Every year we (the members of the Thumbstall Quilt Guild) are challenged to make a mini quilt.  We are given a theme and specific instructions on such things as size, technique and/or colors.  “Do Not Touch the Quilts” is the theme for this year’s challenge and it must be 11″ x 11″ or smaller.  We are able to use the technique or fabric of our choice.

These small quilts will be used at our biennial quilt show as a reminder  not to handle the quilts. It’s such a temptation to pick up the corner of the quilt in order to see the quilting detail.  I’ve found myself putting my hands in my pockets, or walking with my hands behind my back while at a quilt show so not to take a quick peek.

My quilt, Please Keep Your ‘Paws’ off the Quilts, is just about finished.

Do not touch the quilts

I only have to attach the binding.  I am definitely going use the Binding Thingy to make those ‘perfect’ mitered corners.  What a great tool.

At our annual picnic  this month the membership will vote on their favorite quilts.  First, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons  will be awarded.

There’s always time to quilt!

We were able to spend one last day on the beach.  It was in the 70′s for most of today, but very windy.

I still was able to work on the reversible wool bell pull as we sat on the beach  completing the button-hole applique one of the cardinals and starting the second.

Tip (passed along to me by a friend):

In order to separate embroidery floss or pearl cotton, pull one strand at a time from the hank. The thread will separate easily and will not tangle. This certainly saves a lot of frustration!

We were also treated to a beautiful sunset while overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

Lucia, Quilting on the Road!

It’s hard to believe, but we only have a few more days left to enjoy the Florida sunshine.  We’ll be starting the return trip to New York on Friday, but will ease back into “our real world” gradually.

We leave Homossasa, FL on Friday morning and drive to Savannah, GA for a 2 day, 3 night stay.  We stopped in Savannah on the way from Syracuse, NY to Old Cypress, FL and enjoyed a guided tram tour of Savannah’s 21 historic squares.  This coming weekend we plan on taking a self guided walking tour to visit some of these sites “up close and personal”.

Monday we will be heading to Pittsboro NC for a 2-day visit with our son and his family.  The grandkids are planning on serving us a dinner complete with the pomp and circumstance of fine restaurant dinning.  Can’t wait!

Then back to Syracuse, where we are looking forward to enjoying what remains of winter.  Our hope is that any remaining snow storms will wait until we have the RV safely parked in our driveway.

On the trip back to snow country, I should have plenty of time to finish the Fall/Winter Reversible Bell Pull from The Stash Store. (Jan 28 post)  The Winter side is about 75% complete.  I appliquéd the wool pieces with the buttonhole stitch using the technique described in the directions that came with the kit:

The needle is inserted at the outside of the appliqué piece and comes up at a point parallel and even to the previous stitch.  The result:  the stitch length is easier to control and is uniform.

Lucia, Quilting on the Road!

Moon Morning Glory

Today was a beautiful Florida day. The temperature was in the 70′s with blue skies and fluffy white clouds. What a perfect day to take a walk on the boardwalk of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The tranquil area is home to many birds, flowers and of course alligators!

The moon flower, moon morning glory, opens in the early evening that disappears by morning.

Little Blue Heron

This little blue heron was a bit camera shy, but was able to get decent shot of him anyway.

I caught the white ibis as they took a break from foraging for their dinner.

While my husband, Tom, is taking photos,
I walk; find a pituresque spot and take out some handwork

I am working on a wool wall hanging to be appliquéd with a buttonhole stitch.

When Tom meets up with me, we sit for a bit and then start walking agian.

Happy quilting!

I just recently retired, making it possible for my husband, Tom, and I to finally to do some wintertime RV’ing. Our first destination is the Florida Everglades where he will be able to add to his library of nature photos and I’ll be able to spend much of the time quilting!

We left Syracuse, NY (snow country) on December 27 and logged more than 30 hours of drive time by January 5. This translates into 30 plus hours for me to quilt on hand projects while traveling. My first completed project is a wool candle mat finished with the buttonhole stitch. (See detail of sttching below.)

While traveling, I organized floss, scissors, pattern and loose thread clippings (that always seem to get away from me) by using my 12″ square Quilt ‘n Press.

In addition I am working on a Seasons wall hanging that I had started last year. It is made up of 12 monthly blocks surrounding a 4-season block. Each of these blocks becomes the center of a churn dash block. The borders have 4 embroidered corner-stone blocks (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall). I have only two of the corner border blocks left to embroider and then will be able to begin assembling the churn dash blocks.

Of course I brought along more projects than I can possibly finish in the month we will be here – but I couldn’t take a chance of running out. I am hoping to complete some of my unfinished projects (UFOs!) and certainly will have to visit the quilt stores in South Florida to find some new projects to replace them.

Happy Quilting!