Leaf Peepers

Hello Everyone,

Leaf Peepers is waiting to go under the needle and be machine quilted.  The quilt is draped over an antique sled which makes the perfect prop for displaying my quilts.

I think I will do a simple cross-hatch in the borders.  I'm under the gun time wise with this one. Don't ask me what I'm going to quilt in the interior of the quilt.  I'm still waiting to get a "spark" of inspiration.  Hopefully it comes to me soon. Maybe I need to go walk around the block and clear my over-crowded brain.

I just finished writing the pattern this morning.  The fabric requirement calculations are done.  Now I need to make the backing and load it on the long arm.  I do love this quilt and look forward to displaying it in the cabin this Fall.

Soon,
Lynn

Christmas in July

Hello Everyone,

I'm wearing my Madam Ambassador hat today for Henry Glass & Co.  A box of  "Snow Bird" by Barb Tourtillotte arrived the other day. The box of 2-ply flannel arrived on a 90 degree day here in the mountains.

When a box arrives from Henry Glass, I have to study the fabrics for a few days before I dig in.

There is a panel in the line which I will probably incorporate on the back.  That way the quilt almost becomes reversible.

I'm probably breaking all of the rules when it comes to flannel.  You know me, I like smaller pieces, but flannel doesn't like smaller pieces, so out comes the can of spray starch.  I cut quite a few 1-1/4" strips for starters.  I put all of the strips on my Strip 'n Sew that Mr. Joe made for me.  It is perfect to have all of my strips on display and I can instantly see what strips I have and what strips I need to cut.

I cut some 4" center hexagons, and made a couple of test blocks.  I discovered that my blocks are a tad smaller than they should be because of the fact that it's flannel, and I have a lot of seams.  I'm just going to go with the flow, and live with the smaller blocks.

I'm making my "Heartfire" pattern which I've made so many times I think I could make it in my sleep.  Here it is in French General fabric.  This pattern is perfect to showcase an image in the center of the block.

To wrap my head around Christmas, I played Christmas music in my sewing room.   The window was wide open and I'm sure anyone walking by probably thought I was nuts. In my defense, it was a warm day, and we don't have air conditioning at the cabin.

Over the past couple of days I've received emails from readers saying my blog page doesn't load correctly.  Blogger is rolling out a new version, and they would like all of us to migrate over to it.  I'm creating this post in the new interface.  Just like everything else in life, you just have to adjust to change.  I haven't found the new interface to be very user friendly.  I have to keep searching for the tools that were so handy before.  The new interface is supposed to be better to view blogs on tablets and smartphones.  But what about us, the blog authors?  Blogger is soliciting feedback.  They are going to get an earful.  

If you ever have trouble with the entire posts loading, scroll all the way to the bottom of the blog. On the left-hand side you will see a box where you can enter your email.  If you subscribe via email, every post will be sent to you.  I never see your email address.  It will go to the great blogger in the sky.

With the cases of the virus going up in my county, Mr. Joe and I are back to shelter in place.  Our only outings are to the grocery store and post office.  Life couldn't get much more exciting!

Soon,

Madam Ambassador

Crossing the Pond

Ahoy Mateys,

The wind has been filling my sails while working on my new "Crossing the Pond" quilt pattern.  I've enjoyed every minute of working with the gorgeous fabric called "Journey to America" by Judie Rothermel for Marcus Fabrics. 

I've been making components and placing them on my block layout sheets.  The block layout sheet keeps me organized, and I know right off the bat if I've made a cutting error.  If the piece doesn't fit, I recut the piece.  If the component doesn't fit, I make adjustments.  The adjustments usually entail pressing the daylights out of it to make it work!  (Insert smiley face here).

When I do all of the "tweeking" at this stage of the game, it makes it a breeze to put the block together.

I may work on the sashing today, or I may make more blocks.  I'll do whatever the wind blows and enjoy the ride.

The blocks aren't hard to make, but I do have to pay attention to accurate fussy cutting, and accurate pressing.  I include the pressing directions directly on the block layout sheet which makes my life so much easier.  I believe if you take your time, you can do anything, and do it well.

Yesterday I had to stop long enough to swab the decks, and get ready for company coming for dinner.  We practiced social distancing out on the deck, and enjoyed a beautiful summer evening here in the mountains.  We listened to more crickets than fireworks.

I want this journey, and my posts to be educational along our way.  I found an excellent glossary of nautical terms which I plan to incorporate in each "Crossing the Pond" post.  I thought this term was quite amusing and I honestly tried to work it into a sentence:

BAGGYWRINKLE - A soft covering for standard rigging that prevents sail chafing.  Or it could be what I see every morning in the mirror!  Now about that chafing part.....I won't mention one word about thighs here!

Soon,
Lynn