Have you seen Lori's new fabric? Since I've been able to see early peeks and bits from her line I've had several ideas for how to use Lori's new line called Daisy Cottage. It is funny how some of my ideas are exactly like Lori's, but I always want to do something that is my own so I came up with an idea to use the Riley Blake 5" stacker (double) in my own way. (apologies to Lori for my not true to color photos)
My squares are 5" unfinished and they are of 3 different window designs and 1 little house. This is the valance window.
This is the swag window.
This is the pullback curtain window.And this is the roller shade window.
This is the mini house block. The blocks went together so quickly. I made them all including applique in 1 day. Of course I need to make more of them since they are 4.5" finished but it is a fun sized block and making all the blocks is full of creative enjoyment. I have a few other ideas for other blocks. We'll see how it goes.

-nanette

P.S. My friend and neighbor Laura is teaching cooking classes again. I'm taking her pie crust class on Friday. I can't wait. If you're interested, see Laura's blog for details.

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It is Friday. I can't believe it. It is the end to another busy week and the beginning of a new month. We are entering a crazy time of the year. Snatching bits of time to sew keeps me sane even when life is off kilter.
I like this vintage inspired fabric with daisies in a grid. I got them on sale. Red and blue are such a basic to my fabric stash.Speaking of daisies. Lori's Daisy Cottage fabric is coming out this week into stores. I don't have any in my hands yet, but will soon. In the spirit of Daisy Cottage I thought I would show a couple vintage daisy fabrics I have. I love flowers in fabric.This is another daisy in a 70's vintage fabric. Blue and rust/brown were always paired together back in my high school and college days. I went through a time of hating 70's fabric but I love it now.
This floral rose fabric was given to me by my sweet friend in Texas, Elaine. Elaine's blog is Muddling Through. We have a lot in common and sometimes we muddle through together. Elaine knows I've been searching for the dress fabric shown in the photo below.
It is absolutely reminiscent of the blue fabric I was wearing. What a thoughtful treat for me. Elaine knew she had something in her stash similar and mailed it to me as a surprise. Thank you Elaine.

So many new fabrics will be bursting into the stores since Quilt Market is over now. It is exciting to see what is coming out. Happy Weekend everyone. Fall back to an extra hour of sleep. Yayy.

-nanette

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I took some time off to be with my family. I didn't spend much time in my sewing room but I still have a tiny bit of progress to show on my row-by-row quilt featuring Pam's fabric.
I finished all the applique in my strawberry patches blocks.
I changed up which corner in the patchwork the strawberries are placed in.
I thought it would make it fun to have the strawberries popping up all over in the patchwork.
My next block is strawberry star flowers. I used a pre-made strawberry applique inside each star flower center. That made them go really quickly. The little strawberry appliques I found on etsy. I got them from this shop. I just top stitched the strawberries in place. But really, it would be easy to make them and hand applique them just by downsizing my bigger strawberry applique.

-nanette

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I confess I really don't like Halloween but I do like Halloween fabric. And I like orange. So I usually make some kind of fall related project most years. This year it didn't happen. So I thought I would show you some Halloween projects from years past.
Fall pumpkin themed flag flying outside my front door. I think I made this 10 years ago. I still like it.
Cottage block made with fun Halloween fabric by Sheri Berry.
Halloween cottage blocks sewn into a wall hanging/table topper. I gave this to my sister.
Halloween place-mat made with Sarah's pattern.
It isn't just Halloween here. It is also my daughter Shelbie's birthday. Happy Birthday Shelbie Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone. And I hope everyone makes it back home from fall Quilt Market having much success.

-nanette

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I have nothing to show for the weekend people. Really, nothing. Between October 22 and Halloween, 4 of my children plus my only granddaughter have birthdays. It is a busy busy time at my house right now. My daughter from Oklahoma is here and so I'm spending as much time as possible with her and my family that live in Utah.
I did get a new front door mat so I can show. I usually get something bee related for my daughter Whitney for birthday or Christmas so I bought one of these for both of us.

I have some applique cut out for my row-by-row quilt. I may get some time to work on that this week.

-nanette

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I want to show you the progress on my Row-by-Row Quilt. Before my family retreat I had had a few finished blocks ready to show you.
This block I call strawberry patches. My strawberry tops are green felted wool. I used sketch machine embroidery to stitch details in the leaf and top in the strawberry.
I also made mirror image stars. I almost want to call these Victor/Victoria blocks. They are fun to make but I must have quilters dyslexia or something. Every single star I had something to pick out.
I really like this block and I enjoyed taking advantage of the different colorways in Pam's fabric to create the stars. I'm dying for the yardage to come out. I need to get sashing fabric to start putting my rows together. I can't wait.

-nanette

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Friday and Saturday last week were spent with family sewing at my home. It was fun and sweet and everything it should be when family gets together to spend quality time.
We moved the furniture out of my living room and replaced it with portable tables and chairs. My living room is separated from my sewing studio by doors. So I was able to open up the space to use the 2 rooms together. It worked pretty well.
Sewing and talking. Isn't that the best!?Most of the girls worked on making a Picnic Quilt like mine draped over the piano in the corner of the room. My sister Teri worked on my In the Leafy Treetops quilt.
Here we are standing in my entry way. Next year we are going to make the beehive quilt hanging behind us.My niece Tricia got her quilt top completed.My sister Michelle actually finished 2 quilt tops. It helps when you have blocks ready and the quilt partially made before arriving to the retreat.My niece Tana got her picnic quilt top done except for the borders. She's going to hand quilt hers. I didn't get a photo of my sister Paula's top. She had hers packed away by the time photos were taken. Darn.
I worked on appliqueing strawberries during the retreat. I didn't want to lose focus for my PKM Happy Row By Row quilt.
Right before lunch on Saturday my kitchen faucet broke. But by the end of Saturday Mr. Hive had me fixed back up (without some stress!). I really like the new faucet.

I had a great weekend and so much fun. I'm so glad we can get together to sew as family. I wish you could have joined us.

-nanette

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