HQAL: Jane’s Quilt Update

Three weeks and here we are again, and I am ready to post with an update on Jane’s Quilt. There is never really much to show in the way of progress, that is nothing changes with the pattern and it looks quite the same each time. The photo below is from last time. I started working on the dark blocks. Finished them and have moved the hoop 2 times now.

As you may remember this was a gifted quilt top pieced by Jane Rogers and given to me by her granddaughter Raeleen, Jane was the mother of one of my dearest and closest friends, Jeanine. Both Jane and Jeanine have passed on now but through this gift, my relationship with Realeen, I feel like they are both still with me. Going through some of her mother’s things recently, Raeleen came across something of Janes and sent it off to me. I thought it would be fun to highlight it in this posting. It is a mailing from a quilt guild that Jane belonged to.

The mailing is from 1984. This was a guild she had belonged too prior to moving to her/our home town to be near her daughter. We are like a guild, a group of hand quilters keeping this art alive and if there had been no internet invented, we just might be mailing out a monthly flyer to our members with news and updates and cute pattern ideas to fit the season.

As we honor and uphold this craft of old, let us remember and honor those who have come and gone, who taught us and inspired and sparked our flame to hand quilt. Jane Rogers was one of those woman. I have shared this photo before but here she is again. Perfect timing with the Christmas season upon us. I remember exactly where we were and why. It was a luncheon in honor of Jane. Jane is opening a Christmas birthday card. She had a Dec. 27th birthday.

There are some beautiful projects in works and I am off to check in with the others.

You can join me by clicking on the links below 🙂

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below. Enjoy visiting the other members of our group!

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and Cathie

SAL: Snowman and Reindeer Update

It really does feel like winter here in the northwest corner of the United States. Spending more time inside than out certainly helps with steady progress on projects. At our last posting I was here with my cross- stitch

My favorite stitching time is an hour in the morning with repeats of Perry Mason on the TV. I’ve made considerable progress and I’am still hoping for a Christmas finish. Here is where I am now

You can see the progress with the background. I still have a bit of the side to complete and then all the backstitching. You might miss the green reins for the reindeer. I actually had and didn’t realize I hadn’t finished them. I still feel like Mr. Snowman needs some help – some fill in. But if I don’t get to that and decide to leave him, I think he will be fine.

Now I’am off to check in with the others in this SAL. You can join me by clicking on the links below.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, 

Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, 

AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret

HQAL: Jane’s Quilt Update

The rain has been consistent and happily has kept me indoors crafting. It’s been another three weeks and time to update you on the hand quilting project I have been working on. I haven’t made as much progress as I would have liked but I am happy as I continue to get closer to a finish.

Just one picture of my progress this time. I completed the dark color cabin logs of this corner, which completes a bottom section all along the bottom or top, either way you look at it. You might notice the bottom and side log are not stitched and that is because I am not stitching all along the borders as there will be a binding that will cover them. I have moved the hoop to the next dark section and once that is done a complete half of the quilt will be finished. Actually I will be about 3/4 completed 🙂

I have been alternating with a baby quilt I am also hand quilting. Just a quick reminder of what it looks like.

Is anyone else feeling the crunch to get some Christmas gifts completed ? I can hardly believe we’re in November. I finished another hand quilted quilt that I haven’t shown as it is a Christmas gift. I have it wrapped and ready for mailing out for December 1st. I don’t want to ruin the surprise so I will show it in another update once it has arrived.

Also occupying my time and these rainy days are a few more junk journal pocket Christmas cards.

This card is so much fun ~ pic 1 has a vintage pin with monogrammed dangle attached onto the bottom ruffle. This has 2 pockets with journaling cards in them. Pic 2 the sweet framed golden song birds is the top tuck spot that holds the church card. There is gold glitter on the frame. Pic 3 is the back and these cards are attached with tiny clips. All of the printables are from RubyandPearlxo who you can find on youtube and she also has an Etsy shop.

This one is a favorite. Madonna themed and simple, the rose pocket holds 2 journaling cards and a vintage postcard. The rose pocket wraps around to the back framing in the rest of the printable. I should add the papers, also from RubyandPearlxo, are glued to a piece of sturdy card stock.

Now I am off to check in with the others and then get in some quality quilting time. Be well and see you all at the next check in.

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below. Enjoy visiting the other members of our group! 

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and Cathie

SAL: Snowman and Reindeer Update

Here is where I was with my Snowman & Reindeer X stitch last time we checked in. I was feeling fairly confident I could finish this for the holiday season. Now? Hmmm, just not sure with everything else I am working on.

I had quite a bit of encouragement to add the extra bird from the original pattern. I had been debating if I should. I took everyones advice and did. There he is on the top branch. I am continuing to fill in the background, I still need to add all the backstitching and there is still the snowman I am hoping to tweak a bit. Here is where I am now

Now and before picture

Below are the links to the others in this SAL and now I am off to check in on their projects.

Wishing you well and lots of laughter

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, 

Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, 

AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret

What have been working on that takes away from my X stitching ~ hand quilting a kings size log cabin quilt top gifted to me, a baby quilt for a nephew, and crafting some Christmas junk journals for gifting.

Christmas Eye Candy

It never fails, before you know it, Christmas is just around the corner with thoughts of sugar plum fairies dancing in our heads, Through out this year I have been working not only on my hand quilting and cross stitch projects but on holiday junk journals for gift giving. I thought it would be fun to give you a sneak peak at some of the projects in the works and/or completed.

These first 2 are Charles Dickens themed. The covers are made from recycled cereal boxes and bound with 1″ rings. This one below measures 4.5″x 7″. She has 10 pages filled with tags and ephemeral for journaling on.

This one below is also Dickens themed and is slightly larger measuring 6″ X 8″. Most of the digital prints are from The Graphic’s Fairy and some from The Digital Collage Club. Music pages from old piano sheet music books from the Goodwill. I also use magazine photos I find, like the horse & sleigh above. Ribbons ties are from my fabric stash. Shhhh – and you might have noticed the December 20th, not 25th, this is for a daughter (her birthday).

This next one is an envelope style with journal pocket card placed in front of the envelope. Both was made using a file folder. Angel themed, it measures 8.5 “x 5” I am not entirely done with this one. I am planning on adding some glitter edging to some of the cards. It is filled with all kinds of angel ephemera. All of the gifts have an original vintage Christmas postcard inside.

Simply made using a legal size red envelope this one has a tuck spot for journal cards in the front. This gift is bird themed with most of the ephemera inside and out having some sort of winter, bird, or Santa picture. Red sari ribbon and taffeta lace embellishments. The inside is filled with Christmas eye candy.

All of my journals have been made with a person in mind. This one is for a childhood friend who I share a special bond with. Measuring 5.5″ X 7.25″ this envelope is packed with 12 journaling cards, one for each month of the coming year. I love the red and gold sari remnant. I have not added a closure but I am thinking some white dotted swiss tule for a wintery effect. I will of course add a personal note to each journal before sending them off.

This hold in your hand cutie measures 3.5″ X 4″ and is Angel and Madonna/motherhood themed. Lots of lace and wispy threads are poking out and it is jam packed with goodies. The cover was made out of a jello box and there are 5 signatures with 10 making 20 pages in each signature.

The last photo I’m sharing is of envelope style journal pockets. These were made with cereal box or file folders for covers and I have 8 of them ready to go. I mostly used pages from Little Golden books that were Christmas themed, as well as other collected photos and ephemera. These are mostly for grandkids and their young families. I will tuck in a gift check and a restaurant gift card.

I am making it a bit easier on myself this year with no big gifts to ship with expensive post office fees. I hope you enjoyed this sneak peak.

What crafty holiday projects have you been working on?

HQAL: Jane’s Quilt Update

Things are settling down, finally. Just a quick update on my BH and how he is doing. Not all testing has been completed, but the consensus seems to be that after a broncoscopy he suffered a severe bleed which led to the blood loss and consequently hospital stay. He is feeling much better with that resolved now.

With that hurtle over, I have made some real headway with Jane’s quilt. I am not showing last posts picture but starting with where I am now

What you are looking at is the bottom half of the quilt. I had completed 9 white/light logs on the left side of the picture last time. I have now completed all of the white – yay – with the small section of colored blocks still to finish, in the corner and up above, then I will be able to say – I am more than half way completed.

Below are the inks to the others in this HQAL. Now I am off to check in with the others and see how they are doing. Stay well and smiling and I will see you at our next posting.

Hand Quilt Along Links

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and  Cathie 

SAL Update: Snowman and Reindeer

October has come in like a lamb here in the northwest corner of the states. It’s been so lovely. I have been enjoying the weather and some outdoor cross stitching. At our last check in I was the on the tail end of family visiting and did not get much accomplished but managed to get in some stitching. Here is where I was last time.

I have been working steadily in the late afternoons and after dinner getting some consistent stiches in. I finished the antlers and have been filling in the background now.

There is actually another bird to go onto the top branch but I am debating whether I really need to or want to add it. I still want to get Mr. Snowman filled in more and there is quite a bit of background and all the backstitching to do. I am feeling a time restraint for getting this done for Christmas. I guess I’ll wait and see how I do in the next three weeks and then make a decision.

Please check out what everyone else has been up to by clicking their names below. We live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences as we’re posting today at local time.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, 

Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret

Our next updates will be posted on the 30th October 2022.

Baby Boy Quilt Update

Back in August I shared a picture of a block for a new baby quilt design. It’s a simple nine patch. I had been gifted some fabric scraps and was hoping I could get a nice size quilt out of one. I just love the fabric with the children, it’s so precious – and scraps it sure was. It was touch and go to get enough squares cut out from it. I had enough of the blue print on hand that complimented the other perfectly.

But I managed – I framed in the the blocks with solid blue for a bold baby boy statement 🙂

The blocks measure 10 x 10. The sashing is 3″ with a 1/4″ seam, with the quilt measuring 40″ square.

I found a fun children’s print at Joanns for the backing. Now to sandwich it with the batting and get started. I think these whales are the perfect match. It may be hard to see but the children are at the sea, there is a boy fishing too in the blocks above. You can see in this block I have 2 of the children with their sand bucket and shovel. I am showing you my ‘faux pas’ of placements. It happens and you just go with it and smile…. in fact it may never get noticed!

The quilt is for a nephew who is expecting baby #2 in January.

Quite soon now, I will begin another baby quilt but I am waiting on the gender reveal before I start. This one will be for ….. a new great grand baby due in April. Soooooo excited!

HQAL: Jane’s Quilt Update

It’s HQAL update time for progress on my project. You may or may not remember that I missed the last check in because my daughter and grandchildren were here visiting after living in Okinawa for 5 years. In addition another daughter, granddaughter and great grandson were up from Oregon for a wonderful family reunion.

As for Jane’s Quilt I have gotten very little done in these past 6 weeks. This is my photo from last time. I am now working on the white blocks there on the left side corner with 9 logs finished.

I don’t usually share to much personal information on my blog but 6 weeks seems like quite some time for so little accomplished. My BH has very advanced COPD. Taking a bit of a downward turn he underwent a bronchoscopy to take a look the day before family arrived. He didn’t really bounce back and a few other things began to crop up, all that to say this past week he landed in the hospital. To both our surprise and his pulmonologist, he had internal bleeding and had lost quite a bit of blood requiring 8 units and a bunch of procedures to discover the source. There’s so much more I could say about what is going on for him but you get the point – its been a very hectic this past month with little time to think about the quilt. They (hospital) were unable to determine or find any significant bleed spot so we are still in the process of trying to find out where he is bleeding from. He is home now and will be swallowing a pill with a camera in it to take a look at his small intestines. There are lots of follow up appts.

Oh how I would have loved to have taken Jane’s Quilt to the hospital. Couldn’t you just imagine the amount I could have gotten done?

Now it’s off to check in with the others and catch up on all they have gotten done. Please join me 🙂 by clicking on the links below.

Hand Quilt Along Links

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and  Cathie 

SAL: Snowman and Reindeer Update

We have entered the ‘ber’ months and its time to update once again. You may remember I missed last months posting as my daughter and two grandchildren were here visiting after living in Okinawa for the last 5 years. The visit was wonderful, filled with lots of love and hugs. I’ll share a picture after I update you on my progress. I began working on the snowman and reindeer in January and I can hardly believe I am still stitching away. I think I am close to completing this and hope to have a December finish for the holidays. Here is where I was in July at my last posting.

Since then I got very little stitching in and didn’t pick her up until this week. I have to admit, regardless, it’s been slow going on this project. Here is where I am now

I have added a bit of the background along the right side. Finished a bird that doesn’t look like a bird and added a 3rd bird along with some background stitching in the middle. I also got in some backstitching around the reindeers nose and facial area. I have discovered I have made a few counting errors around the antler area but have decided to leave it as is. I am not happy with the snowman and will probably work on him some more. I don’t like the way he is so open in the middle. Any thoughts on that?

It is so close to October now and is anyone else feeling the crunch to get these holiday themed projects completed?

As promised a photo from the visit.

Daughter Marissa taking the selfie, Liam, Me and Tori

Wrapping up this post please join me in visiting the pages of the others participating in this SAL. We will be posting again on October 9th. Stay well and see you then

Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, 

Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret