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