October Mini, This 'n That

I jumped right in when Lori @ Humble Quilts blog announced her 50 Shades of Brown SAL but I didn't quite get it finished on time for her Linky Party. But it's the perfect little quilt for October's mini.

I had plenty of pre-cut 1-1/2" squares and started sewing them together in 4-patches in no time at all. Then I added 3" squares . . . 

But because the center was so dark I deviated a bit and instead of adding 4 different fabrics for the border I added this light leaf stripe all the way around. 

Another monthly mini--done! Thanks, Wendy, for keeping us all focused! Make sure you visit her blog the end of the month :) And thank you, Lori, for another fun SAL!

On another note--or two . . . 

The last of fall colors in our driveway. This was one of the features we liked when we bought our place 20 years ago! 

A Shaggy Ink Cap mushroom in my daughter's yard. So strange . . . 

When I was about 4 years old, I wore Aunt Midge's majorette uniform on Halloween :)

And here is Aunt Midge (my mother's youngest sister) about 1941. 

I had that uniform until last year when I brought it (and other vintage clothing) to auction during the arduous task of de-cluttering our house before our move.  

Lastly, a good friend in MS asked me to join her in a virtual Run for RBG. This was just what I needed! I signed up for the 87-mile walk/run at your own pace/place. Results have to be submitted by December 30th. 

I've been into fitness my entire life and continue to walk every day so doing this distance will be a fun challenge as long as the weather holds out! 

87 miles. . . and counting down :)

Enjoy your week and . . . 

 

Happy Halloween!

 

 

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Copyright 2020, Barbara Schaffer

Deacon Blocks 49-52

 Moving right along . . . 

Only 33 to go. The long center diagonal row (beginning lower left) and blocks on either side are the ones that still need to be done. 

Block 49 attributed to Drucilla C. Morris

There are thirty-two little pieces in this block. This time I turned under the seam allowance on the inner part of the circle and appliqued the heart to the background. The last time I did one of these plate blocks I did the whole center part separately and appliqued it over the inner edges. Make sense?

Block 50 attributed to John Deacon Mt. Holly NJ 1842

I actually made this one first after re-drawing the curved lines of the yellow pieces so they met the red star. Loved working on this one! It's a happy block! 

  

Block 51 attributed to Samuel T Coles 

Some days are better than others when it comes to sewing blocks. I ended up ripping apart the first version and sewing it again. That was before I appliqued the center petals :)

Block 52 attributed to Anna Bullock 

I almost ran out of fabric on this one and had to piece the fabric for the lower square and triangle. That never happens to you, right???

Blocks 49-52 are done. The new set was just posted on Sentimental Stitches. So I'm off and running :)

Two weeks ago on a warm sunny day we grabbed some lunch and went down to the Jay Covered Bridge which was built in 1857. 

On hot summer days people sit on the rocks and enjoy the cool water.

Look how clear it is!

When our kids were little we made Christmas ornaments from dried Milkweed pods.

 

Beautiful Purple Asters!

 

See you next week!

 

 

 

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Copyright 2020, Barbara Schaffer

It's A Finish! and Whiteface

The strip quilt I started in July is finished! My worries of finding a longarmer nearby were quickly put to rest when I met Dawn at Cabin Creek Stitchery. She lives less than 10 minutes from our house--and she's from NJ!

I couldn't resist this photo shoot :)

The pattern I used was Interweave by Karen Griska but I added strips to the top and bottom to bring it out to twin bed size.

I started by cutting strips from Natalie's stash so the fabrics in this first section were all hers :)

And this section has a row of fun fabrics from our trip to Sweden more than 20 years ago.  

For the backing, I found this Adirondack-style print on Hancock's site. Click on the photo to see how great the quilting looks! 

Do you ever use a large print for the binding? I had enough leftover backing to do just that. 

I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Thank you, Dawn! I'm so glad we met :)

How gorgeous is this?? It's a view of Whiteface Mountain ski area . . .
 

. . . and the river just before you get to the main lodge. 

Yesterday's early morning sunrise from our deck :) 

 

Enjoy your week!

 

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Copyright 2020, Barbara Schaffer