Wednesday, April 26, 2023

New Little Quilt, Flower, TS, Rolodex and GBH

Two years ago I received an envelope of selvage strips from Nancy M. in MI and it took me all this time to get moving. Sometimes that happens :)

After sorting and ironing, I started stitching them onto two scrap strips of muslin with no real plan in mind. This time instead of top stitching I butted the strips and zig-zagged them together. 

I added long selvage strips on two sides . . . 

. . . then 2-1/2" borders. 

 

You can see the machine quilting on the back and it's pretty basic--all straight lines--nothing fancy. The label is done but needs to be attached:) Thank you, Nancy!


It's blooming! The Amaryllis bulb--that my friend Renee sent up via her co-worker--is absolutely gorgeous! 


I really have to stop going to the thrift shop! Haha! Recently, I couldn't resist this pair of crocheted potholders and a framed scherenschnitte with ducks, rooster, bunnies and flowers. I always thought I wanted to get into this craft but after making a couple Valentine's Day cards I realized it wasn't for me. 

I've taken a little break from my Rolodex project but thought I'd share a few cards with a Native American theme. These are the fronts . . .

. . . and these are the backs. The top two photos are sections of a wool jacket that I was making many years ago and testing my skills of machine applique. The middle left is a souvenir child's vest from Niagara Falls and on the right a weaving that I purchased at the antiques shop in LP. The bottom is a photo of other collectibles. All wonderful memories :)


Look close and you can see a Great Blue Heron in a nest at the very top of a pine tree in our driveway. This pic was taken by putting my camera up to the lens of a birding scope. I keep trying to get a good shot and this is the best one so far. There are actually 3 GBHs up there. The one in the nest takes off, circles around and comes back and extends it's head straight up. We've read this is a mating ritual. The other two squawk and "fight." It's all so interesting!

That's all for now. I'll be back next week with four more Crazy blocks.

 

Copyright 2023, Barbara Schaffer  

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Churn Dash, LC Blocks, Flowers, Clouds

 Just trying to catch up a little . .  . 


Churn Dash top is done. I hung it on the railing in my sewing space so I could see it from below.

A (dark) detail showing the striped border fabric from the thrift shop. Next up is the backing :)

New Project! On a whim I started making 9" log cabin blocks from the strips I'd accumulated and stored in a drawer. I was inclined to do only browns and neutrals but I have so many red and blue strips that I'm going to do some blocks with those, too. Then, who knows? Maybe I'll mix them all up! 

Two weeks ago, on a warm (!) spring day, Connie took us to Ausable Marsh on Lake Champlain. The water was so clear!


The view looking across at the Vermont skyline was dotted with really low puffy clouds.

And talking about clouds--check out these pink ones taken from our deck last week.  

And a long-awaited colorful sunset!

My Easter Sunday centerpiece consisted of pretty flowers from the local supermarket and a fun hand-crocheted doily from the thrift shop. There are eight purple clusters with 44 grapes in each one.   

I have had this orchid almost a year now and I am thrilled to see it blooming again!


The sunrise this morning :) 

That's all for now. 

Enjoy your week! 

 

Copyright 2023 Barbara Schaffer