Civil War Bride Quilt kickoff!

These are my fabrics for block 20 of the Civil War Bride Quilt. The stems on their own look like something out of a Tim Burton film!! (Yes, I just watched Beetlejuice again... what a blast from the past)!!

Why have I started with block 20? I love birds in quilts, and I knew which fabrics I wanted to use.

I have bought the entire bolt of fabric for my background - I only need 5 metres IF I make it as it is in the pattern... I would like to sew horses in the borders, much like the original quilt.

I am now a member of the Civil War Bride quilt blog. If you like this, you might like to follow the blog with us.

2 more Baltimore blocks

Yes! Only one block to go I have finished 15 blocks.... wait on! I've got 2 blocks left to finish. Dang it! I have inadvertently made a rather large label for this quilt. I don't want to turn it into a quillow - folding it up rather snugly might damage the dimensional applique.These two blocks were started in about 2004. They both needed a little "tweaking" or fixing. You know, the kind of thing that requires serious motivaton! So, now I am only one little bit away from starting the Civil War Bride Quilt! Yippee!!
I will finish the peacock block and that will be that.

I was just too tired to work on the Dollhouse blocks a couple of nights ago.. so I worked on my Civil War Hexagon quilt (did I mention the dollhouse blocks are part of a Block Of The Month called "It's A Dollie's Life" designed by Rosalie Quinlan - you can search for these patterns on the web).

I thought I would give you an indication of scale with these hexagons. This is just a project I pick up when I need some handwork. It requires no preparation, so I can pick it up and just go. Obviously it is a long term project.

I enjoy working on these now and again... especially when I am tired. I don't have to think too hard.

Civil War Hexagons get an airing

I made this triangle of hexagons while at the Strath Quilt-In last Saturday. It was lovely to catch up with friends, and hear Corliss speak about the Civil War Bride Quilt. (I really can't wait to start it!).Here are all the pieces I have made so far... Would you like to see what inspires me?

You can search the web to find out more about Albert Small who designed and made quilts using tiny hexagons (not necessarily the quilts pictured here are made by him).

Mine will be out of all my scraps.. I will be adding black between and around to add definition to the designs.

Heyyyy, I've got plenty of time right??

Baltimore block progress...

Now I only have 4 blocks to complete.. they are mostly complete, but just need a little embellishment or additional applique to complete them. Here is the Tree Of Life. It looks much better than it did in the Baltimore Beauties book where it was just a black and white outlined picture.
There is my bird in the nest.

I finished the pair of "love birds".

I especially like the flowers at the top.

I can't wait to finish more blocks so that I can start the Civil War Bride Quilt. I have chosen my background fabric, but that is all I have allowed myself to do.

Fashion parade...

This is a fashion parade of sorts.. it's Rudy the reindeer - I made it using the Melly and Me pattern. My DH posed him as above, and I just had to let him strike a few more poses.

He is so photogenic!!

He needed a bit of help with the position below...

I've been so busy sewing, I haven't had time to blog my progress... but, don't worry. I have heaps to show you over the next few days...

I am very happy to have another finish on that list over there (on the right, can you see it??). I posted 33 finishes last year, and this year I am up to 12...

Christmas must be coming...

I finished the Christmas Mice wallhanging. I started it almost a year ago according to my blog... (aren't blogs handy for checking your dates?)

I must feel as though Christmas is coming .. in August!! LOL!!

I have been working on the dollhouse blocks. Only the roof to sew now, and the door to cut and fuse.

So, what's on my list of 5?

1. Finish decorating last 4 Baltimore blocks

2. Stitch dollhouse blocks into a quilt top

3. Finish piecing 1950s quilt top

4. Complete JLWC baskets quilt

But, there is not much hand-stitching in there.... and I need some...

5, Maybe I will get out my Civil War Hexagon

Early Baltimore blocks...

These were some very early blocks too.... this is when I realised that the reproduction fabrics looked fantastic, and gave richness to the blocks. I wanted to add a variety of colours - so this one has orange flowers. Too bad, I only used one green for the leaves. These days I would have used a variety of 8 fabrics for the leaves!!

I will have more to show you soon...

Shall I try to finish the Tree Of Life next?

Oh, I can't believe it!! *bounce bounce*. I am going madly to finish the Baltimore Album blocks (and border) because I want to start The Civil War Bride Quilt. And guess what? You never will! Three lovely ladies have started a blog dedicated to the quilt!!! Here it is. This is going to be wonderful!!!

More finished Baltimore album blocks

I really have been working on these in a frenzy to finish all the details on my Baltimore Album blocks. This one has been finished for quite a while, but it looks so much more finished once it was trimmed down to size (12 1/2 inches).I need to wash out the marking pens I used as placement. Thank goodness I only used greylead pencil on the first couple (it doesn't really wash out).

I love the look of vases and urns.

If I was going to do these again, I think they would nearly all be vases and urns.... Not that I don't like these apples - this was the first block.

These purples give the quilt a big lift. This was a nice easy one to applique, and it felt like I have accomplished an extra block very quickly.

I have added embroidery details to 2 more blocks - but I don't have them with me to photograph... can you wait???

Jo's Little Women Club medallion quilt

Last night I sewed on the binding and hanging sleeve, and the label. Then I slept under it. Now it is a REAL quilt. LOL!! It is now hanging on the wall for a little while.

I am very happy to have a finish...

So now, it's time for a new list of 5...

1. Finish Rudy the reindeer (er.. I didn't mention I started this yet, did I?)

2. Finish applique and embellishment on Baltimore blocks

3. Finish cutting and putting together JLWC baskets quilt top

4. Finish machine stitchingDollhouse blocks

5. Piece 1950s quilt top.

Baltimore update

I am still working on the Tree of Life block - the birds are on, just a few berries and a nest of eggs to add on. In the meantime, I trimmed down the completed blocks.

I originally planned to have the four diagonal blocks in the outer corners and the wreath blocks in the centre, but I have switched ideas.Here are the four diagonal blocks.

This is another finished block. Whoops! I turned it sideways!! Never mind, I think you get the idea.

Baltimores and dreams of minis.

Here is my latest Baltimore block - sorry, I really didn't have a moment to iron it. It was photograph now and blog, or not at all!! The flowers need embroidery in the centre and the leaves will also be embroidered to add more details and features.



And this is my last Baltimore album block for this quilt (started in 2004).... starting new blocks really does feel like a new project has been started.. but I am really still finishing off and using stash right?

The Tree Of Life just had to go in my quilt... After the leaves I will add birds and berries and a nest containing eggs.





This is my current drool matter... teeny, tiny lone star quilts... Mmm....

I love making miniature quilts!!

1950s again...

All the blocks have borders around them now. I love this diagonal plaid-print.

I have the blocks on pin-boards to inspire me to keep working on them... I guess you know if they are out of sight, they are out of mind. I am trying to do the opposite.

Next I am adding blue spots around the stitcheries. Is it working? I plan to add some applique in the large "open" spaces.

I have drawn up a rough plan, but most things tend to evolve as we make them don't they? I'll just let it grow a bit before I decide on too much.

BTW, I am sticking to the list of four:

1. 1950s collection

2. Baltimore Album

3. Dollhouse BOM (not that I have thought about it for a few days)

4. Jo's Little Women Baskets needs to be finished... but I haven't thought about it either- I am machine piecing the 1950s at the moment

5. I guess I will be working on my designs for my "Ginger" quilt, but I want to start a miniature LoneStar quilt and the new applique pattern I bought at showcase.