Catch Up Post

I've been a slacker when it comes to writing blog posts. It's always on my lists, but doesn't always make it to the top of the list.  I finally sat down at the computer and decided to write a few words and share a few pictures. 

Remember the black and red version of Mapleton Avenue that I shared last month? It has been gifted to Quinn and I even got a few pictures.  Yay!

I finished my two-color plus a background Atlantic Avenue quilt and LOVE it! Jack picked these colors and he is very pleased with results too.  

In case you can't see it in the picture above, I used the same black and white striped binding for this quilt. I think it is perfect for these quilts. I have at least one more project on which I plan to use it, so I guess it really was a good thing that I bought quite a large amount of it.  

I had some "sewing for others" to do and this big beauty is now complete. I did not get a picture of this after borders were added, as it was too big for my design wall. Plus, it was raining and pictures just weren't going to happen before it needed mailed. I'll share some of the pictures that I receive from the person who commissioned it. 

None of these pictures do the quilt justice. The fabrics are beautiful and it was a joy to make. After the borders were added, this beauty measured 93" x 107" The pattern is Sweet Caroline by Myra Barnes of Busy Hands Quilts.  

I have a couple of secret sewing projects on which I'm working and I'm enjoying them very much.  Here are the fabrics for one of the projects.  These just make me smile.  😊

I have a few other projects on which I've been working. I'll get some pictures of those to share too. That may happen this weekend, but I wouldn't hold my breath. 

Quilt Pictures and More

I took a couple of pictures of my second version of the Mapleton Avenue quilt today. I am sooooo happy that I took the time to un-sew and change the layout!

I didn't take the time to stage some great pictures of this quilt because I really wanted to share it ASAP. I'll get better ones later. I love how these fabrics look against the changing grass color, the still-barren tree limbs, and that beautiful blue sky.  

I quilted a simple all-over meander and I am happy the results. I know that some people feel that a meander is kind of like cheating, but I disagree. I know how this quilt will be used and know that I wanted the fabrics to shine and not the quilting. Besides, I really do like the look of a meander.  A few years back, one of my granddaughters told me that she loves "those swirly all-over lines" that I quilt because she likes to trace them with her finger while she's trying to fall asleep. Who needs more reason to continue to quilt meanders?  :-) 

I am very happy with my binding! Yep; it's the stripes that were in the pre-cut package of strips.

There were two of each strip and I sewed them in an alternating orders so there was a nice flow around the quilt.

I love this picture and the beautiful tree and sky above it!

And just because I like to show it, here is the back. This was the original grey that I was going to use for the background on the front. I am very happy to have made the change.

I like how the stipe looks against this grunge backing.

Much to his chagrin, I had to get a picture of my quilt holder/binding consultant/quilt namer - AKA Jack. I am blessed with his constant support and encouragement.

Do you see that little bit of green way in the back on the left side? That's the Peace Bench that Ronan and Jack rebuilt last summer.

We had a very old garden bench that we were going to get rid of when Ronan asked if he could put it back by the "Peace Trees." I didn't know what he was talking about, so I asked him to explain. He said that the area way in the back is very peaceful and he loves to go back there when he's upset or just needs a break. There are a lots of trees, wild flowers, etc. back there, and it's because it's away from the house, it's quiet. (During the summer, it's actually hard to see from the house because of the trees and other plants that are quite tall.) 

Shoot! When he asked like that, how could we say, "No"? He and Jack spent a lot of time taking apart the bench, painting the wood (Ronan picked the color), and then putting it back together. They had a good time doing this and each learned a lot. Ronan ended up with his own toolbox and tools by the end of the project, which certainly made him happy.

When the restoration was done, Ronan asked his sisters to help move it to the Peace Area.  It was kind of an interesting undertaking, but it got done with no injuries or damage to the bench. 

All of this was done prior to Jack's back surgery and broken ankle. When he could finally get around without a wheelchair or walker, the kids asked if he could join them on the bench to say a prayer for his complete recovery. I love this picture! 

Of course the cousins love the bench too!

I am looking forward to spending time back in the Peace Area and know the kids are too. I think I'll take a few quilts back there and get some pictures. 

Happy Monday!

It's a new week and there's lots of good stuff happening and fun stuff to show.

The black and red Mapleton Avenue quilt that I showed the other day is now complete and I'm thrilled with how it turned out. 

I love the black and white binding!  

And yes, just like my label says, I really do believe that everyone deserves a quilt.  :-)

When I showed the red and black quilt the other day, I also shared a glimpse of another version of the Mapleton Avenue quilt. 

I love these fabrics, but I wasn't thrilled with how it looked in the original layout. One of the participants in the Sew Along laid her blocks out following a diagonal pattern and I loved it. I decided to turn a few blocks and see if I liked it. 

I loved the new look and got out my seam ripper yesterday morning. Some times you use a seam ripper because you WANT to, not because you HAVE to. Because of that, it didn't take long to un-sew the rows, rearrange them, and then sew the top together again. (Truthfully, I didn't have the top all sewn together, but I did have just under half of it done.) 

Here's the new layout. I love it and was so excited that I went ahead and quilted it too. 

I will get to the binding later today and post another (and better!) picture tomorrow.

So, what am I going to do with these quilts or the next couple that I'll be making? The red and black quilt has a dedicated recipient and I have a thought about the second one. But, if that changes I'm going to donate it to a couple of the 2021 Hands2Help Challenge. 

I've participated in this Challenge for a number of years and think it's great. The challenge is organized by Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and she does a great job with it. There are always options of to where to send your quilts and this year includes a special challenge. Please take a few minutes to read about this and consider joining me for the 2021 Hands2Help Challenge. 

What are you working on this week? 

For inspiration, check out Judy's Design Wall Monday post or Beth's Monday Making.

Black and Red Quilt

Yesterday, I shared a few pictures of my "in progress" Atlantic Avenue quilt. I also mentioned that I had just completed a red and black quilt, and that I would share a picture of that today. 

I am hosting an on-line Sew Along on the Friends of Chestnut Ridge Sewing Facebook group and we are using the Mapleton Avenue pattern. 

Just because I feel like I have to, I am making two versions of quilt. I changed the black and red version a little by adding an additional column of blocks so it measures 56" x 64". (The pattern offers four size options, but none of them were quite the size I wanted so I made my own changes.) This two-color version was made totally out of scraps, and in the school colors of my oldest grandchild. (She is running track this year and I know from experience that she will most likely need this to keep warm during the early part of the season.)

My other quilt will be the lap size (48" x 64") and that is being made from an old 2 1/2" pre-cut package that I had in my stash. I chose to use a single background fabric, which is making the construction very simple and fast. This is the pre-cut and a grunge that I had considered using. I decided against it and went with a grey dot fabric instead.

Here are a few of my blocks just randomly laid out. I'm very pleased with the background fabric choice!

I have a few sub-teaching days coming, so my sewing time with be limited; but I hope to have this top pieced by the weekend. I'd also like to get the black and red one quilted and bound. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but I won't be overly disappointed if I don't get everything done that I want to. W

What are you working on today?