Rainbow Scrap Challenge and Other Stuff

Wow, I haven't blogged since January 4th.  I've meant to, but I've been really busy, sorry.

First, I'm making 2 different blocks for the 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  One block I designed myself after seeing a similar block in Pinterest that I couldn't find a pattern for.  I was looking for different Churn Dash blocks, to teach the quilt block history of the Churn Dash block for my little quilt guild January 8th.  Did you know that there are at least 21 different names/variations of the Churn Dash block?  I listed all 21 names that I found, and showed several of the variations to my quilt guild.  This is the pattern that I drafted and made.  I call it the Flying Churn Dash.  It makes a 9 inch block.  

Flying Churn Dash for RSC24

I'm also making mini 9 patch blocks so that I can make a Jacks Chain quilt. The pattern from Quilter's Cache only has one block for the quilt.  There are two blocks needed, so I'll have to draft the 2nd block myself when it is time to put all the blocks together.  I made 45 green blocks for the January RSC24.  These 9 patch blocks are 3 1/2".  I made them using the Leaders & Enders method, and cut the strips with my new 1 1/2" Accuquilt strip die.  Sew much quicker to cut strips and sew them together, than to cut out each square (like the directions say to do). 

I have photos of the wedding couple with their new quilt.  They loved the quilt, as did both families.

the happy couple (and me) with their new quilt

While I was in Albuquerque, I dropped off 7 quilt tops (along with backing and binding fabric) to be quilted by another Treadle On member.  Jennifer has a long arm, and volunteered to quilt some of Marilyn's quilts for charity.  Marilyn was my good friend and quilting buddy that died in August. I still have quilt tops of Marilyn's that need to be quilted for charity. 

I met Jennifer at The Quilt Works quilt shop in Albuquerque.  Great shop!  I didn't have much time (wedding stuff to get done), so I only got to look at a tiny portion of the shop.  I checked out the white on whites (can never have too much background fabrics) and their sale room.  I could have spent and hour or more in that shop.  As it was, I came away with 7 different fabrics (4 backgrounds, 3 greens for the RSC, and a batik background).

cute bags that they use

The Quilt Works had a great balloon quilt on display.  Albuquerque has a balloon festival every year.  I asked if I could take photos and put them on my blog.  This is a pieced quilt, not a panel.  Wow!

I have done more on my Bonnie Hunter Mystery clues, too.  I've finished clue #6, #7 & #8, along with more of clue #3 (that she miscounted units for).  I have not started putting all the parts into blocks yet.

clue #6

clue #7

clue #8

more clue #3

I have a Zoom sew-in this weekend with my Treadle On group, and I'll be working on sewing these units into quilt blocks.

I've been trying to find a headboard that I liked for our king size bed for 2 years.  I really wanted one similar to the headboard we have on our queen size bed (now in the guest bedroom).  Surprise!  One came up on Freecycle, and we picked it up the day we flew home from the wedding.  This headboard is very similar to our old headboard in shape/style. What a difference a headboard makes in a room.  The wood is the same color as my bedroom set.  I love Freecycle!

bed with new (to me) headboard

I drove a friend to the doctor earlier this month, and he lives close to one of my favorite thrift shops.  Of course I had to see if they had anything new.  I found some thimbles.  I'd seen (and have) a thimble like the 'Medieval' thimble.  It was sew cute in it's box (and it still had the original price tag in British pounds).

I also found these 2 thimbles.  I really like the firetruck thimble!  I passed up several dozen other thimbles (mostly from 'places').

firetruck thimble

Disney thimble

I've been working on a Storm at Sea quilt.  I don't have any photos (yet), but I've made all 56 blocks, and the 8 rows are stitched.  I just need to sew the rows together.  This one takes more time since the instructions say to iron the seams open (boy does that take lots of time).  I'll be teaching the block history for the Storm at Sea block at my February quilt guild meeting. I need to find out more information about this block (history).  

What are you working on???  As soon as I get caught up with my blog reading, I tend to fall behind again.  I'm almost a week behind again.  Oops! 

Terrific Trip Treasures!

I drove my son's dorm stuff back to Oklahoma last week.  I didn't get a chance to stop at any fun places until I was on the way back home on Thursday.  I had fun stopping at antique stores on the way back.  A girl's gotta rest sometime, doesn't she?  I did get a tiny bit of stitching done while I was away. 

2nd Hedwig block embroidered

I did manage to find a few sewing related items for really good prices at some of the antique stores in Missouri and Illinois.  The most expensive thing I got was $7.50. 

I found another flat iron for only a few dollars.  I haven't plugged it in yet, to see if it works or not.  At least the cord is in good shape.

flat iron

flat iron

I also found some doilies, a hankie and some patterns.  One has a vintage machine in the pattern (gee, can't figure why I'd be drawn to that pattern, can you)?

these were too pretty to pass up

Dresden's are so pretty!

look at that vintage looking machine

I found several sets of attachments and buttonholers, too!

New Home box of attachments with a button hole cutter, too, also 2 double needles

vintage White attachments

vintage White attachments and part of a manual (not sure if it matches my machine or not)

not one but two Domestic buttonholers in cases

Domestic buttonholers, one with instructions

I did find a sewing machine, but, not what you think.  I found a Holly Hobbie toy sewing machine.  I doubt it works, but, for $5, it sure is cute!

Holly Hobbie toy sewing machine

I also found something from the USSR.  Check out this cool thimble.

above the hammer and sickle is 'CCCP'

I also found 20 hexie flowers for $7.50 (my most expensive purchase) in Missouri.  I'm thinking that I need to stitch them to muslin backgrounds and make a quilt with them. 

I love the fussy cut centers of these

another 'pair', fabric wise

love how they turned the pieces randomly

another pair

check out the frogs in the middle rings

another pair

one flower is all the same fabrics (still pieced)  I've never seen a 'solid' hexie flower before

these fabrics don't match any other flowers

some 'oddball' hexies

last set, kinda thrown together

I only had internet connection for one evening, and it was S-L-O-W!!!!!!  I couldn't check out any blogs at all.  I'm behind, but, I'll catch up on all of you soon. 

Monday is another quilt guild meeting, then Quilts of Valor on Tuesday, in Batavia.  I'll try to remember to take some pictures.

Have a great week!

SURPRISE!

Yesterday was my 50th Birthday.  I'd invited our Sunday School class over for the Superbowl several weeks ago.  Only one person said she could come.  Ok.  One of the special youth in our church, also wanted to come over (she frequently wants to come over, and we enjoy having her).  Well, yesterday morning, one other family said that they'd be coming over, too.  We hit the grocery store after church for frozen pizza's and soda's, and came home to make caramel popcorn and a cake (yes, I chose to make my own cake, that way I get to lick the bowl, and MUCH better than a store bought cake).  I'd already straightened most of the house, since I'm having some quilters over on Tuesday for a Quilts of Valor sew-in, so, that wasn't a problem.  Another friend/neighbor texted me and told me she'd be over about 5pm to bring me my gift and pick something up from me.  Her family arrived, bearing food.  Hey, what's going on?  Then, the doorbell starts ringing, and ringing, and ringing.  Hubby and sweet youth had arraigned a surprise party for me.  People came bearing food, cards and gifts.  Woohoo!  (glad the house was clean).  The whole downstairs was filled with friends.  Hubby had invited quilting friends, church friends and scouting friends, all while keeping it secret from me.  I think there were about 27 people in all, watching 2 TV's and eating and having fun.  What yummy food they brought, too!  Thanks hubby! (sorry I didn't get any pictures).

My mother sent me some very special gifts for my birthday this year.  She knows about my love for vintage sewing machines and treadles.  She and her new hubby found me a lovely treadle in miniature.  I have several miniature treadles, but, NOTHING compared to the craftsmanship and detail of the one she found for me.

can you see the thread? 

the drawer opens, and look at the etchings.  It even has a serial number on it

This machine is threaded, just like a real machine.  It also has a serial number etched at the base of the machine, just like a real machine would have.  I love that the drawer even opens.  The treadle base even has a pitman rod that works the 'foot' using the wheel.  Sew cool! 

Mom also sent me another special gift.  She sent me my grandmother's thimble.  I didn't even know that she had it. 

My grandmother's thimble, size 7, made in England

Sorry, I couldn't get a good picture.  I will be putting a note inside this thimble, to make sure I know which one was my grandmother's. 

I was supposed to list the items for my birthday giveaway yesterday, but, as you can see, I got sidetracked.  I'll try to take some pictures later today and make the post.  Right now, I have to go shovel the snow.  Yea!  We're finally getting some snow! 

A squishie and some fun finds!

I won over at Teresa's 'A Quilt and A Prayer' blog.  Here is what I won.

winnings from Teresa's blog

Sorry I'm so late in posting this.  I'm moving much slower than normal this summer.  I'm having problems with my feet and legs, and, it's getting me down.  I had lots of plans to get stuff accomplished, but, that just isn't happening so far.  Now I'm waiting on the insurance company to approve vein surgery on both of my legs.  Till then, I'm just moving in slow motion.

I told you in the last post that I purchased a few goodies at the quilt show.  Well, here they are.

toy hand crank sewing machine

tiny teapot pin cushion & saucer

doll quilt on a stand

doll quilt, laid out flat, hand quilted

I saw these items all at one booth.  I've purchased vintage items from this same lady at the last quilt show.  The doll quilt is hand quilted, and the backing is RED!  I love red!

As usual, I've stopped at thrift stores in the past week.  I found two sewing related items.  The thread spool topped with a thimble is a Avon bottle.  The thimble reminds me of Amy, at A Quilting Sheep.  Amy loves sheep, and the sheep are painted all around this thimble.  If she sends me her address, I just might have to mail it to her. 

Sheep thimble and Avon bottle

 I've been busy traveling, and will be again next week.  I drove to Wisconsin to pick up youngest son so that he could be a camp counselor with his youth group at Camp Barnabas, a special needs camp.  I drove him back to his summer job (camp counselor at a Boy Scout camp) on Monday morning.  In a little over a week, I'll drive his stuff to college.  Not sure if I'm ready for empty nesting or not.  Both boys have been gone this summer, but, we've gotten to see them enough to not have time to miss them that much, yet. 

Not much is getting sewed around here.  I've been too busy getting stuff for the youngest for college, mom's wedding, my leg/feet appts, and traveling to get much done.  Sometimes life just gets in the way.  Olympics are also getting in the way.  It is hard to watch and get much done at the same time without missing the events.  I can always sew, the Olympics only happen once every 4 years. 

Busy past few weeks

The past few weeks have been busy for me.  The most important part was that my mother got married!  Yipee!  She married a wonderful man, that our family has known for over 3 decades.  Our families went to church together, and, grew up with his kids, in church and in school. 

the happy couple with their wedding mini quilt

I've shown pictures of this quilt on previous posts...

I didn't want to show the completed quilt, since it was a surprise.  Now I can show the completed quilt.

mom's wedding quilt

The wedding was wonderful, and we made many memories, as a family, over the days leading up to the wedding, and during the wedding and after.

Melvin, my new 'stepfather' is a hoot!  He has a wonderful sense of humor.  My oldest son has had me looking for him a purple tie at thrift stores.  His favorite color is purple.  Well, when Melvin heard this, he told me he has a purple suit that he'd give to Christopher. 

Connor, mom and Christopher in the purple suit

After Christopher came out in the purple suit, Connor decided that he had to try it on, too. 

Connor 'rockin' the purple suit

 Well, since the suit now belongs to big brother, Connor wants me to find him a leisure suit, too.  Guess I'm gonna have to hit those thrift store again, darn!  He's gonna need a white belt and shoes, too, to complete that outfit.

Well, I did get a chance to visit a few thrift stores while I was in Texas (before the purple suit tryon).  I didn't get much, but, I did find some lovely wedding ring placemats, and 18 thimbles.  Wow, 18 thimbles!

placemats & thimbles

2 Christmas thimbles

2 wooden thimbles

2 flower thimbles

2 airplane thimbles and a bird thimble

2 animal thimbles

a mermaid thimble and a Bahamas thimble

New Oklahoma thimble

I also picked up a few patterns at a thrift store.  The vest pattern has the Alamo on it.  Gotta have a pattern of the Alamo, if you're from Texas.

4 patterns

 My BFF of over 35 years lives in the same town as my mother (and in-laws and brother...)  Here is us at the wedding.  I'm in the blue dress.

Cheryl & Michele

I've been wanting this pattern for a long time, but I couldn't find it, or the pattern book at any of my local stores.  I've been looking for it for a few years now.  Well, I mentioned it to the local quilt store owner in my hometown back at Thanksgiving, while Michele was with me.  They ordered it, and, now I have it. 

Route 33 pattern

 When I got home, I stopped in at my LQS, and purchased Bonnie Hunters new book, and also got a squishey in the mail from @pril at Kool Beenz.

Aurifil thread from @pril & Bonnie's new book

Thanks @pril and Aurifil!  Oh yea, Bonnie's new book is great!

Lots happened while we were away, like our mail box getting blown up on July 4th!  The pictures are on my phone, and, I don't have web access on my phone, so, I can't show you, but, just know that it is now in multiple pieces.  Oh well.  Also, on the drive home, we had to pull over to take a picture of this 'spider' that I'd seen on the way down.  We also took a few other pictures next to the spider.

car 'spider' in Stamford, Texas

Stamford host the Texas Cowboy Reunion, too

truck beds buried in the dirt in Stamford, TX

Now to try to get back to 'normal' again.  I don't think that will happen for a while, since we never knew what 'normal' was to begin with.