Oh Deer!

This past week I've really enjoyed watching the deer in our backyard. Here are some photos that I took from the family room.

I was spotted! 

Just look at that little one. So sweet!

What I should have done was record a video . . .

. . . because every time I snapped a photo the fawn moved. 

I was always scanning the yard to see where they were. Sometimes mama was close by and other times she was watching from afar but I haven't seen them since Sunday so maybe they've moved on. 

What fun it's been to see them up close.

Hopefully, I'll have some quilting news next week!




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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer

 
 

In Our Backyard, Quilt, and Memorial Day

It's been an interesting week . . .

The other day I spotted this groundhog making its way toward the garden. It's been a long time since I've seen one in the backyard but it was a reminder that I need to do some serious weeding!

We have no idea how this deer got in the backyard as it is completely fenced in and the gates are always closed . . .  

. . . and then we discovered her baby. So cute! 

I added a star border to my scrappy blocks. I had lots of leftover stars from Barbara Brackman's Stars In A Time Warp quiltalong and decided they'd be perfect for this quilt. I still have a third border in mind . . .  

The new Valley Forge Betsy Ross 13-Star Heritage Flag Kit I ordered from united.states.flag.com arrived in time for Memorial Day. I love the look of this new "aged" flag.

This Memorial Day let us not forget Lt. Harry I. Luth who died in a mid-air collision during a WWII training mission near Phenix City, AL. He was only 23 years old and is buried in Restland Memorial Park, E. Hanover, NJ.  

Enjoy the holiday weekend! 



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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer

 

Project Updates and . . .

The scrappy blocks that I started making last week turned into a total of nine. 

Here they are as the center of my new quilt. I had quite a stash of 1-1/2" x 3" bricks and 1-1/2" squares so it all went together quickly. 

My evening project is quilting the Flags of the American Revolution quilt and it's moving right along. I've actually started quilting the outer border :) I'm hoping to have it done by the end of June so I can start quilting Morris hexies for next year's guild show.

On some of the flags I experimented with straight line quilting using Pearl cotton and a larger needle. I had big stitch quilting in mind but my stitches aren't quite big enough, lol. Even so, the quilting goes a lot faster and I can complete one flag in two nights. 

Have you visited Ann Hermes' blog Notes From the Quilt Lab? You should!  Check out her ingenious method for hanging little quilts. I just so happened to have two vintage wooden rulers and was anxious to give it a try. It's so e-a-s-y! The little quilt is sandwiched in between two rulers that are held together with binder clips which become the hangers. Ann has lots of examples so make sure you stop by! FYI, that was my first sewing machine. It was a gift from my parents for my 13th birthday :)   

More wildflowers . . . 

These Stars of Bethlehem are everywhere! So pretty to look at.

I spotted this Jack-in-the-Pulpit near the Mayapple patch. 

Yesterday we ate lunch at the famous Summit Diner in downtown Summit, NJ. It was built in 1938 and is the oldest operating diner in NJ. My favorite diner food is a cheese omelet with homefries and rye toast :) 

Hope you have a great week!




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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer

More Scraps and Flowers

I'm really enjoying Edyta Sitar's book, Little Handfuls of Scraps. Thanks again, Rachel!

I couldn't resist making this little quilt. It's 12-1/2" x 12-1/2". I try and cut my scraps as soon as I can to prevent overflowing scrap bins so had lots of 1-1/2" x 3" pieces to play with. 

The back.

Then I started another project but instead of making a small quilt I decided to make some blocks.

I've made 4 so far. They are so much fun. I think I'll probably add the same pieced sashing strips in between the blocks for continuity but that could change. It's a great pattern to showcase fabrics especially those large floral prints.  

I plan on donating this little 9-Patch to our guild for the Little Wishes silent auction at next year's show.

The back. An oldie but goodie. 

I love this time of year when the wildflowers are beginning to bloom. Look at the cute faces of this Great-Spurred Violet.

And flowers that look like little bells hanging from the stems of Solomon's Seal.  

There's a large patch of Mayapples near the patio . . . 

. . . with a pretty white flower blooming underneath each "umbrella." 

Indoors I have a Hoya plant which I totally ignore. It has been potbound for at least 15 years and gets watered whenever it looks sad.    

And every year it produces this gorgeous flower :)

Have a great week! 




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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer

Jury Duty and This 'n That

"You are summoned to report . . ."

I spent all day yesterday and two hours this morning on jury duty at the Essex County Courthouse in Newark. That's a statue of Lincoln sitting on a bench. During recess I took some pics.  

This magnificent building was built in 1904 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was completely restored and re-dedicated in 2004 following a $50 million renovation project.  

A Tiffany-designed skylight.

There are massive stone piers and stairs leading to corridors. The murals were restored by restoration artists from Japan.

Lots of gold leaf and an eagle.

Looking down from the staircase on the 4th floor. So impressive!

On another note I was dog-sitting all last week. I can't tell you how much I LOVE MY GRAND-DOG! She is so sweet and gentle and she understands every word I say :) This is the "look" when she doesn't want to get out of the car. 

I managed to make this small one-patch. It's 14" x 14." 

This is the back. I may be done working with vintage fabrics for a while :)


Hope you have a great week!




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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer