Finally, Some Things to Share

It's been a few weeks since I last posted. I guess I'm just having a lazy summer - reading, cooking, visiting with my mom, catching my nieces at a swim meet (had to get our fix now that our youngest is done swimming), a bit of stitching and a little cleaning, too. I finished this quilt top-

The blocks finish at 8.5 inches.

I pieced the back using a Kaffe Fassett fabric that wasn't quite wide enough.

Here is a close up of the fabric. I bought 2 yards of it a couple years ago having no idea what I would do with it. I guess it kind of reminds me of growing up in the 60's and 70's. I'm glad I found a place to use it.

This purse came together quickly. Best of all it used up some batting scraps.

 
It's an Aunties Two pattern called Bailey Island Hobo. I typically have problems when following a pattern like this. I was pleasantly surprised that I could follow these with ease and didn't have to unsew any of it.  I made the smaller bag. It has already gone with me on a few errands and I love it's size and light weight. You start with 2.5 inch strips of fabric and batting. Nice to have a place to use those scraps of batting I can't throw out.

Today, we are canning tomato sauce. It takes all day starting with a visit to the farmers market for boxes of tomato seconds. Here is a shot from a couple weeks ago of our first attempt at canning green beans. We used our new pressure canner. We lucked out and got some beautiful beans from an organic farmer from Pennsylvania who is a new addition to our Saturday market.

These photos are also from a couple weeks ago. I've been meaning to post for a while. ; c )
I love the combination of the deep pink, orange and green. Every year I say I'm going to use this color combination in a quilt.

I love when the hosta blooms...and so do the bees...

We had a little relief from the heat today. I really can't complain about the hot weather since we have air conditioning. I feel for those of you who don't. Hope this coming week brings relief from the heat for all...and keep stitching!

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Can someone tell me what this does? Is it really necessary? It seems suspicious to me.

Am I allowed to include photos in the post? Here are some from our drive in the country last week. The farm photos are from an area outside Staunton Virginia and the town photos are of Lexington Virginia. I just found out my cousin is moving from Oregon to Lexington. We had to check it out.

40th Annual Quilters Unlimited Quilt Show 2013 Part 2

I've been very distracted in my sewing room lately - mostly making scrappy 9-patches for my crabapple quilt. I think I'll also use them in a quilt for my great niece. I did clean up a pile of scraps in the process so that felt good to do. I've also hand pieced a few spool blocks and hexie flowers. I have a couple of projects I'm keeping secret.

I promised these show quilts soon and now I see it's been more than several days since I posted. We've had nice weather here in Virginia and I've spent a few of those days with the windows and doors open while I putter around the house - doing some cleaning, organizing and cooking. We spent last Saturday in Madison County Virginia. We just drove around and passed by a few properties we'd seen for sale online. I'm sorry I didn't take my camera with me. The town of Syria is the prettiest little town I've ever seen in Virginia. We are heading out again tomorrow. It's fun to look!

Hope you enjoy the rest of my favorites from the show-

A random sampler is on my list for the future-

This quilt was made with blocks from Barbara Brackman's Civil War Block of the Week-

Just had to get a pic of the sheep quilt-

Made by Bunnie-

I look tired because I was tired-

The above quilt is mine. I started this one in a class with Jo Morton last spring. Lynn Kraftson and Dorry Emmer also took the class. Their quilts are below. Lynn used batiks and Dorry used red and white fabrics. I love this pattern.

Have a great weekend!