itchy fingers

Something to satisfy itchy fingers...

Perhaps my mother will be the lucky owner again of this one...
She's been benefiting from my itchy fingers for her new apartment.

Quilting at the beach? wise or not wise?
;-)
maybe not.
What are you working on today?

It's a lovely day in the neighborhood.

Happy Sunday.

book of inspiration

Sometimes it's only about the fabric.... it's not fancy but, I like it.

I got this quilt back today from Linda, who machine quilted it for me. I made this the last day I was in the city before we came to our house for the summer... I had yards of vintage brown/orange/gold fabrics, that all vaguely went together...

They made me so happy looking at them.
First because I want a dress made out of each of them...so my colors!
And second because they remind me of my grandmothers house. Her wall paper, the couch slipcovers, and upholstery...

I had a very real dream last night that i was back in my grandmothers house, and I cried because I was so happy to be there... then I woke up. drat.
So it's funny that I got this quilt back today. Linda, by the way, did a fabulous quilting job, and has made the quilt a lot more special when you see it up close.... Gorgeous feathers, and vines and leaves... I'm so pleased with it...

This book inspired me to make it in the first place.

Calico & Chintz, Antique Quilts from the collection of Patricia S. Smith.

Very simple, some whole cloth quilts, Simple but with Incredible fabrics... patterns that have withstood the test of time, Quilts that look modern now, even though they were done in the 1800's. I pour over this book, and is often the first book I go to for inspiration.

This was the quilt that hit me... Two fabrics, simple, great quilting. Straight up. Nothing better.

My fabrics may only be for the 1970's but, they do indeed capture and essence of my grandmother, and for that, I declare this quilt a success.

I did have to add a little zing to it... I remember these lamps g'ma had made out of bottles in her home. They were turquoise, gold, and a little bit of orange in the pictures depicted on them... this backing fabric sort of fit the bill...

Speaking of Vintage fabrics. I won a giveaway at Craftfarm!
I'm so blown over by the wonderful fabrics, I may need to pass along the good fortune.
Perhaps another charity quilt to pay it forward.... Will have to think what it will be...

***

Do you have a book that you find yourself going back to over and over again for inspiration?

Please share with me... :-)

;-)

HOW TO SPEND A GREAT BIRTHDAY ....

BREAKFAST IN BED.

awwww!

Stay in bed, have breakfast in bed, open some wee gifties, snuggle with the lovies... the best.

GIFTIES.

WOW.

Love this book....
I didn't think I was much of a traditionalist until I saw these... I love them.... Gorgeous book from my hubby.

I also got a GEODE from B,
and I got,matching Mommy & daughter dresses! That's a first for us. She picked them out! one in my size, one in her size! way to cute.

Of course, I got fabric too! yippee!

CAKE.

YUM.

Carrot cake. My all time favorite! I offered to bake one for myself, but my lovies got this one for me... mmm, mmm, good.

TAKE IT IN.

It's just a number. Every year they get better and better.

Hear it, feel it, accept it.

SLOPPY KISSES.

Even Kia was interested in my carrot cake.... or some sloppy kisses... which ever... On my birthday, anything goes.


SEW.

I did actually sew a few of the hexagons on this weekend... I do plan on finishing this baby this year...

THANK YOU.

Say thanks, and be grateful.

Thank you Miss Monica for the lovely card. Here's to more sewing projects together, smiles, and hugs.

Thank you friends for your wishes. Thank you family for love. Thank you for a lovely day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

great book

Look at this Amazing Quilt!
Read on to learn who made it.

If your like me in quilting, I can put together a top with a full idea what I want, BUT when it comes to quilting it out, I really hit a brick wall.

For instance.

I quilted this quilt on the machine without a plan. I love how this quilt top turned out. I put the backing on it, and thought I'd play with the quilting and see what happened. I'm not so happy with the quilting...


So then, I have this quilt, It's one of my Favorites, but I know many would not agree...But no matter, I want it for myself, so I plan on hand quilting it... for me...


Before I ruined this one,
I shot Tonya an email about any ideas how to go about planning a quilting pattern, and she pointed me to Gwen Marston's book, Quilting with Style.

I rcvd the book today, can I tell you, after looking at so many books about hand quilting, this book, explains, shows, teaches you, so many different tricks, ideas, and how to adapt patterns etc... clearly, and logically.

I highly recommend it if your having trouble with your quilting...

It's Brilliant.