Red & Green Happiness!

I recently finished this block. It is one of the blocks from Mary Mannakee quilt patterns that I purchased online from the DAR museum  shop a few years ago. This is the second block that I have made from these patterns (last one was finished in 2013). (A good Mankee quilt photo is found online here). It took a while to complete and the top photo shows the colors fairly accurately. This has been a side project while working on various other projects. It traveled to and from California, to Indy once (or twice?) and no telling where else, waiting to get worked on. Those tiny little cut-outs in center flower were a pain and I was not happy with making them or with the end result....but by now after they have sat a while (a year?), I was ready to move on and they look just fine. The prickly looking red leaves were surprisingly very fun to applique. The block is now on the design wall in good company of 26 red (some pink) and green Chester County Criswell blocks. Eye candy for me!

Full Flower Pot in progress

My enjoyment of cut work applique is partly due to working with one piece of fabric and just sewing. I baste the top and background together and it's off to sew using an occasional pin along the way to ease the process. However, when blocks have many pieces, the process becomes more complicated and not as portable because of the need to keep up with pieces and placement of each piece. I have a great system with a folder and plastic sheets to keep it all organized, but there are still all those pieces - if you know what I mean. This time, to manage these issues and still keep this portable (for a quick pick up and sew as I am able to snatch time here and there),  I've cut out and basted all pieces of Mary Mannakee flower pot to background fabric.

I am not 100% sold on the flower pot fabric. (Would be happy to hear others input!) It is the same fabric and in several of the previous blocks, but the original picture for this block uses the same red as in the flowers. While I am not trying to make an exact replica, I do want a certain look the the piece. Still thinking...since, the pot is the last piece to sew, I have a little time to decide. But not too much time with the speedy progress and I've been making these days.

DD is back home later today - so time may not be in as great of supply as of late. It's all good!
Happy Quilting!!

Applique Marathon = 1/2 basted block

I began this Mary Mannakee block to add to my Baltimore group. I reduced it for 14" but it is still a very tight fit next to the edges. My intention was just to trace the pieces to freezer paper then I could easily grab to cut out and baste on the go. But no, I just couldn't stop! I ended up tracing and cutting out the entire thing, then basting 1/2 of the block as you see here. Then I couldn't help but applique a few pieces, then a few more... I ended up staying up until 2am each night this weekend working on it! The first night I have a good explanation due to waiting for DDs arrival from abroad. The second night the same for her arrival at the next destination. But last night, really, I was just having too much fun!!

Did it! Block without a Name - from Mary Mannakee 1850s quilt

I can hardly believe I attempted this AND finished! Here are a few photos of progress along the way. I began the block back in Sept. 2012. I think I was motivated and inspired to work on it after beginning on Chester County Criswell quilt blocks. The CCC blocks are  simpler designs but have encouraged me to get back into the habit of applique - that I love! They also have me working with some different shapes (narrow channels, inside curves, etc.) that I had little experience with. So that had been good for me too. With a block coming out each month and a blog to share the stories of the quilt and see others progress, it has been very fun. Thanks to my mom for the gift of one year pattern subscription and background fabric so I could enjoy my birthday over and over all year long!

This block design is from DAR museum Mary Mannakee Quilt (circa 1850). I like the style and the red and green. I enjoyed making the narrow, curved stems the most! It also gave me more practice on those not-as-fun tight inside curves. I recently gained practice with these type curves in the recent Chester County Criswell quilt block #7. I think this also helped me fearlessly approach them here. I have worked on it off and on with some extra time during dd's tournaments this spring.

There are many more exciting things to post...but I will save for another day. Happy Quilting Everyone!!

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!

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!!!

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 :)

Lyre Rose Wreath Finished Photo

Here it is - right from my hands - unpressed. Also, I think my batteries were low on camera so quality of pic not so great - but you can get the idea. Will redo photo and replace soon. But, for now here it is! I love it!! Click on image for close of of 3D rose buds.

More rose buds & coming attractions....

In real time all the buds were finished last night. In camera upload time, you will have to wait to see the finished product.

More roses blooming

Not much time to sew or write. Quick visit from DH brother and family here from out of state to enjoy the "best" rural Oklahoma has to offer on these hot July days. International Youth Finals Rodeo on Wednesday night, to T-bird lake yesterday, and yummy sausage, marinated chicken, and some home grown veggies last night in the grill. Even at 9am, I could hear those cicadas chirping their heat alert!

Rose buds began this week...

I had to make this extra post today since the last "heated" posting had no photo and I can't leave it like that! I am still diligent in writing but need more hours in a day. You KNOW my head is in it when I actually had a dream (nightmare?) last night about the concept definition I am working on and the instrument development workshop coming up! YEOW-Za! And of course there are many much more pleasant day dreams of quilts and quilting :)

My posting of applique work runs a few days (or weeks in some cases) slow due to my infrequent picture uploads. Here is a sneak peek at one rose bud in the Lyre Wreath. (Too bad my photo does not show the 3-D effect of the gathered circle rose technique. Hummm...the close up does show that I should have used a little darker applique thread on the leaves.)

In real time I have finished 8 rose buds on the wreath in the past 3 days. That is half of the total roses for this block. They are fun to make and look great! I love it! I even dug in OLD fabric from Aunt Mimi's stash for some rose pieces to get the desired color selection. I already have a circle wreath (simple) and an eagle block (elaborate) getting ready "on the drawing board" for my next Baltimore style pieces. Can't wait!

Next come the roses... I can't wait!

Divine Guidance Unveiled - TaDa!

This was lots fun! A good compliment to the holiday weekend and DH family reunion in Atlanta. It kind of reminds me of fireworks! This is the "raw" block - unpressed as of yet.

I imagine you can determine which tiny star I did first and which was last. The good news is that I improved by the time all were complete. Tiny start were a little challenging / tedious. The block looks OK - but nothing like the beautiful fabric selection used by Jane. I might make another center star sometime - but probably not those tiny stars :)

Guidance & writing continue...

The latest installment for "Divine Guidance"

"Divine Guidance" block Emerges

Many of the quilt block designs and inscriptions on Baltimore Album era quilts had religious symbolism. It is a good reminder for day to day living! (Click image for close up).

I loved this block the first time I saw it on Jane's blog (esp. color choice!). It is quite daunting with those sharp points. I have studied about how to do them, but I think it will just take lots of practice. This is my best so far - much room for improvement :)

Here is the latest on the Rose Lyre Wreath...I continue to make progress on my writing each day and that means quilting time at night. .P.S. Missing DD who is on vacation out of state. It is not quite the same with just DH & DS here all the time

Lyre Rose Wreath Progress...

This applique is about the most fun I can imagine right now! It is a motivational reward for the end of long days at the library and keyboard.

Baltimore Rose Wreath

I just traced off this pattern for future work...then just had a little more time so based it to background...then it really was calling me to just try a stitch or two...next thing you know I was hooked!! It is a very intricate design from Elly Sienkiewicz's Baltimore Beauties and Beyond Baltimore Album book.

I have been so inspired for months by the beautiful blocks made by Jane. Thanks Jane! Her applique is exquisite! Take a look...(Jane's Threads and Treasures Blog) I knew I would eventually give it a try. Later on I bought the book used online. I viewed a few other historical books on Baltimore quilts from the library and book swap and have been reviewing them often before bed for sweet Baltimore dreams! (no dreams really except day dreams :)

The original pattern that caught my eye on her blog was the Divine Guidance block. It is absolutely lovey! I like it so much but it seems intimidating with the sharp points plus I am not sure of the fabric for it. So, I decided that this block would be the place to start since I have plenty of green that would look the part.

The sewing was completely fun for me and addictive. I began tracing and cutting the pattern then next thing you know I was sewing it while doing a "family movie night" at home on Friday. It was hard to stop even though the movie was long over, I kept going. This represents about 3-4 hours of late night sewing (with some interruptions). It was challenging, but I am sure my skills will improve. I can't wait to work on it some more.

I will post more work in progress as I go as a chronology of my progress (until we are sick of seeing it probably :) It is such a motivational reward to know I can sew on it in the evening after the daily writing work I must do during this summer.

Happy Quilting Everyone!