Thursday, June 30, 2011

Summertime catch up!

Hi to all my blog friends!  I have to share an update on what's going on in my life.  As I was taking pictures, it became apparent to me why I am so busy!  I've been making up for lost time this year, and really cranking through the projects.   First up,my favorite obsession at the moment!  This is the beautiful Mary Allen Sampler that I am stitching with my dear friend, Deb.  We e-mail back and forth and she has become my kindred spirit.  We met through blogging, and going to the Shepherd's Bush retreat.  When Deb told me she wanted to start working on this, I jumped at the chance to do a SAL with her.  My other SB, blogging friend, Terri ,gifted the pattern to me and I have been dreaming about it ever since! (Thanks sweet Terri!)   I just finished my first page today.  (I know I like to push deadlines).  We are stitching a page a month, and I am happy that I can start stitching page two tomorrow.  I am stitching on 35 count French Vanilla by R&R Reproductions, with one strand of NPI silks.  I debated on doing 2 strands, but with 35 count, I opted to do one.  Also, knowing me, I'll have to unpick a lot, so I don't want to worry about buying more silk.  :)

Just in time for the 4th of July, this is a quilt guild block exchange that we did last year.  I decided to make it my picnic blanket, so I added one more row to make it bigger.  It's an expensive little picnic blanket.  When it comes back from the quilters, I may change my mind about putting it on the ground!

So sorry for the blurry photo.  I took this picture a while ago, and the quilt is now at the quilters, so I couldn't shoot it again.  This is another block exchange we did in my quilt guild.  This one was a couple of years ago, and it's called, Cracker Crumb.  When we were exchanging blocks, I thought it was going to be a homely looking quilt, but I really like it now that it's put together.  I appliqued big stars on the corners.  This quilt is for my son's room. 

I was so happy to finally get this finished.  I put it away for a few months, because I wasn't happy with the orange colors I had going on.  I bought some different fabrics for the filler blocks, and I am really happy with the way it turned out.  This is Fig Tree's Garden Fence.  This one was tricky with the checker board border.  I spent several hours getting that to fit just right.  I think it was worth the effort.  Love this quilt!

This one was simple, just add the boarder.  What I didn't show you, is the bag of clothes that go on the dolls!  I loved the idea of a quilt you could actually play with.  I think my daughter and I will have fun dressing the paper dolls up during the Christmas holidays.

Since I finished my big Alphabet Village, I decide to start about 5 new projects.   Seriously, isn't that the way it goes?  I have so many things I want to do.  This is Weeping Tree by the City Stitcher.  I started this in May and haven't looked at it since.  I do hope to get back to it soon, as I loved working on it!

My SIL Melanie and I are doing a SAL with Random Thoughts by The Drawn Thread.  A nice easy piece to work on when I'm tired.   

Sweet Jolene was my partner in crime at Shop Hop.  She surprised me with this paper doll quilt!  How I love it!!!  I dream about working on it.  She is such a wonderful enabler!

Another Start, LHN Hillside Traveler.  This is a SAL with my Mom and SIL, Melanie.  We are doing so much together this year, and it's really fun.  I have until July 26th to stitch the brown house and the 2 trees.  I better get crossing my x's!

If stitching wasn't enough, My mom and SIL and I are also working on Farm Fresh by Buggy Barn.    My mom has spent hours on end cutting kits for us, and I have spent hours on end tracing and ironing.  Can you see my enormous pile that I have to prep?  I like to use the spray starch method for my appliques.  It goes fairly quick, if my kids help me paint the spray starch on.  This will be on the agenda after sewing for my DD's birthday is done.  Yikes!  I have a lot to do, it's only 2 weeks away. 

I got the urge to cut out this project a few weeks ago.  It's from the book "Simple Graces" by Kim Diehl.  I thought I would make this a "car project" this summer.  My last car project got left in there for 4 years.  I guess that means that I drive most of the time.   I don't plan on waiting that long for this one to be finished.  At least I hope not!
Another project from the Simple Graces book.   This is a yo yo quilt.  I have been cutting little circles to do this one day. After seeing Deb's last post about her wonderful Go machine, I think I may get one, just to cut my circles!  This quilt is a lot smaller in person than it looks in the book, and it was the first yo yo quilt project that inspired me to make one.  It was stunning in person!

Last but not least, I have to share my sweet little daughter's photo from her ballet recital.  It was a play based on the story of Madeline, and she played a "Petit Sailor" in the park.  She was so cute!  It was a wonderful performance.  Since then DD has tried out for the ballet company which is a small group of 30 girls, out of 150 that will perform more during the year.   We were so proud of her that she made it, and now our lives are going to be centered on ballet, because she starts taking lessons 3 times a week in August.  I may need more car projects!  
   
Thank you for stopping by to see me!  I appreciate every single comment. They make my day.  Have a wonderful 4h of July holiday.  Until next time, Happy Sewing.

14 comments:

Hazel said...

Goodness you have ben busy. Beautiful sampler and the quilts are lovely. Great pic of your dd too. So sweet. x

Katrina said...

As always, WOW!!!!

Sweet picture of your daughter.

Love all your projects, Mary Allen is on my short list, my grandmother's name was Mary Allen! The quilts are gorgeous, you've been super productive :-).

Me and My Stitches said...

Wow! You are a busy girl. Lots of wonderful projects going on. I absolutely love anything Kim Diehl - hope you get some "passenger time" to work on this one!

Catherine said...

You've certainly have been busy! All of your stitchy goodies look fantastic!

Congrats to your daughter! What a sweet picture!

Margaret said...

So much stitchy goodness! You have been so busy! I love everything you're working on! Congratulations to your daughter on her ballet accomplishments too! I have such fond memories of all the ballet classes and recitals we went through with my daughter. I know she will amaze you just like our DD did us!

Cari said...

Oh my goodness Loraine you are ONE BUSY lady!! I love all of the work you have done, started and finished. Your darling daughter is just that....DARLING. Have fun this summer and make sure you have the car projects lined up!! Hugs dear friend and have a simply fabulous July !!

Gabi said...

Oh my gosh. You have SO many projects going on ...and all are gorgeous. Where to start commenting...lol.
Mary Allen is gorgeous. I'm going to start that one very soon as well.
Your quilt projects are all so very very lovely. "Frig Trees Garden Fence" is a bit my favorite :)
I love all your stitching. :)

Deb said...

Oh my goodness Loraine, I almost ran out of breathe reading your post. You've been holding out on me girlfriend! All those wonderful quilts and stitch projects! Well, I think you did tell me about these, but it's the pictures that speak volumes.

You get so much done I don't believe it. I can't believe that you've started four more stitching projects and I love the new quilt that you're going to be working on. If I could get 1/5 of the things done that you have I'd be a happy camper!

And aren't you glad that it's July. Back to Mary Allen. I just love stitching that sampler, but probably won't get there for a couple more days - so much going on.

Jane said...

Hi Loraine, just a quick visit. Lovely to see you stitching and quilting like made. You're creating some wonderful things. I'm still busy these days and haven't the time for my stitching or blogging unfortunatley. Just wanted to stop by and say hello! Take care, my friend.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I am so glad to see you and Deb stitching Mary Allen. She is such a beatuiful sampler and I know you'll truly enjoy it when it's done.

You have got some amazing things going there, gf!! All those quilts are gorgeous and I love the flag quilt but I'd be hard pressed to put any of them on the ground!

Your DD is truly darling and I am not surprised she made the dance group. Congratulations to her! You are going to be one busier than normal, gal!

Miss you!

Siobhán said...

Your daughter is too cute. I love the Madeleine stories!

Your projects are amazing! I just love that Mary Allen--such a fun stitch. Your quilts are STUPENDOUS!! I am teaching my 17 yr old to quilt and oh my goodness... I realize why I never wanted to go into teaching! LOL We're having fun, though.

I saw on somebody's blog--a quilting blog--that there's a yoyo QAL going on. Looks like fun!

Karoline said...

Great projects, they all look gorgeous.

Lovely photo of your daughter.

Jan Gartlan said...

I have just pulled out the very same pattern for The Village Alphabet from my cupboard where it's been for years. You have inspired me to stitch it. I think your stitching is beautiful and so worth finishing. Lovely news about your DD's ballet success!

Tammy said...

Thx for visiting my blog again--I love all these projects you had going over the summer. Flag quilts are my favorite! And your daughter is just adorable!