{755}

If you follow my secret blog, check it out...there are a few new posts over there about another surprise quilt.

~Joan

{754} Flower Girl

We are going to be adding a wide purple ribbon for a sash, but here she is...

Emily says it fits perfectly.  Now to sew that hem for real!

~Joan

{753} A Little Piecing

Wanted to show you the little quilty sewing that's been going on around here.  The above picture (in pink) is from a magazine.  I wanted to make one, but could not find a pink I liked.  So I got a Civil War blue instead.  A few days ago, Emily (my soon-to-be-married daughter) said something about wanting a small quilt for their bedroom (which happens to be blue and chocolate brown).  I admitted that I had this kit under my sewing table.  She really likes it and asked me to make it for HER instead of ME.  I had to agree. 

Instead of getting the fabrics that the pattern suggested (1/4 yards of the browns), I got fewer pieces, but got 1/3 yards.  I made all I could from one brown to see if I'd have enough.  Yep--looks like a go.  It will still be slightly scrappy.  This is not Thimbleberries.  Shocking, I know.

Wedding preparations include me sewing a bridesmaid gown and jacket and doing lots of baking and cooking.  I am about to cut out the gown.  Sewed the flower girl dress last night and finished it this AM except for the hem.  It is sleeveless, fully-lined, with invisible zipper and lots of hand sewing.  I worked on it for about 8 hours total so far.  It will have a wide dark purple ribbon for a sash, but here it is...

A bridesmaid's dress is hanging behind it.  Emily wanted the flower girl to be a miniature of her, not match the bridesmaids.  It's her wedding, and that's what she wants.  I think it's cute!

~Joan

{752} Crumb Quilt Top, Section 3

This measures 63" x 98".  I just need 18" more of width.  I hardly have any more blue scraps, but I will try to use them up.  Rachel and I are watching Bolt, but Sarah, Plain and Tall has been found!!  A double feature!!

~Joan

{751} Solomon Was Not Arrayed Like One of These

Luke 12:27

"Consider the lilies how they grow:  they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

Pic from my yard along the driveway.

~Joan

{750} Beginning of Back

This is the beginning of the back of my crumb quilt.  I figured if the front was made from all crumbs, the back should use up odds and ends as well.  Only one problem...I've never done this before!  First up to use up was the 10 extra flying geese I made that were supposedly needed for the border for the front.  I needed 138, counted 128, so made 10 more.  Oops.  These were a good start for the back!

Here was the progress after my second strip was added:

Working on strip 3 now, which is much wider.  I might get there yet.   Rachel asked if I would have a craft night with her tonight and watch Sarah, Plain and Tall.  Oh, yeah!!

~Joan

{749} 17 More Motifs to Quilt

I worked on this puppy the whole way to FL.  I realized as we drove that most of this quilt was hand quilted on the highway.  Maybe I should change the name to Highway Hearts?  I sewed on it the last time Emily and I went to Florida, last week on the way to Ohio and back, and now to Florida again.  A good many of the blocks were appliqued in Florida when Wes and I went to Tampa.  Hmmm...

Anyway, all I have left to quilt is 17 more of the blocks where the 4 empty corners meet.  That is not much!  I already hand-sewed down the binding, so when the quilting is finished, it is finished!

Emily received her last quilt from me that was made for a wedding gift.  Then the last day I was there in Florida (Sunday) she asked me to make one of these for her.  I guess I will!  That is my favorite wall hanging ever (or at least tied with 10 others for first place).  She painted her kitchen nearly the same color as mine, so it will look splendid.  I'll get right on it, of course.  Hee hee...

In case you don't subscribe to my secret blog (just email me for the URL unless your last name is Parker)...here is a rundown of the quilts I gave her for wedding gifts...

Table runner (unfinished in picture):

Wall hanging (seasonal series):

Square table runner, hand quilted:

Octagonal table mat:

Throw-sized Christmas quilt:

Double-bed-sized quilt:

Wall hanging (one of seasonal series):

It seems I did not take pictures of them all.  Oh, well!  She has them!  There is another patriotic quilt that is the same size as the pumpkin and snowman ones to hang in the same spot year round if she likes.  I did find out that she took one of the quilts I made from some antique blocks...sneaky, sneaky! 

Rachel and I are having a sewing night, so that will be fun for us!

~Joan