Happy Pumpkin Month!

I finally put a little fall on the wall!  I love Autumn - buy who doesn't right?  I designed this quilt using 3 inch diamonds and it is all hand EPP.

If you follow me on Instagram, you no doubt saw that I have an article in QuiltMania #157.

I feel so honored, and also grateful that I could share the importance of my friend, Gwen Marston on my work and life.

My friend, Cecile, of Patworkinspirations wrote this beautiful article.  Thank you, Cecile'!

I also have a quilt pattern in this issue using several Fun with Barb swap blocks!

In other big BIG news, my guest curated exhibit:  Personal Expression; The Legacy of Gwen Marston is now on display until the end of December at the New England Quilt Museum.

I'm so excited to have so many Gwen connected quilt friends in this exhibit!

To see more of the quilts on display, check out their website:  The New England quilt Museum.

I've been parcipating in Tayrn's of Repro Quilt Lover ohio star stitch along.  

It's not too late to jump in on the fun.

I never have just the right fabrics, but I have fun getting close.

So many quilters are posting wonderful and creative posts on Instagram I've been inspired to do the same.

I think that's enough for  today.  Thank you if you are still reading my blog.

Make yourself a pan of Rice Krispie Treats and pick up some caramel apples and enjoy the beautiful autumn season.

They are so easy and as good as you remember!

xo

Barb

What's Up Buttercup

 Happy September!  I'm just back from a little trip to my husband's family farm.

I brought my recently finished Vedderstone Ranch quilt.  Here are some details.

I machine quilted it AND added big stitch details.  I know! what a rule breaker.  Here it is chilling on the swing. 

The quilt and I had a happy photo shoot from different spots on the farm.

The corn was like 8 feet high!   I also climbed the windmill, which does spin, but just for  fun.

It is such a pretty farm and we're so blessed to have a place to gather and visit.  Here is a prairie that my father in law planted for  my step mother in law.  It is filled with grasses and flowers, but I didn't get a great photo of it.

Here is the sign where our land ends at our rural road that gets us into town.  It is a one light town.  The land was settled in 1833 but The Vedders have only had it since the 1970s.

This is about as fancy as things get here.....box brownies with strawberries.

Here are some other pretty shots from around the farm.  The gator and walking path through the woods behind the houses.

The soybean field in the early morning with a layer of mist.  I love the wide open sky!

Sunset

The setting sun hitting the "grandkids" house which was built when we had our two children and my BIL an SIL had two children.

A view from the porch swing on the Main House (original log home built first).

I had planned to share other photos, but I'll wait for the next post - this one is long enough.

I could not resist joining the antique quilt star stitch along hosted by Taryn over at Repro Quilt Lover. 

Here are my first two blocks.

Check out the hashtag #scrappystarstitchalong to see everyone who is making stars.

I hope you are all happy and doing well.

xo

The Maine Event!

 After Vermont Quilt Festival was cancelled Wendy convinced me to enter my Chrome Sweet Chrome Quilt at Maine Quilts.  I'm so happy it received a 3rd place ribbon.

I also entered my Chernobyl quilt since Jen Kingwell was going to be the featured teacher/speaker.  I was surprised and thrilled that she posted it on her IG feed.  So I know that she saw it.  Yay.

Wendy's quilt was in the same category and received 2nd and Best Hand Quilting.  I may have done more quilting, but Wendy's is superior in every way.

Here is the first place quilt in our category. 

I finally had the opportunity to visit Busy Thimble Quilt Shop and see Cyndi.  Can you see the wonder and happiness on my face.

I think I purchased about 25 yards of fabric.  It was wonderful!

Her shop is by appointment only.   Here is her website:  The Busy Thimble

There were many beautiful quilts at the show.  Here are a few that I loved.

I really wish there was a little more information about the quilt.

I was lucky to win (bid highest) in the silent auction for  this hand quilted Amish style doll and quilt.  Nutmeg likes her too.

I also won a Christmas Raffle Basket but I didn't get a photo before giving half of it away.

It was too hot to visit the botanical garden so Wendy and I saw the Barbie Movie.  So fun!  Hi Barbie, Hi Barbie, Hi Barbie......

I'll be back soon with the Hortense Beck exhibit.   In the meantime you cans more from Maine Quilts on Gladi's Blog here and Wendy's Blog Here.

xo

barb

Summer Quilting Update

Nutmeg's Puff Quilt....She hates it.

Now you may wonder why I made this.  All I can say is that I wanted to try this method because I think they have a old timey charm and I wanted to understand how it was done.

We picked out fabrics.  These were from a 5" charm pack by moda.  the line is called Slow Stroll.

She liked this part

Here are all my little pockets ready to fill and sew.   I used this tutorial which I first saw on Instagram. 

 
Here is the back before adding the backing

I layered it and pinned it 

Then I tied each corner with perle cotton .

I used the floral print from Hanna's wedding tissue covers.  I brought the backing to the front and machine stitched it.

I made it to fit in the box she likes to lay in.

What can I say?  She hates it.

In other news:

I made a special label for  Hanna and David's wedding quilt using several label books.

I got that wonderful flat light box - where else?  Amazon.  Here is the one I purchased.

I combined several designs by tracing them, and I did the lettering myself.  It is not perfect, but it was done by my own hand.

Here it is on the back of the quilt.

I'm still doing big stitch quilting on my Vedderstone Ranch quilt.

On my Design Wall:

This is a quilt I started in 2015 - yep, that's 8 years ago folks.

The only thing left to do is sew on the top border and appliqué those top animals.  That is all that is left......so why did I put it a drawer for  so long???  

If you are still here, thanks for  reading my post today.  I'm feeling very conflicted about blogging at the moment.  So many great quilters and friends have given it up.

Like my friend, Wendy Reed, I am going to continue for myself and to journal my creative endeavors.

Here are a few photos out on the sound with my boys.

I love to watch the clouds out there in the open sky.

Happy Summer.

xo