Hot Buttered Rum and Stuff

Last weekend, we went to our daughter's for our grandaughter's birthday. We had a great time celebrating her life. I just can't have any more fun than I do when I get to be with this child. The theme was, can you guess?? Minnie Mouse. Mickey and Minnie go everywhere with her.This is the Hot Buttered Rum quilt I made several years ago from a BOM from the then Summerhouse Needleworks quilt store in Oley, Pa. If that sounds familiar, I mentioned that shop in the post about the Oley houses blocks I'm finishing, and Nancy at Bountiful Heirlooms mentioned Hot Buttered Rum on her blog last week.
When I read that on her blog, I wondered if it was the same as mine. It turns out that the blocks she shared are the very same. When I first visited her blog, I felt like we had alot in common. Who knew?? She lives in Utah, and I'm in Fla, and this can be such a small. small world. Meeting people like this and sharing make me glad I've started to blog.

So, Nancy, this one's for you.

Blessings,

Linda

Another Finish

As you can see, even though I've finished quilting the Fall quilt, other critters in the house had a different idea. It seemed this week, everytime I went in there to work on it, I had to shoo these boys. The one in the back refused to move, whined, turned around and faced the other way. They like "their" new blanket. I echo quilted around the leaves, after I stitched the veins in. Then I free motioned twirly lines and leaves all over the border. I used the same King Tut thread I have been using on the back. I really like the way it turned out. As I mentioned in the last post, the large one-color space looked like it was going to be hard to fill, but after I dove in there, it was easy, and enjoyable to do. These gloves are my new favorite tool, as of this week. Prior to today, I've always used and recommended Machingers. Are you familiar with those quilting gloves? Well, since I don't have a quilt shop I can just run to, I went to Joanne's and bought the Fons and Porter gloves. Though they look as though they are going to be heavy, bulky and warm, I've found them to be very comfortable. Also, I think I had better control handling the quilt than with the Machingers. And, I could remove and close the safety pins with them on. A real plus for me.

Give them a try, I think you'll like them.

What have you been doing this week?

Blessings,

Linda

It's Been a Good Week

It's been a busy week in the studio, and this is the fruit of those labors. I finished quilting the body of the Fall quilt, and started on the leaves. I like the way the variegated thread shows up on them. Enough to be playful, but not too much, I think. I plan to echo around the leaves. Not sure how to fill the large area in between the sets of leaves. I think the blank area seems even more daunting since it's all one light color. The emptiness seems more vast to me! I see I posted the same pic 2x, sorry about that!

The other day I posted poor Marianne with Casey sitting on her.
This is what she's looking like when she's not being used as a sit-upon. Of all the things I do, I still love stitching by hand more than anything. I savor working on her.

Remember the fabrics I showed you for the twirly skirt? Well, here it is all done. It's reversible. I tried to show you the other side, but I can't add another photo to this post. Is there a way around that, do you know? Anyway, our GD's 2nd birthday is tomorrow, and she's head over heels for Minnie, hence this fabric. These make up in about an hour. Really easy.
The white fabric is white on white daisies. The trim is red with small white polka dots. I think she'll look really cute in it. Especially wearing the Minnie flip flops we got her last month!

I'm knitting the cuff on the gray socks, only a couple rows to go and they will be done!! So, yesterday a friend asked me to go the yarn shop, I accepted and this is the damage I did. I love, love these colors. Don't you? I think they'll make yummy socks.

If I don't get back to you over the weekend, have a fun and safe one. I look forward to hearing from you.

Blessings,

Linda

Is That Any Way To Treat Marianne?

I mean seriously, Casey. What did she ever do to you? He loves to sit on the arm of our couch, under the light, where it's warm, since it's so freezing in Florida! Can you say spoiled?

Guess I left her a little too close to his resty spot.
The little sir does have claws. Thank goodness he didn't use them!
Just had to share this.
Hope you all are feeling blessed today,
Linda

I'd Love Your Opinion

Good Morning.

I've been a very busy girl. It's time to get this party started. The quilting party I've said I'd have.

Yesterday, I crawled around on the floor basting this one. I made it from a kit I bought at the quilt show about 8 years ago. I love Fall colors. It went together easily, the leaves are hand appliqued.

This is the pattern, and the thread I started quilting it with. I say started, because after a short line of stitching, it had to come out, too light. I don't like the thread to be obvious, unless I'm making a design statement with it.

So, I switched to this one.

What do you think of how this is looking? I have been planning to cross hatch the center, but not sure if I'm going to like a line going the other diagonal or not. Guess I'll have to do it though. I often choose King Tut variegated threads because they change color every inch, so there isn't a long line of one color.

Another opinion I'd love hear is .... How should I quilt the border? I will be doing it in a light thread. Pretty sure I'm going to stitch in some veins on the leaves.

And here is the beginning of Marianne Wenn. I've never used waste knots before, that's the messy thingy on the top. My right thumb hurts after a while, so I can't stitch as long as I'd like. Yeah for ice and arnica.

What are you all up to? And remember, I'm waiting to hear your thoughts?

Blessings,

Linda

Marianne Wenn Sampler

For anyone who's interested in stitching, I've ordered the Marianne Wenn sampler from Needleprint. ( I can't seem to share the link ) It's an antique reproduction, which I've loved since childhood.

This morning, I was thinking of when I first encountered samplers. I was in elementary school, and the history lesson spoke of how young girls made samplers. I was hooked, and asked mom to get me one as soon as I got in the door that day She did her best to get me a pattern, not so readily available those days, and I still have the little piece safely tucked away. If I could get to it, I'd share it here.

So, I can blame this current purchase on Terri of Chocolate for Breakfast, Stitching for Lunch. She shared the sampler, the link is on her blog, and I must, must stitch it.

I guess I'm busted since I said I wasn't going to buy anything new. My justification :) is that I can't work on my sewing machine in front of the TV, in the family room, spending time with the hubby. The aforementioned sampler is for just such a time as that!!

How was that?

Pretty good??

I knew you'd sympathize!!

So, tell me, were you as disappointed in the super bowl commercials as I was?

Blessings,

Linda

Satisfied Saturday

How has your week been? So many are having bad weather, I hope this hasn't got you down. You'd hate it if I told you it's been warmer this week than I like for this time of year, wouldn't you? I thought so, sorry!! Remember me next September, I'll be screaming about the heat, and you'll be getting beautiful Fall weather!!

I hemmed a pair of pants this week? So, what's the big deal about that? Well......I've had the pants sitting in the sewing room for 4 years now. They've looked at me everyday. Sometimes from the floor, where the cats thought I'd provided a comfy bed. There was even some chocolate on them from a snack foray, no doubt. They're done now, fit me and everything!!

This block to the left is from a, oh, probably 10+ year old block of the month which I purchased from a quilt shop in Oley, Pa. I think it was called Summerhouse Needleworks. It was designed by a gal there, Nan, and the collection was called Oley Houses. Each one depicts a local building. Loving applique and history, I had to have it.

It feels good to get these things done.

This week I shared with the hubby how frustrated I was feeling. He suggested I get some of my tops quilted. I don't know if this has caused said frustration, but it probably would in him!! So, I'll be getting to that as soon as I get the twirly skirt made for the wee one.

Today, hoping to be inspired, I went to the local quilt store. I've always hated this place, but since she's now the only game in town, I thought I'd try again. If you ever think I'm going there, STOP me. Nuff said.

I'm actually jonesin' to start an antique sampler, think I'll dream about that instead.

Blessings,

Linda