Unit Block

I got the idea to make this quilt here. I love her solid and print quilts. I started this one at my Kieve quilt retreat. Lots of cutting in preparation before the retreat. I wanted a block that would be easy and all ready to go. This one certainly filled the bill. The units are all cut 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches. I had a stack of solid fat quarters that were waiting for a good project. The prints were all from my stash. I still have a big stack of rectangles cut out but this is the size quilt I wanted. I have nine rows of eight blocks. The blocks are 8 inches square so the top is 64 x 72 inches. Just the right size for curling up on the sofa.

I will need to find backing fabric before I can start quilting. I think I will do a meandering stitch for this quilt. A meandering design will make it quick and easy to stitch.

Tomorrow is Election Day. Go out and vote! 

The Witch is In

"The Witch is In" pattern by Joined at the Hip 2006.

 I have not had this pattern since 2006, but I'm sure I purchased it at least five years ago. I made it in two days this past week and even added a sleeve and made a hanger for the door into my sewing room.

 One of the things I wanted to do when I retired was work on seasonal or holiday themed wall hangings. As Halloween is approaching, I thought now would be a good time to work on this one. 

I've never been one to collect things like Santas or seasonal decorative items. I certainly like my "things" but those are more apt to be books and sewing items, not decor objects. I'm unlikely to buy plastic pumpkins and ghoulish figurines, but I do like this funny wall hanging!

Baxter memories continued

Baxter memories

I am in the midst of making a fabric book that is all about remembering family vacations at Baxter State Park. I've done some photo transfer pages and I have been working on these two that evoke summer and the woods. 

The flowers were really fun to make. I came across a tutorial this week that showed how to make these and I just had to try it. Looks like summer to me! Here's the link to the tutorial http://lizzyhouse.typepad.com/cherry_house_quilts/little-bouquet-quilt-along/

For this page I used a leaf stencil and dabbed in different shads of olive green on this luscious fabric. I will sew the binding tomorrow when I meet up with friends for our monthly sewing/embroidery fest. 

There's nothing like some creative time playing with fabric and thread to put me on track again. After yesterday''s grueling senate hearing, I needed to play. I worked in the garden later on. Yanking out weeds is great for stress!

I will clean my sewing room soon. I make a big mess when I work on a project like this. Fabric, trim, rulers, scissors, odds and ends are scattered everywhere. I need to have everything out so I can really see what I have to work with but it is chaotic. I need to create my calm and tidy space again. (well, it's never really that tidy) After that, I would like to work on one of the two BOMs I started earlier this year that have languished for at least a month. Which one will it be?