Blogging (not so much)

It has recently been pointed out to me that I haven't been blogging as much.  There are several reasons...one...I have definitely been spending waaay too much time playing games on Facebook.  Another...there are just too many wonderful quilting blogs to visit each day.  But mainly, quite a few home improvements going on around here. 

First, a new roof,  then the kitchen:  All new appliances; a new granite counter top with new sink and faucet with a copper backsplash (not real copper) and finally (as of yesterday) a new floor.  I had also tried my hand at redoing my kitchen table and chairs.  The table and chairs were originally wood-tone top and seats with dark green for the rest.  I changed the green portions to black and redid the top of the table and seats of the chairs (six of them!)

Then I decided I should also do the square coffee table in the living room.  That one actually took a bit longer to do, since I had to sand the top down to the bare wood.   Believe it or not, all the chairs, and two tables were painted with Rustoleum Lacquer finish paint.

So newly painted front door,  new curtains, new slipcover for the sofa (yep!  that is a slipcover from Surefit), new lampshades (where I added the trim on top with ric rac) things in the kitchen and living room are pretty much done.  Whew!

You can see my Berries and Bluebirds quilt handing on the quilt shelf.  I also got my Wish Quilt back from the quilter.  It still needs the binding to be stitch down, but here is a picture of one corner with the candy-cane stripe border.

I guess that explains where I've been.  But...there are still three bedrooms left to tackle! ;)

"Wish" Come True!

 

Yeah!  One wish came true for 2013.    The 'wish' was to finish this quilt before the year ended.   This is the freebie pattern, "The Wish Quilt" offered by Red Brolly.  It was done on December 27, 2013. :)  The main reason this one languished in the UFO pile was all those checkerboard panels. Now to have it quilted and be ready for next Christmas. 

Now, if you look closely, there are four stars with the family names on them.  These are really little pockets where a small card is inserted with that person's Christmas wish.  A cute idea, right?  Of course, I had to have some wool felt in there, too. ;)  Look at the reindeer...there it is!

The Wish Quilt and Bluebirds and Berries

The Wish Quilt, by Red Brolly, is a quilt that I almost finished during the time of its initial release.  However, running into a road block with one of my little star blocks, I stopped working on it.  The thought of doing all the remaining checkerboard blocks was a factor, as well.

However, once the star block hurdle was crossed, I moved forward with those checkerboards.  And...lookee here!  It is almost completed.  Four little applique hearts are to be applied to the dark burgundy rectangles, and the outer border, and it will be done!

 Now to audition those fabrics for the outer border. ;0

Another one that has languished is my Bluebirds and Berriess by Gail Pan Designs.  Mine will have to be called Blackbirds and Berries....
Another one that just needs the outer borders.  Who knows??  Maybe two more finishes before Christmas!


 

Pictures!

OK...let's just get right to it...lot's of pictures today.  Some of these I should have posted a while ago, and some were finished recently.  Updated photos of some of the projects I have in the works.
First:

The Pumpkin and Pinwheel block from Blessings of Autumn.

Next:

the Indian Corn portion of the second block from Blessings of Autumn.  There are still three large leaf applique blocks for this one.  Check out the 'corn' fabric!

Third:  An updated Block three from Merry, Merry Snowmen.  This one has been done for a while.  It still required all the embroidery.

And Block six from Merry, Merry Snowmen, finished last night:

and onto The Wish Quilt....

Here is the block with Santa and all the toys (for good little girls and boys!).  The stars with the names are little pockets that are to be used to place a small piece of paper with your 'wish(es)' for Christmas.

and last, but not least, Brutus, from The Wish Quilt:

 

 

My favorite holidays

Halloween and Christmas!  Well, at least as far as stitching and quilting are concerned, they are. :)

I forgot to post a picture of my Lizzie Kate Mystery Sampler progress.  I am actually up to date on this one! Part three is out and should be arriving at my doorstep soon.  Here are parts one and two (no charms or beads have been attached yet.)

Now for Christmas!
The next block for The Wish Quilt by Red Brolly has Santa, his sleigh and reindeer in the sky.  There are some appliqued stars and cute little houses.

Another picture of Santa:

More Christmas

Here is the redwork angel for the latest block for The Wish Quilt by Bronwyn Hayes of The Red Brolly.

Next,  the entire block with the angel, almost done.  The two small hearts need to be appliqued to be complete.

 

*** I am using DMC 3777 for the embroidery.***

The Christmas Quilt...a little more!

Have a look at my progress, so far.  Lots of stitchery blocks in this design...so it does take a bit to complete things.

A close-up of the small angel.

The stitching girl on the "Home is Where the Heart is" block.

 A little closer view of the bear block joined with the angel and stitching girl.

The credit for these beautiful blocks goes to Bronwyn Hayes of The Red Brolly.  Go take a look!  The next block is ready. :)

Christmas Teddy

Here it is, the next part for The Wish Quilt...a cute teddy bear having her tea, next to the basket of sewing goodies.

Three little hearts.....

The entire block. :) 

I am enjoying the variety in these blocks...the redwork stitcheries, the applique and the patchwork-all together in one block!

Seeing red

Hmmmm.....not what you might be thinking....but lots of pretty, red fabrics!  Just a small sampling of the assortment of fabrics I will be using in something new.

Don't you just love the tan with the little red reindeer?  More red reindeer to follow.....

I am having my own Christmas in July (well, it's almost over, but I did start this in July).  Bronwyn Hayes of Red Brolly is offering a free pattern called The Wish Quilt on her blog.  This is a gorgeous Christmas- themed quilt, with stitchery blocks, applique and patchwork.  Seriously, check it out, especially if you love red and white quilts.

Here's my first block, which no sooner was it on her blog, than it was started!

I decided to use red wool felt for the appliqued reindeer, stitched with a blanket stitch:

I decided to use red wool felt for the center of the heart appliques, as well. 

See?  Stocking up on those Christmas fat quarter bundles was a good thing! LOL!