's when the quilt was made. It meant starting over, but I think I have what I need, for now anyway.


My plan to dive into that Strawberry Garden block hit a snag when I opened it up and realized I had two of one of the pages, and none of the other one. Oops! They are sending me the other pattern page, so while I'm waiting, I also did another Crimson Tweed block. I really like this one. The backings are all some shade of gray, and this one is a hand-dyed smoky color that almost looks blue.




Now to get caught up with those Lisa's Garden blocks! I'm only about 5 weeks behind. My second thread set for the wool blocks is on it's way, though, so it won't be long now.

Road Trip to the Hen House

My girlfriend Marilyn and I take a road trip to a primitive quilt shop every three months or so, and this last Saturday was the perfect day for it. The trip takes an hour or so, but you'd never know it the way we chatter. The shop is called The Hen House, and it's in a little town southeast of here called Charlotte. The Hen House carries lots of wools, homespuns, and Jo Morton fabrics, as well as basket making supplies.





We usually go in and let Nancy know we are in town, then go across the street to Eaton's Pub for one of my favorite things, Pot Roast Panini and steak fries. It makes me wish we made the trip more often. :)




Then back across the street for some shopping. The store is so jam-packed, it takes quite a while to work our way through it all, checking out the new stuff. Here's the owner, Nancy Conn, standing in front of Primitive Gatherings Settler's Pride wool quilt, which Marilyn and I did as a BOM from her shop. Nancy always has a million WIP, and about that many ideas for new ones. We always have a lot to gab about.





I picked up some shirtings and Jo Morton fabrics for my Blackbird Designs Trick or Treat quilt. I did this as a BOM from Homestead Hearth, but there are a few fabrics I want to substitute.





I have 90 blocks done, and only a couple hundred yet to go. :)







I'm leaving tomorrow for Pennsylvania for my family reunion, and I'd hoped to have the first three weeks of Lisa's Garden to show you before I left, but I only have two weeks done, and week four arrived today! I don't have the stitching on the wool blocks done, but my threads should come tomorrow, and they will make a nice travel project.





Happy Fourth of July, and see you next week!

Primitive Gatherings Block of the Week

You would think it was enough that I can't keep up with the Block of the Months I'm in, but now I've joined a Block of the Week! Of course, I love wool, and I love working small, so, with Primitive Gatherings new blocks finishing at 3", I just had to join. The fact that it's called Lisa's Garden didn't have anything to do with it, honest. :) The quilt was inspired by Florence Peto's quilt "Calico Garden" which resides in the Shelburne Museum. Here is the original "Calico Garden."




We get 10 blocks a week, 5 pieced and 4 wool applique, along with a free project. Here is the first week's shipment.




We also got all the background fabric for the wool blocks, which is an aged muslin. I matched up lights with darks and got to cutting those 1 1/2" squares.




The wool block directions call for using Steam-a-seam 2 lite. I haven't used fusible with wool before, but with pieces so small, I think I'll give it a try. I also don't usually buttonhole, I whip stitch, so I'm still deciding on that. Hopefully I'll have something to show you later in the week.


I also got the first package of the fabrics I ordered for the Morrell quilt. My friend Janet, from Quiltsalott, clued me in to some fabrics, since she has her pattern, and has already started her quilt. These are from Florrie's Favorites, designed by Froncie Quinn, of Hoopla fame, and, coincidentally, taken from Florence "Florrie" Peto's quilts. Froncie also has a pattern for Calico Garden.



Hopefully my package from Threadbear will come this week. I'll post pictures when it arrives. After I get done rolling around in it. :)