Break Time

Bo says it time for a break. It seems like I just got started and it's break time. My goal was a daily blog. So far that has not happened, other things keep getting in the way. Now, I'm taking an official break from blogging. I will be doing some traveling this fall and will be away from the computer until November. I will have my camera and if by chance I can get a posting while I'm gone I will, so check back ever so often and I will give you an update when ever I can. I'll still be quilting, I'm taking a mini quilt with me and hope to attend a class on fabric dying. Wishing everyone a "Fantastic Autumn". Enjoy

Ready for the Show

I want to take the time and share some great quilts with you. My quilting friend Leslie is getting these quilts ready for the Flower Valley Quilting Guild Show that is going on this weekend. Leslie does wondeful needlework ---Tea Cups and Alaskan Wildflowers are great examples of her work. They are both wall hangings and perfect for her home where she displays her works in every room. Her Dresden Plate wall hanging is a bright and cheerful quilt, and really makes you smile when you see it. Much luck to Leslie at the show.

Finishing Touches

The church bazaar quilt has been quilted and now is ready for binding.

This quilt is different than any of the other quilts I have bound, but I volunteered to bind so this is my challenge. A Wedding Ring quilt usually has a scalloped edge that requires a single-layer bias binding. This type of binding helps to reduce the bulk when turning and stitching. Scalloped edges also require you to clip the seam allowance to stitch a cleft of each scallop. This is a new technique for me and I'm anxious to give it a try. The finished quilt will be displayed and offered for silent auction bids on November 7. The combination of many hands, starting with the hand piecing of the top, to the hand quilting and finishing touches has created a bright and cheerful Wedding Ring quilt. The proceeds from the sale of this quilt will go to fund many outreach programs supported by the Lydia Circle Quilters.

Firefighter's Loving Hearts

The Firefighter's Ball and Great Fire Engine Rally in St. Louis, Missouri is over, but the wonderful memories of a fun filled weekend is remembered. I wanted to take pictures to share with everyone, but forgot the camera. So after thinking of all the giving men and women who protect and rescue us in times of need, I thought of the Loving Hearts mini quilt, still a work in progress.

On the quilt is the ribbon charm given to each firefighter the night of the ball. It was so nice seeing them recognized and very appropriate since the date was 9-11. Many wore the ribbons on their uniforms the next day at the Fire Engine Rally.

Greenwork

Good Morning everyone!!! I have a few minutes before we begin all our Great Fire Engine Rally activities and I want to show you the cute doll quilt I found at a tag sale. The little quilt is what I call "greenwork". Redwork quilts became popular in the 1880's with the introduction of a "new" for the time embroidery thread color called "turkey red". Then from about 1910 to 1930 Bluework became popular. This little Greenwork quilt is made up of four little kittens dressed to the "9's" playing games. It appears to be at least 20 to 30 years old and really in good condition. It has been gently used and much loved.

Well, I'm off to the weekend, this is always a fun weekend, those of you in St. Louis area come on down to the city for the parade and some fun activities and demonstrations. I'm taking the camera, hopefully I have photos for the next blog.

Cinderella

This week is proving to be a very busy one for me. I'm working on Loving Hearts, but I'm not finding the time I want to complete the project. Bill & I are getting ready for the St. Louis Great Fire Engine Rally, since he is on the committee, we have many little jobs to do before the big event. The great fun of this rally, for me, is the Fireman's Ball the night before. It is a formal affair (tux and all) makes me feel like Cinderella. Speaking Cinderella (what a lead in), I found this wonderful vintage piece of Cinderella themed fabric at a country auction in Missouri. The piece measures about 8 x 10 inches. I'm trying to come up with an idea to incorporate it into one of my mini quilts. In addition to this one I was able to purchase a large piece of vintage Peter Pan fabric. Everytime I look at these pieces it brings back wonderful childhood memories, so I know they will both make wonderful quilts. If I'm not blogging for a few days, you'll know I'm getting ready for the ball.

Mug Mats

This is a sampling of the Message Mug Mats I've made for the church bazaar, to be held the first weekend in November. I used a fabric entitled "Comfort of Psalms" to embellish vintage fabrics and quilt blocks . Each mat is hand quilted and will come with a white mug and message tag.

Quilting Bee Tuesday

It's Tuesday and the Lydia Circle of the United Methodist Church at Wentzville are doing what they love---Quilting. I joined the group two years ago after retiring and I love Tuesday mornings. I've made some wonderful friends and they have taught me so things about quilting. Presently, we are working on a hand pieced Double Wedding Ring that will be auctioned off at our annual church bazaar in November. We will also be quilting a Christmas Tree skirt and a Noah Ark baby quilt. When the bazaar quilting is completed we'll be back on schedule and quilting for others. Our current waiting list is a year long---so we're never short of quilt tops that need quilting.