My I.S.T.H.......

....Is finished and I love it!  The  last stitch on the binding was added Tuesday morning.  I did a slight variation on the pattern by contining the checkerboard border around the quilt and adding a red border. One of my favorite recent fabric lines is Minick and Simpson's Prairie Paisley II and I thought this pattern was perfect for it. When I see stars, I almost always see red, white, and blue!   The first picture is my finished top. (just in case the quilting didn't get finished).   It has been several months since I have done any hand quilting.  Between the needle pokes and dry skin from winter, my poor fingers need some TLC.  

Applique Thursday

I've made little progress on my Night Before Christmas Block this week.  Only a few more houses have been added...But at least it's progress.  Check out more projects  at A Quilting Reader's Garden.  I picked up my next block kit for Gingerbread Joy today.  I may have to work on it a little bit too this week. 

Friday Sewing

I'm a little late with the posting, but still wanted to show my progress.  I pulled out a kit purchased a few years ago called Cambridge Square.  I was really drawn to the browns, tans, and black fabrics.  I normally don't buy a lot of kits other than an occasional BOM.  I enjoy the "hunt" for the fabrics and love it when you find just what you wanted! 

Not the best picture, but you get the idea...My plans are to continue with a Sunday afternoon sew-in as well!  And wait for SNOW to arrive!

Friday Night Sew In

Just signed up for the Friday Night Sew In with Hiedi...That was the easy part.  Now to decide which project (or projects)  to work on.  Since we have a lead over Duke at halftime, thought I'd share a State baby quilt I made...

Don't you just love Disappearing 9 Patch for a quick quilt....

Applique Thursday

I love applique and have several applique projects in progress.  I also love to see what other quilters are working on, too!  I'm linking to A Quilting Reader's Garden for Applique Thursday.  A few days ago, I started another block on my Night Before Christmas quilt designed by Sue Garman.  It has been months since I worked on this one.     I managed to applique a few pieces today while the grandbabies were napping.   I plan to work on it more tonight during the ballgame...WOLF-PACK!  Here is my block now...Hopefully I'll have a few more houses after the game. 

Here are the blocks I have completed so far. 

A quilt by Christmas 2015 ?????

1904 World's Fair

No, I wasn't there, but I do have a picture to show!  Francis Gimpp of Wright City, Missouri made this double irish chain quilt and won first prize at the fair.


photo from Nebraska History Museum

Each year our church sponsors a Festival of Tables as a fellowship/fundraiser event.  A few years ago, the theme of the banquet was In the Year of.... The decorated tables each reflected a specific year.  Terry (my DH) and I chose the theme of Meet Me in St. Louis....The 1904 World's Fair.  While researching the fair, I found this quilt.  What a perfect table cover!  What a perfect reason to start a new quilt!  In record time, I duplicated this quilt....Thanks to Ms Gimpp for the inspiration.  I had been quilting for years (decades) and never made an irsh chain quilt. Here's my sideways quilt!

And here is my table from the banquet.  In the center of the table is The Observation Wheel that appeared at the fair.  Surrounding it are goblets of cotton candy and other items introduced at the fair. A vintage stereoscope viewer on the table provided images from the exposition.  Guests viewed the photos while sipping on iced tea or Dr. Pepper.  For dessert,  my guests were treated with waffle ice cream cones.  Another invention at the fair.   Wouldn't you have loved to stroll through the fair?   And be treated with your first hot dog and hamburger.   Every quilt has a story and I love listening to and remembering this one!

A finished runner

I was able to start and complete a small project last week.   I wanted a red table runner to use in my Valentine's decorating.  I have seen a lot of patterns for cute heart themed runners lately, but I wanted something I could use at other times of the year too.  I found this pattern and thought it would be perfect. I'll be making more throughout the year!

I also finished up the first couple of months on my Gingerbread Joy BOM.   I have a crazy passion for Christmas quilts and love to decorate with and collect gingerbread items, so this quilt quickly went on my to do list when I first saw it.  One of my LQS offered it as a BOM so I had to start it.  I have another one of Sue Garman's quilts in progress also.  I pulled out my Night Before Christmas quilt and worked on it during the Super Bowl.  It has been almost a year since I worked on this one, but I got a good start on my 6th block. (6 more to go)  I really enjoy hand appliqued projects.  Seems like I can find the time to make a stitch or two when I can't get to my sewing machine.

This week I thought I'd share some of my Valentine projects and my red and white quilts that I have made.  I love two color quilts, especially red and white ones.   First is a mantle scarf I made a few years ago.

This red and white Burgoyne Surrounded quilt was finished in 2007.  I love recreating vintage quilts. (Can't afford the real ones!)  This one was a bear to hand quilt as I made a poor choice in batting.

Burgoyne Surrounded

More to show next time!