The signs of Autumn

Hard to believe that we are well into Autumn with temperatures approaching 80 degrees today in Delaware. I am NOT complaining about the comfortable weather. I love it, and don’t look forward to the wet damp cold that will come as we get closer to Christmas.  Every morning for the last 2 weeks I have gotten up to a sight out the window that takes my breath away

Peaking out the window

And then I walk out for the mail and see this-

 

Pinks greens orange and reds

Honestly, sometimes I think that tree glows-

Sugar Maple

Wednesday morning it looked like it was snowing leaves.  I just love the colors against the backdrop of the green grass.

and after a day and a half of wind and rain, the beauty is nearly gone, and the tree is almost bare- makes me a little sad.

The grass and driveway are hidden beneath a layer of wet leaves, the sky is grey, but there are still a few bits of color left on this tree to brighten a dreary day.  Mulching and raking will have to wait for another few days, but a bit of work out in the yard will have to happen soon.

When I sit in my quilting room over the garage, I will be able to soon see through the tree tops as I sew.

Sewing in the tree tops

This week I managed to get my six pillow covers in the mail. Yes, I had to make a replacement for the one the silver marking pencil would not come out of.   I can see the marks, but my husband said I would have to “point them out” for anyone else to notice. So, I have a Christmas pillow cover for my use.  (Details on this pillow pattern on my post here:  3 days of fun )

Six pillow covers in the mail!

Thanks for the great tutorial and pattern Melissa –Polka Dot Chair blog  !  I made mine as “envelopes” rather than add zippers.

It’s “Quilt Guild Week” the first week of the month, and this is usually a much busier week for me with the meeting, the class and the board meeting. I didn’t take the class this week so I had extra time to work on a project for my hubby’s model railroad club.  I made 18 pillowcases to sell during their annual open house coming up. I made several pairs, and also some “one of a kind” with that wonderful train fabric I picked up at Burkholder’s Fabric in Denver PA.  I have them all “bagged and ready” to sell.  Still have fabric left to use, but want to see how these go.  Our local quilt shop sells “kits” for you to sew for $12.50.  I think I priced them fairly and will keep my fingers crossed that they sell quickly.   For information about the DelMarVa Model Railroad Club (Delmar DE) annual open house check out their website: DMRR Club . If you love trains, put us on your calendar!

Trains trains trains

Today and tomorrow I take a “card crafting class” at the Georgetown Library. I have gathered all those unused paper crafting supplies I have acquired and am ready to cut and glue.  I bought the “special scissors” that were the only supplies I was to bring, and then got word last night I should bring lots more stuff.  Good thing I had some supplies!

Sunday is “Senior Quilts” workshop at church, and we will be putting kits together for distribution to our quilters in January.  I still have a bolt of muslin to get cut into 8.5″ squares.  We use the muslin for signature blocks and each quilt gets 40 muslin squares.  (I may have to add those “later” in the month).

Next week I am excited to be attending a 2 day workshop with PAT SLOAN !!!  I have to gather the supplies for that class on Sunday afternoon and get the car “loaded up”.  Will take lots of photo’s during that class!  It is a “road trip” too, going South to Maryland for the workshop.

I’ve been pulling fabric for the Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt – Allietare Mystery Quilt 2015, but haven’t gotten them “all together yet”.

So, the blog has come down to a once in a while thing as I stay busy.  I’m ever thankful for having the opportunity to enjoy my retirement!

What are you working on today?

Three days of Fun

Day 1 — Got off to a good start at our Sit & Sew Camp.  This is a camp organized by 1 lady in our guild for her bee, and 2 other bees.  My bee is invited each time and we have a lot of laughter and good times.  A little learning goes on too, as we often ask and receive help from those around us.

We have several ladies who do demonstrations, and yesterdays was interesting, and included handouts. Monday’s demo by Mary Reddington showed us a quick way to turn rows into a Boston Commons quilt, with 3 simple cuts.  I should have taken a picture of her before & after. Hopefully she has it with her today, and I will seek permission.   Mary does many baby quilts with a group called Tiny Tots in our Guild. They donate the baby quilts to local hospitals and all the babies born whose mother’s are on Medicaid get one of the quilts.  She showed us many methods for fast assembly of your rows by labeling using simple painters tape the first block in the row, stacking them up and putting a pin in the top left.  Then, when she assembles, the rows, she “webs” them, not snipping anything apart.  I have seen Bonnie Hunter ( Bonnie Hunters blog ) do that when I’ve watched her videos.

Eleanor Burns – Quilt in a Day has patterns on her website if you are interested in seeing what a Boston Commons pattern.

I also found detailed instructions on another blog by doing a quick search online – check  out Traveling Quilter Fast Quilt Method Boston Common

I worked at my projects all day.  I got quite a bit done.  I am making 6 “Star Pillow” envelope style slip covers.  The front (star) is made for all 6.  I also got 4 “pillowcases” stitched up.  I went prepared with 6 pillowcases pinned and ready to sew; and all the pieces cut for the stars.  I made all my my half-square triangles ahead of time at home.

double starch

Marking for HST

Trim time

I need to add the border around the block this morning and then they will be ready to layer and quilt.

18″ finish size

I decided to quilt the front of the pillow so I added an extra 1/2″ beyond the original pattern instructions to that final border to allow for that bit of shrinkage that occurs when you quilt.  I have my batting and some VERY lightweight muslin all ready to go for this morning.  I think I will keep the quilting fairly simple! Taking my ditch foot for the walking foot, and will simply stitch in the ditch around the star.  Once they are quilted, I am going to have fun with the back of the pillow. I will be using each of the different fabrics on the back, just to spice it up a bit.  Wait & see.

Off & running for another full day of sewing with my Bee buddies.

NOTE: The star pillow pattern inspiration came from a blog post by Melissa Mortenson – Polka Dot Chair Star Pillow directions.  The sizes were perfect for what I was going to do.  (Now, when I looked at her blog again, I saw she channel quilted her pillows…..no, still going to ditch them and make that star POP). Anyway, I think Melissa wrote a GREAT tutorial/pattern instruction if you want to try one of these BIG blocks.

Whatever you do today, have fun with it!  You never know what tomorrow will bring, so celebrate today!