Saturday, May 29, 2010

A Fun Saturday!

I ♥ Saturday mornings, especially when Mr. Painted Quilt says, “How would you like to go to the Big City to do some shopping?”  All I needed was 20 minutes to have a shower, dry my hair, get dressed and we were out the door and on our way.

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We arrived in front of the not-so-local quilt shop (65 miles away) at about 9:45, fifteen minutes before it opened.  Instead of waiting, we went to my favorite green grocers called Farm Boy, conveniently located almost directly across the street.  Their fruits and vegetables are second to none and the aroma of freshly baked breads made us light headed.

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Forty minutes and six grocery sacs later, we were back in front of The Running Stitch.   While I went inside to shop and chat with the girls, Mr. PQ and Mac our Westie went for a walk…a long walk.  I specifically wanted to replace my little silver thimble tip that mysteriously disappeared last week.  (I think it inadvertently wound up in the trash…by me!)   I use this particular thimble when I do any hand stitching or quilting because it’s so tiny you don’t even realize it’s there.  It’s the one in the little packet on the right side in the photo below.

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I also picked up a Jo Morton book, some Civil War fat quarters, a red Pigma pen for my redwork and some embroidery needles.

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I brought along my Raggedy & Friends quilt for them to have a look at.  Well the gals helped me to decide as to what I will do with it.  I will be releasing it both as a hard copy and PDF pattern as soon as I can set aside the time to do it.  For all of you who have shown interest and have written to me both publicly and privately, please bear with me because it’s a huge job.  I’ll let you all know here when it’s available.

By then it was lunch time so we stopped and had some Chinese.  Yummo!

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Our final stop was at a smaller quilt shop in the town where we live.  They were clearing out some Kansas Troubles fabric at $5 a meter (39”) and at that price, I bought l-o-t-s of each!

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Last night I finished my Irish Chain mini quilt.  What a fun project to work on!

The top…

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I hand quilted a feather wreath in each of the setting blocks.

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And I used some red toile fabric for the backing.

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The “no border” responses were in the majority and that helped me make the decision to just quilt and bind it.  The finished quilt measures approximately 20” x 20”.  I think these minis are going to become quite habit forming.  *wink*

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Loving the little quilt...just loving it!!!

Robyn said...

What a fun day. I have been wanting that book too. You'll have to let me know how you like it. I love the fabs you chose and your nine patch is beautiful.

paulette said...

You always have the best Blog Headers- love this one and the sweet red and white quilt!!
Paulette

Mrs. JP said...

That sounds like such a fun day. Also, really like your Irish chain mini quilt.

Cathy B said...

Hi Kaaren, what a delightful day you had! It's been such a long time since I've been able to stop by for a visit - loved seeing the pictures of your sewing room in your last post! Your Irish Chain quilt is so cute!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Sounds like a fabulous day Kaaren! Your irish chain mini quilt is adorable, I love the toile on the back too xo

Sheila said...

I love the mini Kaaren ,really sweet and your backing is beautiful .
Sheila

Abby and Stephanie said...

Beautiful little quilt. I'm sure your Raggedy pattern will be popular.

Annette said...

Your little quilt is just darling. I am jealous of your Kansas Troubles purchase. I love that fabric and what an awesome price! I'm sure your quilt pattern will be a big hit. It is a beautiful quilt.

Patty said...

Your mini is darling, sounds like another eventful Saturday.

Hellen Sigurbjörg said...

What a nice day you´ve had! I really like your little quilt!

Pat said...

Sonds like a wonderful Saturday.(except for the grocery shopping...ugh!) Love, love,love your little quilts!!

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Hi Kaaren---i love your mini quilt---
Mine is still in my head!!!! I think I have the fabric picked out--does that count???? I am in the middle of redoing my apartment--so all sewing projects for the next few days are on hold--but I will try to hurry it along!!! I did also sign up for the six month mini's!!!
hugs, Di

Marie said...

How lovely without the binding. I made something lately and thought that sometimes the binding can distract.

Lovely shopping trip.

Hugs - Marie

Terry said...

I've always wanted to make an Irish chain quilt! I think I need to move it up to the top of my list after seeing yours! It's just lovely! :0)

Lurline said...

Gorgeous, charming, little quilt!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Quilts And Pieces said...

Love your little quilt! I often wondered how those little thimble dots worked! I've often thought about trying them.

Allie said...

Yay for the Big City and a shopping trip! And yay for Mr. PQ! Love what you got - that thimble looks similar to what I use, but mine is a leather dot that sticks. Can't stand anything bigger.

So glad your Raggedy & Friends will be a pattern, good for you! Your mini is absolutely delightful, and I think it was a great choice to have no borders - it's wonderful!

Kimberly said...

What a great day Kaaren... fabric and chinese food all rolled into one... a big fat YUM to go!

Béa said...

I love your mini, Kaaren, the hand quilting & the backing. Gorgeous !
XOXO

Janet said...

I love the little quilts you've been making and I love red and white. Sounds like you had a great day out.

Pieced Pastimes said...

Kaaren - Your 'little quilt' is very sweet and I love the feathered wreaths you quilted - perfect choice!

Darlene said...

A fabulous day, indeed!

Your mini Irish Chain quilt is sweet - I'm glad you went with 'no border'. The quilting is fabulous.

Bertie said...

Gorgeous your Irish chain Quilt and it must be so annoying to loose your silver thimble, maybe it will turn up somewhere.

Karen said...

The little red & white quilt is just perfect the way you decided to finish and quilt it.
I tried the little thimble thingamajig a long time ago and it just didn't work for me. I have a friend who loves using one.
I am happy to hear you are going to do up a pattern for Raggedy Ann and can appreciate all the work going into it.

Lori said...

It sounds like a fantastic day!!
I love the pink FQers abnd pattern.

The Irish chain is so beautiful. Minis are addicting that's for sure!!

Shelley said...

What a great day you had Kaaren! Love the jo morton stuff and the little quilt...well, I love it even more than Mary does!!LOL

pajudie said...

Sounds like you had a great day!! And I love your little quilt - very nice :o)
Judie

Anonymous said...

Thank you for taking us with you on your Saterday trip. The Irish chain is looking great.

Cathi said...

Oooh, I love your little quilt!! Your Saturday shopping trip was obviously very successful!

Lynn S said...

Yippeee! I am so happy about your Raggedy Ann/Andy quilt pattern decision!

Susan said...

Oh what a lovely quilt. Mine is coming along. Just a wee bit more stitching and it will be done.

I am also close to finishing my basket set using your Stitching Annie Design.

Glad to hear that you had a delightful day.

Micki said...

What a wonderful day you had, and I love that quilt. The hand quilting is just beautiful!
Micki

Carol said...

Your Irish Chain looks lovely. I'm about done with mine and plan on trying out the other challenges.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Love the quilt!!! and I think I married the wrong man!!!!!

Sandra said...

I just love the toile fabric on the back and do admire the front especially as it is in red and white!
It sounds like this Saturday was a a perfect one...:)

WoolenSails said...

That quilt is beautiful, can't imagine sewing all those little pieces, but would love to do some in the future.

Debbie

Fleurette said...

Lovely new header- mini quilt is beautiful love the backing and hand quilting, also nice without a border.

Siobhán said...

Beautiful little quilt, Kaaren! I like your fun Saturday, too--sounds like a great day was had. Love the stash enhancements!

Nanette Merrill said...

How fun. It is really lovely, all of it.

black bear cabin said...

love all your new fabrics...what a wonderful husband to take you quilt shopping (mine disappears when any shopping needs to be done!) and i absolutely LOVE that mini quilt! the hand quilting is great!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Looks like you had a great day and I love the Irish Chain Quilt. You can't go wrong with red and white.

John'aLee said...

Wow...your work is beautiful!

paulette said...

I agree with you on the mini quilts...love them!! Your new header is so pretty and so is your red and white beauty! Love this little guy and your hand quilting is gorgeous!! Thanks for the apple pie stitchery- very sweet!
Paulette

Sandra Henderson said...

What a lovely quilt!~Your quilting is gorgeous and the backing is well... you know me and toiles! This one is so gorgeous!!!! Great job!~Sorry I've not visited in a while... XO