Civil War Bride Quilt Block #5

It's finally ready to show - block #5 of the Civil War Bride Quilt. 

I'm not sure why this block gave me such fits.  First, I used a different stem fabric.  Got the stems made and pinned in place only to discover they were too wide.  Rather than take the time to remake them, I carefully folded the edges under to make them the correct size.  They still didn't look right so I threw them away and went back to the stem fabric I'd used on previous blocks.  Perfect.....at least the stems were......

Next came the vase.  I just knew the dark fabric that is now the apples would make a perfect vase.  Rather than waste fabric (Heaven forbid I might run out of fabric!) I audition using a template.  First, draw the shape on a piece of plain paper.

Next, cut out on the line to create a stencil.  Place the stencil over fabric to determine the best use of the fabric. 

Creating a stencil helps me zero in on the fabric.  I often see details I would not have otherwise noticed.  Now that the vase was perfect, it was time to move on to the flowers.  You may notice there is a flower missing.  That's because I couldn't decide what fabric to use for it.  The block was becoming a chore so I decided to throw caution to the wind and omit the flower; replacing it with a bud. 

I fussy cut my daisies and buds.  Here's what the fabric looks like off the bolt.

And here's what it looks like when it's fussy cut to create flowers and buds.

Block 5 took longer than blocks 1-4 combined (at least it felt that way!).  While I was on a roll, I went ahead and prepared block #6.  I am almost finished with it and will share it soon.

Hope you have a great week.  I know I plan to!

Kay

14th Annual Outdoor Quilt Show at The Buggy Barn

The day of the show was picture perfect:  temps in the 70s with a breeze, blue skies with occasional fluffy white clouds.  Although the Buggy Barn quilt shop is not large in square footage, it has everything a quilter would want. 

Quilts were hanging everywhere in the shop - even on the ceiling!

 

Outside, quilts could be found just about everwhere you looked.  On fences, on barns, on wagons, on clothes lines--everywhere!

  

 

Unfortunately, photos can't do the show justice.  If you've ever been to the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Zion National Park or Niagara Falls and taken oodles of photos, you know what I mean.  Photos just can't seem to communicate the magnificence. 

Next year is the 15th annual outdoor show.  I am already making plans to attend.  How about you?

Kay

Buggy Barn and Renee and Jo

The third day of classes at Buggy Barn meant a day with Renee Plains of Liberty Star.  I have loved Renee's patterns since she began designing so was very excited to be with her for the day.  I made a covered journal that will be perfect for jotting down design ideas as they come to me.  We used a combination of fabric and wool.  Also, learned the toothpick method of applique.  I'm excited to share the toothpick method in a future workshop. 

Here's some projects Renee brought to share with us. 

My last day of classes was spent with Jo Morton.  If I had to summarize Jo's work in one word, "amazing" would be the word.  Her written instructions are very well done - they make sewing a project so easy.  Her books are beautifully photographed and contain numerous diagrams to insure your success. 

Class with Jo is always so relaxing.  I perfected my backbasting needleturn applique and am excited to share the technique with all my friends.  I have to confess I haven't finished my project yet but this is what it will look like when it's finished.

So cute and so Jo! 

Next post I will show photos from the quilt show.  It was the 14th annual.  Just a hint:  quilts were hanging everywhere.

Buggy Barn and Blackbird Designs

The Buggy Barn ladies know how to put on a show.  During the week I have been entertained, fed very well, and have had more fun than one person should be able to have.  The wheat fields are absolutely beautiful with their golden color contrasting with the beautiful blue sky.  This is the view from the building where classes were held. 

Alma and Barb from Blackbird Designs had been busy putting together two fun-filled days.  The first day we had the option of hand or machine appliquing this wonderful quilt.  Alma told us the history of the block. 

I chose the machine applique option but didn't get very far.  Guess I spent too much time visiting with two very nice ladies:  Sue from the UK and Patti from Canada.  We laughed, ate, compared notes, laughed some more, and generally had a very fun-filled day with Barb and Alma. 

As is often the case, Alma and Barb had a special extra project for us.  This is the bonus project - a cute pin cushion.  We also got to make a couple of decorative pins for our pin cushion.

The next day we changed gears and spent most of the day doing hand work.  I actually finished my needle roll!!  Didn't take a photo but mine looks exactly like this one from Alma's blog.   Really -- I promise -- I did finish mine!  We also made a very cute box to house our needle roll.  Here's mine.

The classroom was filled with quilts from Blackbird Designs.  Here's some to inspire you.

I couldn't choose a favorite.  They were all beautiful.  Next time I will tell you all about class with Renee Plains of Liberty Star Designs and Jo Morton.  Plus, I took lots of photos of the outdoor quilt show. 

A couple of my favorite finishes

Well, I didn't get anything finished since my last post.  I have to be honest and say that I didn't even try to finish anything.  So, I will share a couple of finishes from a while ago.  The first is from Blackbird Designs' book "Warm Hearts".  Unfortunately, the pattern is out of print.

I loved creating this quilt.  I'd wanted to make something with a dark background and when I saw this pattern knew it was the one.  This is what the quilt was supposed to look like.  I often don't follow the pattern in quilting or cross stitch. 

One of my favorite cross stitch finishes is from another out of print book - Sampler and Antique Needlework.  It is called a casket - kind of a scary name - but it's a wonderful piece.  I bought my casket (OK, I'm going to call it a box) when I was at a stitching retreat in Delaware.  The shop owner who was hosting the event had only one box left.  Her husband was a wood worker and had made the box.  I quickly scooped it up and am so glad I did.  Not long after the event, her husband suffered a brain aneurism and passed away.   

Yesterday I was out and about and stopped by The Busy Needle where I ran into my friends Becki and Mary.  Mary is the owner of Ozark Sampler.  We had a very nice visit and I watched them stitch.  I came home very inspired and decided to work on Happy Haunting from Shepherd's Bush.  With any luck, I might have it ready for framing by Halloween!

I have 2 1/2 Civil War Bride quilt blocks basted and ready for applique.  I hope to share at least one of them with my next post. 

Have you finished anything recently?

Kay

Unfinished Cross Stitch Projects

I was looking for something the other day and ran across a few unfinished projects I thought I'd share with you.  Mind you - there are many, many more but these were the three I happened upon. 

The first is from a workshop I took with Alma and Barb of Blackbird Designs at Primitives of the Midwest a couple of years ago.  I did finish the stitching!  I probably should make an effort to finish this one since I'm leaving in a couple of weeks to take two classes with Alma and Barb at Buggy Barn Quilts 

The next two are from Shepherd's Bush  They were both quick stitches.  I like the added buttons.  I imagine I will make small pillows rather than having them framed. 

Several friends and I are planning a road trip later this week to a visit a couple of shops so I'd better go and start a shoppping list.  That sounds like more fun than finishing........

Kay

Civil War Bride Quilt Block #4

It's a good thing I like to make berries!  Call me crazy, but I love to make berries.  My preferred berry making tool is Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles.  I used to needle turn them but one side always came out nicely rounded while the other was pointy---that darn bias! 

The designer had included a couple of appliqued tendrils but I left them off.  My vines are a bit clunky and the tendrils added to the clunkiness so I took creative license.  I may ink them later.  I also left off the grape stems; may ink them later.  Those of you who know me know I am infamous for very little embellishment on my quilts.  Heck, I have many poor little birdies with no legs and no eyes.  I like to leave the embellishment up to the viewer's imagination. 

Here's all four blocks together.

I am working on block #5.  I had a plan for the block but nothing worked out as planned.  I've remade all the stems, remade flowers, remade the vase.  But it's all fun!

Kay