Penny Rug

Last January, I took a penny rug class at VGN.  It was a simple project, just wool applique done with blanket stitch.  I chose to do the St. Patrick's Day colors because I didn't know if I would have time to get it done in Valentine's Day colors.  Well, eleven months later, I've finally finished it.

I worked on this while I was waiting for my car to get new tires and brakes.  It was the perfect travel project since it didn't require a lot of light or magnification.  My stitching is far from perfect, but I decided that added to the folk art feel.  I think it is supposed to be a candle mat, but I'll probably use it as a coaster or trivet.

I have dozens of little VGN projects that are half way complete.  Not all of them would be good travel projects, though, and they generally get pushed aside because I'm more interested in other projects.  I should make a resolution to finish one a month, but I know I wouldn't keep it.  Here is my official apology to my kids, who one day will have to go through all the little bags of linen, beads, floss, half stitched projects and unfinished ornaments.

Linking up: http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-88/

En Provence, Clue 2

After a cutting mishap (I switched the neutral and colored pieces), I finished the units for this week. As usual, I skipped the tri recs, a ruler that always gave me problems and used Deb Tucker's V block ruler. This technique makes slightly over sized blocks that need to be trimmed to size, but my accuracy is so much better with the V block ruler, that it is worth the extra step for me.

The fabric I had intended to use for this clue was not this bubble gum pink printed with magenta kangaroos.  It was supposed to be a mottled purple.  But since I cut the purple wrong, I picked one of the few pieces of fabric in my stash big enough to use.  Most of my stash is fat quarter size or smaller.  In any event, I plan to make the miscut V blocks too and use them in another project.

I actually e-mailed Bonnie Hunter when I discovered my mistake and she let me know that switching the colors in this unit would change the look of the quilt significantly.  She suggested I make them and decide later if I wanted to remake.  I thought about that, but in my mind, that would put me behind in the clues.  I know I will get behind closer to Christmas and New Years and didn't want to get further behind.  I really appreciate her input!

About the only quilting goal I have for December is to keep up with these clues.  I'd also like to get one more quilt bound, but if it doesn't happen this month, that's ok.  January will be here soon enough!

Linking up:  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html

VS Gingerbread House

I've been working on my Gingerbread Stitching House by Victoria Sampler this week. This is a long term project that I usually pull out in November and work on through December.  I'm making good progress, considering the few hours I've put into it.  After my Scream House finishing fail this fall, I am motivated to get this piece together.  I can already tell from the finishing instructions, that this one will be easier than that one.

My son gave me the linen and embellishments several years ago, so I want to make sure and get it done.  He checks on my progress every now and then, and that keeps me motivated.  The linen was a giant piece, so I chopped it in two to make the stitching easier.

The front, back, biscornu and fob:

The sides:                                                                                                                                                

I had to order more pearl cotton for the roof and finishing.

Linking up:  http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-87/

Drew's Birthday

Missing my son Andrew, who would have been 25 today.  He has been gone for over a year, but some days it feels like it just happened yesterday.

En Provence, Clue 1

This is my seventh year of making Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt.

Roll, Roll Cotton Boll:

Orca Bay:

Easy Street:                                                                                                                                                          

Celtic Solstice:

Grand Illusion:

Allietare:                                                                                                                                                   

Roll, Roll,  Cotton Boll,  Orca Bay, and Easy Street have been quilted and are in use in my house.  Grand Illusion  was donated to charity.  Allietare and my two Celtic Solstices are still just tops hanging in my quilt closet (along with many others).

  I  completed my four patches for En Provence with 6 to spare.  I use Bonnie's approach to neutrals, so I have some colorful 'neutral' four patches.

Linking up:  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/11/en-provence-mystery-monday-link-up-part.html

http://www.shecanquilt.ca/2016/12/the-december-scraptastic-tuesday-link.html

Harvest Home Pin Drum

I took a finishing class yesterday for a pin drum from Beth Ann Seal of Summer House Stitch Workes.  The pre-stitching was done ahead of time.  This project is called Harvest Home.

The class was a lot of fun!  I liked Beth Ann a lot and would take another class from her.  Almost everyone had her drum completed in about 3 hours.

I was happy that I got my rows to match up on the seam, and I also liked using wool for the ends of the drum.  If you have ever tried to make a cylinder shape with a cotton or linen circle, you know how difficult that can be.  The wool was very forgiving.  If I make another drum, I will use wool for the ends!

The only part I wasn't very happy with was the end.  You cut a slit right into the wool and stuff the shape.  My slit was a little big, and my closing herringbone messy.

  But the mess is at the bottom and won't be seen by very many people when it is in my cabinet.  If I were to make this again, I would put a few more coins in the bottom for weight.  It stands up ok now, but more weight would help.

Stash Report, Smart Phone Quilt

I got another  three blocks done this week for my Smart Phone Quilt, so now I have a choice:  put together a 4 x 4 quilt, or make 4 more blocks and make a quilt I'm happier with.  If I finish this quilt now, it will just go into the closet with about 15 others that need quilting.  I have no need for this quilt myself and no recipient in mind for it.  So I think I'll just put it away again until I feel like finishing it.

The downside of putting this aside for a while is that the look of the apps changes often.  This quilt may be obsolete before it is ever finished!

Used this week: 0
Used year to date: 79.375 yards
Added this week: 0.25 (green for Smart Phone Quilt)
Added year to date:  86.875yards
Net  Added:  7.5 yards

Linking up:  http://www.patchworktimes.com/2016/11/20/stash-report-november-20-2016/

http://www.joscountryjunction.com/ufo-progress-8/