Design Wall Monday - October 11, 2021

 Good Morning Quilters!  And Happy Thanksgiving Day to those of you in Canada!  I am celebrating with you today because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and why not celebrate it twice.  I have much to be thankful for.  My cold is almost gone, and I did get tested for Covid, and the test came back negative.  I didn’t think it was Covid, but I wanted to be sure.  And was so thankful that it was just a cold, and I am feeling better every day.

My May Day Baskets quilt blocks are almost finished.  Here is #28 of the 30 blocks.  I have only 2 more to embroider.  Yeah!!  When the last 2 are completed, I will have to decide how to sash them, or if I want to add a plain alternate block.  

I drew a name out of the hat for the free "Pinwheel Garden" pattern for the little 11" by 13" quilt.  And the winner is:  Bonnie, from the In Stitches with Bonnie blog.  Congratulations Bonnie!  Please email me with your address, and I will put the cute little pattern in my mailbox on its way to you.

There were a few questions about the Dalia quilt that was on my friend's guest bed while I was traveling last week.  To refresh your memory, it was this:

The embroidery is done by machine, and I did find a label which told me it was mass produced from.....Japan....or China?  I don't know, but it was beautiful and it looked great in her guest room.  

Also in her guestroom, was this charming little poem, framed on the wall:

Welcome Guest!

Hello, Guest, and howdeedo!

This small room belongs to you,

And our house and all that's in it----

Make yourself at home each minute.

If the temperature displeases

Take a couple of our breezes;

And if that should chill you later----

Sit upon our radiator.

If a hungry pang is twitchin'

Make a raid upon our kitchen----

Help yourself to book or blotter,

Easy chair or teeter-totter;

All is yours that you like best,

You're at home, now!

Welcome, Guest!

I looked up the author when I got home, and it was written by J.P.McEvoy in 1918.  I shall have to make a framed copy for my guests to read in our guest room.

I am hoping to have another May Day Basket block finished next week to show you.  What are you working on this week?  Please join the linky party below and show us your Design Wall Monday treats.  Thanks for linking back to this blog post, and also mentioning Design Wall Mondays somewhere within your post.  You are my kind of people!

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Design Wall Monday, May 31, 2021

Memorial Day in America is a day to honor those who have fought and died for our country.  When I was a child, it was called "Decoration Day" and we decorated the graves of soldier in the cemetery.  When I was 28 years old, it was changed to "Memorial Day" and was made a holiday on the last Monday of May each year.  One of my favorite Memorial Day pictures, which I've posted here before, is of a little girl helping her mother decorate soldier's graves:

This week has been a sad one for us as we had to put Mojo down.  Mojo, the rescue dog was only with us for five months, and we knew when we adopted him that he was an old dog.  This last week  was his final week (tumors of cancer).  While hubby was on his golfing trip, I spent most of my time with him, letting him sleep with me, and lay beside me wherever I was.  Last Wednesday, he was not able to walk and hadn't eaten anything for days, so it was time.    It is amazing how much we loved Mojo after only knowing him for five months.  He was a very wise old soul and we miss him a lot.  Penny Lane doesn't quite understand where "her" dog went.

Here are some pictures of Mojo, with Penny Lane in one of them:

I did finish one more May Day basket block, as May draws to a close.  This one is number 26, with four more to go.  A picture below shows my finished block:

Here is another older version of the same block, that was on my computer, and I don't know the source:

It looks like the older version has blue sashing.  I like them set on point, but I don't have further plans on how to finish this quilt.  It will come to me.  

What are you working on this week?  Please link up with the Design Wall Mondays Linkup Party below, and show us what you are making.  Thanks for participating.

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Design Wall Monday - January 18, 2021

 Good Morning Quilters!  Well, I had 6 units completed last Monday, and said if I increased by 50%, there would be 9 completed by today, and there are now 9.   If I increased production by 50% again, it would mean 9 + 4.5 units.....13.5 completed.  

Not happening, as that would be pushing production too much and this factory (me) has quality control issues if I run it too fast.  Here are the 9 blocks and the piece measures about 35 x35 inches right now. Each unit should be 12.5 x 12.5 inches before sewing them together, so the entire unit would be 36.5 x 36.5 if 1/4 inch seams were constant.  My seam allowances were not all the same sizes when this project was started.  

Also, the May Day Flower Basket blocks continue along.  This block was finished yesterday, just in time to show you the picture this morning.  The French knots are getting so easy for me now, I feel I could do them in my sleep.  

What are you working on?  So many great blog linkups last week - keep it up!  I looked at some each day all week long, to cheer me up.  Please linkup and mention this Design Wall Monday post somewhere within your post.  And also provide a link so quilters can come here to see all the other great blogs.   

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Design Wall Monday - December 14, 2020

 Good Morning Quilters!  This morning Covid 19 vaccines are being distributed all over the United States.  That makes me happy.  Also, it snowed this last weekend, one of those wet snows that makes me want to make a snowman.  I think the east coast is getting snow this week.

I finished another May Day Basket block.  This makes 20 finished and 10 to go.  I am actually enjoying French knots more and more with each block.  It is amazing.  Here is a pic of #20:

My friend Joan and I are working on our Cynthia England kits tonight.  I talked about it last Monday (Here)  Below is my kit as it is right now.  I’ve divided my remaining sections into three groups and I hope to finish it in a few more sessions.

One issue I see is that I have worked on several separate sections by themselves, and now that I will soon join these big sections together......

.....I will have a problem where the edges are not straight.  The mood I am in now is that I will just make it  work.  With all that is going on in our world in 2020, this is  a tiny tiny issue. 

What are you working on this week?  Please link up and show us.  I only ask that you talk about Design Wall Mondays somewhere within your post and that you provide a link back to this particular post.  You are such a mood lifter to us all and we look forward to your weekly post.  Thank you!

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Design Wall Monday - December 7, 2020

This is the first Monday in December.  I admire all of you quilters who have your Christmas decorations up and your gifts made/purchased.  I have just started to think about Christmas, and the only thing I have done is put out Christmas placemats and napkins on our kitchen table.  

But as I said last December.....I try to remember to forgive myself for all the things I wanted to get done and didn't.  The house will get decorated for Christmas a little at a time this year.  

What have I worked on this week?  Well, I continued on the embroidery for the May Day Baskets quilt.  This one is #19 and I have just started #20 of 30.  I would surely like to talk to the designer of these baskets....about his obsession with French knots.  This block not only has flowers with lots of French knots but also the basket itself has French knots.

The other project I've worked on this week is one that I never thought I'd finish, but it appears that I will.  Here's the story:

My good friend Joan Brink comes to my house and works on her quilting projects with me on Monday nights.  A few weeks ago, she brought a UFO to show me that was a kit designed by Cynthia England.  Cynthia developed a technique called "Picture Piecing" which is a method where freezer paper (tiny little pieces) are ironed to the front of the fabric, not to the back.  Joan's project was a cute kitten with a quilt.  As I looked at her pattern, I remembered that long ago I bought a similar project that had so many tiny pieces in the design, that I folded the pattern back up and never started it.  Joan said - "I bet it's a Cynthia England design." 

After she left, I searched through my "highly organized and efficient filing system," i.e. the black hole, and found my pattern.  It was indeed a Cynthia England pattern. 

Joan is working on finishing her project.......so I said "If Joan can do it, I can do it!"  I've started on mine.  

Here are the pictures of our two projects:

Joan's:

Mine:

And here is a picture taken of what the freezer paper pattern looks like:

Are we nuts?  Well yes we are, and we both like a challenge, and Joan took a class from her!  It isn't hard - just small pieces....and you know I like small! There are videos (and simple patterns to learn her technique) at her website to explain her method. (Go here to see)  Think of it as putting together a 1000 piece puzzle.

The pattern is divided into sections which are sewn separately and then the sections are sewn together.  I am about halfway through.  I am keeping the freezer paper on the top of the sections as I go, and am going to have a "big reveal" night when I have all the sections sewn together, and take off all the freezer paper pieces.

What are you working on?  Please link up to Design Wall Mondays and show us!

 

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Design Wall Monday - September 7, 2020

Good Morning Quilters!  September is starting to feel like fall in Michigan.  Last week I bought a white pumpkin and a mum to cheer up the front porch.  I found out the white pumpkin I bought (called “lumina”) is orange inside and can be cooked and eaten just like a regular orange pumpkin.  I am bringing it inside every night to protect it from the raccoons and other night critters around here.

My quilt of May Baskets is moving along.  I finished the last square I showed you, and also this last week finished another one, making 18 blocks embroidered.  This basket has daisies and also little flowers that are made of all French knots.  

The little round French knot flowers remind me of the ornamental chives in my yard:   

What are you working on this week?  I am looking forward to seeing all the pictures.  Today is laundry day, and it makes the task easier when I can take a break from laundry to spend time with your projects. Thank you!  Please provide a link back to this post and mention Design Wall Mondays in your post.

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Design Wall Monday - July 27, 2020

Good Morning Quilters!  There has been lots of family visiting this week, and not much quilting going on.  Here is the only picture I can share:

I only have a little bit to do to finish it up, but it isn’t quite done yet.  Hopefully, you will have more to share with us than I do.  

We are having lots of fun, enjoying the lake, and spending time in the sun.  Here is a picture of us while we were in Ludington one night.  This is why I haven’t been sewing:

Thanks so much for participating in Design Wall Mondays.  It is a treat to see and read about what you are doing.  Always, please provide a link back to this particular blog post from your blog post.  

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Design Wall Monday - June 29, 2020

Hello quilters!  Happy 4th of the July this week.  I love flag quilts and have many.  Here’s a link to how I made a replica of an 1862 crib flag quilt.  (Here).  It is in the room with me right now, ready for the holiday weekend coming up:

The zigzag blue plaid quilt is back in Grand Rapids on the design wall.  I put it there and put up more potential columns of dark/light plaids.  I like more contrast as the last light column has, so I may take the first light column apart and add more lights.  I may leave the part I have together as is, but haven’t decided yet, so it’s in timeout on the design wall.  Thanks for all your comments on it.  I love it, but not love-love-love it yet.

The checked small quilt has been all fixed:  I cut it smaller, and after recutting the larger plaid-paying more attention to how the larger plaid runs, viola!  It’s now two doll quilts.  And I like them both!  The larger one is 24” by 27”, with squares that finish at three inches.

The little one is 12.5” by 17.5”, with squares that finish at two and a half inches.    It is a little sister of the larger one behind it:

I still have some scraps left to make another doll quilt with the larger plaid alternating with a white square.   There was more fabric than I thought.

The embroidery is continuing - this week’s basket has one big flower in the middle that is entirely French knots.   I would like to talk to the artist who designed these baskets, as I’ve never seen a flower like this one.  I am thinking of an exotic looking flower such as the passion flower for my inspiration for coloring.  

What are you working on this week?  There were some fabulous pictures last week - thank you all for joining in and linking up.  Can’t wait to see what is happening this week.  I haven’t done anything to change to the newer blogger update, so I will see what happens “in late June”.  I welcome any advice you have.  

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Design Wall Monday - June 15, 2020

June 15, 1963.....57 years ago today.....my wedding day.  Such wonderful memories, and such fun to still be in love with my dear hubby.  God is good.

I finished the embroidered square I was working on, and started another.  This is the completed one:

It amazes me that the same patterns are published over and over with different names as artist.  For instance, I just saw on the internet that Darlene Zimmerman had 2 panels called Laisy Daisy Baskets....with 8 baskets on each panel.  They all are simple versions of these baskets patterns from an earlier time.  Here is the panel with the above basket on it:

 It is not a clear picture, but the basket “by Darlene Zimmerman” similar to the one I just finished is in the top row, third basket.  The other panel has a simplified version of the lilacs basket on it, also top row, third from left:

The week has been busy, and I’m still playing in the box of plaids.  I put together these little precut squares of brown checks, and another larger plaid.  Which version do you like better - the larger plaid set on the diagonal?

Or straight?

Or do you have any other thoughts on a two fabric quilt from these two?  I don’t remember cutting the little squares in the past, or maybe they were given to me.  Now it’s time they became a quilt.

Please link up and show us what you are working on.  Give me some lovely pictures to look at on my anniversary!  All that is required is that you link back to this particular blog post, and mention “Design Wall Monday” in your post. Thanks!

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Design Wall Monday - June 8, 2020

Good Morning Quilters!  It is going to be a beautiful month - I can feel it.  The Broken Herringbone quilt is coming along slowly, but I’m in no hurry.  Here is the progress:  Four columns sewn together, and another two columns laying out (sewed to each other) and ready to attach to the four previous ones.  This method with partial seams has me watching the video again every time I return to work on it.  Video is Here

Embroidery on basket #15 is inching along also.  This basket is easier than the lilacs, and will be finished this week.

What is on your design wall?  Please post a picture so we can see and can go to your blog to read about it.  Thanks to all who link up.  I appreciate you.  Please link back to this post from somewhere within your post.

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Design Wall Monday - June 1, 2020

Two projects are on my “design wall” this week.  I continue to make embroidered baskets, and the lilac one is finished.  There were a lot of lilac petals.  After I picked a bouquet of lilacs this week, I noticed that each little bloom has four petals.  In the embroidery I just finished, each little flower has 6 or more petals.  If I ever embroider another basket of lilacs, I will change the petals to four on each.  (My tiny detail trivia for the day). I doubt I will ever make another one.

Here is a picture of all the blocks so far on the kitchen floor (design wall):

Someone asked me how many blocks I am making, and I don’t know for sure.  I have made 14, and have patterns for 32.  I am continuing as it is a peaceful project.

The other project is one using up my plaid stash.  I saw a youtube video on a quilting technique that I have wanted to try:  A broken herringbone design.  The How To video from the Crafts Channel is  (Here).  I have started a blue plaid herringbone design, using pieces that will finish 2 X 6 inches. ).  The method is simple, but involves partial seams.  I don’t have a pattern, but just started making “bricks” 2.5 in. by 6.5 in.  I have enough bricks for 16 columns, and picture shows 4 of them.  I divided all the bricks into dark ones vs lighter ones, and plan on two dark columns-two light columns across the quilt.  I should be able to see the pattern better next week.  Have you ever made a broken herringbone quilt?   Here is a picture of the first four columns laid out on the bed:

What are you working on this week?  It is so disturbing to watch the chaos and looting in America’s major cities right now.  Please pray with me that peace will come soon.  I hope we can continue to quilt and share our design walls with each other in the midst of all of this unrest. 

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Design Wall Monday - May 25, 2020

Decoration Day, now called

Memorial Day

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae

Remembering all those who fought for our freedom, and thankful for their sacrifice.  I have good memories of services at our town cemetery with the 21 gun salute at noon, very impressive to me as a young girl.  My father wore his WWII uniform, and my brother and I decorated our bicycles with crepe paper in the spokes.

I am still working on the vase of lilacs.  The lilacs should be out here in Michigan soon, as spring has definitely arrived.  

At least there are not many French knots on this one, but many daisy stitch lilac petals.

Lots of great ideas in last week’s linkups.  I know there will be more today-can’t wait.  Thank you all for participating.   I am sitting with my sister during her dialysis this morning, and am looking forward to seeing your blogs.  As usual, my only request is that you link back to this particular blog post from somewhere within your post.

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Design Wall Monday - May 18, 2020

Good morning quilters!  I had a fairly non-productive week and hit a “coronavirus self-distancing slump” .  I am over it now, and have started sewing again.  The May Day embroidered baskets are back out, and I’m working on two.  The one I just started has some of my favorite flowers in it - lilacs.  Do they grow where you live?  Are they in bloom now?  For me, yes and no.  Yes, They grow in almost every farmhouse yard in Michigan....big bushes full of their sweet blossoms.  No, they are not in bloom yet.  I am trying to use different purples as I stitch, just to amuse myself.  

The second basket has blue bell shaped flowers.  Blue flax, possibly.  I am almost finished with this one.  

What are you doing to keep yourself in a good mood during these unusual times?  One song that lifts my spirits is found on youtube.   (Here)  Several United Kingdom church choir members are singing together, though separated.  I like to play it to start my day, and am thankful for their efforts to cheer everyone.

Please link up with a picture of what you are working on, and also comment here on what you are doing to keep yourself in good spirits.  I appreciate all of you so much.  I ask that you provide a link back to this particular blog post from somewhere within your post.  Thanks!



  

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Design Wall Monday - May 4, 2020

May is here!  This UFO finish was one I saved for May.  In honor of May Day, I finished the final border on my Buds in a Basket quilt that I started a long time ago.  When I began, I enlarged the quilt by making more basket squares, and then it got put away before borders.  But Sunday, I added the last border, and this UFO is ready for the long arm quilter.  I am celebrating May with it.

My favorite block is this one,  because the biggest piece of fabric is from my Mom's stash, and is an authentic 30's fabric.  I wonder what Mom made with this cheerful fabric?  The flowers in the fabric are round, just like the ones in this quilt.  Serendipity.  

Here is the quilt on the design wall:

And I am still enjoying embroidery of the May Day Flower Baskets Quilt.  One basket each week.  Here is this week's basket.

Looking forward to seeing what you are working on.  Spring has finally arrived here in Michigan, and Sunday was a beautiful day outside.  Hope you are enjoying spring weather where you are.  Show me your design wall, and tell me what you have been up to.  Please put a link to this particular blog post somewhere within your blog post, so people can come back here and go to the next link.  Thanks!

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Design Wall Monday - April 27, 2020

Thanks for all of your birthday wishes last week, you made me feel special, even during these no physical contact times.  I did get a lot done.  I finished another May Basket block, and also made good progress on the redwork quilt border flowers.

The May Basket block directions said to use six strands of floss for the French knots, but after I made a few, I decided they were too big, and took them out.  I made the knots for the flowers with four strands, which still made big French knots.  

Here is a picture of the completed block:

Long ago, one of the redwork blocks got wet during the making of it; a water bottle spilled on it.  I saw that the red Perle cotton thread bled a little bit.  So now that I am near the finish of his project, I am heating up each piece in a pan on the stove with some “color catchers” to take out the extra red even before the quilt is assembled.  Here is the batch I finished on Sunday:  First picture is of the two piles of color catchers, from soaking #1 and #2, and the empty kettle.  

Next is the border piece in the cool down water (after-bath) so it is cooler for me to pick up to lay it out to dry.

And lastly, the border piece laid out to dry on the kitchen counter.  I am glad I am doing this before assembly, as it is more manageable in pieces.  But I would think that DMC Perle cotton would be colorfast.  It turns out that it is not.  The white background looks pink in the picture, but it is not.  Amateur photographer.

What progress are you making this week?  Please link up and show us!  Just provide a link back to this particular blog post from somewhere within yours.  Thanks!

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