A Few Projects

 We're in the middle of a snowstorm right now. It's been snowing since mid-morning but it just started getting heavier. I'm not sure how much snow we're expecting. It varies depending what channel you're watching. I'd guess 3-5" maybe?!

Due to the storm, I stayed home all day. I have one row of purple left to sew onto my Facets quilt. I really love how this is coming out. The quilt top lays so nice and flat! I'm so glad to see that!

I have decided not to take part in any Blocks of the Month for 2026. I had enough of them this past year. I did find a great pattern by Victoria Findlay Wolfe that uses 2" X 8" strips. I've started cutting them out but have yet to decide which pattern to choose. She has a few different patterbs that use these strips. I'll keep cutting them out and decide as I go along. Isn't it so fun to start new projects???

Quilting Laurel Ridge

 For a few days, I did nothing but cook, clean and eat! I suppose that's a sign of having a good Thanksgiving. We hosted dinner but we only had a total of 8 people so it wasn't so bad. My daughter's boyfriend's mom joined us this year and it was a pleasure to have her! Anyways, I wanted to get back to my projects so I practiced my pantograph and actually started to stitch it yesterday. This is called Acadia Feather by Bethanne Nemesh. A single row is 13.5" wide. I purchased the paper pantograph from Urban Elementz. The pantograph is set up on the back of the longarm machine and I follow the design with a laser light. It's a great feature to have. 

Here's just a few pictures with 2 rows completed on the quilt top. I really love this look. The blocks are so small that the large feathers are a great complementary design. I'm only doing a pass a day so I'm hoping to be done sometime next week. That's pretty fast for such a large quilt top!

Facets Quilt - Round 5

 Since Laurel Ridge is ready for quilting, I'm back to working on my Facets Quilt. I just finished the 36 dark purple blocks for the 5th round. I'll probably still moves blocks around, but this is what I've come up with so far. I do love how the quilt is coming along. All those scraps surely shine in this great quilt designed by Victoria Findlay Wolfe. This quilt can be found in her latest book, The Quilting Experience.

I wanted to show how my pile of 36 blocks looked! They measure 6.5" square.  For some reason, I thought it would look bigger! Anyways, on to the next round!!

I Like Thursday #296

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs. It's done!! My Laurel Ridge quilt is complete! This was not an easy quilt for me but I'm happy I finished it and it came out really good! I have already washed the backing but it needs to be ironed. I'll also iron the quilt top one more time. I've decided on using a pantograph so I ordered that yesterday. I'll be quilting it soon. I'm so happy that this quilt is done! Phew!!

My Christmas cactus is full of blossoms this year. It's a little early but still so nice to see! It's such a pretty pale pink.

I've really been enjoying knitting socks lately so I got this book. There are so many great patterns throughout this book. I've pretty sure my next sock project will be from this book.

Our prompt this week asks if we made turkey hands in school. I can't remember if I did or not but I do remember both my kids coming home from school proudly displaying their 'turkeys' for me! I think it is the cutest thing! I may have saved them. I'll have to look around.

I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving! Where does the time go??? Have a great weekend!

Laurel Ridge Progressing

Here is my almost finished Laurel Ridge! It's in 3 sections that still have to be sewn together but all it needs are 2 big seams! And then, 2 borders and the top will be finished! Almost there. These 3 sections will measure 80.5" square once the sections are joined. I noticed I had quite a few blocks oriented in the wrong direction so it took me a few days to get everything corrected. I'm happy with it now that the corrections have been made. 

This is the backing for Laurel Ridge. I got it from Hancock's of Paducah. It's 108" wide so I don't have to seam the backing. I really love this pattern. I feel it complements Laurel Ridge very nicely.

Does anyone remember my Alaska quilt? I finally put it on my bed. It reminds me of winter and since it feels like winter outside, I thought it would be appropriate. This quilt is one of my favorites!

I Like Thursday #295

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs. I have focused all week on getting this quilt top complete. I'm getting there slowly but surely. Although I have more blocks to add, I will also have 2 borders to complete this quilt. It should measure 90" square when finished. I've been thinking about how I'm going to quilt it. The original quilt made by Lynn Wilder has beautiful feather in certain areas. The blocks are quite small, most are 5" square, so the pieces within these blocks are even smaller. Many blocks are made up of 1" squares. I've been leaning towards using an edge to edge pantograph but I will wait until the quilt top is complete before I decide for sure. I just don't think my custom quilting will be very visible in such a busy quilt.

I've been working on a new sock. I got this gorgeous yarn and just couldn't wait to start. The yarn is from Turkey and is made up of such vibrant colors. I love self striping yarn. It does all the hard work for you!

My daughter bought this Sumo Cat Wrestler for the cats. It's been peppered with catnip! They sit next to it and play with it but they're not overly crazy about it. Cats are so finicky. You just never know what they'll like!

The prompt this week asks us if we decorate for Thanksgiving. I just made this wall hanging last month so I only have one quilted wall hanging for the holiday. I do have a few kitchen towels with turkeys that I will display once we get closer to the holiday. I don't think Thanksgiving has the same power as Christmas which seems to take over every other holiday. Christmas is just too big!

Have a great weekend!!

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!!