New Quilt on the Wall

Last night I had an emotional, heart-rending discussion with a young woman who is presently living with us right before bedtime.  She is having problems...big problems.  I was so emotionally upset.  My husband said, "You need to sew...it's...therapeutic."  Such a wise man!  He and I both knew it would take me a long time to fall asleep.  So I started the above quilt blocks.

Same young person was sick during the night and I had to stay home from church with her all day again...hence, lots of unanticipated sewing time.

Susanna had (ahem) encouraged me to go through my quilt magazines and purge them (I don't even know what that means!).  In the process, I pulled any patterns I would EVER want to make, plus some pics that did not have patterns per se.  This was one of the quilts that was on the wall of a quilt shop picture.  The alternate blocks in the pic were pink.  It looked so cute.  Mine are purple because I use Thimbleberries nearly 100% of the time, and pink T'b is not cute.  But I like it.  Pieced blocks are 5" square finished.

This was all from my 1-1/2" strip box (thank you, Susanna, for making it so accessible...see--this is all HER fault).  I cut some 3-1/2" wide strips for the creams on the outermost borders of the blocks.  I am making it a baby-sized quilt and calling it finished without borders. 

I just need to go to quiltville.com to see what size side and corner triangles I need to cut and to see if I have enough purple to make it.  I don't think I do since this was a large scrap.  But never fear...I have another in the wings that will match sufficiently.

~Joan



No Pic, But Progress

I didn't photograph it, but I got my quilt top hand basted tonight.  One of the girls we are keeping is ill, so I had to stay home from church with her. 

The upside?  Used the time to piece a back (purple crumb fabric) and got the top basted and ready for hand quilting.  Let the texture begin!!

~Joan

Top Finished!

My quilt top is finished!  Now on to the hand quilting.  This will be quilted lightly.  Just inside and outside the circle of hearts and one or two of the same shape where the 4 block corners meet to echo the design.  That means making and cutting a template for marking, which will be the hardest part.  Maybe I can get it hand-basted today. 

It measures about 64" x 80" now, but the quilting will draw it in a little bit.  I'm eager to bring this top to life with quilting.

I have had several ask (Debbie!) where to get this pattern.  I got mine online here http://thegoldenthimble.com/heartsandgizzards.pdf.  I set mine 6 x 8 then made half blocks for around the sides (blocks completely empty of applique for the corners) to finish out the ring of hearts.

~Joan

Two Borders on Hearts and Gizzards

Just finished sewing on my second side's border.  Obviously, these blocks only take half as long as the ones with two corners appliqued.

I have caused some confusion (seems to be my specialty).  Someone asked if there was an online pattern for This Mother's Heart.  That's MY name for the block.  Historically it's called Hearts and Gizzards (although I can't find any explanation behind the name).  I found my pattern online at the Golden Thimble. 

This is one of the very few quilts that I have not made from scraps, 2" squares, or 1-1/2" strips.  I cut yardage right off of bolts.  That may not seem so unusual to some, but I can't remember the last time I cut fabric off bolts to make a quilt myself.  Shocking--I know!

I'm having a horrible time with seasonal allergies.  Was up until 4 AM coughing and then spent much of the day sleeping.  Not good for a routine.

~Joan

Marathon

My sister ran a marathon this morning.  That's 26.2 miles.  Only took her 4 hours and 39 minutes.  If I had run, they would have measured in days, not hours.  Soooo proud of her.  She.  is.  legendary.

Photo credit:  http://coloring-pages.tv/cartoon-coloring-pages/jogger-guy-running-with-sun.php

~Joan, the proud, jiggly sister

Top Border on TMH

I'd rather sew than eat.  There--got that off my chest.

Here is the This Mother's Heart with the top border in place.  This is going to be a busy weekend, so I probably won't be doing any more hand sewing, but I can always hope!!

I didn't smooth out all the "wrinkles" against the design wall, but I was losing daylight to take a picture.

Off to play with the puppy...

~Joan

This Mother's Heart Border Blocks Started

This has been a  fun quilt to make.  I had 49 finished blocks and decided to lay them out for color placement.  I set them 6 x 8 (so I have one to use for a signature block on the back).  That made the dimensions 48" by 64". 

I decided to make half blocks to put around the side so the ring of four hearts will be complete.  I am selecting colors one at a time and working my way around.  That will make the finished size 64" x 80" without any borders.

In the above pic, you can see that I nearly have the top row completed.  The block halves have not yet been sewn together.  I have been giving our yearly achievement tests, so I have done some hand sewing this AM.  Basically I am setting timers for each of the kids and monitoring to make sure they are honest. 

We are "keeping" two extra girls now (14 and 10).  They've been here for a week and will be with us at least another week.  Long story, but their parents cannot/will not care for them at this time.  It is not hard, just different.  My own girls have helped out a lot with them and will be even more in the next couple of days.  Elisabeth has graciously given up her room.  She is working about an hour from home this coming week, and a church family has offered to let her stay with them so she will be closer to work.  Thank God for helpful friends!  My husband is so big-hearted.  He made sure I was getting the girls any clothing, toiletries, etc., that they need and to do what I can to make them feel at home.  He is a blessing to me!!

~Joan