Studio Time

Although I missed my usual session at the Golden Gese, I was able on Sunday to get over to Ellen Peters' quilting studio. Here is Ellen loading my little string quilt.

My quilting was very simple loop de loops for this busy quilt that only measures 50" by 60".

I love the bold graphics of this design that always reminds me of making God's Eyes with brightly colored bits of yarn and two sticks when I was a Girl Scout long ago and far away.

I used a pinky sort of beige for the quilting thread but I don't think that you can see it very well here.

The quilt was all done in about one hour, but I was glad because I was very tired. Today, Husband Wonderful did a fine job of rubbing liniment onto my sore shoulder muscles. Thank you, Honey!

Here is a shot of the backing of the quilt that shows the quilting better.

Ellen had completed her 16-patch with the black and white accents and it looks superb!

Linda, the gal who was also quilting her three quilts, kindly allowed me to photograph them so that you could take a peek.

She also did this precious baby quilt with a cuddly flannel backing.

And I loved her batik log cabin!

Back at the house, I wanted to show you my current state of progress on my Sunshine and Shadows Log Cabin. This is only the center, but you get the idea.

As for Mr. Tipper, he enjoys lolling about for his daily cat naps out on the deck.

He tried to roll over and almost fell off of the table top. Silly boy!

Hope you're having fun and quilting up a storm!

Summer Beauty

Some tummy upsets have held me back from very much progress this week, but I did get to the Alton, New Hampshire Senior Center on Tuesday to lay out my heartstring blocks.

Sue and Joyce were helping each other make some corrections on the pinwheels of Sue's baby quilt project.

Marjorie joined us and was working on her pretty pink and black yoyos.

With all the rain, I was able to get one sunny day to photograph my two matching quilts out on my clothesline.

Here is a close up of the fabrics and the quilting.

My rambling roses are so overgrown on the fence, but they do fill the whole yard with their beautiful rose scent!

As I walked by the huge mock orange bushes, a pretty swallowtail butterfly posed for me.

Hope you're having a good week and happy sewing to you!

Stash Enhancement!

What fun to bring up my mail from the mailbox and to see that my pretty group of neutrals had already arrived from Thousands Of Bolts online fabric supplier!

These are all either Civil War reproductions or ones that are traditional patterns and the 18 Fat Quarters were priced to sell at only $1.64 apiece, whee!

If you haven't used them before, try them!

On Friday, my bee met and we all had a good time. Here is what Maureen was working on, a pretty sewing machine pad for her granddaughter, Ashley.

Did you see the vinyl coated candy bags that she has made into zipper pouches?

These are adorable!

Sue was working on her beautiful Hunter's Star with very precise piecing.

Beverly's Hunter's Star is going great, too! Good work, ladies!

My big push was to get my Starstruck blocks assembled into a top.

It measured 78" square so I think that it will need borders next.

It was a big project that took me all winter to do the units. There are 400 quadrants to make 100 blocks.

Maureen's  friend in Florida makes these ribbon flower stick pins and she sells them for only $6 each. They are really nice!

Let me know in the comments section if you'd like to buy one and we'll get her the money.

Around the farm, the kitties are lolling about in the cooler air today. Here's Miss Tanner.

Stay cool and happy sewing!

Happy Flag Day!

A beautiful high pressure system has swept in from Canada, bringing fresh cooler air and very welcome low humidity! Our flag is flying but there was no breeze to make it unfurl.

My variegated weigelia bush is in full bloom and it is attracting honey bees. So beautiful at the base of my Easy Street sign.

Yesterday, at the Alton, New Hampshire Senior Center, there was lots of quilty fun. Here is Mary, showing her pretty candle mat.

Joyce was laying out her charm pack 5"  squares and had several sewn together for some 4-patches.

Sue was working on a pretty baby quilt in all pinwheels made with a lightweight poly fleece.

It's a bit tricky to lay these out correctly so that the pinwheels all spin in the same direction!

Meb also had a lovely table mat that she is hand quilting. Just beautiful!

I was proud to show my recently finished quilt tote bag.

We all had fun and we chomped a few chocolates as we chatted.

It was a great day!

Hope you are having fun, too!

Happy sewing!

Moving Forward to a Finished Tote!

After a week of rain and showers, Maureen, from the Friday Quilters at The Golden Gese in Concord, New Hampshire, had progress to share on her Hunter's Star quilt top. Just look at that!

Her choice of Civil War reproduction fabrics lend an antique quaintness to this beautifully pieced top.

Good going, Maureen!

Sue was also working on the Hunter's Star, piecing block units in red and cream colors.

All my 25 giant blocks for Bonnie Hunter's free pattern, Starstruck got pressed. Here is the link if you'd like to see it.  Link.

Except for the turkey red solids and the modern white-on-white accents, these blocks are all Civil War reproductions, too.

Although I did not get the top completely assembled, I did get four out of five rows joined up, yeay!

As I was about to leave, Barbara showed me her sweet Christmas placemats' progress. wow these are so pretty!

The applique on these is adorable and the pieced blocks are on a really small scale. Kudos to you!!

Back at home, on Saturday, I was able to finish assembling my quilted tote bag that is really big and roomy for taking quilts to and from the Ellen Peters' quilting studio in Laconia, New Hampshire.

The quilted strips are an RJR fabric line called Briarcliff and the pockets are a lovely prairie red selection from Pam Buda.

I kept my choice of lining fabric in the very lightest zone so that you can see inside the bag better than a dark fabric there. A stray 5" square, backed in plain pink, made a handy inner pocket.

If you are interested in making one of these for yourself, here is the link to Jenny Doan's tutorial.
Big Tote Bag.

I love the way it came out, although I think that I was way too generous with the length of my handles.
Our weather has turned surly and humid with our first heat wave and I'm grateful the Husband Wonderful got the ac window units installed with Matthew's help. Thanks, guys!!!!

Happy sewing and stay cool!