Design Wall

I haven't posted any quilt items lately so here's a cropped shot of my design wall to keep some quilty icons up front - nothing new. It's a mix of in-progress items in various stages of completion. I love to look at it!

P.S. I have worked on CCC block #4 a little but not enough to show.

A follow-up from last week's "TODAY" post

She's in and will play ball! It's her official acceptance response and her dream come true! Thanks to so many teachers and coaches, friends and family, and especially to the Lord for guiding each step so far...and many more steps for the future. She has also consistently worked hard to get to today. More hard work to come. She is SOOO happy and excited about the challenge ahead! It's her 110%!!! A year ago we would have never imagined this path, but we are happy too :) Thanks for letting me share the celebration with you. P. S. Tonight - I will work more on CCC block #4! It's still got a long way to go.

TODAY!! (More about that later...)

I have made very little progress on November's Chester County Criswell block. It is not much fun either, I sighed while sewing the other night. My family asked..."Then WHY do you keep sewing it when you aren't having fun with it?" HA! I am determined to do it! To have the experience and dedication to reproduce these 150+ year old blocks. I'm wondering if anyone has some tips that will make it easier. Let me hear from you! These skinny channels are not fun for me. Actually the channels aren't so bad along the middle but the ends are difficult!

I have already traced and cut out the pattern for Dec. block. It looks so much more familiar.

Deceptively simple!

Chester County Criswell block #4 looks fairly simple but it is a new challenge to smoothly sew those rows of narrow channels around a block. (See prepared pattern here).

It will take some time and attention to keep it going well. The work so far has given me an appreciation for the women who did this work years ago in less than modern conditions! (or perhaps without as good of lighting as I have either!) The penny in the middle is to give a size perspective. I think I'm doing pretty well so far!

I won't muck up the photos by including the other events around here such as the repair work on collapse of the main sewer line under part of the house. The joys of owing an old beautiful home, and the appreciation of a reliable plumber and a good 70 year old concrete guy! Now I'm looking for a friendly banker to refinance and cover the costs!

CCC Quilt block: Finishing #3 & Beginning #4

Finally some progress on Chester County Criswell BOM blocks.

CCCQ block #3 & 4

Maybe I'll finish block #3 tonight! In the meantime I have selected fabric for block #4 which I am eagerly looking forward to working on! I will get the pattern traced and ready to take with me over Thanksgiving holiday "down-time" with friends out of town.

Enjoyed the past & Excited about the future!

A new club season begins! This year will be more fun times with a great group of girls, families, and coaches! And, even more exciting ... dd has applied to her dream school! - "Hogwarts for mortals."

High School volleyball banquet is this week and has required sifting through old photos to select a few for the multimedia program. So many great memories!! (Photo is freshman club team).

CCCQ Block #3

I've been working on block #3 off and on. Here is a peak.

Also, here are a few more shots from fall break travels. The weather and the views were so beautiful! dd and I had a great time. She has since traversed to East Coast and is in Georgia now. What fun adventures!

Enjoying the Colorado Visit

Stayed at a nice Victorian B&B while dd had a GREAT time at her overnight college visit. She loved attending class the most! I got to join in for a meal in the dining hall and the food was excellent!!! Beautiful sunny day at the foothills of the Rockies. Off to visit the Air Force Academy today and Garden of the Gods. Then she jet sets to college visit in Boston on Sunday while I go back home and back to writing and grading papers.

State Tourney Results

- SHS State Academic Champions! (highest team GPA in 5A) - JRob named to All-Tournament Team! - Fun reunions with many former teammates who also earned honors. Great to talk with many v-ball families too! Played great in set one but did not make it out of the first round. Regardless, it is a happy ending with these awesome honors! We are proud of the team!

Baltimore Block work

Since I have not been able to sew for the past several days and I won't be able to sew the next several days, this posting will have to satisfy my craving for applique by just looking at the Baltimore block I worked on last week.

The pictured design is a DAR museum (1997) Mary Mannakee Quilt (1850-51) block. It has very fun narrow, curved stems that are so fun to do! The leaves however are just OK sewing, and the curvy flowers are taking some work to get smooth inner curves. After I finish sewing four of these flowers on one block, my technique should show improvement! We'll see... I have made this block more difficult because I did not make a overlay template. I think that was a mistake and I may still draw one for easier layering placement. What I have done is not quite aligned without use of an overlay template.

I'm enjoying having two blocks going at the same time so I can get a welcome relief from the pointy tri-flowers in #3 CCCQ block. However, I am proud to say that I am keeping up with the monthly installments of CCCQ blocks! Although I haven't sewn as much as desired lately, I have been diligently grading papers, writing reports and meeting minutes - UHHGG! Won't get to sew for a few more days either due to more work and the fun of watching dd and friends at 5A & 6A State volleyball tourney on Fri. & Sat. Still need to work MORE on THE paper.

Happy Sewing to All!

CCCQ block 2 was a pleasure!

Here it is - the finished block #2. It was a lot of fun! I would make another one of these without hesitation! Now beginning on block #3.

Here is a sneak peak into the layout for block #3. The stems are fun but the pointy flowers - not so fun . . . yet? I ready for some more papercut! I hope when I get into the rhythm of the points for this block, maybe sewing will go better. I think the finished look will be great! I am happy with my choice of dark reds this time. I'll have to play with photo setting to improve color quality of future images. In the meantime, these are the photos I have.

Thanks for the request for more info. on this pattern and quilt. The title of this posting is linked and here is the more info. on this quilt and Sharon's blog site for: Chester County Criswell Quilt

Emerging blooms on CCCQ block #2

What's behind your block?

Just for fun, here is the ultimate look behind the scenes of my CCCQ block #1. (Click photos for a larger view.) I've got nothing else to show since I've missed the past several nights of applique with so many papers to grade and dd's exciting volleyball games nearing the end of season. They had a great win last night sending her high school team to State Championships next week!

Rethinking CCCQ Block #2

Chester County Criswell Quilt block #2 is coming along. I have worked on it two times last month to get it to this stage. I like my fabric choice (red & green). I have washed my green fabric repeatedly, and did everything I could think of to get it to stop running. I think it is set, but that is the other concern about this block. I don't seem to find many green choices despite much searching. The other disturbing issue for me is the size of the emblem seems small compared the block #1. I wonder if I did something with printing to change it. Anyway, it does not size up so I am thinking about re-doing... after this one is complete. It is going very fast compared the block #1 - a lot fewer edges!

I'm excited to have received block #3 already in my inbox! Thanks to my mom for giving me this ongoing monthly birthday enjoyment!

Applique - It's addicting! I've stayed up until 3am on Friday an Saturday nights! It is so much fun - hard to stop. My favorite Law & Order ion TV reruns keep me company. Progress on the block I am working on these late nights will be reveled again soon. It is the one I posted picture of pieces recently.

CCCQ Block #1 is Done!! - Very Fun!!

(Disclaimer: This is the raw unpressed version straight out of my hands! The top photo is most true to color - it is pink.)

Inching closer to finishing CCCQ block #1 ...and enjoying every minute!

A couple nights of applique

Criswell County Block 2 begins (see right picture)! I also have begun tracing pieces for another Baltimore album block from DAR pattern that I like has a more interesting look! (left pic). I have extra time to play while DH is far away celebrating his mom's 70th! I'm still here with full throttle volleyball games twice a week plus weekend tourneys with dd consistently earning All-tournament team and looking great out there.

















Lots of college interest and opportunities for her! DD has her pick of very fine DIIIs that she has narrowed to east coast, west coast, Colorado and a random southern site. LOL! She wants a new adventure outside the midwest and why not take this opportunity to get out there! She's all about the adventure! Each place suits her well in different and unique ways with different foci and opportunities. Her choice is challenging. Praying for guidance. This weekend in my heart is peace with one choice. We'll see if she picks the same. ANY of the current options would be fabulous!!!

DS also seems pretty happy these days with his M-F 5am job that does not interfere with classes (not so much fun) and all evening flag football reffing, playing, and coaching - oh and non-stop weekend college and NFL plus a fantasy team. He's enjoying this season!!!

A little more every few days!

It's fun for me to see the progress. Hope it doesn't bore anyone :)

Modern Quilting Gift

Look at this fun fabric layer cake, 2 & 1/2" strips, and pattern book fresh from the mailbox for my birthday from dear quilter friend Dot! Very fun! THANKS!!

Lusciuos Lemons Finish!!

That makes 12 blocks the full set finished! Also progress on CCCQ block below. Very fun!!

Fun in the sun!

One village tournament, two colleges, three tours & four coaches! Fun 50 birthday surprise and weekend with SoCal family!

P.S. Lovely 4-layer pound cake with fresh flowers made by my amazing sis-in-law Aimee Anderson!!! Thanks!!!

A Block - Chester County Criswell Quilt

I do enjoy cutwork! So, I've begun this block for the road. See the Chester Co. Criswell Quilt Blog for lots of interesting stuff! With no pieces to keep up with or different thread colors to deal with, its is an easy travel project. This piece will accompany dd and I on a short West Coast College Visit trip. She will visit 2-3 campuses and meet with four coaches from three schools to get a better idea of what she likes. I'm hoping she will narrow down the field a little bit!

We will also enjoy a lovely day at the county fair in LA with cousins Brenda & John and will view her award-winning knitting on display there. And, there will be a Jubilee birthday celebration for yours truly on Sunday evening. We will dine at a great Thai restaurant, in addition to enjoying each day with our gracious host and hostess's wonderful gourmet meals! Doesn't it sound great!!

Have a great Labor Day holiday everyone!

P.S. In case you are wondering...I HAVE been working on those last 2 Luscious Lemon leaves, but they will have to wait until for the final stitches until I return from this trip.

Lucious Lemons progress!

There's nothing like appliqueing a few leaves while riding in the car on the way to dd's away games. I just love it! Senior year! It's a very fun ride all the way around and college "spec's" are looking good too for dd! She's amazing! ds is also doing well! He's making it to his 4:45am job and decided to add a few college courses as well - on his dime this time. (Maybe it will stick :) We are so proud of both! They are a blessing!

Let the homework begin!

DD does homework with her colorful pet to keep it interesting! She's had him going on 8+ years! He started out a little longer than the size of a pencil and about that narrow. How he's grown over the years!

My Lancaster (Paradise) Star!

OH! Here is a snapshot of my new /old baby. It is LOVELY!!

Let the games begin! SHS volleyball

I think I'll do a little quilting this weekend...

My office was dismantled earlier this summer and now these quilts need a new place at home. July 31st was the official last day on the payroll and it was a happy one! I'm excited to more forward with my life and career!

"Suzy Rae" needs some attention as well as some other piecing from days past. I'll save the hand applique for evenings in front of the Olympics on TV with the family. Lately I've been watching empty handed! That needs to change!

I've also been toying with the idea of making something for the girls on dd's team. This is my last chance to give at one last end of season party on Sunday afternoon. Maybe I'll really do it...hummm....So, to work now on needed writing revisions and then tomorrow can be a school-free/guilt free quilting day :)

This bear paw was made for mom years ago and more recently has hung over my desk at the office now home in storage. Both of the quilts were hand quilted and I love the colors and textures! (that don't look so great in the photo.)

3 weeks later.... the travel adventure is complete

On the way home from Indianapolis and returning from the Northeast I saw these "weeds" along the road often. A farmer told me they are called Corn Flowers. They are strikingly vibrant - hearty and thriving in harsh conditions alongside the road.

They have become sort-of a symbol of my travel this summer and the persistence it will take to finish the writing and research journey. I have good focused support with a new adviser and I am expectant to finish in my 50th year! It's going to be great in so many ways!

Since I have no new quilting photos to show - I've posted the next best thing - food! This is lunch at a little Thai restaurant in somewhere Massachusetts.

It was a delightful meal with my dd on her Northeast Adventure College tour. We saw amazing schools, found out about some great programs and more opportunities than I ever imagined! She is very blessed! It has been a lot of work getting this far, and she still has many choices ahead - for visits, narrowing academic priorities, and weighing options. It IS an exciting time!

Road Trip!!

Let's go!! Planning visits to Junior National Volleyball tourney in Columbus, OH, (to watch dd compete), college visits in Rochester, Boston, Philly, Lancaster, PA, for some quilting inspiration, a visit in Tennessee to a dear quilting friend and points beyond!!

Closer to home, here is a sneak peak inside the brand new hometown quilt shop with owner of WonderArc quilt ruler and pattern designer and prolific quilter Mary Ellen. Congratulations!! PS: Chronological progress on circle wreath. I worked on another Red & Green Baltimore block while ago (below). It needs flowers tucked into the open caylex to finish it. (Lousy photos...but you get the idea :)

Suzy Rae!!

She's is so much fun!! It has become a little challenging to work with the very limited amount of dusty pink fabric and resulted in tweaking the design. (However, no amount of adjustments will satisfy dd who is quite skeptical of the whole thing! LOL)

The quilt is laid out on the floor and blocks are arranged and re-arranged in attempt to get an appealing lay-out with the limited resources on hand. Only the letters are sewn so far. I know the right look when I see it - but those glimpses are slow to come despite many design iterations! Also, it took forever to get my machine stitches and tension back into adjustment due to too much time between sewing sessions (many months!) Moving forward!

At last, lemons begin to take shape

Lovely Lemons!!