Block 3 of Friends of Baltimore

I have decided the Friends of Baltimore blocks are just too darn much fun.  If I didn't have other commitments, I'd spend 8 hours a day working on them.  As it is, I fit a few pieces in here and there but am always thinking of them. 

Here is the third block.  It has smaller pieces than numbers 1 and 2 but was way too much fun. 

Notice the teeny tiny circles?  I have to admit they were a challenge.  You see......Karen K Buckley's Perfect Circles don't come that small so I had to cut my own circles.  Have you ever tried to cut a perfectly round circle out of freezer paper?  It's not easy.  

Of course, the lyre will have strings embroidered.  Actually, there's quite a bit of embroidery on every block but I'm saving that until the end to do.  I don't like to get out my embroidery "stuff" and then have to put it away and then get it out a few weeks later.  

I'm putting together a block of the month so better go and cut more kits.  I promise I won't let my mind wander while I'm cutting.  Focus.  Focus.  I can do this!

 



Another Baltimore Album Book

Ever have a time when you know you've been busy?  Crazy busy like Paula of Pacific Patchwork says.  Then you try to put your finger on what you've been busy doing and can't quite figure what has happened.  Not much to show for your efforts?  That would be me.

I started on my next block of the Friends of Baltimore quilt.  I'm itching to work on it but need to finish one more project first.  Here's my block in progress.

The red flowers with petals are just too much fun to make.  I could make them all day long.  Here's a closeup.



I mentioned Dr. Dunton's book a few posts back as being a "must have" Baltimore album book.  Another great album book is Baltimore Album Quilts by Dena Katzenberg.  She was curator of a traveling exhibit of Baltimore album quilts (1980-82).  She put together a catalog of quilts - lots of color photographs and detailed photos.  Only 3500 copies were printed so the book is quite scarce.  I bought a copy several years ago, read it, then put it aside.  Took it on vacation to the NW last year.  Put it back where it belonged and promptly forgot where I put it.  Several weeks ago I thought it would be good to reread it and couldn't locate it.  I searched high and low to no avail.  Finally, I was so distressed I bought another copy.  Oh yeah - the next day I found my long lost copy.  So now I have two.  Oh well.....I'll use one as a working, I can drool on this one, copy and the other will be my too good to use copy.  Ever do something stupid like that?!

We have all been so saddened by the events in Joplin.  Sew Graceful Quilting is taking donations to help the victims.  You can read specifics in their current newsletter (just click on the newsletter tab on the right side).  I donated 3 kits and hope you'll take a few minutes to hunt up something to give. 

Since I've got Baltimore on the Brain today, I think I will close and work on the block.  Who knows, maybe I'll have a finished block to share next week?!



New Free Quilt Pattern

It's been a while since I blogged.  Being gone a week for spring quilt market threw me for a loop.  Market was in Salt Lake (spring markets rotate which is nice - next year it'll be in Kansas City).  You can read about my market adventures at Sew Graceful Quilting. 

I had the honor of making Lynette Anderson's free to use pattern for Lecien Fabrics.  I love Lecien fabrics - so soft and nice to work with.  Here's the quilt.

Sew Graceful will have kits available once the fabric arrrived late June/early July.  If you'd like Darlene to hold one for you, give her a call at 479-372-7403.

I will post more later this week.  The weather is looking threatening and it's too dreary to get good photos.    Our Moda man notified us that the quilt shop in Joplin proper, Sew Neat, is gone.  Like everyone, my heart breaks for all those who lost loved ones.  Donating to the Red Cross is a small way we can make a difference. 

My Reward

You may recall I decided to reward myself by working on the Friends of Baltimore quilt.  Here is block #2 almost ready to be stitched down.  I still need to make a few circles and add a white strip to the boat but it's close enough to be shared with you.

Baltimore Album quilts were made from 1846 to 1854.  Many feel the trend ended with quiltmakers turning their attention to the Civil War.  Dr William Dunton, a psychiatrist, began collecting Baltimore Album quilts in the 1920s.  He became so interested in them that he self published a book of album quilts in 1946.  Only 2000 copies were printed so finding one in any condition is rare.  Here's my copy. 

I am a book-a-holic so knew I had to have a copy.  Dr Dunton alludes to quiltmaking as a therapeutic occupation.  He says "In making a quilt top the worker has the stimulation of color and she also has to concentrate upon her task of sewing the pieces together...."  He goes on to say "It is easily understood that a nervous lady who is concentrating on making a quilt block has no time to worry over her fancied physical ill health or even worse over wrongs or slights which may be real, so she is cultivating a more healthy mental attitude and habit."  

......and I thought quiltmaking was just fun.  Didn't know I was contributing to my mental well being. 

This week I also started creating a new block of the month for Sew Graceful Quilting.  After working on the album quilt, these pieces seem SO large.

I'm going to the spring quilt market in Salt Lake City next week so will have some things to share with you from SLC.  Mom has chemo #6 tomorrow and I have a quilt to bind to keep my hands busy. 

Hope you have a great weekend!

Baltimore Album Quilts

I met my deadline and the quilt for market is at the quilter.  Since I was good and stayed focused I decided to reward myself by working on my Friends of Baltimore quilt designed by Sue Garman.  As a reminder, here's the quilt.  Some of you are probably scratching your head saying "THAT is a reward??!"

Here's the first block.  I prepared my pieces and spent a lovely day Tuesday with friends stitching them down. 

I am working on the second block -- the ship.

Baltimore album quilts fascinate me.  The next few posts I want to share my favorite album books. 

Mom is doing very well.  Yesterday she told me she has hair growing back - fuzzy, soft, barely visible white hair.  For those in the area, stay dry.  Hopefully we will be able to dry out soon.

Great news!

Ever have a week where each day seems like a month?  That was the week between mom's PET scan and the visit with the oncologist.  Our prayers were answered - she is cancer free.  Doc wants at least two more chemo treatments to be sure the cancer is in remission.  She had a treatment yesterday so we may have just ONE more.  One of my friends put it so well when she said "It's like getting a new birthday." 

I haven't got a lot to show.  Had too much nervous energy to focus on anything.  I did work on the quilt for Lynette Anderson for spring quilt market.  Here's a sample of the yummy fabrics she created.

I also worked on another holiday project.  Here's a sneak peak.

It was so much fun helping at Sew Graceful's booth at the quilt show last weekend.  It was fun to catch up with many of you.  Here's a couple photos of the booth in case you didn't get a chance to make it out to the show.

I'd better cut this short and get back to sewing.  I have to finish Lynette's quilt and get it to Darlene for quilting soon.  Hope you have a wonderful week!

The Quil brothers have left the house but, unfortunately, didn't leave the area as I know several who have the crud.  Get well soon!  With energy returning, sunny days, and lots of projects in the wings I had a pretty busy week. 

I finished this project including the quilting.  Background is brushed cotton and the applique pieces are wool.  I enjoy having a wool project in my stitching bag because it's very forgiving.  By that I mean that if my stitches aren't uniform, it's OK.  You can get the pattern for this piece here.

I don't know if you remember that I made the quilt for Lynette Anderson for her new line of fabric that came out during the fall quilt market.  Suffice it to say that I did not quilt it - Darlene did.

Lynette asked Darlene and I if we'd help with the quilt for the spring market in Salt Lake City in May.  Of course, we said yes.  I have been working on the quilt but can't show it just yet BUT I can show you some of the fabrics I'm using.  Sew Graceful Quilting will be getting in the line later this year (late June/early July).  The pattern will be free - can't beat the price! 

The fabric is wonderful to work with and the colors are just so me.  As you can probably tell, I am having a lot of fun with this project. 
 
Mom has her follow-up PET scan this Friday.  Please say a prayer that the cancer is all gone.  She felt well enough to go to church with me yesterday and that was a huge blessing.  I don't know how many of you go to church with your mother but let me tell you that when she's not sitting next to me things just don't seem right. 

If you live in the area, don't miss the annual quilt show this Friday and Saturday.  It will be at the Benton County Fairgrounds, 9:00-6:00.  Admisson is $5.  Lots of vendors and pretty quilts.  Have a great week!