Spring Arrives

 


SPRING!  Spring has finally arrived in Mid-Missouri and it couldn't be more welcome.  It has been a long winter.





     I spent most of last week with machine quilting.  Here is a quick charm square project I will offer (I will offer her a choice of several) to my 13 year old granddaughter for a scheduled spinal surgery this summer.  I want her to have Nana's virtual arms around her while she recovers from this.

Here is a close-up of some of the quilting.  I am definitely still an amateur, but I feel I am improving with each project.

I have one more small one to quilt before I tackle a large quilt.  I thought my arms would fall off after my last day on this one.  I will take my time with the larger one.  

WooHoo!  This week is Quilt Camp at Windemere.  Several members of my guild, (myself included) have reserved a spot at Spring Quilt Camp, sponsored by Fabric and Friends Quilt Shop in Camdenton, MO.  It is in the Lake of the Ozarks area and I am looking forward to seeing hillsides of Redbud and Dogwood blooming during sewing breaks.  Three uninterrupted days of sewing with meals provided, no laundry, cleaning, cooking or errands.  Does it get any better for a quilter?  Here is the major project I am taking.  A layer cake by Barbara Brackman (probably my favorite fabric designer) and a selection of civil war fabrics from my shopping extravaganza at Hancocks of Paducah this past February.

The pattern is designed for a layer cake, so it should go together pretty easy.  I will also take some uneven nine patches and my leaders and enders, if I get the cutting done for them.  

I attended a symposium in Arrow Rock this week-end focused on the African-American experience in 19th century Saline County.  The stage was decorated with a collection of African American quilts.  This is one of them, not sure about the age of it, it looked newer than that era, but it was fabulous.  

Last, but not least, here is the progress on my Dear Jane.  I'm very slow, each block takes me quite a bit of time.  I'm very happy with them, though.

They finish at 4 1/2 inches, 5 inches unfinished.  Some are paper-pieced, not my forte', but I have been machine piecing some of them.  I am using the website "thatquilt" for guidance.  I actually spend more time petting them, rather than sewing on them.  They are very sweet.  

I'll try to post pictures from quilt camp next time.  Stay tuned.

Judy