Will Work for Fabric

Call it Done!

Thanks so much for all the input on my tree dilemma.  Once I put the border fabric up on the wall, it really turned the direction I was going in.  So I found the perfect blue at the LQS and put it all together.  I had to do the dreaded math  to adjust some of the blocks, but it all worked out in the end. 

I think I'm going to hand-quilt this one.  It's not too big, 52x64, so it's do-able.  I'm just glad it's done, and in record time for me.

Hope this weekend finds you finishing things too...

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

Thank you Barbara!

This Civil War project has caught me a little off guard....it's uncharted territory for me, repros, period correct fabrics....yikes! what have I done?  Before I buy any more fabric, I better figure out what the heck I'm looking for!  So the first stop:  my bookshelves.  And what should I find there, but just the perfect book for the occasion:

Last nite, I started really reading it (not just scanning the pictures). Wow, there's so much information here---Thank you Barbara Brackman!

I guess I'll be carrying this book with me on my next fabric acquisition outing.

But it also got me thinking....what else is lurking on the bookshelf?  If you are like me, you buy books, look at the pictures, oogle over the quilts, pick out which ones you might make, sometimes read the text and then set it aside in the Hopeful section of the bookshelf.

Guess I should go back and visit some of these old friends....I might actually learn something
(oooo, scary!)

What's lurking on your bookshelves???? better go see!

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

Now the tough part

I've been hard at work on my trees.....now the tough decision.  I love all the trees but I'm agonizing over whether I should add some sashing strips, the pattern does not call for them, but I'm feeling like this needs a little more of something to separate the blocks. 

I've changed the pattern a little already....I added the year of completion.  I know, now I have to actually finish quilting it in this year too.  Geez what have I done--made my quilt into a To Do List?

Piping, decorative stitches, sashing....What do you think??

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

P.S.  In case you are looking for this pattern, Teresa over at Homespun Hearth has it.

Civil War and More

Today was snow and more snow...and kids screaming, wanting to be fed, in the snow clothes, out of the snow clothes....you know the drill.  And tonite everyone is home safe and sound and watching a movie and the world is right again.

So thank God for Ipods and headphones, cause I actually got some Civil War blocks done in addition to my circular adventure (see previous post).

Addition to the post:  these were not all pieced today!  and looking at the book, there's a BUNCH that I will paper-piece, cause yikes, there's some small pieces! 

I have never really collected repros and don't really know all that much about fabric dating, so this project is a bit of a stretch.  But I am glad that FINALLY I can pull out a special ziploc bag.  For some reason, I signed up for the Civil War Fabric Swap on the Dear Jane list last year, and I have been holding on to these fat-eighths waiting for the right project.  Oooo, maybe I'm psychic and I knew I was going to do this project eventually.....not.

Have a fun weekend and for all you in the winter storm, stay home, stay safe, stay warm.

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

Step Away from the Template

My task at hand was to make a class sample to teach curved piecing.  So I picked a really simple design that I thought could be almost finished in a one day class.  Part of my challenge was to use fabrics on hand, so I pulled out a pile of 1/2 yard pieces I bought in Lancaster in December.

Ok, so my planning was exactly perfect and I didn't have one piece to set aside for the border....so 2 fabrics were used.   But I think it works.

But what's that sitting on the ironing board-----Perfect Circle Templates.

I swear, I couldn't help myself.....I had to make circles.  So circle I did. 
(Please forgive the blurriness, I've had WAY too much coffee today!)

Remember, plan the work, work the plan....or just throw the plan out the window and make circles.

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

P.S.  This pattern will be available soon....think I'll add a second version that's bigger for a pattern bonus!

Too Much??

February is month one of the Lollipop Ladies new project.  So one of my projects for the long weekend was to ready the first block.  It is no exaggeration when I say I spent HOURS prepping this block.  This is really a departure from my last few projects, but a very happy change.  So here's my first block (pinned, not sewn)

Have you seen the original??

I'm liking this, I'm throwing caution to the wind, breaking the rules, charting new territory (for me anyway!)  So thanks to Patty, Kathie and Lorre for taking the journey with me....and especially for the contributions of a fabric persuasion!

What do you think of the first block? Too much?

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

Civil War Friends

Have you heard the buzz??? lots of quilting friends have joined up to work on the MANY, MANY blocks of the Civil War Diary and Civil War Love Letters blocks.  If you look on my sidebar, you can link over to some of the friends who have joined the Sew Many Blocks ring.

For now, I'm trying to hand-piece some of the blocks, if not all....we'll see!

This is a great take-along project....oops, am I supposed to working on trees,or lollipops?  better get some of these projects done! (I'm down to 2 blocks to go on the trees!)

Agh....so many projects, so little time! 

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

Friends and Food

Oooo, such fun yesterday and today.  Yesterday Sister Mary and the Applique Novices came over for their first applique lesson.  But even with alot of gum-flapping, lallygagging and loud-laughing, alot of prep work was done, and next lesson they will be able to start sewing.

We had a yummy lunch of Cheeseburger Pie and salad and the pie was such a hit that I thought I'd share the recipe.....I'd love to give credit to whoever invented this, but it's been in my handwritten book of recipes for at least 10 years.

Cheeseburger Pie
1 8-inch uncooked pie crust
Filling:
1 lb ground beef, cooked
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 c bread crumbs
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1/4 c chopped onion
1/4 c chopped green pepper

Mix the filling and put into pie crust.

Topping:
1 egg
1/4 c milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups cheddar cheese

Mix all the topping ingredients together and spread over filling.
Put foil around the edge of the pie crust so it doesn't get too brown.

Bake for 30 minutes at 425 degrees.

Better make 2, it goes fast!

And today Kathie and I went out to PA to do our part to stimulate the economy----how patriotic are we!!!
We showed restraint ( Kathie more than me) but sometimes a fabric just calls for no particular reason, sometimes the line is busy and sometimes we take the call.

I bought this little ditty----please don't ask me what I'm going to do with it, I just thought it was quirky and fun.

Don't these girls just make you happy??

Hope you find something that makes you happy this holiday weekend....

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

The Forest or the Trees

While some of my friends have been piecing at a feverish pace, I've been the turtle on the crew.  Slow and steady has been my progress on the group projects.  You know how it is.....the work, the family, all cramping my style when it comes to fun projects.

So now I have 9 blocks done and the rest nearly prepped in anticipation of a weekend in the woods.

you know me.....give me a roaring fire, cup of tea, some applique and maybe a good book----Sister Mary gave me The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette and a few others to read--- and I'm good for a long stretch on the couch.

I better hurry up and finish these trees....I've signed on for the next group project:  The Civil War Diaries and the Civil War Love Letters.    Please someone stop me, I can't help myself!!!!

But really, these little groups, both on-line and in person are alot of fun and motivate me to get some of these projects finished (or started).  So find one that fits you.....you'll be glad you did!

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

P.S.  Remember in high school when we thought we were so funny in saying "Happy V.D." on Feb 14th?   It still kinda cracks me up....not the  Happy VD, but that fact that we thought it was soooo funny.  Anywho.....Happy Valentines Day!!!

Traditions or Not

During my class yesterday, the first snowflakes began to fall, a few hours ahead of schedule.  And like everyone else 'round here, I felt a pressing urge to go buy milk.  Come on, I'm not alone, the milk shelf was half empty... 

And my kids are no better, they went to bed with the "bring on the snow day" ritual.....pajama's worn inside out, spoon under your pillow and ice in the toilet.  Well, apparently, this actually works!  we had a false start with first reports of a delayed opening and then the good/bad news was delivered.....SNOW DAY.

So not alot of progress in the quilting department, the grandmothers flower garden blocks are in the sit and stare stage.....

I'm thinking I like the black with dots....it makes the colors pop, without being too traditional.

Sister Mary Awful and the Applique Novices are coming over on tomorrow for an applique lesson and bringing along a little Kaffe to audition with the garden.

No sense rushing into a fabric selection, these blocks have been waiting a long time to be made into a quilt, they can wait a little longer.

In the meantime, all pajama are to be worn right side out tonite...everyone back to school tomorrow, the ladies are coming over.

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan