A Brach's Jelly Nougat Candy Quilt

I loved working on this quilt over the years. It is made from the very smallest of scraps I have been saving.  I am naming this quilt Brach's Jelly Nougat Candies Quilt. Remember those? It was one of my favorites!

Sewn into 2.5" x 8" strips, then has sashes separating them into pairs per block as pictured below.

I originally gave up when it reached 69" square thinking it was large enough. It hung on its hanger to be quilted for the last year or two, but then I thought, 'what do you do with a 69" square quilt?' 

 

So I went back to the sewing room because I never seem to run out of scraps, and I made more blocks to extend its size to 85" x 91".  It now fits a queen size bed nicely and I busted through 17 yards of fabric to complete it.

I always marvel at the complexity and combinations of colors, and the weight of a quilt while sewing on the binding. It sometimes can be a wrestling match. And lets not forget the excitement of playing chicken with your thread, bobbin, and/or binding!

It is fun to anticipate sitting under a quilt while sewing the binding on in the evenings with the hubster watching TV.  Handwork has always been relaxing for me. And TV not so much.

The label is ready to be signed and a Scripture verse added in its margins. It is made with a few extra pieces in a miniature block to match the front of the quilt.

My Long-arm quilter, Tina, does such nice work! But I forgot to write down the name of the quilting design....again! 

Do you recognize any of those scraps from your own stash? I think it is one of the most enjoyable parts of working on a scrap quilt - to come across long forgotten scraps from previous projects. They bring up many happy memories and I never tire of it.

So this is my finish number #3 for 2023 and it is a keeper. It fits so nicely on our bed and I love touching it as I walk by.

Happy stitching!

Just in Cases was Skipped

Somehow I forgot to admit this project in the run for finishes in 2023. It is Just in Cases, an American Jane pattern.

I don't even have any pictures of this quilt as it was being constructed. It was a fun project though and a very easy one using some yardage of kona background and charm squares....except I didn't have any charm squares. But I did have plenty leftover scraps from a Sunbonnet Sue restoration I did a few years ago. Those scraps worked perfectly but I STILL have leftovers.

I added another row to make it a little larger than the pattern called for, so it finished at 57" x 68" and I used up 9 yards of stash (including the backing and binding). It is a nice throw size and is a bright and cheery quilt. 

It was a blue-sky, sunny day in February so we grabbed up our puppy and went up to Swine Creek Park for a nice walk and photo shoot. While there we met another pug named Penny. She was very patient with Bosco's curious looks and wiggles. 

The peculiar name, Swine Creek, has an interesting story behind it. Legend has it in the year of 1802, a hog wandered from its premises and for some time the owner, Mr Tracy, did not know of her whereabouts. Thinking that the Indians might discover her during their hunts, he caused them to be notified of his loss and asked them to report to him if they found the hog.

One evening, an Indian came to the house. Not being able to speak English, he poked some ashes out of the fireplace onto the hearthstone and drew a winding line through them with his finger. Mr. Tracy recognized the course of the creek. At a certain bend, the Indian stopped and said “Coosh, Coosh“! “Papoose, Coosh!”

Mr. Tracy investigated the part of the creek the Indian had pointed out and there he found his hog with a litter of pigs. From that time since, the creek has been called Swine Creek.

A large parcel of land further up the hill was owned by group of gun club members back in the 60s until it was purchased by the Geauga County Park District. The original lodge house was torn down last year and replaced with this new building.  It can be reserved for your special occasion by calling the park district. 

 

Happy stitching!