Had a lazy day

It was cold and blowy outside today so I stayed in and worked on my Cathedral Window quilt. I think I got around another 20 windows sewing in. I wish now that I had done it in smaller sections. This quilt sure is but still has a lot of muslin showing. LOL My goal is to have it finished by July 15th so I can enter it in the county fair. YA right who am I fooling?
Hope you had a great day and were able to keep warm,
Penny

what to do with a jewel tone

It measures 92x92 and will look great with all the jewel tones that Rosie sent me.

This is a must do soon. I'm even thinking verigated jewel tone thread for quilting this quilt.

OK I just might have to go get my black soon.

Penny

Dresden Plate Done

From top to quilt. I finished it Sunday and just now getting around to post the photos.

The Sashing strips

This is what the sashing strips look like after they have been quilted. I have two layers of batting, cotton warm and white on the bottom and a med loft poly on top. It gives the stenciles a trupunto look and feel.
I can't wait to see how the blocks themselves turn out. This is a quilt top that won't be done in a few days. Maybe, just maybe, I might enter this one in our county fair. We will have to see what the finished quilt looks like.
Have a wonderful day.
We have 6 inches of new snow, the kids are home from school,
OH FUN!!
Penny

Current BOM's

I have been asked for more information on the Bom's that I am doing and where to find them. They are both free on the Internet and both have yahoo e-mail groups for support.
This first one is called "Foolish Goose Tracks" and is designed by Heather Finnell, of "Burning the Midnight Oil", it can be found on line at the following link: http://burningthemidnightoilquilts.com/block-of-the-month-quilt/
The first installment had been posted, so it is now under way.





The second is called, "Now and Forever", it is designed by Beth Ferrier of, "Applewood Farm Publications". It can be found at the following website:
http://applewd.com/BOM/page1.html

She as asked that you do not post the photo for others to see with out written permission so I won't post a photo here. But, you go to her website you can see the bom. The fabric list has been posted but this bom does not start until Feb.

Hope that information helps those who asked for more information.
Hugs
Penny

The quilt of the Week

I pinned yet another quilt on the grace frame today. My "Baltimore Blues" applique quilt. Lastnight I was in chat talking about how to quilt it and a couple of friends suggested that I try the "McTavish" Quilting style. This style of quilting is named after it's developer Karen McTavish.
http://www.designerquilts.com/mctavish.html

I did some internet research, talked to a few longarm quilters and gave it a try. So, here is my attempt of her style of quilting. It may not be perfect, but I like how it looks and it's only on the boarder so far. Hopefully by the time I hit the blocks it may look better.

the view from my sewing chair

The pile on the left has 17 total, it is quilts that will not fit on the grace frame.

The pile on the right are tops that will fit on the grace frame and there are 15 of them.

The two in the middle are tops that I want hand quilted.

I hope in a few weeks the pile on the right will be much smaller.
Penny

Playing with EQ-5 today

A very dear friend gave me EQ-5 for Christmas. She has created a monster!!!


Here is what I designed today. It just might become my next project. I love the traditional blocks and now mixed with my other love applique, I think it makes a stunning quilt. I'm not a red person, but wanted something out of my comfort zone.

How many quilt tops left?

In QuiltChat the other day someone asked, "how many quilt tops do you have left"? So, I was curious myself. I took out all of my tops from the right side of the cupboard and put them into two piles, ones that will fit on the grace frame and ones that won't fit onto the grace frame.

Here's the totals:
Will fit 16 Won't fit 14 To be hand quilted 3
Grand total 33 tops that still need to be quilted. LOL
Not very likely that I will run out of things to to do. LOL

So my goal, for the next few months, is not to sew anything new except the BOM's and try and quilt up as much as I can. Hmmm wonder if I could find a Longarmer who would give me a group discount for the quilts that won't fit on the Grace frame. LOL

I'm off to the sewing room, going to load a new quilt onto the grace frame.
Take care
Penny

When It's to cold to ride........

I get soooo much done. Even I'm shocked at what I got done this past week.

I finished the dog wood quilt. I am so happy with the way it turned out.

It's now in the left side of the cupboard waiting it's turn on the grace frame.

I finally quilted the Farrowed Four Patch quilt top. LOL about time don't you think? lol

I also quilted "Sharon's Garden" I used a very bright yellow thread to keep it cheery.

And, it doesn't stop there.......Drum roll please..........

I finished my "Pinwheel and Posies" quilt. I used 9 different colors of thread.



I tightly quilted down the background and then outlined the flowers, leaves and the blocks with matching thread.
I am very happy with the way it turned out. Binding is done and the label is on, so it now earns it's place on the other side of the cupboard.

I wonder how long this cold snap will last? LOL Just think of what I might get done next. OH that's right, I already put a new top on the frame.

I might get it done by the weekend.

Penny

I'm in trouble......deep!!!

Last year I completed, "Pinwheel and Posies" by Applewood Farm Publishing.

Beth Ferrie's technique of applique opened a whole new quilting world for me. So, today I checked on her blog, http://applewd.com/blog/?cat=17 to see if she was going to be doing another BOM....... OH CRAP!!!! I am in soooooooooo much trouble. LOL

I should have never looked. So, as I did last year, I will be working on two BOM's at the same time. A few months ago I made my daughter's best friends Prom gown. As a thank-you she gave me a Gift Certificate from the local fabric shop. Thank-you Kendra, this quilt is on you.

Check back often for progress updates.

Peaceful Piecing,

Penny

Bom First Installment

I am doing the Burning the Midnight Oil Block of the Month. The first installment was posted today. I was able to get one of the 4 blocks done today.

"Just a Horse"

I found this poem and had to post it on my blog.

'Just a Horse'

From time to time, People tell me 'lighten up, it's just a horse.

'From time to timePeople tell me, ' a lot of money spent'

From time to timePeople tell me, 'it's just a horse.'

If you really think it's'Just a horse,

'Like 'just a promise, ''Just a friend, '

Than you can't see The beauty of it all.

You just can't see. The distance traveled, The time spent, And the costs involved for'Just a horse.'

The reason to rise, Early in the morning, Taking those long walks,

Even when it's pouring.

It's my proudest moments, My only company, The saddest moments, And the gentle touch, That gave me a reason to go on.

It's the hopes and dreams, And the coming of the future.

The fond memories of the past, And the unforgettable joy of the coming day.

So...If you really think it's, 'Just a horse, 'Like 'just a promise, ''Just a friend, 'Than you can't see, The beauty of it all.

You just can't see.'Just a horse' Brings out the best in me, 'Just a horse'

It gives me who I am andKeeping me from being, 'Just a girl.''Just a woman''Just another passing being'

I'll smile and nod to agree, knowing deep down I don't. You may think it's 'just a horse, ' but it never will be for me. If you really think it's, 'Just a horse, 'Like 'just a promise, ''Just a friend, 'Than you can't see, The beauty of it all.You just can't see.

jess schwarcz

What can you get done on a snow day?

Well, I for one got a lot done today. While the snow is piling up outside I was behind the sewing machine. The weather man says it's going to snow all night giving us a total of 10-12 inches. Anyway, I got the calender quilt is Done. It really did turn out nice. I love the bright colors.

ALSO, are you ready for this one?

I'M DOING THE HAPPY DANCE :)

The "Ohio Rose" is also done. If you close, it even has the kittens stamp of approval. Samantha just loves the way it turned out. So, it will go on the grace frame next.

I did sew on the Dogwood quilt today, I hope to get more of that one done tomorrow. For now I am taking a break, headed into #Quiltchat and enjoying some down time.

Hope you are all save and warm.

Penny

Chilly day here in PA

Oh my, it was cold today. Now, they are calling for snow,6-7 inches is what we could get. Oh well, it's January in PA.

I did get some sewing done today. All the blocks for the calender quilt are done, now all I have to do is put the blocks together. The blocks were fun to make and I love the colors. But, the fabric requirements were a bit short, so I had to piece some strips together to get all the squares I needed. The only person who will ever know is me and I figure if it was good enough to do 100 years ago, it is good enough for me to do now.

I also finished putting all 12 of the Dogwood blocks in place. The applique parts are now glued to the background and waiting to be appliqued down. I hope to get them done tomorrow, then start sashing them together.

This afternoon was an M&M afternoon. I was felling a bit down, turned to a little Choc. to help. I only ate a few, and then handed the bag off to the girls to finish.

Hope you all are safe and warm.

Hugs to everyone

Penny

So many projects...............

So little time LOL

I grabbed the camera and walked around my sewing room to give you an idea of my current projects.

Project One

Our son gave me a quilting calender for Christmas, this is the first project of the year.

15 Court House step blocks and 15 different star blocks. I started the Court House blocks they lay there on the desk.

Project 2 Dogwood Blossom

A friend of my daughter's loves Dogwood trees. I found this pattern in a magazine. It will be her graduation from high school gift. There are 12 blocks and I have 4 of them done.

Project 3

Ohio Rose It is almost done. Two more sashing motifs and it will be ready for the borders.

Project 4

Pinwheel and Posies on the Grace frame being quilted. Two more color changes and it will be ready for binding.

I think they will keep me out of trouble for awhile.

Penny

New fabric for the BOM

There are my fabrics for the new Burning the Midnight Oil's Block of the Month,

"Foolish Goose Tracks".

http://burningthemidnightoilquilts.com/block-of-the-month-quilt

Heather has done a great job getting me out of my comfort zone. The colors are not bright, so this is going to be a challenge for me.

Thank you Heather

Penny

Road trip!!!

My girlfriend Judy whispered to me while in chat today that she was up for a road trip. LOL She has no clue when you say road trip to me the trouble has begun. LOL We are headed to Mifflinburg PA to great little Mennonite quilt shop called, "Verna's". I have taken a shower, threw on my face LOL (mine sleeps on the night stand) and started a list. LOL
Let's see

Fabric for the BOM

90 Wide back for the Ohio Rose

Thread

I am sure I will think of more while in the car on the way down there.

Photo's to come later

Hugs

Penny