Redwork I Cound Not Resist

Happy Spring!

Our snow is almost melted. However, last year we got another 24" in April so we are enjoying the sun while we can.

I liked this redwork spread when I saw it.

The more I looked at the details I decided I had to have it.  Why did I even contemplate not buying it?!?

The fine stitches are on a wonderful linen fabric.

Each block is outlined in a gorgeous feather stitch.

This baby and dog is one of many sweet blocks.

"Best Friends" would be a good caption for this one.




The designs are so clever, they deserve captions!

This one might be one of the hand drawn designs.

It is one of the only blocks with some light wear in the embroidery.

I've never rented a bathing suit - have you?

The figure in the striped suit wading into the waves is so sweet.  Maybe the water was cold that day.

How about something like, "The things we do with friends"
A back story...They went out to lunch and decided they couldn't resist a dip in the ocean?

"How does your garden grow?"

Maybe the neighbors stopping by to checkout the garden?


The coverlet is dated 1890 and has some references to Boston and Salem.

This one is your turn...
What's happening here?

Hogs in Hand?
Pigs on Fingers?
This Little Piggy?


What's your caption?

Enjoy,
Dawn

New Children's Book

We have a shelf in the family room with a basket of toys and stack of children's books for young visitors.

Some of the books are activity books.  I have a nephew who loves maps, puzzles and mysteries....and a niece who loves animals!

I just added this book, "Rabbit No Pants and the Mysteries of Pantaloon Woods" by Gareth Shone.  Since we have a wooded lot and lots of rabbits I thought the kids would have fun!

There isn't an age recommendation, however I would guess it falls into the 'Young Reader' category.  Also good to read aloud.

I ordered my copies from Amazon HERE.
There are preview pages to give you a sense of the story.

The book is sprinkled with cute little line drawings that keep a young readers interest.


The book is a planned series, so stay tuned for more adventures!


It would be a sweet addition to an Easter Basket too.

A bit more from the back of the book.

Gareth and Julia are new parents.  You can tell from the book what a wonderful young family they are - making their way on an old (new to them) farm.  I'm guessing there are a few bunnies in their gardens.


Enjoy - and HAPPY READING!

Dawn

Antique Shopping - Come Along

We spent some time antique shopping this weekend.

Join me and we'll look together.

There were still many red items out from Valentines Day.

Good for us because we hadn't been out with all the February snow.  But kind of sad too, meaning these treasures weren't sold.

I would have loved them instead of flowers and chocolates,
how about you?

I love the look of linen and lace with blue cottons.

The linen so crisp and clean, the hand crochet edging is beautiful.

The quilt top was just shirting squares but still quite nice.

I really like coverlets, and have a few in the collection.

This case mixed a few decades of bed coverings with the drunkards path quilt and woven coverlets.

Red, White and Blue is always striking.

This coverlet is "Bird of Paradise"

If you look closely at the bands you will find the words woven in the smallest areas.

It is very heavy, about mid 19th century

I always look for nice hand quilting, and this trip was rewarding.

Inspiring fine, even stitches.


Always motivating to see when working on a large hand quilting project.  I couldn't help but wondering...how long did this take?

I really liked this clever foot stool.

It is an octagonal wooden box open on the bottom.

The top is covered in needlepoint with a well done corded edge.

The ring is handy to move the footstool around to where you need it!

The sides are covered in wooden thread spools that have been sawn in half.

They are stained to look like a dark walnut.

On closer inspection, each side of the octagonal box has a different spool arrangement.

Kind of like quilt blocks, or mosaic work.

Some of the sides had a circular variation, while others where square, almost looking woven.




Very clever, and a fun use of empty spools.

This sewing cabinet is missing the drawer labels, but it was very nicely made.  I think the handles are original.

This stack is from a shopping trip a few years ago.

I can just imagine adding yesterdays find...Imagine being the key word!

If I had a retro kitchen this pot holder hanger was adorable...I thought the list os uses on the front was charming.  It's that red and white theme again...

No antique shopping in the mid west would be complete without seeing at least one Sun Bonnet Sue!

Just for spring, this is example has a very tiny bouquet of flowers in her hand.  Sweet.

I hope you enjoyed this arm chair shopping trip!

I am busy quilting away on my Noah and Matilda (HERE) 

Be sure to checkout Wendy's (Constant Quilter) stunning Noah and Matilda (HERE)

Doing some Mary Witherwax applique (HERE) 

and mostly enjoying some sunshine and warmer weather!

Happy Stitching,

Dawn

Circa 1880 Scrap Management

3" scrap blocks

I'm doing some scrap management - how's that for justifying a new project?
I like it.

I saw Wendy's post HERE about the Circa 1880 Project and it sent me over the edge...Off I went order the set.

I'm starting with scraps (laying around the floor and cutting table) from other projects.

I just love the tiny size and simple block.

However, I'm not following the plan....
Not swapping, not using 1880 fabrics and making my own timeline.  Just a little time for machine work these days.




Happy Stitching!
Dawn

More Information from Marcus  HERE
More Information from Pam Buda HERE

March Happenings

How has your March started?
I'm ignoring the weather and enjoying my stitching time.

I set a personal goal to complete all of the hand quilting on my full reproduction Noah and Matilda quilt by October.

I had it long arm basted, which was nice because I do NOT like basting a large quilt.  I have not setup my large floor frame in this house.  It was ideal for basting!  I can easily hand quilt in a hoop.

This is a large quilt over 80 x 90!

It is so enjoyable to revisit each block as I quilt.

You can see the entire quilt and block details HERE.

In order to make a realistic date I break the project down.

I time quilting one block, then multiply it by the number of blocks.  The border I estimate by thinking of it as blocks.  42 + 36 + 32 = 110.
I can commit to a block a day, at this time of the year more!  so I am estimating I could possibly finish this summer.  October - YES!
DETAILS:
Mountain Mist 100% Cotton Batting Cream Rose
YLI Natural Hand Quilting Thread
Tulip #12 Between Needles

I plan to have other tops in the queue basted but I'm not thrilled about these needle holes.

I also would like fewer stitches per inch.

I love the white basting thread, I had to specifically request it.  They usually use black!

I don't think I will need this enough to rent time on a machine.

Things are going well with the book, I have them back in stock as does the large online sellers.
The gift wrapping promo was fun so I am going to continue it.  If you order directly from me of the Etsy shop I will sign and gift wrap your book AND include one of our new cards for free.
I'm so thrilled so many have been given as gifts!
Link Below.

Nicola Parkman from Hands Across The Sea Samplers reviewed my book on her Floss Tube Channel, Episode #22.  You can listen HERE.
About 18 minutes in!

I just can't quilt, I need a little applique in the mix!

I have continued with making mini (4") Noah and Matilda blocks.

These are so fun and I've been able to do them all from the scrap basket.  I think I will set them differently - because I already have the full reproduction.

For the tiniest of stems I'm using embroidery.

I have a few more prepped and ready!

In my Facebook group for Needlework Tools we've been
busy sharing photos of pin cushions and "Make Dos"

All are welcome to join the fun, just three little questions to keep the spam out and YOU are in!

This thread holder is made from a broken glass base, pegged wooden spool holder and a wooden spool.  There are more examples in my book.









I hope to see you this year!
A few Dates/Events:

April 6-12 Private Event
April 25 Private Event
April 27 Saint Paul Embroidery Guild Annual Meeting
May 2 Saint Cloud Heritage Quilt Guild - $3 Guests
May 16/17 Pennsburg PA - Penn Dry Goods Enroll HERE
June 11 South Minneapolis Quilters
October 9-13 Study Center AQSG Lincoln NE
November 7-9 Minnesota Quilters Guest Fee
December 7, Colorado Quilt Council

Contact me if you are interested in having me visit your group I have several lectures to select from!

Happy Stitching,
Dawn

LINKS:
Penn Dry Goods HERE
Etsy Shop HERE  Or, DM me
Hands Across The Sea Samplers HERE
Noah and Matilda Pattern Page HERE

OK...One shot of my street about three snowfalls ago...and it's snowing NOW!