My last block is done.

I just completed #25  for the Beyond the Cherry Trees block of the month.  It's been a long haul. 

I have been trying to figure out how to make a mosaic of all 25 of my blocks, not only to show you, but so that I can easily see the layout of them.  Since I did them with a scrappy background, I want the look with the different backgrounds to be well dispersed, but as of yet, I haven't been able to figure it out.  I don't know that I have enough floor space to lay all of these out...let alone get a good picture of them laid out either. 

We'll see what I can come up with. 

Now onto the borders. 



Yesterday's choices

Got home from work and told myself I had three choices of things to do that evening. 

One....weave in all the threads and fix a snag on the knitted shawl that I mostly had finished a little while ago.  

Did that and wore it to work like this.

Here's a couple other options.

#2 was to work on my Cherry Tree block (#25).

Picked out my fabrics for each freezer paper piece (did this the day before)...

Got all  my pieces cut out and they are ready to go.

#3 was to read a few pages in my Nook.

The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  I am on chapter two.  I do love this series.

So I am happy that after a long day at work, I was able to enjoy three of my favorite things to do all in one evening. 

Now to make some headway on my Cherry Tree block.  Need to cut out the background and make some marks for placement and then I am ready to stitch. 

Happy stitching...or whatever you want to do this evening. 



Another Beyond the Cherry Tree block is done...or is it?

That little bird flying off in the distance is supposed to be in the upper right hand corner of the block, but it would be a tight squeeze, so I haven't decided if I am going to put it on or not.

I showed you a sneak peek of this block in my last post, but I had to make more cherries.

They are time consuming, but I do enjoy the process.

This is block #21 out of a series of 25.  I only have one more block to make and then on to the borders.

So, I had better get busy

I have a finish!

I can't take FULL credit for this one. This was a round robin that (I am ashamed to say it was in 2004) several of us participated in.  There were six of us that worked on mine, but there were several participating in this round robin at the same time.  This was  organinzed by an on-line group that I have participated  with for several years.  We presented our finished tops (or in some cases, their finished quilts) at our retreat in June 2005.

I had mine quilted in 2011 and today I got the binding made and machine stitched down.

I spent the rest of the evening handstitching the rest of it down and had hubby hold it up so I  could share it with you. 

Of course, the center star is mine, the flying geese are Sandy's, the on-point stars are Ruthie's, Carol did the pinwheels, Bert did her applique and lastly Vicky did the sawtooth border.  I think it turned out quite lovely.  I am going to make up my label and attach it tomorrow and that is when it will officially be finished.  So, this is the first finish for the new year.  Some projects just take longer than others I guess.  LOL.

I am going to give you a sneak peek at my Cherry Tree block that I am working on.

It still requires a couple little stems and "several" cherries before this little number is complete, but at least I am plugging away at it. 

I am in the planning stages for my next "sit at the sewing machine" quilt.  I say this because I have three MAJOR applique projects going right now and haven't really sat at the machine for any length of time ...for quite some time.

Gathering Baskets

I went shopping with the gals yestereday and started picking up fabrics for this quilt.  I have been wanting to make it for some time and I think I need a little diversion from the applique on occasion and I would like it to be something for me.  Kind of a "quick fix" if you know what I mean. 

Anyways, that's what has been happening around here.  A little bit of progress in a few different areas, but at least I can say I have one completion to start out the new year.  Hopefully I can keep this up.

Hope you are getting your new year off to a good start. 

Another one bites the dust.....

My 23rd Beyond the Cherry Tree block is complete.

It looked like this on the 27th of December.

and since it wasn't a very difficult block, I finished it up late (very late) on December 30.

Here's a couple close ups of the two different colorways for the flowers.

Block #21 is prepped as far as the freezer paper is concerned.  I will pick out my fabrics for each piece and get busy on it. 

Block #25 will be coming soon (patterns are offered up on the 10th of the month)  and then the center of this quilt can be put together.  It has been a long time coming. 

The border patterns are being offered one side a month.  I have three of those patterns, but I won't be working on them until the center is done.  Saying that, I don't feel so far behind on this quilt. 

It's been a long 29 month block of the month.  In the end, this quilt is going to be well worth it though. 

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

December 27, 2011

Wow....time is flying and I haven't had a chance with all the holiday preparations to get back in here and share a few things with you. 

First off, I have to thank Sharon for the wonderful blog prize that I won and it got here just in time for Christmas. 

This magnet (or should I say, several magnets) is such a great prize.  I for one was not able to attend the big Red and White quilt exhibit in New York, but this nearly makes up for it.  You can visit Sharon's blog here....http://grassrootsquilting.blogspot.com/  Thank you Sharon.  I feel so lucky!

For one of my gifts from one of my quilty friends (Nancy), I received the Cheryl Ann's design wall.  I put it up yesterday and thought I would try it out with my Beyond the Cherry Tree blocks.  This is what I have accomplished so far. 

I am a bit behind, but life has been a little crazy around here.  I will get caught up though.  This isn't going to be one of those quilts that gets put away indefinitely.

I, also, want to share the gift that my son made for his sister and her new husband.  It actually is a belated wedding present that he has been working on, but his life has been busy, too.

This is a maple TV cabinet.  It is his design and all made by hand.  The glass looks a little funky on the picture, but it is one of those glasses that looks like water.  He has made a few beautiful pieces of furniture and this is just his hobby.  Always good to have a man around that can produce beautiful furniture like this. 

Well, I am headed off to the sewing room today. It's been ages that I have had the time to do this, so I need to take advantage. 

If I don't get back in here, I wish every one of you a Happy New Year and may 2012 be a happy and prosperous one for all of us. 

Not too many more days until Christmas.....

So, my gal pals and I got together for our annual Christmas/mini quilt group get together.  We had such a great time chit chatting, eating and doing our show-n-tell....and best of all our gift exchange.

I thought I would share our show-n-tell with you first. 

Didn't think I would be thinking Halloween this close to Christmas, but Nancy's quilt just makes you smile and wanting to have Halloween come soon.

and she always makes such great quilts with her primary colors.

Sharon shared her great baby quilt made with shirting fabrics.

and here's the backing.

and here's one of hers that will put you in the Christmas spirit.

Love that quilt!

I served Pasta Fagioli for our luncheon.

This was the first time I made it and it was quite easy and pretty tasty, too.

I just have to share all the wonderful gifts I got, too.

My friends know me so well.

If you know me, this little ornament is SO ME!  (yeah, I can see some of you smiling right now!!)

That was from Nancy.  She, also, got me this.....little carrying case.

and what's in it is this.....

an insulated shopping bag.  I so think that I am going to keep this in my car and when the three of us go to the French Laundry (a great little restaurant) and we have half of our sandwich to take home with no cooler in the car, this will serve the purpose.  I am excited!

Nancy, also, got each of us one of these nifty, portable design walls.  She has one that we have taken on retreat and it works great!  I have as yet to put mine together, but I will be doing that very soon.

Now, Sharon, was really thinking ahead.  She is going to make sure we make plans on going to our favorite little retreat getaway.  I got a gift certificate for the place along with a great candle.

Can't wait to start making plans for this trip.

Last, but not least, I thought I would share my one and only little contribution to the show-n-tell.  I have finally completed another one of my Cherry Tree blocks, #23. (which I completed today rather than yesterday) I am a bit behind, but all is not lost.  This quilt is NOT going to get put away and forgotten.  It is going to get done....just maybe a little later than the designated BOM  schedule

I'll show you a close up as it is hard to see the light green flowers with the busier background.

Lots of little reverse applique on this block.  I am so ready to move onto the next one.  Hopefully it won't be as long as it took for me to get this one finished. 

Well, I hope you are all ready for Christmas.  My decorations are up, the gifts are wrapped, I am late on my cards, and food will start getting prepared this week.  All-in-all, it will be here before we know it and then it will be 2012.