Sections of Laurel Ridge

 I hope everyone had a nice weekend. It's been raining here since yesterday afternoon. It's rather dark and dreary which I think is a great time to quilt! I posted what my star looked like for Laurel Ridge, well this is what it was supposed to look like! I inverted those green rectangle pieces with the gold square. It still looks very similar and I'm okay with it. By the time I noticed the error, it would have been too much work to fix it. The center block measure 30.5" square.

This quilt is made up of 4 corner blocks and 4 inner blocks as well as the center I've already made. This is my version of the inner blocks. I did not do any applique for this quilt. I decided to piece instead. Alternative blocks were made available. I made these pieced ring blocks which give the same effect as the appliqued blocks. However, I opted to make flying geese instead of the second applique block. Flying geese were repeatedly made for this quilt so I thought it would fit in nicely. This sections measures 30.5" X 25.5".

These pieces are not all sewn together but gives you an idea of what the quilt will look like so far. I plan on starting the 4 corner pieces when these are pieces are all sewn together.

Here's a picture of the original quilt design by Lynn Wilder and offered by The Quilt Show. Mine is similar but also different which is okay with me. Just a little poetic license!!

I Like Thursday #294

It's time once again for our Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs. Here's the Laurel Ridge middle section that I finally completed this morning. I didn't notice it until later, but I complete reversed one piece. It's too late for me to change it unless I take the whole darn thing apart. I guess this will be my version of Laurel Ridge! I'll keep it this way because I just can't take the whole thing apart without having a breakdown! It measures 30.5" square so there's that! It's the proper dimensions.

I picked up my sewing machine from the shop yesterday. While I was there, I couldn't help but buy this adorable fabric! The sugar cookies on the left is my favorite! I don't have too much Christmas fabric so I didn't feel too bad about buying these.

I took Molly to the vet this morning. She's usually very aggressive at the doctor. I got another vet within the same office and Molly was so good! She didn't mind her touching her and never made a peep. She used to hiss and growl and actually try to bite the vet. She was so good today. I guess changing the vet was a good idea.

I got a kick from this wall hanging at the vet today. It cracked me up so I thought I'd share! Too funny!

The question this week asks us what podcasts we listen to. My favorite is Radio Rental. It's a horror/mystery podcast hosted by Rainn Wilson. It's so good! I also listen to The Meidas Touch, Book Lounge by Libby and True Scary Story. There are so many good ones out there. I don't listen to them as often as I should but I do enjoy them.

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm!

Laurel Ridge Last Blocks

I'm working on the remaining blocks of the Laurel Wood BOM designed by Lynn Wilder for The Quilt Show. I have 20 blocks to make but before I can make them, I had to make 80 flying geese. I feel like I set up an assembly line! First I cut the pieces, then I made the flying geese using the 4-at-a-time method. Then I cut everything apart and ironed them. The last step was to trim.

This ruler was recommended to make the flying geese at the beginning of the project. I have so many rulers that I don't use too much but I did buy this one. It was worth it! Each piece just needs two quick cuts and it's perfect size. I don't think I could have finished this project without having this ruler available.

Next year's BOM by The Quilt Show was just revealed. This is it! It was designed by Becky Goldsmith. I like it but I'm undecided as to whether or not I'm going to make it. I think working on two BOM's this year was too much. I just may take next year off. We'll see!!

I Like Thursday #293

It's time once again for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs. I finished the center block for the Laurel Ridge BOM. It measures 20" X 20" finished. My usual sewing machine is still in the shop so I had to use my backup machine to make this block. I think it took me longer and it was definitely more frustrating! I would hit buttons that didn't exist! I would lose the thread from the needle because I trimmed it too short. It's so different from my other machine! Hopefully, it won't be too much longer!

Speaking of Laurel Ridge, I have 20 blocks left to make. They're all cut and already started! I can't believe I'm this close to the end. I have to make 80 flying geese so this will take awhile. I'm just glad that I'm this close to finishing up.

I'm not much of a plant expert but I'm happy to see my Christmas Cactus has so many buds! I think I had two buds last year so this year is definitely better. I'm just wondering if this is too early. I'm not sure the flowers will still be around for the holidays. I'm sure some of you are more knowledgeable than me. I usually kill plants. This one has survived for almost 2 years! 

The prompt this week asks us if we'll be handing out Halloween candy as well as what kind. Yes, we will be handing out candy. My husband usually sits outside with the candy in a big bowl. We live in a quiet development so many people drive here, park and walk with their kids. It's always a fun night. We usually buy anything chocolate so Reese's, Baby Ruth, Hershey's, etc. We're expecting a big rainstorm tonight but it should be over for trick or treat time. That's a relief!!

Happy Halloween! 👻👻👻

Sewing and Resting

I woke up not feeling very well. I got 3 vaccines yesterday and that Covid vaccine gets me every time. I took some Motrin and waited for it to kick in before I got a few things done. I did some housework and then I sewed a little. The rest of the blocks for Laurel Ridge were just released and I just had to start working on them. I didn't get too far. I made the middle of the center block. I would have loved to finish it but I just didn't have the energy. I thought it came out pretty good considering I'm not feeling that great.

I'm back to laying on the couch and watching TV. But I've got my trusty Lily sitting next to me and keeping me company! I think she knows I'm a bit under the weather today. I'm hoping to feel better tomorrow and get that center block finished!! I'm not sure what's worse, Covid or the vaccine!!?!?

Peacock Pillow

My peacock pillow is finally done! I had so many ideas about how to finish this piece. I saw all sorts of options. I was going to put some sort of trim on it but then I changed my mind. I didn't want to take away from the needlepoint. I ended up making an envelope pillow backing and calling it a day. It measures 14" square. 

Here's the backing. It's a piece of fabric I had left from when I made curtains years ago. That opening stays closed most of the time but if it starts to be a problem, I'll just sew a little strip of velcro to keep it closed. It's my first needlepoint pillow and I was overwhelmed with all the different ideas about finishing it. I feel I'm better at making the needlepoint than I am about finishing it!!

I never got to blog on I Like Thursday. I had to take my machine to the shop to get fixed. It sounded funny and I didn't want to ignore it. This is the time of year I take it in for cleaning so it was due anyways. I hope I get it back soon and that it's okay.

Two Finishes

 I have a subscription to The World of Cross Stitching magazine and each magazine includes a small project kit. This month was this cute little Autumn Cat Card. It says it only takes 7 hours to stitch this piece but I think it took me double! I must be a slow stitcher! The cross stitch piece measures about 3.75" X 2.25". The kit come with everything and is always a fun little project to work on.

Here is my Talking Turkey all done! Everything was in my stash. I finally have something to display over the Thanksgiving holiday!

I had my annual physical this morning and am happy to report, all went well! I'm always a bit nervous before these appointments but am so thankful for good news. I can relax until the next appointment! 

I Like Thursday #292

Welcome to Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs. I finished quilting my turkey wall hanging or table topper. I haven't decided yet how to use it but it's almost done. I cut out binding this morning. This was a fun piece to quilt. It's small with easy shapes. I'm glad I have something quilty for the Thanksgiving holiday!

My daughter just had a birthday recently and I had to show you what her boyfriend bought her. She loves cats so he got this limited edition print and framed it himself. I'm not sure what it's called, maybe Strawberry Kitty?? It was painted by Emily Dunlap. That kitty is so cute and pudgy! I love it!

There are lots of great Halloween decorations around me. I think this one is my favorite. It's found at our local library, right outside of the children's section. There are lights twinkling all around it. It's so fun to see, even for me!!

Our conversation starter for this week asks what food would we bring to a fall gathering. I would always bring some sort of apple cinnamon bread. It's one of my favorites this time of year. Here's a recipe if you'd like to try it for yourself! I just love the plethora of apples this time of year. Add some cinnamon and sugar and it's a winner!

Have a great weekend!! Keep warm.

Projects Update

I had a very busy weekend but I did manage to get a little sewing/quilting done today. I loaded this turkey on the longarm last week but only started to quilt it today. I did bead board in the border which is quick and always looks nice. I echoed lines and quilted wishbones between them. I quilted a loop meander in the background. It's not a very big piece so it should be quick. 

I'm back to working on my Facets quilt. I'm making good progress on the dark purple row. It's so fun to use up my fabric and watch the quilt grow! And use up some of my stash!

Here's a closeup of some of the purple blocks. I'm using a solid orange for those tiny little triangles in the corners of the block. The middle is an orange print but the focus fabric is a dark purple. I need 36 blocks for this round. I'm getting there!!

I Like Thursday #291

Welcome to I Like Thursday! Please visit LeeAnna to find what other bloggers are liking this week. I put a little border onto my turkey block. It's all set to quilt. All of these fabrics were from my fabric stash. I love using whatever I can find in my sewing room. I guess it makes me feel less guilty! It now measures about 28.5" X 24.5".

We got new couches a few months ago and didn't realize that arm chair covers are no longer provided. We bought some of the fabric from the furniture store. I didn't have a pattern but I used an old arm chair cover to come up with my own pattern. I think it came out pretty good! I made 4 of them in one day. I think the couches look better with the covers. They look more complete and it's a great way to protect the couch. 

My husband was in the driveway and took a video of 2 bobcats running across the street. This one was running after the first bobcat. I've seen one bobcat only once before so it was neat to see a video of 2 of them. They looked like 2 big cats playing together. I'm glad they didn't notice my husband!!

The question this week asks what clothes do we start to wear as it gets colder. Well, the first thing that comes to mind is socks!! I don't wear socks all summer but as it gets cooler outside, it's the first thing I wear! I like them nice and thick and will wear them all winter. 

That's it for me this week. Have a great weekend and keep warm! We're under a freeze warning in my neck of the woods.

A Thanksgiving Turkey

 I was looking forward to making a turkey block from Riley Blake. They've been coming out with kits every month that could be a  mini-quilt or block. Unfortunately, my local quilt shop was all sold out. So, I decided to look online to see if I could find anything else to make for Thanksgiving. I found this block.  This block is found at Villa Rosa Designs and is designed by Tricia@VRD. Here's the link if you're interested. 

 The first step was to make the body.

Then I added some half square triangles to resemble feathers.1

I worked on the head separately. I had a little problem with the directions and had to remake one of the strips. But it worked out fine in the end  It measures 16" X 22". It's a fun and quick project to make. I used up some small pieces from my stash. I just need to add a border, quilt and bind! I'll be all set for Thanksgiving this year!!

I Like Thursday #290

Welcome to Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up to more participating blogs. The sunsets have been beautiful lately. This one was taken this past Monday. The sunsets are getting earlier but so colorful! It's so cold this morning. I think this is our coldest morning yet. But, we should hit 80 this coming weekend. The weather is so weird lately!

These blocks are the October blocks for Laurel Ridge BOM. These were fairly quick to make. The center is a solid piece of fabric. I just had to make the flying geese. They measure 5.5" square.

I guess I wasn't feeding these 2 fast enough. These are the looks I was getting as I was getting their food ready. Fresh kitties!!!

I love gingerbread but my mother never made it when I was younger. I don't think it's very Italian! Anyways, I usually use this recipe. I like the cake better than the cookies. I like putting whipped cream on it so the cake is better for me!

Have a great weekend!!!

Frightful Fun BOM is Done!!!!

I did it! My Frightful Fun Block of the Month is all quilted! It took me about 10 days to quilt it. I did no other sewing at all. If I quilt too long on the longarm, I tend to get sloppy so I tried to break up my quilting into 2 sessions per day. The quilt was finished with a combination of free motion quilting as well as ruler work. I'd like to thank Leila Gardunia, Hunter's Design Studio and Quiet Play for the gorgeous paper pieced block patterns. The directions were clear and easy to follow. I really enjoyed working on this quilt. It measures about 58" X 76".

This is a little closeup photo of the quilting. So fun!

Here's the backing. It's nice and flat. You can see the quilting. I just love the crows! My binding is done and ready to be sewn on! I even made a block for my scrap quilt that took a backseat these past couple of weeks. It's always a great feeling to finish a project especially when they take less time than expected!!

I Like Thursday #289

Welcome to I Like Thursday! LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color hosts us bloggers each week. Please visit her to link up to more participating blogs. It's a dark and rainy day in Massachusetts. We need the rain but it's a dismal day out there. I suppose it's a good day to stay home and quilt!

I'm taking a break from cross stitching. I miss knitting so I started knitting socks. I didn't want it to take too long so I found a pattern for ankle socks. This is a pattern that includes cables. I haven't made cables in awhile so it was good to refresh my memory and get them going again.

I highly recommend this book. It's a story about a woman who left her family behind. She became an author at a very young age and fled her family home after an incident took place, Of course, her family has been searching for her for years. It's a wonderful book that's very enjoyable that just might make you cry!

This is the time of year I start putting out Fall themed accessories. I just put this table runner in my dining area. I always feel sad that the summer is over. It always seems to fly by so quickly. I'm hoping the winter isn't too bad this year.

Have a great weekend!

Quilting Halloween Blocks

I was so busy all day today! The time just seemed to slip away from me. I've been working on finishing the quilting on my Halloween quilt. I'm making great progress. I'm already at the bottom row! I just wanted to show you the quilting on a few of the last blocks. I just echoed around this ghost. I thought it would fit in well with the whole ghost concept. I'll be changing my thread to white to quilt inside the ghost. I want him to stay white!!

I wanted to make swirls in the background of this block. However, there are so many different types of swirls that it took me awhile to choose the right one. This one is very simple and consists of a large swirl with a simple echo around it. The skulls were just stitched in the ditch but it took forever. I couldn't connect any of the dark features so I had to break thread for each eye, nose and mouth.

I was so excited that I could do a little ruler work on this block. I was getting tired of free motion quilting backgrounds. This one is pretty easy. I just outlined each candy. I quilted lines in the triangles and loops in the smaller triangles. 

That's what I did today. I'm almost at the bottom border! I think this quilt will be done for Halloween! I'm so excited!!