Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Peony Block, Iowa Quilt Museum, Unpacking

I'm sharing my SVBAQ block for the mid month link up.

Please visit the blog HERE and Facebook page HERE to see many amazing blocks in all kinds of sizes and fabrics.

You can still join us - we have several months to go - lots of sharing on inspiration.


Peonies are one of my favorite flowers. I am planning a large bed of them in the new garden beds this spring. They take a while to establish - but are worth the wait.





We took a break from the unpacking and made a road trip to Iowa. It was short notice and I didn't coordinate any meet ups this time. Next time - for sure.
Along the way we stopped at Reproductions Fabrics.

This is the image that graces the door.



Once inside the shop it is just as you might imagine - walls of reproductions fabrics arranged by era.

I made it just before closing and they were very generous accommodating my timing and stayed a little late to cut fabric. THANK YOU!
I had a specific project in mind and of course found just what I needed - and more!



We stayed a couple nights in Des Moines - and made some short road trips from there.
A fresh snow made revisiting old favorites special, as we hadn't seen them dusted in snow.

Do you know about the bridges of Madison County? HERE.

Worth the drive!




Of course we had to visit the Iowa Quilt Museum.

The current exhibit offered a wonderful assortment of star themed quilts.  We enjoyed each and were unable to vote for a favorite - they were all too wonderful to select just one.






This display case featured additional quilts.




Wonderful hand work on this multi generation quilt




On the home front - I am still getting organized from unpacking. I feel so fortunate!
Doniene and I shared some fabric a while back and look what she surprised me with - Just like it was made for the space. I have since added a Christmas pillow, rolled quilt and Santa to this space right inside the front door. She quilted it, and does beautiful work!  Thank you friend!!


I also have the guest rooms settled in, enough so that the kids have stayed over a few nights.
Window coverings are still TBD so I won't show you my temporary paper window covers.
This little arrangement in one of the three guest rooms.
This is an extra night stand with a little glass door cabinet on top.
I filled the little cabinet with folded doll quilts. I am finding it hard to hammer 
the first nails in the walls. 
For now, I think they are cute folded under glass.

Happy December - I hope you are finding some time to relax and stitch.
Dawn 

21 comments:

  1. A wonderful post, Dawn!
    Your applique block boggles my mind--beautiful work!
    Oh, it is hard to arrive at a store like that at closing time. You just can't do it justice. Nice of them to accommodate you.
    Wow--I love that broken star quilt. That is stunning.
    Sweet little quilt from Doniene. She is a sweetheart, and so good about sharing her talents.
    Now you have made me want to go haunt the antique malls and find a little glass front cabinet to sit on a dresser. Love that display!
    Had to laugh about the hesitation to put nails in the walls. When we first moved into our home I was so reluctant (went on for a couple of years) that a friend threatened to come over and start hanging things.

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    1. I now have two nails - hanging quilts! Thanks for the encouragement!

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  2. There would be no relaxing without stitching :0) I'm glad you're getting a little settled in to your new home. Wow that star exhibit looks wonderful - those stars are so tiny - how big was the quilt with it's triple lines of quilting fabulousness? Reproduction Quilts looks like a shop you could get lost in for a long time :0)

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    1. We have a storm forecast for later today...I think that's permission to sit by a warm fireplace and stitch!

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  3. So glad you are settling in! Iowa museum pics are beautiful. Cold enough for you?

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    1. Yes, -25 wind forecast for later today and 10" of snow!

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  4. Your Peony block is exquisite!
    Your trip to Iowa looks beautiful in pictures.
    The quilts in the Museum are all wonderful.
    Just LOVE your little doll quilt cabinet... happy to see you are settling into your new home!

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    1. LOVE the SVBAQ project and enjoying the new home.

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  5. Glad you are settling in nicely to your new home. That quilt museum is fabulous! Wow! Love seeing pics of your home -- everything looks wonderful!

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    1. Thank you, will share more home photos soon.

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  6. Looks like you are settling in. Such a lovely gift, those gifts are so special, I treasure yours, it takes pride of place in my little sewing room, I see it always when I am in there. That looks like a wonderful museum and ditto exhibition, love star quilts, I really should make one (or more) some day, the stars you point out are soooo tiny!! Have a lovely the rest of December month and if I do not 'speak'to you before then: a peaceful, wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.

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    1. So happy you enjoy the little quilt. I enjoyed our day together very much! Enjoy your holidays.

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  7. How pretty those quilts look in the little cabinet!
    Your peony block is beautiful and so are the museum quilts! :)

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    1. It was fun to fold the quilts for the cupboard. What goes in, and what stays out? Will have to rotate them!

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  8. Gorgeous peony block!! I love the sparkle of yellow in the leaves, great fabric choice. And that little cabinet is beautiful with the doll quilts inside...guess that means you get to make more for the walls, huh?!

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  9. Glad to hear things are going smoothly. What a great visit to Iowa! Thanks for sharing these treasures. Your Peony block is gorgeous!

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  10. A treat to see your post! From your intricate peony block - amazing! To sharing the quilts from the museum - the scale of the 9 patch Lemoyne Star is incredible...
    Love the sweet cupboard and seeing those dear little quilts behind the glass doors. Know you must be so happy to continuing the settling in.

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  11. A few year's ago we brought a new RV from Indiana to Las Vegas for the Rental Co. We made a stop at Roseman's Bridge, a long time wish of me. It was March and very cold but so good to be there! Your picture with the snow is even better!
    We missed the museum and looking at the pictures I am sorry about that!
    Looks like you had a fun trip!

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  12. A little behind in reading blogs, as I took a citytrip to Vienna for a couple of days, but enjoyed your wonderful blogpost a bit later... What a sweet and beautiful gift you got, and just fitting in there so perfectly! And the star themed exhibition must have been great; I love the quilts in your pictures, and admired the handwork on the generations quilt. And most of all I admired your peony block: it is just perfect!

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  13. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I never tire of seeing all your goodies!

    Blessings and hugs! Hope you are staying warm!

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  14. Gorgeous quilts in this post, Dawn. I especially like the 9-patch LeMoyne Star.

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Thanks for your comments!