'Round the Circle

I started machine quilting a King (ugh!) size quilt over the weekend. I sent the kids to Grandpa's house for 2 days, while I tackled this beast. I maybe got a quarter of it finished. It's really hard to gauge, but thinking of what I still need to do ... It's a lot of quilting! Grandma sure is giving me a lot of practice with this one.



my farmer's wife week 12:

Four Winds

this just might be my favorite block

Weathervane

Corn & Beans

W.C.T.U.

 

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The Very Breath of Life

I've been doing A LOT of sewing lately. I wish I had pictures to show right now, but everything is still in the works. (been making Halloween costumes) So, in the meantime, Here is my farmer's wife week 11:

Railroad

Wrench

 

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An Orchard in Bloom

I've spent half the day yesterday framing Grandma's quilt. I had to drive an hour to get frames that were big enough, and spent 4-5 hours putting it up. I forgot to bring my clamps so I had to find someone who I could borrow from. And ... I don't know how y'all put your quilts up on frames, but I grew up using my Grandma's frames. She tacked them with flannel, and would just pin the quilt to the flannel. my hubby's [other] grandma tacks the quilt to the frame. no flannel. Not only did I have to scramble to find someone with clamps, but I also had to pick up some tacks from the local quilt shop. It took a lot longer tacking the quilt down, than what I am used to, and it had a lot more pull on the fabric too. I don't think I like that method.
I also had to set the whole thing up by myself. I really don't mind, because I am quite picky about it, but it sure took a loooong time. Fortunately I did get help for the turning. I'm hoping to get some time in this week to start the quilting process.

AND ... I still have to try out the tips left for nail polish removal in my previous post.

I already feel worn out. :)


my farmer's wife week 10:

Maple Leaf

Practical Orchard

Better a Farmer ....

my farmer's wife week 9: 

Night & Day

I had so much trouble with this block. The book lists the large pieces backwards; so, if you are following the templates, you need to swap the large pieces for the opposite color listed. I had to cut all new pieces and it sewed perfectly the second time. 

Tall Pine Tree



Cats & Mice

Windblown Sqaure

I really like the look of this block. It's so fun and whimsical!

The Sense of Creation

I have been pretty behind in posting my farmer's wife blocks.

At least I have been keeping up with making them.

I think I've been playing catch up with too many things at once.

Sometimes I don't even know what project I should be working on.

It's nice to take a break and work on small things every once in a while.

My farmer's wife week 8:

Big Dipper

Periwinkle

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Worthwhile and Purposeful Things

I've had a pretty productive week. I finished the top to Grandma's quilt. (still need to photograph it) and I was able to finish sewing the top to a baby quilt I am working on. I still need to add some applique to it. I should have pictures of that one soon as well.
I am showing the quilt to Grandma tomorrow, and really hoping she likes it. My house is so small, I don't have enough space to lay it all out at once. So, even I haven't seen the finished product in Its entirety.

Amongst all this other sewing, I was able to get a few more blocks to my Farmer's Wife quilt done.

My Farmer's Wife week 7:



Churn Dash

Squash Blossoms

Bowtie

Ribbons

I Love the Farm

Pretty short post today. I am trying to get Grandma's quilt top done today, and hopefully a new baby quilt.
I have been on a time crunch for both of these. Grandma's is nearly finished, and about half way done with the baby quilt.

With out further ado ...

My Farmer's Wife week 6:

Jackknife

 Peace & Plenty

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Farmer's Wife In The Making!

Look who's helping me with my Farmer's Wife Quilt!

The Best of All Good Things

my Farmer's Wife week 5:

I've been cutting and sewing my Farmer's Wife blocks at night, after the kids go to bed; usually during the news. Alot of these sew together really fast, which I like since there is so many.
I can't say that my fabric selection always works out like I would like it to; but for the most part, I'm happy with my decisions. (note: attic windows)

Mother's Dream

Seasons



Attic Windows

End Of Day

This is by far my favorite block!

I have desperately been trying to finish two quilt tops. Bit by bit I am getting closer to finishing Grandma's. However, I think I might have to take a sewing break. Which I hate the thought of. At least until my hubby can be home to watch the kiddos.

My poor machine.

I bought a brand-spankin-new (floor model) machine last year after my old, bought as is, no longer manufactured, don't even know how old it is machine had an untimely near death.

You see, little Argyle, being ever so interested in my sewing machine, likes to pretend that he can sew too. Only, he would try to climb on the table to play with the thread, and everything else. It resulted in the machine falling to the floor.

Luckily it was okay.

And it would have been fine, except, it happened again. That time is was not fine. The power won't stay on and the only stitch it does is basting. I was going to get it fixed, but it was going to cost almost as much as I paid just for analysis. I thought I better just get a new, reliable machine.

I am so glad I did!

It has so many new gadgets and gizmos. I love my new machine.

It's had a really bad week.

Paisley also has a strong intrest in my machine. Sometimes when I stand up to press, she will sit in my spot and put scraps of fabric like she sewing. I think it is adorable.

I don't let the kids play with my machine, except for small instances like that.

The other day, I was out watering my garden and left the hubby in charge. When I came back in Argyle came running to me saying he was fixing my machine. I was quickly blocked by hubby who said ever so softly "I did try to save it."

Paisley, who was under the watch of hubby, climbed up to my machine, and pushed it over!

I quickly checked to make sure everything was still working, and it was fine. I put it away. Which meant that not even I could get to it. The next day I went crazy not being able to sew and with so much on my to-do list.

Yesterday I decided I couldn't not sew. I pulled my machine out during nap time and was able to get the rest of the sections done I need for Grandma's quilt. Nap time was done and I was making lunch. Keeping an eye out for the munchkins. I opened the fridge, and CRASH! My machine was on the floor.

I picked it up, but still trying to get the kid's lunch made, thought it would be okay for another minute while I made their plates. Oh, how wrong I was!

My poor machine was knocked over almost as soon as I turned my back.

It is still fine.

Everything (so far) still works.

Don't worry, the kids are alright too. The machine is the only thing that took a tumble.

The kids just got a really long time-out.

..

O

U

Progress Is Our Watchword

my Farmer's Wife week 4:

I bought a bunch of 6" square scraps from a couple of quilt shops over the past few weeks.
You know, just in case I needed something. I'm really glad I did.
Even though I have quite the stash of fabric, there's always room for more :).

This new scrap pile of mine has been my first spot to look for my Farmer's Wife quilt.
They have really come in handy.

Century of Progress

Hovering Birds

City Life Holds No Glamour

my Farmer's Wife week 3:

I decided I should put my stash to good use with this quilt. Quite a bit of my stash dates back many, many years. Some was given to me by my Grandmother, who was also a quilter. She used to take her quilting on the road with her when her and my Grandpa would take trips in their R.V.. She gave me a few unfinished blocks that she started by hand, and some scraps to finish, if there was enough. I have not done anything with them, not because I haven't wanted to. My Grandma handstitched these pieces! I just hadn't found the perfect quilt to place them in.

There wasn't enough fabric with some of the pieces she gave me, and I so desperately wanted to use all the fabrics in one quilt. I think I finally found that quilt. The first block this week, I used some of those pieces she gave me. As I was pulling fabric, I happend to look at the template too and noticed the large triangle was the same size as some that were already cut. It's almost like it was fate ;)

Flock

Hill & Valley

No Safer Road to Travel

my Farmer's Wife week 2:

I think I have been spending way too much time trying to coordinate fabrics; so far it has been worth it.
I really like how these two blocks turned out.

Country Path

Silver Lane

Living in God's Open Air

I started my Farmer's Wife Quilt last night. Since this is a go at your own pace, pick your blocks, Quilt-a-long, I decided to do my blocks in order of the book.

Here's my week 1:

Cut Glass Dish

Kitchen Woodbox

These sure are itty bitty pieces. I had quite a bit of trouble with the HST's from the first block. Some how or other, the squares got sewn on the wrong side. I'm still trying to figure that one out, since I laid everything out and picked them up according to how they were laid. I had to unpick three-quarters of them. Not exactly sure how I picked them up wrong. I must have been really distracted. :)

The whole time I was cutting this little puppies out, I kept thinking what a pain it was going to be to press them (I think the finished HST measures an inch. I didn't get burned, but pretty darn close) and hoped I wouldn't have to unpick any.

I'm pretty sure I jinxed myself.

I may or may not play catch up on the blocks. For now, I'm in no hurry. I have a few other projects I need to get done, and will be focusing on those. So, in the meantime, I will try to do the 2 blocks per week.

~ : ~

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Farmer's Wife

Have you heard of the Farmer's Wife quilt a long? I started seeing blocks made for this around blog-land last week. Usually I find out about this sort of stuff when it's too late. But guess what, it's only on week 3! It just started at the beginning of this month, and with 111 blocks total, making 2 a week, there is ple-enty of time to join. The best part of this is, you go at your own pace and choose the blocks you make each week.

I have been getting more and more into history, especially when it comes to quilting. This quilt will be perfect for my ever-growing list of quilts to make. My Grandfather was a farmer, and I dabble a little myself. My husband has spent his whole life in the greenhouse business, which is a form of farming; Agricultural anyway. We sell at the Farmers Market every year, and I absolutely love it! I keep dreaming of having acres of land to plod along at. With a barn, so I could have a barn quilt painted on it.

Hmm..maybe my shed would work in the meantime...

I ordered some books and they should be arriving in a couple weeks. So if you are still looking for one, I will have extra in the store.

I also grabbed this awesome button made by my internet friend, Monica of the Happy Zombie (I just love her! she is so talented in so many ways and always so nice)

I really can not wait to get started on this. The only hard part - trying to figure out what fabric to use.

Also on my list, the Civil War Chronicles. The blocks depict the stories of 12 women who were married to the military commanders.