Thursday, November 10, 2011

Staying Busy

While trying to keep my hands and mind busy between doctor appointments, I did manage some progress on my postage stamp quilt.

I completed the sub-cutting of the strips on Tuesday evening.  Whew!  My rotary cutter was smokin’.

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Then yesterday morning I pieced together six of the forty-eight blocks that will make up this quilt.

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I just love the colors in both these lines of fabric and am hoping to make a dent in the mountain of remaining strips today.  It is turning out to be not so daunting a task as I initially thought it was going to be.  Actually, I love piecing squares together, especially where precision is involved.

acorns divider

When making a cup of tea last evening, it occurred to me that I never shared with you these lovely gifts that were sent to me by Elzaan, all the way from Mauritius.  Both Mr. Painted Quilt and I like our tea so the two varieties of tea and mug rug were very much appreciated.   The sheep softie fit in quite nicely with the rest of my flock.

Thanks again, Elzaan and please forgive my oversight.  The tea was delicious!

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Candace and I have enjoyed an on line friendship almost since I first started blogging close to three years ago.  Just recently she shared  with us her finished Winter Wonderland quilt which you can see and drool over here.

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I love all of Crabapple Hill’s designs but this one really caught my eye when I first saw it a couple of years ago.  Redwork and pieced blocks…does it get any better than that?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Well look what showed up in my mail box just the other day!  Not only did Candace send me the pattern but she also included some red and white fabric to get me started and the remnants of the two-strand Aurifil  thread that she used for the stitching part of her quilt.

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I was fascinated by the thread so I had to try it out straight away.  Two strands of thread come off the spool together which eliminates the step of having to divide strands.  The weight and performance of the Aurifil is divine and...

It was L-O-V-E at first stitch! 

I immediately sent an email off to Candace to ask her about on line sources which she gladly shared with me.  

Laura at LC’s Cottage was a pleasure to deal with and my order should be winging it’s way to me as I write this.  Not only did I place an order for 2 spools of the redwork thread but I also purchased an additional two spools of the black…just in case there’s a blackwork design in the offing.  *wink*

Thanks again, my friend!

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Treat yourself to an early Christmas present.  You won’t be disappointed!

Kaarenheartname

P.S.  Is anyone else having a problem getting used to the changeover to Daylight Saving Time?  I am wide awake at 4 a.m.  Perhaps we should have a virtual stitching party?    *yawn*

39 comments:

EllenaElizabeth said...

Lovely as always.

Sheila said...

I really love the progress on your postage stamp quilt , that is going to be gorgeous , love all those delicious colors. I'd love to try out the thread , that sounds really great.Enjoy your day. Sheila

Terry said...

Your blocks look fabulous!! And that little sheep is so cute! :0)

KaHolly said...

Kaaren, it's coming out great. I, too, enjoy piecing squares. I cut most of my scraps into 2.5" squares and keep them in a basket by my machine. It's amazing how often they come in handy. Love all your gifts. I'll have to give that embroidery floss a try! I'll check out LCCottage's link! I am an early riser by nature, and when the time changes, 4 a.m. is when my eyes pop open for weeks!! ~karen

Shelley said...

We're having an awful time at our house getting adjusted to the time change this fall and I don't know why? The spring change was no problem but we're just draggin with this one. We feel all out of sorts. Love redwork too and that pattern is on my bucket list :)

Abby and Stephanie said...

Candace's redwork quilt is gorgeous and I know yours will be too! Your postage stamp quilt says "warm and cozy" all over the place. Busy hands make happy hearts.

Bertie said...

The blocks are lovely Kaaren, it will be such a lovely quilt, and will be following you closely! I have been doing some myself, but being a beginner it's quite a task but pleasurable.
Your presents are lovely, good to see you are being spoiled:)

Pieced Pastimes said...

Hi Kaaren - Love that fabric and the quilt you are creating with them - perfect for fall! Glad to see that you are keeping busy. Have a Great Day.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kaaren,

I too am having trouble with the time change. I guess it just takes longer as we get older and our kitty certainly does not under stand and wants out at 5am now. I love the start you have made on your postage stamp quilt. The colours are one of my favourite combinations. I have a collection of those redwork patterns, hoping to work on them this winter, when we have finished all the outside work. I like their combination of redwork and patchwork too.
Enjoy the day.

Dianne

Cattinka said...

I habe a question to your postage stamp quilt. If I am right you first added all the stripes from the jelly roll. Did you always add 5 stripes and then you cut them? I was wondering how you end up with these 5 x 5 square blocks, what is it that you are cross cutting. I hope that is not a dumb question, I just couldn´t follow you on that.
KATRIN W.

Darlene said...

Lots and lots of wonderful treats and treasures to enjoy! WooHoo!!!

Love the postage stamp blocks - they are yummy!

I haven't had to deal with time change in 16 years - don't miss it either. LOL

Needled Mom said...

I wish I could make it to 4 a.m.!!!! We are up earlier than that with this time change business. It seems to take longer to get used to as I get older. Hmmm!

The redwork pattern is just adorable. It will be gorgeous when you are finished. I haven't heard about that thread.

Your postage stamp quilt is coming along so quickly. You will have it done in no time at all.

Lori said...

Love your strip quilt and the tea dyed look muslin! Its going to be fantastic!!

I've been adjusting well to the time change until today...wide awake early in the morning:(

GerryART said...

I'm in awe of your postage stamps.
hugs

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Wonderful progress on the quilt! Yep, you have certainly been a busy girl. The gifts are awesome too. I'll have to hunt up some of that thread and give it a go!

Pat said...

Your pieced blocks are great! Those colors are right up my quilting alley too...

Thank you for the FYI on the Aurifil thread. I also have a weakness for redwork.

Doniene said...

Lovely blocks! I love postage stamps, and precision piecing, too! I'm thankful that you are busy and still praying for your complete recovery!

Blessings

barcord said...

Your quilt blocks are lovely Kaaren. Glad you are able to get a little stitching 'fix' to keep you going between appointments. Enjoy your early mornings. We are dark and cold at that time, so I just snuggle down for a few more zzzzzzs.

Anneke said...

what a great gifts you've gotten. And I love the warm colors of the quilt your making. So autumnlike and warm.

Candace said...

I love how the postage stamp quilt is turning out, Kaaren! It almost looks tea-dyed - warm and cozy! I'm so happy you like the thread - I'm sure a believer! Both Mr. Squash and I are up with you at 4am - hmmm....so far it hasn't translated into extra sewing time, though, just extra coffee - lol!
Cheers!

WoolenSails said...

Wonderful quilt and fabrics and such wonderful friends to help you get through the tough days.

Debbie

Carol said...

Having trouble with the time change too. But I love it... I've been getting an hour of knitting in the morning before going to work. The house is quiet and it is so peaceful. Wish I could get up an hour early every morning but I know it won't last.

Laura said...

I thank you so much for mentioning my shop in your blog post! Aurifil thread is truly excellent quality and is a joy for me to sew with in my personal projects. And Crabapple Hill certainly does produce wonderful designs!

karen said...

The quilt is going to be so much fun - but that cutting had to be work. The redwork quilt is also on my list to do someday - and now your on your way to getting it done. That thread sounds interesting - might have to check that out.

hugs - Karen

Anonymous said...

You are sure to have your postage stamp quilt finished soon! Special blogger friends take care of special blogger friends. :-) Enjoy

Patty said...

Your postage stamp quilt will be a stunner I'm sure.

Lesley said...

Kaaren, the postage stamp quilt is going to be amazing! I love the fact that you love precision! I often have a problem with that. Your gifts are wonderful and are indeed a testimony to your own kindness and thoughtfulness. I loved hearing about that embroidery thread...it sounds too good to be true but I may have to check it out. Thanks for sharing with us and continue to fill your days with wonderful hubby, friends and projects!

Betsy said...

Karen is the thread pearl cotton?

Betty said...

Your postage stamp is coming along well and will be beautiful. I also like the Redwork quilt pattern. My Raggedy Ann and friends is at the quilters now. Hope to have it back by Christmas.

Karen said...

Kaaren,
You are taking on the prettiest project that I feel Meg has designed.
A friend and I took her class @ Thimble Creek, Concord, CA. For us a 3+ hr drive was worth it. Meg of Crabapple Hill was the day long class. She had almost all of her completed patterns there for us to admire upclose. Stitchery, applique and piecing are my favorites. Put them together and I am in heaven. Yes I spent my wad on her stitchery patterns. You should see her fabric line. It goes well with her projects.
Happy Stitching....Karencg

Karens Quilts, Crows and Cardinals said...

Kaaren -- you inspire me ! Thank you for having the strength and the direction to plow through troubles and make progress on things that make you happy ! Your postage stamp quilt is already beautiful... thank you, thank you...! Sending healing energy your way !!

Karen M.

Laura said...

Kaaren, I hope you don't mind, but I see a few asking about the type of thread you're using for redwork. I'd like to clarify...it is 12 wt. Aurifil cotton...no need to split it like one would with floss, and it is very easy to embroider with.

SueB said...

Love the quilt. You are making great progress.

Can you tell me which thread to order for the redwork. I have that pattern and just couldnt find the right thread. I went to the website and there is a lot of choices.

Carrie P. said...

You certainly have been busy. Those blocks look great so far.
Very nice gifts from you quilty friends. I did not know that Aurifil sold thread like that. Pretty neat. I have started that pattern but now it sits in my UFO pile. One day.

Janet O. said...

Love the KT fabrics. That will be a stunning postage stamp quilt!!

Sandy said...

Great gifts. I have heard about the Aurifil threads before and have only heard good things. May have to actually order me some! Yes, I have been affected by the time change also. It seems so silly because it is only an hour, but I have been wide awake an hour before my usual time every morning since Sunday. I have to admit though, nothing like your 4am!! :o)

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Just wanted to drop by and say I made your Cornish Pie last night...delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

Elyte said...

Enjoying watching the progress of the postage stamp quilt, just my colours.
Candace's quilt is beautiful and ready for it's first Christmas.

Merilyn said...

I see that your postage stamp quilt is coming along very well!!! The Winter Wonderland stitchery quilt too is a lovely design!!!