Buzzings from a quilter who bumbles her way through life!

Monday, January 28, 2013

A Family Treasure!


If you've followed my blog for a while, you will know how "in love" I am with vintage items. This weekend, we went to visit my husband's Aunt Wilma. I came home with a family treasure - quilt blocks hand made by his Aunt Rubye! Aunt Rubye has been gone for about 20 years now. She died in her 90's. When she was living, she was a master with the needle! Everything she made was perfection! (This is the same aunt who made a living embroidering monograms for Neiman-Marcus during the Depression years!)
 There are 11 squares here, all hand appliqued and embroidered on muslin. They look like Spring to me!!
A close up. Although the vase appears to be crooked, it is because I have not pressed the block and there is a fold through the center.

The bolt of pillow ticking was packed with it, so we assume she planned to use it for the backing. There is no date on these. She started sewing as a young girl at the turn of the century, but I am assuming these blocks were from the 1930's (when she made several quilts) or the 1940's. I think the backing fabric is from later.

I'm not sure how I will put this together. I assume she planned a 12th block, but after counting them 5 times, I don't think I missed one. It might be that one will become a pillow (or cushion as my European and British friends would say). I think it will make a gorgeous quilt if I don't mess it up! I will set it aside and think about the perfect setting for these blocks.
Have you seen this pattern before? If so, do you have any information about it? 
Until next time....
 Bee Blessed!
 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Dare To Dresden - A Non-Traditional Take on a Traditonal lBlock!

I have done much more applique than I have piecing, so I had not made a Dresden Plate block before. (I came close by making a Grandmother's Fan about 10 years ago.) I pulled out book after book to find out if there was a standard block or if wedges sewn together to form a circle and with a circle in the center was the only criteria.
My book from the 1940's simply read, "Draw a large circle and a smaller one in the center. Divide into 20 equal points. The design is made from mixed calicos and ginghams. Sew pieces together and applique to block." Then other books had only 8 wedges or some other number. 
I had one ruler designed for making a circle quilt. I used it to cut my wedges.The first "plate" I made was so tedious, I decided to try again a little smaller.
                                                  Easier, but still not small.
So, I followed the directions and cut a circle and divided it into equal parts.

I was in love with the colors because they made me happy, and because the background I decided to use was in different gray prints, I decided to call it"Happy Thoughts on a Cloudy Day". I even quilted in a few Dresden plate designs on some of the appliqued circles - like thoughts bubbling to the surface! All of the fabrics I used were from my stash, so that was nice!
So....what are your happy thoughts today? Mine is that today is my birthday! (My mama still bakes me a cake! My giveaway is the family recipe and the story behind it. You can find it on the Recipe tab at the top or you can just go here. Everyone is a winner today!)
Be sure you visit the other blogs on the hop today! Here is the schedule:
January 24th2013




Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Join me Thursday!

I'll be posting Thursday, January 24, for the Dare to Dresden blog hop! I've had quite an experience with this one! I've put together a very non-traditional quilt with a very traditional block. See you then!
                        
                   Link here for Dare To Dresden Schedule

Friday, January 18, 2013

Winner of my Giveaway! (and new pattern publshed)

We have a winner!
 The Random Number Generator chose #8,
Lovely work Linda. It sounds so nice to have a coffe afternoon with the family each day. I would love a chance to win the coffe mat applique.

Congratulations, Val! I will be sending your pattern as soon as I can contact you! 
I now have the "It's Coffee Time!" pattern up in my Craftsy shop. I'm working on the other two, "Grow" and "Whatever You Are...", but they will also be up soon. Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and for following along with the In Your Words Blog Hop! I'm off to drink my morning coffee now!
 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Last Day of the In Your Words Blog Hop!

Today is the last day of the In Your Words Blog Hop! If you have not been following it, you can always catch up! We've seen some wonderful projects  - all having words on them! Today's schedule proves to be just as inspiring! 
Sew we quilt

Wednesday, January 16
 
 
My post was yesterday. If you missed it, you can see it here and comment for a chance to win my giveaway! 
If you have been hopping with us all along, a special THANKS goes out to you! 
 

Monday, January 14, 2013

My Day for In Your Words!

I've been "chomping at the bits" (a good old Texas term) to show you my projects for this blog hop. Finally, it's time! 
I have three wordy projects to show you. They all have a deeper meaning than what you see right off. 
First, 
Words are applied with a paint pen and then quilting is around each individual letter.
Hand applique. Fabric is from Amanda Murphy's Swiss Chocolate line from Robert Kaufman as well as scraps from my stash. Little glass beads form the sugar crystals on and around the spoon and sugar bowl.

 Every day at 4:00, I go to my parent's house for coffee. My brother and sister, nieces, nephews and spouses join us. We all go straight to the coffee pot when we walk in and then join everyone around the large table that my daddy made years ago. (He also made the chairs!) Because my brother-in-law is a peanut farmer, there is usually a big bowl of unshelled peanuts on the table as a snack. Sometimes it's joined by freshly baked bread, sliced fruit, crackers and cheese, or whatever the snack of the day might be. We stay about an hour catching up on the latest news and just being a family. We tend to claim the same coffee mug every day. (Creatures of habit, you know!) Family is very important to us all!
Fabric is from Amanda Murphy's "Bella" for Blend Fabrics, excluding a few scraps from my stash. Wording is applied with a paint pen and quilting is done around each letter.
 Next up is a quote by Abraham Lincoln - "Whatever you are, be a good one." I still have an image of one of my sons coming home in second grade in tears. He looked up at me with a big tear running down his little face and said, "I was going to be the very best today but I just wasn't!" We had a good talk about trying every day to be the "very best", but not expecting success EVERY time! I need to tell myself the same thing over and over.
Words are hand applique with all raw edges turned. Additional words are quilted in the background.
 Last is the most personal. I want to GROW this year. Quilted in the background are the words "Spiritually, Mentally, and Professionally." You're never too old to learn and grow in many ways. I don't plan on ever stopping!
I have a giveaway! I will send you a PDF version of your choice of any one pattern from my Craftsy store if you are the winner. (The patterns for the wall hangings above will be added soon and are also eligible.) So leave your comment for a chance to win and follow for a second chance (or let me know you already follow). I will announce a winner on Friday, January 18. Giveaway is now closed. (The pattern for It's Coffee Time is now available in my Craftsy shop.)
 
 Tomorrow is the last day of the blog hop, so be sure you come back then. Today's blogs on the hop are:
Tuesday, January 15
Buzzing and Bumbling  YOU'RE HERE!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Day Six of the In Your Words Blog Hop!

Sew we quilt 
Day 6 already and only two more days to go after today! I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am. It has been so much fun to see what variety and creativity is out there with such a simple theme! Of course, most of us bloggers love words, so.... what can I say? (A lot, obviously!)
Here is the schedule for today:

Monday, January 14



Cherrys Prairie Primitives Corrected now! Take a look!









  

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Day Five of the In Your Words Blog Hop!

Sew we quilt
Wow! It's already Day 5! If you are just now joining us, be sure you go back and see the projects that have already been posted. You're bound to find some great inspiration! Here is the schedule for today:

 
Friday, January 11
 
 

We're having so much fun!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Day Four of the In Your Words Blog Hop!



If you are just now joining us, you will want to go back and see all the inspiration from the last three days! Today's schedule is as follows:
Sew we quilt
Thursday, January 10
 
 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Day Three - In Your Words Blog Hop!

Sew we quilt



Today is the third day of the In Your Words Blog Hop. I hope you're enjoying the hop and finding inspiration. I know I am! Today's schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, January 9
 

Monday, January 7, 2013

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Friday, January 4, 2013

In Your Words Blog Hop Schedule

Sew we quilt
Here is the full schedule for the In Your Words Blog Hop! Be sure to visit each one and leave your comments. There will be prizes as well as a lot of inspiration!
Monday, January 7
Kwilty Pleasures  (Kathy G.)
Sew Darn Quilt  (Carolyn R.)
Traveling Quilter  (Debbie A.)
Just Let Me Quilt (Carol S.)
Vroomans Quilts (Sharon V.)
Cate's Linens (Catherine R.)
Nini and the Sea  (Denise)
Tuesday, January 8
Piece Peace (Patricia G.) 
A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)
krislovesfabric (Kris T.)
The Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)
Wednesday, January 9
Kathy's Quilts (Kathy W.)
Sunshine Quilting (Martina S.)
Grammie Q's (Charlotte M.)
Dancing Moon (Carla B.)
Thursday, January 10
Just Sew Sue (Sue B.)
Scrappy 'n Happy (Jess R.)
Sowing Stitches (Beulah aka. Carol)
Just Quilt It  (Kathy G.)
Friday, January 11
Jane's Fabrics (Jane R.)
Jane's Quilting (Jane C.)
Nuts 4 Redwork (Heide W.)
Bits and Pieces (Martha R.)
Life in Every Breath (Jennifer B.)
Quilting Lines (Patricia L.)
Meadowbrook  (Kristen K.)
Count It All Joy!  (Denise P.)
Sophie Junction (Sophie W.)
Monday, January 14
Clothes and Crafts (Maria K.)
Simple Sew (Shirley T.)
Woolie Mammoth (Anna B.)
RocknQuilts (Mary Ann)
Quiltsmiles (Jane E.)
Tuesday, January 15
BQuiltin Studio  (Beverly K.)
Hill Valley Quilter (Britt-Inger)
Bumbleberry Stitches  (Theresa K.)
Buzzing and Bumbling  (Linda W.)
In Stitches and Seams  (Annette S.)
Englating  (Marica from Sweden)
Stitchin by the Lake  (Marlene B.)
Selina Quilts  (Selina)
Words & Stitches (Beth S.)
Wednesday, January 16
Quiltin' Jenny  (Jenny)
Dachsies With Moxie  (Agnes B.)
Sew Many Yarns (Lyndsey M.)
Christa Quilts (Christa W.)

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Winner of Yesterday's Giveaway!

Mdm. Samm has designed this beautiful graphic for the new year! I hope this year is full of love, good health, and happiness for you and your family! 
If you've come from the Quilting Secrets Blog Hop, my post is here.
And the winner of yesterday's giveaway? The random number generator chose:
Some great ideas I didn't know about!
                                              
Be sure you visit the remainder of the blogs this week revealing their quilting secrets
Linda @ Buzzing and Bumbling  January 1st - you are here!
Sue @ Quilt Times  January 5th
 then join me for a new blog hop starting on January 7th, the In Your Words Blog Hop!  I will be posting the list each day for the blogs you should visit. Your comments will put you in the drawing for nice prizes and some blogs will host giveaways. You will be inspired in so many ways during this hop. Be sure you join us! What a great start for the year!!! I'm giving the schedule again for the upcoming hop:

Monday, January 7
Kwilty Pleasures  (Kathy G.)
Sew Darn Quilt  (Carolyn R.)
Traveling Quilter  (Debbie A.)
Just Let Me Quilt (Carol S.)
Vroomans Quilts (Sharon V.)
Cate's Linens (Catherine R.)
Nini and the Sea  (Denise)
Tuesday, January 8
Piece Peace (Patricia G.) 
A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)
krislovesfabric (Kris T.)
The Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)
Wednesday, January 9
Kathy's Quilts (Kathy W.)
Sunshine Quilting (Martina S.)
Grammie Q's (Charlotte M.)
Dancing Moon (Carla B.)
Thursday, January 10
Just Sew Sue (Sue B.)
Scrappy 'n Happy (Jess R.)
Sowing Stitches (Beulah aka. Carol)
Just Quilt It  (Kathy G.)
Friday, January 11
Jane's Fabrics (Jane R.)
Jane's Quilting (Jane C.)
Nuts 4 Redwork (Heide W.)
Bits and Pieces (Martha R.)
Life in Every Breath (Jennifer B.)
Quilting Lines (Patricia L.)
Meadowbrook  (Kristen K.)
Count It All Joy!  (Denise P.)
Sophie Junction (Sophie W.)
Monday, January 14
Clothes and Crafts (Maria K.)
Simple Sew (Shirley T.)
Woolie Mammoth (Anna B.)
RocknQuilts (Mary Ann)
Quiltsmiles (Jane E.)
Tuesday, January 15
BQuiltin Studio  (Beverly K.)
Hill Valley Quilter (Britt-Inger)
Bumbleberry Stitches  (Theresa K.)
Buzzing and Bumbling  (Linda W.)
Outback Crafter (Debra S.)
In Stitches and Seams  (Annette S.)
Englating  (Marica from Sweden)
Stitchin by the Lake  (Marlene B.)
Selina Quilts  (Selina)
Words & Stitches (Beth S.)
Wednesday, January 16
Quiltin' Jenny  (Jenny)
Dachsies With Moxie  (Agnes B.)
Sew Many Yarns (Lyndsey M.)
The German Mom  (Tina S.)
Christa Quilts (Christa W.)
Sew We Quilt  (Mdm. Samm)
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