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

Why Do I Do This?

 

Finishing up a few projects these past months and have been digging around in

the sewing room to find a some new ones to start.

 

Ran across this book I have had for several years

 

 

The entire quilt is made using the English Paper Piecing method.

 

This is one of the projects I picked to start.  But first I need to:

 

Order the paper pieces

Start picking out fabrics (different sets for each block) - maybe 2-3 sets to start

Find common background for all blocks

 

Will keep you updated as this one progresses.

 

This also led me to another idea--

 

I need to applique the border on my other Tree of Life quilt

 

 

English Paper Piecing gave me the idea to make my flowers out of 1/2" hexs. 

So I'll also ordered some of these. 
I think Kari has some, but where???

 

Better off ordering my own.  By the time they arrive, I still would not have found her extras

 

Putting the borders together for First Ladies (2nd Saturday). 

Should have the blue color way ready for class

and the red color way will be the demo for

creating your own borders!

 

Now to finish the last side on my binding and add the label for Women of Courage.

 

It's nice to see some more people joining us for our

Summer Sew Challenge

 

Keep sewing and commenting.