May Mini and Memorial Day

Three years ago . . .

. . . I put these patriotic pieces up on my design wall but they just weren't coming together.

Then a few weeks ago with Memorial Day in mind I took them out hoping that something would click the second time around.  
  

I pieced the back by matching the motifs and top-stitching the seam . . .  

. . . then quilted it from the back. 

 

And this is what it looks like on the front.

I can't tell you how good it feels to finish this little piece! Thank you, Wendy, for your monthly mini inspiration!

This Memorial Day let us not forget Pvt Walter D. Carle who died of wounds in WWII. He was only 21 years old and is buried in Restland Memorial Park, E. Hanover, NJ. 

Enjoy the holiday!




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Copyright 2020, Barbara Schaffer

 

Deacon Blocks 29-32

Lots of applique this month!

With this month's blocks completed the first 4 rows at both the top left and bottom right are now done!
 

Three challenging appliques and a broderie perse.

 29. Attributed to Hannah Anne Reeves

 

I'm sure some of you still have a scrap or two of that early Smithsonian green print!

 30. Attributed to Lydia Ann Homer

It always takes a little time to get in the swing of appliqueing the block I'm working on. This time after I finished the center wreath, I appliqued the top right pink leaf/petal before adding the other two and realized it wasn't centered the way it was supposed to be but I chose not to re-do it. I did much better with the other corners.

31. Attributed to Susan B. Haines / Rancocas

This is the original block with a lengthy sentiment in the center . . .

. . . and this is mine. I totally changed course from the original :) All the blocks in this quilt are set on point.

 32. Attributed to William G. Deacon

This block was definitely a challenge--and time-consuming. I finished it in the nick of time--yesterday! The next set of blocks is available Friday at Sentimental Stitches. Check out what other goodies Gay has to offer on her website. So many projects to choose from!

On another note . . . 

My daughter and I hiked Sunday morning in search of wildflowers in the snow. We saw this Red Trillium . . . 

 

. . . and Saxifrage. So sweet among the moss :)

That's it for now. Enjoy your week and, hopefully, warmer weather with lots of sunshine!

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Copyright 2020, Barbara Schaffer

 

  

Aww, So Cute! Plus . . .

Spring is just about here . . . 

I was out for a walk on my way to the Community Garden . . .
 

. . . when I saw my S-I-L after he had just captured these little guys hiding in the shed. My heart just melted. So cute! 

An early-blooming wildflower, Coltsfoot.

I put quilts on the beds where my granddaughters sleep. I'm really looking forward to seeing them soon :)

Last week when it snowed the mountains were glorious!

I managed to make a few masks and drop them off at Town Hall. I discovered that sewing the ties was so much easier if I used a Bias Tape Maker tool. Wow, what a difference!  

Enjoy your week! 




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Copyright 2020, Barbara Schaffer