This and that

I've been enjoying Barbara Brackman's block of the month Antebellum Album... but today I realized I sort of felt "done" with the fabrics I'd chosen to use ... so I finished up by making a little top - maybe for a future grandchild (?) or maybe as a comfort quilt for my Guild.

I think it's pretty sweet.   And since I recently took a great class at Quilted Threads on using rulers for machine quilting....

 I will practice using rulers in quilting this little top. 

The top middle block above wasn't part of Barbara's blocks - it's a Rolling Stone.  I'd made it to experiment with a possible block to use for my daughter Noelle's wedding quilt (she was married in March and so she and husband Keenan get a quilt for their first Christmas as a married couple;).  

Noelle and Keenan want grays and blues... 

I decided on 9" inch blocks...

to include some Japanese indigo and tsumugi:

 Blocks for miles... I've tried all kinds of settings but in the end I do think I will set them side by side like this:

I did spend almost all day today, in the sewing room.  I really try to schedule one full day a week to quilting, when I can.  That means scheduling the days ahead of time.  I usually put on an Audible book, or watch/listen to a familiar movie, or watch/listen to some light TV show on Hulu (current favorite is Brooklyn 99) .... but today I watched/listened to the Kavanaugh hearing, the whole thing, and shed some tears.  

But to end this post on a lighter note... check out this cute cat... simple 12" block which was one of the block patterns offered at our Guild meeting this week.  The idea is to piece a block, and bring it in.  There is a raffle, so some lucky quilter gets the whole pile of blocks.  It will be cute to see what everyone uses for buttons.  I do think a whole quilt of various cats would be adorable but I am very carefully NOT starting any new projects right now.  Anyway,  I think I would add whiskers and a little smile to each cat;).    

x

Cynthia 

Antebellum album catch up

Finally got caught up on my Antebellum Album blocks (the BOM from Barbara Brackman, who provides us with fascinating history lessons too each month, with each new block).

The blue linen is gorgeous but so difficult to work with.   Starch, starch, starch!

Block #5, Cross and Crown -

Quaker Pride -

Friendship Star - I had a lot of trouble with this one and ended up doing a LeMoyne Star instead (with the circle appliquéd on):

It's OK, but the actual Friendship Star block really is so special.  Check out these examples I saw at the Worcester Historical Museum:

They remind me of "spritz" - the little Christmas cookies I grew up making with my Mom.

Meanwhile, the peonies bloomed last week - I just love them -

And David and I are off to Vermont for a quick night and day - fly fishing for David, Vermont Quilt Festival for me (I'm taking a class).

x
Cynthia

Antebellum Album - a start - and LQSs

Are you joining in with Barbara Brackman's Antebellum Album block of the month?  Her posts are entertaining and educational - and I love the theme of connections between North and South.   

My main fabric inspiration is this small piece of bright, multicolored 'madras' (?) linen David found in Japan.  I also purchased some gorgeous blue linen and some brights, plus plenty of bright white muslin, at Quilted Threads in Henniker NH - a new shop to me and about an hour's drive away.  

It really is a fantastic shop and I was nearly giddy walking all through it - and I took some photos hoping to share them here but.... oooooo.... I was roundly chastised for taking photos.... ooops... embarrassing... but take my word for it, if you are within any driving distance - it's a great shop and I'm glad to add it to my route as a "semi" local quilt shop.  

The shops I frequent regularly are:  the folky classic Quilted Crow in Bolton MA (where I am always sure to find a great selection of repros and have enjoyed classes through the years)  and the quaint and colorful Cobblestone Quilts in Townsend MA (where I am now teaching sashiko classes).   I know a lot of folks shop online now, but I dearly love visiting shops in person and really seeing the fabrics, often picking up bits and pieces to add to my stash, sometimes the unexpected and very rarely shopping "from a line" - I hope all three of these shops are around for a long long time to come. 

Back to Antebellum Album... 

The first block is Wandering Lover - so sweet for Valentine's Day... 

In the sewing room, I've been listening to Anne of Green Gables - performed so delightfully by Rachel McAdams.  Anne would love the name of this month's block - Wandering Lover.  

xo

Cynthia