Combining two of my favorite things African violets and Quilting

One of my favorite things to do is follow blogs about quilting.  Last week someone (sorry I can’t remember which blog) posted a picture of their african violet on top of a quilt.  That got me thinking about the window in my bathroom that has the perfect lighting for my african violets.


So I decided to use the color of the african violets to make a window sill runner to go under the pots and brighten the ledge a bit.  I decided to make easy little nine patches, and I always love blocks turned on point so why not.  Well it ended up taking quite a bit of time to draft it all and get it put together, but I really think the extra time was worth it!

A star is born!

 
Being the frugal quilter that I am, I had to decide what to do with a box of scraps.  The strips were all under two inches wide, but it seemed wasteful just to pitch them.  I decided to turn them into beautiful stars.  I used Bonnie Hunter's website for inspiration!  She does so many wonderful  things and offers so much support and ideas for quilters.  I used old telephone book pages as my foundation.  I also used Bonnie’s leader and ender method to work on these all summer long.  Once I get all the stars assembled, it will be time to applique them to the background fabric.   I love the way my first star turned out, all the scraps of fabric really make it sparkle.

Peony Quilt

I started quilting this quilt last week. I wasn’t able to stitch every night, the beginning of the week was a bit warm, too warm to be under a wool quilt.  However, the weather did change drastically and now I am thankful to be covered by it in the evening while I work on it.  I have eight blocks finished. There are 32 full size blocks, 14 setting triangles, and four corners that all need quilting. I really enjoy stitching everyday, and if you want to see what some others are doing you can visit Kathy's Quilts.

Slow Stitching Sunday

I love the fall of the year, the weather cools down, and it is comfortable again to get under a quilt.  I pieced this quilt last year, and it is next in line to get quilted.  The block is called peony or carolina lily and I have always loved this pattern. It has alternate blocks that are solid background which leaves a lot of room for quilting. I have chosen a feathered wreath to go into the alternate blocks.  The other pieced blocks will be outlined quilted and then I will add a background that will be used on all of the  blocks.  I am not sure how long this one will take, since there is no deadline but it will definitely done by spring. If you want to see what others are stitching I am linking to Kathys Quilts.

Can’t wait to start

I won this book, recently from Lucy's Quilting with the Past blog. I love using blogs for inspiration and Lucy’s is one of my favorite blogs.  I had this book on my wish list at Amazon, and was so surprised to have won it.  I have a box of scrappy strips that I have been collecting.  The pumpkin seed quilt on the front cover is spectacular.  I love the scrappy quilts and I also love quilts that have a lot of space to hand quilt.  So, this quilt will be on my to do list in 2013!  Thank you Lucy for the give away and picking me as the winner. 

Flea Market Bow Tie

I have completed my four dollar flea market find.  It has wool batting so it will be a nice cozy little lap quilt.  I really love it’s scrappy look, and has taught me anything goes when making a scappy quilt.  The blue background seems to pull everything together and makes it work.  There is even a christmas print in it.  I have learned over the years that the thing I like about antique quilts is often times they don’t have a border.  With fall on it’s way, I am sure this little quilt will come in handy.

Rainy Days and Sundays make me smile!

Remember that song from the good old days, by the Carpenter’s, Rainy Days and Mondays.  Well it’s Sunday and it’s raining but I have a big smile on my face.  I am slow stitching down the binding on my flea market lap size quilt that I just finished hand quilting.  It has fabrics from the eighties in it.  The fabrics include some plaids with metallic threads, good old gingham, a bit of plaid flannel, and some small floral prints.  I replaced a couple of blocks that were made out of that red velvet fabric little girls Christmas dresses used to be made out of in the eighties.  I knew I would be washing this , and the thought of washing that red polyester velvet was a bit scary.   When I discovered this little hand pieced top at the flea market it called out to me.  The fabrics were like old friends that I hadn’t seen in a while.  So what’s better than spending time with some old friends doing what you love to do.  Stitching down the binding on a quilt is one of my favorite parts of assembling a quilt.  It is like the home stretch of a race, and I have a feeling this one is going to be a winner.