End of November

Still working on "Love Letter's".  I sew on it every day (except Sunday).  I sew until my back aches or the muscle on the back of my thigh complains.  This is usually about an hour.  These aging bodies sure complain a lot - ha!

I have seven blocks completely machine appliqued.  I tried to do the harder ones first so the easy ones would be left at the end.  I was wrong. This coxcomb block is going to be a bear going around all those curves.

I was at Canadian needle nana's blog last week (a delightful blog) and she had a link or I clicked on one of the blogs she follows.  Anyway, I came across some Red & White quilts that were so great.  I still want to make a Red & White quilt someday.  A few of the quilts were from the book  'Patches of Blue' by Edyta Sitar.  This book is all about blue and white quilts but the ones that were made in red and white instead were really what interested me.  I ordered the book from Amazon.

Well, I searched through my history and found those quilts on Gladiquits (another great blog).  Click on her name for a quick quilt show.  Gladi's quilt is the crib quilt - so nice.

You probably remember seeing this quilt online a few years ago.  The book came out in 2017.

 I want to make this quilt in red and white and put in more trees.

I also want to add this branch at the top of the houses.

If I wasn't toward the end of the current quilt I'm working on I'd start right away.  But, I determined to finish "Love Letters" before I start anything else.

That's the end of the quilty stuff.    I went outside about an hour ago.  I was struck by the vivid blue of the sky.  It makes even this crowded corner of our yard look nice.  It was a balmy 46 degrees outside.

One of the things I love about this time of year is the tree skeletons.  They can be so artistic.  So, here are a few in my yard.

Peach tree

Cutleaf Weeping Birch

Lilac

Trio of unknown trees

Autumn Splendor Maple

Grapevine

 Have a great day.  I caught a 'no fun' cold and sore throat over Thanksgiving so I'm homebound.

Robin

News from Bonar Bridge

Hawaiian print quilt top is my daughter's project

Here is a look at "Quilting Central" down in my basement.  Finishing up UFOs is kind of like having a job.  There's a task to be completed so each day I go downstairs and put my time in.  Love Letters on the design wall is progressing slowly but each day I get more done.  I've completely finished machine appliqueing the center wreath and now I'm working on the Oak Leaf block from the empty space on the wall.

I'm still hand quilting the Plaidish quilt.  It is "big stitch" quilting so it's going fast.  I should be finished in about 3 days or less if I'm diligent.

I decided to pick out a backing for my "Cheddarback quilt".  I had originally decided on using a big blue floral that is purposely faded looking.  When I got it out there was 9 yds. in the piece and this quilt only needed 4 yds. so I looked for something else.  I found this early Fons & Porter piece.  It is marked on both selvages but it only says Fons & Porter by Bernartex with 2 colors.  I think it looks great with the quilt top and am anxious to begin.

As you can see in the top picture this quilt is layered on the floor.  I ran out of pins for the pin basting (there is still a bunch in the Plaidish quilt).  I don't know whether to unpin the border now or buy new pins or leave the quilt sandwich on the floor until I finish quilting the other quilt.

I remembered the Cheddarback quilt begin quite large but it is only 68" X 75" or something like that.  I suppose I could have put a border on it but I wanted it to be more like the original.  It is sure a fun quilt to look at.  I think I'm going to enjoy quilting each individual block, like visiting an old friend.

 This is a picture of my 'Spring Cheer' daffodil that blooms both spring and fall.  It has quite a heady fragrance and show no sign of wilting anytime soon.

My husband ruptured another disc a month ago and has been flat in bed during that time.  The insurance company won't pay for the MRI unless you go through 6 wks. of physical therapy.  He's been in this situation before and is gladly jumping through the hoops so he can further the process toward surgery.  He had his MRI Wednesday and is waiting for the results.

So I am staying close to home and filling my hours with my quilting.  And I'm his chauffeur as well.

He's the kind of guy who always has a project going and he's an avid gardener.  The garden was cleaned out and prepared for fall by my daughter, her kids, and me last Saturday.  I didn't know I had it in me!

Robin