Almost

It’s almost Summer, and I am almost done quilting the second Crescent quilt. The first one (white background), was a full size, this one (blue background) is queen. I chose a star pattern for them, it is a little dense, but I think it works with all the ~~background~~ negative space. For the blue one I enlarged the design a bit, hoping it would stitch out a bit faster. I went from 12 inches high to 14, but I still have ten rows at 30 minutes a row. I was hoping to get it done this weekend, but realistically, Monday.

I have been sewing away on the Star Bright quilt top, my version is a bit bigger than the pattern, 70″ x 90″. All 4 inch squares, I am working it a section at a time, referring to my EQ8 mock up. The green highlighter shows the finished ones. Yesterday I cut all the pieces for the rest of the blocks, I had been cutting as I sewed, but I think the pre-cutting will streamline the process a bit more.

I got the smaller Dwellings quilt top together last week. It is 70 x 90 too, the width is 20 inches less than the original. I was also “allowed” to use the coral prints from the fabric line, with was a nice change. Overall, I was able to maintain its proportions well, I also changed the maple leaf blocks to a bear paw, but it isn’t noticeable – unless you are looking for it. The picture below shows the blocks before they were sewn together.

I am hoping to get these three quilts done and in the mail by the end of the month. Then I only have one more, queen size, the Skylights Pattern. I am finally seeing the bottom of this pile of fabrics I have been working from. I am itching to make something from my stash, in my color preferences and my pattern choice. Maybe this kit I got a few years ago, it’s orange and pink and purple. Truly though, I should give the Message in a Bottle quilt a bit of time. I am soo behind on that one, the last installment is coming in about two weeks. I’m on month three of twelve, sigh, not even close to almost done.

I am stitching away on the Heaven and Nature piece. There are lots of little things to stitch, and I can do a motif in an hour or two. I was thinking that I should add my initial and the year somewhere, maybe near the house. There is a bunch of random square motifs near the roof and some space up there.

Last week I was passing by an estate sale and dropped in for a look. It’s not like I need anything, but you never know what someone has in their garage. This was a sale for someone who was downsizing and most of the items dated back to the 60’s and possibly older. Beautiful china sets, silver flatware, vases, and collectables. I think the woman was a crafter too, as there was a nice looking treadle machine and a bunch of lace and trim. What struck my eye was a serving tray with needlework inserted in it under glass. I couldn’t leave it, I paid twelve dollars for it, and rescued a floral pillow for six dollars. It reminded me of my last post about what happens to someones treasures when they are gone. I also got a lovely Lenox bud vase, a charming 1920’s rouge compact, and a few glass Christmas ornaments.

I managed to get another custom quilting order from the quilt shop. This one is a Storm at Sea variation, I think it looks like a Crossed Canoe block, but the center is a bit different. This is a small quilt, and it needs some fixing where to blocks join, lots of piled up seams. I want to look at it a bit more closely and see what I can do to make it more quilt-able. This top is about 40 years old too, but thankfully not foundation pieced.