Two finishes

         It's always nice to report a finish. Today I have two to report. I made these blocks a year ago or more. I never gave it a name, but I kinda see it as a split Bear's Paw. I was inspired by the Rosebud block. Since I have made it, I did see it somewhere else though.  This isn't how I planned to arrange them, but I wasn't keen with the blocks after I made them. I guess I am just not fond of the 1930's pastels. So rather than make more, I set them on point with the alternate plain blocks. Then it needed the pieced border, but I ran out of muslin. I finally got some more muslin 2 months ago and just now got around to finishing the top.  I might have to actually quilt it to convince my hubby (and me) that it'll make a nice little quilt. At least I can check the top off my list.

Also finished is the quilting on the orange star tabletopper I pieced earlier this year. I will add it to my pile of quilts to bind. I need to start thinking of tackling that pile. With one top quilted and one top completed, I still have 104 tops to quilt. Yikes!

  
         I planted some old flower seeds today. Some annuals just come quick enough from seeds or don't transplant well that I find it best to start them from seeds. I spent little on flowers this spring. With such a mild winter, lots survived or reseeded. I have  lots of flowers I want to move to the prairie next year and then I want to rework much of the flower garden. I've been feeling pretty good lately and love the garden work. I just wish it were kinder to me and my back because then  I could dig in the garden all morning and quilt the rest of the day. Wouldn't that be grand?

Meet Shirley

I've had a busy week working in the garden between rain drops. I didn't get much quilting done as I suspected. My people had  few dr. appointments. I did a lecture for the Oconomowoc quilt guild. It was a small group but very supportive of another Thirtysomething book. In fact supportive of all my books. Thanks again ladies.

I brought this top home from church last week and hope to get it quilted soon. The blocks are from  Judy Martin's book, Knockout Blocks and Sampler Quilts. Sue donated the blocks and I found the sashing fabric in our stash and another gal put them together.

My convergence quilt is coming together. Tonight the girls should be over for quilting, so I hope to get it done then. I don't think I will border this one.

Shirley would be happy to meet you. It is the name of this tulip. I first saw the Shirley tulip when I went on a garden walk with my mom whose name is also Shirley. We both liked it. When we saw it the petals were white with lavender brushed  edges. Very pretty and I was glad I found some for my own garden.  I was very disappointed when they came up the first year because they were this creamy yellow color (below). I was ready to rip them out. But gradually they changed color to the lavender in the  picture above. So I guess I will keep them. They make for a nice reminder of mom.

Garden or Quilt? Silly question

It's finally warmed a bit, so between raindrops I am digging in the garden. I have a thistle patch driving me nuts. Make that 5 Thistle patches. I don't think there is anything known to man that will kill the Canadian Thistle. If it stayed short I might not mind it so much.  I don't mind the yellow dandelions, but don't want those fuzzy seedheads. I could get to like the thistle too, but it has fuzzy seedheads and prickers!

This is what I have been quilting for the last month. It's the traditional Irish Chain colored differently. I would date it around the late 60's or early 70's.  If I could sell it for a few hundred dollars I would. Someone donated the top to our church quilting group, so church would get the proceeds. Any takers.  This one is about 86" x 97". Our comfort quilts are usually half the size.
Also this month the church ladies got together twice to work on the raffle quilt. The blocks are in rows and I brought it home to finish. Also, I gave a lecture and workshop for a local guild and Group Therapy aka Friday Night Quilt as Desired has started up again at my house.
Sometimes it all feels so routine. Ain't that great? Some days the hardest decision I have to make is whether to quilt or to garden. Here's wishing you the same.

My Festival Report

Hi everyone,
Quilt Festival was great. Imagine that. It was nice to have such a big show close to home. I have been to Fall Festival in Houston several times - usually to teach. So, I have seen some of the quilts in the exhibits before, but that is fine with me. And all the vendors adds to the excitement. Chicagoland guilds have hired me frequently over the years, so it is not surprising that I ran into old acquaintances. That was fun.

The 19th Century Divas is always my favorite exhibit at Festival. I think this is an online group. Could be wrong. If anyone knows anymore, do tell, please.

DH messed up my plans to not buy any fabric. Before I left he told me he expected I would buy some. So I did. (Oh, and he says he never thought I was obsessed with buying fabric! Seriously.) Apparently there was a big Longarm show this weekend out east somewhere. So I was disappointed there weren't more longarm supplies there. But I did manage to find a few things.

And I did get all the thread I wanted. So guess what I was doing tonight. I put a quilt on the frame this afternoon. I quilted this quilt about 10 years ago, but I never quilted the border. So I am doing it now cause I want to take the quilt off the stack and hang it on a wall. Maybe I'll get a picture of that later.
Today's picture is of my flower garden from last year. Spring has finally sprung so I have been busy in the garden rather than behind the camera. I sure don't know how I find the time to take care of them. This is about half of them.
Sew long for now. I have to get the quilt ready to do the side borders.