Hello...it's me!

I know it has been awhile.  Lot has happened - the main part being I am now living in Florida!

Pineapple quilt given to me by my quilting buddies in Georgia!

It was tough leaving Georgia.  Lots of quilt friends there.  Slowly I am finding my own space here too.

I am living in central Florida not far from Orlando.  Lots of orange groves and cattle....yes, cattle!  It is very much a ranch and farm area.  It is also a very artsy little town.

Rock and Checkers Quilts

Today is a rest day after the photo workshop on Friday and some "cleaning" in the sewing room Saturday.  Another UFO, checkers Quilt, is up on the design wall and will be my April finish.

I also got all the parts cut out for my guild's Mystery Quilt at the Masters Workshop later this month.

I bought the fabric at our LQS which was having a sale on Saturday that forced even my sore body out into public!

When I got home I was surprised to see the fabrics I chose were so close the photos I had taken at Heggies Rock!  Shows how much our environment influences our color choices!  Think I may call this my Heggies Rock Quilt!

Most amazing of all...the pieces are all cut, labeled, and neatly stowed away...I'm never this far ahead!

Back to my UFO...this is at least 5 years old!  Today I decided to do a variation on the setting triangles...I think I like it.  Brightens up the repros a bit.

I do love how some of these little 25 patch blocks look like tiny quilts (1-inch blocks)...great inspiration for future color combinations.

Almost Modern!

A few weeks ago I posted about the bag of vintage quilts I found.

In the bag was this hst quilt.  I loved the mix of prints and solids.  So when I broke my finger and had to spend the last couple of weeks with my left hand all taped together I started working on a quilt inspired by the Vintage - almost modern.

It was a fun quilt to make.  I used 4-inch strips so my hst finished at 3-1/2.  I think if I made one again I would use 5 inch strips but as I wanted a smaller quilt the size I used is ok.

I didn't want to match up the fabrics exactly but to get the same "vibe" as the original quilt.  I did use a couple of vintage fabrics in my quilt just to see who could find them!

All fabric except for the border came from my stash.  All have made previous appearances in other quilts!  I love picking up a piece of fabric that has memories...

It will be awhile before I can quilt this.  Just got word from the doctor that my pinky isn't healing as well as expected...they may put a cast on it Monday!  duh...he wants me to really not use my left hand over the weekend...so much so the sewing room!  The real culprit I believe is the heavy book I was reading...made my hand hurt!

Happy Valentine's Day

My guild had a Valentine theme to our monthly meeting.

Lots of really creative folks.  The challenge was to make a bag/box for folks to put your valentines into...the winner was this very fun cardboard "sewing machine."

There were lot of fun entries!

And as always show and tell was interesting...from tiny sunbonnet sue's  (yes those are all appliqued and then hand-quilted!)

to Modern quilted projects...

an original quilt made from infant "one-sies"...another item to recycle!  This is called "You are my Sunshine."

to a quilt-top started at a Victoria Finley workshop several years ago...

to a very quiet and well behaved guild quilt dog! (dressed for the occasion!)

There was food too...lots of food.  This is the south after all!

Some new books!

I did a bit of "pity-purchasing" last week-end when a virus had me out of circulation...now that I am feeling better I get to enjoy the packages arriving at the front door!

I bought several book but I'll share two of my favorite arrivals.  First, Indigo Quilts: 30 Quits from the Poos Collection by Kay and Lori Lee Triplett.  Love this book!  The first third is data heavy - everything you want to know about the history of Indigo.  Lots of history and some photos.  The next third is titled "Quilt Album" and it is just that - photos of great examples of indigo quilts. (you will need couple cuts of tea to get through the first third and a napkin to keep your drool off the pages for the album section!)  Finally the last section has directions for 5 projects using indigo fabrics.  It is nice selection of applique and piecing at beginner to advanced.

Second book is Tributes and Treasures: 12 Vintage-Inspired Quilts made with Reproduction Prints by Paula Barnes and Mary Ellen Robison..  This book is mainly about the patterns with a bit of American History.  The quilts are nicely designed, the book is laid out well, photography is excellent, and the directions for the quilts look to be well done.  It is a keeper!

I am still working hard to finish a couple more quilts before the show in two weeks.  So of course my go-to sewing machine died.  It has been in and out of the shop so often the past year that I am finally accepting it may be time to let it go...ever since I wore out the feed-dog and had to have it replaced it just hasn't worked the same.

The good news is I finally took out the $10 Bernina 1030 my husband found for me at an estate sale.  Of course then I had to take it in to be serviced - $80.  Then I bought a walking-foot - $170....but I love this machine!  Definitely worth every penny!

I finished channel quilting this little improvisational shirting quilt.  It reminds me of many early 20th century Southern quilts made using scraps from the textile factories.  For this quilt I used colors found around Augusta in the springtime...when we have most of our visitors!  I should be able to get the binding down tonight and then only have one more to finish!