Farmers Wife in Red and White

As I was putting things away from Christmas I realized I did have a finish in 2014 my Red and White Farmers Wife quilt.

It was a cold rainy day but I carried it out onto the porch and managed to get a couple of pictures.

It would be nice to have a fence, a wall or anyplace I could hang my quilts to take pictures of the entire quilt.  It’s really quite a large quilt..
I made most of the blocks using the Marti Michell templates  while participating in a Farmers Wife sew along she held.  Joining in with a group seems to help keep me on track.
Happy Saturday
Nancy

Poor Farmers Wife

For the past few days I have been merrily sewing along putting my Farmers Wife quilt together.
Using all these cute little leaves as corner stones.  Then I decided to put it up on the wall and take a picture.  Well, the leaves are falling...I forgot this quilt is - ON POINT-  and when I turned it good grief  all the leaves are leaning to the left.
Looking at my fabric the only way to get them to stand up straight is to cut all the little 1.5 inch squares on the bias with the leaves going sideways and then when the quilt is turned  the leaves would be straight.  Now do I really want to go to all this trouble or just have tipsy leaves?

On a brighter note my package arrived from Kris at The Quilting Garden.  I love the way she wraps her packages and look a little surprise scissors attached for my applique’.  Thanks Kris.

A Farmers Wife

I haven’t had a lot of time to spend on my Farmer’s Wife quilts but thought I would post my progress.  I have been making two versions.  A traditional one made with reproduction fabrics and one made with red, white and cream.

The traditional one is set like the book suggests and for the red and white one I am using a setting I found here.  I think it gives it a more modern look.  If I want my daughters to keep any of my quilts and not sell them all in a yard sale  I better start getting more modern.

My latest purchase is from Kris at Lavender Quilts.  Some of the new Kaffe Fassett fabrics for my applique’.  I think they are just wonderful.

Happy Stitching,
Nancy

Blog Friends!

When I started blogging it was mainly to  keep a record of my quilting and where it was going.  

I never expected to become acquainted with so many great people.  

Take Sharon for instance from Grass Roots Quilting.  We have never met in person but we communicate through our blogs..  When Sharon read about my red and white Farmers Wife quilt she wrote and offered to send me some reds since I had used all of mine.

Well, Yesterday I got a package in the mail and when I opened it here were all these red fabrics.

These will look great in my quilt.

Thanks Sharon.

Red and White Farmer's Wife

Another set of red and white plus cream Farmer's Wife blocks completed.  I am really enjoying making these blocks using the Marti Michell templates.  I came to quilting after the rotary cutter and never had an opportunity to use templates in my quilting so this is new to me.  I don't think I would like making my own templates but the MM templates are fun to use.

Now,  the time has come to make a decision.  I have used all the red and white fabrics in my stash at least once in these blocks and have to decide if I am going to buy more fabric or repeat the ones I have.  You know how when you work with something for a while it all just seem to jumble together in your mind...Well, that's how I feel about  this quilt.  It's all just starting to look too busy and I am not sure where I am going.
Happy Stitching,
Nancy

This, That and The Other

I completed a couple more blocks from Christmas 101 and I ran into a little problem.  I have always used Elmer's school glue sticks to tack down my larger applique pieces rather than lots of little pins.  
Last week I saw  this new glue Lapel at the quilt shop so I bought some and used it last night ....Look what happened when I pressed this block.  
Now these glue sticks are a lot more expensive than Elmer's so it's back to Elmer's for me and Mr. Lapel has a new home in the trash.
Here's hoping it comes out in the wash.

I am also up to date with my Marti Michell Farmers Wife red and white blocks but not for long because a new set comes out Friday.

       This little quilt was made from 1 1/2 inch waste triangles. I think it's pretty cute.

This is my version of  "Brass Buttons" from the  Civil War Legacies book.

I think I have the little quilt fever thanks to Kathie from Inspired by Antique Quilts.  She just posted another one I would like to make.

From My Sewing Room

In May I entered Sew Mamas giveaway day

and I can't believe I won one of the prizes. The package arrived all wrapped in polka dots  

Just look at this great book & Flea Market Fancy fat quarters I won from Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts.

How lucky am I?

 I haven't done much in the way of piecing this week but I did manage to finish three little quilts from Quilts by Cheri. 

Apple Brown Betty

Plain and Simple

and Georgia's Quilt.

also  two from Temecula Quilt Co .

                                                  Twelve Days of Christmas

                                                   and Blessings.
Temecula Quilt Co has just started a free summer star sew-along if you are interested check here.

I have also discovered perfect patchwork templates from Marti Michell and I really, really like them.

I have been using them to make A Farmers Wife blocks in red and white and I tell you they really make a difference. The blocks turn out just the right size.
Happy Stitching,
Nancy

A Busy Week

I seem to have become a hit or miss blogger.  I don't know where the days go but they sure go fast.

 Tuesday we had a fun day picking strawberries.  Boy all that dirt and pesticide sure taste good.

I added a few more blocks to my Farmer's Wife quilt.  I am trying to decide on the sashing fabric to use.  The quilt seems a little dark and I am trying to think of some way to brighten it up.  Any suggestions?

 Thursday I made Lillian a little short outfit.

I also completed  this weeks Barrister's Sow Along Blocks 

and am  following along with Cheri from Quilts by Cheri with her little Georgia quilt along.

So I guess the week was a busy one after all but you will notice I didn't mention anything about cleaning or cooking.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Plain and Simple

Cheri from Quilts by Cheri is doing a little mystery quilt this week called Plain and Simple.
I have decided I like to make little quilts because they are quick to do and usually don't become UFO's.  Day one we made six little four patches and today we added the corner triangles.
Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

I have also completed three more Barristers Blocks  this week.  (AKA - A Farmers Wife)

The next installment of Just Takes 2 came out and it is really frightening.  We also got instructions for putting all the blocks we have made so far together and it is really going to be a special quilt  when completed.

Happy stitching,
Nancy

Keeping Up, Catching Up and Cleaning Up

So far I have been able to keep up with my Farmers Wife Sow Along blocks.  Now known as the Barristers Block Sow Along.  If you are interested in why you can find out  here.

  Keeping up with those Just Takes Two blocks   keeps getting harder and harder. I have been thinking about stopping but I sure am learning a lot and I do have all that red and white fabric.

I am trying really hard to catch up with the Beyond the Cherry Tree quilt.  I have completed one border three more to go.

These borders are really long but I think quite pretty.

As far as cleaning up.  I got out my scrap basket and my GO cutter and one day I just cut squares. 2, 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 inch.  They take up a lot less space.

How are you keeping busy?

Happy stitching,

Nancy

Just Takes Two & The Farmer's Wife

I caught up with my Just Takes Two blocks.
Is it just me or do the blocks seem to be getting harder and harder?

I also started working on The Farmers Wife.  Randy at Barrister's Block is doing a Sow-A-Long.
I have had this book for some time and just didn't want to take the time to figure out the measurements for each block.  Well, Randy is doing it for us.  She posts the directions for the blocks on the First and third Wendesdays of each month and even gives you all the rotary cutting measurements. She is doing six blocks a month and February was the first month.