Pineapple Finish and lots of Christmas

This quilt was almost seven years in the making. I first blogged about it with a tutorial here. I used Gyleen Fitzgerald's book and ruler.

Dot at Sew Classic Fabrics in Harrisonburg Virginia quilted it with a simple meander pattern.

56" x 64"

Just thought it would be fun to take photos of it hanging from the hayloft.

The following are a smattering of photos from this past month.

DD and her boyfriend helped me decorate the Christmas tree.

I made these roasted mixed nuts three times over the past month. They are seasoned with chili powder, maple syrup and rosemary. It's a great recipe from Alana Chernila's The Homemade Pantry.

Barb asked for a peak at the light show my DH creates.

Son and daughter home for Christmas.

My DH loves my gingersnaps especially because the only sweetener in the recipe I use is from molasses. It is also egg free. I use a recipe from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook. My copy looks well used by my MIL. DH didn't like the cinnamon candies I added for the holidays. I thought they were a festive touch!

The dining table after our Christmas Eve dinner.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Stars in a Time Warp Finish

So nice to call this done. I really enjoyed making these stars along with so many others. Thank you Barbara Brackman at Civil War Quilts! I just saw that she is starting an Antebellum Album Quilt Block of the Month in January. Looking forward to it!

Here is some detail of the quilting. It was quilted by Dot at Sew Classic Fabrics in Harrisonburg Virginia.

I hope to have another finished quilt to share soon.

Two Love

we need love 25"x25"

While I was piecing the quilt below, I was inspired to make the quilt above. Funny how that happens.

her name was heather heyer 35"x35"

I needed the extra time to think about how I wanted to quilt this one. In the machine quilting I wrote-

love thy neighbor

family  friend

enemy  you  them

we are one

Around the wording I tried to quilt the breeze/spirit. It looks better in some places than others.

This quilt was accepted into the Subversive/Domestic Textile Arts exhibit at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center in Waynesboro, Virginia. The exhibit runs from December 9 to January 20.

Here are some detailed views. Click to enlarge.

When I first posted about this quilt I asked others to join me in making a Love Thy Neighbor quilt. Jane O. talks about hers in this post.  Please let me know if you also have one to share.

Cool Summer Quilting

I finished my Love Thy Neighbor quilt top last night. I think I said in my last post that I would applique some wording but those plans have changed. I'm going to enter it in an exhibit at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center titled Subversive/ Domestic Textile and Fiber Exhibit. I knew my plan to applique wording would make it doubtful I would meet the Oct 19 deadline. I started to hand stitch some lettering using a running stitch but didn't like how it looked. I next tried machine quilting the wording and was pleased with it so that is now my plan. I have wording planned for the four horizontal rows of sashing. I know the quilt isn't very "subversive". Though I'm not sure what that would be. Unfortunately I think my message is.

It was hot in July so I basted this little quilt so I'd have some portable hand stitching to do. We only have two window a/c units. My sewing room is uncomfortable during our hottest weather.

I only got a little stitching done around these two hearts and down one of the vertical seams and then the weather cooled considerably.

I headed back into the sewing room and was able to finish putting together the ocean waves section of the quilt for my sister. Just need to add the borders and start quilting. I will do this one on the machine - just a simple cross hatch.

I almost forgot to share this special block. The woman who was killed at the protests in Charlottesville on August 12 was Heather Heyer. Her initials fit perfectly in this block.

In my last post I invited others to make a Love Thy Neighbor quilt. A few responded positively. Janet O. has already posted progress on hers. It's not to late to join in and at some point I'll figure out how to set up a link up here.

I really have been busy in the quilting room this summer. I also pieced together the backing for two other quilts and delivered them to a long arm quilter this afternoon. One is a pineapple quilt I made using Gyleen Fitzgerald's special ruler and the other is my Stars In a Time Warp (the sewalong hosted by Barbara Brackman a couple of years ago). I look forward to sharing them with you.

Love Thy Neighbor Quilt

The events in Charlottesville Virginia this weekend compelled me to make a "Love Thy Neighbor" quilt.

I resurrected this block from the archives. It was going to be my blue and white quilt but over the past year I've thought about making it more "diverse". The blue and white quilt will have to wait.

Saturday evening I pulled the block out and started selecting fabrics. This evening I started piecing. I'm thinking it will have lettering - Love Thy Neighbor in cursive. It's still jelling in my mind. I know I want to keep it simple.

Are you interested in joining me? Instructions for the schoolhouse block can be found on my sidebar under Popular Posts. It doesn't have to be this block or even a house block - just name your current quilt project "Love Thy Neighbor".

Churn Dash Exchange Finish

It's been several years ago now that Janet O. and I exchanged churn dash blocks. It has taken me 3 winters to do the hand quilting. The stitching is 2 inches apart. I wanted to add more quilting to make it 1 inch apart and then I came to my senses. I have a couple other quilt tops I want to hand quilt. It has a soft feel to it so I gave it to my oldest son. He very much prefers the hand quilted quilts. It's a texture thing. It seems appropriate that I gave him this quilt as it was made during a time when I was learning to appreciate him for what he is rather than what I wanted him to be. He is a good man - sensitive, hard working and considerate. We are lucky to have him living on our property. He is a big help.

Some detail

I'm now cutting triangles for an ocean waves quilt for my sister.

Ocean Waves Finish and a New Start

80" x 74"

This Ocean Waves was a practice quilt before making this somewhat challenging pattern for a quilt for my sister. I'm glad I did because I made a big boo boo. It's surprising to me that it isn't more obvious. For some reason I didn't think the setting triangles had the same light dark pattern so I made two sets. When I went to stitch the two half of the quilt together I realized my error. The vertical triangle pattern just left of center in the photo above you can see light against light and dark against dark. I don't mind it at all in my own quilt but I think it would have bothered me if it happened in a gift quilt. Keeping my fingers crossed that I don't introduce any new errors in my second attempt at this pattern! Really love the pattern and hope to make more after the one for my sister.

Before starting on my next Ocean Waves, I was itching to put together these 9-patches that I made with a friend. The final quilt will be double what is shown in the photo. Coming together quickly since we make the 9-patches back in 2015 so it's just adding the double 9-patch squares and sashing. This is my third 9-patch swap. When I finish this one I'll have to share all three in one post.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day so I thought I'd share something I came across in one of my favorite little books - To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue

The state of one's heart inevitably shapes one's life; it is ultimately the place where everything is decided.

• A courageous heart will go forth and engage with life despite confusion and fear.
• A fearful heart will be hesitant and will tend to hold back.
• A heavy heart will make for a gloomy, unlived life.
• A compassionate heart need never carry the burden of judgment.
• A forgiving heart knows the art of liberation.
• A loving heart awakens the spirit of possibility and engagement with others.