OK, OK--Pictures of CC Quilt

Here is a close up and a whole quilt shot of my Carolina Crossroads. DS1 and DS2 held it up for me. They could barely make it clear the floor although they are both nearly six feet tall!

DS2 said he'd be happy to use this as his new bed quilt since it is large enough to cover him up completely. Can that boy drop a hint, or what?

Yes, it was cruel not to include pictures on my last post. I won't do it again.

~Joan

Carolina Crossroads Complete Except Sewing Down Binding!

I don't have a picture for this post, but I have great news! My Carolina Crossroads quilt is complete except for hand sewing down the binding. I don't have as many scraps as I thought before starting this quilt. I used up my odd lengths of leftover bindings for the binding. I limited it to blacks and browns. I had to cut one little piece to make ends meet. The extra batting and backing have been trimmed off, and now I'm heading up to sew that binding down!!

Mine ended up being 84" square after borders.

One of my ways to be frugal is to save pieces of binding that are leftovers. When I make a really scrappy quilt, I sew them in one continuous and motley-colored piece and use that instead of cutting new binding for a quilt. I keep it in one of my drawers on a little 3 drawer chest that lives under my cutting table. For a small wall hanging, I'll often have a piece ready to go of one fabric that matches. That's like winning at BINGO!!

My two oldest boys just got back from a Civil Air Patrol meeting. DS2 got to co-pilot and DS1 got to ride in a Cessna 172B for over an hour. They are on Cloud 9, so to speak. They loved every minute. It was the first time in the air for DS2.

I knew that with a large family things would get busier and busier, but it's happening exponentially overnight. DS1 and DS2 have jobs outside our home. DS1 was called in to work 5-8 tonight when he was formerly not working tonight. DS2 is working with a contractor friend and works all day (8-5) M, T, and Th. My daughters are always on the go helping new mothers, babysitting, doing yard work, delivering baked goodies, etc. I think I need one of those office flow charts that has "so and so--out; will return ____" just to keep track of everyone.

I'm feeling much better. Had the stomach flu last night. My stomach still objects when I move quickly, but I don't plan on doing that for the rest of the night, LOL! I haven't eaten anything today either, so I'll test drive that tummy at a later date.

Have a great day.

~Joan

Starting Quilting on Carolina Crossroads

Close, closer, closest! This is my Little Gracie frame. I have a 1930 Singer cast iron commercial darning sewing machine with which to quilt. I'd call it a "medium" arm. It's much longer than a regular domestic machine, but nowhere near a long arm. I paid about $300 for it; I've had the set for a couple years. All I do is meandering and some times add loops, hearts, stars, etc. Because of my sewing machine's foot, I can't do anything fancy. It tends to snag on a thick seam, which requires constant watching by yours truly. It still beats wrestling with a quilt on my domestic machine (which I still do sometimes if I want fancier quilting).

I got this loaded and about 1/5 quilted this AM. Off to violin lessons...perhaps I can add another pass or two tonight.

I didn't think to take a pic of my CC with borders. I did a scrappy cream 1" finished border, then a 5" unfinished of the same black with caramel flecks as my sashing strips. I am very pleased with it. The solid fabric border calms down the busy-ness of the center. I'm quilting with a mildly variegated gold/cream/peachish thread. So far, so good!

~Joan

Center of Carolina Crossroads Finished!

First, a clarification. My DH thinks I may have offended Bonnie because I like this layout of HER pattern better than her original. Since I know Bonnie, it never occurred to me that she would be offended. I think if someone took their CC blocks and made a jacket from them or a bed canopy or made 2 separate quilts from the 2 sets of blocks, she would think it was great. The truth is that we all like what WE like. While I like the block units, when they were put edge to edge, I found myself not liking it a whole lot. I needed the definition of the sashing for my greater enjoyment. I think Bonnie would be happy for me. I am quite sure she wouldn't like ALL of my quilts.

That leads me to a question...

I have (miraculously enough) added a poll to my page. What makes a quilt catch your eye? When does a quilt grab your attention? I think color is the primary thing for me. If it doesn't have "my" colors, I don't look much. I have seen some quilts made from the same patterns as mine in non-Joan colors, and I didn't like them much. But make that puppy in dark country colors, and I'll like it a lot more. Such is life.

Secondly it is the overall quilt pattern. I don't like large pieces, but they do have their place. After piecing the inside of the CC quilt, anything over 1-1/2" square constitutes LARGE, LOL!!

Lastly for me is the actual quilting. Don't get me wrong...it is important and must be done well, whether machine- or hand-quilted. But when I initially spot a quilt or see a photo, the quilting is mostly hidden.

I'm curious as to what you think.

This center measures 71" square. I'm debating about borders now. I'm taking a break from the machine since I've been on here all my free time yesterday and today. I'm thinking of a thin inner border of cream or creams depending on how many scraps I can round up, and a wider border of ONE black.

~Joan

One of These Halves Is Not Like The Other

Here is a pic of my Carolina Crossroads so far this AM. The top half is my design, adding in the sashing strips of the accent color, black. The bottom right "half" is the original pattern. I like the top left better, so I'm not necessarily asking for advice. Just curious as to the different opinions out there. Do you like the original (bottom right) or the detour (top left)? Let me know!

~Joan

String Quilt Picture Update

Here is a rather close-up picture showing the sashing stitching. I have started on the row on the left and am working my way to the right. I'm quilting block 12 out of 30. I'm using a ruler and hera marker to mark the X's. If you hand quilt and mark straight lines, that is the way to go. No actual marking on the quilt, just a crease that is so easy to follow!

For the photo shoot, I even took the basting out of the first row of blocks and sashing! I like the way it's coming along, and I LOVE to hand quilt. It lets you see and admire each and every fabric as you go. Having the chatelaine with all my supplies together makes it so enjoyable.

Making great progress on my Carolina Crossroads. Picture later tonight. I'll have to take a few hours off to go pick up my son at the construction site, then the whole bunch to the library and violin lessons.

Back to the CC!

~Joan

Carolina Crossroads Progress...Not Much to See

All I got sewn on the Carolina Crossroads today was getting the split rail fence blocks sewn together from the rail, 9-patch and cream square units. The quilt is set on point, so you have to use your imagination to see them.

Here are some of my blocks on the design wall. If you find the large cream squares on point, there should be 5 of those across and 5 down. After getting these up on the wall, I wondered if my husband would like it. My suspicion that he would think it's too busy was confirmed when DD2 walked in and said, "Is there a pattern there?" The stars with the black points don't show up as much as I'd like. I have a creative idea that I will show tomorrow.

DS2 took a year-end math test today that included material from his whole book. I told him that if he got a perfect paper, or only missed ONE, I would take him out for supper. Well, the rascal did! We had such a great visit while we ate at one of our favorite restaurants. We shared a steak and fried baby shrimp dinner. That was quite possibly the best meal I've ever eaten out. Everything was cooked to perfection. I'm so proud of him. He started working with a family friend who is a contractor this week. He will be learning all kinds of skills and hopefully saving some money as well.

I watched 3 movies last night. Remember, DH is away! The children and I all watched The Pacifier. They thought that was hilarious. I sent them to bed and watched most of two more. I hand quilted the whole time, so I'm making great progress on my string quilt. I have decided to quilt the sashings as I go so I won't have to go back and do them all last. I'm really liking it. I like the navy I picked for the sashing and border, and I love the blocks themselves.

Better get to sewing this mystery quilt that is no longer a mystery! I've added a bit more sewing with my unchartered changes, so I best get to it. I'll post a picture of my progress later today.

~Joan

Carolina Crossroads ~ Installment 6

Yes--third post for today.

I thought these blocks deserved their own post. I try to limit a post to one subject.

These are some of my Carolina Crossroads large blocks (Ohio Star), corner triangles, and side setting triangles. I am most definitely NOT trying to figure out the pattern. Just wanted to put some up on the design wall to get a picture. My accent color is BLACK.

~Joan

Carolina Crossroads ~ Unit 5 Finished + Box

Finished unit 5...100 3-1/2" square hourglass blocks.

This is my little magic box from which will come a Carolina Crossroads quilt some day. Bonnie teased me this AM by posting a pic of the finished quilt...from the BACK!

I am eager to see the final design, but I guess I'll just have to wait . Good things come to those that wait. If that's true, I have a whole lot of good things coming.

~Joan

Carolina Crossroads Unit 5 Start

Above is the first step of sewing Unit 5 of the Carolina Crossroads quilt. My accent color is black, so back to cutting I went. My sewing machine faces out a set of French doors. Great for light, horrid for cold. It has been uncharacteristically cold today. It's only 28 degrees now. Frigid for us!!

Some half units ironed. This is from the "foot" of my ironing board (the new cover was a Xmas gift from DD3). In the distance you can see my L-shaped table with my sewing machine to the left and my computer straight ahead. The priority mail boxes are there to block out the light that comes in the window behind the computer. They are not a permanent feature...only between 1-3 PM. Please don't report me to the post office officials.

Today I rec'd a DVD on freehand machine quilting by Dawn Ramirez. What a hoot! I can't wait to try some of her techniques. I think our I Spy baby quilts are the perfect place to practice. I'll be sewing wonky feathers and dwirling in no time.

I heard from an old friend (hi, Cindy) today via belated Xmas newsletter. Seeing her return address just put a smile on my face. So many good memories. Nothing like a good friend, is there?

Have a good night,

~Joan

Carolina Crossroads ~ Unit 4 Finished

This little handful is the Carolina Crossroads unit 4. I started on them bright and early yesterday AM. There are 40 blocks. I am very intrigued to know where this quilt is going. Since I'm very short on free time, I'm content to let Bonnie lead the way w/o any guesses on my part.

~Joan

Snowmen, Cookies & MORE...

My family goes caroling every year to neighbors and sometimes off to friends. Sunday (a non-posting day) was filled with church activities. Monday I personally cooked all day to prepare for a fellowship time after caroling at a nearby nursing home Monday night. I had to add the "personally" because my oldest children usually do most of all of the cooking here for long periods of time. I still vaguely recall how the process works, so I give them time off for good behaviour occasionally! We are caroling again this Saturday. My DH likes us to leave a goodie bag, plate, or box, so we'll be baking up a storm again come Friday. Above is a plate that we gave a neighbor earlier this holiday season.

I'm still working on the Carolina Crossroads quilt from Bonnie. I am all caught up with her current instructions. It amazes me that some folks think they *know* the design (and have for some time). By my calculations, the quilt will end up having 6,400 square inches of area. We have finished approximately 15% (321 three-inch blocks) of said area. There's a lot more coming, quilters! I'm just obediently following along, not even trying to guess where we're going. I live in NC, so I'm already here!!

~Joan