Bear Facts

This is what I've been working on: a quilt for my cousin's first grandchild, due to arrive in this world in November. A boy named James, if I recall correctly. Eventually there will be three bears under the cover. Mama, Papa, and Baby. The bear in the photo is Papa, I think.

This quilt got started with a bunch of the blue 3 1/2" squares that I found in my cousin Patsy's stash that she gifted me a while back (I blogged about that on June 10). I added more blues and some yellows, not knowing exactly what it was going to be. Then I saw a photo of a baby quilt with a giraffes under the cover and decided I wanted this one to have bears. I got my hands on some bear quilt block patterns and and got to work. I'm going to get a "Goldilocks and The Three Bears" board book to go with it before I gift it.

So that's what's been going on here. I've also been reading a lot. Check the "Books Read in 2021" list in the left sidebar to new adds.

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On 08/02/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

What a charming baby quilt and stellar idea to add the 3 bears at the top of the quilt and the book to go along with it!

Applause, applause!

Hugs!
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And It's Heavy

I got the monster laid out on my bed to trim the edges. It was quite an undertaking. I turned it back so that I could show the wonderful quilting that my long-armer friends did.

I'm thinking I'm not going to be able to attach the binding to the monster. It's all I can do to spread it out on my bed. It's just too heavy for me to maneuver.

I think I'm remembering that New Traditions (Lena and Angela, my long-armers) offer a binding service). I'm going to check and see. If so, I'll make the binding and have them attach it to the front; then I'll hand stitch it down on the back.

I'm seeing that I didn't think this project through quite enough before I did it. I never intended it to be so large. I just kept making my rosettes and partial rosettes until I had as many as the instructions told. It was only when I started laying them out and attaching them that I realized the magnitude of what I had done. And still I didn't realize how heavy the thing would be after quilting. It probably contains enough hidden seam allowance to make a whole 'nuther quilt. Then add the weight of the back, batting, and quilting thread--and I have something that taxes my strength to lift.

I've promised myself I will never ever ever do this again--not just never make another millefiori quilt, but never make another quilt that approaches the size of this one.

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On 07/20/2021, Rose said ...

I love this quilt. I think it looks like a beautiful garden. I also like that it is backed in white. I keep thinking how it would look on a bed, white side up, beautiful quilting showing and then turn back the top so the gorgeous "flowers" pop as a surprise. It is lovely.

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On 07/20/2021, Wendy Schwerin said ...

Beautiful!! Smart to have help with that binding. And you will be putting in the last stitches!

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On 07/20/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Wonderful quilting and I agree it will be wise to have your friends sew the binding on. You don't want to annoy that fibro bother.

Hugs!

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On 07/21/2021, Judy Cloe said ...

I think it is a good idea to have New Traditions do the binding. Go for it.
Just read your left side books read in 2021. We agree on so many books. I also gave Project Hail Mary 5 stars. Loved that book. Also loved Anxious People.Will have to give Stacy Abrams book a try. I listened to Rodham and have to agree with you that it was ridulous, but it did give me a few laughs.
Keep on, keeping on, my friend.
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It's Quilted!

I picked up the millefiori quilt (or as I like to call it, "the monster" from the quilters yesterday. Angela did a terrific job with it. It's beautiful. When I get the edges trimmed, I'll lay it out somewhere and try to get a photo
of the whole thing.

My next big job will be binding it, a task to which I do not look forward.

I took them the little girl quilt and the stacked animals quilt to be quilted next.

I'm currently working on piecing a baby quilt for my cousin's first grandbaby, due in November. It's all in blues and yellows and concerns bears.

After we picked up my quilt yesterday, Ramey and I visited our favorite thrift store and were saddened to learn that it is going out of business. The good thing was, however, that every item in the store was 50%-70% discounted. I got three Santa mugs to add to my collection and a new string of fairy lights.

Here are the mugs. After the discount, they were about 25 cents each.
Can't wait to use them with my other Santa mugs on my tier stand when the holidays get close.

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On 07/18/2021, Pat said ...

I caught up reading your posts, delayed by health issues (mine and husband’s). So good to see all your work. Like a much needed visit to your Yellow House.

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On 07/19/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Oh, I cannot wait to see all of the milliefiori quilt in all it's glory! Perhaps you need to invite some friends over for lunch and get their help in binding this amazing quilt?

Love your Santa much but am so sorry to read that show is going out of business.

Hugs!

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On 07/19/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Corrections: Love your Santa MUGS but am so sorry to read that SHOP is going out of business.
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Dinos Done

I finished up the dinosaur blocks and put them together this morning while the cleaning lady cleaned. I have to add borders and it will be ready for quilting.

I have a name for the piece: "One Million Years B.C." That's the name of a silly old movie, starring Rachel Welsh and a bunch of fake dinosaurs. It was Cait's favorite movie when she was just a wee child. She has been a lover of dinosaurs since before she could talk. Of course Rachel and her co-stars could have never fought these ancient beasts since cavemen and cavewomen didn't come along until milions of years after dinosaurs died out. But, hey, it made a good movie, I guess.

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On 07/10/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Cute dinos,one and all!

DS1 was also mad about dinosaurs from the time he could toddle. I remember being on an airplane with him (aged 2) and reading a new dinosaur book to him. All around us were highly entertained by my attempts with unfamiliar dinosaur names and his joyful reactions. His first childhood towels also had colorful dinos on them and he intended to become a paleontologist until he found out that the job doesn't pay well for most of them!

Hugs!
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And the Fourth Was With Us

Yeah, those rose bushes are full of vines. My yard guy doesn't like to touch them.

I hung my "Star Spangled Summer" quilt across a front porch railing for the reveling neighbors to enjoy on the 4th. That's the only decorating I did.

But boy! Did we eat? Pot roast, turnip greens, corn bread, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, cherry pie, brownies, and ice cream.

Everything was fine and peaceful until about 8:00 when the next-door neighbor started his bodacious fire-works show (as he does every 4th and every New Year's Eve, and once for a wedding). Skipper went bonkers, and I couldn't find his Thunder Shirt. I finally found it when the explosions were over. By then, Skipper just wanted to go to sleep.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. I think I'll have to diet for the rest of the month.

 

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On 07/06/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

I love your "Star Spangled Summer" quilt and I imagine the neighbors love it, too. We had the flag out and that's all the decorating I did outside - in addition to our red front door.

My two red/white/blue quilts, "Louis&Clark, What a Trip!" and a small modern version of a flag were hanging in our wee entry hall as always.

Our menu was homemade pulled pork with DH's barbecue sauce + slaw on buns, corn on the cob, tater tots, deviled eggs, and ice cream for dessert. Yum! I had soup for supper last night as I cannot eat like it was the 4th very often either. The leftovers will be enjoyed in due time!

Hugs!
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Crown Thy Good With Brotherhood

Best wishes to all for a safe an happy Fourth of July.

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On 07/05/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

May peace and brotherhood prevail from sea to shining sea.

Love your banner and hanger that celebrate the 4th!

We had a great 4th with a menu of pork barbecue and slaw on a bun, tater tots, corn on the cob, and deviled eggs. Ice cream for dessert. Yum!!

Hugs!
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