Slow Sunday Stitching

Today I will attempt to catch up on one of three hand stitching projects just so I can participate in today's Slow Sunday Stitching  post, which refers to Kathy's gang of hand stitchers. Too fun! Sometimes when I am questioned why I do handwork, I empathize with the ladies in the photo. Lol! The three projects have been posted previously.

Slowly working on my needlepoint heart:

More applique practice:

And/or make another EPP tumbler block

This upcoming week I am looking forward to attending one of my favorite quilt shows, Sauder Village Quilt Show. It is an excellent venue with hundreds of quilts hanging in Founders Hall. There is live piano music playing in the background, the hall is well light and the show is not commercialized. If you live within a few hours of Archbold, Ohio, it is well worth the drive. It runs from Tuesday thru Sunday.

Two excellent and well-known quilt instructors are featured this year: Edyta Sitar and Kimberly Einmo. Classes are full, however, their work should be on display for all to enjoy. :-)

I am especially looking forward to viewing a clever and inspiring wall hanging, Food Frenemies, which is hand appliqued and quilted by Teresa over at Fabric Therapy.  Rumor has it that Teresa my be in attendance.  :-)

To see what Kathy's gang of hand stitchers is working on today, please click here.

Jill

Quilt Retreat Weekend

This weekend I was at a quilt retreat in Michigan’s thumb, a two-hour drive from my home. The theme was tropical and named, “A Weekend in Paradise.”

Sounds good. However, mother nature demonstrated that she is in control as this is what was happening outside. Geesh :-(

The outdoors did not stop our sewing spirits. Sewing machines were humming, irons were pressing and rotary blades were cutting. Hand stitching was being accomplished also. Personally, I brought along a few prepped diamonds with hopes of picking up English Paper Piecing tips.

One of my current projects, an 'I Spy' quilt, was on the make-shift design wall at retreat which I enjoy sharing with Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Love Laugh Quilt, Monday Making and Esther's WIPS on Wednesdays. Esther is a bit under the weather so I am sending Get Well thoughts across the Pond.

The freezing rain/snow storm continued and roads became treacherous. All quilters were welcomed and encouraged to spend an extra night at no extra charge.  Hmmm.....being snowed in at a quilt retreat is sort of/kind of like a Weekend in Paradise.  ;-)

Jill

Design Wall Monday and OMG

The red and white 4-patch disappearing quilt is nearing completion. Two thirds are pieced together. 

This week I am stitching the last third. Piecing the top was March's OMG, however, due to Easter and a few block redo's, the goal was missed. Oh well. Pressure was looming during a busy week. Priority went to Easter preparations. A good thing at my house. This week 4-patch piecing will be a more relaxed and enjoyable process.

(The top portion is not totally visible as DW too small.  Note to self: make a bigger DW.)

A few more blocks need to be put together. Originally, I had the required 48 blocks completed, however, there were too many of the same prints. Therefore, more blocks of different prints needed to be pieced.

Having a design wall has been beneficial. Had I laid out the blocks earlier in the process, the duplicate blocks would have been visible and there would be no redo's. Geesh. 

I am alternating the large and small prints. IMHO, it makes for a more balanced overall look. Eighteen different red prints are being used. Nine are large scale and the other nine are small scale.

Check out other DW quilts at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

Although I did not meet March's OMG, I am motivated to continue on with the quilt top. Thus, today I am linking with Elm Street Quilts April OMG. The goal is to have all the 4-patch blocks pieced, the bottom section attached and add the outside border.

Jill

Design Wall Monday and OMG

The red and white 4-patch disappearing quilt is nearing completion. Two thirds are pieced together. 

This week I am stitching the last third. Piecing the top was March's OMG, however, due to Easter and a few block redo's, the goal was missed. Oh well. Pressure was looming during a busy week. Priority went to Easter preparations. A good thing at my house. This week 4-patch piecing will be a more relaxed and enjoyable process.

(The top portion is not totally visible as DW too small.  Note to self: make a bigger DW.)

A few more blocks need to be put together. Originally, I had the required 48 blocks completed, however, there were too many of the same prints. Therefore, more blocks of different prints needed to be pieced.

Having a design wall has been beneficial. Had I laid out the blocks earlier in the process, the duplicate blocks would have been visible and there would be no redo's. Geesh. 

I am alternating the large and small prints. IMHO, it makes for a more balanced overall look. Eighteen different red prints are being used. Nine are large scale and the other nine are small scale.

Check out other DW quilts at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

Although I did not meet March's OMG, I am motivated to continue on with the quilt top. Thus, today I am linking with Elm Street Quilts April OMG. The goal is to have all the 4-patch blocks pieced, the bottom section attached and add the outside border.

Jill