My Spring Finishes

Merilyn is the winner of the 2014 Quilt Ladies Calendar.

Congratulations!

I wish I could give everyone who commented a calendar. Thanks so much for your supportive comments. Merilyn, send me your address and this calendar will wing it's way to the other side of the world to you soon.

Here is my completed 9-patch. This was a swap I organized in my quilt group. I'm afraid I made it a tad bit LONG. It's 72"x48". What was I thinking? Oh, well. Dave will appreciate it's extra length when it keeps him warm while watching TV in the cold weather. He's the tall person holding it for the photo.

Here is my other quilt finish. A mini using the shoofly blocks Bea sent me. Thanks so much, Bea. I love my new little quilt.

Another project I've been working on since the end of last year is painting my dining room furniture. The table, chairs and china cabinet were my grandmother's so they are about 90 years old. The set also includes two other storage pieces - sideboards I think my mom calls them. They don't fit in this room. One is holding our TV and the other is storage in my sewing room. My whole adventure in furniture painting is because of this set. You don't have to look closely to see the scratches and dings on the table and chairs. Despite that I was still hesitant to paint it. What if I messed up? So I practiced on a lot of other pieces that didn't mean as much to me. Finally, in December I felt I was ready to tackle this big job.

Here is my refreshed room. We also painted the walls an off white. I love wallpaper and would have done that if the budget allowed and I knew we were staying here a while.

It's an awkward room because it has openings to the living room, family room addition and a doorway to the kitchen. This set would look much better in an old farmhouse. ; c )

This glass front bookcase and paintings came from my in-laws. We covered the chairs with a toile from JoAnn's. Very inexpensive and easy to do.

I love the fretwork in the china cabinet. I was a little worried that piece would crack when I took it out, but it is still strong and supple. The china came from my MIL. It really belongs to my DD but I don't think she needs it while backpacking New Zealand.

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White for the table and china cabinet, Scandinavian Pink inside the china cabinet and Aubusson for the chairs. I used dark wax mixed with clear wax and distressed the edges a bit to give them a little patina. I used Country Grey on the bookcase.

I almost forgot to show you this-

While two of my nieces were here over the holidays, I asked them to Mod Podge these recipes that my grandmother had clipped over the years and my mom couldn't throw out.

The yellow tape is from my grandfather's butcher shop. I think they used this tape to secure the butcher paper. If you click to enlarge the photo you might be able to see it says-

S. A. GABUZDA

Meats-Groceries-Provisions

(SERVICE WITH A SMILE)

Cor. Centre and Chestnut Streets

FREELAND, PA.

Phone 373

Free Delivery

The funny thing is, I didn't get this tape from family. I found it on eBay several years ago. I searched either on "Gabuzda" or "Freeland PA". You never know what you'll find on eBay.

If you know a Gabuzda, you know someone related to me.

I'll be back soon with more quilt show photos.

40th Annual Quilters Unlimited Quilt Show 2013 Part 1

I just spent some time catching up on my blog reading. You all have been busy stitching away! I've been absent for so long because my dad passed away two weeks ago. He was 83 years old so he had a good, long life. It was upsetting nevertheless. I spent much of that first week with my mom and our big family making arrangements, mourning his death and celebrating his life. I had two days to catch my breath and then it was time to set up the boutique for my guild's quilt show this past weekend. I'm still recovering! It was too much go, go, go for me. Lots of fun, but I think I overdid it. Sunday was our 29th wedding anniversary and Dave came to the show with me. There was plenty of coverage in the boutique so we had time to walk around. He took photos for me. I'd taken some on Saturday but they didn't turn out. I think something is wrong with my camera. Dave was a huge help with taking down the boutique. I had other help, too, but it was nice to have him around to do some of the heavy lifting.

Here is a shot of the boutique when we were almost done setting up.

And here we are Friday. I think this was taken early afternoon between the morning rush and the afternoon rush. Most people like to come Friday to find the best items. Most everything is made by members of the guild.

The show challenge was to make a red and white quilt. Here are some of my favorites-

The above quilts are from the 2012 show team block swap. Mine is on the left. The others, from left to right and top to bottom were made by Carole Marti, Anne Westerfield, Linda Jamrogowicz, Christine Prestenbach, Gen Meyer, Sandra Rees, Gayle Ropp, Dottie Dane and Jeri Borsi.

There were a few Gyleen Fitzgerald pineapple quilts in the show. I really need to finish mine.

 Itsy, bitsy piecing

 Looks like circular piecing but it's not.

 Want to get back to my schoolhouses, too.

 The quilting was fabulous on this one.

 Love the addition of pink. Obviously, the rules were loose. ; c )

I'll be back soon with more quilt from the show and I also have two finishes to share. Just need to get them photographed.

The hit of the show was the calendar put together by some ladies in my chapter (my guild has over 1000 members, broken out into 11 chapters in the northern Virginia area). It was a take off on the Calendar Girls movie.

I purchased a copy to give away. If you'd like a chance to win, leave a comment. It would also be nice if you are a follower.

Be back soon!

Keep Sheep

This past weekend Dave and I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. It was so much fun! Friday morning we took a basic shepherding class. I feared we'd be the oldest people there but that wasn't the case. I'd guess the class included people from 20-60 years of age. The class was very interesting. We learned a lot and are very excited about one day having a small flock.

 I'm starting to learn the different sheep breeds. I'm pretty sure this black faced ewe is a Suffolk.

We went back Saturday when the place opened up to the public. Admission was free. We watched the sheep dogs work, visited vendors and hung out with the sheep. The later being our favorite activity. We talked to some of the shepherds and they were very helpful with information about getting started and telling us about their sheep's breed.

 This is the wool on a Border Leicester.

I had to get a quilt in here! This was the Kiparoo Farm booth. They had a luxurious cotton yarn I was tempted to purchase.  I haven't knitted in years and now I'm itching to. I'd also love to learn to spin yarn. It looks so relaxing.

Here is a lonely sheep. She was in the pen by herself and just bleating away. Her penmate was probably being sheared.

It was really crowded. Apparently, this is the biggest sheep and wool festival in the country. Dave said you could put most of the people in to three different groups - women buying yarn and roving, hippies and farmers. I'd have to agree.

Our teacher recommended this book even though it is an old one. I bought some roving for pincushions.

 Monday evening a package arrived from libbyQ. Love the bee fabric!

This books was inside. The funny thing is I had just checked this book out of the library earlier that day! libbyQ was spot on with this gift. Thanks, girl! I learned even more from the chapter on sheep. This is going to be a great reference guide.

And thank you all for putting up with my farm ramblings. I''m very close to finishing two quilts and promise I won't post again until they are done.