Saturday, March 29, 2014

Saturday Stash Report: Wyoming Road Trip

You didn't really think I would drive straight up I-25 to Cheyenne, did you? When Ft. Collins and Laramie are only one hour out of my way?

First stop, The Loopy Ewe in Ft. Collins. Primarily a yarn shop (report to follow on Thursday!), they have also expanded into fabrics. I didn't buy any fabric, but lots of washable wool for Hats for Sailors, and this great bag. It reads "Boss Lady," and I thought the cowgirl theme was perfect to carry my knitting to Wyoming!


The most fun shop in Ft. Collins is "Mama Said Sew" and they have a new location. I love a shop that carries fabric I can't get at Ruth's Stitchery, and MSS always scores. Look at this great Japanese cotton! I'm thinking something for My Little Sailor.


Since "they" keep telling me it's Sping, I also found this lovely voile (on sale!) for a summer infinity scarf.


And this from Alexander Henry "just because it's pretty!"
 




Here's another "just because it's pretty" that I thought I might work on as a "slow quilting" project. Michelle at Factotum of Arts is sponsoring a Gypsy Wife Quilt Along, I recommend going to take a look!


OK, these books aren't from my road trip, but they're new! Pam & Nicky Lintott are some favorite strip quilt pattern designers. So of course, I had to buy their new book! Look for quilts from this lovely sometime later this year.


Thomas Knauer is one of the few male quilters who don't make me feel they "joined the movement" just to make money. I love this "traditional quilts the modern way" designs.


I could totally see this quilt resulting from my huge collection of 2.5" squares! (Susan, the nail polish is China glaze "Spontaneous." It was for Epilepsy Awareness Day.)


I really went to Laramie to buy shoes at Dodd's Shoe Co., (man, is it a good thing I don't live closer!) but there are two excellent shops in Laramie, also.

Both Snowy River Quilts and Quilt Essentials are good places for Civil War Reproduction fabrics. I know, it doesn't look like me, but I have an anniversary quilt due this summer and this is the perfect fabric for it!


On the way home, I stopped off at the newest, cutest shop in Lovland -- Cotton Candy Quilt Shoppe. At the Front Range Modern Quilt Guild's February retreat, Chrystal was making a pillow with this fabric. Had to have it!


Here's a closeup of the dark blue that Chrystal used for the anchor motif on her pillow. Christmas prezzie for My Little Sailor (maybe)!


I'm already starting to collect patterns for Jelly Roll Party 2015. This is by the same designer who wrote the pattern we'll be making in June.

Darn me, I forgot to ask about the vintage-style ironing board her husband made. I want one for my birthday! Wouldn't it be cute stained pink? Or maybe aqua?


Again, not from the road trip, but how cute are these? I found them for 99 cents at Marshall's. I asked DH if he knew what they were for, and he instantly replied "your colored twine?" Smart guy, huh?



And last, but not least, a lovely gift from a dear friend. I love the "candies" precuts, and I love bags, what could be better? Thanks, Lori!


I'm sworn to finish TWO quilt tops today, so I'd better turn off the computer and get to work! The next UFO Parade is Tuesday, I hope you'll come back to see the goodies challengers finished this month!

From the desk of your auntmartisignature

Friday, March 28, 2014

This is never gonna happen: April UFO Challenge

So I have this blog follower who always asks about the next month's challenge a few days early. And I'm happy to draw the number and announce it on the 52 Quilts Facebook page.

I remembered this morning that I had agreed to do this, and here is the project that is assigned to April:


All the print squares are cut, not a stitch is sewn. And just look at that applique' border! This one is clearly from my "30s reproduction fabrics" period.

Oh yeah. Ruth's Stitchery puts the date an item enters the store on the price sticker. March of 1999! This kit is 15 years old!


It will never be made, I'm sure. I should offer it up to someone who might actually sew it!

If that's you, comment on this post and I'll ship it off. If more than one person wants it, I'll let the Random Number Generator choose a "winner." (Notice I put "winner" in quote marks?) Comment before the April 1st UFO Parade and I'll announce it then.

The March UFO Finish photos are arriving -- how is your's coming along?

From the desk of your auntmartisignature

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

WIP Wednesday: BOMs Away

Only a few more days until the March UFO Parade! I decided to go with a BOM Finish in order to meet the deadline.

I am a total sucker for Blocks of the Month. "It's only one block per month," I tell myself. Then I wind up with 12 projects wherein the blocks are all finished, but not put together!

This is the 2010 Patchwork Party BOM. The fabric and design is by my fav, Marti Michell.


I'm using Eleanor Burns' "Road to Stardom" from "Still Stripping After 25 Years" for the layout.


As an aside -- the patterns in this book have resulted in multiple 4-H projects and at least three quilts by me. If you can't find it at your LQS, here is the link to Eleanor's site.

Here is a closeup of my favorite block:


Notice there are two missing setting triangles? I ran out of the background fabric! Lucky for me, the Fat Quarter Shop used the same fabric as a backing kit for one of their BOMs. I hope they really have it and it's not just a leftover item in their online shop! Kimberly, don't fail me now!

Here is the fabric for the two borders. I don't know if I really like the pink now (after all, it's four years old!) but I decided to go with what I have rather than try to find something else. Hear that, DH? I'm NOT buying more border fabric!



Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Keep your fingers crossed for me that the last bit of background fabric gets here before April 1st!

From the desk of your auntmartisignature

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Downton Abbey Retreat Report

It's no secret I love quilt retreats. And I love Downton Abbey. What could be better than to combine the two?

Around the Block Quilt Shop in Cheyenne sponsored a weekend retreat with a "Downton Abbey" theme. The retreat was held at the Nagle Warren Mansion in downtown Cheyenne, now a Bed and Breakfast. Barbara planned fun "trivia quizzes" complete with prizes, a pop-up shop of the entire line of Downton Abbey fabrics from Andover, and delightful entertainment at our Saturday afternoon "tea."


[PS If your Downton Abbey fabric collection isn't complete, click here to contact the shop!]

Breakfast was served in the c. 1880s dining room.


My favorite quilters, Grandma and Granddaughter, enjoyed working on the Around the Block Downton Abbey quilt.


Look! my nails match the DA fabric! The polish is "Molly Coddled" by butter London.


Susan Vincenzes is making a film about Downton Abbey quilts. Luana interviewed me about my quilting experience. I'm glad I had just written this post, so I had most answers to her questions already thought out.


We had a special guest speaker, Cindy Brick, AQS-certified quilt appraiser. Sharing a personal trunk show, she taught us so much about dating and restoring antique quilts.


This is my favorite. The setting blocks are a yummy bubblegum pink print.


This quilt looks just like the one my Great-Grandmother made in the 1890s!


Who knew there are several shades of this green -- I've always called it "Poison Green." The specific shade dates the fabric to a particular era.


Cindy also shared several "crazy quilts" and silk quilts. Watch for another "crazy quilts" exhibit coming at the Denver Art Museum.


These prints are from the "Edith" collection. The colors are so much more to my liking than the duller blues and purples.


I only completed four blocks, the "Titanic" block from Ebony Love's Downton Abbey Mystery QAL. Susan found the labels on the UK fabric website and printed one for each of us to label our quilt. Thanks, Susan! And also thank you, Betty, for sharing your photos!


I hope Barbara will host another retreat -- I'll be there!

How is your March UFO coming along? Only one week 'til the next UFO Parade!

From the desk of your auntmartisignature