Love Entwined.......The Approaching Train!

It is interesting to watch as we (me included) jump on the train whenever something new hits the quilt blogs.  I saw a BOM being offered for free on a blog (Esther Aliu explains her project here) and it looked interesting, so I read the instructions on the blog, and requested approval to join the yahoo group where the monthly instructions would be issued.
  

While waiting for approval to be part of the group, I kept hearing more and more about it on the internet, from lots of different sources.  When I was finally accepted as part of the group on Yahoo Groups, I looked at the activity measures that tell how active the group is.  This group had 250 new members that week!  Posts per month went from 169 in May to 1302 so far in June!  And June isn't over yet. There are a lot of people excited about making this quilt! 

What is it, and how did this all start?  Well the quilt is a going to be a replica of a 1790 medallion quilt, shown in a black and white picture in an old book, first published in 1958 in England.  "Patchwork" by Averil Colby has a picture (Plate 104) on Page 91.  Here's a picture from Esther Aliu's blog of the page in the book:

 


Esther Aliu is a textile artist who usually designs her own quilts, but is taking on the project of reproducing this vintage quilt.  She says on her blog:

Would you like to make this quilt?  I have created Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet to be released as a free 18 month historic BOM.  Everyone is welcome to make it, including groups.  The pattern will be available for free (limited to the block each month) download via the Esther Aliu Yahoo BOM Group only, after launching.  Membership is, and always will be, free.  Why not join us today?

Why am I making it?  Well, I love old quilts, I am starting the Jubliee Year of my marriage, a medallion quilt is on my bucket-list, the quilt name is enchanting - Love Entwined, "Free" always has me at hello, I love to start new projects,.........how can I saw no?  I am jumping on board!

Are you ready for an adventure?

I have a copy of Averil Colby's book Patchwork available to give to someone who is making the quilt.  Please reply to this post and tell me if you are making it, and if so, what colors you are planning for your version of Love Entwined.  I will draw a name from the replies to this post, and will mail out the book after the July 4th holiday.   I will keep the reply opportunities open through June 30th.  

Esther Aliu has a Wednesday link up on her blog called WOW, (Work-in-progress On Wednesdays) and I am linking today.  Link to Love Entwined

Here's my work in progress - the little flag quilt is almost finished.  It measures 13 x 16 right now, before the binding is added.

What adventures are your embarking on today?

I Can See the Finish Line on A Fun Project!

Last night I finished the final border of the little repro quilt that I started posting about (here).  Next I will sew the top and bottom border to the quilt, and layer it.  I've sure had fun with this one.  

There will be white flannel as the batting, and muslin for the backing.  I am still looking in my stash for one of the four binding fabrics that was used on the original doll quilt.  It is interesting with the various binding colors.  I will probably quilt it on the diagonal, what do you think?

Here's the original quilt, and I can't tell how it is quilted.

It's Monday, so I'm showing the two quilts on my design wall, and looking at Judy Liquidara's blog to see what everyone else is working on:  Patchwork Times Blog

Since it's nearing the 4th of July here in the United States, the second quilt is a little patriotic doll quilt.  I plan to sash it with white, and add a red border around the outside.  The flags are made with old checks and stripes from my mother's stash - 3 pieces per flag, and they will be 2 in. by 3 in. when sewn into the sashing.  

50 Years of Marriage! WOW!! And I Love Him So Much!!!

We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, June 15th.  I am so much more in love with him now than I was back then.  It is Amazing!  God is so good to us!

Thought you'd like to see us as newlyweds, and of course, we still look the same now (LOL)  We feel the same love anyway, and that's what counts.

June 15, 1963:

The little repro of the vintage doll quilt I've been working on is almost finished.  I have the two side borders sewn on, and the top border pinned on the design wall, and am working on the hst's for the bottom border.  Here are pictures:

The bottom border in process:

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner with close friends Saturday night, and we will have another one in Michigan later this summer, with our children and grandchildren.  

It's Monday, and I'm going over to look at Judy L.'s Patchwork Time's blog to see what everyone else is working on.  (Here)   I've also joined Bloglovin' and if you are using it, see the sidebar of this blog if you want to add me.  I am trying to keep up with lists and links and other net tricks, and hopefully I'm learning.  I'm having fun anyway, and that's the main thing, right?  Have a good week fellow quilters!

Repro of Doll Quilt Is Progressing Along

I have the center of the doll quilt finished, and I changed from the original a little bit, by adding another spot of red in the upper left area.  I love the red in the quilt, and decided to add a little more.

Here's a photo of the original doll quilt on top, and my repro underneath it:

Now I'm working on the small hst's that form the outer border.  I'm on the home stretch!  It has been so much fun.  What are you working on today?

As usual, I'm hooking up with Patchwork Times (here) for Design Wall Mondays to show others what I'm doing, and I'm going there next to see what everyone else is working on.

All is Well With My Soul

We are in Michigan for a brief time, and are spending two restful days at the cabin.  While traveling, I like to embroider or knit.  This trip, I am working on redwork squares.  I finished a dog square, and added a dog tag with our beloved Sally's name.

Next, I started working on two barred owls.  They are almost finished, and I will have to prep something else to embroider on the trip back home.

Here is a picture of my squares so far.  Please excuse the wrinkles, but I haven't pressed them yet.  

While in the cabin, I played around last night using some red fabrics, making some small flags.

They are 2.5 x 3.5 in their unfinished state.  The reds are from a bag of scraps that were in my Mom's stash, and are probably from the 60s or 70s.  I hope you are having some fun in your sewing room this week.  I am looking forward to being back in Virginia next week to work on my project of reproducing an old doll quilt 

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