Fall Quilt

It's time for another season change as we officially approach fall this week in North America. With that being said, I better hurry to have this quilt top made into a quilt (throw size).  The top has been done awhile, yet as with most summers, September arrived quickly. Today, while linking with other slow stitchers at Kathy's Quilts, I'll continue hand basting the three layers using the board basting method which seems to work best personally.  

Here is a full view of the top. The pattern is Hocus Pocus designed by Margot Languedoc Designs. Fabrics used are from Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts. This Moda line has been out for two-to-three years.  This pattern was the most well written and easiest that I have used. Sewing with these fabrics was delightful.  

Close up view:

At a later date I'll share photos from our fleeting summer which include a mini-stay on Lake Huron and attending the AQS Quilt Show in Grand Rapids, MI.  To those living within the British Commonwealth and my nearby Canadian neighbors, heartfelt condolences on the loss of Queen Elizabeth.

Jill

July Summer Day

Enjoyable weather to sit outside and slow stitch.  Progress is being made on Augusta and hope to finish this week. Admittedly, I'm ready to be done and begin something new. Have you every felt that the same?

American patriotic pillow is completed. Due to its narrow shape, the blue star is not as visible as it wraps around the form it loses some effect. I should not be surprised as the star is only 6 x 6 inches.  Finishing the back was quick and easy - it's called the envelope style. Opps! I did not allow enough fabric for it to wrap around properly. For a seasonal pillow, it's good enough.

After I return from a local lavender farm (last year's photo), I shall be stitching along with talented stitchers at Kathy's! Have a good week, Jill

Red White and Blue

When summer comes to Michigan, things happen fast! My lavender bloomed a bit early of which I quickly picked for drying.

🍓Local strawberries were in season. If one blinks, they ripen and are gone. They are the sweetest and juiciest berries. So much so they are not available in a grocery store as they are too delicate for shipping. For a few short couple of weeks, they can be found at farmer’s stands - if they haven’t sold out for the day. Lucky for me there is an orchard nearby that has a strawberry patch for U-Pick which is what we did. Eat while you pick is perfectly acceptable ~ in fact almost required.

Before I knew it, here in the US, Independence Day also came up fast. A patriotic pillow is in process. The front is made from scraps. Since it’s a custom size, no pillow forms were available. Thus I’m making my own. It better get finished today since the 4th of July is tomorrow.

While proceeding at my normal slow stitching pace a few stitches get added to the Augusta needlepoint round. 

For today’s Slow Sunday Stitching by Kathy, I’ll be hand stitching a homemade pillow form closed.  Take care!

Jill

Summer Stitching & Travel

Now that summer is officially getting closer, the weather is turning warm to hot.  Personally, that means working on smaller projects that are portable and light to hold in the lap.  Another needlepoint round / ornament is in the works. Since it's golf season I've chosen a golf-theme canvas.  It represents Augusta National where the Masters Tournament is held each spring. It's a beautiful course blooming with azaleas.  The green background done.  Truth be told, I was going to start this in the spring when the Masters Tournament was television, however, it was quilt retreat weekend.  Therefore, I'm switching to a different tournament to watch.

This is the week of the Canadian open which is being held in Ontario outside of Toronto. Most likely the Canadian bloggers are aware of the event. The course at St. Georges Golf and Country Club is beautiful!

Photo taken from internet

Recently we've traveled out of state and the opportunity was much appreciated after sticking close to home for almost three years.  Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC are two cities that we've never been to and  heard they are beautiful.  We found it to be true.  Savannah has lovely large homes situated on tree-lined streets.  So many parks as one walks through the City. Despite it being hot, there was always a pleasant breeze.  

Fountain in Forsyth Park

Charleston also has large OLD homes in their historic district. The streets are narrow and the houses close together. Below are two that were easy to photograph. The narrowest house that I've ever seen was easy to snap a quick pic. Note it's too narrow for a parked car.

One could peak down lanes/garden paths which are magazine worthy.

An hour from Savannah and two hours from Charleston and sort of in between the two is Hilton Head Island. We've never been and soon learned why it is a popular destination.  Miles of sandy beach. The water was warm on one's feet. Since I'm a Great Lakes kind of gal (fresh water), I couldn't bring myself to go swimming due to possible sea creatures lurking (jellyfish, stingrays).  It was enjoyable walking up & down the beach.  Other times we gazed at the Atlantic Ocean from the balcony.

These oval-shaped pools are from the sea turtles
who swim ashore in the night to lay their eggs. 
The beach is closely monitored for their protection.

Sunrise at approx 6:15 a.m.

Thank you for visiting the sites seen on vacation.

While watching the Canadian Open on Sunday and sewing with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitchers, I'll continue filling in the letters of Augusta.

Jill

If you are able to travel this year, be careful as we returned home with the sniffles despite taking precautions.

A Spring Finish and More

May is one of my favorite months and its going by too quickly. Spring has been busy, therefore, this post is a photo overview. The needlepoint skate ornament was finished and gifted.  My first attempt at finishing included making the cord and backing then putting it all together.  Luckily, there was a the perfect shade of blue moire in the stash. It was difficult to take a clear picture.

Close up beads used as holly berries.

Quilt retreat in the first week of April.

Having fun at retreat ~ sewing for two days and no cooking :-)

My project

Lovely completed quilts were on display at the retreat. 

The following photo is just one block from a gorgeous quilt. All hand appliqued wool. The quilt will be entered into shows, so its best I don't post picture of the full quilt. The maker mentioned it was a Primitive Gatherings pattern.

A local guild, Cameo Quilters Guild held a lovely quilt show.  

There were many Lori Holt designed quilts

Two weeks later was the Sauder Village Quilt Show held in Ohio. 

This won Best of Show, deservedly. 

There was a category of miniature quilts. 

The embroiderers out there will appreciate this block.

After two years of not much happening, everything seemed to open at once. Not only was I able to attend two quilt shows, there were two figure skating shows that I saw live. One was Stars on Ice which is a tour of the current champions of the US Figure Skaters.  Yeap, I saw Nathan Chen do his Rocketman routine in costume although from the nose bleed section.  

Photo from Pinterest

However, the BEST ice show was a local one!

My skater's costume required a little help to avoid "pickiness."  Red sequins had been sewn, from the factory, into the underarm seam (ouch).  Fortunately, I had black velvet scraps which covered the 'picky' sequins.

The extra fabric was barely undetectable and extra soft!

Speaking of the month of May, we had a welcome, 

migrating visitor in the yard.

Baltimore Oriole with a quick stop on his way north.

Today's hand stitching project,

while joining Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitchers,  

is finishing up a long ago, forgotten cross stitch UFO.

Thank you readers who made it this far! 

Jill

Almost Done

The needlepoint ornament is nearing completion ~ so slow stitching (geesh). The fancy blue thread and red beads are last to be sewn. Today I'll decide which sparkly blue fiber to use for the light colored dots against the dark blue. I'm leaning toward the one on the right (on a spool).  Red glass beads will be the holly berries. 

Next I'll try my hand at finishing the ornament ~ adding cording, fabric backing, etc. Several you tube videos have been quite helpful.  Stay tuned on outcome (fingers crossed). 

Looking forward to a spring quilt retreat next weekend. Speaking of Spring, despite have a bit of ice, sleet and snow this past week, the crocuses have emerged.  Note to self, plant more bulbs for next year. Love that purple!

This Sunday I will be joining kindred stitchers at 

Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

Jill