Sunday, June 29, 2014

Austen Family Album Quilt - Blocks 12 and 13 Done

We were on vacation last Sunday so I was a little behind but got two blocks done tonight.

Block #12 is Waves of the Sea for Francis Austen another of Jane's brothers. He was very successful in the military and actually became an Admiral and was Knighted. 

Continuing the use of blue fabrics and tried to use as many different ones as possible.



Block #13 is Crosses & Losses for Charles Austen - yet another brother of Jane's.  Charles also was in the military and became a Rear Admiral (not sure what the difference is between an Admiral and a Rear Admiral). 



More blue fabrics used for this block. I am starting to see a decrease in the blue fabric box but am keeping out the fabrics I use to keep from duplicating them - at least for now.  

May try to use the fabrics again in either the sashing, borders and/or the binding.  

This is now 13 done out of 36 so we are 1/3 done!!




Florida Vacation - Post #2

We are actually home now but wanted to post a couple more things from vacation.

I took the plunge and got my second ear pierce while on vacation.  I have wanted to do so for awhile but as our daughter was with us she could help me with the process.  Here is a picture of the result


Sorry for the messy hair!  We had just spent a 90 degree morning at the Naples Zoo!

I did finish a second book on vacation. 


Unfortunately after finishing it I realized that I had read the second book in the series before reading the first one!!  However I loved the book as it was about a group of women who work in a quilt shop. 

Back to work tomorrow. Vacation always goes so fast




Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Florida Vacation - Post #1

We are down in Ft Myers Beach, FL with our daughter and granddaughter.  The weather is warm - almost 90 - and the humidity high but we are having a good time.

I have finished one book - a historical fiction around the Titanic disaster.  It was good and I enjoy learning some new history.  




My husband and I went kayaking yesterday. I had never been before and we needed to try it out before our Alaska trip next year.  Here is a picture from my kayak while out in the water.  



And here is a picture of my husband. 



We were out for almost two hours and I did get the hang of it.  As I was pulling into the dock a baby manatee came up next to me and it was awesome!!!   

We played on the beach just after sunset last night and made a sand castle.



Off today to Sanibel and Captiva Islands.  

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Austen Family Album Quilt - Block 11 Done

This weeks block is Friendship Square for Catherine Knatchbull Knight. Catherine and her husband adopted Jane Austen's brother Edward. 

My block turned out a little wonky but I like the fabric combination. 

My blue box of fabrics is not going down too fast but it has been fun trying to use different fabrics. 



Friday, June 13, 2014

Another Baby Boy Quilt Done

Tonight I finished the binding on another baby boy quilt. This one is for a women in my office who is due later this month.

The pattern is called Emma's Star but I did not include the star feature on the cornerstones.  

Actually this quilt was made from the extra blocks that I made in error when making a quilt for my husbands nephew a couple of years ago.

Here is the post with that quilt ->  http://mustardseed-becky.blogspot.com/2012/11/ufo-4a-finished-and-delivered.html

I still have a couple of these blocks leftover but they will go into my orphaned blocks box for a possible future use

Another finish!  On to the next one......

Monday, June 9, 2014

Austen Family Album Quilt - Block 10 Done

Block #10 is Good Fortune for Edward Austen Knight.  Edward was Jane's brother but was adopted by the Knight family which allowed him to inherit their property.  More history is available at the Austen Family Album blog.

I found a fun fabric in my blue fabric box to use for the focal point and I really like the fabrics I used.  


However I ended up having to recut the center triangles, pull the pieces apart and resew the blocks.  Then when I attached to the rows I sewed them together wrong!!  The whole block ended up taking probably twice as long as it should have.  



Thursday, June 5, 2014

Tell it to the Stars - June Block done

This month's block was a little complicated but I like the end product.  I had to pull it apart a couple of times as I sewed the corner blocks on wrong!


Halfway done with this mystery quilt and still not sure how all the blocks will go together.



Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Austen Family Album Quilt - Block #9

This week's block is called London Roads for Henry Austen, Jane's brother.  

Henry had a both a military and religous career and helped Jane to foster her writing - so we all have much to be thankful to Henry for as we would not have her wonderful books without him.

Continuing my blue fabric usage but with a brown complement this week.  


Like how this block came out - the samples had lighter fabric where I have the medium blue but I am happy with my selections.

Please go to austenfamilyalbumquilt.blog to see Henry's history and also to read the information on Jane's other family members.


Getting it Done - May Status and June List

Getting it Done - May Status

Things I really want to get done:
Clue #5 for Tell it to the Stars - done 5/4/14
Austen Family Album - Blocks # 5,6,7 and 8 done
Quilt and bind Hearts Afire quilt - not done
Sew down binding on Spoolin Around mat - done 5/3/14
21st Century Bull Eye - complete fabric cuts and do first steps for 20 squares of 48 - all fabric cut, all 48 squares done and also cut into quarters ready for creation of blocks
Start Welcome Banner - done 5/17/14

Things I might get done:
Believe tablerunner - not started
Border and backing for Comfort and Joy quilt - not done
Border and quilt for Anita's Arrowhead quilt - border added but quilting not done
Make backing for Cabin in the Woods quilt top - done 5/17/14
Make backing for Oh Christmas Tree quilt top - done 5/17/14

Getting it Done - June List

Things I really want to get done:
Clue #6 for Tell it to the Stars
Austen Family Album - make weekly blocks
Quilt and bind Hearts Afire Quilt
Quilt and bind Anita's Arrowhead quilt
21st Century Bulls Eye - sew together 24 blocks
Finish Boy Baby Quilt for Naomi

Things I might get done:
Five blocks for Re-Piecing the Past quilt top
Work on Girl Baby Quilt for Kei
Start work on Disappearing Four Patch blocks
Continue work on Square Deal blocks

Going to be on vacation in Florida for a week so this list is probably too long.
Wish me luck!!!


Dresses for Maddy

I bought a pattern on a trip last year - unfortunately not sure from where or which quilt shop - for a wrap dress for our granddaughter Maddy.  Maddy lives in dresses right now and it was fun to go into my stash with her to pick out some fabrics.

I made one of them right before Memorial Day and she would not take it off all weekend!  So what does a Grandma do but make her more!



One thing I found out while making these is that I don't really enjoy making clothing - quilts and other projects are what I love!!