Still Stitching...

Well I am still puttering along with my stitching. I am working on this quilt, Prairie Burgoyne, that was a Block of the Month (BOM) from Temecula Quilt Company in 2015. I love the block, Burgoyne Surrounded, and this is the third quilt I have made with this pattern. You can see the many versions of this quilt on my Pinterest page. I think it will be really pretty. The beautiful fabric is a line from Pam Buda at Heartspun Quilts. Pam is amazing! You will love her website!

I made this blue version years ago. It is worn to shreds!

And this is the one I made in the 

APQ Quiltalong. I love it! The pattern was in their magazine and designed by "Moda Lissa", aka Lissa Alexander from Moda Fabrics.

So on the subject of APQ Quiltalongs, last year 

they had a 4-Patch quiltalong going on and I 

jumped into that one as well. Rather than use 

the options in the magazine, I came up with my

own plan and went to work. Below is the out-

come. As you well know by now, I love scrap 

quilts, and this has bits from all my favorite Civil 

War Repro designers. (I can't get rid of that white!)

Someone will ask what size the blocks are, so let me tell you that the 4-Patches are made with 1-1/2" squares, then combined with 2-1/2" plain squares to make the double 4-Patch. For the triangle corners cut two squares at 3-3/4" then cut in half diagonally. You may get by with 3-1/2" squares, I really can't remember, but try one if you like and see what works for you. You will then have to trim the block, leaving your 1/4" seams on each side. My whole block finished at about 5-1/2". Hope you like it!

Now to get a little sewing done!

Photo Flood

Since this is such a busy time of year I am going to flood you with photos rather than lots of chatter. These are the little wool ornaments that I made for my grandchildren this year. Little penguins. If you read my post from a few weeks ago you will notice that they go with the penguin gift theme. I am pleased to say that my grandkids look forward to their ornaments each year and love looking back through their collections from over the years. That is what makes it worth it to me!

Below is a photo from Thanksgiving of me with three of the little darlings. August and Katie on top and Grey on the bottom getting a little tickle of encouragement to smile.

 And the tree! We all love our own tree, filled with love and memories from years gone by and usually something new as well. My Williamsburg Medallion Quilt is the backdrop.

 I found the perfect spot for my little red hexagon table topper. My little rocking horses and reindeer are playing merry-go-round on the pedestal plate. That is my Wintergreen pattern in the background--still available on my website!

 If you have been reading my blog for a long while you may remember this little cute tree quilt. I designed the pattern and have the instructions for FREE on my website. This version is smaller than the directions specify. I made so many of these for gifts! And so did many of you! If this design is new to you be sure and see the gallery.

Lastly, I want to share my Tone it Down quilt from last winter's American Patchwork and Quilting magazine. If you are on Instagram, go to #apqquiltalong and you can see lots of variations, including the original by Lissa Alexander, commonly know as the very talented ModaLissa. Right-she designs for Moda Fabrics!  Anyway, I love mine! The pattern is actually called Burgoyne Surrounded, a very old pattern after a Revolutionary War general. Lissa updated the pattern in a beautiful way! (I know--if you follow all these links you will be here all night!)

 I hope you are enjoying this wonderful season of hope and love!

Good News!

Guess who has a new baby brother? If you guessed the twins, Grey and Micah, you are right! I didn't give it away by the photo did I? This little guy is August James. His weight was 8 lbs 9 oz, about the same as both twins together when they were born. 

Isn't he the cutest little bundle?! I can't wait to snuggle this little guy!

I have been having great fun working on the APQ Quiltalong. Have any of you joined in? The pattern is in American Patchwork and Quilting magazine, February 2014 issue. If you can't find this issue it is available to download.

This is Lissa Alexander's quilt, Tone It Down, as shown in the magazine. It is beautiful! For a real treat go to Lissa's blog for a display of several of these quilts completed by various designers. They are unique and awesome! You may recognize the design as a  pattern called Burgoyne Surrounded after a general in the Revolutionary War. Historically it has been a two color quilt, like red and white or blue and white. This scrappy version really appeals to me!

This is my version. Naturally I stuck with my traditional repro fabrics. I have all my blocks completed now and I'm working on the 9-patches and sashing. 

Follow this LINK to find info and to find the list of designers who are involved in this quiltalong. You can also find a hashtag board on Instagram at #APQquiltalong. If you follow me on Pinterest I have a board for Burgoyne Surrounded, the traditional name of the pattern.

The above is Burgoyne Surrounded that I made many years ago for my son and his wife. It is basically the same pattern. I added a checkerboard border to it. It has been well loved and used! 

Have a great week my friends, and I hope you get some quilting in! I hope I do too!