Long Time Gone Panels 1-4

This is my progress on Long Time Gone so far. This piece is made up of Panels 1-4. The length is a little over 60 inches. I didn't even measure the width. I have to make Panels 5 & 6 that will be sewn on the right side of this piece. I also may add an extra border so I have no idea what dimensions this quilt will end up measuring.

This is just Panels 1-3. It gives you a better view of the upper part of this piece.

I'm thinking of adding a piano key border. I'm still looking at my options! Panels 5 & 6 are larger and more complicated. I'm starting to make the checkerboard pieces and sewing some of the blocks together. It's nice having the blocks done but there's still a lot to do!!

I Like Thursday #19

It seems to be getting more like Fall everyday. I just took out my fall table runner. I made this using blocks that were designed on Electric Quilt. They were having a tutorial one summer. I decided to use the blocks for a fall table runner. I really enjoyed making this. I'm not that great with Electric Quilt. I have to use the books to navigate through the program. It's a fun quilting tool to use. 

I put this wool mat in my family room every year. The pieces were all pre-cut. I just had to stitch them down using the blanket stitch. 

Today was on the cool side but I managed to wash these curtains and clean my family room windows. I have one room left that needs windows and curtains cleaned. My mother still cleans her windows twice a year but I barely manage to get it done once a year! Curtains and windows are a pain to clean!

I'm so thankful for my veterinarian, Dr. Kane. This is a nice picture of her hospital

Lily and Molly are in those carriers in the waiting room at the vet's office. They weren't very happy. Thanks to Dr. Kane, we had a great appointment with a minimum of stress for our kitties. They hate leaving the house! They sounded very loud while waiting for our appointment. For 2 little cats, it's surprising how loud they are!

Those are my happy thoughts for the week. I'll be linking up with LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color. Go visit her site for more positive posts!

Long Time Gone Panels

Here are all the blocks to make the quilt, Long Time Gone. When you see them all together, it looks a little nutty! It's all different blocks in all different sizes. However, I think there is a method to the genius of Jen Kingwell. 

Here is Panel #1. The quilt top is made up of 6 panels. I love the very light grey strips. It looks great with any other color out there.

Here's Panel #2. So far, so good! I always hold my breath and hope all the panels fit together properly. I'm working on Panel #3. I will sew Panels #2 and #3 together and then Panel #1 is sewn on top of them. Let's hope they fit! I always find it exciting to sew a quilt top together after making all the blocks. It's wonderful to see all  your hard work coming together.

I Like Thursday #18

I'm starting this week's likes with my Binding Buddy! I just made some binding and finally got to use this. I think she looks very cute holding all my binding so nice and neat. I usually just roll it up but it's easy to unravel. My Binding Buddy keeps my binding in perfect order until I'm ready to use it!

This is a wool pressing mat made of New Zealand wool. It measures around 17" X 14". I love it! My seams lie nice and flat. Both sides get steamed at the same time. I also own a small 7" square mat for smaller pieces. I found this one on Amazon but bought my smaller one from a local quilt shop.

I'm not very good with plants. I've had this African Violet for about 3 years. It's a wonder it's still alive! With Fall on the way, I really appreciate seeing a blossoming flower. This plants sits on my kitchen windowsill. My husband bought it for one of our wedding anniversaries. 

One of my favorite stores is Sephora. That's where I found this great body lotion. I love the smell of it! It smells so clean and fresh. Imagine how disappointed I was when I found out Sephora doesn't carry this anymore. I had to mail order it. One of these 16oz bottles lasts me close to 6 months. I did hear Kohl's also carries it so I may try them next time. I use this everyday and would be so upset if I couldn't find it anymore.

That's my likes for the week! To read about more happy and positive posts, please visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color! Have a great week!

Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler finished!!

I finished quilting my Farmer's Wife 1930's  Sampler Quilt! I'm so excited! I really didn't think I'd finish it today. I had the last border left and I thought it would take longer. I was trying to figure out what day I was off that I could finish it up. But I just kept going and finished this afternoon! It measures 71" X 63". I usually like my quilts bigger but it's finished which is better!

These next pictures are just close ups so you can see the blocks and the quilting.

It wasn't easy coming up with new ideas for each block. I think I repeated a lot of the same patterns towards the end.  I was running out of new motifs.

This picture shows the border swags as well as the curved cross hatching.

Just another vantage point.

This is how it looked before trimming off the excess batting and backing. It looks so much smaller! That's okay. I really love how it came out! Time to figure out what to do for binding. I had saved some of that green border fabric but I think I used it on another project. I'll think of something!

I Like Thursday #17

I love this little chandelier! It hangs over the desk at the beauty salon. It's so cute. It really adds some elegance to the whole place.

I love this little mirror! I bought it at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA. I love quilty gifts!

I bought this kit years ago. I think my daughter was going to make them cute snowman ornaments. I don't think she even tried! I thought this would be fun to do while watching TV. I have plenty of time until Christmas. (I hope!)

This is my favorite coaster! I don't think I need to explain this one! Haha!

I'll be linking up with LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color. Go visit her blog and see more fun and positive posts!

Thank you, Dawn!

I won this great book from Dawn who now blogs at Relaxing Robin. She had a giveaway this past Friday and I was lucky enough to win!! I received this book, Mod Block, published by the Missouri Star Quilt Company. Great patterns!

Dawn was also kind enough to send me a fat quarter, jar opener and lovely note.

This is the back of the jar opener. So clever! 

I just wanted to thank Dawn for her generosity. It was so fun to get this package in the mail. Thank you!

I Like Thursday #16

  

I was off yesterday so we made a quick little trip to Ogunquit, Maine. We go every year. It's about an hour from my house. We always stop at Knight's Quilt Shop in Cape Neddick which is en route to Ogunquit. This is always our first stop!

The shop has a few special rooms that I love to visit. This little room up stairs has a nautical theme. There are some great panels and specialty fabrics. 

There are many finished quilts available for purchase. There are also all sorts of kits in this area.

I loved seeing this crib full of quilts. These quilts are all donations for the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland, Maine. It's part of Maine Medical Center. What a great cause to quilt for! I'll have to keep it in mind for my next visit. I'd love to contribute to this great cause.

I almost forgot to post what I bought. I loved this cute little pattern. It's a great way to use up those fat quarters! And since I don't have enough, I bought more fat quarters!! They were too pretty to pass up! 

After keeping my husband waiting, we made our way to Perkins Cove in Ogunquit. It wasn't as busy as usual. I heard yesterday was the first day of school. It was a little cool but so nice to walk around.

We visited our favorite shops and found a nice place to eat a lobster roll.

This was our view while eating our lunch. Such a great day! We made our way home in time for dinner.

I'll be linking up with LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color if you'd like to see more happy and positive posts. I wish you all a Happy Labor Day weekend! I'll be working most of it. It's my turn to work a summer holiday. 

Feathering

I starting to quilt feathers between the blocks on my Farmer's Wife 1930's quilt. I'm doing them in sections. There are 5 columns between blocks that will need feathers. I'm just doing that area in each of the columns. When finished, I will advance the quilt.

This way, I'll only advance the quilt once every time the 5 feathers are done. I was also taught to make sure I sew the spine either at the beginning or the end of making the feather which I can do using this method.

I haven't quilted feathers since last year but they're coming back to me! I like how it looks so far.

I Like Thursday #15

Welcome to I Like Thursday! This is my 14th post sharing happy and positive likes. I have this silhouette hanging on the wall of my formal dining room. It originally belonged to my Aunt Frances. She was my favorite aunt growing up. She was my dad's sister. When she passed away, my cousins gave me this as a remembrance of her. My aunt had 4 sons and didn't have anything too frilly around her house. I'm a little surprised she even had this little picture. I sort of smile to myself when I see it!

I love antique quilts. I bought this at a quilt show about 10 years ago. It's a block from an old Dresden Plate quilt that was beyond repair. I like that they could save a block and make it into something somewhat useful. The colors are a little more pronounced in person.

Yesterday's dinner was Easy One Pan Chicken and Eggplant from Lexi's Clean Kitchen. This is a delicious recipe that takes no time to make. It's Paleo but no one in my family could tell! My husband is following Weight Watcher's and I think he told me it was 1 point. (If that's possible!!)

I don't get too many quilt magazines anymore but I do get American Quilter. This month has so many great patterns. I love the articles as well as the quilts. You won't be wasting your money on this one. They have the cutest wallhanging that I'm thinking of making.. I'm not very artsy but I may try this one!

I'm linking with LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color. Check out her blog for more positive posts. You'll be glad you did!!

Paper Piecing and Curved Crosshatching

Here are 6 Pineapple blocks I made for Long Time Gone. I have 10 more to make. Actually, I've been working on 2 more blocks and they're almost done. They measure 5.5 inches square. After these blocks are done, I'll start putting Long Time Gone together. I'm also changing up the border. More on that later!

I'm trying to work on curved crosshatching. I took a class with Deloa Jones back in April at MQX. It takes awhile to become comfortable with the ruler. 

This is a picture of what her rulers look like. The markings are easy to see and line up. I find the midpoint on each side of my block and line up the ruler. 

This is just another picture of the curved crosshatching on the same quilt, different side. I just have a few more of these to quilt and then I'll be quilting in the sashing between the blocks. I think I'll be quilting feathers in that space but I'm not completely sure. I could change my mind!

Lily always stays pretty close to me. I thought she was sleeping but she's always keeping an eye on me. You can see it in the picture!! Silly girl! I hope she approves of my quilts!

I Like Thursday #14

I try to follow the Paleo diet. It's the only way I can lost weight at my age. It works for me so I've kept it up for about 3 years. This is a Paleo Quiche. Ingredients include spinach, mushrooms, bacon and eggs. There is no crust or cheese. I followed a recipe but changed it up a little bit. It was so good! My family loved it and they aren't even Paleo!

I love the look of Ribbon Candy! It's perfect in a narrow border or sashing. It's quick and pretty easy once you get the hang of it!

This is my latest read. I received an Advanced Reader's Copy. I thought it was a bit slow when I started reading it but not anymore! I think the author was laying the ground work for the rest of the book. It's so good! This book is historical fiction that takes place in Barbados during the 1800's. Lots of family secrets!

This is one of my guilty pleasures. I always read the September issue of Vogue. It's thick and full of ads but it's great fun to leaf through. I'm not big into new fashion trends but this issue is full of info on what we can expect to see in clothes, makeup, hair etc. It's a nice diversion!

That's my likes for this week. I went back to work this week and had to work until 3:30 today. I'm posting this so late but I'm glad I got to share a few likes with you.

I'm linking up with LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color. You can see a lot more positive and wonderful likes on her blog. Enjoy!