Gramma's Pillow

Hello, and yes...I have been working on the Hallow's Eve quilt blocks, have no fear! I will post new pics soon of the most recent ones, and only two blocks to go!

However, I have postponed that work to finish a project that has been very near my heart, and could no longer wait. It was time to make my gramma's pillow. She has been in and out of the hospital, and is stabilized now, but it has been a difficult road most recently. The call went out from her daughters to her friends and family, that the time to make a trip to see her was at hand.

I'm on my way down to Defuniak Springs tomorrow, with my son in tow. And her pillow. Below are the pictures I just took, pre-wash, and will supply more once I'm able to hand it over to her.


Above is the main block, created four times. Love them chickens, I hope they make her smile they like they make me smile!


Personalized with a tag, written in Pigma Permanant Pen.


I saw this as the 'secret heart' of the pillow, as it shows the back of my blanket stitched applique-- and won't easily be seen as it is inside the pillow case. Here it is in detail, front side up. I love you grandma, hope you're feeling fine...xoxo

East Cobb Quilt Guild Show

Lovely.
Transfixing.
Mesmerizing.
Not to mention overwhelming. 8-)

Mmmmm... aisles of quilts and vendors for days! I LOVE the quilt show when it comes to Marietta! But there were so many quilts to look at and admire and oooo and ahhh over! I took photos of the ones that stood out to me, personally, and want to post them, but will do so in digestible increments. The above quilter is one of the big winners, and I can see why. Every square has loving detail, be it in embroidery or in her skill with patchwork. Nothing lacks for workmanship and detail. I stood gazing at this for a long, long while.



Here are a few of my other favorite things:


I loved the name, 'Thistles in Jail', and was really enamored with her hand-applique. Just phenomenal!


It is incredible to see that such exact accuracy exists in the world of quilt piecing. Makes me want to rip a few seams of my own out and try it again.


The samplers really appeal to me! I love the variety, and how one pattern won't wear you down with repetitiveness. This was handsomely done! Might grab a few of these blocks myself...


I just loved the biological feel to this, like I was looking at an artistic rendition of something on a cellular level. Too cool.


And finally for this intallment, this insane hand-appliqued gazebo. It was a wedding quilt, I believe, but the level of detail was just jaw-dropping. SO MANY STITCHES!!!

My respect and admiration to the many quilt artisans who contributed to the show...I bow before your skillz!

All Hallow's Eve Harmony Blocks

Just zipping along with the blocks this past week, and by 'zipping', I mean, cutting and ironing and drawing and planning and miscalculating... Apparently I have a process and it involves lots of all of the above before I even stitch a square. BUT! Below you can see the first block of the upper left-hand corner FINISHED! I'm so glad, too. I am having to cut down the 'solid' squares as I go, as they no longer measure 3 1/2 inches once joined as triangles in the middle, but I would rather trim down then start all over again. Any day. :)

My original sketch with the 'color coded' shaded in and labelled to make sure that there would be some sense in fabric placement:



And so now I am off to sew up the pieces of my 2nd block, shown here next to the first. They look very different, but if my drawing serves me right, it will all make sense in the end.



Lastly... LOOK! This fabulous backing fabric was found SO close to my home, I cannot tell you how excited I was to finally find RED HEN FABRICS! It's a perfect match, and beats the other one I had picked out. If this quilt gets used and doesn't get hung on the wall, this backing will be soft, not to mention how well it matches the front colors.



If you are in the Marietta/Georgia area, please check out Red Hen! I met Nancy and Helena there, and they were extremely warm and informative-- it was such a pleasure to meet those ladies! They have a booth in the Cobb County Quilter's Guild Show next weekend, and I am extremely stoked about going, and seeing their booth there! I will, of course, post pictures of the show. :D Happy Stitching!

Fall Is In The Air...

September-- ahhh the sweet, sweet cool air has finally descended upon us. FINALLY. :0) Of course, I make no mistake in understanding that here in the southeast, it can go back up to 90 something with the blink of Mother Nature's eyelash. But for now...

I could not resist, after making the pinwheels for the last pillow, looking up a pattern for a star block. I've heard them called Ohio stars, too, but not sure if this is the same thing. Anyway, it's an easy star, all things considered. I couldn't find a pattern that quite suited my hunger for Halloween and Autumn fabrics, which I have been collecting here and there for a few months now. So, in the true spirit of pioneering, I drafted my own to suit my needs.

Here is a taste of the fabrics that will be used and the very sketchy plans. Mmmm... Smells like pumpkin pie and crushed leaves already.

Finished Bargello Pillow!

YAY!!!

Finished it, quilted it, and then watched my husband sleep on it in comfort. It is a nice, large size compared to what I usually do, and I loved making it. Plus, it stays here at home and *I* get to use it, too!