A No-Scrap-Too-Small Sighting

We were in Guthrie, Oklahoma last week - new territory for me. There was only time for one antique shop stop but look what I found! An exquisite little no-scrap-too-small piece. I would estimate this measures 12" x 16" so you know what that means - many of these pieces are just fingertip size.

This piece probably deserved a rescue - it was encased in a cheap frame so taking a few photos was not easy, the glass added a bit of glare. But you get the picture (pardon the pun) ...

And I am newly inspired to do more hand piecing of tiny scraps. I like how it is edged with rick-rack. I'd estimate these fabrics mostly come from the 1930s, wouldn't you? I sure wish I could stitch a while alongside the person who pieced this. I think we would have a very good time together!

A Very Modern Wreath

When Georgann Eglinski was appliqueing this wreath, she made two and presented one to me. She thought it would look good in our modern house and it does! The light comes in just right and highlights the exquisite quilting Linda Frost did to complete it. And yes, that is Oreo the cat moving through the scene ... as usual.

Georgann's other wreath went to support a good cause, our community Shelter (via the Festival of Trees).

Georgann finished this one with a slick technique that is more like facing than binding. It was quilted by Kris Barlow - she quilted the words to a holiday song in the middle. It was fun to watch people bend over and read the words when it was on display ...

A Holly Jolly Christmas

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

It's the best time of the year

I don't know if there'll be snow

but have a cup of cheer

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

And when you walk down the street

Say Hello to friends you know

and everyone you meet

Oh ho

the mistletoe

hung where you can see;

Somebody waits for you;

Kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Christmas

and in case you didn't hear

Oh by golly

have a holly

jolly Christmas this year

My Current Take-Along

I think a lot of us like to keep our hands busy. I hate to just sit around. So I'm always on the scout for a project that stays in a bag, ready to take-along.

This project came to me last summer as the quilt historian cleared out her old house. It's an antique top that was harvested, with squares removed to go to the fabric company to be reproduced in modern fabric lines.

The way these squares are stitched together is a total pain in the neck. Some are hand stitched, which is not too bad to remove. The machine stitched sections use the smallest stitch length imaginable so removing the stitching is tedious. As a result, some squares were just cut away earlier ...

Some might think this project is just too tedious. I think the fabrics will make it all worthwhile in the end. They are in excellent condition, quite varied and fun to examine as I carefully pull stitches away. Some of the cottons are so stiff and brittle, while some of the flannels are totally soft and lush. I imagine what garments these scraps came from.

Progress on this will be slow, but worth it. Look, here's what I've got to work with - it's like a jigsaw puzzle of ~2" squares. This could entertain me for a while ...

A Robots Tree Skirt

Another wonderful sight at our Festival of Trees was this tree - with a skirt made by Linda Frost. If you have her Robots book, you can make this too - most of the applique shapes are in the book. Don't you love the ball fringe she used around the edges ... and the sequins ...

$2,500!!

Update: word is our quilt sold for $2,500! It was item 20 in the bidding the other night - none of the crew that made it was present. But isn't that wonderful notion - that our enjoyable work could benefit the Shelter so magnificently. Many thanks to our tasteful winner! This is a view of the entire Festival of Trees - you will see our quilt way in the back, right of center.

FYI - we used a pattern by Twiddletails to make our quilt and it's available here. They offer a pattern pdf on etsy so you can get started RIGHT AWAY.

Festival of the Trees

Trees under construction last summer.

Every year we look forward to the Festival of the Trees, held right after Thanksgiving weekend downtown in Liberty Hall. It's a fundraiser for The Shelter, a local organization that provides emergency services for youth and families.

Our small group made a quilt for their auction, which will happen tonight - items go to the winners after the show ends. Georgann Eglinski spearheaded the project - selecting the pattern and colors (with a bit of input from the group). Some people helped stitch blocks, we all helped assemble the quilt. Linda Frost quilted it in a spectacular way.

Stop by to view the entries if you can - it oozes creativity and really puts you in the holiday spirit. It's open daily through Thursday for viewing.

Read more about it here.

A peek of the show - that's our quilt in the background. Photo by Linda Frost.