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Tuesday, February 08, 2022

The Keepers of the Quilts -


This photo is actually sideways.

But it was way too tall to use  as a banner photo at the top of this post.  Thanks to the miracle of photo editing software, a quick tap of the rotate button, and here you have Ivy on Sunday night as I finished putting the last stitches into the binding on my Churn Dash obsession.

Life is so rough for Ivy, as you can plainly tell.

Also - I am a prisoner to the recliner when she is like this, wedged between my knees on the uplifted foot rest.  What's a girl to do?


My sewing view.

Don't even THINK of getting up!


One folded over corner in the morning light of day.

This quilt makes me SO happy!

One of my things on the to-do list yesterday was to take quilt photographs, but it is SO muddy out - and yes, there was spitting of snow flurries which turned to rain.  Not great for photo op day.

And then there is this nagging voice that says "Aren't you tired of taking photos between those trees yet?"

And the other voice says (Yes, there is more than one and they are often found in deep conversation.) "Does it really matter that you take quilt photos in the same place every time?  Maybe it's a trademark!"

At any rate - there are photos to take and the weather is not cooperating.  Maybe today.


The moles & voles are having a heyday!

With the snow finally melted away, the little darlings ((*&@#($*&(*!)) are digging their way through the lawn to pop up in Punxsutawney Phil fashion to see if spring is indeed arriving early this year.

I'm not sure what their findings are - but cold weather or not, retreats at Quiltville Inn start TOMORROW!


Cherry Crunch & Forever Mine are in the front foyer ready to greet guests!


One of yesterday's list things was to set the heat up to warm the inn.  The quickest way is to get the gas fireplaces in the Quilting Quarters and the Hen Den revved up on low.

I pulled out all of the Valentine Stuff, and admit to buying more goodies while running errands in town - there is a flurry of activity to get everything ready!

I can hardly wait until cars are unloaded into wagons and the ladies will be able to roll right up the back walkway instead of across wet and muddy grass.


This is ready to baste.

I ran out of gas yesterday - it was pushing 5pm and I was just DONE.  

One of the things that ate up my time was searching for a certain tote of quilting stencils that I KNOW I packed at the Wallburg house before the big move-out.  But where could it be?

That lead me to checking all of the stored totes of recycled shirts in the cellar (Let's leave talk about that mountain of madness for another day, shall we?! LOL!) to see if by chance they got shuffled into any of those - which lead to spending time getting the cellar a bit more organized and user friendly.

No stencils were found.

Then it was over to the garage/shop for one more look-see and I did find them.  A tote under another tote, covered by a rug, and somewhat behind a ladder.

As soon as weather gets better, this garage/shop is getting a make over too!


This is the culprit!

Over my years of quilting I have picked up and collected stencils I liked wherever I could find them.  At the time they were fairly inexpensive.  They didn't take up any space in my suitcase, or add too much weight.


I've had this one a long long time!

But I checked, and you can find all kinds on The Stencil Company website. 

I found this one HERE. It's different than mine as it seems to have a double row of fans - so I've ordered it too!

These lines are fairly close together and there are 12 arcs in each fan.  That's a lot.

If I ever don't want things quilted this closely, I'll just mark every other line.

*UPDATE* I heard from The Stencil Company after today's post went live:

Bonnie.

Thanks for posting our stencil on your blog!  Unfortunately we moved from NY to PA 11 years ago and that's no longer our phone number!  I hope that number hasn't been assigned to another person in NY.  Our number is 724-540-5076

Have a great day!

Cindy Turnbow
The Stencil Company
217 Altermoor Drive
Natrona Heights, PA  15065

So my plan today is to finish up some fun stuff over at the inn to get the Quilting Quarters ready while housekeeper Susan works her magic. (I haven't seen her in 2 months so this will be great!)

And I'll get the string star quilt basted so I can start in on the hand quilting.

There is also pattern writing to take care of -  new PDF patterns will be available on February 15th!  Whoowhooo!

How about your Tuesday - what is happening in your world, wherever you are?


This morning's guilty pleasure.  Don't judge!

The store was out of my usual Cinnabon creamer.  This jumped into my cart.  Not sure if it's a winner yet, but it's good for a change.

If you have missed the last few days of posts, let me give you a quick run down.

We are drawing for TWO winners in the March/April '22 Quiltmaker Gift-Away HERE. Our winners will each receive a copy of the issue from me along with a PDF pattern for my Forever Mine  quilt.

Forever Mine is on sale at 25% off through 2/13/22!

Yesterday was Bruce Leonard's Amazon kick off for his new quilt genre novel, Quilt City Murders!  I'm giving away a paperback copy and our winner will also receive a PDF pattern for my Cherry Crunch quilt.  

Enter to win ON THAT POST.


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Oregon or Bust quilt from my book Scraps & Shirttails II.

Mistakes are part of being human.
Appreciate your mistakes for the precious life lessons they teach you. (Unless it's a fatal mistake, which at least others can learn from! LOL!)
When it comes to quilting, mistakes can lead to new opportunities that turn out better than we ever expected!

Grab Tuesday by the horns - have a great one!


 

19 comments:

Sherrill said...

I sorta remember when you found Ivy (or did she find you)..wasn't there some meowing or something happening down by the creek and that was how she came to live with you. Your menagerie is so cute and fun to see them.

AnneO said...

Wishing you a FABULOUS 2022 season, filled with all the joys of quilting: friends, fabric, food [of course], front porch relaxing, firepit smores, and furry ones.

cityquilter grace said...

oh yeah i have one of those oaktag stencils lying around too....oldie but goodie!

sue s said...

Looking forward to seeing "Quilts on the Porch" again! Today's a runaround day. I do want to start FMQ on my Valentine table runner later on.

Linda P in IL said...

I'm really looking forward to seeing your string star..that one is on my list. Also happy that quilters are coming back to the Inn. Such fun photos!

Leah said...

Churn Dash is a gorgeous finish! As for taking quilt photos in the same place(s) - I say, embrace the trademark. ;) I take most of mine in roughly the same place. My teenage twin daughters usually hold them up for me, and I love the fingers and toes peeking out. No idea how I'll get good shots when they finish growing up and move away.

Anonymous said...

Just curious if you ever use any of these quilts you show us on your personal bed? I have 2 that I rotate on my bed but am looking to make another to be in the rotation.

kwiltnkats said...

My two kitties argue over that space that Ivy occupies with you. I find a way to get both of them with their long Abyssinian bodies to share space. This of course leaves no room for me to sew LOL =^.^= but I love them and usually end up with a nap! Good luck in 2022 with the retreats. Love Cherry Crunch! Sandi

Mary said...

It's Quilt Guild Day and my oldest Granddaughter came home after we had lunch to celebrate her birthday yesterday. of course sewing and quilting is on the agenda. I haven't seen her Grandma Quilt camp Quilt since last August. It's block assembly time. she has finished al her blocks and they are sew sweet. Kinda girly and not her normal colors. she used a layer cake that I had to make them. Proud Grandma moment to watch her lay them out and get sashing cut and sewn on. Happy Tuesday! I'll be testing a new Quilt pattern on some swapper 4-patches. Betsy, my Quilting Machine, is ready!

Sharon in Seattle said...

I love seeing photos of your kitties leading the rough life! I ordered the mystery book on Amazon and my husband made all kinds of funny jokes. I told him not to mess with Jack the Seam Ripper!

AlohaKaty said...

I am often "trapped" in my recliner by a sleeping cat. If I don't have anything to get up for, I just enjoy his companionship. But every 2-3 hours, I must get up and stretch. If the cat is still sleepy when I return, he just takes his usual place and goes right back to sleep.

spacer said...

When you first said you ran out of gas I was thinking your van ran out of gas. (laughing) Didn't take long to figure it out. Hoping I can quilt a couple of smallish heart quilts this week between everything else happening in my life.

Vintage Quilter said...

I love your Cherry Crunch quilt!!!! Hope I win it. Have fun with your quilters now that you are open again!

stitchinpenny said...

Judging? Heck no I am jealous.

Merry said...

I have always found my mistakes taught me something. Many a wrong turn was a teaching tool for the next time.

Irene said...

My kitty liked to lay under the quilt I was quilting. She did get a little grumpy when I had to move the quilt to get to another area. She liked to sleep with her head on my pillow I didn't mind except for her whiskers tickling my face. LOL

Irene said...

It is so nice to teach a grandchild to sew. I used to sit my youngest grandson on my lap when he was 3 or 4 and let him lay his hands on top of mine while we sewed. When he got a little older I let him hold the fabric while I kept my hands at the ready in case he got his fingers too close to the needle. I cut lots of squares of fabric (his Choice) and taught him about 1/4" seams. He sewed a lot of squares but as he got older he started losing interest. His unfinished lap quilt still sits in my sewing room. Every once in awhile I run across it when I'm looking for something. He is 17 now, I'm going to finish it for him when I get done with some quilts for my 4 youngest great grandchildren. Twin boys and their 2 sisters. I am making some headway.

Janet of MN said...

Your blog feels like a warm hug. It's heartwarming to watch your busy life and to be able to watch the antics of your furry roommates. I'll just sit here and drink coffee thank you.

Barb Johnson said...

I don't use stencils often, but it is good to know that the company which makes these ones is only about 20 minutes from my house!

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