Month end update.

I have so many pictures.  Hopefully, unlike last time, I can get them all to cooperate and I won't have to put any off until another time.

This first one...my update on HEAD's Vibrant Vista...had to be taken out of my last post because it would not move.  I've only stitched one page.  Or, almost one page.  I had to throw in the towel on the tree. There were just too many odd little stitches that should be easier to work when I am stitching the page below.  I also read that a line or ridge can appear when leaving off at the edge of a page so I've left a jagged line along the right side and bottom.  I am planning to move across the top first.

I will pick this up again when I finish Murky Manor.

I also finished my monthly small which was really 3 smalls.

These are This & That's Merry Mini's #2.

I finished each a little differently.  The mittens, once complete, had a large blank spot so I looked through my buttons and couldn't resist this little clay penguin.

Great centering skills while photographing!

My next item...a finish-finish is Bent Creek's Reindeer Snow Globe.  It really hasn't been in my unfinished pile for long...maybe a year.  A virtual infant.  I made a simple pattern on a piece of paper towel (I don't know...it was handy?  the right size?) and made an easel back flat fold.

More fabulous photo skills...a close up of the ribbon.  I bought this for another project that hasn't been unearthed from my pile but they were just right for the snow globe.

Another Florida finish that I finally quilted...Moda's Frivol's #7. The fabric is Songbird Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings. I've never met a Primitive Gatherings fabric I did not like.  The pattern name is 'Heart'.  I'm not real sure how that relates to the fabric or the end result but there you have it.

The quilting is unimpressive.  Just a flower.  I was trying to soften all the sharp points of the 1.5 million half square triangles.

Finally...finally...the last of a year long table runner-of-the-month program from 12 years ago!
It took me 8 or 9 years to make this one and another couple to actually quilt it.  I have distributed the various patterns to whomever wanted them so I don't even know the name...just that the patterns were by Cotton Way.

The quilting is a string of gingerbread boys and girls.  I quilted them one way then turned them upside down and did the other half.   Here is where their heads meet.

I am making my way through many more projects and even have another Frivols just off the long arm.  It is just beautiful but you'll have to wait until next time after the binding is on.

Pam

Playing catch up with tons of pictures.

I really did have a small finish for April.  All the way finished, too.

This free pattern from The Drawn Thread is called Four Fat Friends.  I didn't always use the called for threads.  Sometimes the dye lot of the over dyed threads just didn't work quite right so I dug through my collection and just picked out something that would.

I finished it with a bit of this vintage lace I found at an antique mall.  (Below a couple pictures are the three trims I bought.)

Four Fat Friends is currently displayed with some other bird themed pieces.  One being this free pattern from years and years ago.  The pattern and designer name is long lost. It was a challenge offered by my local needlework shop.  I added the nest using random wools.  The robin is stitched with wool and I can see it is going by the way of the other pieces I showed a few months back.

Can you see how the fiber is dissolving away? So sad.

Here are the three trims I bought.  They were each $1.00 or $2.00.  I think I need to go get more.  To my road trip buddies...if you're reading this...we need to head to the town where I bought my machine and include a stop at a fun antique mall tucked into no-man's land that I'd never find on my own!

The piece I pulled out of my pile of unfinished finishes was this Camp Wannasew pattern by Erica Michael's exclusively for The Silver Needle's sewing retreat.  I left the words 'Camp Wannasew' off the bottom.

I've had this pattern kitted up for years.  I was going to disassemble it but then thought I really did like the woodsy look of the cabin.  It is currently tucked on the tree where I am accumulating all the ornaments for the year.  It really isn't an ornament, though.

In the world of all things guilty...I've finished another Frivols. Month 3/Eliza's Indigo Frivols.

I pieced this in Florida, took one look at it and thought it was uglier than ugly.  I folded it up and brought it home. As I attempt to quilt everything in the quilt line-up I put it on the machine and did the cutest little Baptist fan...which is my current favorite quilt pattern.

As ugly as I thought the top was, I did really like the backing.

Well, the jokes on me because here it is on my living room area rug.

In fact, it matches in that room quite nicely.

What can I say?

Stitching and sewing have been sparse.  I've made 6 quilt tops for the charity group I work with.  We will break for summer soon so those can go on the back burner for now.

I am slowing stitching away on a couple pieces I will show eventually.

In the mean time...happy stitching.

Pam

The gift of a quilt.

My niece is getting married this summer.  For her shower I made a quilt.  The shower is in a week but I know she doesn't read my blog so I'm not spoiling any surprises.  (Or, if I'm wrong...Kate...turn away!)

Probably most of us know that the younger crowd isn't as taken with the same style of quilts that we like.  It's all about 'modern'.  But, where does one begin when choosing a quilt that's 'modern'?  Even 'modern' has different styles.  All I can think of are solid colors with lots of strips or rectangles.  Blah.  

So, I went with what I thought was a safe combination. 

A traditional Irish Chain using only two fabrics.  

She likes nautical things and the color blue.  So, I chose a white fabric with navy anchors and a navy batik.  

I backed it with a paisley gray and quilted it with an anchor motif.  The whole time I was quilting it and sewing on the binding I swore I would never make another queen size quilt.  The quilting/binding job is just endless.  No reflection on the worthiness of my niece...I'm just saying!  

I have been negligent about posting my cross stitch smalls for April.  I really did stitch and finish something plus finish-finished a small I stitched around Christmas.  I also made a couple more Moda Frivols and even have two quilted.  One of these days I will get some pictures taken and posted. The suspense will kill ya, I'm sure.  

Pam