Last quilt and next quilt

I finally finished my "Home is Where You Are" quilt.  It is based on something my husband said to me while we were in Wisconsin for 18 months.  I was feeling a little homesick and he wasn't feeling as sad as I thought he should.  I wanted someone to sympathize with me.

I asked him one day if he didn't sometimes miss home and the kids and long for familiar things.

He was surprised by my question and stopped what he was doing.  He thought for a few moments and then he said, "No, I'm fine because home is where you are and you're here.

I put a 50th Anniversary label on it because that anniversary is coming up.  Hard to believe.  

I washed it and it had no bleeding at all.  What a blessing.

I saw two quilts this fall that I just loved.  They were both Wagon Wheel - type quilts.  I was absolutely enamored by  the color combinations and the use of cheddar with a dark background.  I made a large wagon wheel quilt about 8 years ago and while I was in the process of making it I knew I wanted to make another one.

This is the only picture I could find in my history. 

I found this on Instagram.  I should have written down where I found it but I didn't.  If you know, or if this is you, please tell me so I can give you credit.  It's a really poor picture but you get the idea.  Isn't the black background great on that wagon wheel quilt?  I just found her - it's hatcreekquilts.

The next picture is from Gone 2 the Beach blog, your can read all about it here.

I know, it's a terrible picture too but if you go to Lizzy's blog you can read all about it and see a full picture.  The cheddar fabric just dazzles me.

So, I've had this on my mind for a while and I was thumbing through an old magazine of my MIL's because it was on my sewing table.  It's dated 1984 and has about 30 different quilts and basic patterns in it.

I found the pattern for this little quilt and I think it would be just perfect made in the colors I want.  It's pretty cute in red, white, and blue too.

I haven't decided on the background color or the sashing but it's sure at the top of the list of quilts I want to make right now.

The other pattern in that little magazine that I want to make has a bird border that is fabulous.  

That reminds me, is there anyone out there that has the Cousins Walk pattern that would like to sell it to me.  I LOVE THAT QUILT!

I've got a new/old quilt in the hoop.  It is my version of "Love Letters" by Blackbird Designs.  It's going to take a while to quilt but it's January.  A perfect time to devote to a time consuming project.  AND, sitting under all that quilt makes me warm in the cool living room.  Winter is a perfect time to sit under a quilt and sew. 

We were gifted with an amazing snow storm on Sunday.  We got about 10 inches of heavy good snow.

And today the sky was just fabulous  with it's cloud and sunlight patterns.

Who said January was dismal and gray?  Just look up.

Thanks for visiting,

Robin

Ravens quilt top is done

This is Block #4 that I just finished Monday.  I added the little bird so there would be 12 blackbirds on the quilt or as my DIL says; "A Murder of Crows."

I finished this one last week.  It is Block # 7. It is one of my favorites.   I love the big full moon.  And the flower in the upper right matches the border.

 And here is the top completed.  It is a delightful quilt, such a fun design by Blackbird Designs.  And another "someday" quilt off of my bucket list.

I'm considering taking December off from quilting and just enjoy the baking and candy making and family.  I wonder how long I can stay out of the sewing room.  .  .  .

I've got company coming tomorrow so I need to motivate myself to clean and make a dessert.

Robin

Here you go

I realize Halloween is over but I'm continuing on by finishing these blocks.  I've done two in the last two weeks  Blocks 8 is on the left and Blocks 3 (which I am putting in the #9 spot) is on the right.  I only have two more blocks to go.

I know it isn't that noticeable in the pictures but the two seemingly identical black birds/ravens are done in four different black fabrics.

 

This one is done with a mottled black on the body and a stripe on the wing.

And this one is a script print on the body and a dotted piece on the wing.

I really enjoyed Gone2thebeach recent post.  You should go visit.  I love her cartwheel quilt.  I've seen a number of them this Halloween season.  I sure would like to make one with the lovely black background.  Yet another "wanna make quilt".

This is a table topper I started about 2003 and finally finished last year.  It has two of my blackbirds on top.  Yes, blackbirds are a staple at my house.

I put a quilt on my couch that has some autumn vibes to it.  I definitely need more fall themed decor.

I also put this falling leaves quilt on my kitchen table.  Don't worry, we take it off before we eat.

And speaking of falling leaves. . . I love it when we have a hard freeze which we did last night.  The English Walnut trees hold tight to their leaves until the temperatures plummet.

 And then they drop all their leaves at once.  It's like magic.

Robin

I have been asked to make 200 cinnamon rolls for an upcoming party in December.  So, I made up one batch of my favorite recipe to see how long it would take (4 hrs.), how many it would make (75+), and if I could make them ahead - would they still taste fresh.  We'll see how they are fresh-wise tomorrow.

Rolls all put together and rising.

The problem is that I need to have these made for a breakfast.  I may need to stay up through the "wee small" hours to get them all done.  

My husband volunteered me for this.  Part of me feels complimented and part of me thinks it's a lot to ask.    Oh well, they are pretty yummy.

Here they are frosted and ready to eat.

 I finished block #1 for The Raven" quilt.  I've got five blocks done so far.  This is like a full time job.

We had a beautiful sunrise this morning before the big storm blew in.  Winter has pushed autumn aside and we're expecting snow.

 I put the picture in my header above.

Robin

Who's up next?

Well, I finished a fourth block.   This is what it looks like with the four of them together.  The lighting wasn't very good so it's a bit dark on the right side.

I'm not going to get done by Halloween (of course) but I'll probably get another block done by then and that will mean only four more to go.

 Here is the finished block by itself.  It's Block #9 but I'm going to use it in the #3 space.

I still haven't got my Halloween decorations up.  The boxes have been sitting out for 2 weeks, I'm not sure why I'm so unmotivated.  I might dig out my ghost snowglobe that plays the Phantom of the Opera and call it good.

I put apples in the dehydrator this morning.  I think that is the last of the food preservation for the year.  It always feels good to see that come to an end.

Robin

The Age of Remembering

 I knew this would happen someday.  

I just realized today was the day.

I knew that someday I would be still and it would be quiet and I would just want to remember.

I would want to remember the little things;

My mother's smile

My favorite coat - the green one or the fur one?

Playing with the neighborhood kids after dark

Slurping grape Shasta and eating snowballs at Adams park

Swimming lessons at the old high school pool

My Dad behind the wheel of our green & white Chevy station wagon

My first crush

I am finally at the 'age of remembering'. 

The part of my life where I have more time . . .  than things to fill it.

I've been looking forward to this for years.

Robin

3 done and 6 more to go

 

I finished Block #2 for the Ravens quilt.  I'm not doing the blocks in order.  I'm just doing the ones I feel like doing at the time.  This one looks different with the darker left side of the pumpkin but it all blends in well when the other blocks are around it.  I was thinking about doing purple berries but that will have to wait for another block.  It feels good to have 3 of the blocks done.  I might be done by Christmas (wrong holiday!).  

I've got to get busy and decorate for Halloween or the night will have come and gone.  I have a few fall decorations out but I need to get serious.

My husband (the garden gnome) picked all his pumpkins last night for the grandkids to come and claim.  They are all close to the same size this year instead of giants or tiny ones.  Seven of them have been spoken for already.

 One of my previous quilt  tops got some piano key side borders recently.  It measured 60" X 90" and I wanted it wider so I added 12 1/2"  X 1 1/2" strips.  It looks like it got spilled into the living room.  I'm just going to tie it for a picnic or camp quilt.  Someone will like it, I'm sure.

I love the slant of the sun in October and I am really enjoying my mornings in the sunshine while I do my applique.  November will come soon enough with it's clouds and cooler temps but for now I'm just soaking it all in.

Robin