Finches, Fabric and Freebie!

Today I heard a bird chirping and couldn't see it. It was high in the tree tops and the wind was gusting over 30 miles an hour. He finally moved and I realized it was a finch. He was sitting at the top and trying to keep his balance while the wind blew him back and forth.

Hard to get a clear photo with the wind blowing the poor guy, around.

Last week I bought a lot of supplies with coupons and didn't realize that I got a coupon for spending so much. I got 30% off my purchase, even sale items, so of course I had to use it today, before it ran out. I was able to get 4 king battings at 70% off, so well worth the buy and I can use them for charity quilts too.
When we go to Jo anns, I always stop at Savers, which is across the street. I found this fabric and loved the design and colors. It is cotton, with a dyed look from Nigeria. Not sure what I will do with it, but think it would make some nice summer tops. It is about a yard and was only .99 cents, couldn't resist;) Looks so much better in person, more faded, dyed look to it.

And, I had a lot of interest in the RI Reds quilt from the show. Barbara of Cat Patches did a search and found the pattern online, for the chicken. So, if you liked it, you can make your own. And if you didn't know, Barbara has a giveaway every friday, so be sure to check out her blog. You can find the pattern at Sew Inspired. Here is a close up of the chicken from the show. As you can see, she appliquéd the beak and comb, then added stitching to make a wing on it's side.

Davis' Daughter Block Two!

I finished another block, only 4 more lady blocks and one for the middle section, guess I better work faster;) I am staying with the red and blue, mixed with tans and creams, so the dresses will be red, blue and brown shades. The next one will be in the brown family and I am using Barbara Brackman's 1862 Battle Hymn for the dresses and plan on using it for the border, if i can find some in the stores. I do like the look of the original pattern with blue and tans for the sashing and border prints.

I gave this lady, lighter hair and the green is a lighter shade. I am trying to keep them similar with a little bit of change, to mix it  up. I added an eye to this one, which I will do with all of them and I am thinking of adding laces to the boots.

Quilt Show Finale!

Here are the last of the photos. There were a lot of beautiful quilts and a lot of primitive and art pieces, but I didn't get shots of them all. These quilts just stood out to me and ones that I thought all types of quilters would enjoy.

The ones on the walls were the hardest to photograph. To be truthful, they really didn't hang the quilts that well, it seemed like they were put up in a rush.

This one is so beautiful, wonderful use of 3 D and art mediums.

Of course I had to take a shot of our state bird, lol.

A Barbara Brackman pattern, have always loved this one.

Imagine the work that went into this one, just gorgeous in person.

Beautiful appliqué work.

A block that I love and would like to do someday.

Two beautiful quilts, great fabrics.

And a very abstract quilt with lots of colors and fabrics. I think it is fun and great artwork.

This is the booth from our local Folk Art Quilt Shop. I was surprised that she had more brights and modern fabrics at the show. 

And this is Leslie from the Pfaff shop. She had lots of beautiful pieces and demonstrations, but this is a local store, so I can shop when I need something.

I hoped you enjoyed the show, and found some inspiration in some of the beautiful pieces. I have been lazy this week, Bill was away and then goes back out tomorrow, so we have been doing things together and I haven't been getting many projects done;)

Quilt Show: Part Two

I am glad that everyone is enjoying the photos of the quilts, from the show. It is nice to be able to see quilts from different parts of the country and world, and share them with each other. So, here is another set of quilts for you to enjoy.

I would swear I saw this in the show, two years ago, but I still love it.

This is for all the cat lovers, out there.

This is such  fun quilt, I love mermaid art.

Beautiful thread art and love how she over layer the leaves.

This is all machine stitched, not my cup of tea, but beautiful work.

Really beautiful shades in this one.

This is my favorite piece. Her son drew the birds and she made a quilt from them, so fun.

I love the idea of doing an irish chain with fussy cutting.

These are hand painted quilts. Wonderful vintage look to her pieces.

One area had a Harry Potter theme.

I hope you enjoyed today's show, the rest I will save for tomorrow.

Narragansett Bay Quilter's Show: Part One!

Today we went to the quilt show and I made a video of the show, but the quality is horrid and the photos are too small to really see the quilts, so I will show a set at a time. I wasn't as impressed with this show, as I was with previous ones, but there were a lot of beautiful quilts and inspiration. I didn't buy anything, but Bill bought a bunch of tickets for the Basket raffles. He filled them out, then gave them to me, to put in the ones that I liked the most, so heres hoping I win one, though I won't count on it, lol. I hope you enjoy the quilts.

I loved the use of shirting in this one.

This one is a basic nine patch, but made special, by the fussy cutting of the squares.

A fun quilt with a lot of piecing and wonderful use of fabrics.

Beautiful colors and designs

An interesting take on americana and nine patch

This is just fun

I really like this, unique piece of art in fabric

Truly gores, beautiful appliqué and quilting

A nice folk piece

What is so wonderful about this piece? It is a mini quilt, so much detail in such small spaces.

And the last one for tonight. This is a unique piece, love the idea of using a seed package as a design

Davis' Daughter Block!

I finally finished my first block. This is for a quilt called Jeff Davis's Daughter by Barbara Brackman, from her Civil War Woman Book. I think it will be perfect to hang for the summer and makes a nice americana theme. As usual my pieces are a bit cock eyed, but it lends to the prim charm, lol. I am also using wools for some pieces, makes it easier than all needle turn. The dress is made with Barbara's new fabric line, 1862 Battle Hymn. I plan on doing all the dresses with her fabric, using the blues and browns, along with the  red.

Tomorrow I plan on going to our local quilt show, if nothing goes wrong, so I will try and get lots of photos of the quilts.

Want a fun free pattern to make, especially the cat lovers? Go to Create and Decorate and check out their newest free project, Blue Skies Ahead.

I lightened it up so you could see some of the texture in the wools I used.

Seal Watching!

Today was the perfect day for a walk, a warm sun and a cool breeze off the bay.
We lucked out and came at low tide, so we were treated by the seals who love to sit on the rocks in the middle of the bay.

There is a rocky area that pops up during low tide. This is just a part of it, the tide was still going out. From the shore, you can see a few blobs, that might be seals.

On closer inspection,  I found one little guy, sunning himself.

Then after we sat for awhile and the tide lowered, the rest of the gang showed up. How many seals can fit on one rock? LOL Before we left there were seals on all of the rocks. This is when I wish I had a higher zoom.