Threads of Memory, some finishes, and a Stash Report

This year I decided to participate in Barbara Brackman's Civil War Block of the Month "Threads of Memory " . In addition to making the blocks, I am especially enjoying the stories behind the blocks. Barbara posts a new block on the last Saturday of each month. So far, I have completed three, all made out of stash! The first block is called the "Portsmouth Star" It is representative of George Washington's ladies maid Ona Judge who successfully gained freedom and the many people who helped her on her way.

February's block is the "Mercer County Star" for  Quaker Susan Lowe Wattles who, along with her husband, Augustus, opposed slavery and assisted them in achieving education and land ownership.

The third block is the "New Garden Star" for Catherine White Coffin who established the New Garden Meeting House where she, her family, and friends offered help to fugitive slaves.

April's block is in progress.

If you are interested in learing more about "Threads of Memory" here is the link. http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.ca/2013/11/2014-civil-war-block-of-month-threads.html

I have finished some quilts lately.

I took these pictures of one of our rare warm days this spring out on our newly fixed clothesline.

First off is "Scrappy Halloween Trips". I began this one at Beaver Island Quilt Retreat.. I had a nice collection of fun Halloween prints and this was the perfect way to use them.

"Lazy Sunday", started last spring is now complete! I like the bright cheery fabrics in this quilt.

Despite some shopping (I am making a quilt for my nephew and his new wife) I am still in the black for 2014!

Since my last Stash Report:

Total in : 21.5 yards

Total out:: 14 yards

Net fabric out of my stash: 14 yards!

Quilt til You Wilt

Last Saturday, our guild hosted our semi-annual Quilt til You Wilt day. About 20 members gathered for a day of sewing and friendship. The day, however, did not start out as planned! I had great intentions to head over at 8am but those plans went out the window because of these two!

I let them outside and soon after I began to prepare their breakfast I noticed a smell emanating from what I thought was the sink. Then I thought, this is smells odd, like skunk! So I walked over to the the window and there they were! Two little white doggies with yellow heads!  So instead of sewtime, it was bathtime!

Here is Daisy waiting for hers!

I eventually made it to the church later that morning. I spent most of the day making two backings, one for a wall-hanging and the other for the Lazy Sunday quilt.

One more border will be added to Lazy Sunday. The strips are ready to go!

 It will be a biggie- 82" x 102" -a generous double, almost queen. I added leftover blocks as well as a label to the turquoise flannel backing. I am quite pleased with it. Here it is folded up.

I've also been working on a quilt for my sister. I am making a disappearing 4 patch using Amy Butler's "Soul Blossoms" fabric line. Here are a few made up.

 And a few more to go. 

All in all QTYW was a successful day. I accomplished a fair bit and felt pampered . We were treated to morning and afternoon refreshments and a wonderful lasagna and salad dinner. Thank you Lorna and Debbie for all your hard work!

And now for the Stash Report:

Total fabric purchased: 13.5 yards

Total fabric used: 32 yards ( donation to rummage sale, pillowcases, two backings, binding, borders)

Total fabric out of my stash this year: 28 yards

Some finishes and Stash Report

Some projects that I'd been working on for a while are nearing completion. Last week I tamed the beast know as "Lazy Sunday" by getting on the final of the three pieced borders. I picked up my Halloween Scrappy trips quilt from the quilter. I began this one back in September at Beaver Island Quilt Retreat. Next up- purple binding! I also started a new project - a quilt for my sister.

And now for the Stash Report.

Fabric used this week: 3.75 yards

Fabric purchased this week: 2 yards

Total fabric out of my stash this year : 8.75 yards

Finishing Up

Today I made the binding for this quilt I made at Beaver Island Quilt Retreat. I learned how to make these little baskets there from one of the other "retreaters". Every now and again I would make a few, and this fall they were assembled into a quilt. There will be a full reveal of the quilt once it is bound. The green half square triangles are being put together for the border of my "Lazy Sunday" quilt. The pattern was designed by Bonnie Hunter for Quiltmaker magazine last year. Like all of Bonnie's quilts, it has a million pieces but I am finally on the home stretch! Look for this one to be finished before month's end (I hope!)