Block 5 - Kansas Troubles

Here is my block 5 from the Civil War Quilt project - Kansas Troubles.


This block was fun to put together - one inch finished size HST's seem like such a breeze after working on the tiny ones in the Nearly Insane quilt. (Update: I just noticed there is a damp spot on the block from when I starched it - oops!)

Today it got to 42c (107f) at home, and I've been laying low and doing things that don't require too much effort. I got busy with paperwork - clearing out stuff that's more than 7 years old etc. It's amazing how those papers can build up. I've decided I should devote 15 minutes to it each day. It's going to take me a while to get thru all that shredding!

Another Hungry Caterpillar

Just now I've finished quilting Lyn's Hungry Caterpillar quilt. I don't quilt for others anymore, but Lyn is the lovely girl I work with, and I'd made her a promise about this quilt quite a while ago. Also, her work is just so perfect that her projects are always a pleasure to quilt.


Lyn got really busy with her quilt and ordered extra fabric to make hers quite a bit larger, which is a good thing really, makes it more of a single bed size rather than a cot or throw size like Camo's is. I'll be thrilled to pass it back to her next week :-)

I'm still appliqueing on the Seven Sisters block, still a few stars to go, but I'm dying to put a Nearly Insane block together, so I think one of those will be next on the agenda. Chatter soon! xox

Block 3 - Seven Sisters ... almost ...

Gah! This is my third attempt at making this block, and I sooooo hope it will be the last!

First up I was needle turning the original star shape, and though I'm pretty good at the needle turn technique, with my acrylic nails I just couldn't manipulate the fabric well enough to make nice sharp points.

Then I decided to head down the path of fusible applique with machine blanket stitch. Which was fine until I removed the paper from the back of the stars - all the raw edges of the stars shredded! Grrr ...

So now I've chosen a completely different star shape, and I've changed how they're laid out on the block, and I'm back with the needle turn again. I've done an inner and an outer point, and so far so good ... let's hope the third time's a charm!

Block 4 - Texas Tears

Here is block four of the Civil War Quilts project - Texas Tears. Love these T blocks - long time readers will know I made a very special quilt from a similar block :-)


Is anyone thinking 'I haven't seen your block 3 yet'? Ummm yeah ... I haven't started that one ... Just haven't felt in the mood for applique yet ... (or I'm just terminally lazy) I'll let you decide :-)

1926 Singer Treadle

Here she is - my latest Singer Treadle. It's almost identical in every way to the treadle I got on Jan 1 last year, but the woodwork is in much nicer condition. Ohhh, and it's 2 years older - made in 1926.

This is a picture I took earlier - Marty got busy doing other things, but I hope to get him to take some nice pictures when he has some spare time.

This machine came with the instruction book and a few bobbins - nothing like the array of parts and pieces with the other machine, and we'll have to replace the belt. However for the sum of $150 I think Marty got a great deal.

So now I have three treadles - I've chattered to my Mum, and I'm going to give her my original one (which you can see under the quilt in this post). Marty and I don't much like tons of clutter, and as far as furniture and the like goes - we're full!

A finish ...

I'm entirely thrilled! This is my first finish for 2011, and I just love it :-) This project is from Bonnie's Leaders and Enders book, and is called Bowdacious. I loved the process so much that I will definitely make another in the future - one that can live with us.

I'll be sending this quilt on to our friends Pete and Joanne as a gift for their new baby Jade. I really hope they love it.

Tomorrow I have another little something to share. This morning while I was lazing around, Marty popped out to do some chores ... and when he came back needed help to get something out of the car. He had found (through the grapevine) another six drawer treadle and decided I needed to give it a good home. It's in even better condition than the one I got around this time last year - how lucky for me! I'll get him to take the pictures - he's so much better at it than me - when I have them, I promise to share!

And it's quilted ...

Just tonight I finished quilting the cot quilt, and I'm so happy with it.

I've used a King Tut variegated thread, the colour is called 'Valley of the Queens'. And the quilting pattern is my 'favourite de jour' ... just a flowery looking thing :-)

And isn't this backing fabric fun? I picked it up on a mega sale a couple of years back, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to use some of it. Just need to get busy on the binding, and then send the quilt on to it's new home.

Lastly, I need to get in touch with Norma Hamilton from West Des Moines - I'm hoping she's a blog reader. Norma, I've received your order, but the email address that was supplied is bouncing back to me as undeliverable. Please contact me via email - thank you so much!

Almost there ...

Yesterday I got busy and stitched the last blocks together to finish up the top of the cot quilt. It's so exciting, I'm racing toward my first finish for the year! I still had oodles of energy, so after dinner was done with, I pinned the top ready for quilting.

I was still buzzing and ready to start quilting, but sensible Tazzie overruled and told me it was time to go to bed. Why? Cuz today was a work day! I'm really exhausted now that I'm back home again, it's amazing how a person can get out of 'work mode' after a month of lazing around!

Once all the dinner dishes have been cleared away, I think I'll do a little quilting and actually have an early night. I'm saying that now ... but I wonder if I'll follow thru ...