Shenandoah Valley, Phebe and The 1857 Album Quilt

My September block for the Shenandoah Valley Quilt .  For some reason the picture loaded upside down.

I have finally started stitching the center block of Phebe.  I've had the pattern and fabrics for a couple of years but didn't start because of this center block some of the pieces are so tiny.
This is one of my favorite patterns.  I believe it is because  of those little sheep.
I want to thank Luann from LooseThreads for sending me the fabric for her dress the center of the vase and the bird wings.  They really made a difference.

Sentimental  Stitches has been sending out patterns each month for the 1857 quilt.  Here are my blocks so far.   The blocks are to finish 10”.  Not sure how I will sew them together with those little melons so close to the seam allowance.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching ,
Nancy

Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt and Sarah Fielke BOM

E-4 Boquet Block

This months block for the Botanical Album quilt is a Bouquet block.  I thought I would post on time  this month rather than late    This quilt is still on the top of my favorites list.

There will be lots of other versions of this block shown here on the 15th of the month.

I also have an update on my Sarah Fielke BOM

This is my  pink version.  A little too pink I think.
So I added a little aqua to the background.

My black version which I have tried to lighten by adding some grey.

So far that’s it for the month as most of my time has been taken up child sitting and dealing with back disk problems.

Until the next time,

Happy stitching everyone.

Nancy

Monthly Blocks

 Holy smokes, I haven’t posted in so long I don’t know if I remember how.  

Part of the problem was my internet connection.  It had become so slow it took forever just to download pictures.  We finally got a new provider and things are somewhat better.

I did get my Old Voices New Impressions quilt top assembled.  

I am pleased with the way it all came together and very happy I went with the green border fabric. 

It’s not too noticeable in the pictures but in person the center of the quilt looks like it is floating  on the green border. 

Karen from Log Cabin Quilts started this sew a long in July 2015.  I wasn’t a very good member because I failed to post my progress each month but reading about the other ladies progress kept me motivated. 

So thanks Karen for all your inspiration.

   

This is my   

 Tiger Lily block for the Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt.

It was supposed to be posted on the 15th so I guess I am a little late.  At least I made it before the May block came out.
You can see some nice pictures on their blog showing this block in many different fabrics and there is a Facebook page  here for this quilt.

I also stitched a couple of the wreath blocks for the Sarah Fielke BOM.
We need to make 8 of these wreath blocks .  I will need to stitch 16 because I am making two color ways but I have 8 months left to get them finished.

The blocks for this month were both applique .  This quilt has a very whimsical and happy look.

I guess this is why Sarah has named it Happy Days.

There is also a Facebook group for Happy Days here where you can see  many different versions of the quilt.  I am always amazed at how creative some people are.

Facebook  is the other reason I have become lax at blog posting.  I never was a fan of Facebook but so many of the groups I follow have moved there so I was kind of forced to give it a try.
I am still a little concerned about privacy issues so I rarely post anything.
It’s not as bad as I had imagined but it sure can eat up a lot of your time.
Until the next time,
Nancy

Monthly Progress

This months block for the Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt is 

"The Liberty Tree".  

When I first looked at this pattern I had in mind not to include the Liberty Tree block because it seemed to look a little out of place.  

Now that it is all stitched I just love it.

All the information you need about this wonderful pattern can be found Here .

Thanks Dawn and Doreen for such a fun BOM!

I also finally finished the next to the last border on “Auntie Green’s Garden” a pattern by Irene Blanck.  

Only one border left and it consists of yards and yards of brown vine a little boring to stitch but it makes a beautiful finish to the quilt.

Florabunda is finally quilted.  

Started in 2010 it was a free BOB from Erin Russek of One Piece at a Time. 

I made Florabunda using the freezer paper applique method Erin is known for.

This is my “30’s Feedbacks” the 2005 Second Saturday Sampler from Little Quilts finally quilted.  Little Quilts closed it’s doors a couple of months ago and I miss having such a wonderful shop near by.

 OK, I know I said I wasn’t going to start another quilt where I HAD to remember to download a pattern every month but a woman can change her mind can’t she?

Gay from Sentimental Stitches is offering this free BOM the “1857 Album Quilt” and all you have to do is not forget to download your pattern every month. 

Until the next time,

Happy Stitching

Nancy

SVBAQ Quilt Month Five - Old Voices New Impressions

Block A5 Yellow Pink Tulip

What a fun quilt this is turning out to be.  I really enjoy watching each block come alive and following along with all the other quilters.  Seeing their fabric choices and how each quilt is turning out so different even though we are all using the same pattern.
You can go HERE or HERE to see all the other blocks or to purchase the pattern from
The Virginia Quilt Museum.

I have also completed all the blocks for my Old Voices New Impressions quilt.

Karen from Log Cabin Quilts started this sew-along last July.  The quilt is from a Jeana Kimbell book by the same name and several ladies, like Cathy have already finished their tops.

This is the version of the quilt I am making.  I don’t have any fabric in my stash that would work for the sashing and borders so I guess I am going to be forced into making a trip to the quilt shop.  
Oh dear, oh dear, what ever shall I do.
Until the next time,
Nancy

Shenandoah Valley and 1718 Coverlet Quilts

Shenandoah Valley January block Star in the East.  I believe it’s the 4th block in the

 sew along.  There have  been so many beautiful versions of this block posted here.

I have also been trying to catch up stitching  my 1718 Coverlet quilt blocks.  This is such a weird quilt most of the backgrounds for the 4 1/2” blocks are made up of lots of little pieces .

When I first started I tried to make every block just as the original.  I soon gave up on that idea and have now chosen to make the backgrounds a little simpler.

I don’t think it has changed the overall look of the quilt and it has sure has made life simpler for me.

On another note.  It’s been freezing here and yesterday we had a light dusting of snow.  Now it’s pretty sad when your Grandchildren get this excited about this much snow.

We really need to take them somewhere so they can experience the real thing.

Until the next time,

Nancy

December Summary

Christmas is over and It’s almost a new year.  Things have been really busy but I thought I would take a break  and post a little about my month.

I did get this months block for the Shenandoah Valley quilt stitched.  Not my favorite block from the quilt but not a difficult one.

"Classic Santas" is finally quilted. This is a Sue Garman pattern.  I stitched the blocks years ago when I first started appliquéing.  It’s needle turn which I seldom do anymore.  If you are not familiar with Sue’s blog you should check it out here.  It is just full of wonderful pictures.

Finished up a couple of little Christmas gifts just in time to gift them.

I have also been working on the new Bonnie Hunter mystery “Allietare" from Quiltville.  

The first three clues are stitched but the 4th is waiting until after Christmas.  The fifth came out today so I know what I will be stitching this week.

I am also secretly hoping no one offers a free BOM applique quilt this year because I have no will power and I already have several that need finishing.

Here’s hoping everyone's  Christmas / Holliday was as wonderful and blessed as ours .

Shenandoah Valley Quilt Along Month Two "Blue Flag"

I am late again posting about my block for this month.

My Blue Flag block is not blue as you can see.  I really didn’t want any blue in my quilt but I did want to add something other than red, pink, yellow and green so I chose violet.

My blocks so far.

It’s been fun working with these colorful Kaffe fabrics.

If you have the time and would like  to see all the  beautiful interpretations of the blue flag block go here. 

Now back to cleaning and cooking for Thanksgiving.

Until the next time,

Nancy

Virginia Quilt Museum's Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt

It's the 15th of October and time to post my first blocks for the Virginia Quilt Museum's Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt Sew Along.

This month we were to stitch the Pineapple block.

I am making the 16 inch block because most of my fabrics have large prints and will show better on larger applique pieces.

There are three pineapple blocks in the quilt.  I have chosen to make my quilt using Kaffe Fassett fabrics since I have a nice collection of them.

My background is a Moda Bella soft butter color.

I still haven't decided if I will ink the names of the blocks on my background.

 

 As far as what technique I will use well, I am a starch and turn girl so I will stick with this method.

There are so many different ways to do appliqué and we must pick the one that works the best for us.
In my opinion there is no right or wrong way just what works for you.

We have two very talented ladies leading this Sew Along :

Dawn from Collector with a Needle http://collectorwithaneedle.blogspot.com

Doreen from Aunt Reen's Place  http://auntreensplace.blogspot.com

The sales from this lovely pattern are to  benefit the VA Quilt Museum  http://svbotanicalquilt.blogspot.com

There is also a Facebook group you can follow  https://www.facebook.com/shenvalleybotanicalquiltsewalong

It's never too late to join the fun.

Nancy