Facets is Quilted!

I finished quilting Facets this past weekend. I was so excited to take it off the longarm! It came out great. I love the quilting and just love how flat it looks! It was easy to quilt. Nothing seemed to go wrong. My tension was good and everything just worked out very easily. The quilt measures about 90" X 90". 

I tried to get a closeup so you can see the quilting. It's scattered feathers on a small scale which matches this quilt quite nicely.

Here's the backing. Pantographs always ensure that the quilting design is even throughout the quilt. The back always looks nice. I'm getting the binding ready. I still can't believe this one is just about done. This quilt seemed to take forever. I think it took me about a year from start to finish. Oh, well, on to the next project!!

I Like Thursday #313

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs that post fun and uplifting content. Let's all wish Molly a Happy Birthday! She is 12 years old today. I can't believe it! We got her at 4 months old and has been with us ever since. She's always had a healthy appetite so I thought it was funny that she was sitting on my walking pad. She may want to use it! The walking pad is a gift to me from my daughter's boyfriend. He's the best!

I decided that this will be the binding for Facets. I wanted something with a little color since the quilt is so colorful. The quilt made by the author has a pale yellow binding but I opted for a more vibrant fabric.

I'm so looking forward to May 5. This book is coming out that day. This is the same author as The Help and I can't wait to read it! I've been on the hold list in Libby for awhile now so I should be one of the first to get it!

The conversation starter this week asks us if we spring clean. I wash all my windows as well as curtains once a year. I start in the spring but never finish until sometime in the summer. It takes too long! I also have to wash my hardwood floors because I put it off last fall. Ugh! I'll get to it eventually!

Have a great weekend!

Halfway Done Projects

 I feel good that two of my present projects are halfway done! My Easy Lace Sock is finished! Of course, I have to make another one but this one is complete! It has to be washed and blocked but I'll wait until the other sock is also done.

I've been steadily working on the getting Facets quilted. I'm proud to say that I'm more than halfway done! I'm really enjoying this one. It's the second time that I've used this pantograph so it's easy to stitch. I probably stitch about 14" per day. I like how the curves look on the straight lines of the Facets blocks. I'm hoping to be done by the end of the week. 

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!🪺🐣🐰

Baby Gifts

These last few days have been busy for me. I had to take my mom for her annual doctor's appointment yesterday and then I had the dentist today. I haven't been doing too much sewing but I did want to show you the gifts I made for my friend and his wife for their baby due this June. In this picture, you can see the quilt and booties that I've posted before.

I also made this little teddy bear that uses the same fabrics as the quilt. I thought it would be a cute little partner gift with the quilt. I don't think they were expecting it. It's a pattern we used to use when I was in a quilt guild. I'm glad I held onto the pattern since it seems to come in handy!

I put everything in this cute baby bag. I'm just waiting for them to come visit the area since they live out of state. I hope they like what I made them!

I Like Thursday #309

It's time for I Like Thursday! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more participating blogs. Well, my Christmas Cactus is blossoming again! This is the third time since November. Is this normal?? I'm not very good with plants. I did have a Christmas Cactus for years and I don't think it bloomed much more than onceper year. It's very pretty and I love it. I'm just wondering if it's normal!

I'm halfway through making my border pieces for Facets. It's not a very large block measuring at 3" X 6.5". However, they are a little fussy. I'll be glad when I'm done. Facets has been a real challenge for me. I love how it's coming out but it's been difficult at times.

It's on the warm side today so I opened a few windows and I could hear the birds singing. I set up my Merlin app and found these birds in just a few moments. The birds are back! I feel spring is really here although it doesn't always feel it!

The conversation starter this week asks us if we still eat the same breakfast we used to eat as kids. Breakfast has always been difficult for me. When I worked, I used to have to be there quite early. I never had time to eat. Once at work, I did get a coffee break but only about 15 minutes. I'm used to not really eating breakfast. As a kid, I think I used to have toast but even then, I wasn't too hungry. I'm fine with just a cup of coffee! I just eat a good lunch at noon. 

Have a great weekend!

Two Projects

I've been working on the binding for my baby quilt. I made the binding and sewed it onto the quilt over the weekend. Baby quilts are fun since everything works up so fast. I got a chance to start sewing the binding down by hand. I'm already about half done. Love that!

Here's a close up of the binding. This colors in this quilt are brighter than they seem in these pictures. 

My cross stitch kitty is done! I thought I was finished until I remembered the back stitching. I'll get to it eventually! I have a few hand projects I'm trying to finish first. 

I Like Thursday #308

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna to link up with more blogs posting happy and fun content on a weekly basis. I finished quilting this baby quilt this morning. It measures about 42.5" X 56.5". I'll be making the binding soon. I love how the ribbon candy just pops in this picture. This was fun to make and I hope my friend and his wife love it!

I had a gift card from Barnes & Noble so I bought this very neat Nook cover. It reminds me of a quilt so I just couldn't resist it! I use my Nook a lot since I borrow books from libraries in Massachusetts using the Libby app. It's such a convenient way to read books and it's all free!

I also bought this cute hair clip. You would never know it's a clip. It looks like a book and I just had to have it! It says Romantasy on the side where the book binding would be. So funny and it works great!!

The conversation starter this week asks what was your least favorite food as a child and how we feel about it now. So, in seventh grade I bought a cafeteria lunch at school that happened to be a pepper steak. Well, after eating it, I got sick. To this day, just the smell of peppers brings that nausea right back to me. It was always difficult living in an Italian family since my mom used fresh peppers a lot. I don't think I'll ever be able to eat peppers. 

Have a great weekend! Tomorrow is the first day of Spring so Happy Spring!!!!!