I Like Thursday #312

 It's time once again for Thursday Likes! Boy, the week just seem to fly by. Anyways, please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more blogs that are posting happy and positive content. I've been practicing my pantograph for the Facets quilt all week. I decided to take the plunge this morning! I did two passes and am quite happy with the outcome. I think 2 passes covers about 14" and it took me about 45 minutes. I think it's a great way to finish this very scrappy quilt. The blocks are only 6" finished and some of the pieces are teeny tiny. I figured a pantograph was the best option. 

I've been knitting lacy socks lately. The lacy pattern is only a 4 row repeat so it's been easy to knit. Turning the heel was a little different than what I'm used to but it worked out fine. I bought this yarn years ago at JoAnn's. I really miss JoAnn's. I went to Michael's a few times but I don't find it a good substitute at all.

Since it's spring, I decided to change one of the quilts in my family room. I worked on this double wedding ring back in 2018. I didn't make the quilt top. It was an antique top I bought from eBay. This quilt top was dated to be from the 1940's if I remember correctly. I thought it was a great way to practice my feathers. I really enjoyed working on this project. I feel I helped finish someone's quilt that maybe just never find the time to get it done. It's a nice addition to my quilts!

This week's conversation starter asks about our relationship with our phone. I have an iPhone 15 and I think I use it too much. I use it as though it was my little portable computer. I'm always looking something up or texting. My music is on it as well as photos, appointments, etc. Also, Duolingo is very demanding and I feel it takes up too much of my time. I'm hoping to slowly but surely separate myself from my phone but it's so difficult! 

That's been my week. Have a great weekend1 Hope you have great weather!

 I loaded Facets onto the longarm over the weekend. I took the process in steps since this quilt is rather larger, about 89" X 89". I always start with the backing and then move onto the quilt top. Everything seems nice and even but of course, the true test happens once you start quilting. 

I looked through my collection of pantographs to decide which design to quilt. I ended up with this overall feather design. Each row covers 7" and the feathers are on a small scale. I thought it was the right design since the blocks in Facets are only 6" square when finished. Anything too large, I'd be afraid the pantograph would overwhelm the quilt blocks. I usually take a few days to practice the design since I'm using a laser to follow the design. I usually feel comfortable after a few days of practice and will start the quilting. More pictures after the quilting starts!

I Like Thursday #311

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs who post happy and positive content. Well, it's finally looking like spring around here. We've had a couple of warm days but the trees are starting to bloom as well as some of the flowers. It's so nice to see color after such a long and snowy winter.

I bought the backing for my Facets quilt. I bought this 108" wideback by Windham Fabrics. I just love the stars! They're nice and colorful which I think will work nicely with the Facets blocks. I've already washed it but need to iron it.

Isn't this pattern so cute??? I just had to order it. I'll be using my scraps to sew it. I just thought it was too adorable to pass up!

The conversation starter this week asks us what favorite song we sing to ourselves. Well, I'll have to say it's anything by Tom Petty! I know most of the words to my favorite songs by him so I can sing along quite nicely. Not sure anyone else would like to hear me!!

I've had a busy week filled with appointments but I'm hoping they're over for awhile now. Have a great weekend!

 

Fiber Marketplace 2026

My daughter-in-law invited me to join her at Fiber Marketplace which took place at Union Bluff Hotel in York Beach, Maine. This was the view right in front of the hotel. So nice!

The room wasn't huge but there were a good number of vendors that had set up their each unique area. I saw buttons, hats, t-shirts, accessories and tons of yarn! Most of the yarn was hand dyed and available in all weights. I had a hard time choosing what to buy!

I bought these 2 skeins of yarn. They're both sock/lace weight so I have the option of making shawls or socks!

I also bought these needle stoppers. They were too cute to resist! 

The Yarn Sellar, also located in York, Maine, was the sponsor of the show so, we just had to stop in and see the store. 

I bought these 2 yarns while I was there. The store was jam packed with a huge variety of yarns, patterns and accessories. I will definitely be back. 

I was happy to be return home and show off my purchases. I had another great day at a show. I'm already looking forward to next year!

NEQE 2026

I was out most of the day yesterday and never made it to I Like Thursday. I have a great excuse! I went to a quilt show! There aren't many quilt shows around anymore. I think the pandemic got rid of a lot of them. I'm lucky to be able to attend New England Quilt Expo in Manchester, NH every April. It's been around for the last 3 or 4 years. 

The first think I do is check out the vendors. I visit each one and decide what I like and would like to revisit. Since I've been a quilter for many years, there isn't a lot I really need but I do find some cool things once in a while. I think there were about 25 vendors at the show. 

There were lots of great quilts on display but lots of people so I could only take a few pictures. I really liked these three.

I didn't end up buying too much. I could only find fat eighths of 1930's fabrics. They're just so pretty that I couldn't resist. I also bought some very pale lavender thread. I've never seen this color before and just had to buy it. I'm going to test it on Facets. It would be interesting to use this color thread on that quilt. We'll see!

I'm going to a yarn show tomorrow. My daughter-in-law asked me to go with her. She's going to do the driving. Most of the yarns at this show are hand dyed so I'm looking for some great color combinations. I'll post pictures next week!

Finishing Up

Now that Easter is over, I'm finishing up a few projects. This is Facets which only needs 2 more borders! I love how this quilt came out. Facets really challenged me with the amount of blocks that had to be made. Also, the color changes for each round weren't easy! I had to remake a lot of blocks as I started each new round. But I did it and I'm almost done! Phew!!

The sleeping cross stitch kitty is done, back stitches and all! The back stitching was tedious and slow but it really adds detail to the cat. I went out to buy more fiber fill to make this guy into a cute pillow for my family room. I caught my cat, Lily, sleeping on it last night. I wonder if she knows it's another cat?!😉

I Like Thursday #310

It's time for I Like Thursday! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs that post happy and positive content. Well, I finished cross stitching this kitty and started the tedious task of back stitching. You can see it in his paw, mouth and ears. It's long and boring but does improve the overall look. I just have to keep at it!!

I went to the mall and saw the Easter Bunny getting ready to have his photo taken with some kids. It brought back memories of my kids sitting with him. Unfortunately, my kids just seemed to cry and not enjoy the Easter Bunny at all! He doesn't seem scary to me but I'm not a child. The children I saw with him the other day all seemed happy. Oh, well, I guess you just never know!!

Do yourself a favor and read this book! I waited for this book for awhile and it was well worth it. It's a great story and will keep you interested until the end. It's a story of 2 families and how they're connected to each other. So good!

Our conversation starter this week asks us about Easter dinner. Well, we're going out to eat again this year. However, I will make a dessert for after the restaurant. I buy all sorts of chocolate and Easter candy and tell everyone it was left at my house by the Easter Bunny. I miss making those Easter baskets when the kids were little so I still buy them candy and blame the Easter Bunny!

Have a great weekend and Happy Easter!🪺🐣🐰