Mid-winter's Eve

 I put this quilt on the frames in October because I knew it would take me a while to finish.  I didn't finish it for Christmas but it was a delightful Christmas season working away on it.

I finished it on January 2nd but didn't have anyone who could hold it up for a picture.  If you remember my husband broke a rib last month and he's still not ready to hold up a
 75" X 94" quilt.  One of my sons and his family recently moved across country and are now living only 25 min. away.  So when they visited today he was glad to hold it up for me.

I had so much fun making this quilt.  The pattern is called "Sleigh Bells" by Jan Patek.

The snowman was my favorite block.

The church with the crooked steeple.

I like how the windows have lights in them because it is in the nighttime.  The quilting shows up in this picture where you can still see the white chalk marking line and the yellow thread.  I used four different colors of thread in this quilt; gold, black, red, and cream for the snow.

Here is a picture of the quilting lines.

I also finished this little quilt.  The pattern is by Cheri Payne.  It is so simple but is a nice combination of red and green.

It measures 24" X 18"

I brought the backing to the front for the binding.

I hand quilted this little beauty and put some little motifs in the setting triangles.

I backed it with a piece of Jo Morton fabric from about 2012.  It didn't take long to quilt but it sure took me a long time to get around to it!

So, two finishes already in January.  What a good start!
Robin

I couldn't leave it alone.  The border wasn't working and so I had folded it up and put it away.

Then I saw Audrey's post and loved the way her lettering looks.  I was reminded that I had borrowed the "Word Play" book from my friend with the intention of doing the lettering on this quilt.  I've changed my mind so many times on this border including;
1.  Appliqued words
2.  Words all around the border
3.  Pieced letters using alternate methods
4.  Various color combinations. . .

But nothing satisfied the vision I had in my head until I used the "Word Play" method. 

There are sheep in the fabrics I used, hence the scripture.  Thanks for the reminder Audrey.

I love it!
Robin

Only four finishes in 2018

I was totaling up my finishes for 2018 and there were only four.  That was pretty discouraging. 

 But then, I remembered that the quilt on my bed (the one that has the wool batting) took me over 5 months to complete the hand quilting.  That's almost half of the year.

The Chintz Quilt

 It was well worth it.  I love that quilt. 

Rejoice Quilt

And then I did all that applique on the Roseville project.

and pieced the Land of Liberty Quilt.  I don't have a lot of finishes but I certainly don't regret the progress on the other quilts.  

I also got 4 more UFOs to the quilt top stage.

Zip a dee doo dah

Baraboo

Chicken in a Basket

Midwinter Eve

I am on the last section of quilting for this one.  I'll be done by the end of the week.  It was almost a finish for 2018.

The other three finishes besides the Chintz quilt I started with are;

1.  The Slap dash quilt

2.   Be Mine by Cheri Payne

and

3.  The Farm Girl Vintage quilt which I call Grandma's Kitchen. 

 I guess I never took a picture of it because there is not one to be found.  (I finally found this picture when I had just completed the top and before I put borders on it)

It's been a good year~

Robin

Find the needle without getting stuck!

I was in my waking up state where I turn over a number of times before I look at the clock to see what time it is.  It's always dark when I wake up so I never know if I'm just changing positions or if it's really time to get up.

Early Monday morning I was laying on my back.  I pushed my left hand under my hip because I was close to the edge.

Gasp!  I felt the metal shaft of a pin. 

I carefully grabbed hold of it and pulled it out from under me.  As I pulled, I felt thread glide under my backside.   

IT WAS A NEEDLE!!!

I had been sewing on a binding in a chair by the side of the bed before I turned out the light at bedtime.

The good news is that in my tossing and turning all night long, I wasn't pricked.  (Although I did tie a great knot in the thread).

The other good news is that when I was ready to sew the binding - I didn't have to search for the needle.

I'm sure you all have an experience with finding a needle the uncomfortable way.  I really lucked out this time.

Here is are cartoon  about needles.

Robin

It's about time. . .

I haven't posted for about 2 months.  Time is a precious thing and less time on the computer has been my priority.  While that has been a positive thing, I have missed sharing what I am doing in the creative realm.

It was a beautiful beginning to the day.

I started out the day fairly well.  The sky was beautiful but alas, the warmer weather has melted almost all the snow.  I do pray for snow - for it's moisture, for it's beauty, and for the added happiness it brings to this holiday season.

Sometimes breakfast can be the most important meal of the day.  Well, this day I managed to under cook my over-easy egg (the white was runny) and then I burned my toast.    Subsequently, I choked on one of the bites, you know, the kind of choking where you have to remove yourself from the table and end up wiping the tears from your eyes. . .

So, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to anyone who is generous enough to read this homely little blog.  It brings me a lot of joy to share what I'm working on, what I've finished, and what interrupts my stitching with thoughts of new and old ideas.

This sweet quilt is what I have been working on since my last post.  As you can see I am almost at the end because the top border is showing.  I put this quilt on the frames in October because I knew it would take me a while to hand quilt and wanted to be working on a holiday-themed project during December.  It worked.  I have enjoyed every minute that I have been working on this quilt.  It is the pattern called "Sleigh Bells" by Jan Patek.  Although I'm not sure why she called it that because there is not a sleigh and no bells on the quilt.  I call it the "Midwinter's Eve" quilt.  It makes me think of that Christmas song; In the Bleak Midwinter.

This is the backing fabric.  Isn't it fabulous?

It is a piece I found on sale a few years ago.  It is by Susan Branch.

I got out my Rising Sun blocks to add the border.  Because of the sheep fabric I used throughout, I wanted to put words on it from Luke 12:32 and D&C 35:27  "FEAR NOT LITTLE FLOCK . . . I COME QUICKLY"

The fabrics I have chosen are too start so I am going to have to go to plan "B".

I want to use this cute cute wooly fabric for the border (below).  I think the quilt needs a stop border.  I hope I have some more of that black, gold, and white fabric.  I'll just have to call the quilt "Fear not little flock" instead of putting the words on it.

I have been working on my grandson's outer space quilt.  All those circles are hand reverse appliqued.  It has taken me much longer than I expected but the top is done and it makes me happy.  I'll put it on the frames after I finish the mid-winter quilt.  My grandson is six years old and came downstairs to look at the quilt top all done a few days ago.  He slid under it to his chin like it was on his bed and just closed his eyes and giggled.  So cute!

I still need to put the binding on this scrap quilt.  I can't decide who is going to get this quilt.  Too many choices.

I also got out my 'When the Cold Wind' Blows blocks.  I keep getting out my UFOs.  These blocks are so wrinkled.  I need to sew around the fused blocks but the sewing machine with the blanket stitch is at my daughter's house.  Her foot pedal broke to her 930 Bernina (my mother's old machine) and you know you can't get by without a sewing machine at Christmas!!!  It's just as well, I keep getting things out and don't end up working on them.  I've got more virtual quilting enthusiasm than I can keep up with.

My goal this season was to fill this 3-tiered tray with homemade ornaments.  Stars, hearts, and little animals.  I managed to find this cute llama ornament and the rest are from my boxes (and boxes) of decorations.

 

I just haven't been able to fit it in

It doesn't look that festive does it?  Sigh~

On December 2nd my husband was on a ladder cleaning the snow off of the  solar panels.  The ladder slipped and his feet fell through the ladder.  He landed with his head at the foot of the ladder.  The bad news is that he broke a rib and perhaps a hairline fracture in his right calf.  The good news is that he didn't hit his head on the patio concrete or injure his already compromised back.

So he's been flat in bed and while caring for him doesn't take that much time. . . it has done a number on my holiday decorating mojo.

This is the only decorated tree at our house - my miniature one.

He's healing well and sat at the table for breakfast this morning.  (His toast wasn't burned - ha!)

Robin

Playful Border

I finished getting the little outside blocks appliqued for my Fall - ish quilt.  I really have a new appreciation for all of you who did the 365 Quiltalong.  Those circles are tricky.

I sewed them on the outside of the four inner blocks.  I think they are kind of cute.

Measures 54 1/2" so far

You can read about this in a previous post if you're interested.

It needs another border or something, I'd welcome any suggestions.  But, I'm in no hurry so maybe I'll just hang it in the closet until I get some inspiration.

Robin

What a sweet and generous gift.

I am so delighted by this gift of homemade pumpkins and Halloween treats that I received in the mail yesterday.  They are from the "Queen" of all things pumpkin, Wendy Kirby from the Quiet Room.   And here too.  She has boxes and boxes of pumpkins that she puts out on display each fall.  Go read her blog and look at her creative and wonderful decor.

I was commenting that I didn't have enough pumpkins to decorate with and that I needed to go shopping with her some time.  She replied by sending 5 pumpkins in a cute basket, chocolate, and trick or treat towels all the way from England!.  The lettering sparkles and you can see it reflect the light on the "K".

I can't quite decide where to put this little basket of autumn goodness.  Should I put it on my dining table on top of the orange tablecloth?

Should I put it on top of my piesafe so the squirrel with the skeleton mask can guard over it?  No, no, there's too much competition with the clock.

Should I put it with some other seasonal decor on my hutch.  (Can you tell my grandchildren did the decorating this year?)  No, no, there is too much clutter there.

I put it back on the table where everyone can see it as they enter the room.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Wendy.  You've certainly brightened my day!
Robin