I've been quite busy with sewing, and enjoying every minute of it. I went to a quilt retreat in March and had a ball. The class I took was for a Sherman's March quilt, but I made it in pink, green and cream which makes it look like tulips. I have the top all put together and and just need to add one more border. I'll show it as soon as I get that done.
In addition to this class, I also took a class on making a West Virginia star block. I just love it, and I'm trying to decide if I want to make a whole quilt. This block was a lot of work, and I don't know if I want to commit to so much work. I had bought the (WV state color) fabrics several years ago for just such a project but it will really take a lot of time to put together. We'll see...
I've finally started working on the sesquicentennial memorial Civil War quilt by Barbara Brackman. If you're doing this quilt-along, you know that she is posting instructions for 8" blocks. I'm making 12" blocks so that I can make it a large quilt, so I'm having to redraft a few of the blocks. Fortunately, though, most will just mean different measurents. I have so much Civil War reproduction fabric from the DJ quilt, and this seemed like just the right project to use it up, or at least make a dent in it. These are the blocks I've completed, and since we're more than half way through the year, I'm quite a bit behind. I'm not sure about some of my color choices, but I'll decide later if I want to remake any of them.
Last month as I was working on the quilting for my latest 'Quilt for Kids', my sewing machine absolutely locked up. I couldn't even turn the wheel at all. Fortunately, I was able to get it repaired within a few days, and tried again to finish that little quilt. Unbelievably, it happened again! It made me so mad I just turned it off and left the room. When I went back the next day, I worked on it a little bit and got it sewing again, but now I'm afraid to try to finish the quilt!! I'm afraid it will jam up again. I think I'll get my old machine out and see if it will do the job. I don't care if it breaks or not, so of course, it will be just fine.
Throughout the winter and spring, I was also really working on several cross stitch UFOs. I love to do it, but my poor old eyes won't always see it well enough to work on it. Anyway, these are my latest finishes. Sorry for the glare, but I didn't think to take a picture before framing them.
And last but not least, here's a brand new MBA! I'm a very proud mama.
