Slow Stitch Sunday

I've been doing some slow stitching this weeks since the kiddo's have been a little under the weather. I have noticed that my stitches are getting a little smaller and more evenly spaced on this one. Maybe less seams or I am just getting better with practice. This block is 12 inches finished so each of the stars is around 4 inches.

A close up of one of the stars.

Head on over to Quilter Kathy's to see what others are working on today.

Another Irish Chain quilted.

I did manage to get the red/tan Irish Chain quilted and the binding sewn down to the top of the quilt this afternoon. I forgot to put the label in so I quickly cut a square and ironed it in half and stuck it onto the back and resewed the binding part down. I must say..... I really like how quickly the straight quilting in the chains goes. Some day I can see doing it by hand but for now most quilts will be machine quilted.

Now I get to sit back tonight and work on my favorite part - hand sewing down the binding. Now which movie on the DVR shall I watch?
Two quilts down, two to go.

Pinwheel progress....

Well, I fear my free day of kids is not going to happen. Emily is now down for the count with the dreaded cold and fever. She usually tolerates a fever much better than her brother... it was probably 2 degrees high yesterday and she was just playing good with her brother. It was a long night last night though. Hopefully they can rest today and feel better tomorrow. Grandma is coming over for a bit so I can get out and do some much needed shopping.
As for me.... since they were playing good yesterday I did get a chance to sew the rest of the pinwheels together and worked on the borders. I think I am going to add a little 1.5 inch strip of purple to frame the pinwheels before adding the pieced borders to the sides. I'll check the size at that point but it should be at least 60x80 and big enough. I'm thinking a colorful binding on this one. It really needs a good pressing. I left it laying out on the floor last night and the cats got to it. I have no clue what they did but somehow it was all into a ball this morning. Silly cats....

Did anyone else see the $99 batting at Joann's next Wednesday (regular price $274.99) as one of the doorbusters? It is 25 yard roll of Pellon Natural cotton batting. I got a roll of warm and natural batting about 5 years ago and it is almost at the end. I hope it is similar as it is time for a new roll... now if I can just get to Joann's and pick it up or con the hubby into picking it up while he is at work on Wednesday. It is so convenient that there is a Joann's Fabrics just 2 doors down from our store =)

I was so hoping to get these pinwheel quilts all done and quilted before Bonnie Hunters Mystery started next Friday. I am going to actually jump in this year and give it a try. I've picked out from my stash and am thinking various shades of green, blue, purple, brown and then creams. The purple might get changed out but I'm not sure to what - maybe maroon. Thoughts?


Head on over to SoScrappy's blog and see what others are doing for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this week.

Little School House block

It is cold season at my house. Aidan has been battling a cold for about 8 days and it has added a fever in the evening the last few nights. Emily started with the sneezing and coughing a few days ago and today has a fever. It will be a movie day again at my house today with the kids. I hope that a lazy day will have them feeling better real soon.
While they were watching the Polar Express this morning I sneaked into the sewing room and was able to cut out and piece this block. It is number 11 in the Woman's suffrage BOW that Barbara Brackman is hosting this year.

Here are all my blocks so far. I still need to go back and do that one Kansas Sunflower block. Maybe sometime in December once I get all my Pinwheel quilts completed.

Quilt Show pictures..... a bit late.

Here are some of the quilt pictures I took at the Ocala Quilt show on November 3. There were some lovely quilts and I was amazed at the hand quilting. The stitches were so tiny and even and perfect. Some day I hope to get there.
There was one little section of quilts that I just loved.... and have since ordered the pattern for the penguin. You'll see it in the following pictures. I took a picture of the quilt and then the card with the quilt information on it. Does anyone else do that?  I have to say, I think my favorite quilt that I think I could make was the Tennessee Waltz. That one is being added to my 'to do' list. It was hand quilted too and gorgeous. Sorry the pics are at an angle - to get the whole quilt I had to stand from the side and take the picture on my phone. This is a very photo loaded post. I'll show some more in another post in a few days.....
Enjoy the show!

Tiny Tuesday

#65 is called Pride of the Prairie in the sentimental stitches series of Midget blocks. After having to applique the C parts twice.... oops, they go in the opposite corner as the D blocks.... I was able to get this little 4.5 inch block finished today. I of course had to take some breaks to have a tea party, read some books, make some muffins and go pick up the boy from school.  Now I'm off to save off the next two blocks that she put up yesterday. I am so happy she is starting to post more of the midget blocks in this series. Have a great Tuesday.

Saturday pinwheels

I got all my pinwheels sewn this week. I'll plan to do the birds for Thanksgiving weekend.

Since I have all my blocks done for the two quilts it is time for some decisions. Oops, took these before I had the last two blocks done. There is another purple one and a red block to add to the mix. I tried to spread out the colors evenly between the two quilts.

I have 40 of these 12 inch blocks in total so will make two quilts with 20 blocks each for a 4x5 setting. They will go to sisters so I want them similar but not exactly the same. For one, I want to use my leftover scraps that I have been making into pinwheels. No, I did not trim these to a uniform size first. I decided to just sew them and see what happens. I took the ones that were at least 3.25 inches and then pulled a jelly roll of neutrals. I just picked strips and sewed them onto two sides of the pinwheels. They turned into these which trimmed up to 5.5 squares and I am planning to put them in a border like this.

To get the size I want I think I will add neutral sashings and maybe some various colorful cornerstones to one. It might turn out something like this.

I am thinking I might do a single cornerstone color on the other one and have a plain border that coordinates. I'm still undecided on that one but should have a plan and hopefully a top or two done for next week. I would love to get these three quilts (the red/tan irish chain) all quilted this month.

Head on over to SoScrappy on Saturday and see what others are doing for their rainbow scrap challenge this month of black.

I hope to post my quilt show pictures from last week sometime this weekend. I did go search out one of the patterns and have it on order from my local quilt shop. I can't wait to play with it next year =). My niece loves penguins and it is a wonderful design.

Have a great weekend.