Rules

I have been visiting blogs,especially Eileen's Attic, where quilters are using vintage fabric. I think what is fun about vinatge blocks and fabric is the way the fabric was used. Quilters were economical in their use and designs especially when the quilts were to be utilitarian. I mentioned on Eileen's blog that the quilt police weren't around then...quilters often used what fabric they had because they couldn't afford to buy specialty fabric, they didn't always cut on the bias because they didn't want to waste anything.... I have enjoyed quilting this past year because I have tried to go into my stash and use what I had. Sometimes, I bought a piece or two to fill in but enjoyed the challenge of looking at my fabric in new ways.

I tend to be a traditional quilter who likes old patterns and old ways. Just over the last few years have I moved from mostly hand piecing to machine piecing. I used to just machine piece when I was in a hurry or I knew the project would get a lot of washing like a baby quilt....

I have a plaque on my wall that says, IF YOU OBEY ALL THE RULES, YOU'LL MISS ALL THE FUN. It applies to quilting and life!

New Favorites Added....

I finally got around to adding links to Christmas Cottage swap group blogs that I have been following. It has been so exciting to meet members of my group on line through their postings!

Hello to new additions: Bekka, Anyone Can Quilt, Diddle Daddle Designs, Em's Scrapbag, Sunshine Yellow, Messy Karen, Loft Creations, and Quilter Polly. I had visited many of their sites before but hadn't listed them on my blog....

I have been working on Sue. I decided to just stick with the pieced border. I will use the green that backs the oval to make the binding. At first, I thought the piece would be too small but as I finished it, I decided it will be just right. I still have to hand quilt it. That will be for another day.

My tired eyes

It's my fault! I stayed up till 2:30 this morning reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society that is on the best seller list. I'm not one to run out and buy a book because it's on such a list. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like it but since a wonderful friend recommended it, I figured I'd give it a try. After I got into it, I couldn't put it down. The author has a unique way to tell a story.


Today is a beautiful, sunny day here in Delaware so we were up and out early...we did a little model home viewing. We have done this for years even though we are not in the market for a new home. I love to see what's new and how the homes are decorated and it was an excuse to get out! On the way home, we did a little grocery shopping. I bought an acorn squash and am going to try a new recipe that uses canned apple pie filling when baking the squash....maybe, I said maybe, I can even get hubby to eat squash!




I have been working on the Sunbonnet Sue. I have the block and some of a border around it done. Check out the picture. I'm not sure what I will do after adding this border. I may add more. I'll wait and see and do some experimenting with the fabric since I am only using vintage "attic treasure' fabrics for the front. I would like to make the hanging bigger - If left as is, it will be about 18x18. Will have to see.

cough cough

It seems that every fall, I get a cold. Same this year. After a couple of days of lounging around, I have new energy and am ready to go...

Good news today. My cottage blocks arrived at their destination - now it is just waiting to get my swap blocks. I can't wait.

This week I have been working on one of my UFOs...a vintage block. In the stash that I found among the Grandma's attic, I found a Sun Bonnet Sue that was partially appliqued and basted onto a muslin oval. I finished Sue and appliqued the oval onto a background and am now creating some blocks to go around the background. All the fabric is from the vintage stash. It's still in the creating stage but I think it will turn out ok....I'll have to post a picture later.

I've also begun creating some items for our guild December auction while I'm waiting for my blue and white quilt to come back from the quilters. I guess this is just a time to finish up some things.

Off to work now. I was asked to fill in for someone tonight so that limits my quilting time....oh well...more money to buy books and FABRIC

Busy time since last blog

Over the weekend, I spent some time at my son's and played with my grandson while mom and dad had a few days of respite. It was a great time but keeping up with a toddler is quite a challenge. I did get my cottages done for the swap and I will try to get them in the mail this week. I have also been playing with some fabric from our guild Fat Quarter Challenge. The fabric is from Australia. I have it out and have been spending time just looking and trying to decide what to do with it. We have no guidelines except that we need to use it in a project by the first week of February.

Nannette at Freda's Hive has been encouraging her readers to share pictures of their stashes. Mine is in a walk-in closet that my husband outfitted with storage units. It's hard to get good pictures but here are a few.

As you walk in, you can see a cabinet and drawers with open shelves. We cut down an old cutting mat for the top of the shelves so that I can do quick measuring using the lines on the mat. The bins contain fat quarters, scraps, small tools, yarn, tape, and other "cool stuff." The pegboard is great for storing those cumbersome hoops and rulers. The drawers below the cabinet are used for storing trims, patterns, templates and template plastics and such. The cabinet has plastic boxes of thread and some other crafting supplies.

To the left are my fabric shelves. You can't see to the far left beyond the shelves for fabric where I have a place to store my iron and ironing board and a lower shelving unit to store sprays and such. You can't see the very top, but there is storage for plastic tubs, pillow forms, and other bulky items. I am amazed how empty the shelves actually look in the picture. BUT I have been working very hard this summer to use up fabric in my stash. I am trying to figure out another way to store fabric. I tried doing it by color but that really didn't suit me. I would like to find or make some "mini bolts" that the fabric could be stored on since all of the fabric on the shelves is at least a yard in length - most of it is more. .

To the right are other open shelves which I use for more fabric (which you can't see at the top) and crafting supplies (beads, glue, jewelry findings, etc.) Between that unit and the wall is a space to hang quilt tops on hangers while they are waiting to be quilted.
All in all, my storage is pretty efficient and it is great to keep all my crafting supplies in one place. ALMOST. I keep my vintage fabric in the storage space under my cutting table and there are always piles of fabric on the table and the sewing table....and ....

A cottage

Here is a picture of just one of my cottages. Each cottage is different but this will give you an idea. I have most of them done just need to do some finishing touches. I'm not going to post much today because I want to get back to quilting!

My alterego as a writer

Mostly I post about quilting but I also wrote a book with a friend and I got my copy of it just yesterday in the mail. What excitement! The book is for teachers of secondary science to help incorporate reading and writing in their curriculum. For anyone who may be interested, you can find information at www.corwinpress.com.

Back to the quilting. I have completed two of my 12 cottages. I have incorporated embellishments and applique. I know I will have a hard time deciding which of the 12 to keep for myself and which to swap!