Pineapple Blossom Workshop

Here is my chain-pieced pile falling off my lap onto the floor at the workshop.

Here is my stack chain-pieced behind my sewing machine.  Progress!!

Here is Bonnie in the middle with me and Susanna.  Bonnie said she likes pictures where people look like they are having a great time.  Do WE look like we were having a great time??

The day before we left, I saw our sewing machine foot on the ironing board.  I was thinking, "that is going to get lost".  So I put it in a safe place.  Of course, I could not remember where that place was, so we had to use the walking foot on the machine.  I used that one since it would be more difficult that using my Janome.  So my progress was slow.  Susanna got 18 blocks completed.  I was working on 30.  I got all but the last cream triangle sewn on.

We had a fantastic time.  Bonnie is the best.  I am her greatest fan.  Bought her newest book after seeing the quilts in person.

What a quilting inspiration!

~Joan

Franklin Trunk Show

These are just my favorites of all the great quilts Bonnie showed us last night.  I would like to make a couple of these.

Bricks in the Barnyard:

Fair and Square:

Hexagon Project:

Close up of Tiny Log Cabins:

Whole Log Cabin quilt--paper pieced:

Crabapples:

Smith Mountain Morning:

We had a fun time chatting with Bonnie, seeing her lovely quilts, etc.

When we got back to the hotel, we cut out Susanna's quilt kit for tomorrow.  Well, she cut it while I worked on her next quilt (that's my girl!)...

~Joan

Traveling to Trunk Show and Workshop

Susanna and I took a little road trip to see Bonnie Hunter's trunk show and participate in a Pineapple Blossom workshop of hers today.

I am dividing the trip into the way up there, the trunk show, and the workshop.

The drive up was so beautiful.  The majesty of the Smoky Mountains was all around us.  I hand quilted a runner on the way up.  We saw such beauty.

The exit ramp side areas were planted with daffodils.  Most of them were in bloom. 

Next...the trunk show!

Judson's Baby Quilt

I started chronicling the progress of this on my secret blog (email me if you want the URL), but I don't think the family I made it for reads my blog.  I will be delivering this tomorrow.  I like it a lot.  It measures about 36" square, which is the size I like to make newborn baby quilts.

This was two rows I removed from my Texas Braid quilt, cut into thirds and reattached side by side.  Quickest piecing I ever did for a baby quilt!!

~Joan

Happy Spots

A long time ago, one of my friends commented that a quilt I made her "just made her happy".  If she was having a bad day, all she had to do was get a glimpse of that quilt, and her outlook was better.  She asked me if any spots in my house made me happy.  Well, up until that point I hadn't really thought about it.  But now, for your visual enjoyment, are three new happy spots...

The first one is on our mantle.  It takes me sooooo long to finish something.  Often people comment on how much I do.  If they only knew how long it all takes...case in point are these letter blocks.  I looked high and low on the internet and at craft stores to see how to make my own.  Ended up just winging it.  I had a fence post cut into squares (3-1/2" square--big chunky things).  Then I asked Isaac to sand them, paint them black, then paint them cream.  Once the blocks were ready, I printed the letters I wanted on regular paper.  I cut them out ever so carefully and used Mod Podge to put them on the blocks.  I also made letters to spell out "welcome" and "Parker".  There are little imperfections all over the blocks...places where the black shows through a little, a crack or chip here or there.  But I like it.  Now if they get messed up, it will blend right in.  It's so hard to keep things perfect.

I want to sand down the edges of the blocks a little more as well as possibly spatter them with black, but that will be down the road.  In the meantime, I like our Easter tidings.  I thought the blocks were too big, but they DO get the message across.  I would like to find some silk dogwood branches to artistically place around them.

A closer view of the blocks...

Next, let me welcome you to my newly painted and hardwared treadle sewing machine table and antique cheesebox filled with rag balls in the foyer.  There is a 25-watt light bulb in the lamp.  After dusk I like to keep it on till we all go to bed.  It is just enough light to make a warm glow in the hall.  A nice welcome for those who work late.

Last, but not least, is my world traveler table runner.  This pattern is called Honeycomb Stars.  It was hand-pieced and quilted by me, mostly in Ohio and Florida, and the states in between last summer on our road trips.  Beats a souvenier shot glass! 

I am usually not so concerned about being matchy-matchy, but I hung some navy blue candles that Susie gave me to complement the blue in the runner.

And a close-up.  Notice the Lego guys in front of the plant shoots I'm rooting...just keepin' it real!

I had several ladies write to tell me how much they like my RED kitchen after this post.  I still love the color.  Picked it without thinking about it much, but it was a good choice.  Emily is painting her kitchen a similar hue.

TTFN,
Joan

Susanna's Scrappy Spectacular Rail Fence

This is my daughter...isn't she lovely?  You don't have to answer that question!

Here is her finished (as in washed and dried!!) 30's rail fence quilt.  It is twin size.  I think I know where it will be sleeping tonight!  The front...

And here is the back...she was very creative in using up EVERY BIT of my 30's stash.  Whew...it's gone, but still here!

She even pieced the binding from the last of the last of the last of the scraps.    I'm so proud!

My new camera is amazing.  The end.

~Joan

Coke Quilt Started

This is a quilt top I am machine quilting for a church acquaintance.  It is a queen size, done in Coke fabrics.  I am just meandering it, but it is going great so far.  It is really big.  An inch bigger, and I wouldn't have been able to fit it on my frame.  Using white YLI thread.

~Joan