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

The Wrap Up

I can't believe this is the last day of retreat.  These past 7 days have really flew by.  The last wrap up to get projects completed before departure at 3:00 has begun.

 

 Also sorry for no posting last night, but we didn't have an internet connection till this morning with they reset the modem.

 

Marie is busy on her next project.  She is making the Bali Wedding Star wall quilt like Loraine's a few days ago.  Great colors Marie!

 

 

Edna finished a Table Topper for daughter.

 

 

and busy working on some Sunbonnet Sue blocks she rescued

 

 

Also forgot to show Edna's First Ladies blocks

 

She did all four sizes this week (in two colorways).

She calls one set her "practice set"~yeah right.

I will take her practice set anytime, how about you?

 

 

Loraine FINISHED her Farmer's Wife quilt this morning!

With all of the extra blocks she made during the year, she doesn't need the last class.

 

Should we say Over Achiever Award here!



 

And lets not forget Marie's great strip quilt she finished last night.  Lovely colors!

 

Margaret is busy with her Tree of Life blocks this morning.

 

 

She did all she could on her Farmer's Wife quilt (needs a few more blocks to complete it).

 

I think I forgot to post the picture of Carol's Venetial Tiles quilt she finished before she left yesterday morning.

 

and me~again

 

Finished the first month of the new Amish With a Twist: Series 2

 

 

This will be a Block of the Month starting in April (6 months)

 using Centennial Solids by Marcus Brothers

 

Also made my Quilt of Valor

it does need a border on top and bottom, but I ran short of fabric and will put those on tonight after I get home.

 

and for those loyal followers

 

 

a peek at The Breakfast Club mystery.

All Breakfast Club mysteries this year will revolve around "strips".

Be sure to come in on Mystery Sunday, February 17th, 1-3 pm

and receive your FREE pattern for this quilt.

 

We will have kits in this and a blue colorway available that day.

Limited number so be sure and come early.

Join our Breakfast Club and receive a discount on your kits.

See Thursday Threads newsletter for more details.

 

Mention you saw it on the BLOG and receive an additional $2.00 off.

 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures of our February retreat.  Join us on the next one

in July.  Watch for details here and in the newsletter.

 

I think we finished a record number of projects on this retreat.