Hand Quilted Finish

 I’m trying to finish up a few things, before I start something new. I bought this quilt top from eBay last year (or even before) mainly because it was cheap and I liked the happy colors. 

It’s actually a preprinted panel (cheater quilt) to which someone added a couple borders.  My plan was to quickly hand quilt it with diagonal lines in one direction only. 

Needless to say, very shortly into the quilting, I realized I had unintentionally criss crossed my quilting lines. That’s why I had to finish with two sets of diagonal lines. It took a lot longer to complete, but it looks better that way.

See my friendly stray cat

I completed the quilting a month or so ago, but finally put the binding on this week. (Backing is a thrifted sheet and binding also from thrifted fabric.) It is approximately twin size and we will use it for watching tv on the couch.

I found this Christmas colored yarn at a thrift store while visiting my daughter in Mississippi. I’ve been putting trim on a few dish cloths.

I continue to work on Santa Claus. Zoom for a better view.

Linking to Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching. Go here to see what others are hand stitching.

I’ve shown this little quilt before and it’s still a favorite. I don’t do much decorating for fall, but I do like this on my table. It took a couple weeks to have  new tile floors installed a few years ago. I sat in the sewing room during the installer’s work hours, locked inside with three dogs, while hand stitching this little quilt together. Two of those dogs are gone now. 🌈🌈. 

About that stray cat, he has become so friendly, and follows me around like a puppy when I’m outside. I have never picked him up, but I can rub on him all day if I wanted. So, I know I need to do the responsible thing and have him neutered. Yikes! Soon, I promise. Did I mention there are three new young kittens coming around these days? The things we get ourselves into ——

🐈‍⬛ 

Still Redworking

I'm still working on the redwork for this little wall hanging.

I'm excited about working on this and hope to start putting it together this coming week.( Even though I still have all those little border stitcheries to trace and stitch.)

I had the house to myself yesterday and it was a lazy Saturday, just perfect for stitching.    I watched youtube video's , as I have finally learned how to watch them from the tv.  

Have any of you ever watched Appalachian Cooking with Brenda?  She is a mountain lady and cooks up some good food in her tiny cluttered kitchen.  She loves cooking and it humbles me to see how happy she is in her little kitchen with one tiny counter   in which to stir up her goodies.  If you want to check her out, here is her link:  Appalachian Cooking with Brenda.

I've been following #stitchingspot  #stitchyspot @ #commonthreadedstitcher on Instagram this week.  People are showing their stitching chairs and I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's favorite place to sew.  Some people really have a nice setup.  This is where I've been stitching this week.  I turned the chair so that I could see tv, and the lamp on my left side is the best position so that I don't get shadows.  My couch is getting too soft and I needed a firmer place to sit.  So far, this has been perfect, until I wear this chair out.  :-))  Wherever I stitch always tends to turn into my little "piggy corner"...  but it's my little world, and I am happy here.

I am linking to Kathy's Quilts for her slow Sunday stitching post.  Check her out to see what others are working on.

Slow Stitching

My fingers have been itching to get some stitching done by hand.  I love the feel of a sewing needle  in my hand.

I started this new project Friday night.  It will be a small wall hanging, and hopefully, something I can get done before winter.

I bought this pattern from ebay and couldn't wait to get started.  I'm not going to use the buffalo plain in the corners, but I plan to follow the rest of the design. I am enjoying stitching on a linen type fabric.  (even though tracing the design was a little more difficult on the linen)

The prep work (tracing patterns) is my least favorite part of the process.  But it's so nice to get it all prepared at once, so the relaxing part of stitching can then be done.  I've had this little light box from Hobby Lobby for years... it has truly been faithful.

I've got a little sewing kit made up and am leaving it by my spot on the couch.  Hopefully, I'll be inspired to work on it in the evenings, during our tv watching. 

I'm one of those people who gets real excited about a project and then soon pushes it aside for something else that catches my eye.  I really really need to get some things completed.

I'm linking up with Kathy at Sunday Slow Stitching.  Hop on over and see what others are working on with needle and thread.  I  always look forward to  visiting Kathy's "show and tell" posts on Sundays. 

Also, go to my previous post here for a chance to win my give away.  I will be drawing a winner's name on July 31.  **Ignore the "whoa is me" post.... I'm better now.**

Penny Squares

I've always loved redwork and am fascinated by Penny Square quilts.  I have always thought it would be fun to make one, but will I ever do such a time consuming thing? 

*** Do you ever wonder what you would be working on if there was no internet to keep you distracted?***

We have so much to see and learn and do these days.   I used to look forward to getting my monthly quilt magazines for ideas and inspiration.  I would sit for days and look through the pages, over and over again, trying to take in all the details and goodness in each copy.  Now we have so much to see,  I tend to click, click, click and over stimulate my mind,  forget what I saw, and have a difficult time finishing anything. 

If I didn't have the internet,  I just might be working on a Penny Square quilt.  Or a state bird embroidered quilt. (I have a pattern)

But back to the Penny Square quilt....

Here is a history of penny squares that I found on the internet. 

I can just imagine the excitement of going to the store each week to pick out the next square.  I would have begged to go with my Mama or Daddy so I could spend time with the penny squares.  I have loved having a needle and thread in my hand since I was a little girl.

So what's a girl to do?

I  had ordered a 'cheater' cloth panel from ebay years ago. 

When I was cleaning up my sewing room, I found the panel, which had each block 'set' in red strips.  I wanted my penny square quilt to look more like those  old ones I had seen on Pinterest. (internet...lol)  So, I cut all the squares out and decided to make a doll quilt for my granddaughters' doll play.

Nothing fancy and I didn't have to stitch the squares.  I sat down last night and added all the X's and ta-da ! I have my own mini version of a Penny Square quilt.  I have quite a few blocks left, so I may make something a little larger for myself. 

Another fun and *mindless* project this week. 

So what do you think you would be working on if you didn't have internet?  Would you still be using templates?  Would you be hand stitching?  I just wonder how it would be.... probably not as many quilters, for sure!