Machine Quilting 1930's Farmer's Wife

I made this quilt a few years ago. A friend asked me if I was interested in making a 1930's Farmer's Wife. It would be fun to work on our quilts together. So I bought the book and some 1930's fabrics. I got mine done but my friend stopped making hers after a few blocks. It's not my favorite quilt but I'm using this quilt to improve my stitching in the ditch on the longarm using rulers. I'm using rulers as well as a little free motion quilting.

The fabric is very busy and it's a little difficult to see the quilting. 

I'm also working on the outer border as I make my way down the quilt.

Once the blocks are done being quilted, I'm going to make feathers running in between the blocks.

I still have to figure out how to quilt the half triangles next to the outer borders.

I think I have plenty of time to figure that out!

I'm looking forward to vacation so I can really make some progress on this quilt. I have a friend coming over soon with an antique quilt top she wants me to quilt for her. 

I Like Thursday #11

I work in a hospital that has this beautiful garden outside the chapel. It's outside of the chapel but still inside the hospital! I love to walk over there and look at all the plants. There are lots of windows as well as a sky light over head.  It's a nice little escape from the demands of working in a fast paced hospital.

My grandmother died a few months ago. She was just shy of her 101 birthday by about 2 weeks. My mother got this trunk from my grandmother's house. My mother's aunt bought her this trunk to be used as a hope chest. I always thought hope chests were made of wood. I think the wood hope chests were too expensive for my mother's family. Italy was quite poor after World War II. When my mother was moving to the United States, she sent this trunk ahead of her flight. She had all sorts of linens inside. Many of them were embroidered by my mother while still in school. My father picked it up and had it waiting for her when she came to Massachusetts. It looks so worn and torn! My mother is repainting it. She bought wall paper to line the inside of the trunk. It's a nice little project for her to work on. She even bought little brass tacks  to replace the many missing ones. I'm hoping to show you an "after" photo when she's done renovating it!

I love this! My beauty salon has some very positive wall hangings. It always makes me feel good to read this while getting my hair done! I think we could all use some positive messages.

If you get the chance, read this book! It's made up of such lush and descriptive language. I can't put it down. It's been a best seller for awhile. I'm sort of late to the party but just wanted to let you know how good it is!

That's my happy stuff for the week! Go visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color for more happy posts. It's so nice to look on the bright side. It's so good for you!

Scrappy Churn Dash Pincushion

I made this cute little Churn Dash Pin Cushion today. I tried to use a pattern from Pin Pals by Carrie Nelson. However, I had seen a whole quilt made of scrappy Churn Dash blocks. I wanted my pin cushion to look scrappy. The ones in the book used 2 fabrics only. So, I made my own little pattern.

These are the pieces I cut out. I made a pattern and double checked it by using graph paper. But even while I was working on, I wasn't quite sure I had all the dimensions correct. The corner squares looked too large in comparison with the rest of pieces. But, I just kept going. I figured I could always cut the corners down if I had to.

I have all the rows sewn together. At this point, I think the corner squares look okay!

The block is done! Everything fits! It measures about 5 1/2 inches square here. I layered it with some batting and quilted it. I just meandered the background fabrics. I also meandered the backing. I then cut both pieces down to 5 inches square and sewed them together.

I have another gift ready! This was so fun to make!

Long Time Gone - Almost Gone!

I'm getting towards the end of Long Time Gone. These are the blocks I made using Flying Geese.They were much easier to put together than I expected. I have to thank Bonnie Hunter for that. After making one of mystery quilts, I feel I piece much better than I used to. Small pieces don't bother me at all. 

Here are all my blocks so far. I have 2 types of blocks left. I have to make 16 paper pieced pineapple blocks.

I also have to make 29 more of these little guys. It measures 2 1/2 inches square.

When those blocks are done. I'll start the task of putting all those differently sized blocks together to make the quilt top. I'll have to make sashing from both one fabric as well as pieced squares. I'll enjoy that!

This past weekend was so hot! We were close to 100 all weekend. Every time I sat on the couch, Lily decided she would keep me nice and warm while she snoozed! Thanks for thinking of me, Lily!!

I Like Thursday #10

I went to the Downton Abbey exhibit in Boston this week. I loved the PBS series and didn't want to miss the traveling exhibit. What a treat this was!

Of course, the clothes were beautiful and this exhibit had plenty of clothes to look at! This is the first image to see before even entering the exhibit. 

Here's the kitchen. Those outfits were actually worn by the actresses that played Mrs. Patmore and Daisy.  The actual dimensions were used to build this room. I expected the kitchen to be larger.

 

This is the bell board found in the servants' quarters. I think those outfits were worn by Bates and Anna.

Carson and Mrs. Hughes' outfits when they were married. 

Cousin Rose's coming out dress. So pretty!

This is the dining room. It was so big! While observing this room, there was a video where Carson explained all the etiquette that was expected while dining with the Grantham's. 

Of course, we all remember Sybil's pants! How daring of her! You can see the photo where she wore them on the show to the right.

I have tons of more pictures but I didn't want to overdo it! If you get the chance, go to the exhibit. My husband wasn't too familiar with the show, but he enjoyed it as well. 

I'm linking up with LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color. Go take a look! 

Solid Stripe Pin Cushion

I decided to make a pin cushion. I was going to use a pattern found in Carrie Nelson's book, Pin Pals. I had a hard time deciding which one to make so I made my own pattern using a few of her patterns as a spring board. I decided to use solids instead of prints. I liked gray as the constant fabric between the other colors. I cut a backing from the gray solid and cut 2 pieces of batting to match.

I sewed all my strips together. The top piece seemed to shrink! I guess all those seam allowances sure add up!

I decided to stipple instead of quilting straight lines. I like the look of the curvy stitching over the straight strips. Many of Carrie Nelson's pin cushions have straight line quilting. I just wanted to change things up!

Here's my pin cushion! It took less than 2 hours from start to finish! My first item for my gift basket! I already have my next pin cushion all picked out to make. 

I Like Thursday #9

I'm so late posting this today! I worked 6-2:30 and I finally found some time to sit down! I hate when work interferes with my fun stuff! Anyways, here are my tomatoes! I took this picture after a very strong thunderstorm. I can't believe we have so many so early!

This is my favorite app! It's Libby! If you have a library card, you can download this app and borrow e-books as well as audio books. It's all free! You never even have to go to the library. Many of you may already have known about this app, but I was so happy to have found it. You can download it to your phone or tablet. So easy! 

I couldn't believe I found this poster on line. I was 17 years old when I went away to college. I bought this poster the summer before I moved to the dorm. When I saw it, it brought back so many memories for me. It was such a fun time in my life. My college roommate remembers it too! 

This is such a fun book! I just started cutting out my 3rd pin cushion. There are so many wonderful pin cushions to make. This is a nice quick project. And they make great gifts! Dawn, who now blogs at Relaxing Robin, is making Christmas gifts. She got me thinking about making small gifts so I started a new pin cushion!

That's it for me this week. Please join LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to see more likes! I bet these posts will inspire you like they inspire me!

2 Project Updates

I did manage to get a little sewing done over the long weekend. I had to work most of it but I tried to find a little free time. Here are all my Flying Geese for Long Time Gone. I have to make 2 blocks using 48 Flying Geese. The pile on the left have been pressed and trimmed. The pile on the right will be finished up soon! (I hope!)

I'm about half done cutting all my pieces for Disco. The cutting is very easy using Jaybird's rulers. I've been washing and ironing a few fat quarters at a time. I cut those up and move on to the next set of fat quarters. Getting there a little bit at a time!

I've also been doing a little quilting on the longarm. Pictures to follow!

What have you been working on? I've heard some people quilt less in the summer due to the heat. I think I quilt the same amount year round. I'm just a little bit busier in the summer. I tend to stay in more during the winter. 

I Like Thursday #8/Happy 4th of July!

I made this little flag quilt years ago. It's sort of faded but I still hang it every 4th of July! 

I'l be getting the deck ready soon for our 4th of July feast! It's already hot and muggy out but that's what summer is all about up here in New England! If it gets too hot, we'll probably eat inside. My poor husband will be near the grill most of the day cooking up our dinner. He usually takes another shower before we eat, after the food is cooked! 

This is the latest book I'm reading. I like it so far. I'm not that much into it. I track my books on Goodreads. It's a great website for readers. Check it out if you haven't tried it yet.

I have my slab table runner out. It reminds me of spring and summer. This was a fun project a group of us made together. It was Dawn's idea whose been having problems with her blog. She has a new blog called Relaxing Robin if you'd like to follow her. I missed her so much but I'm happy she's back!

Those are my likes for the week! I hope you all enjoy your Fourth of July festivities. I'll be linking over with LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color if you'd like to see more happy and positive posts.