Pura Vida!

Last night one of our smoke/CO detectors went off.  The one right outside the master bedroom, of course.  Out of the blue it decided to go off!  Of course, first we checked the whole house for a fire. We are dog sitting my son's two large dogs that are deathly afraid of storms. Well, I found something that scared them even worse.  Max decided he wanted to be Lassie and felt he had to bark and run to the door, like we needed to be rescued.  We have high ceilings so we had to haul in the large step ladder to be able to reach the detector.  Looking back, we must have looked quite hilarious in our pj's with two large shaking dogs cuddled on the sofa and schnauzer that was in rescue mode.  So it took a while to get things back to normal and everyone in bed.  This morning we went out and bought new batteries for all the detectors and my husband replaced the wacky detector. Hopefully that won't happen again in my life time.  What a way to end the week especially after I had some really relaxing sewing sessions this week.  First, I finished my SVBQ  applique block.

Then, I turned to Baltimore Garden.  It is  such a large quilt and I am getting so close to finishing, that I have decided it will take priority the next several weeks. Before we moved I had started a wee bit of the border. I had decided to do perpendicular double lines every inch as a background to the swags.  When I pulled it out of the moving box and laid it out I just wasn't pleased. I wanted something that was a little denser to match the half inch grid I used as background quilting on the blocks.  So I decided to try 45 degree straight lines one half inch apart! Yes, much better!

 I am so thankful for all the encouraging advice the gals over at Slow Stitching Sundays gave me.   I was reminded that I should concentrate on my joy of stitching and not measure the progress.  To find a few moments each day to enjoy the stitching.  They of course are so right, those ten minutes here or there really add up and I found myself sneaking over to the frame every chance I got. Before you know it I got one border quilted.  Thanks to all of you that took the time to comment and help me get back that joy!  I watched a pbs show this week on Costa Rica.

Pura vida” is commonly heard in Costa Rica—it means “pure life” and is often used as a greeting in lieu of “hello” and “goodbye”
Costa Rica is known as the happiest country in the world. They spend a great deal of the show explaining the expression used above. It's all about taking time for one self and others and enjoying the simple goodness the earth provides.

I think they may have something there. I know without my quilting time, I tend to get wound up. So Pura vida fellow slow stitchers!  Thanks for taking the time to remind me it's ok to take some time for me and what ever  brings me joy! 

Slow Stitching Sunday!

Well, this week I started quilting the final block of Simple but Not!  There is still probably a week of stitching to be done. It's a bit sad to think in a week, I won't be able to have my morning coffee and then come over and sit and stitch on this quilt.  I love quilting in the early morning!  But, I shouldn't get too upset, I have plenty of projects that need my attention.  But, by this point, I have become very comfortable with this quilt and it has become like  a friend.  This week Kathy has asked that we include a picture of our hand as we quilt.

They are after all, the most important tool we have when it comes to hand quilting.  As I have gotten older I realize we need to appreciate what they can do and make sure we don't over do.  So link up today and honor your hands and take a break and visit all those that link up to see all the wonderful stitched projects.

Happy Birthday Liana!

One of my favorite things, of course is my sister, Liana! We are only 1.5 years apart in age, so we were always together during our childhood.  I could go on and on  about our childhood adventures, but I will sum it up with she was my best  bud and confident.  Anyway, she is celebrating the big 6 0 this year and in her honor I made this quilt.

                                              Happy Birthday Liana!

We both love gardening, so this pattern was chosen for that reason.  It reminds me of walking on stepping stones and enjoying the wonderful colors that are in the garden.

Hand quilting

 Why do we slow stitch, when there is so much technology out there today to help us get things done quickly? Kathy's Slow Stitching Sunday post this morning points out that slowing down and enjoying a day of rest and putting in a few stitches is good for us.  I think those that slow stitch,  slow stitch for this very reason. They understand the benefits and because they enjoy those benefits so much,   many indulge in it daily.

I wasn't going to post today, as I have probably bored all of blog land with pictures of this project.  But, I wanted to add that by simply taking fabric, a needle and  thread we can create beauty. It allows us to express ourselves, share with others in time of need and create something that we can snuggle under and that holds so many memories. Somehow, those memories come thru, just look at any antique quilt, it won't be long till you start wondering who made the quilt and why.

Bloggers Quilt Festival

Amy's Creative Side is once again holding Bloggers Quilt Festival!  What a great idea to allow bloggers to link their quilt to an appropriate category and share their efforts with others in the quilt world.
 I have decided to link Amish Ice Cream Social to the hand quilting category. This quilt started as an effort to tame the scrap box. When it comes to quilting, I love anything that involves hand work, so my scrappy stars are appliqued onto the solid background, which allows for a lot of space for hand quilting. The quilt measures 74 inches x 74 inches.
So if your in need of some inspiration, you might want to stop over at the Bloggers Quilt Festival and see what others are doing.

 

 

 

 

Amish Ice Cream Social

  

 

I know it has been a few weeks since I have posted any updates, but I had some technical difficulties. A laptop with a dead video card is pretty useless. 

I have been busy stitching and came up for a name for my Scrappy String Star quilt. Thanks to those that posted your ideas, they really helped, her new name is Amish Ice Cream Social.

  

 

I am happy to say that I have made some great progress. All of the stitching in the ditch on the nine stars is completed and I have started stitching the motif and crosshatching on the border. Today, I will continue to stitch and take a few breaks to see what others are slow stitching on Kathy's blog,

Slow stitching but making progress

I am still stitching away on my peony quilt. I am currently working on block 14.  I have nine of the twelve alternate blocks finished, they have taken the longest since I am doing the double feathered wreaths on them.  The stitching gets a bit easier when the center gets done and you get to work around the outside.  Of course, I will need to go back to add the background stitching, but I feel I am making good progress. I am linking to Kathy's Quilts blog so if you are wanting to see what some others are doing follow the link.

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.

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.

One hour of Simply Needle and Thread

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I bought this little quilt top at a local flea market. I’ve decided to hand quilt it with a little inspiration from Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville. She is featuring Simply Needle and Thread and challenging her self to spend an hour a day do some hand work. That shouldn’t be too hard since most of what I do is hand work. So I am challenging myself to get this little quilt finished , it will be a great warm up before I start quilting my peony/carolina lily quilt this fall.

Sunflowers

I started this wall hanging about ten years ago.  Lynette Jensen of Thimbleberries is the designer.  It is always such a great feeling to finally finish something.

In my sewing room

I am so excited that I accomplished my goal of finishing another twenty klosjes while on a road trip last week.  I actually almost have a second set of twenty more done, so that means I am nearing the sixty mark.
Once I reach 100 klosjes big decisions will need to be made on the background fabrics.  All of the klojes are in shades of pink, and I am leaning to using browns for the background.

As for this week, I hope to finish hand quilting a wall hanging that I machine appliqued close to a decade ago.  The pattern is from a Lynette Jensen of Thimbleberries. I love sunflowers and I was very happy with how it turned out. It is great  that my hand quilting abilities have finally caught up so now I can finish this project.