Lots of Progress

Here's what I have to show off for National Quilting Day.  This has been a busy week or so.  First, one of my favorite quilt shops had a big sale and I found these:

They had fat quarters on sale for $2.00 each, so I stocked up on some new civil war reproductions.  My favorites are the pinks and I think I can use the stripes as borders for a doll quilt or two.  I have always wanted to make a pink and brown quilt, so I think some of these will find their way in there, also.  No special projects in mind just yet, I have projects to finish before I start something new, but I will be ready when the time comes.  Who can pass up such a good sale?

Next, since I got my new sewing machine three years ago I have been trying to find a good chair to use.  The chair I have been using is a spare kitchen chair, but it just isn't high enough.  I finally found a nice chair at a great price.  I received a $25.00 coupon good on a purchase of $75.00 or more from Staples, so I started checking out their selection of chairs online.  I found one for $99.00 that looked good, then when I clicked to purchase it, a 20% off offer appeared if I purchased it right then.  So, what a deal, I got the 20% off plus got to use the $25.00 coupon and got the chair for almost half price.  That is great for a penny-pincher like me.  Here is my new chair:

I wanted a chair that had no arms, was on wheels, would rotate and adjust in height.  It does it all and is comfortable with good back support, so I am very happy!  Now I can comfortably look down onto the sewing surface and see what I am doing.

I have a couple little finishes to show off.  I had saved the free BOM A Tisket A Tasket from Bunny Hill in 2009, I think, but I had never started it.  I prepped the first two blocks to take to Florida with me, but I didn't have time to work on them there.  When we got home I needed an evening hand stitching project, so here are the first two blocks:

Block 1

Block 2

With other projects to finish soon, I haven't started any of the other blocks yet, but I hope with having these two done I will eventually finish this BOM .

My big project with a deadline is the churn dash wedding quilt and I am making progress, here is a sneak peek:

 I am hand quilting it with little flower shapes in the alternating squares, stitch in the ditch around the churn dash shapes and between the blocks.  There are 120  5 inch churn dashes and 99 alternating blocks, then I have to decide what to stitch into the triangles along the edges since it is set on point.  There will be no outside border, just the binding along the edges.   I am really happy with it!

Hope you are enjoying some quilty time this weekend!

A Big Finish, Trip, Pincushions and Progress

First, the big finish, my Medallion quilt is all done and hanging inside by my front door! ! ! 

I started this last year and worked on it on and off all year long between other projects that had deadlines for finishing.  The longest part of this project was hand quilting the outside border.  I did an echo stitch around all of the applique but the rows of stitching were pretty close together, so it took forever.  I intended to make the echoes about a quarter inch apart and I think I did about an eighth inch instead.  This was a sew along on the Humble Quilts blog by Lori starting in April last year.  I am so happy to have it finished!

We are back from our trip to visit our new grandbaby.  He is so precious, but they all are at this age.  Here he is on his quilt grandma made:

And here is one more:

I think he is a real cutie, but I'm a little biased.  His mom called the other day, he was 5 weeks old and he had rolled over from tummy to back.  We were thinking that it was just a fluke because that's a little early for that, but she called back again several days later and said he does it every time he is placed on his tummy, so he is doing great.  Quite the little character!

We drove 3,550 miles on the trip, that was a long drive!  But we had a great time visiting and playing with the little guy.  They are coming to stay here for a weekend in April, so it will be fun to see how much he changes by then. 

It took us a week or more to recoup from all the travel, guess we are getting old.  Whew!

When we got home, this was waiting for me:

 

A group I belong to had a pincushion swap.  This is the pincushion and two hand made dish cloths my partner sent to me.  I love the fabric she choose for the pincushion, it is just gorgeous.  Here is what I made for her:

 

 

I made two and couldn't decide which one to send, so I sent her both!  The one with the bird is made from Kansas Troubles fabrics and the bottom one is cross stitched.  It was a fun swap and we are both thrilled with our pinsuchions.

 

Now I am making progress on the wedding quilt for my nephew and his bride.  I'll post pictures later but I am finally finished with making the churn dash blocks and starting to get it sewn together.  The blocks sit on point, so I have to pay attention sewing the rows together.  It is looking nice and I'm starting to wish I was not going to give it away.  It is pretty cute. 

 

I will share more next time!  Happy Quilting!