Category: just for fun

The next four blocks for the 1857

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My monthly 1857 wedding quilt post is here!  I wanted you to see where I am in this needle turned applique adventure.

There are two more blocks from the original that are supposed to be done and they involve building and Mason’s tools, but I am making a couple to my own liking that represent me and my endeavors too.  There is a method to my madness, because you see, I want this quilt to fit our queen sized bed when I am done with all this painstaking applique!   So the tools will be done later throughout the year.  😉

My personal blocks as if you couldn’t guess are the goose, which is Polly, and a representative chicken.  These will soon have some outlining added to them for more definition.

1857-The-latest-four

That red number with the bazillion red diamonds was a challenge.  I almost didn’t finish it, but then I hitched up my big girl panties and took charge of it!  Now I am proud to say, “I did it!” 😀

I think a monthly summary of my progress is probably prudent, don’t you?   Well, unless I do something truly thrilling and spectacular and then I will not hold back, OK?

 

The 1857 Quilt: the first six!

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This is a slap dash post, but I have to get it up now or I’ll just let it ride for another six blocks.

The following are my attempts at needle turned applique.  I have done it before, but never for such a large project as this!  This is 64 blocks from an antique wedding quilt to be dished out each month a few at a time.  I am playing catch up as I only started last month… that meant that I was already 4 blocks in the hole!  I have one left for February, and then the three for this month to do.  I will get there!

first-sixI must admit, I had a real hate thing going on the upper right flower block.  It was far more complicated than it looks to do that orange part of the blossom.   It was supposed to be satin stitched and I just couldn’t pull it off!   In the end, I cheated and used a blanket stitch on my sewing machine to finish the edge, cut it with a selvage, then turned it under and made a bazillion little stitches to hold it down.  In spite of that,

I am learning tons, having fun, and getting better block by block.

Follow the link on the right to be taken to Sentimental Stitches for a bit of history and pictures of the original old quilt.

A Real Snow Day!

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The snow began late afternoon yesterday.  By dusk it was coming down in earnest.

Please click the first photo for captions and a closer view!

Dogwood cradled the snow in her fingers.
This morning in the woods where we live.
Chickens, making their own heat as they slept, produced icicles during the night.
Bird house blizzard!
Left a mark on our hearts…

While the rest of the East is sick of all the snow, we here in the deep South-Eastern part of the nation are enjoying the novelty!

After all, if it has to be freeze-yur-backside-off-cold, then the least it can do is throw 6 inches of snow for a bit of entertainment!

~*~

My apologies to the North East who are up to their rooftops in the stuff.

~*~

News reporter to children:  “How long will you stay out in the snow?”

A mid-teen responds:  “Till 1:00 o’clock!”  Looks at parent… “If it’s OK with my mom; can we Mom?”  Looking hopeful and adding, “After all, there’s no school tomorrow!“