Whew--Three Posts Today!

Voila! Behold my finished quilt top. I took over an hour off after supper before starting to work on this little gem. It measures 23-1/2" from flat side to flat side. I had all of the half square triangles already pieced in my spare parts drawer, so I just had to choose them and cut them down. I don't remember which quilt they are from. I think it might be this one. I was tempted to quilt it tonight, but the night is young and I am not. It's after 10:30 PM, and the little grey cells need time to recharge.

The next post is showing the progress of the quilt top tonight. Enjoy the process without words.

~Joan

Fall Decorations, Take 16

I enjoyed looking at my b-friend, Marcie's, blog today. She has a picture of a quilt that I am going to try to piece tonight. It's the one in the upper right...the 4 Maple Leaf blocks in a Churn Dash setting. Tune in tomorrow to see if I make any progress. It's nearly 6 PM, and the night is young, even if I'm not.

The above quilt is my favorite quilt. Some of you are thinking, "Didn't she say that about another quilt, like maybe yesterday or the day before?" Pretty scary how I can hear you thinking from here, eh??

If you are a quilter, you know that quilts are sort of like children...you just can't have a favorite. Each is the result of a certain time of life, a new technique, a new love. And loving another one doesn't mean you divide your love for your other quilts...it just multiplies!! Each one is different and unique.

The above quilt was a pattern whose name I forget right this minute. The outer border is a plaid fabric that I quilted between the different colors. I hand-blanket-stitched the vines, leaves, pumpkin sections, crow, etc. The yellow button "seeds" add another dimension. I hand quilted around each shape and in each border. All in all, this is my favorite quilt. I mean it. Yes...absolutely and no doubt about it. Until I show you another one, at least.

~Joan

Fall Decorations, Take 15

The above quilt is from my friend, Laura. Now that I think back, I might have bought it from her. We met online when we were both sellers on eBay. Mere months later we met in person, and shortly thereafter they moved 500 miles to live about 40 miles from me. We would get together every year or so and have a quilt show and tell. She had been selling these tops on eBay, and I bought one of them while I was visiting her house. Laura, if you're out there and reading this, please write! I haven't heard from her for about 3 years. This is called Midnight in the Pumpkin Patch. It also lives in the living room in autumn. It's small...about 14" x 16".

Here is a photo one of my husband's work acquaintances sent him. She lives in Maine and took this in her back yard. Another instance of being in the right place at the right time!

Fall is the celebration of root vegetables and mini candy bars...choose wisely!

Be careful out there!

~Joan

Fall Decorations, Take 14

This is called "Autumn in New England". It has a pieced cream background and fusible applique leaves, so it goes together quickly. A pretty Benartex border finishes it off. Each set of leaves has one green one and one fall-colored one. Fast finish!

~Joan, whose baby turns 9 today! Happy birthday, Isaac.

Fall Decorations, Take 13

This is my favorite fall quilt. It's a Thimbleberries pattern called "Pumpkins for Sale". I made this to sell in my father/sister's store several years ago. I put it in a cold, dark box and mailed it to them in PA. Boy, was I relieved when I visited later and saw it was still there. I took it home and apologized for ever putting it up for sale. In autumn it lives in my living room now. I love the pumpkin-y outside border print. I hand quilted veins in the pumpkins and swirls of "wind" over the leaves.

~Joan

Fall Decorations, Take 12

You're likely to see mostly quilts from here on out. This is a little one. The HSTs on the leaves are 1" finished, and the flying geese are 1" x 2". The inner border is 1/2" wide finished. This is made from all Thimbleberries fabrics. It's in my bedroom right now.

Another triple Q offer is upon us. Lowes Foods in Gastonia is having triples tomorrow through Friday. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow. I'm glad we can stock up on foods for a change (as opposed to toiletries and cleaning supplies). Susanna and I spent over an hour and a half last night compiling and perusing our list, filing and pulling Qs, then finalizing our plan. She was wiped out. Here's a picture of her stressed look...

She isn't as stressed as she looks. I took that a few days ago when we were having sandwiches and Bugles for lunch. She was trying to look scary, but with a face like that, it's pretty hard to do so.

~Joan

Fall Decorations, Take 11

We're still in the kitchen. I bought these 2 very large candles 3 years ago. I change the candle rings out for various seasons. I only have these and ones with red berries. The candles are vanilla scented. There are two of these on my kitchen table. I don't light them very often in the kitchen because who wants to be eating Italian food and smelling vanilla?? I occasionally have them on the mantel in the living room. The rings were bought when fall decorations were on sale one year.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. A chilly 50 degrees. Invigorating!!

I'm off to Curves in a few minutes.

We're having 2 single college guys over for supper. Much to do before the meal.

~Joan