Christmas in July Group Pics

Christmas in July finally arrived yesterday, as nine of us came to Casey Quilters with sewing machines, projects and food in tow at 10:00 a.m. Each one of us had an agenda. Some of us were working on the Poinsettia Pot Wall Quilt from the book ' A cozy Quilted Christmas by Kim Schaefer. It is 29 1/2" x 36 1/2" wall hanging. While others had Christmas projects they were working on. Following is a picture of the pattern we were doing.

Kay is our hostess who opens her home to us twice a month just to get together and quilt, knit or we can just hang out and read etc. We meet from 2-7 approx. and have pot luck 'supper' as we call it here in Maine. We always eat well!!

Kay with her center section of the hanging. She used light fusible and a satin machine stitch done in gold...Very Pretty!!
Janice who was working on a table runner. Following is the layout. It is always exciting as you see it come together. Nice job!!!
Group Pic....now remember we came 'as we are' comfy and relaxed!!!
Barb, who is a fellow blogger, working on a project that she is hoping to finish....looking good!!!Sue who is working on a Christmas project for her son....background is scrappy ...made of 3" squares in off whites....Very nice!!!!!!

Chris is our knitter and always has something in hand that she is doing to donate. She is working on a hat...she is so skilled and a blessing to so many....Sherry who is working on this beautiful red and white quilt. The center was all hand work and these are the blocks that will surround it....it is so pretty.....she did about 18 blocks and never iron pressed but just used her finger and they came out perfect every time...a Kay England technique that Barb learned at a workshop she attended recently. Of course, we were trying it and it was amazing. After years of sewing, then pressing and then back to the machine...what a time saver....you will be hearing more about it on our blogs.....
Pam who was also working on a Christmas project but I did not have my camera ready before she left..but I did get a pic of this beautiful quilt she has been working on for a long time...each block represents a different month and she has done extensive handwork embellishing it plus using the blanket stitch mainly. She is donating it to a worthy cause. Whoever gets it will be blessed and will have fun searching out each picture as they are unique. Sherry did the machine quilting.
Close up of the one that most represented Maine. You can see the technique Sherry used quilting the border. It looks like stones....Beautiful!!

Laura who is doing a satin stitch around each poinsettia in gold....she figures she can do one a week as it does take a long time.....and of course, she has other projects that fit into that time schedule. It is stunning!!!And lastly, this is mine.....I finished the scrappy outside strips first and then the Courthouse Steps (which is a variation of the Log Cabin block). I use parchment paper to make a pattern(shown) and then place this on top of material to place my pieces. It works a lot easier and is more accurate for me than drawing directly on my material. Our day started at 10:00 a.m. and we finished around 7:00 p.m. It was a great day for all of us and we felt like we accomplished a lot. Thank you Kay for opening your home....it is always such a relaxing time.

Christmas in July Project

Trust you all had a wonderful 4Th of July. My husband and I took friends to Sarah's restaurant in Wiscasset, one of my favorite places. It is across the street from 'Red's' which is famous across the country for their seafood. They have lobster rolls that are delicious. They are on a bun and about 1 1/4 lb. of pure meat served with butter or mayonnaise...around $15.00...Umm good!!!!!

I looked out my back window this morning and perched on a birdhouse was this bluebird. We have a pair this year that are staying close by. We also saw a turkey with 12 baby chicks that found its way on our lawn on Wednesday and of course, I did not have my camera ready. We had a woodchuck with at least 3 babies and they scattered so fast I could not believe what I was seeing. And this morning my husband saw 3 deer standing in the field he had mowed and baled this week. God's creatures how awesome! It is always a delight to see them meandering around in the back of our 35 acres behind the house. Friday's schedule is a workshop 'Christmas in July' Workshop with one of my groups that meet throughout the summer. The project is called Poinsettia Pot Wall Quilt. I will be using greens/reds etc. to make a wall hanging with a potted poinsettia in the center and framed by Courthouse step blocks and scrappy square side borders. I was going to pull from my stash but could not resist all the new selections at the quilt shop. Need to get going and get it cut out.

Season's of Life are short. Enjoy today!!!

Heavenly Sunshine on the board-Haying

On my design wall is what I am working on for a niece in memory of her mom who lost her battle to cancer last year. I had made one called 'Heavenly Sunshine' for her but there are two daughters and I wanted them to each have one in yellow and blues with a touch of green as those were her favorite colors.There will be white panels of needle turn appliqued flowers that I have designed to fill in the spaces. The older will have her mom's and the younger will have Heavenly Sunshine II. I am still working on placement etc. I use my camera and it will show darks and lights very well and helps me to arrange effectively. This is the loose drawing of my flowers I will use for panels.
Life goes on at my house...I have been trying to clean my quilt studio, It has taken me awhile because of some physical challenges. You never know what you have until you put order to it. I finally have all my yardage 1 yd and over marked and all fat quarters and pieces color coded. Below is my main cupboard, and of course, I have other bins with projects waiting to be done. I am not good from pulling from my stash and need to improve in that area. Oh but isn't it fun to shop for new material. There is always room for more.
I tried to move this pic to the top but it would not budge. My hubby is a farmer, he has had cows since he was 14 and I tell him it is in his blood. As a young woman I said, "I would never marry a farmer", but never use never, it is my little joke and we laugh about it. And I tell him I fell in love and then found out he had cows but I did not smell the 'special aroma' on him. And 50 years later here we are and it has been one of the richest life's especially watching our 2 boys farming with their dad. He is retired and can enjoy 'his girls' as he calls them. Haying has been very slow this year because of the weather and this is the first field that was finished and it was such a beautiful sight I could not resist this shot even though the sun overshadowed the bales. Of course, there is a stray bale, always one in the crowd. It reminds me of my friend, Sherry who calls herself a rebel in quilting as she is always readjusting a pattern and making it her own. And quite nicely I might add.

Punch Needle Embroidery

This is my newest venture. Last summer at the Maine Quilt show I purchased a kit to do punch needle embroidery. It has been sitting because I got stuck and did not know where to go. A couple of friends took a class a few week ago and they showed me 'how to'. I am hooked ...it was so much fun.. this is my 1st one and I used some left over binding to edge it and plan to frame it.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS!
Home is where you can hang your hat!

Home is where you can be yourself!

Home is where you make the rules!

Home is where you can make others feel accepted and loved!

Home is where you can Laugh, Love and Live!

Janome Sewing Desk

I had worked off an old desk and decided it was time to invest in this wonderful cabinet from Tony's in Biddeford. http://www.tonyssewingmachine.com/sewing-cabinets/
This fits my Janome 6500 and I had a perfect nitch for it. It also has a drop down leaf on the back that will make it double its size that I can use when doing a large quilt. I put wheels with locks on it so I can roll it out but also will keep it stationary when using. I put a 6 inch board across on the middle brace so I could store some things (not pictured as it was an after thought).

Black/White Sampler - Roses

How beautiful the flowers are this year. This is the old fashioned rose bush that is at least 75 years old. It gives off the most wonderful fragrance. I am reminded of the the scripture 'the Rose of Sharon' that speaks of the Lord.

This is a close up of the Rose which is so intricately made.This is one of my first peonies.
My appreciation of the beauty of a garden comes as a memory of my dad who worked a few years as a gardener. And of course, our family always had a vegetable garden and he spent many hours planting, weeding, hoeing etc. I remember picking beans and my mother canning in my younger years.

Have not done much quilting this week as my machine needs a minor adjustment. I also have worked off an old desk for years and it is time for me to purchase a table for my Janome. Tony's in Biddeford custom builds them, so will pick up mine on Monday. My studio needs a complete overhaul. I am a saver and I need to do some serious throwing.

I did add a red border to my black/white quilt (pictured in my last post). My husband thought it needed to be a little bigger, after following his suggestion I am pleased with the result.

God smiles when we praise and thank Him...

And then an amazing thing happens....

When we give God enjoyment,

our hearts are filled with JOY!

quote by Rick Warren

Black/White Sampler+ Tacoma

Wednesday was our last meeting for the year. We had potluck and this is the group in attendance. L-R First Row...Beth, President who has served us well this year and is always thinking of new challenges for us, Arlene our 90 year old who looks wonderful is a delight and has done a lot of hand quilting for the group over the years, Maggie, Treasurer who is a marvel with all her quilting, Carol who joined us this last year, her husband pastors the church we meet in. She has made some unique things. Back row ..Pauline who has won 'best of show' with one of her quilts and adds beautiful embroidery to her quilts, Judy, who retired and has joined us, always has something to show that she is working on. Donna, VP owns an ice cream shop but still finds time to do unique quilting, Bea, who bakes the best pies that the group has enjoyed has made some adorable quilts this year for her family, Bev, who is quiet but does beautiful work and Rayna who always has something in her hands, knitting etc. These are all gifted ladies in their own right. The nice part is that we are all at different levels skillfully, different personalities and we have melded together in a special way this year and we have learn so much from each other. Missing is Lori, Andrea and myself.

This was a Sampler project that Beth challenged us with. We got a pattern twice a month and chose our own colors. A sampler teaches you some of those techniques you avoid and so it becomes a learning process. I started out with black and white. People kept saying it needed color...I decided to just start adding red and yellow. I got so excited about the material I had found that I just kept going. It just has to be quilted now. It is our summer project to complete.It will be fun to see all the different ones at our first meeting in September.

The word fellowship has lost most of its biblical meaning "Fellowship" now usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food and fun..Real fellowship is experiencing LIFE together.

Colorful Waves

In 2006 I took a workshop sponsored by Maine-ly Sewing in Nobleboro and Freddie Moran was the teacher. She has very unique philosophies about quilting and of course, we laughed a lot. Taken from her book "Collaborative Quilting" we did a quilt called Freddy Dot.com 70x70. It is done in circles and pictured on Page 85. But I wanted to do something outside my box. So of course I put my own twist on it. Recently, dealing with a physical challenge I found time to sneak in some quilting and finish the tops of some UFO's (unfinished objects). See Below-
I shopped for DOT material everywhere I went and each center is different. It is sometimes difficult to do repetition for me and the remaining 15-20 blocks I would do one each day until conquered. I used black for a sharp look for framing and also decided to give it some movement
Closeup.

A Wild Rose Quilt

I finished the top of the 'Wild Rose Quilt', needle turned applique, still needs to be put on the short-arm quilter. ANOTHER UFO ALMOST CONQUERED! It fits very well on a single bed. I was not sure what to use for the the borders and have had lots of wonderful suggestions. A couple of Saturday's ago a group of my friends and I went to breakfast and then on to Cotton Weeds in Freeport and I finally purchased the final border that picks up the various colors I used.

We had a fun time, after breakfast and shopping we ended up checking out the lawn sales on the way home and made some great purchases...I could not fit anymore in my car. We laughed and agreed it was a wonderful day. I have been fighting a very fierce physical condition and have been home for most of the week unable to even work. I am on strong meds. and they make me very sleepy and on and on it goes. I prefer Herb's but it got a hold of me and I needed something immediate. Well enough of that.

The beginning of each year I ask the Lord for a scripture for that year. He has always been faithful in speaking to my heart. This year 2008 was, 'In Him I live and move and have my being'. Acts 17:28a. I need to always remember that He walks with me and I am hid in Him and safe no matter what is going on around me there is peace in the midst of the storm.

I have added one of my favorite bushes that I can see out my kitchen window... it is very picturesque with the greenery so bright and the cows in the pasture, watching the baby calves are fun to watch interacting with their mother and one another.

Maine-Five Islands Trip today

I have had a severe attack of asthma the last 8 days. My husband wanted to go for a ride somewhere today and I thought maybe the salt air at the coast would help my breathing with the clean, fresh smell. So we left around 11:30am, ate dinner in Bath, and headed in the direction of Reid State Park. You pass the entrance of the park and continue a few miles until you arrive facing the inlet and are met with the building below which houses a lobster eatery. An ice cream stand is on the opposite side. It is probably my favorite place as it is so tranquil and picturesque.

This view is straight on and greets you when you enter the driveway. You can see tables set to the right and they go all the way around the platform to the back and to the left overlooking the water. Many people were milling around or sitting eating their lobster. Delicious!!
Below is where they unload the catch of the day and if you are fortunate enough to be there when they come in you can watch them. It is quite a site.
Below are the lobster traps stacked up.
You can walk on the rocks and get close to the water...summer homes along the side.
Trust you have enjoyed a little taste of Maine. Weather was 70's and very nice today.

Portraits from Nature

A few months ago I saw Jean Wells demonstrating her 'Portraits FROM NATURE'. You know how you see something and it quickens within you. Her suggestion was to start a portfolio of photo's and create a sketchbook to build a collection of flower's, trees etc. She describes how to applique, embellish and bind the portrait's and how to machine quilt the background. I just love the technique so am beginning to collect photo's of flowers (pictured below). I have done some sketching of my own ideas. Who knows where this adventure will lead. A quilters mind is always working and planning. I also will begin to look for just that 'right' fabric. Pansies in my window box. I can see them when I sit in my leather swivel recliner in my living room. They have such pretty faces and bring much joy to my heart.

Hibiscus - the plant was given to me by Bruce and Vickie, son and daughter- in -law

for Mother's day.

My garden is so sad after a tough winter. I have this one lone red/white tulip.

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. Psm. 103:15

Beauty of nature

This Sunday morning I came upstairs to my office and looked out my window to this wonderful display of clouds and the sun was trying to peek through...what an awesome sight! The splendour of nature!This is a crab apple tree in front of my house. I have watched it for years, and in the ice storm we had a few years ago, I saw it bow down under the load of ice but, it always rises and gives off this wonderful display of beauty each year. It is not quite in full bloom as yet but so enjoyable to me to watch. Scene is taken from my house across to the other side of the road where our barn and more property are.Friday morning I went to our local park and just enjoyed the beauty of nature. It was so quiet, only a mother and her child sitting on the grass. It is not a big park and is located next to my old high school (which is no longer there) I attended and I remember walking around and around the path every day with friends at lunch time. It brings back lots of memories. Sometimes it is good just to take 'me time' as I call it and have no plans, and just relax and enjoy the moment and beautiful surroundings given to each of us.
When coming from work on Thursday I drove around this park and saw these beautiful tulips and decided to get a picture. They have started to pass their prime time but nevertheless are beautiful.

I am thankful this morning just to have eyes to see His beauty everywhere I look. What a blessing to me. "One thing I have desired ot the Lord. That will I seek. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. To behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple" Psalm 27:4

My quilt & Thoughts

'Today is the first day of the rest of my life', that is a saying that has been around for awhile and I have often quoted it realizing that our days go very fast. Today it is 62 degrees and a little overcast, but nevertheless a wonderful day to be alive. Yesterday was a nerve wracking day as I had an MRI but everything is fine. I had cancer in 1997 and decided to go the natural way and changed my diet, took a lot of herb's and PRAYED and God healed me. I never had surgery but it is always in the back of your mind especially with so many people that you know having to face the fight of their lives. I feel life is a gift from above and what I do is important each day. So onward and upward...I am doing this quickly as I am going to get one of my twin grandson's for overnight and that is always so special... Many times my grandchildren kept me going with those unconditionally hugs. What a joy, Allison, 12, Jacob and Joshua, 9 and they live just down the road. I have two grown grandsons in Tn. How special they are and what a gift to Grandma.

I finished my Bareroots wall hanging with the 'perfect binding' that I demonstrated at our quilt show. I was so anxious to hang that I have not put a sleeve on it yet. I just stuck some pins in it to attach to a hanger I had....and hung on my door in the livingroom...not sure where it will make its final home...hours of embroidery were put into this but I am very pleased with the result.

Climbing Vines

This is 'Climbing Vines' taken from Thimbleberries guide for Weekend Quilters. My friend, Bren and I decided to do a quilt together in 2006. A weekend quilt sounded good to us. We shopped for material and then proceeded to cut it out. I am a camper so took mine along and did some work on it and just kept on going. Obviously it took a little longer than planned. The needle turn applique itself took lots of hours and I have tried several ways but my preference is using freezer paper and then turning it under with a toothpick or the needle itself. This is a quick pic so I could show it to my friend and let her see 'it is finally done'. Her's is still waiting in the wings to be finished. Quilting was done by Ann Hussey. I opted not to do it myself as I wanted to hang in our quilt show and felt stressed as the time was drawing near. Another UFO done!!!
Close up.

Perfect Binding

I am teaching this technique at our quilt show this weekend. I have recently learned how to finish off a binding that you cannot tell where you start or end. It may have been around for a while and I am just finding it out. I put these pics together to help people see 'how' as I teach.

TO Begin: Sew binding onto quilt. Leave approximately 7" tail at beginning that is not sewn down. When ending binding leave enough so you can work comfortably when these two ends are sewn together. I left approximately 12" gap.

#1. Measure 6-7" of first tail and cut off

#2. Take the 2nd tail and butt ends together and fold back excess on itself.
Measure the width of your binding strips and cut the same width (I used 2 1/2").

#3. Make the cut IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE IT IS CUT THE WIDTH OF BINDING.
#4. Take the 1st tail and place WRONG SIDE up. Mark a 45 degree line.

Place on the 2nd tail that is RIGHT SIDE up as shown. Pin and Stitch.

SEW!! Perfect binding every time.
Trust this is helpful to you. If it is not clear please email me.

Embroidered Wall Hanging - Bl. & White Sampler

It has been a busy week but I feel like I have accomplished some things. Casey's retreat held on Saturday was a plus for me and I accomplished a lot. I am determined to finish my UFO's.

This Bareroots embroidered wall hanging is done except for the binding. I will use it to teach a new technique of binding off a quilt at our May 3-4 quilt show. This is the first time I have taught publicly. Quilters are friendly people and always ready to learn something new. Should be fun!











Below is a close up of one of the panels. It was a long process from start to finish. I find embroidery very relaxing and it is something I enjoy doing while sitting watching TV with my husband.

Taking a break

I have been so busy this week. It seems all the quilt groups I am involved in had all their meetings this week. I also work 2 days a week. I just felt overwhelmed so decided that today I just could not get up and get ready 'to go'. So cancelled out Kay's meeting, 12 of us meet twice a month and have potluck dinner together and quilt. It is a great group and tomorrow we are having out annual retreat. Instead of a new project we decided it would be a UFO day. So I am working to get things ready to take.

I live on a small farm and my husband is away for a few days. There are mother's in-waiting and mother's with calves. So I am playing nursemaid right now. This one particular cow has hung on for a week waiting to birth. My husband checks her 2-3 times during the night. My son who lives about a mile away thought it would be this morning, but she is up again and we are just 'waiting'. I wonder if they get tired like we do?

BRQ is having a quilt show May 3rd and I have committed to putting some quilts in the show, plus teaching 'how to finish off a binding' with this new technique that I have learned.

I washed and pressed a quilt that will be going into the show that I made for my husband, Richard so it would be ready and not be a last minute project. It needs a sleeve and name tag. I am 'in learning' as far as 'short arm quilting and I looked at it today remembered I was interested in getting it finished that I got happy and just quilted without being aware of continuity and the size of the meandering. It was so great that machine and tension, thread all seemed to be going smooth that I just kept stitching away. So I have a few places that could have been improved. I am trying to decide which way to hang it so the inperfections of quilting will not show. Now when you finish a quilt for a bed it really does not matter. But if you are hanging a quilt you want the best part to show. Women are going to carefully scrutinize every detail. And depending on the level of viewer of that quilter it will be judged accordingly. We forget to consider the skill of the creator. At least I am guilty of that. I need to always remember I had a began at some point and isn't it always a learning process. I know I do not have it all together yet.

It is a simple quilt as I think it is important to have basic quilts as well as well as highly skilled from those with beautiful artistry that are being done today. I always want to remember that loving hands made the quilt and the truth is I am better than some and not as good as others. I am a pianist and tell that to myself all the time. It is easy to be intimidated and not participate. We encourage the girls whatever their skill level that it is important to share it with others. In getting this label together I used a picture of my husband with his cows(pictured). I made it on the computer...but I see the color ink was not so great..also two tools I really like to remove threads etc. A surgical ripper and an eyebrow remover to pull out those stubborn threads.


My break has been long enough...so need to get back to work.


I had a fellow quilter send this quote. Something to ponder.
"Take too many pictures, laugh too much and love like you've never been 'hurt' because every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

My saying is "The person that laughs LASTS"

Thoughts & 90th Birthday

'Be Still and Know that I am God'....that is a scripture from Psalm 46. It has been ringing in my heart for a couple of weeks....this is how God speaks to me. Stillness, what a wonderful word. It speaks of quietness, freedom from disturbance or agitation, and peacefulness. There are many more adjectives and also a Hebrew meaning from the Bible. But what it is saying to me is to listen, look, comprehend what is around me...stop chattering, be observant. It is in the quietness that we hear and then can move in that direction. I have been with many people in the last few weeks at different gatherings. And there seems to be a lot of 'noise'. Everyone wanting to be heard, laughter, sharing. It is all wonderful, but at times we just need to come aside and 'listen'. Soon the frogs will be croaking in the ponds and streams. What a wonderful sound as you lay in bed at night listening to them make a statement. The coyote down in our pastures ready to pounce on a new born calf. All nature resounds!! Life itself can be filled with a lot of 'racket' so to speak and cause a lot of stress. But for me, I just need to stop, be still and listen and let quietness sweep over me and bring rest. Just a thought for today that I wanted to share for someone who may need a little 'stillness' in their life.

It is 60 degrees today here in Central Maine and there is a bustle in the air. The robins are digging into the lawns, the Martins have come to take residence in our birdhouses. The cows are delivering their offspring. The flowers gardens are starting to green up and stand tall and produce their beauty. All the residue of winter is being cleared from the lawns. How can one truly describe what happens after winter and life comes to take residence again. How Majestic nature is.

Today, 12 of us met at a local restaurant to honor Arlene, a fellow quilter, for her 90th birthday party. She is a delightful lady and one of the founding members of our quilting group.



Her latest project was something someone threw away. She saw the potentional beauty in it and is hand quilting it to make it a treasure and will be donating it to a charity. She also shared her wool purse that she had made. It is knitted wool and is then put in hot water to shrink. Of course, we all agreed it was a beauty and some of us would like to try our hand at it. You know how it is with women when we see something new.

She shared some wonderful stories. She even sang a song called 'the Umbrella man' She was telling in her younger years of the milk man, the bread man and others that came selling their wares. None of us had heard of anyone who would fix an umbrella but of course we are not 90. She has put it on tape for her grandchild telling the story of how it came about and singing the song. The little one plays it every night when she goes to bed. What a treasure.

It was a wonderful day of just being 'still' and enjoying one another with no agenda for a little while.