Disappearing 9 Patch Quilt with Applique

Isn't it a beauty?
Quilting on this top was finished late- very late- last night. The center is busy so we decided on freehand "swirls" and the border is simply stippled, Nadine didn't want any quilting inside the applique so they will "pop" a little. I love how she has combined the simplicity of the blocks with dramatic hand applique, it's a very pretty quilt.

Black thread on black fabric makes it hard to see much quilting detail, but it's better in the photo below.

I am now working on piecing another Shakespeare quilt with a different arrangement of the original three colors, red, black and white. It's taxing my brain a bit, figuring out how many of the flying geese of what color combination I need for the small stars and what to cut for the monkey wrench blocks.

We had baby Matthew again today [two days this week, we got lucky] so my brain was on baby not quilting! These grandchildren are such delightful little distractions!

I am going to cut only what I need for the SITP as I go so as not to get myself too confused or make wasteful cutting errors. I got well along on the first 14 of the small stars this evening. I am going for a different effect with this Shakespeare quilt and there will be much more red in the second version. I have been thinking about some way to bring back more black now, never content!

Monday Is Baby Matthew day

No words needed!

Matthew's helmet is now painted with New Zealand Rugby League colors!

The Picnic Schnibbles Quilt and a" Long Arm Machine"

This one was such fun to quilt with daisies and leaves, that seemed appropriate for the "Picnic" theme and for the prints Angela used. If you click on the picture it will zoom, the quilting is hard to see.

It's a bit clearer on the back.

I already have another quilt loaded on the longarm machine, so I need to go get busy!

PS. For non-quilters, a long arm machine is basically a huge domestic machine! It has a much longer, larger throat, and has handles either end of the machine. There are also mid arm machines that have a throat space of 18" or less[I think that's the approx. cut-off!].

These machines have wheels that run on tracks so that the machine can be manipulated in any direction 360 degrees up and down the length of the "table". Mine is a 14ft. long frame though 12ft. is more common. You need lots of space for these machines because you also need room to walk around them -mine is in our large loft. Most people stand to use a LA but ergonomic saddle stools are available so you can sit for small detailed work; I have one and it does come in handy especially if I have to "frog" some undesirable quilting ["frog"= ripit-ripit, LOL].

Here's a picture of my machine, it's an A-1 Elite- there are many excellent LA machines but this is my preference. I always say that using a long arm is like "drawing with thread" because you can stitch any design that your brain can imagine. Many LA'ers give their machines a name, mine is Ellie, though she seldom is addressed by name!

The quilt, batting [filler] and backing are attached to rollers either side of the table and you stitch across the length of the table then roll the quilt on to the un-quilted area. Some LA'ers have computers on their machines so they can choose a design, or make their own, set up the machine and the machine will sew it [this is a very simplified explanation!] and if you really want to increase your productivity this can be a good way to go though it way more than doubles the cost of the machine.

Personally, I love the creative experience of actually "driving" the machine myself and I am blessed not to need the extra productivity that a computer driven machine would afford.

Finished For Friday, Angela's Schnibbles Quilt

I have two of Angela's Schnibble's quilts to longarm and here is the first. It will make a cute table topper [maybe for Valentine's] or a wall hanging.

Pink and brown are so retro sweet, I wonder what Angela will do with it?

You can check out other Friday Finishes at Litandlaundry.

VTT Goebel Figurines

When we lived in Germany in the seventies, these little statues by the Goebels company were all the rage with many Americans and they collected them! I thought they were sweet but I really didn't want a collection of them so I only ended up with two.

The first, this little chimney sweep was a farewell gift from DH's Battalion when we returned to the USA.

The stamp on the base shows a trademark that is one of those called "the Last Bee". Like many manufacturers Goebel's trademark underwent periodic changes and after a couple of versions of the "stylized bee" the V and the little bee disappeared completely from their products. This was trademark #3 and was used on items until around 1972. I have no idea what the "Br" means.

The little holy water font with the shepherd and lambs is the one I purchased because I thought it was adorable. I'm not sure if this is meant to represent the figure of the child Jesus because I couldn't find any info. on the web.

This trademark came into use in 1979,the year I acquired it. Again what the Da 80 means is a mystery!

I was unable to find any pics of either of these two particular figurines so if anyone else has any ideas I would love to hear about it. Both are a smidge over 5" tall.

For more vintage fun visit Colorado Lady our kind hostess for Vintage Thingies Thursday.

Angela's Carolina Christmas Quilt

This was quilted a few days ago but I didn't think it right to blog about it before Angela had it back, LOL. Angela has given it a more appropriate name it is "Hannah's Birthday Quilt".

Now you see the whole quilt didn't it turn out terrific? Nice work Angela, I love scrappy quilts!

Who would have thought to put that orange spark in with the lavender and purple and green?

But it works, it really lifts it into another realm.

Hannah's birthday is only a couple of weeks but time to bind and mail it-though Angela may be a little unwilling to part with it I suspect she loves her daughter more than the quilt when it comes right down to it! You can always make another one Angela.................

Partial view of the scrappy backing......

and more delightful scrappiness.

Freehand Dogwood flowers work well and the pale lavender thread is not intrusive.

My birthday- I have never wanted a fuss for my birthday, I resist it vigorously - in fact I told DH " Do not ever try to surprise me with a birthday party - when I am 80 you can have a big blowout, not before then! Or else........." You know that he is very afraid!

So what did I do?

Walked the Button dog, we covered a longer distance today.

Found some cool baby toys at "Other Mothers" one of those stores where they recycle out-grown baby gear.

Now I have to clean and sanitize them.

I think this is called an "Excersaucer".

Bought groceries, went to Pet Depot for dog food, ran by the quilt shop-I only bought half a yard of fabric- then to Costco.

Main reason I had to go to Costco, I killed the paper shredder!

I was really mad, you know all those obnoxious fat envelopes of ads you get in the mail? I know you get them too. I truly hate them with a passion-I have at times written "Return To Sender" and put them back in the mail! I get so angry, this paper pollution is an irresponsible waste and an uninvited burden on my life ! I just lost it, one too many pieces of junk mail, I tried to stuff the entire envelope through the shredder without separating the huge mass of paper garbage. All the while DH was saying "Honey it won't go, it will break the shredder, Honey it's not gonna work you'll break the shredder" and I continued to try to make it work, shove it down, hit reverse, shove it down some more, reverse again until I finally forced it through !

He was right, the shredder died!

You know the sound when a motor dies, it's a very sad sound but I was so angry I really didn't care! I wanted a better shredder anyway, a crosscut shredder, something that can handle an entire envelope of extraneous information, CD's, credit cards, floppies[does anyone have these any more?] and ten sheets of paper at a time!

Vroom vroom, I got one! My new paper shredder can do all this and not hiccup-at least that's what the box says I have yet to test it out, I'll let you know.

The day ended more happily, sweet DIL and DS#1 invited the rest of the family to celebrate at their home so we all met up there, we had birthday cake and singing and I got birthday hugs all around including from the oh so handsome grandsons, all three. Maybe there'll be some pics tomorrow

And that's my birthday blog.

VTT, Vintage Bear And Baby Dress

This sweet old bear was on eBay and no one was bidding on her, poor abandoned, little orphan girl!

She was wearing an adorable vintage baby dress and was holding a piece of antique quilt in her hand! I rescued her, had to, you know, the quilt did it!

See the delicate embroidery on the front......

darling embroidered Peter Pan collar and wee buttons on the placket......

and even pantaloons, though these are not as old as the dress, they were added later for modesty no doubt.

I was so tickled to win the bid-but remember there was no competition- and she sits on the shelf above my sewing machine table along with the rest of the stuffed animal collection.

For more delicious vintage thrills head on over to Colorado Lady's blog and check out all the others.

Fabric Search

Wanting to use stash fabrics for the Monet's Wedding Ring quilt, I added this bright pink fabric for an accent. There wasn't much to begin with somethingaround a FQ, but it seemed as if it might be enough. It was enough for the body of the quilt but not really enough for the border, there are only a few little bits left.

Having searched high and low all over the internet going cross-eyed looking at hundreds and hundreds of fabrics without success, friend Loretta suggested putting a pic. on my blog, what a great idea!

So here it is a bit larger than life-size, a faux crocodile motif called "Designer Bag's Collection by Beverly Ann Stillwell of Lyndhurst Studios for Northcott".

I have posted it on www.missingfabrics.com and on a couple of the Yahoo groups.

If anyone sees this fabric please let me know! I don't need much I can do with a fourth of a yard but I would take more if available.

Having used selvedges in pot holders, I checked those I have left and fortunately found this one with a selvedge from the fabric so at least I have the name and manufacturer.

If I don't find more I will use up what I have and then substitute something close in color, it's a scrappy effect anyway, but I thought it was worth a try.

TIA

Oh, if you find the fabric I'll send you the pot holder!

Citizenship Birthday

Four years ago today I became a naturalized American citizen. Over the years friends told me "Ros, you need to become a citizen you are more patriotic than many Americans!"

For so long I had delayed this event because my parents were elderly in Australia and I wanted to be able to leave the country in a heartbeat without worrying about a visa. However September 11th. 2001 changed all that and I became very angry at the horrifying attack on America and decided that by taking citizenship I would make my statement of loyalty to my adopted country.

The path to citizenship was not smooth for me because my application was lost for years! You all know the insanity of dealing with government bureaucracy, so you will understand the countless letters and phone calls it took to sort it all out. When at last I had a date set for my interview I received another letter informing me that it had to be delayed but giving no future date?! Another year or so went by with more countless frustrating letters and phone calls until finally I had my interview.

Having studied American history and government with our four sons as they progressed through the school system, I felt fairly confident in taking the test but nevertheless I boned up on it so that I would not miss a single question! There was a total of one hundred possible questions covering basic history and government and I didn't want to miss even one! Call me OCD!

A few months later I received the official letter giving me the date of my "swearing in", scheduled for one day after Australia Day and two days before my actual birthday so we had cause for big celebrations that week.

Here I am in the red jacket taking the oath of allegiance.

Some friends and family after the ceremony.

And here's the proof, the certificate [with the very unflattering govt. photo]. I have covered actual cert. numbers etc. for security reasons!

My friend Vicki made me this little scrapbook to mark the auspicious occasion!

Australia Day

After all the years lived outside the land of my birth I never forget the major holidays there, the most notable being Australia Day, the Aussie version of our American Fourth of July!

Celebrated with the typical Aussie "barbie"[barbecue],

at the beach,
sailing, or one of the other many outdoor activities beloved in this "lucky land".

No celebration of Australia would ever be complete without a stirring rendition of the quintessential Aussie song "Waltzing Matilda" here narrated and sung by Aussie icon Rolf Harris.

This song identifies Australia even more than the official National Anthem "Advance Australia Fair" performed here by Julie Anthony and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

"I Still Call Australia Home" is played on Qantas each time a flight leaves or returns to Australia.

And last but not least, the very Aussie 'Men At Work' and their "Land DownUnder". The lyrics are wonderful!

I wanted to load the videos on my blog but Blogger is not cooperating and keeps giving me the same annoying error message, but click on any of the above songs and it will take you direct to Youtube. I spent waaay too much time trying in vain to "fix" this problem and now I give up or it will be 27th. before I post!

For your Australia Day entertainment!

Australia's National Flower, the Wattle, or Acacia of which Australia has more than 50o varieties from shrubs to large trees.

Aussie road sign.

Aussie paper currency.

And our very Aussie dog, Australian Terrier Button. Think I should offer her a Vegemite sandwich for tea? Nah she would rather have the lamb bones left from our dinner!

For more Aussie piccies go to Australia photo - Bing Images

Just because I haven't posted doesn't mean nothing's happening on the quilting front!

Carolina Christmas is bound, that took a while even by machine, it's a good sized quilt over 90" square.

Here you see the binding, made from strips trimmed off the pieced backing.

This sweet little baby quilt called "Simple Gifts" was my next job, quilted with "peacock feathers " all over and turquoise thread. Angela is speedy, the day after she got it back it was already bound and ready for gifting! It's such a simple effective design, don't you just love it? Her color choices, turquoise, white and brown create dramatic contrast. I don't know that I would have thought to put these simple solids together to achieve this effect.

View from the back! You can see more pics on Angela's blog.

Angela's Carolina Christmas is on the LA now, but I have the adorable baby Matthew today so there won't be any quilting progress at least not until tonight! He is a bit congested again but such a good little chap, playing upstairs watched over by GF.

Last night I got my Z blocks for Monet's Wedding Ring completed, only needed 24 for the smaller version of this quilt.

Here they are on the design board now I have to work on the border blocks.

If you squint you'll see the "rings" better!