Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt

I'm still plugging away on the Farmer's Wife blocks

 (in between several other projects I am working on).

However, it just dawned on me that Christmas is only a few weeks away and I haven't made one single gift this year!  OMG, I better get busy but I can't seem to find the time!

ARIZONA WALTZ

It only took me forever six months to complete this quilt top.  I started it while in Montana on a mini-quilting retreat in March, and I worked on it here and there over the next several months.  I finished putting the borders on this past weekend.  The pattern is called "Arizona Waltz" and I used Moda's Kansas Troubles Pheasant Hill.    

I think its really pretty, and I know the pattern will really stand out once its quilted.  I decided to put together a few quilt kits, and you can pick one up (in the very near future at www.myfabricobsession.com.  

 

MORE... FARMER'S WIFE

I'm still plugging away and sewing on my Farmer's Wife quilt blocks.  I'm a third of the way done.  Its going to be a much longer project then I initially expected, but its going to be beautiful when is complete.

BUGGY BARN OUTDOOR QUILT SHOW 2013

One of my favorite quilt shops is just a short drive from my front door.  The Buggy Barn in Reardan, Washington.  It's a must see for any quilter.  They have a large variety of fabrics, samples and patterns. The Buggy Barn also designs fabric for Henry Glass Fabrics.  

Once a year, the Buggy Barn hosts an outdoor quilt show. This year it took place on August 24th & 25th, and I thought I would share a few of my photos from this year's extravaganza. Unfortunately, a big rain storm was in the forecast for Saturday evening, so they limited the amount of quilts on display. I wasn't disappointed, as there was still much to see!  

One corner from inside their main shop.

In order to handle the volume of customers, they set up a "temporary" shop to sell patterns, various bolts of fabric, quilt kits, and wool.

I was there on Sunday morning right after they opened and before the charter buses started arriving.  They also had several vendors set up in their large barn with various hand crafted goods for sale.

Even if you are unable to experience this unique quilt show, 

you can always take part in the action

by checking out their website (www.buggybarnquilts.com)

NEWEST SIDE PROJECTS

I'm still plugging away on a quilt top I started earlier this year.  I've finished 34 blocks, and I have been contemplating on whether or not to make it bigger. The pattern I am following is for a lap quilt. However, one of the outer borders is made entirely out of flying geese.  There are all sewn and ready to assemble. If I make the quilt top bigger, I am going to have to make MORE flying geese.  I am NOT excited about making more flying geese. Here is a sneak peek...

I've lost my interest on working on this quilt top several times; and recently, I have thrown it aside and ventured into some smaller side projects.

With fall just around the corner, I have cut out and hand appliqueing a pumpkin table mat.  I've been working on this project while sitting on the couch watch television. (Sorry for the poor picture quality...I need to stop taking pictures with my phone).

Recently, while wasting valuable time searching Pinterest (which I absolutely love!!), I stumbled across a rustic (but pretty) table runner that I thought was really cute.  Of course, I pinned it and posted a "Like" on Facebook, for which my sister commented "This is cute, you can make me one, thankyouverymuch!"  Why not, I asked myself. Sew, I made my sister one, myself one, and I am making each of my children one.  What do you think?

HERE AND THERE

Like I said in my previous post, I found a little motivation to sew in this heat. I've been spending a few hours lately sitting down behind my sewing machine and tackling on some unfinished projects (a.k.a. work-in progress).

I started this particular quilt earlier this year when I went (with my cousin) on our own personal mini "Quilt Retreat" in Montana (see Quilting Bee).  I need 42 9" blocks, and there are two different block patterns.  I finished sewing 21 (of course, the easiest pattern) blocks, and I am half way completed with the (complicated) other blocks and laying them out in rows as I go.  My goal is to sew a little here and a little there until I get this quilt top completed.

FARMER'S WIFE QUILT BLOCKS

Five more quilt squares completed!  33 out of 111

Initially, I was sewing the blocks in chronological order out of the book (i.e. I have sewn blocks 1-30, 56, 92, and 103), but I soon realized I might have a problem when I began laying out the blocks according to the suggested quilt top pattern.

(Sample block layout in the Farmer's Wife Sample Quilt Book by Laurie Hird)

I did not want to take the chance of having blocks sewn together and then realizing I had used the same fabric. This quilt top needs variety of blocks and contrasting color combinations.  Now, I am following the layout pattern and sewing blocks by (diagonal) rows.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE

Going on now at www.myfabricobsession.com
or by clinking on the blue "Shop" sign above

We are celebrating Christmas in July and we've marked down all inventory by 20%.  

Hurry Sale Ends Soon

I'M ON A ROLL!

This is the second time this week that I blogged.  I'm on a roll!  I'm starting to feel the creative juices flowing again.  Now, all I have to do is find a new camera....thank goodness for smart phones!

FARMER'S WIFE SAMPLER QUILT....(continues)

I believe I have now completed 1/3 of the blocks needed for this quilt top.  I started this sampler quilt as a New Year's resolution.  My goal was to hand sew all the blocks (111 in total) this calendar year, utilize next year to sew on the sashing, and the third year to hand quilting and binding.  It's not exactly going as planned, but I'm still enjoying the piecing and the hand work.

FARMER'S WIFE SAMPLE QUILT

Finished a few more blocks....at this rate, I won't get this quilt done until I am 100!

NEWEST ARRIVAL IN FABRIC: MODA'S SAVONNERIE

A few weeks ago, my order of precuts in Moda's American Jane: Savonnerie arrived.

I am so pleased with the assortment of fabrics. The colors are bright and cheerful.

I have an idea on a sample quilt to make, however, I was at a loss on what to use as borders. 

Sew, I ordered two bolts of fabric:  a paisley and a polka-dot and they arrived last week.

Perhaps, you have a special quilt pattern you could use with this line of fabric.  I know I have a lot of sewing to get completed!

NEWEST TRAVEL PROJECT

I'm preparing for a glorious vacation in celebration of my and my husband's 50th birthday.  As always, I must have a hand project to work on while in an airplane, car, or any other mode of transportation.

During our last camping trip, I set up a little cutting station.

I brought a basket of material, a cutting mat, and some plastic bags.  I then thumbed through my Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt book and selected different quilt block patterns to cut out and bag for my vacation.

In just a few hours of time, I was able to cut out ten quilt blocks to hand sew on my holiday.  I just hope I find some time on vacation to do some sewing.

FARMER'S WIFE QUILT BLOCKS

I'm starting to fall behind on sewing my quilt blocks. I need to get my act together if I want to finish piecing this quilt top by the end of the year.

MINI PIN CUSHION

While at the Quilt Market, I ran into the cutest little wool pin cushions from Just Another Button Company (http://www.justanotherbuttoncompany.com).  

I was tempted to purchased (as kits) some wool pin cushions with their signature buttons.  While I thought they were priceless, I was not sure if there would be a great demand to sell the product through my website (www.myfabricobsession.com), as wool tends to be very spendy and you truly have to see these little gems to appreciate them.

Sew, I purchased a sample kit, and I was finally able to put it together.  It stands about 2 1/2" tall.  It is the cutest little thing EVER!  And, it makes me wish I purchased some of the kits.

Below are just a few examples of the pincushion kits they offer.

What do you think....should I purchase a few?

Sweet Pea

Carrot

Ewe