Marvelous May

It is finally spring here in Connecticut.  Happy Memorial Day!  I've been BUSY!  Last weekend I took a ferry to block island to meet up with New England members of the American Quilt Study Group the Historical Museum.

We saw beautiful island quilts and learned about shipwrecks and salvage operations on the island.   Some of the shipwrecks were carrying calico fabric and it was spread on the hill behind the church to dry.  It is still known as calico hill.

A friend at my Ninigret Quilt Guild gifted me this shipwreck reproduction fabric a while ago.  It was so interested to learn more about it!

 

I loved this court house step log cabin very much.  I've never made one.

I wonder if it would make a good sew along?  What do you think?

 I think it would be fun.

I also loved this nine patch.  I have a soft spot for them.

We also had a little back stage tour and saw these incredible dresses.  The first one was a wedding dress.

Check out those sleeves!

Earlier this month,  I made some Kentucky Derby fascinators for me and my girlfriends.

It sure was a sloppy run for the roses!

I taught a Liberated House workshop for  the CT Piecemakers.

This is always such a fun class.  No two houses are ever the same.

Mr fun and I have been working to prepare our new raised planters.  I'm excited to get plants.  I hope it doesn't turn into a deer buffet.

Here are my columbines.  I planted seeds last year and I'm so happy with the variety of colors.

I just returned home on Saturday night from Bridgton, Maine where I taught the Pineapple Workshop.   Here is my instagram collage.   Isn't that a beautiful sky?

Finally, I listened to this book and really enjoyed it.  It is a family story set a the base of little bighorn mountains.  It was gentle and good for the soul.  

Happy Spring Everyone!  Thanks for coming by.

xoxo

March Post (finally)

April Fools!  I missed March. But here is a quick catch up of what I've been up to, which isn't much.

I hung my Bow Tie swap quilt and my big Applique quilt for spring.

Hanna and I took a weekend trip to NYC. 

We had a great time eating, walking and taking in the museums.

Here is a wild exhibit at MOMA.  

The artist used discarded stuffed animals (donation centers) and sculpted them.

We visited the Central Park Zoo and walked to the Guggenheim.

It is such an incredible building and a unique way to view art.

I thought these two paintings had great colors that might work in a future quilt.  This first one actually looks like quilt blocks.

I'm working on two challenges at the moment.  Here are sneak peaks, but no further information to share yet.

I taught a liberated houses workshop to a great group in RI at my own guild.  

I never tire of teaching this, because each class has different results.

Finally, I made these stuffed carrots.  It only took a couple of hours and it was very fun.

If you want to make some, click here for the instructions.

Happy Spring Everyone!

xo

February - Longest Month Ever!

Hello! Here is my first 2025 Finish.  Sweet little dolly quilt.

I also made a little doll quilt for a sweet girl turning 1 year next month.

If it looks familiar, I made it using leftovers from this quilt and it is for the same little girl.

In January, we went to Chicago for  a family wedding.  Here is a group shot of the "Danish Cousins".  It was a wonderful occasion to reconnect with family.

Rich and I spent a whole day visiting Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.  It is by far my favorite museum.  I've been visiting it for over 50 years.  The U505 Submarine exhibit space is incredible.

I have always loved getting a mold-a-rama as museums and zoos.  They had a special exhibit with many vintage wax molds.

It was a fabulous day and trip down memory lane. Here is my little pile of treasures.

You may have seen this in IG.  I Mod-Poged  a quilt puzzle.  

I have made several more Jane Stickle blocks.  I'm using a variety of techniques.

I'm making this quilt with the pot holder method, so there are a lot of single bindings to sew.

Woo hoo!  I finished stitching the large black ring on my Eagle.  I'm getting close to finishing this quilt top.

I found this beautiful lamp at the Good Will store.   It needs a larger shade, but for  now I'm enjoying it.  The price you ask?  $7.99.

The Magnolia has such a soft pretty look, and I also love the gold accents.

Just last night we enjoyed a candlelight concert.  It was wonderful!  I highly recommend finding one near you.   We heard 4 young men from Yale play Vivaldi's Four Seasons and a few other pieces.

When the house lights go out, and hundreds of (flameless) candles are the only light, it is truly magical.

Finally, if you are still here I wish you peace and comfort in these troubling times.  

Stay warm and well friends.

xo

barb