Thursday, September 6, 2012

Nine Patch Top

Hey everyone,
It's been over a month since I last posted and I feel a little rusty as I start writing. I almost can't explain all the good things happening. Keep in mind, I'm a pretty simple person - it doesn't take much to keep me happy! I think I'm starting to get the hang of being a mom of adults. I'm a recovering helicopter parent and it feels so good to let my children take on more adult responsibilities. My youngest son going off to college was relatively painless. I feel like I have time on my hands and that is a welcome feeling. Here is what I've been up to-

Here is what I've done with the 9-patches from the Quilters Unlimited McLean chapter exchange. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I'm now deciding how to machine quilt it - either straight lines going diagonally through the 9-patches or an all over meander. The blocks are 8" and the top measures 48"x 72".







On the design wall are my crumb blocks set with this scrumptious blue hand dyed fabric. If asked what are my favorite colors, I'd say purple, green and blue. If pressed to really only pick one, it would be blue in all its lovely shades. This one really pops and I'm happy to finally use it.



In my new pursuit of furniture painting, I've finished two chairs. I rescued this rocker from a home in foreclosure in my neighborhood. The front porch of this home was full of discarded stuff. I figure this rocker was sitting on that porch for almost 2 years. The wood looked weathered and carpenter bees had started to burrow. I found the seat pads on sale and was lucky they were a perfect fit. I don't have anywhere in my home to put this, but I'm in love with it. I seem to be falling in love with freebie furniture. By the way, the dresser I showed you a couple posts back sold after only two days at the thrift shop. I didn't make money - just covered my costs - but I learned a lot and that was it's purpose.













This is a chair my mom gave me. It came from her mother. My mom had it in her laundry room for years - a place to set things on.













It was pretty beat up, which I don't mind so much, but it also looked pretty dirty. Even TSP wouldn't clean it up.











Two friends came over to watch me paint this one. They were over for about 4 hours - the time flew past. We had tea between the two coats of paint. I think they are excited about trying out the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, too.
















These photos were taken after I waxed it the next day. I was so anxious to take photos while we had a bit of sunshine (and I do mean a bit) that I didn't wait to buff it first. I'm now using it as my computer chair.





On to a couple other tid bits -

My friend Janet over at Rogue Quilter has written some moving posts about her grandson Ben. The sweet little guy has Dravet Syndrome. I'd never heard of it and wanted to share with you the challenges facing this young boy and his family. Click on his name to go to his mom's website where she shares his story. We hear a lot about deseases like Alzheimers and breast cancer. It seems to me it's even harder to deal with a disease that few people have heard of and affects the daily life of a child.

Did you know you can find out which of your blog photos have been pinned on Pinterest? Type this in front of your blog address - http://pinterest.com/source/ . For instance, I typed in http://pinterest.com/source/pursuitofquilts.blogspot.com.

And finally, I finished the online photography class at ShootFlyShoot. I don't think any of the above photos are that great, but I'm pretty proud of this one I took of Len, especially since my first attempts resulted in total darkness. If I can use a DSLR camera on manual mode, most anyone can.

Here's one gal who's lookin' forward to some dry, sunny days of fall!

13 comments:

  1. Love all your projects! The 9-patch quilt is particularly lovely and I agree, the blue makes your crumb blocks sing! I am trying to learn my manual settings too. Good luck...the pic of Len is a good one.

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  2. Maureen, your 9-patch quilt is simply GORGEOUS ! Congratulations!
    And this is such an interesting setting. Actually, I never saw such setting before. GREAT job ;>)
    XOXOXO
    NADINE

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  3. I love those chairs.....nice job! And your quilts are great.....I love that blue with your crumbs! It's perfect! Sweet sweet puppy face! Your photos are just right! And thanks for the link to Pinterest posts from my blog.....I had no idea you could find that! Cool!

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  4. I love the 9-patch quilt. What a fun setting! That is a lot of 9-patch blocks!
    What a beautiful blue for setting your crumb blocks. Makes me think of a tropical isle.
    It is fun to see what you are up to in the furniture department. I have been impressed with the results of your "find & fix" missions. : )
    Thank you for your sweet comments about little Ben. He attends a special needs preschool 4 mornings a week now. It has been hard for my daughter to let him go, but he loves it--and loves riding the bus. He has learned the sign for school and he can now point to himself and say "Me".

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  5. This has been an interesting post. Thanks for sharing the various information. I like the gray background for your 9-patches and the blue for your crumbs. Both great quilts!

    Judy

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  6. oh i do love Len's sweet expression~!~

    the nine patch blocks pop wonderfully off of the greys that you used and yes, it's a very nice setting.
    seeing your crumb blocks makes me want to dig out the ones that i've made and better yet, add to them . . . that hand dyed blue is GORGEOUS~!!!~ with them.

    i like the graceful curves of your new computer chair.
    you come to my mind every time i look at a piece of furniture that i have that needs to be painted . . . i think that means YOU INSPIRE ME~!
    now to actually get some paint and give it a try . . .

    happy to see you posting again and enjoying your new quieter life.

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  7. I just love this post - The nine patch project is great! Good for you, such a wonderful top. LOCE the crumb blocks. So very tempting. Your furniture projects are so inspiring. That gives me like...four things I should be doing just from this post ;-)
    Dropped by Janet's and made my contribution for sweet Ben
    Happy Fall to you!

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  8. I love your quilt, and that rocker you rescued is the neatest thing. I've been seeing photos on blogs where people are painting old straight chairs and sitting on their porch with a pot of flowers in the seat. I have one that, like yours, has been in the family for years. Love what you've done with yours.

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  9. love, love your 9-patch quilt and the setting you used for your crumbs-terrific, makes me want to start another, although I swore off on them after my last one!

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  10. Good to hear from you!! Love your quilty projects. How nice to be spending a bit more time doing with you love.

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  11. Hi Maureen, so very good to see your post pop up on my reading list!! I have missed our little visits!! I love, love, love that nine patch!!! Now, I want to make one like it!!! Next to stars, nine patches are my favorites!!

    The blue is lovely - so vibrant!

    Really liking your furniture painting! The rocker is perfect - there is just something about rocker - call you to sit a spell!!

    Hoping you have a great day!!

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  12. Your nine patches look great in that setting. Those little crumb blocks look very happy against that vibrant blue. Len looks very comfortable as a "model".

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  13. Love your painted chair! The blue fabric in the quilt is amazing - you are making one quilt to love!

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