Sister's Choice Quilts

Bats and Boos- All But Border

My Bats and Boos quilt is all but finished. I just need to add an outer border and send it off to be quilted. I will love using this next Halloween. I am really happy with how it turned out and how fun it was to make. The pattern is free on Fatquartershop.com.

This center block took me a minute to make (not). There are many points that need to line up, so it required precision cutting, sewing, and much pinning. I think it makes a great centerpiece to this small quilt.

I hope your Halloween was peaceful. Do you get a lot of trick-or-treaters? Our neighborhood is pretty dark and quiet and we never get any. At Eva's house, just a couple of blocks away, it is another story. They may get well over 200 kids! People from farther away actually drive their kids over to trick or treat! We always go over to her house and sit outside and greet the families as they go from house to house. My son-in-law, the Winemaker, even pours wine for the grown-ups! It is all very jolly and fun to meet the neighbors and see the kids' costumes.

Here's Eva with her just-carved jack-o'lanterns. I don't know what is making her happier, those pumpkins or her new puppy Winston.

Nephew update: Friends, I think your prayers are helping. My nephew had been in a coma since last Thursday and yesterday he opened his eyes and was able to squeeze someone's hand when it was requested that he do so. He has a long way to go to full recovery, but we are now feeling more helpful than despairing. Thank you for your kind words and all your prayers and good thoughts. We are very grateful.

 

Bats and Boos

A year or so ago the Fatquarter Shop did a Halloween Mystery Quilt sew-along they called Bats and Boos. The pattern is completely free on their website.

I didn't get a chance to make it at the time the sew-along took place, but I have kept it in the back of my mind as a "someday" project. The quilt obviously isn't a mystery anymore, but I'd rather know what my end result is going to be anyway. It's a small wall hanging or table topper finishing at around 40" square.

I was actually able to find the exact fabric on Etsy! It is a Moda collection from last year designed by Stacy Iest Hsu called Holiday Essentials Halloween. You could use any three black fabrics, an orange fabric, a white background and a border print in a Halloween theme. The yardage needed is on the project sheet.

The first step is to make four bat blocks. The pieces are large (for 10 1/2" blocks), and the construction is super easy.

How cute is that little bat?

This isn't how the blocks will fit together in the quilt top, but don't they make a great design when combined this way? It could be an interesting center medallion for a Halloween quilt.

If you are like me and enjoy working on a seasonal project, this little table topper might be for you too. The next step is to make four pumpkin blocks, the third step is the center star block, and then you put the blocks together and there's your little quilt! 

Hope you had a lovely October weekend. We had a house guest and were out and about for the most part, but I was able to starch and cut out my fabric, and make these four bat blocks in a couple of hours Sunday afternoon.

Haunted Halloween, a Finish!

Wooooooooo, it's a great feeling to get this spooky little wall hanging done! The project was sponsored by Fat Quarter Company, and the block patterns are completely free. It was an easy and fun project to work on. I hope I can get it out to be quilted (and back!) in time to use it this Halloween. I usually don't do wall hangings, but I think I will make an exception with this one. Click on the links for the fabric requirements and the first free block pattern.

Some significant sewing has been happening, and I look forward to sharing more with you on Wednesday.

Do you have plans for the 4th of July? We are in the midst of a dreadful heat wave, so nobody wants to be outside. (Which is why I have been sewing). So, no barbecues are on the horizon. My husband and I will just stay home and read our books. 

4th of July Home Decor

I have been having fun pulling out my 4th of July decor. This little quilt is one of my favorites, a pattern called Endearments by Betsy Chutchian. I looked for a link to the pattern, but could not find one. It may be out of print. Betsy has a unique Civil War Reproduction style that really appeals to me.

I have lots of photos for you today. I had more 4th of July decor than I thought! This little star quilt is called Little Stars, a pattern by Minick and Simpson. I couldn't find a link to it either! I got out my Bath and Body Works patriotic candles, which are almost burned all the way down. I need to figure out how to use the jars again because they make such great accents.

For the coffee table, I like this runner in tomato red Fig Tree fabrics. I kind of made up the pattern and you can read about my inspiration here.

I have a collection of adorable wooden tomatoes which I've had for years. They are a perfect match.

In the hall that leads to our bedroom, I put a couple of extra things. The runner is a pattern called Zig Zag by Lehman Designs. 

This little Humpty Dumpty has been around for decades. I know I got him at a little shop in Los Altos, CA that has been closed for probably 30 years. He is made of some kind of fabric that has been treated to feel like oil cloth. I just love his alarmed expression. I used to keep him on a shelf in my office when I was a working person, but now he just comes out for summer. Love that little wooden slice of watermelon too.

My entry hall table is always fun to decorate seasonally. This little Minick and Simpson table runner was a kit Moda did years ago. It was a monthly subscription that was pretty pricey, but came in the cutest decorated metal box. The USA decoration is new this year. My husband actually saw it at our local hardware store and bought it for me!


Hope your week is off to a great start! Have you got your 4th of July or summer decor out yet?

 

 

 

Spirals Quilting Design Pattern

Sometimes being a blogger has some real advantages. I posted a photo last week of my most recently finished table topper, a pattern by Carried Away called Summer Breeze. The pattern is wonderful, but the design my quilter chose for the quilting really set off the design and was so in keeping with the breezy summery feeling of the quilt itself. Sadly, I didn't have any idea what the name of the quilting design was. My quilter usually sends me some suggestions for quilting options but doesn't always attach a name to them.

Imagine my surprise when I received a comment from the actual designer of the quilting pattern! Denise Schillinger is the creator of this quilting design "Denise's Spirals". It is a pantograph available for sale through Urban Elemenz.

How cool is that?

In other news, it has done nothing but rain here for the past two and half months. My husband is out in the garage building an ark as I write this. Well, maybe not, but this situation is getting dire. If I don't see the sun pretty soon I just don't know how much longer I can cope. 

One fun thing the husband and I have been doing is watching some of the movies that were nominated for the 2023 Oscars. As you read this, the winners will have been announced, but I know we have some favorites. We used to be such movie buffs, going to the cinema a couple of times a month. Since the pandemic, we watch things at home on the TV now, which is ok, but there is something so dynamic about seeing a movie on the big screen. Here is what we've seen (I've linked to the trailers if you are interested):

We watched Elvis, which was incredible. Austin Butler will get the award for Best Actor unless he is robbed.

We saw Banshees of Innishiren, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. The movie was very weird, but quite good. Of course, the story is set on an island off the coast of Ireland, so that's all we needed to be on board. I doubt it will win for Best Picture, but I am very glad to have seen it. The acting was top-notch and made me go from laughing out loud to tearing up in sympathy. It was certainly thought-provoking. You have to know going in that the movie is a metaphor for the Irish Civil War, then things make more sense. 

My husband took himself to the local theater a month or so ago to see Top Gun: Maverick and really enjoyed it. I skipped it due to it not quite being my thing. Very loud and action-packed.

Finally, we saw Women Talking, which is based on the novel by Marian Toews. The plot concerns a sect of Amish women who have been consistently drugged and sexually abused by male members of their community. Now, before you say "Ick" and vow never to see it, hear me out. The cast is amazing: Claire Foy (Queen Elizabeth in The Crown), Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand, and Jessie Buckley (one of Ireland's best actresses). As the movie begins, the attackers have been arrested and taken away to a nearby city. The women are left alone on their compound and hold a meeting to decide 1) If they should stay and do nothing, 2) If they should stay and fight, or 3) If they should all pack up and leave. The philosophical dialog was fascinating as the women talk through the various scenarios open to them. Do they forgive, as their religion teaches them? Do they band together and demand equality and power in their sect? Should they leave the miserable so and so's and start up their own colony elsewhere? This was so so good. I'll be thinking about this movie experience for a very long time. Award-winning performances by the whole cast. If you like a movie that makes you think, this is the one. 

Have you seen any of these movies? Or any others you enjoyed? Do share in the comments. 

Well, I have started the week off in a very chatty way, have I not? With any luck, I will have some sewing to share this week and less to blab about!

Summer Breeze-Let's Get The Binding Done

Can we just take a minute and admire the quilting on this little 26" square piece? The quilt is Summer Breeze by Carried Away. I do not know the name of the swirly quilting design, but it could not be a more perfect choice. My plan is to use this in my kitchen during spring and early summer. The colors are so uplifting and cheerful. Now all I need to do is get that binding on and all will be as it should be.

What a week this has been. I thought I should get some sort of post up so you all don't forget about me. I can usually handle about a half dozen professional writing assignments a week, and this week I have 9. And next week I have 13. I have already contacted my supervisor and begged her to cut that number way down. I am drowning in assignments. All I do is sit at my computer and write all day long. I am dreaming about writing articles for pool and spa companies (my typical clients). And that is not my number one favorite thing to dream about.

Eva and I did make a batch of chocolate cupcakes on Tuesday afternoon. Life would have to be at a complete standstill before we could miss our regular baking day. I'll tell you though, these cupcakes were amazing. Here is the recipe if you want to try them.  No eggs or dairy and they were so moist and wonderful. Super chocolatey from real Dutch process cocoa powder. 

Wish you could taste them. Try this recipe, seriously, it's a good one.

Hope your week is going well and you have time for something besides work.

I Needed Another Christmas Table Runner....Not

Sometimes the creative urge cannot be denied. I have had this sweet pattern for a Buffalo Check Christmas table runner for a year or two, and have been meaning to make it. I used scraps from my stash and yardage of a white, taupe, and darker tan. The pattern is by Carried Away Quilting and was easy to follow. I did have to press all the seams open, and let me tell you, I was very tired of doing that by the time I finished the project. I don't know what it is about pressing seams open. I know things turn out better and lie flatter but I just resist it for some reason. 

Here is a close up of the two units that make up the top. The trees were easy peasy. So was the star for that matter. The only caution I have is that you have to have your wits about you or it is easy to put the wrong color neutral in a place where it doesn't belong. And if that happens, you lose the checkerboard pattern. My seam ripper and I got reacquainted while I made this little project. 

Busy week for me, how about you? I am meeting up with a friend this morning, then I need to go home, work on a writing assignment, and then make cranberry relish. My husband has been so excited about having pumpkin pie, and came home from Walmart with two jumbo cans of Libby's pumpkin. Each can makes two pies. I guess I will make those on Wednesday, along with prepping my dressing. I am going to try something different this year. I will make my dressing as usual, then put it in the crock pot to finish cooking. It will free up the oven, which is a plus.  Have any of you ever done that? One Thanksgiving I made my mashed potatoes in the morning, and put them in the crock pot to stay warm. It worked great! I only have one oven, which is a problem when you need to cook sweet potato casserole, keep the turkey warm, and cook dressing. How do you all manage all the dishes on Thanksgiving? 

Squirrelly Girl Table Runner Quilted

This is the second table runner I recently received back from my quilter. I used a fabric line by Bunny Hill for Moda. It is so gosh darn cute! For the runner itself, I think I just had a honey bun of 1 1/2" strips.  Sure wish I had bought more of that fabric collection. It just goes to show you, when you see a collection that has a lot of a color that you use frequently, buy more. That soft orange would go in so many things that I make.

Here is a photo of the backing, where you can see the primary print of the little hat-wearing squirrel. When I bought the backing it was just about all I could find of the collection anywhere. 

I didn't have enough of any of the Squirrelly Girl fabric for my border but found something in my stash that I think worked great. I've had it for years and can't recall who designed it, unfortunately. I did not use a pattern, just made Log Cabin blocks and arranged them the way you see. If it looks familiar, I made a Halloween quilt a year or so ago that is rather similar. 

My baby blocks are nearly complete for the Family Reunion quilt I have been working on. Just six more to go! That is my plan for the weekend, along with sorting out my clothes closet. 

Forgive me while I play around with my blog banner. I wanted to have something seasonal, but it is a fiddly business. 

Best wishes for a lovely weekend to all of you!

Buffalo Check Table Topper

This little Halloween table topper is "Buffalo Check Table Topper", by Carried Away.  It comes in a Christmas design as well, included in the same pattern. The Christmas version has little wrapped presents rather than pumpkins. It is always fun to put out new seasonal decor, even though my table runner cupboard is starting to overflow!

The quilting design is an overall pumpkins on the vine pattern that I think is perfect. I used Moda solids for the checkerboard effect and leftover Fig Tree scraps from a Halloween-themed layer cake.

My dining room table is better suited to a long narrow table runner, but sometimes I like to use a square one for variety. My buffet is in the background, cleared of homeschooling detritus for the first time in almost three years.

Have you got your Halloween decorations out? I figure we only have about three weeks to enjoy them before they go back and the more subtle Thanksgiving decorations come out. And then, of course, we go full tilt boogie with the Christmas madness. By January, I will be ready for a minimalist look with nothing cluttering any surface of the house!

 

 

 

 

 

It's Feeling Like 4th of July Around Here

Another great table runner pattern. This one is called Zig Zag by Lehman Designs. It is fast, it's easy, and I have made four of them in two days.  lol.  The 4th of July one is pictured above.

I made a cream, red, and brown one with leftover 3 Sisters fabric.  This one could stay out all year, it goes with everything in my house. Seriously, this is a great pattern. It would be wonderful for holiday gifts.

One of my block of the week projects is called Peace and Healing by Piecing the Past Quilts. I had several red, cream, and blue fat quarter bundles that I combined for my version of the project. Unfortunately, they had been in my stash for a long time and I don't recall the exact names of the collections. These designers regularly come out with new groups in the same colorways, so it would be easy to duplicate. Pam Buda, Primitive Gatherings, and Julie Frederickson (of J.J. Stitches) were the designers. Honestly, all the fabrics worked great together and heaven knows I have a million yards of various backgrounds at hand, so it all went together easily. 

These are the most recent blocks I have finished. The blocks started out super simple, and I was tempted to throw in the towel and not bother making more, but they are getting more complex and more interesting, for sure.  The photo below is of all the blocks I have completed so far.  I believe there will be a total of 31.

It feels peaceful and kind of soothing to work with Civil War Reproduction fabrics. Lately I have been drawn to more contemporary and colorful collections, but these old standbys go with my decor and feel like painting in a way. It's hard to describe, but using these small saturated prints is just like playing with paints to me. Nothing assertive or large scale, just plenty of color.

Around the house, the patriotic decor is coming out.

The hall table.

Something whimsical on the kitchen counter. I bought so many Bath and Body Works candles this season. The house smells amazing.

The coffee table in the living room. Usually Ozzie is on the couch. It is almost camouflage for him (he blends right in), but I swear he isn't in this photo.

My dining table. Not very fussy this year, but that is definitely one of my favorite red, white, and blue quilts. 

I could have sworn I had Hobby Lobby front door hanging decorations, but I couldn't find them anywhere today. My husband says he thinks he knows where they are, so if they turn up I will take a picture tomorrow. If not, I will be stopping at Hobby Lobby on the way to my dad's this weekend!