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!

Making a Fidget Quilt

This has been a fun and challenging diversion of new year goals. It has not been a project that I was planning on, but made on a whim when I realized it would be a blessing to a loved one. There are so many ideas online and pinterest,  and it quickly became overwhelming. So I just jumped in and began making elements to sew onto a 20" X 26" base. It evolved into the following...

I began by choosing a Corey Yoder fabric line, Beautiful Day and mixed it up with some from Sweetwater's Renew. All very bright and cheerful colors that palyed nicely together!

I was aiming for an apron type lap covering. Something that could be tied around the waist so it wouldn't slip off her lap. The first element I made was a fur lined pocket. I remember coming across this remnant of fur recently. It was leftover lining that my mother used for a cashmere coat she made for her granddaughter back in the early 70s. That coat sure made it rounds from grand daughter A to grand daughter B, then grand daughter C, and finally great grand daughter! It is hanging in my closet waiting for my own first great grand daughter. Anyway, I think this pocket is dreamy soft and will get lots of pets and hand warms.

I found a miniature Dresden template in my drawer so I made a few fans. I split them in half and sewed them on each side of a mini patchwork square. I lined this and made it into a small pocket too. I had found a small kitty "patch" in the store that I attached to some fur remnants for a little finger puppet that fits perfectly in that little pocket.

 

Then it was onto a few patchwork squares and after sewing them together, it determined the width of the apron quilt.  I appliqued this onto the background fabric and edged it with rick rack. Wrapping that rick rack with decorative cording and ending with buttons and tabs. Two rings on a rope were applied on each end and I found a pretty little butterfly slide that I put on ribbon and sewed down in the center. 

I cut out 1/2" hexagon paper templates (because I LOVE to make little hexagon flowers) and english paper pieced these together to make 3 flowers. I arranged them into a curved setting and tucked in some miniature bright green rick rack along with a couple of beads and ribbon tabs for extra interest. 

Remembering I had seen how zippers are applied to small bags, I sewed tabs on each end of a zipper, making it a bit shorter. I added 2 pieces of fabric to each side and sewed them together in the back to make a small pocket. I lined this will some soft fleece I found and added tabs on each end while also appliqueing it down. (Sorry, picture is upside down)

I found some pretty floral ribbon that I made into a woven area and then wove a line of threaded pearls throughout. It was sewn down with a few sequins and a glass button on the far end.

Another find in my bag of goodies was a doily from somewhere that was not finished. I made two yo-yos and appliqued them on top, and then wove some golden rick rack around the borders. Topped with 2 pearl buttons it finished as another little element.

I lined this apron with white flannel and backed it with white muslin. I didn't want it to be too heavy by using batting, but with all these elements, it needed some extra support. I sewed the top, flannel, and backing together in a pillowcase fashion so I would not have to bind the outside edges. The top was left open for the waistband and ties. 

The quilting was fun as each area determined how to fill it in with stitching. This was probably my favorite part. I did not use tiny stitches but opted for larger, and somewhat even stitching. Ugh, at this point my fingers and hands were so sore. 

Years ago I made mermaid tails for my grand daughters and I had lots of sequins, beads, and other embellishments saved for a time such as this. I am glad I kept those as they came in handy with making this little fidget quilt project. I sewed sequins along with my stitching at random areas for extra sparkle. Can you spot them?

And along the left side I sewed on plastic loops. These lay down one way or the other. And I had just an inch or two of threaded pearls leftover so I hand stitched those down also along with a little tassle.

The waistband was sewn on and I used ribbon as ties. Perhaps these will be cut off if they become a nuisance. All is well. I hope it brings rest to anxious thoughts and entertainment for busy hands.

Oh and how could I forget? I made a little pillow too with reversible sequin fabric I found at Joann's! I bought a four inch wide piece and still have enough to make one for me too! <very big grin> Who can resist playing with this?

So she is finally finished after taking me a solid two weeks of constant sewing. And boy, are my fingers sore! But worth it all...and NO, I will not make another.

Now onto completing my first quilt finish for 2023. I only have the label and a corner to finish sewing on the binding. And my long-arm quilter just called to say my Alternate Coins quilt is ready to pick up. 

Do you think I can finish 23 in 2023?  Uh, probably not, but maybe I can get close...if half of them are potholders, right? 

And speaking of potholders, look what I found in a box of stuff the grandkids left behind (or forgotten). It was such fun to sit and weave a couple of potholders while a pot simmers in the kitchen.

 

Little Bosco has become my favorite companion there in the kitchen as he hopes I drop something yummy from the counter! 

Happy stitching. 

Wrapping up 2022 with 13 Finishes

It has been a good year for finishes. 13 quilts were completed and a total of 168.75 yards of my stash was used up. My best year for sure. 

Last month I mentioned I was almost done with my Christmas Colonial. I only had a few more inches to sew on the binding and attach the label. Here she is completed.

And here is her label. I used 1/2" hexagons and arranged into a diamond shape to fill in the corner of the label. And then I quilted it down with a brick red thread.

And my final finish was Mistletoe Lane made from various leftover scraps from previous Christmas projects. This was such a fun and easy quilt to make. Honestly I was a bit embarrassed to take it to the long-armer to be quilted because some of the fabrics were not great in quality. BUT when I picked it up I was so very pleased with the end result. Isn't it amazing how a quilt can really "come together" once the quilting is done? The texture from the quilting and the fabrics all work together splendidly!

I used Fairfield's Warm and Toasty cotton batting. I had two large pieces that I made into a frankenbatt. For some reason, this batting is hard to find. Sadly, because it feels thicker, is soooo much softer, and it washes well. I really like this batting. I found 2 lonely bags at Joannes and swiped them up for future use.

The quilting design is Christmas Light Strands weaving throughout the top in a cream color thread. These are my only pictures and record of this quilt as it was gifted to dear friends for Christmas. ♥

So there are my 13 finishes!

And here are my empty spools from this year. I counted 20 (both large and small).

It has been a happy, healthy, and productive year. I am hoping for your new year to be that same.

Micah 6:8

Happy New Year and Happy Stitching!

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Bosco is growing and always getting into mischief. He is such an active dog for a pug but such a joy to watch chase leaves, throw his toys in the air, and get the zoomies in the house. Next week he will be 5 months and no hints that he is slowing down. We are thinking of setting up an agility course for him in the backyard. Surely that will burn off some of his energy. If nothing else, he will be a happy dog!

It's The Talk of the Town

Amy Ellis's Talk of the Town, that is. This was a sew along a year or two ago. I had a bundle of fabrics that I used to make this quilt and was not really that excited about the finished top.

 

Then I took it to the Long-Armer, thinking I'll just get it done and pass it on. I even directed her to pick the quilting design as I was coming up blank. My heart just wasn't into this quilt at all. 

 

But how very pleased I was when it came home quilted. Tina used a leaf design to quilt it. I will have to remember to ask her the name of the design in case I want to use it again. But her choice of quilting really "made" this quilt. I could not wait to get the binding on and lay it over the couch in the front room. It is now my new favorite throw! I wish photos would capture it's colors better.

 

It finished at 62" x  75". I pieced the back so I busted through a total of 8 yards of stash. This makes my #11 finish this year.

And the label is ready for signing

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My "Colonial Christmas" quilt was a block of the month project at one of our local quilt shops from years and years ago. The pattern was a Moda University Postcard Quilt pattern and has the date of 2006 printed on the back to help me remember. Those were the days when you purchased each month's pattern and fabric bundle for $5!

 

Because it has so much red in it, I will likely need an entire box of Color Catcher sheets for when I wash it. It is a sampler/medallion, and that is why I named it "A Colonial Christmas". It will be on our bed this holiday season.

I pieced the back with some yardage I had stored away. I love the red toile type fabric but there was not quite enough so I had to use the red stripe fabric in the center.  More reds for the Color Catchers. 

 

This Colonial Christmas Sampler finished at 79" x 79" and I used up 11.5 yards of fabrics. I have kind of cheated in the reporting of this quilt. If you notice, the binding is still not finished on the lower right hand corner. The label is on so I only need an hour or two this evening to finish. I will post a second picture to make me an honest woman.

This makes my 12th finish for this year with a grand total of 158.5 yards. I made the 150 yard challenge but I am doubtful I will make it to 200 yards by December 31. I pick up another Christmas quilt at the Long Arm Quilter's tomorrow but it will not push me up to the 200 yard mark.

Over all, I am happy with this year's finishes. I have several on my Santa list so a few will be going to live with friends and family.

Time to get busy preparing for Christmas. I need my helper again this year to put the tree up. 

Little Bosco is a real time killer. And my vocabulary has decreased to the words, "No!", "Off!", and "No bite!". Sheesh, he's such a bundle of energy.

And hopefully between all the preps for Christmas, sewing binding on the Christmas Jingles quilt I'll be picking up tomorrow, and dealing with a curious puppy, I can make some headway on this quilt I have been working on.

I have 6 more blocks to complete. Then the setting triangle blocks around the edges. I still have a way to go but am putting a nice dent in the 2" squares box. 

What do I name this quilt? Suggestions? I would love to hear yours. This was a project by Jo's Country Junction.

Happy stitching!