"STITCHING MENDS MY SOUL"

Friday, August 31, 2012

LABOR DAY ALREADY

Traditionally Labor Day marks the end of the summer.  Wow!  Sure came fast this year! 








Upper Michigan has a unique way to celebrate. They open lanes on the Mackinac Bridge to walkers. The bridge connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, is 5 miles long, and was built in 1957. Click here for more info on this structure. 

I was a 6-year-old when the bridge opened, and like many trolls (those living below the bridge in Michigan) my family was eager to check it out.  It was quite exciting to no longer spend the day waiting for, and traveling across on the auto ferries!

This is a large mass of humanity walking the bridge. It's not on my bucket list, but here's to those who do it -- some every year.  So, how are you celebrating this week end?  I'm hoping to get some stitching in.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

GRANDMOTHER'S CHOICE

Barbara Brackman is doing it again!  This time her BOW is in honor of Women's Suffrage.  This starts Sept. 1 and lasts through Aug., 2013.  Click here to go to the Grandmother's Choice blog.  There will be lots to learn as well as a quilt block each week.

I took a course in Women's History in the U.S.A. in college, and found it really, really, interesting.  This quilt will discuss Women's Suffrage around the globe, not just in the USA.  I can't wait!  Just two more days.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

THREAD HEAD QUILT ALONG



Thread Head is having another Quilt Along.  Click on the button or here for details.  This one starts in September.  Not sure if I'll join in or just follow the fun.  Either way, I look forward to this one. 
 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

FRIENDSHIP EMBROIDERY


I signed up for this little swap, did you?  Click for all the info.  I love embroidery and quilting mixed.  This should be fun!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

THE PATH LESS TRAVELED

 Company is gone.
 Just the two of us now.
Or a pink and blue quilt on the horizon?

Friday, August 17, 2012

JULY LOTTO BLOCKS

I won my small group's block lotto for July.  Yeah!  Love these black/white/reds.  I think I'll be using them with other same color group blocks for a larger quilt.  There are 16 in all, but my one is hiding somewhere.  These are the 15 sent to me.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

LOYAL UNION SAMPLER QUILT

Jennifer Chiaverini posted this picture on her FB yesterday.  It's her new quilt pattern, Loyal Union Sampler, that will be published Sept. 2013. Looks to me like this version is made in Jennifer's Anneke's Collection.


This is the quilt I'm collecting blue and grays for.  The clouds I showed a few days ago inspired my color scheme, as well as the obvious blue and gray CW sides.

Here's the start of my collection.  Good thing I have a year!  This will be an awesome quilt, and I'm sure many will want to stitch one.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

PLETHORA OF PRESENTS!

My Dear Jane Secret Sister gift for June arrived yesterday.  Yes, she's behind, but quickly catching up with a vengeance!  The fabric int he background may go into my blue/gray bag.  The black/white/red will go with current project.  New seam ripper, well who doesn't need one?  New marking tools, ditto.  And the sweet needle minder will get a work-out.  The little booklets have bookmarks, stickers, and postcards, all quilt-related.  Dear SS, you if you are reading, you sure are thoughtful!  Thanks.

Friday, August 10, 2012

QUILT INSPIRATIONS

What inspires the color schemes in your quilts?  I'm often inspired by nature.  We had some wonderful storm clouds over Lake Superior last week.  1000 shades of gray, LOL!  Oh, and the vibrant blues.  I'm planning to do a new CW quilt next year.  It will be called, "The Blue and the Gray".  The inspiration for the color scheme, right here in the storm clouds. 

 I'll have a year to collect FQs.  I think I have lots of blues, but not much gray.





Tuesday, August 7, 2012

100+ FLORAL CHARMS

This is what 100+ floral charms look like!  Goodness me!  Lots of project ideas floating in my head here.  What to do, what to do?  They are from a swap where I cut 5 each from 20 fabrics and got back 100+ unique ones.

Monday, August 6, 2012

"MUST HAVE" MOCCASINS

When my daughter was in boarding school and college, I often visited her for a 'mom and me' weekend filled with girl stuff.  We generally bought and wore matching pajamas.  Now that she's all grown up, we decided to revive the tradition while she was visiting us in Upper Michigan.  We got matching Minnetonka moccasins; this time slippers with a very cozy fleece lining.

Minnetonkas are a 'must' souvenir when vising northern Michigan.  I always got them, and an Indian doll (that's what they were, and are still, called -- not native American) when my family traveled "up north" when I was a kid.  Her 4 kiddos all got slippers too this year.  Two got Minnetonkas, one bears, and one moose, to match their pj's.

Fun, fun, making and reviving memories and traditions.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

SEEING RED

These many luscious fat quarters are from a FQ birthday swap I'm in.  I had a super pattern in mind for them (everyone needs a red quilt lately), but now I'm thinking maybe Sarah's Revival.  Hmmm....................  Thanks girlfriends!