Blue Irish Chain ... done!

In July of 2011, we visited Quilter's Compass in Monticello, Wisconsin. I bought a blue batik to make an Irish chain incorporating some other squares I had made. You can see my idea below, an idea that I did not like once I saw the pieces together!

The little pinwheels ended up in a donation quilt.

The blue batik did become an Irish chain. 

It is 120" X 104". I hand quilted it in three large pieces. The motif is my own. Here is a closeup of the motif.

Recently I finished and joined the pieces. I added the outer border on the ends and machine quilted the border since it is batik which is hard to hand quilt. I put on the binding. Then I realized that I did not add the 1" white inner border on the ends (where the borders were added after most of the quilting was done).

I'm not tearing out binding, quilting, and borders!

The back is cotton, a Japanese fabric. 

I love the color - it looks summery on this snowy, wintry day. The quilt is definitely unique thanks to my 'error' but I love it. It is a keeper!

Wool socks done!

The sheep were raised and sheered south of Stockton, Illinois by Suzy the Shepherdess. The yarn was spun at Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill in Wisconsin. The pattern is called Stockton Socks.

The socks are knitted top down. I made these for Ray. They are soft and warm. I thought it was about time I made something for him!

Hockey and Cheeseburgers

Last Saturday night, we went to a Rockford IceHogs hockey game with a bunch of other Lions. Ray is a Lion. The IceHogs haven't had the best season since the NHL strike was settled so I thought it would be a so-so game. Wrong!

GOOOAL! Yes the IceHogs scored early and often in the first period! Five goals in a period broke the franchise record! And they weren't done yet. They beat the Abbotsford Heat 7 - 2. 

One really fun part was that when the 4th goal was scored, everyone got free frozen custard from Culver's. When the 5th goal was scored, the frozen custard changed to concrete mixers. And when the 6th goal was scored, the concrete mixers changed to cheeseburgers. Yes, all 4300+ people could claim free cheeseburgers at a local Culver's the next day! The player that scored the sixth goal cost Culver's a lot of money and it was his first goal this season!

Now the sad part - we weren't in the area to claim our cheeseburgers the next day. And in case you are wondering, we didn't win anything with the 7th goal except a great IceHogs victory!

Interesting Start To Private Retreat

Ray once again has a meeting in Champaign, IL. It happens twice a year like clockwork! So I come along and keep him company on the trip. While he is at his meeting, I sew in our motel room. 

I brought the QOV quilt (in pieces) that I started a week ago at our retreat. Last night about 9:30, I set up my machine and got everything ready. Then I realized what I had sewn last week. 

The top piece is fine - when the blocks are made and put together, the blue/white HSTs will make a pinwheel. The bottom one, well, it is NOT fine! Seventy some piece were ripped apart last night and re-sewn this morning! 

I'm now making progress so I'll get back to sewing!

A joyful week

Good friends and family are like quilts. 

They age with you, 

yet never lose their warmth.

Today, we enjoyed lunch and a visit with some friends that we haven't seen in a while. What a joy!

On Wednesday we enjoyed lunch at our church - we have soup and sandwich lunches every Wednesday during Lent. It is a joy to visit with local friends.

On Tuesday we had dinner with two of my brothers and their wives. It is always a joy to spend time with family!

The week is not over - we still have plans... and yes, there will be more eating!

A Great Quilt Retreat

A quilt retreat with friends is a great way to spend a weekend. Thought I'd share a few pictures. 

We stayed at Memory Lane. Oh, what a place! 

We were out in the country, 

in a beautiful house with plenty of room to quilt. 

Yes the four of us had the entire house!

A photo of a photo!

I didn't get a photo of the house 

since I didn't want to go out in the snow.

A photo from their website.

Above The craft room is at the left end of the house. My workspace was right by the window on the far left.

Below This was my view all day Friday - gorgeous!

There was no sunshine on Saturday.

On Sunday we had ice and rain.

Looking out over deck and pond.

This was the view out of the front door on Saturday.

Looking towards the road.

The light in the workroom was fantastic - unless one was taking photos towards the windows!

We each had two 2' x 5' tables - plenty of space!

We used the kitchen island as a cutting table - nice!

I loved the house phone.

When I wasn't sewing, I spent time in this great glider.

 It was a fantastic weekend.

Quilt Retreat Projects

Barb brought a number of items to finish.
She machine quilted most of the time. 

Sorry about the glares. 

Barb free motion quilted this one.

Sandy was doing lots of piecing.

She spent lots of time on the floor laying out blocks.

I didn't get a picture of her lasagna quilt.

A back for a quilt top that Sandy had already made.

       

Krista also was doing lots of piecing.

She joined us Saturday 

because she is a coach and her basketball team played Friday night. 

They won so maybe(?) it was worth missing the day with us.

She really made up for lost time.

I took along some UFO's that needed a little work.

I put on the binding but still need to hand sew it.

I finished the last 2 seams - I thought there was more to do!

I finished putting together this small top that I began in a class on 2-5-13.

I put on the two borders.

I did start some piecing also.

February BOM Lucky 2B Quilting

Playing with new Quick Curve Ruler from Sew Kind of Wonderful

A new QOV quilt started