Last Days of Retreat

I am so sad. 

Today is the last day of retreat.

We are all just moping around, finishing up projects,

remembering the good times we shared this week and looking forward

to the next retreat in October (way to far away though).

Here is what has been happening these last two days.

Last night we celebrated Marie's birthday with chocolate cake, ice cream.

We surprised her with a wonderful card from all of us and

a new kit to expand her interests.

(She had just done her first machine applique and then stated that

she did not do wool).  

We gave her a kit with wool applique (how funny).  LOL

To day we are all filing one at a time upstairs/downstairs to pack up

our rooms.  Some are starting to pack up some of their sewing gear.

Edna has already left us this morning.  She has a play

at SIUE this afternoon.  See you soon Edna.

Marie is working on a new baby quilt.

Pat is sewing on her 2006 Central IL Shop Hop quilt.

Well maybe sometimes!

Chris is making a Loop and Shift quilt.  We need to get a pic of this one

when it is done.  Something like a trip around the world.

Carol has finished her Log Cabin blocks.

Hurrah!  Now on the the last two and time to put 

her Amish With a Twist quilt together.

Margaret wouldn't let me take a pic.

I bet you guys think she is really not even here at all!

She is working on Infinite Variety.

Me-well, I finished another 12 blocks of Hearth and Home

to send to California for Quilts of Valor.

and then started some hand applique.

My Di Ford mystery quilt and some blocks for Antique Wedding Sampler 

and a new Antique Wedding Sampler vase block I just started.

Starting to pack my machine and STUFF up so that I can

finished up some hand applique this afternoon.

Very finished with my pile of completed projects this retreat.

Even going home with some empty totes.  Yeah! Always a BONUS!

Need those empties to put some new-waiting to be started-projects in them.

I promised myself months ago that I would not buy any more totes.  I had to finish

some to start more.  So far it is working.  But I have about at least

10-12 projects just waiting in the wings for a tote home.

Better go cool down the iron----

Keep quilting!

Jan

It's Been A While

It has been a while since my last post

but that is about to change--

Since my last post, I have feverishly been working on
all of the new projects for

By Thy Hands Block of the Month

You saw the February and March minis--

here are what you get in April and May

These went together REALLY fast.  The blocks were made, appliques cut from wool and glued in place, layered, appliques stitched around using a blanket stitch, quilted and bound in less and 10 hours!  YEAH!!

I committed to myself to do one Quilt of Valor each month this year.  Here it is almost March and I had yet to complete my January commitment.  But here it is without the last border (didn't get a pic but it is sewn on and at the quilters-yes that's me, but it is in line with the other 5 QOV's yet to quilt)

I did however manage to get some QOV's quilted this month. 

 This Irish Chain was made by Carol.  

I put a Navy theme to it with the quilting.

Also quilted this month was a QOV made by Margaret. 

This was presented to Everett Hickerson just a few weeks ago in Litchfield.

I've had the book for the Lucy Boston quilt for several years.  

It is now the latest thing--so the perfect time to start my

English Paper Pieced blocks.

I have three completed-here is one of them

If you are interested, here is the link

http://lindafranz.com/shop/lucy-boston/4/product/lucy-boston-patchwork-of-the-crosses/31

Also on my list is the Antique Wedding Sampler quilt by Di Ford.  It is in her book

Primarily Quilts.

We have started an Antique Wedding Sampler Club at Patchwork Plus that meets on the second Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm.  Join us if you like.

This is the beginning of the first block.  Lots of broderie perse applique.

This technique involves cutting out a floral motif and then appliqueing it in place.

Only 3 more corners and a center to go!

 Oh did I mention that this was my second block.  I didn't like the first one, so I started again.
Like this background much better.  
Also lightened up the center triangles and fussy cut them too!


Quiltmania (the magazine) is also featuring a Di Ford mystery quilt this year.
Of course, I couldn't resist.  
The magazine is published every other month so there will be 6 installment to this quilt.

I started--

Have the stems appliqued in place, the vase is just sitting there for now, 

but is stitched together.

The other pieces are cut and ready stitch.  Now to find the time for handwork.

And last, I here are a few blocks for the Calhoun County Raffle quilt in October.  

 Current Working List

February progress indicated by red

Block of the Months in Progress

3” Civil War Love Letters – 7 blocks done

6” Civil War Love Letters  - 7 blocks done

8” Civil War Love Letters – 7 blocks done

Colorful Tropics – Month 4 completed

Repro Hexies   Cut out more hexies from this months’ projects

Scrappy Hexies   Cut out more hexies from this months’ projects

UFO’s

Dance by the Light of the Moon (Embroidery)

Sadie’s Keepsakes – Pieced section cut out Top put together

Let Freedom  Ring – Rip out and re-quilt border

Threads of the Civil War – Needs applique and embroidery

Blue Toile – piecing

Tree of Life – needs applique border

Water Lilies – Finish applique block 9

Oak Leaf and Reel

Mini 9 patch Blockswappers

Modified 9 patch

Savery Friendship Star found this one and added to list

            New to start for 2014 (Move to in progress)

Gingerbread  Square – NEW for Feb   Feb and March blocks colored and embroidered

By Thy Hands – April and May completed and bound

Antique Wedding Sampler – Block 1 pieced but not appliqued started new block in progress

Jelly Beans – Month 1 (2 blocks) pieced + 20 of 25 blocks designed

Holiday Houses – NEW for May May house completed and bound

Toes in the Sand – NEW for July

Nana’s Sampler II – NEW for August

Civil War Diary – NEW for September

Infinite Variety – Month 1 (6 blocks) pieced

Cabot Cuties

Glacier Stars

Fiesta Mexico

Lucy Boston (English Paper Pieced EPP) – 3 blocks done

Di Ford Mystery – working on first block (part 1)

Also:

·         Made Quilt of Valor top

·         Quilted Diamond Scones 2012 mystery, binding waiting for hand sewing down

·          “Berries and Cream”, binding waiting for had sewing down

·         Disco Dancin quilt top put together for Villa Rose raffle

Signing off for tonight!
Jan

End of the Year Wrap Up

Breathing a sigh of relief!

Inventory for 2013 is DONE!!!!

 

Yeah!!!

Ran up to Litchfield this afternoon to present a Quilt of Valor to
Mr. Al Lopinot
Al served in the US Navy from 1943-1946 and was on major assignment in the Asiatic and Pacific Theatre aboard LST 895 and was involved in the Battle of Okinawa.

Wasn't quite sure who was doing the talking here.  It turns out I was the one being interviewed.  Seems that Al writes articles for the local newspaper and he is going to write an article regarding his presentation and the QOV Foundation.

Wow-wasn't prepared for that.  It was a wonderful afternoon with Al, his wife, daughter and her husband and granddaughter and great-granddaughter (although great grandma had her most of the time).  Great to see 4 generations together for this award. 

Al is also a member of a group of WWII veterans at his complex and I am looking forward to returning to present some more QOV's in the near future.

Thank you Al for your service for our great nation.

 

Now back to concentrating on the new 2014 projects.

 

 

I have 20 of the 25 blocks designed for Jelly Beans and here is a sneak preview of

two of those blocks.

 

 

 

 

Those papers from last week turned into this block for

the Antique Wedding Sampler.

 

 

Just have to applique it down, add the center and four corner broderie perse appliques and four small circles.

 

Working on block 2 as we speak.  You know the hardest part is

picking out the fabrics.

 

Speaking of fabrics-

my sewing room is back to a mess.

 

 

This is after picking out fabric for

January Civil War Love Letters blocks. 
Seems it is also Callie's favorite place to sleep!
ARGGGGGG

Here are three sets of those blocks.  Only 4 more sets to go!

 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I did do month 3 of

Colorful Tropics

 

 

So here is the shakedown of my list for this week:

Block of the Months in Progress

3” Civil War Love Letters – 3 out of 7 blocks done

6” Civil War Love Letters  - 3 out of 7 blocks done

8” Civil War Love Letters – 3 out of 7 blocks done

Colorful Tropics – Month 3 completed

Repro Hexies

Scrappy Hexies

 

UFO’s

Dance by the Light of the Moon (Embroidery)

Sadie’s Keepsakes – Pieced section cut out

Let Freedom  Ring – Rip out and re-quilt border

Threads of the Civil War – Needs appliqué and embroidery

Blue Toile – piecing

Tree of Life – needs appliqué border

Water Lilies – Finish appliqué block 9

Oak Leaf and Reel

Mini 9 patch Blockswappers

Modified 9 patch

Savery Friendship Star found this one and added to list

 

            New to start for 2014

Gingerbread  Square – NEW for Feb

By Thy Hands – February and March pieced, quilted and bound

Antique Wedding Sampler – Block 1 pieced but not appliqued

Jelly Beans – Month 1 (2 blocks) pieced + 20 of 25 blocks designed

Holiday Houses – NEW for May

Toes in the Sand – NEW for July

Nana’s Sampler II – NEW for August

Civil War Diary – NEW for September

Infinite Variety – Month 1 (6 blocks) pieced

Cabot Cuties

Glacier Stars

Fiesta Mexico

Also:

·         Bound Quilt of Valor, labeled, made pillowcase and presented in Litchfield

·         Quilted my Christmas Trees Quilt

·         Quilted 2012 Mystery “Berries and Cream”

Now to start on a new week! 

Keep sewing and I hope your New Year is wonderful!

Be safe!

Jan