Chestnut and Vine

What a week this has been!  I had good intentions but, unfortunately, that was not to be because of having to entertain these guys.  The Quil brothers along with Mucinex have been my best buddies most of the week. 

My sweet husband brought me these.........how do you guess I repaid him...........just a hint........he's now best friends with the Quil brothers.  Poor guy!

I did do my part on the Chestnut and Vine quilt.  Debby is piecing and I'm doing the applique.  We both think we're getting the best part of the deal since she doesn't applique and I don't care to piece.  Sew Graceful Quilting is offering this as a block of the month. 

There are a few openings left for "Playtime" at Sager Creek Quilts.  I made this quilt using their wonderful selection of happy fabrics.  The pattern is exclusive to Sager so you will have a unique one-of-a-kind creation.

Since I don't have kids, grandkids, dogs, or cats and their cute antics to share, and since I don't have any other projects ready to share, I will share links to some sites you may want to check out.  Heck, these links are probably better than photos of all that stuff anyway. 

Martha Stewart has a wonderful slide show of the red and white quilt exhibit that's in NYC thru Mar 30.  The owner, Joanna Rose, wanted to share her 651 (yes 651) red and white quilts with the public.  The quilts are beautiful but the method of display leaves me speechless.

The winners of the AQS Lancaster Quilt Show which was Mar 16-19 are here.   

If you'd like to read about one quilter's life in Japan (pre- and post-earthquake) check out Tanya's blog. 

Since I have been under the weather I haven't seen Mom all week (we live only 2 miles from each other) but we talk at least twice a day.  I think she is doing OK.  It's about time for a Quil dose.  Also need to rebandage my finger.  The sewing machine ran over it.  I won't go into the gorey details but suffice it to say it wasn't a pretty sight. 

This week is going to be a good one!  I just know it!



I have been a bad blogger.  I guess I'll just attribute it to having too many irons in the fire and the fire was hot.  Mom had a rough time after her 3rd chemo and that translated to me having a hard time dealing with everything mentally.  She had her 4th session last week (her last we thought) and is doing OK.  Unfortunately, the oncologist has decided he wants her to have 4 more sessions as insurance the cancer is really gone. 

Mike and I went on a mini vacation to western Oklahoma for 3 days.  He slipped on slippery rocks and fell - cuts and a very sore tail bone.  That didn't help my mental state either! 

Enough of my whining.......I got the borders on the wool applique quilt.  It is being offered as a block of the month at Sew Graceful Quilting.  It would be a fun project to work on during their Simply Handwork or Simply Primitive meetings.

I was recently reading Marguerite Ickis' book "The Standard Book of Quilt Making and Collecting".  In it she suggests "All of your sewing problems will be simpler if you pick an easy design for your quilt.  Too often an elaborate design presents difficulties which an expert needlewoman could not master."  I guess Marguerite would not be pleased if she saw what I am now working on.

This is the first block of Sue Garman's Friends of Baltimore quilt.  This is what the quilt will look like when it's finished.  Notice all those half square triangles - 1" finished. 

As you can see, I have a long road ahead of me!  My friend who is relatively new to applique has the first 4 blocks prepped and ready to stitch down.  At this speed I may be 100 before I finish this project but I am determined to finish it. 

Well, as you can see I have a lot of "work" to get done so better close this post and get busy.  Hope you are having a great week!

More Wool Applique

Hope you had a great week and got some quiet time just for yourself.  A friend often tells me that I need to work on a project to feed my soul.  I did just that and enjoyed some time with just me, my needle, and my thoughts. 

Here's what I've done so far.  I need to add borders but am waiting for fabric to arrive.  Backgrounds are fabric and the applique is wool.  I love using Valdani thread for wool applique - no need to separate strands.  Just thread your needle and you're ready to go. 

Darlene at Sew Graceful Quilting is offering this as a block of the month.  Call her at 479-372-7403 to get your name on the list for more information. 

I also am playing around with another new design using Blackbird Designs' Antique Fair line.  I haven't seen a Blackbird line of fabric that I didn't like and this one certainly is no exception.  You can touch and feel the fabrics here. 

I've also started on a Baltimore album quilt but don't have enough to show to make a photo worthwhile.  My friend Joan started a couple weeks before me and has THREE, yes THREE, blocks finished.......and she has a full-time job, four children, a husband, and the most adorable puppy ever.  I have one out of those 4 (a very low maintenance husband) and don't even have one ready to show.  It's not a race, it's not a race, it's not a race.  (Insert smiley face here)

Mom's chemo round 3 is finished.  Unfortunately, she's not feeling well at all.  I'm calling the oncology office tomorrow to see about getting her some pain meds as she feels achy all over.  She's pretty discouraged and I'm trying to be strong and positive but on the inside I'm a bundle of nerves. 

Anyway, hope you have a great week and have a chance to feed your soul.