Ik ben klaar met mijn Nederlandse quilt gisteren!

Translated says, I finished my Dutch quilt yesterday!

I LOVE this quilt! I know, I know, I say that about all quilts, but I really do love this one. It's different and that's why, I think. Again, a big, big thank you to my sister! Oh by the way, to my Dutch friends, if that's not the right translation, blame Google translator because I don't speak Dutch....lol...I wish I did, but I've heard that it's one of the hardest languages to learn. I just wanted a catchy blog title, which is the hardest part of blogging for me.
I also made this weeks Civil War block. I may make it again because the light fabric may be too light for me. What do you all think?

It's the block that is on the right, second row. Actually I think it looks fine with the others, but we'll see.

Here is the finished third block of the Scandinavian Christmas quilt.

It will soon be time for me to remake the fourth block, come on Santa, where are you????
I have a question for the hand embroiderer's out there. What needles do you use, brand and size? I am always looking to find new and better needles and I am very interested in what everyone else is using. I don't usually use a hoop. I've tried and with my hands, it just does not work. I end up with cramps and in pain and that's no good. Also how long do you use a needle before you throw it out? What kind of backing stabilizer is the best? See, I have lots of questions!

Oh, if haven't replied to some of your comments, it's because I lost a bunch of email. Not sure where in the world it went, but it's gone.
Have a great Sunday! ranette

Just popping in to say Hi !!!

First, Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments about my Pie's and Tart's quilt. I really appreciate you'all! If you didn't hear back from me it's either because I've been extremely scatterbrained this week or you are set to "no reply" blogger.
Here is my Civil War block #8 Cotton Boll. I should have lined my stripes up, but remember, I've been kind of scattered this week and after I'd made it I decided I kind of like the pattern it makes.

I've also been meaning to tell you about a couple of bloggy friend gifts that I have received recently. Teresa from Mama T Keeps You In Stitches made me this cute bag that I use to keep my stitching stuff in.

I love the red and I love that it has my initial on it!! I've met Teresa in person several times and she's a sweetie. She only lives about an hour and a half from me so we will be getting together more often. Thank you again Teresa!

Remember my SSCS partner Leanne? She sent me a sweet bag/purse, that I actually keep a wool project in, for the swap. Well I also received the prettiest Christmas card that my daughter fell in love with. I just couldn't part with my card because I want to frame it, so Leanne sent Kara her very own card to frame and included these very cool note cards that she made!!!

Leanne is an amazing photographer, isn't she?!!! I don't think I can use them though. I'm going to frame them as well. Thank you Leanne!

I did finish the embroidery on my third Scandinavian Christmas block and I'll put the other blocks with it this afternoon and I've been plugging away on the Dutch quilt. Only 12 more blocks to go, I think. I've got several quilts to make that I've got deadlines for, so that's always fun...lol Oh how I wish that I could sew all day everyday, but I might get tired of it, nah, I don't think so. Anyway, have a wonderful day! ranette

Pie's & Tart's Revealed

Are you ready for a picture heavy post? I had my husband take pictures outside yesterday, thank you honey. It was a gorgeous day! Not too hot and not too cold and you will see the wonderful blue Oklahoma sky in some of the pictures. Almost Spring like, almost.

Isn't the quilting great? I love this quilt! I'm not sure whether to use it or hang it.

I made this quilt as a block of the month through Patchwork With Busyfingers and I can highly recommend them to anyone who might be interested in ordering.

I started English Paper-piecing the pie's on the way to my Aunt's funeral, just over two years ago. Quilting is a huge help in working through grief. I found that if I paper-pieced the entire quilt that I would never finish it, so Janet showed me how to do the pie's and tart's by machine and that's what I did. Thanks Janet! I then hand appliqued the circles onto the background fabrics.

This is one of my top favorite quilt's that I've ever made, but I think I say that about all of them....lol
Oh, did you see that Barbara Brackman has put up another Civil War block, the Cotton Boll. It looks pretty straight forward so I should get that one made today or tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend! ranette

Civil War block #7

This was an easy block, but I do love a pretty log cabin block, don't you?

I find myself looking forward to the Barbara Brackman Civil War blocks every week because I love looking through my fabric...lol So far the blocks haven't been hard, but I'm thinking she might have a doozie for us soon.

There's really not much more happening around here right now. Oh I did pick up my Pie's and Tart's quilt from the quilter's and it's gorgeous. Here's a sneak peek.

One more side of sewing down the binding and it's done. Thank you again Emily, Kara and Allie for this wonderful Christmas present. You are sweet and generous kids and I love you!!!
I have made a few JanieBright blocks in the last few weeks, but haven't taken a picture. When I get the next row on I'll post a picture. The local Dear Jane group is meeting two times a month now so that inspires me to keep at it on this quilt. Plus I cleaned my downstairs sewing room and I can pop in and work a little on a block as I'm cooking dinner or doing laundry. Works great for me!

I've also made a little progress on the Dutch quilt, but no picture of that either. I know, I know I'm not thinking much like a blogger these days. I'll try to remedy that. Has anyone else noticed how blogging has changed from individual quilter's showing what they are working on and talking a little about their lives, to a bunch of promotional giveaways and blog hops? I can't keep up with it all. I think I must waste a bunch of time everyday because it's all I can do to get a few stitches in every afternoon or evening.

Anyway, that's enough for today. Thank you all for stopping by and I appreciate the friendships that I've made through blogging. I think about you all often. Geez I must be in a melancholy mood today...lol and it's not even Monday!
Have a good one everybody!!! ranette

Midnight Stars Quilt-along

I still haven't quilted my little doll quilt, but I wanted to join in on the big reveal on Lori's blog. All of the little quilts are so pretty! Thank you again Lori for providing this fun quilt a long and I can't wait for another one!
ranette

Richmond block, done!

Here's my 6th Barbara Brackman Civil War block, Richmond.

Is everyone else enjoying looking through your fabrics and piecing these blocks as much as I am? Here's another crooked picture of all 6 of my blocks together.

This next picture is for Yvette (BOM quilter and her link is on my sidebar).

I still haven't found my 4th block of this little quilt. I know I made it, I just know it. I also know that if I give in and make the block again, I will find the missing block within minutes of finishing. I'll give Santa a few more days to show up!
Here's what I started working on during our 2011 Blizzard.

My sister gave me this kit for my 50th birthday back in August and I was saving it for a special occasion and a couple of snow days qualifies in my book. The quilt caught my eye when it was on the cover of Quilt Mania (my favorite magazine in the whole world!) and Pamela surprised me with the kit. Here's a link to the quilt shop Den Haan & Wagenmakers. The fabrics are mostly Dutch Chintz and are so vibrant and lovely. The hardest part of making it is getting everything organized and in the right place. I've got a pretty good start and I hope to make at least a couple of blocks everyday so I'll be finished fairly soon, hopefully. Thanks again Pam...you are the best sister ever!
I just noticed that the top 4-patch in my Richmond block is turned wrong. Do I rip it out and fix it or just leave it for humility? What would you do? Well back to the sewing room! ranette

Hello from snowy Oklahoma! Just like much of the rest of the United States, we had a terrific blizzard earlier this week and we were snowed in for a couple of days...can you say WooHoo! I could have done without the extreme cold...Brrrr....it's still cold, 19F degrees right now and that's a warm up from yesterday at this time. Okay enough about the weather.

Here's my Kansas Troubles Civil War block, which I had finished last weekend, but forgot to post.

I am really enjoying these blocks and the chance to dig around in my CW fabric stash.
I also finished my Midnight Stars Doll quilt.

Now to quilt it which is always the hardest part for me. This was a fun little project that Lori put together and I can't wait to join in on her next quilt along. Thanks again Lori!
A new quilt has been started, but I'm not ready to show progress pictures, yet...I will try to put some up this weekend though.
Allie finished a big beautiful quilt...I am so proud of her and of all of my quilting girls!

Oh I also finished the embroidery on the second Scandinavian Christmas block and started on the third. The applique is always fun and easy for me, but I struggle to make myself do the embroidery. And it appears that I have lost the fourth block...grrr....not sure where in the world it is, but hopefully I'll find it. Does anyone else lose things?
Well I'm off of the computer for now. I've been trying to stay off of it since I seem to get more done in my sewing room when I limit my online time to just mornings. Have a great Friday and stay warm or cool to my Aussie friends! ranette