Long time coming!

This quilt has been on my design wall for about 4 months now and it is finally all sewn together! Here we have "It's So Vermonty"in flimsy form.

This is based on Bonnie Hunter's Crabapples pattern from the book Adventures with Leaders and Enders. I've mentioned before that I wanted it to be bigger than the pattern so that we could use it on our bed. I made the 25 trees as the pattern indicated and then added setting squares between them to create extra rows. I simplified the borders, too, to keep the focus on the trees in the center (and to make it faster to finish).                                                          

I was trying to capture the feeling of dense Fall foliage, and I am pretty happy with the results.

While watching the Olympics I haven't done as much stitching as I usually do during TV time--I get too caught up in the action! But I have stitched up one more little house (Building Houses From Scraps) and have about half of another. This is usually my travel project, but it was handy to grab, and needed no prep work, so I made an exception.


Speaking of the Olympics, I have enjoyed seeing the Matryoshka Dolls--especially the huge one on the Slope Style venue. I have been a long time collector of nesting dolls, starting my collection before the break-up of the Soviet Union, when exported dolls were mass produced and very regional.

Over the years I have given several dolls away, feeling like my collection was getting out of hand. I haven't bought any for a few years, but I did purchase a bobble head nesting doll Sochi Olympics pin this month. Here is my current collection of dolls.

My biggest doll is about 10" high and the smallest is 2 1/2".  Here they are, side by side.

The large doll is a set of 20, the smaller doll is a set of 10. You can click the photos to enlarge and see details.


After the Soviet Union dissolved it became easier to find beautifully painted dolls. These are a couple of my favorites, front and back.

This doll isn't the tallest, but it contains the most dolls. There is a total of 30, with the smallest one being smaller than a grain of rice. Can you see it at the bottom of the doll to the far right?

 This picture gives you some perspective--those are the smallest dolls from the three full sets displayed above. The tiny one in the middle is from the set of 30.

Haven't had much sewing time lately, but it feels so good to finally have an empty design wall for a minute. I think I will pull out something that only needs a border and see if I can get it done in less than 4 months! : )

Until next time,

Janet O.

Out of season, I know,

but I finally got all of the blocks made for my version of Bonnie Hunter's "Crabapples" pattern (from "Adventures with Leaders and Enders"). I made the same number of tree blocks as the pattern, but I wanted a larger quilt, so I alternated them with fall colored batik squares. I'm still on the hunt for a border fabric that clicks for me.

This won't get assembled right away. Next week I am attending a two day retreat, with Pam Buda instructing (WooHoo!!), and I need to get two quilts cut and bagged up, ready to sew. I also have a couple of gift projects that I need finished soon, so this quilt will probably be on my design wall for a time. And while it is there, I'm sure I will be shifting blocks around to try and get the color placement just right. I have one more red block cut and I think I need to sew it up and put it somewhere in the bottom half, replacing one of those greens.


Mom was very happy with her little table topper. I need to remember to get a photo at their home of the quilt she made that is hanging on the wall, and this matching table topper made from the scraps of that quilt, gracing the table nearby.

Maybe you recall earlier this year when I received some UFOs from Karen (Log Cabin Quilter blog). Foremost among them was a large number of star blocks--well, almost blocks. The pattern for which they had been made called for them to be left in two parts, like this...

These half blocks were used to create rows and when the rows were sewn together the stars would be complete. I have opted for a different setting for these beautiful stars, so I have put my trusty new (old) machine to work with the assembly process. Where all of the seams intersect in the middle it creates a thick mass, but my little featherweight isn't fazed by it. Sews right through it as though there was nothing to fear. I almost have the pile of 50-something stars finished!

I am trying to come up with an appropriate name for this machine. I've had several great suggestions, but I haven't narrowed it down yet. I'm hoping to have her named by the time she goes with me on retreat. I've ordered my shoulder strap case from Jean and Bill Lyle. That will be such a relief to not have a heavy machine to lug around in an awkward case. Can't wait!

On so many of your blogs I have been reading about all of the projects you have planned for the coming year. In giving it some thought, I have
decided that where last year was my "Year of the Feather," this will be my "Year of the UFO".  I will go boldly into "unfinished" territory! I have gone through boxes, bins and bags and have come up with just under 20 projects (I know, that is a drop in the bucket compared to many of you) that were started and abandon in various stages. Some of them just need a border to be to the completed flimsy stage.

Several are completed sets of blocks that need to be assembled into a top

Others are all cut with blocks partially made.

This is just a sampling of what I found. All of them deserve a finish. This year I plan to get as many of them to flimsy stage as I can, and even quilt some. I will start with the ones that are closest to flimsy stage and work my way up, seeing just how much I can get done. I plan to make a mini quilt here and there, but until I have a bunch of these off the list, I will not start new bed-size quilts. Did I mention that I will be starting two new quilts in the Pam Buda retreat next week? Those don't count--I signed up for those workshops almost a year ago.

Now, I have a confession to make. I am totally addicted to the flavor combination of dark chocolate and peppermint. There has been way too much of it available during the holidays, and I have overindulged. These two have been my favorites--and the packages are near empty. Last night, as DH and I did a little grocery shopping, I was frantically scanning the carts of discounted Christmas goodies, hoping to find the remnants of either of these to take home with me and ration out over the next few weeks. Alas, nothing. I was forlorn, but pondering the possibilities of that ever present alternative--Amazon! As I hopelessly turned down the aisle of Valentine treats, I was pretty sure peppermint/dark chocolate would not be a featured flavor there.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but 3 bags of dark chocolate/peppermint Roca, at a greatly reduced price, sitting innocently among the Valentine Roca packages. I spoke not a word, but went straight to the shelf. I grabbed all three bags, quite ashamed of myself. (Oops, sorry, I got carried away.) I was ecstatic, but also looking around greedily hoping to spy some of the Lindor truffles. Success goes to my head. In the end, I settled (very happily, to be honest) for my 36 pieces of Dark Chocolate/Peppermint Roca, and if I am careful I figure I am good until, well---at least Groundhog Day.

So what are your quilting plans for 2014, and what guilty secret goes in your shopping cart, and what's in your wallet? Sorry, got carried away again. Too much dark chocolate and peppermint, I guess.
Until next time,
Janet O.

p.s. Between my birthday last month and Christmas this month, and sometimes for no reason at all, I have been the recipient of some lovely gifts. I was going to share them here, but was concerned that I might inadvertently omit someone, or something. I hope you can tell from my individual thank-yous to each of you, just how much I appreciate the thought and kindness behind each gift. I have been deeply touched!

In The Works

I didn't have a chance to sew all week, but I managed a little time Saturday night. These are the projects currently "in the works"--at least the ones that I can show. Holidays are coming, you know.
Faithful
This is the beginning of my version of Lori's (Humble Quilts blog) most recent QAL. Recognize the center block? I deconstructed its previous setting. I'm starting to wonder if adding that outer row of HSTs will overpower the compass in the center. Maybe this will be the end, as well as the beginning, of this little quilt. I'll have to ponder that one.

Crabapples (aka It's So Vermonty)--Bonnie Hunter pattern from Adventures With Leaders and Enders.
I only stitched up one more block, but during the week I had purchased a green, leaf print batik and had cut the setting triangles. What do you think? The greens in the tree blocks are brighter, but I don't know that it matters that much.

Pineapple ornaments
I put borders on three ornaments that I had stitched up last month. I had finally picked out the paper foundations earlier this week (I guess I was hoping the paper foundation removal fairies would find my home). When the backs are on and they are stuffed, they will finish at 2 1/2 inches.

After these three are completed, I have 8 more to make for DD#2's fundraising booth at a craft fair Thanksgiving weekend.

Here are the completed ones DD#1 and I have made so far, adorning my little sewing room tree. I think we will need a bigger tree. : )
For those of you accustomed to my rather wordy posts, don't go into shock or anything, but that's all for now!
Until next time,
Janet O.

Meet "The Barrister's Daughter"

That is what I have decided to name this eclectic bunch of blocks when they are finally assembled into a quilt.

When Randy was hosting her Barrister's SAL last year I was doing my first set out of shirts, and I did complete the top, which you can see here. But I had also started a second set out of Christmas fabrics. As the weeks went by I could barely keep up with the first set, so about 1/3 of the way through the year I dropped the ball on the Christmas set.

This year John'aLee is hosting the Rancher's Daughter QAL with a new block posted every Monday, along with a story from her life as a rancher's daughter. I wasn't going to join (when have my intentions ever meant anything?), but then decided I could just follow along at a slower pace, doing every other block, until I had enough blocks for the Christmas throw I had intended to create last year. I think six more blocks will give me what I need for the layout I have planned. I will be using alternating squares and currently I am thinking of red and green hourglass blocks.

This quilt finally got bound and is now winging its way across the country to its new home. I did give it a wash and it softened up nicely, as so many of you suggested.

The Crabapple blocks (a Bonnie Hunter pattern) are beginning to pile up. Almost halfway there. Still searching for the perfect sashing.

Finally, I was in the mood to do some "small" work and didn't have time to make another pineapple. When I first starting making mini ornaments I began with 2" basket blocks. After making two of them I switched to pineapples and haven't looked back. But my little sewing room tree needs some variety, and besides, I had some orphan 1" HSTs laying around in black and green. Just had to make a 1 1/2" HST for the corner and I was good to go!
This little jewel is not paper pieced, which means no papers to remove--yippee! : )

I am making progress on my Patriotic Picnic quilt and when I have it all back up on the wall I will get a photo to share. In the meantime, if you want to see a fun bunch of little Patriotic themed quilts, check out Doniene's post here. So many cute R/W/B quilts!

Happy stitching!
Janet O.

Time Out for Family

I haven't been in blogland much the past few days. DD#1 is visiting with us from New Hampshire. We have 8 days with her and we are keeping very busy. I have tried to keep up reading blogs, but haven't had time to comment.
Haven't done much sewing, either, but I will share my smidgen of progress.
This little 8" square mini finally got quilted and bound last night.

I recently received some scraps from Kathie (of Inspired By Antique Quilts) and among the scraps were 8 big  HSTs. I wanted to incorporate them into a mini quilt somehow, so using a 1 1/2" square ruler, I cut two small HSTs and 2 solid squares from each of the large HSTs.





Maybe you can get a better idea from this photo.

I used the little HSTs to create the pinwheels in this mini. Most of the fabrics used are from Kathie's scraps--even the backing.
Now this little quilt hangs from my new sewing room shelf and keeps company with another recently created mini which you have already seen.

I completed one more of the Crabapple blocks from Bonnie Hunters book "Adventures With Leaders and Enders." My sister thinks I should name it "It's So Vermonty," because the quilt is in honor of a trip we took to Vermont one Fall, and we are big fans of movies from the 30-50s. The name she suggested is a line from an old movie. Just for the fun of it, the first person who comments with the correct old movie will get a gift bag of my herbal soap. Anyone think they know? : )

And finally, all of the strips sets have been sewn and sliced for my patriotic version of the Primitive Gatherings Picnic Quilt.  This is made entirely from Primitive Gatherings fabrics--mostly the Old Glory line, but you will find a bit of Snowman Gatherings and Little Gatherings in there as well. Just keeping things interesting.

Now I need to sew the blue and tan strips into blocks and sew the blocks together. I have made it bed size by adding an extra row to a side and the bottom and including borders. I highly recommend this pattern for a quick, visually interesting quilt. This is one of very few patterns I have ever made more than once.
We have been having so much fun with DD#1 here. Among other things, she and DD#2 had a late night learning session on Gidget. I am pleased to inform you that both of my daughters caught on to this much more quickly than I did. Here is DD#1 at work on a practice sandwich. Their "first time" machine quilting puts mine to shame. The fact that I can machine quilt at all should give everyone out there who is struggling, all kinds of hope. If there had been a dunce hat in my first class, I would have been wearing it.


My girls are pretty special. When in the world did they get to be in their 30s?? And what does that make me? We don't want to go there.
This weekend we will have my sons (they are pretty special, too) joining us for some quality time before DD#1 heads back home mid-week.

This coming Thursday I will be attending the HMQS in Salt Lake City. Anyone out there going that day? I'd love to meet you!

I may not be back to blogging until after that show, but you know there will be lots of great quilts to share--AND in less than two weeks I hit my 2nd anniversary of blogging. There will be a giveaway for all of you patient people who follow my ramblings, you can be sure of that. So stay tuned, and in the meantime--can you name that movie?
Janet O.