ANN HERMES' BOOK HAS ARRIVED!

I have been following Ann Hermes' blog ever since I started blogging on Allpeoplequilt.com in 2008 (or sometime around then).  She and a group of other bloggers are still blogging and reading each others blogs, so I feel like I know her, even though we have never met in person.

Her book, Pennsylvania Patchwork Pillowcases and Other Small Treasures, has just been published and I just received my copy!  I have barely cracked it open for a short peek and decided I had to blog about it.  I can't wait to read it all!  It's available from Ann or on Amazon.com.

Front cover

Back Cover

After just flipping through a few pages, I can tell it will be very interesting and informative.  I'm going on a trip to Minnesota for a family reunion and will take it to read on my flights!

Inside

If you visit Ann's blog, you will see the many quilts and vintage fabrics she has made and/or collected as well as other items she makes from the fabrics.  She is definitely a multitalented woman!

In between moving, etc. I managed to make 32 flying geese for this pattern by Crabapple Hill.  I think I worked on the embroidery panels for at least a couple years, so now, I would like to finish it before Thanksgiving, if possible.  I need 32 more flying geese for the border, then I just have to make the blocks in the middle sections!

Here are some of the flying geese that are completed.  I can remember the day when I just dreaded making FGs, but after many years, the task has gotten easier.  That's always nice.  I guess practice does make perfect - just as my old piano teacher used to say!

BTW, we have all our belongings are now in the house, but not in the actual rooms as we are keeping them clear for the carpet to be put down tomorrow.  Our furniture and boxes are in the garage, shed, bathroom and on closet shelves.  The kitchen is taking shape and most of the cabinets have been cleaned, so we are making progress.  The living room has been painted and really looks great!

Thanks for all your good wishes!

WEEKEND QUILTING

I decided that for the February BOM baskets I would use the spray starch method to prepare the baskets  (all 12 of them) for appliqué.

Double layer of freezer paper is ironed to the back of the fabric.

Spray starch is brushed onto the edge of the freezer paper and the seam allowance.

I used the Clover mini iron to fold the seam allowance to the back and when it dries it says there.

 It is so much easier to appliqué the baskets to the fabric when I use this method and I think I'm getting better at the spray starch part.  It's kind of a pain, but worth it.

I finished "Spring Kitty" and will take it to my guild meeting tonight for "Show & Tell."  It's 22" x 28".

Spring Kitty

I quilted the background with leaves and branches.

Spirals were quilted in the sashing and border.

I have posted this quilt before, but Ann suggested I post it again.  She posted some pictures of her home and I enjoy seeing these, so I decided to post the quilt and how it hangs in my living room part of the time.  This quilt was made for my DH's grandmother in 1883 by Grandma Score in Washburn, WI.  It was the one of the only things my MIL had from her mother, who died when my MIL was only 9 years old.  

Rocky Road to Dublin

Here it is hanging in my living room on a quilt rack made for me by my DS/DIL.

If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, go here to enter.  The drawing will be on Valentine's day.

STARS AND A BOM

When I saw the "A Little Starstruck" quilt pattern by Ann Hermes in the June issue of American Patchwork and Quilting, I knew I had to make it into a doll quilt. I hunted through my reproduction fabrics and added another row of stars to it. Even though I have plenty of quilting to do - both hand and machine - I wanted to start some of these star blocks. I love these blocks and I see them in so many patterns, I've used them in quilts before, but I wanted to use them again. They are so basic and I love basic!
I made enough for two quilts!!
I finished my "A Tisket A Tasket" BOM just in time for the new one to come out!! At least I'm not falling behind!

This is my 99th post and for my 100th post I'm going to have a gift drawing. Be sure to check back! I don't know when I will post it, but I will give bloggers about a week to comment.