Last Block

Cut out, fused, and ready to stitch

 

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On 09/29/2014, Linda Volz said ...

Hi Susan -
These blocks are just too ding-dang cute. I love the birds holding the hearts. And how do you manage to get them put together so quickly, this would take me forever. Well, between my poor eyesight and my right hand that doesn't work so well since I fell and broke my wrist earlier this year. I can't wait to see how you put this together, I think it's going to be awesome!

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On 09/29/2014, Sue said ...

I think you did a really great job. I can't wait til they're put together. And you did do them fast. A sign you enjoyed them.

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On 09/30/2014, Celia said ...

Very pretty! You do such nice work. I really love how this is turning out. Love the white picket fence with roses. That is perfect.

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On 09/30/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

This block may be the most charming of all, but each block does have its own charm so I cannot choose one favorite. Your skills at applique are apparent and enviable. Well done! Count me in with all who eagerly await seeing how you put these wonderful blocks together!

I'm finally sewing the hanging sleeve on the baby quilt so soon it will be on its way to the baby girl who it will belong to ... or would that be "to whom it will belong"?

Hugs!
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Lady Bug House

One block to go, then I can put them all together. 

I'm linking up with Beverly's Pink Saturday blog party. She made a special mention of Blackberry Creek blog today. Thanks, Beverly. 

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On 09/27/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

This house is too cute with its ladybugs along side! You have used such wonderful fabrics in these little homes and the landscapes that they are each a wonder to behold. Just one to go? Well done!

Please send along a bit of whatever is giving you the energy and enthusiasm for all of this wonderful stitching you're doing. I seem to have lost my steam. Thank you!

Hugs!

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On 09/27/2014, LaVoice said ...

What a cute idea and you are doing a super job on it.
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Another House

 

Two more to go, and I can start putting the blocks together.

And after that, I'm going to put together the little appliqued blocks of the month that I won a long time ago with the sashing fabrics 
I bought a few days ago.

I feel like I'm really on a roll for the past month or so. I have been feeling so much better since going back on the Cymbalta. It's a conundrum, a hard choice, worrying about the unwanted physicals effects of long-term Cymbalta use and living with severe pain. But for now, I choose the Cymbalta. At least until I get a few more UFOs finished. 

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On 09/26/2014, Ellen in Oregon said ...

I just wanted to tell you that your shrubbery-fix looks fantastic & added a lot of interest to your house. I think you actually improved an already sweet pattern. I hope you continue on your roll with all the great quilts you have in progress. If your new medication is helping you do that without bad side-effects then more power to you.
Have a great weekend.

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On 09/26/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Love this little house, too, and I look forward to seeing the houses put together. Might you add other embellishments to the houses, doors, yards, or sky to give each block an individual touch?

Cheers that you're feeling so much better! Hope the side effects stay away from you!

Hugs!
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It Worked!

Now tell me: If you didn't know it was crooked, you wouldn't know it was crooked. Right? And all I did was add the shrubbery. (The trick was to place the bottom edges of the bushes parallel to the bottom edge of the block and not line them up with the bottom edge of the house.) Thanks to those of you who suggested it. And also thanks to the rest who made suggestions--like leave it as it is, it has charm. Which is what I almost did.

Crooked house before shrubbery

I contacted Shabby Fabrics, and they were very nice but didn't have any more of the background fabrics. I searched Ebay and Etsy and online shops far and wide, and found one of the fabrics but not the other. I was just about to order the one fabric when I decided I would try the shrubbery idea. I didn't have a lot of hope that a few little bushes would disguise a severely leaning house, but I found out different. And the second good part is that it really doesn't look like a fix. Those little bushes look right at home there. Makes me think I might just add a few bushes to at least one more of the houses.

I think this one could especially benefit from a bit of landscaping.

I'm working on Block 7 of 9, so I'm going to get back to it. Thanks again to all who made suggestions.

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On 09/25/2014, Sue, the Florida Farm Girl said ...

See? Not a mistake, but a fine design opportunity!!!! Good job.

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On 09/25/2014, Joanne said ...

Wonderful solution!

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On 09/25/2014, Julie in WA said ...

Wow! Lesson learned! An ingenious solution to the crooked house.

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On 09/25/2014, Nicole said ...

That was so clever of you!

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On 09/25/2014, Valerie said ...

Oh I LOVE this!!!!

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On 09/25/2014, Donna Barwish said ...

I did a house quilt once and had to call it the windy city because all my windows tilt at exactly the same degree! it's something to do with the needle turn action shifting the window!

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On 09/26/2014, Sweet Cottage Dreams said ...

Great fix! What an adorable, adorable pattern!

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On 09/26/2014, karen said ...

Wow, whoever thought of that is a genius! Such a great fix! Your little house quilt is going to be adorable.

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On 09/26/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

The shrubs make this little house look snuggled into it's setting and perfectly straight, too! I'm delighted this idea worked!!

If you add landscaping to some other blocks it can be flowers, pots of flowers or topiaries, or ... anything! Also, your quilt will now be one of a kind in all of the world as it's doubtful anyone has exactly your chosen shrub fabrics!!!

Hugs!
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It's a Beautiful Morning!

Jeez-a-loo! I love this time of year. I want to just enjoy every single minute of fall, knowing that it doesn't last long. I think autumn must be the shortest season of the year. Or either it just seems that way because I love it so much. It's a little bittersweet, though. This is the time of year, five years ago, that I had just lost Vann. So it brings back those feelings as well.

I think I have come up with a solution to my crooked block that I showed yesterday. If I can acquire enough matching fabric to make another background, I can just cut out the house and walk, leaving a small seam allowance, and applique it onto a new background--hopefully straight this time. I think I'll start by getting in touch with the Shabby Fabrics people to see if I can get some more of the exact fabric from them.

I need a piece of this floral, about 7" x 15"...

...and a piece of this background print, about 13" x 15 (without the cat hair).

If anybody out there has any, I'd love to buy it.

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On 09/24/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Oh, I love autumn, too, sniffle sneeze sniffle sneeze notwithstanding!

Wishing you well in finding the two fabrics you need. I don't have them but they are so pretty!

Am nearly finished with the baby quilt binding and methinks I will attempt sewing the other bindings on completely by machine. I have too many bindings in my near future to do all of this hand stitching.

Hugs!

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On 09/24/2014, Helen in Switzerland said ...

I'd leave it if i was you - it has charm! Hey think of the leaning tower of Pisa!!
I'm glad you are enjoying fall - I would too if we had had any summer to speak of - here it's pretty much felt like fall since about May! I hope the snow doesn't come to early this year…I'm so not ready for that!

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On 09/24/2014, Linda said ...

Is the background large enough that you can square it up to make it straight?

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On 09/24/2014, JudyT said ...

I wish I had some of that fabric to send you, but I must say, I LOVE your crooked little house. Isn't there a song about a crooked little house on a crooked little path? I think it adds charm to the block! I don't know how to applique so admire anything I see done, but this block makes me smile -- and sing!

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On 09/24/2014, JudyT said ...

Now that I've sung those lines about 20 times, I think it's a crooked little house on a crooked little street . . .

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On 09/25/2014, Debra said ...

I empathize with your feelings about fall. Fall has always been the best time of year for me: love the beginnings of a nip in the air, the falling leaves, college football and all. My husband also died five years ago, on Halloween. It's been a hard time of year ever since. This year, I'm retiring on Halloween. I'm trying to put the happy memories back into fall!
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Oops

Well, this isn't my favorite block. The house looks like it's sliding downhill. That's what comes of fusing while cats are walking all over one's work table.  But I noticed it too late to do anything about it, other than make a new block. So it's probably going to go as is. I'll just call that my "God block."

Do you know about the tradition of the God block? Back in early American times, quilters didn't want their quilts to be perfect; they knew that only God can create perfection. So they would purposefully create a mistake in one of their blocks so as not to offend God. They called that block the God block.

Well, me, I never need to create a purposeful mistake. I create plenty of them without meaning to. 

Lori and her little man Rocky

My BFF came to visit us yesterday and brought her newest little baby, Mr. Rocky, to meet me and the animals. Sophie and Skipper made a lot of noise in the beginning, but they settled down and played with the little guy. And everyone enjoyed a snifferama. Except the cats. Taco stayed high up out of reach and kept on guard; Bella hid.

Rocky wants to know what's so interesting outside that Skipper is watching.

I'm going this morning to deliver quilts to Lena for quilting. The weather is absolutely perfect. When I walked the dogs late yesterday afternoon, the temps were just short of long-sleeve weather. And last night, I turned off the ceiling fan and, in the middle of the night, had to pull up the quilt--after I got Taco to move off it.

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On 09/23/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Rocky is too cute as are all babies and am glad to know the 4 legged residents of your home were either cordial or out of reach!

Love your God block and I wonder if putting in some shrubs or flowers would help diminish the downhill look a bit... or add steps in the walkway?

I hear you on mistakes in whatever handwork or creativity one is doing. I don't need to make intentional mistakes either. I had heard the intentional mistake blocks were called "humility blocks".

Our weather is lovely and cool, too.

Hugs!

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On 09/23/2014, Patty McDonald said ...

Ditto for me about Rocky. He is really a cute pup.
I always call my God block my humble block. Same reasoning behind the block. Sometimes I wish my quilts weren't so humble.
Our heat wave has broken...no more 100's. In the high 80's. Bring on the COOL temps, frost, and then some much needed rain. From now thru May is my favorite time of year (as long as the seasons are normal).
Have a blessed week. Patty Mc

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On 09/24/2014, Sharon Penney-Morrison said ...

I agree with Barbara Anne. Just offset the piece with some shrubbery or a vine of some kind. It is beautiful.

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Happy First Day of Fall

Still working diligently on UFOs. I found some fabric yesterday to use for sashing the little appliqué blocks that I posted last week. Can't wait get that one done to show my friend Judy, who came up with those blocks when she was block-of-the-month chairman back in the very early 21st century.

I'm looking forward to nice autumn days ahead for lots of quilting. Sophie and Skipper are looking forward to the cooler weather in hopes I will take them for more and longer walkabouts.

 

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On 09/22/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Cheers for finding the perfect sashing fabric for your charming Sweetheart Homes blocks!

Love your Autumn Leaves quilt as it just sings about this wonderful cool season that started today! May it bring just the perfectly delightful weather that you, Sophie, and Skipper will enjoy!

Hugs!

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On 10/02/2014, Penny H said ...

Love your Maple Leaves quilt. Did you hand applique those? I've always wanted to make one of these.
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Sweetheart Block

This is block #5 of my latest quilt project, which I am tentatively calling "Little Pink Houses." As it happens, there seems to be more red than pink in these fabrics, so I might change the name. The name of the pattern is Sweetheart Houses (see below), so I might play off the word Sweetheart. We'll see.

This is the pattern I'm using for my quilt. It was a block of the month program a year or so ago. The monthly pattern kits came with fabrics, and the last kit includes finishing fabrics and embellishments.

I'm linking to Beverly's Pink Saturday, so hop on over to her blog and enjoy the pinkness.

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On 09/20/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Oh, this block is so sweet that there should be a warning for diabetics! Sorry, medical humor is sometimes a bit twisted.

This block is utterly charming to the max and I know you are enchanted by this project and pattern. The name of this quilt could be Home Sweet Homes!

Hugs!

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On 09/20/2014, bj said ...

Such a sweetheart block...I thought with the last quilt I made, I would never, EVER want to do another. Now, all at once, I am in the mood to make one. I love making the tops...hate the quilting, tho.
Happy Pinks...

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On 09/20/2014, Linda Enneking said ...

These blocks are so pretty, I'm glad you are sharing them with us. I'm also very happy that you have been able to do all the blanket stitching by hand. You are going to have a beautiful quilt when you're finished.

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On 09/22/2014, Linda Volz said ...

Absolutely Bee-U-ti-ful! I love Shabby Fabrics patterns they are always so cute. I can't wait to see the finished quilt.

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On 09/26/2014, Beverly said ...

Dear Susan, I fell in love with this design when you shared it on Facebook. I admit that I always love everything you do.

Happy Pink Saturday, my friend. Just a head's up that this post will be shared on Pink Saturday this weekend as "the one that caught my eye".

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On 09/26/2014, Susan said ...

What an adorable quilt! I have pinned your block on my cottage quilts board. Love it

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

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On 09/26/2014, Jeanne said ...

Hi Susan, It has been way too long since I have visited you. I took a 6 months blog break but I am back. I know you love hearts and this quilt square added to the others is just darling. I agree with Beverly, your quilts are awesome.
Happy quilting.
Love, Jeanne

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On 10/02/2014, Deb said ...

Love the Shabby Fabrics pattern, Susan. All your houses are wonderful...including the fixed crooked one! :)
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Pot o' Posies

Two of the blocks in this quilt have no houses in them. This is one of them. I finished the blanket stitching this morning. 

This makes four blocks finished and five to go. I'm about to start fusing the other houseless block, which contains only one large heart and has pinwheels on the side just like this one.

Sophie's at the groomer's today. Skipper, Taco, and I miss her. Bella couldn't care less.

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On 09/18/2014, Patty McDonald said ...

Love the heart flowers. This quilt looks to be taking on a valentine theme. Looking forward to seeing more. Patty Mc

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On 09/19/2014, Stephani in N. TX said ...

These blocks are darling, make me think I may be able to do them. However, I would want to machine stitch around. Blanket stitch by hand takes a lot!! Best wishes on your finishes.

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On 09/19/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

This block is simply adorable! Love the hearts and pinwheels and must say your blanket stitching is superb!

You're barreling along on this cute project and am so glad your hands are playing nicely as you stitch around each shape.

Hugs!
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Another Pink House Block

I finished another block for my "Little Pink Houses" quilt yesterday. That makes three finished and six to go. Number 4  is cut out, and I'm about to do the fusing when I finish here.

I also worked on the Granny Square quilt a little yesterday and got one more row sewn together. One more row to go on that one.

Don't worry, I'm not going to run out of UFOs. I have a stack of them still. My guild is holding a UFO challenge this year, and I have plenty of entries.

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On 09/17/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

If these cute little houses have a month theme, I'd say this charming house block is for April as umbrellas are need for those April showers!

Shall I sent any of my UFOs to you or to your fellow guild members?

After having DS1 and his sweetie here for less than 36 hours, I am nearly on my face exhausted as is DH. Oh, to have that energy again. They've been so sweet and kind as well as adding much needed laughter to the mix here. Sweetie even made her first Log Cabin block today and it is as wonderfully unique as she is!

Hugs!
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Next Project

Another UFO, "Little Pink Houses." The appliqué is fused, but I started out with hand blanket stitch around the pieces, so I have to finish it that way. Hope my hands hold out. There are, I believe, nine blocks. One is finished, and this one is almost finished.

 

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On 09/15/2014, Sherri mclaughlin said ...

Oh my they are beautiful. I can't wait to see it finished. You go girl!

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On 09/15/2014, Linda Volz said ...

Love this block, it's just too dang cute! I'm with Sherri, can't wait to see the finished project. We'll be waiting :-)

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On 09/16/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

What a charming little quilt this will be! You certainly are a wizard at adding lovely trim bits and embellishing! I look forward to seeing the other blocks come together. Hope your hands play nicely while you stitch. Will the blocks all be in shades of red and cream?

My autumn will partially be spent finishing up AMIL's 4 quilting projects so they can be given to their new owners.

Hugs!

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On 09/16/2014, Patty McDonald said ...

That is such a cute block. I'm looking forward to seeing the entire quilt. Truly I'm in awe of how quickly you finish a quilt. It seems every week you post a beautiful, time consuming, finished quilt. Patty Mc
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New Baby

He is my goddog Daisy's new little brother. He doesn't have a name yet. I can't wait for him to visit Camp SuSu with his sister.

 

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On 09/11/2014, Sherri mclaughlin said ...

Awe he is so cute, you lucky family!

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On 09/12/2014, sillysally said ...

Ooh, he just an adorable little black sweetheart! How about Licorice??

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On 09/12/2014, Christy said ...

What a face. So cute.

Christy

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On 09/12/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

What a cutie and just look at those beguiling eyes! What breed is this sweetie?

How about the names Smudge, Charcoal, Charlie, or Pepper? His/her parents need to consider what they want to call out for the coming 15+ years!

Hugs!


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Ah Glory!!!!

Remember "Sanford and Son?" I feel like Aunt Esther when the Spirit moved her. "French Snowballs" is done! At least the piecing portion is. I can now take it to the quilter to be quilted.

This has been the most tedious and boring quilt that I have ever pieced. There are over 1,600 little pieces in it, as well as thousands of points and corners to keep sharp and matching. I think maybe two or three of mine match and are sharp. Thank goodness, the design of the quilt is quite busy, so my blunt points and unmatched corners are somewhat camouflaged. 

I started this top back in 2009, or thereabouts, as part of a quilt-along with some other quilting bloggers. I think they all finished their quilts long ago.

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On 09/11/2014, Linda Volz said ...

Susan - You done yourself proud girl, it's absolutely beautiful.

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On 09/11/2014, Nicole said ...

I think it is one of the most beautiful quilts ever! It is so elegant.

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On 09/11/2014, Sue, the Florida Farm Girl said ...

Oh, that quilt is gorgeous!! But I know what you mean about those quilts that just keep hanging around, taunting you from way back in the cupboard where they've been stuck because you are so tired of working on them.

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On 09/11/2014, Joanne said ...

Love it!

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On 09/11/2014, Dolores Tanner said ...

BUT, it is a beautiful quilt....!!!

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On 09/11/2014, Dolores Tanner said ...

Saw u just read "Outlander" can't believe you have not read that series before!! I just got the 20th anniversary edition, to update my collection!!!

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On 09/12/2014, Diane said ...

I love it Susan.

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On 09/12/2014, Helen in Switzerland said ...

It is gorgeous though!

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On 09/12/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Standing ovation, girlfriend!! Well done on your determination to finish this lovely quilt and you know, it's so happily busy that no one will see an occasional lost point or slightly offset seam intersection.

Years ago when I was a new quilter and first went to the Houston International Quilt show, I took heart in seeing that some of the quilts juried into that prestigious show had a few of those same and oh-so-common goofs: lost points and just missed seam intersections. Beautiful quilts none the less!

Hugs!

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On 09/13/2014, Pat said ...

It's really beautiful! Aren't you glad you finished it? lol Love the colors and the pattern. You do such neat work on all your things.

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On 09/14/2014, Sharon Penney-Morrison said ...

oh this is nice Susan. You should be so satisfied with yourself in finally getting this quilt finished. I have so many "in progress." This is beautiful.

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On 09/17/2014, Mary said ...

So well worth sticking with!
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Don't You Agree?

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On 09/12/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

I do agree! Wonderful cross-stitch. Did you do it?

Playing catch-up just now.

Hugs!
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Back at Guild

Today was the first meeting of Birmingham Quilters Guild for the new year, 2014-15. We had a full business meeting and a great program. And although we didn't have a great deal of show and tell, what we had was wonderful. Here are some photos.

 

I had to show off my "Slumber Party" before I deliver it for quilting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our program featured local fabric artist Michelle Reyolds. Michelle uses scraps left over from her slipcover business to create amazing folk art pieces like theses.

 

So that's it till next month, folks.

 

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On 09/09/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Wonderful quilts from you and your very creative fellow quilters! Love the variety and the sheep from the wee hexies is too cute! The speaker's creations are delightful. I'm glad you felt like going to the meeting.

Today AMIL and I went to see our quilter, Sara, to take the big Single Irish Chain quilt and the two Oriental panels. We had fun visiting with Sara, seeing so many wonderful quilts, and choosing thread color and quilting patterns for all three quilts. I also picked up the Baby 9 Patch and Mr. Bones, both beautifully quilted. I've trimmed Mr. Bones and am about to trim the sweet little Single Irish Chain. Bindings are already made!

More rain today!

Hugs!
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Who Doesn't Love 'Em?

Living in the same small town and seeing it's sights, day after day, for most of my life, I think I have become a little numb to some of my hometown's charms (and some of her blemishes too, most likely). For instance, I have never found anything much out of the ordinary about this sign advertising one of the specialties at Jill's, a local eatery.

But when I saw that Cait and Kathryn had thought it unusual enough to snap a photo, I began to realize that perhaps not everyone has ready access to such delicacies as bologna biscuits (or, as we say in Leeds, Alabama, "baloney biscuits").

It was fun seeing the old stomping grounds afresh through the eyes of Cait, who has been away for several years, and Kathryn, who's a New England Yankee girl. We had almost two weeks of reminiscing, laughing, eating, and enjoying each other's company. They boarded a train bound for Providence, R.I., on Friday, but due to many delays and disasters, only made it home early this morning. One of the disasters was that their train struck and killed a man at a crossing, holding them up for several hours. That, combined with drunken passengers, mechanical problems, stuck draw bridges, and I don't know whatall, made for a long and tiresome journey.

I'm glad the girls are home safe, and I'm praying we can get together again really soon.

 

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On 09/07/2014, Sylvia said ...

Love that photo! Thanks for the smile.

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On 09/07/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Ah, be it ever so humble, there's nothing like good Southern food - and, of course, nothing like home! How marvelous that you and the girls had so much fun, many laughs, and fine food. Sorry their trip northward toward home was frought with many tiresome delays.

I had a half baloney sandwich today, as a matter of fact. Have you ever tried a crisp candied dill pickle on a baloney sandwich? Talk about fine eating! Kroger has them if you're interested and if you can get a gallon of dill pickles, I have a wonderful recipe for turning them into candied dills.

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Hugs!

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On 09/07/2014, Debra said ...

I wouldn't have given a second thought to the sign either. I grew up on baloney sandwiches, or fried baloney with eggs. Good times!

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On 09/08/2014, Lisa A said ...

I see where Hardee's is offering bologna and Velveeta biscuits.

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On 09/09/2014, Mary said ...

Please,translate for me! I'm a northern girl! What the heck is a baloney biscuit?

Signed,
Curious in New Jersey

PS. Long time reader - love your blog!
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