Canning Jar TOBE

In my Treadle On group, we had a canning jar block exchange.  I exchanged 4 sets (of 6) blocks.  I got my exchange blocks in the mail while I was at my family reunion this past weekend.  I received 25 blocks instead of the 24 blocks I was supposed to receive.  Hopefully they will tell me where to mail the 'extra' block to.  I'd hate for someone else to be short a block.

I did some figuring, and out of 25 blocks, there were 16 different participants, and the blocks were made on 16 different treadles or hand crank sewing machines.  These blocks came from 12 different states and 1 block came from the UK.  What fun!

carrots, apples, blueberries and watermelon

chili peppers, broccoli, pears & apples and new potatoes

bell peppers, broccoli, cherries, potatoes

pomegranates, cucumbers, lemons and blueberries

strawberries, greens, okra and raspberries

apples, pickles, pears and blueberries

blueberries from the UK

Now to design my quilt and get it made. 

Mountain View, Arkansas

My Family reunion was this past week in Mountain View, Arkansas.  We started this reunion 32 years ago, and I've only missed one reunion (I choose to go on my honeymoon instead).  Our reunions are every 2 years. 

Jack, one of the local family members, has General 'Black Jack' Pershings staff car from the Mexican war.  I got to ride in this car, during the 'tour' of the family sites.

General 'Black Jack' Pershing's staff car

I rode up front

Pershing had 2 drivers during this time.  You might recognize their names, Rickenbacker and Patton.

Since it rained most of the weekend, and there was mist and clouds covering most of the scenery, I only got a few pictures.

near Sylamore creek

the old farm near Sylamore creek

the river below Gayler cemetery

I did get to visit a few quilt shops on this trip.  Mountain View has a great quilt shop, The Quilting Bee, that I've been visiting for 10 years.  Daphne is the owner, and my hubby bought me my Janome 4800QC from her, 10 years ago, at another family reunion.

I also checked out several antique shops and flea markets.  I only bought a few things this time.  I didn't buy any full size machines this time :( , but, I did come home with 2 toy machines, and some other goodies.

Kay-EE Sew Master toy hand crank

Singer toy hand crank

decorated oil can and vintage globe pin cushion

new and vintage notions

some new fabrics (sorry, the whites didn't come out well)

I'm already looking forward to the next reunion.  In the meantime, I got lots of signatures on the blocks that I made for this reunion.  They will become a quilt top soon.

signature blocks for the family reunion quilt

Table Runner Class

Today was the last scheduled day of the table runner class at my church.  Three of the ladies couldn't make it, but, the other three did, and finished their table runners.

Emma, stitching on the binding

Joy, stitching on the binding

Susan, stitching the borders on her top

Emma and Joy are mother and daughter.  They were kinda 'racing' to see who would finish their table runner first.  Emma won by a few seconds.

Here they are with their finished table runners.  I provided kits in 2 colorways.

Emma and her finished table runner

Joy and her finished table runner

Susan and her finished table runner

None of these lades were in my first quilting class, last winter/spring.  They each did a great job.

September NewFO's and finishes, etc.

Barbara, over at Cat Patches has her NewFO linky party.  I'm adding my finishes, etc, to this post, too.

This month I stitched 19, 60 degree table runner tops.  Each of these table runner tops still needs to be backed and quilted.  I made 4 of each of the table runners in the first picture below.

4 of each of these (8 total)

I also made these table runner tops.

This pattern also makes a 'bonus' round table runner.  I have these cut, but, I've only stitched the little topper tops from the top picture.  I didn't get pictures of these.  They still have one seam left on each of the 8 round toppers.  All of these will be Christmas presents this year.

I'm participating in a brand new Mystery Row swap that started in September (not too late to join).  I made 2 blocks, one for me, and one to swap (you have to make at least one to swap to get the pattern for free).  I'll make more sewing machines when things slow down a bit.

Mystery Row swap blocks (top block is mine to keep)

I'm in another block swap, with my Treadle On group.  These blocks have to be made on either a hand crank or a treadle sewing machine.  This swap is Canning Jars.  The 'contents' of the jars must be something that would be canned (fruits & veggies).  I made 5 sets of 6 blocks, along with some extra blocks for me to keep.

pickles, made on 1914 Singer 66 hand crank

carrots, made on 1925 Singer 66 hand crank

peas, made on 1925 Singer 66 hand crank

blueberries, made on 1941 Singer 66 hand crank 'Betty'

asparagus, made on 1959 Singer Spartan (192K) hand crank

I can't wait to see what blocks I'll get back in this swap.

I've also stitched over 250 HST's this month for a new Quilts of Valor top I'm working on.

Speaking of Quilts of Valor, I finished a top this month, for my next door neighbor, who is currently deployed.  He'll be coming home late October, early November.  My friend, Karen, quilted this top for me, and she also bound it and even made the pillowcase for it (all Quilts of Valor are presented with a pillowcase).  Sorry the colors didn't come out well.  It looks washed out in the pictures.  The background is a pale cream on cream, not white. 

Steve's Quilt of Valor

up close of Karen's quilting

backing and label in the corner

This quilt will be entered in a quilt show this month. 

I did do lots more stitching in September, but, I don't have pictures of most of it.  I did take a picture of part of what I stitched last weekend, at the Fall Festival, where I was showing off some of my vintage sewing machines.

more blocks and strips for 2 Garden quilts

some 1.5" 9 patches

<><><><><><><><><>
On another blog I read, JulieKQuilts, she mentioned a terrible fire, where another blogger's mother lost all her stash.  A request was put out to send Fat Quarters to the mother who lost her stash.  The first post/request is here.   Those of you who read my blog, know that I lucked into tons of fabric last Thursday at a local thrift store.  When I read Julie's post on Friday, I knew what I needed to do with some of that fabric.  I picked up a Priority mailing box, and, on Tuesday, this is what I sent.

priority box full of fabrics

If you want to help out (fabric, tools, notions, etc), you can send it to this address.

Joyce Wilson,
PO Box 352,
Pateros, WA 98846

Around The World Blog Tour

I was asked by Jean of Jean's Quilting Page to participate in the Around the World Blog Tour.  I've been reading Jean's blog for some time now. I'm using one of her patterns for my son's wedding quilt.

I'm supposed to answer 4 questions for this Blog Tour, so that you can learn a bit about me.

1.What am I working on?

I have a long list of projects. I'm working on 2 wedding quilts, lots of 60 degree table runners for Christmas presents, 2 signature quilts for my family reunion (one to auction off at the reunion and one for me to keep).  I'm also working on a Quilt of Valor (I always have at least one Quilt of Valor going all the time), several purses (for Christmas presents), several charity quilts and several other projects.  I also have quite a few UFO's waiting patiently for their turn (last count of UFO's was over 26).  I'm also in several block exchanges, too.

2.How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My work differs in a few ways.  First, most of my quilts and projects are made on vintage sewing machines (treadles, hand cranks and some 1950's-1960's machines with motors).  Here is a picture of just a few of my machines.

Second, I seldom follow patterns.  I tend to find a block I like, then design a quilt around the block.  If I do follow a pattern, then I almost always change it in several ways (different borders, more blocks, larger, etc.). 

3.Why do I write/create what I do?

I started a blog as a way to keep up with my projects and some of my fun finds.  I tried scrap-booking, but, it takes too long.  Blogging is much easier and faster.

As for what I create with fabric...well, creating things is a great outlet and a way to show those that receive my items, how much I love and appreciate them.

 4.How does my writing/creating process work?

My writing (blogging) only works if I stop long enough to write a post.  I've written hundreds of posts in my head that I've never stopped long enough to post.  (aren't you glad).

As for my creative process, I tend to take an idea, and turn it on it's head, then go from there.  It's much more fun that way. 



I was supposed to 'tag' 3 bloggers, but, I only got one tagged so far.  Missy of Missy's Homemaking Adventures.  Missy also collects vintage sewing machines.  Missy and I had the chance to meet in person earlier this summer.  She's just as sweet in person as she is online.  Missy's turn to post will be next Tuesday, October 7th. 

Cheryl

Lyon's Farm Fall Festival

This weekend was Fall Festival at Lyon's Farm.  This is the 3rd year I've been asked to set up a booth and display my machines.  Since this is for the Kendall County Historical Society, I only bring treadles and hand cranks (my choice).  This is a two day event. 

On Saturday, my friend Marilyn came with me.  She had stitched a few blocks on 'Betty' my 1941 Singer 66, at our quilt guild show last March.  Hand cranks are still new to her. 

Marilyn sewing on Betty

After a while, Marilyn got tired of hand cranking, so, I cheated and put a motor on Betty.  This morning, I turned Betty back into a hand crank again.

Here are some pictures of my booth.

'Victor' my blue treadle

some of my machines and toy machines displayed

some hand cranks, set up to sew

The kids, especially the boys, loved the hand cranks, and watching me treadle.  I let several kids stitch on the hand cranks.

The first year, I had this whole building to myself.  It's a big building, and it was a bit lonely.  Last year, the Quilter's Dozen (the hand quilters in the middle of the room) moved over to this building.  I know several of them, so, it was much better.  This year, they let several vendors move inside, instead of having to set up outside.  Lots of new friends. 

Well, I stitched all weekend long (between chatting about machines).  I did get lots of stitching done.  I only stitched on Victor, my blue treadle.  I was enjoying using him too much to switch to another machine. 

Here is some of what I stitched this weekend.

lots of 3 cornered charm squares and sashing with cornerstones for 2 quilts

2 fall 60 degree table runner tops

2 apple 60 degree table runner tops

2 beach themed 60 degree table runner tops

another 2 beach themed 60 degree table runner tops

2 flowered 60 degree table runner tops

last 60 degree table runner top (that makes 11)

lots of little 9 patches (1.5")

On the way to the festival on Saturday morning, Marilyn and I stopped at a yard sale.  Marilyn spotted this quilt top, and I bought it (she didn't want it).

yard sale quilt top

When I layed this quilt top on the floor to take a picture, I could tell why this top had never been quilted.

lots of puffy areas across the quilt

Whoever made this top stretched the bias a lot.  It puckers all over.  There is no way to get this to lay flat.  I figured that when I saw it at the yard sale, but, since I'd never quilt it, it didn't matter.  I draped it across a chair, and added it to the booth on Sunday. 

So, what did you do this weekend???