Sunday, August 28, 2011

Unpacking and Tidying

Today I'm unpacking all my sewing stuff from retreat last weekend and doing a bit of tidying. My portable Rowenta that I love and use all the time was bit by a power surge I think. I didn't have it plugged into the surge protector while at retreat. I'm going to get another one, I love it so much. It gets HOT and it's small - perfect for ironing blocks. My only complaint is that it gets so hot it takes a while to cool down.

I decided to throw the blocks I finished at retreat on my design wall. After all, that is what it's for, right? So in no particular order, here is where I'm at on Harvest. I'm using Christmas fabrics instead of the featured autumn colors. The rest of the pieces have been chained pieced and assembly should be quick once time is found. These blocks still need sashing (white) and cornerstones (black with red dots) but you get the general idea.
DSC03850
You can also see a peek at two other projects I'm working on here and there. One is my 2010 $5 quilt with the border fabrics laid over it and the other is very small glimpse of a Jo Morton project. Sadly my quilt shop has discontinued Jo's Little Women. In September, I'm going to join the Pioneer Women Sewing Circle led by the same instructor Jan Vaine but hosted at another shop. I've learned so much from her and enjoy these small (but not quick) projects.

I picked up Anniversary of the Hearts yesterday. Other than the hornbook I did last weekend, I have not stitched a stitch in 6 weeks. It felt good to be back to it and I stayed up late stitching. I have about 2/3 of the house for March completed.

I hope that everyone has a great week and that your stitches are happy!

28 comments:

Annie said...

Gorgeous blocks! That design wall is coming in handy, huh?

Feisty Irish Wench said...

I haven't really been knitting like I want to be either. My life has been churning along in multiple directions that by the time I sit down to knit, my brain is not in it.
That design wall looks neat. I love what we see so far.

Pat said...

Very nice blocks. I'm sorry about your iron. :(

Barb said...

Your blocks are amazing, alot of work it looks like just for on block!

imquilternity said...

Oh Jackie! I love what you've done already and think it will be quite stunning with the white sashing and black/red polka dotted cornerstones. It's really a lovely Christmas quilt! Wanna send it my way when it's finished? :))

Brenda said...

The Christmas quilt is coming along nicely. The one on the chair is just lovely. 6 weeks and no stitching?! I don't think I could go that long and not knit...I'd be climbing the walls! haha

Carol said...

Such pretty Christmasy blocks, Jackie! Glad you're putting that design wall to good use :)

Theresa said...

LOVE your blocks!!!! They are beautiful!!!

QuiltSue said...

I love the look of your Christmassy quilt. The colours are great.

Simone de Klerk said...

Pretty blocks! Also love the quilt hanging over the chair.
I hope you get back to stitching soon.

Gabi said...

I absolutely adore your blocks. Such beautiful colors.
But also the quilt hanging over the chair is gorgeous.
Looking forward to see more of your Anniversaries of the Heart and the Hornbook

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

une pure merveille !
bisous bisous ♥♥

Anonymous said...

Love your quilt blocks, I like the Christmassy fabrics you've chosen.

Beth said...

Love the holiday blocks! They make me want to skip Halloween and get to work on Christmas!

Anonymous said...

LOVE ALL of the new blocks and the older ones. Lovely colors. Will be very pretty completed.

woolwoman said...

Love the block arrangement and the fabric is beautiful Jackie! Sorry to hear your iron got fried at the retreat - URGHHH always something ! OH too bad CS did not renew the little women series - I know you enjoyed it so much - I'd be curious to know how that Pioneer Women is going - of course I don't have room for another single thing on my calendar. It did sound interesting to me when Cinnamons announced it. Have a great week mel

FlourishingPalms said...

Your Christmas blocks are very pretty. They'll make a gorgeous holiday quilt. And my, my. Don't they look especially nice on that hand crafted design wall!? You're using it exactly as you should! To admire your work.

Katherine said...

Jax - the quilt blocks are beautiful! I'm a Jo Morton fan too and saw the Little Women quilt on one of the F&P quilting shows she was a guest on - I loved it. She did say that it would be out in shops as a "member" thing for a year or so and then she'd make it available to everyone. None of my stores here carry her, so I'm waiting out the time before I can pick it up. Is that an applique quilt you're working on - I'm be SO jealous - your talent is amazing!

Linda said...

Oh, your blocks look great on your new design wall! It looks like you made good use of your retreat time!

Melanie said...

Oooo, I love it!!

Jane said...

The quilt blocks look great!

Deb said...

I love your quilt blocks Jackie. This is really going to make a beautiful quilt.

Gari in AL said...

Beautiful blocks. Absolutly beautiful.

Siobhán said...

I love those blocks, Jackie!! Love the quilt slung over the chair, too. Wow!!

Good for you for getting back to your AotH, too. I haven't been stitching much recently and made it a point to pull out my stitching when I had a minute or five yesterday. I can notice a big change in my mood--much more positive. I guess I need that needle and thread time more than I realized.

Have a great weekend!

Heidi said...

Love your newest quilt project Jackie! Those tulips are really popping off the design wall. I had to give up my design wall when we moved here but am using my old one instead which I can add or take away as it hangs on hooks on my stash cupboard. Love how big yours is!

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Your blocks are gorgeous Jackie. Aren't design walls great? xo

Anonymous said...

I love your blocks they look great!

Lois said...

Oh, what gorgeous blocks and colours!