Sunday, October 12, 2014

A little of this and a little of that!

Today, I will be joining Kathy and the other bloggers that will link up and share their slow stitching projects.  I got a good  start on my last block for Baltimore Garden last week.   A few more leaves to applique  then I will get to some of those softly curved stems.  I love putting in those applique stitches each one getting me closer to finishing this block.  I am getting a bit excited about starting the borders.  I have never done a swag border and I just love doing something new and different.



It is good to get back into the old routine after being out of town!  But,  it was fun to get away for a few days.  My husband is such a sweetheart and one day he suggested we find a quilt shop so that I could do a little shopping.  I discovered the Rabbit's Lair in Rogers, Arkansas.  It is located in a part of town that has been refurbished but still has that old time charm.  They had large cabinets on each wall with drawers pulled out filled with fat quarters.  So I just couldn't resist getting a few!



A few weeks ago I won some beautiful squares of fabrics from Kathy over at Inspired by Antique Quilts. The deal was to make two mini's and share one with a  friend.   I hope to spend a little time today finishing up the hand quilting on these.   One of these will go on my mini wall and one will go to my friend Rita.  We both chose this green border so the two little quilts are identical.  I had a lot of fun making both of them! Hope you can find some time today to reflect on your week and enjoy some slow stitches!

34 comments:

  1. isn't the Rabbits Lair a cute shop - I love it and try to stop a couple times a year when I visit my mom - most of the time I pass on it though as the temptation to spend is too great! Did you go to the art museum while you there also in neighboring Bentonville?

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    1. Yes it is, my husband had to finally come in and drag me out! LOL No we didn't head to Bentonville. Such a beautiful part of the state. We laughed we went out for pizza one night about two miles from our cabin and I check the milage on the screen on my prius and on the way back all downhill after the parking lot, we averaged 99.9 miles to the gallon! Too funny!

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  2. How fun that you won! Enjoy your slow stitching ; )

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    1. Thanks Carla! I really have the bug to get his final block done now! Hopefully it will happen later this week.

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  3. Have fun working on the swag border when you get there. Very nice little minis. What a great idea to have a give away that also becomes a give away.

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    1. I am looking forward to the double swag. I will be like the icing on the cake. I love the idea of my friend having a identical twin of my little mini!

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  4. I was going to ask how you know placement of your applique parts but I see a block diagram below your fabric. What method do you use if you were to have applique parts but the pattern does not have a layout?

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    1. I did a wall hanging once that just had the photo and it was fun to just eyeball the placement. Although their were less pieces and they were larger. I kind of love that freedom. But with these blocks you could really get out of whack and lose the design if you get too far off with your placement. I don't fret about perfection with the placement as a guide, close is good enough!

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  5. I love your little quilt and the choice of the border is perfect.

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    1. Thanks I was choosing between a navy blue print and the green, somehow green always wins out when I pick!

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  6. I can solve so many issues when hand quilting something I enjoy :) Like my current block is just inspirational.. I have been enjoying some music too! Love all the new fabrics you got and the projects you have for today are stupendously fun looking... ready to be a fly on the wall to learn your applique stitch technique too! lol Will be practicing on this quilt when it is binding time. Happy stitches! Kathi

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    1. A very good place to practice. Try watching Becky Goldsmith videos on needleturn applique while you are binding. She is with Piece o cake Designs. They are on their website and she is so detailed with her teaching. She points out little tips that really made a big difference in my applique!

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  7. oh I love those colors that you picked at the shop ! Cute little mini, too.

    My mind is not on stitching just yet..with a cold morning here ( 38 degrees ) I got in the mood to bake and my mind is on those apple pies in my oven and how soon can I have a piece, ha ha...:)

    Enjoy your stitching today ...I will later, fortified by pie : )

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    1. Hmmmmm! Warm apple pie! I can almost smell it! I just picked things that my eye caught and limited my self to ten. I am thinking a hand piecing project would really let me enjoy each of these fabrics to their fullest potential!

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  8. I love the fabrics you picked They go together really well and have a lovely autumnal feel - so appropriate right now. I also like your mini quilt; green would be my choice for the borders as well.

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    1. Thanks, It was fun choosing, although I would have rather come home with twenty instead of ten, but I think they are a great start for hand piecing project. I need to finish up a few more projects and collect a few more neutrals before I can get started!

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  9. Your mini quilt is so sweet and you chose great fabrics on your stop at the quilt shop!

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    1. Thanks, are they just luscious! I need to collect some neutrals and few more prints before I can start the project I intend to use them in, but I find collecting and choosing the fabric just as fun as starting a new project.

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  10. Just loving your little quilt colors--I need to work on my color choosing --I want to make a postage stamp (small) quilt for Christmas...hugs, Julierose

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    1. Have you seen Kathy's Postage Stamp Quilt at Inspired by Antique Quilts! It is yummy!

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  11. Such a cute little quilt! Enjoy that appliqué.... I need to get back to that for my final Century Quilt Block one of these days.

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    1. I love doing mini's! I get bored with piecing large quilts so minis are great for a quick project. I use them as table toppers and on my mini wall to decorate my sewing room. I am excited as I finished the stems and leaves today so now on to adding some color. A little extra excited as this is block twenty five! Yippee!

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  12. My husband is an enabler too...he looks up quilt stores online if we have a trip planned so I can do a little shopping. Love your fq's and your mini in progress

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    1. Thanks! Isn't it wonderful to have husbands who understand and encourage us!

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  13. Swag borders are fun to do! Glad you got to have a little fun in a quilt store too. That's always a boost to the day.:) Your mini is wonderful. I always envy the people who have them!

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    1. It is going to be such change of pace to get to the borders and work on the swags! It's always exciting to tackle something that is new to me!

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  14. Carla, your applique work looks beautiful -- I can't wait to see how it progresses! That's a nice *quilty* hubbie you have!! Enjoy your handwork today! :)

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    1. Thanks Denise! I agree my hubby is a keeper! Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. cute little quilt! nice fabrics from Kathie.
    Have fun doing the swags, they go fast

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    1. Glad to hear the swags go fast. I am going to use machine backbasting technique that should speed things up also.

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  16. great fabric choices! enjoy seeing pictures of your blocks in progress.
    glad you were able to whip up the little quilt for you and your friend to enjoy.
    Kathie

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  17. Adorable mini quilt! Wonderful additions to the stash!

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    1. Thanks Kathy, I haven't made any purchases in ages! Need to collect a few more for a hand pieced projects I hope to start next year!

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