After watching quilty-friend Gail piece together Step One of Bonnie Hunter's Christmas Lights Mystery Quilt last night, I was inspired and spent the better part of today cutting, pressing, sewing holiday themed fabrics together. I'm all set for Step Two!
(My appologies to anyone with dial-up, because tonight's entry is photo-laden!)
Hubby and I went for a Sunday drive today and ended up in Grand Bend at the Lambton Heritage Museum to take in their special exhibit: Between the Stitches: Lambton Quilts & Quilters, and the 20th Anniversary North Lambton Quilters Guild Show.
I've been to this museum several times, and it's "very well done", and always has been, in my memory. The main part of the museum houses collections of items from the early history of Lambton County settlement. Outside, several old homes and public buildings have been relocated to this property, restored and protected.
Here are a few photos of the quilts in the museum's collection:
I got a close up of this block, because I liked the horseshoes in the background print. Here's the whole quilt:
Hubby was very interested in the quilts, and if we got separated, he'd come and get me and take me over to a display if he had a question about how Crazy Quilts are contructed, or what exactly "Bishop's Fan" quilting was, or how signature quilts were used in fundraising. That's the great thing about Hubby - - he loves to learn about things, and is interested in EVERYTHING!
I've seen many "signature quilts" before, and there was many examples in this exhibit, but this one is very unusual. First, the names are cross-stitched on the quilt, not stem stitched, and there are four colours, not merely white with embroidery, or bi-coloured. According to the information printed on the card next to the quilt, it could be fairly accurately dated to circa 1877, because a couple of the people named in the quilt died in a diptheria outbreak in 1878. Take a close look at the full picture of this quilt - it's breathtaking.
This is one of the loveliest crazy quilts I've ever seen. Not precisely "crazy" since it is regularly patterned, but the embroidery is gorgeous, the figured fabrics are in pristine condition, and the wide lace trim is beautiful.
I didn't find too many treasures today, but a couple of goodies. I think my favourites are the the vintage pillow case, the pewter compact, the silver Scottish thistle pin (I should have given this to you Carol!) and the bag of handstitched quilt blocks. I love the print in the top block - it has musical notes, clocks and flowers. Cute!
I also got some books, a box that had 14 bobbins that will fit my Singer Featherweight, and a garden ornament of a sleeping cherub.Well THIS is something I haven't done for a long time! Getting up at 4 in the morning to sew? Well, for sure I'll be among the early birds at all the yard sales this morning!
I still have a way to go on Pick & Choose. The vertical rows are yet to be sewn together with sashing, but this photo gives you an idea of what it might look like when it's done. It will have a saw-toothed border, for which I have all the HSTs sewn, pressed, trimmed to square, and pinned together in pairs.
I've been struggling with a decision. I was thinking of switching my Speech course (Oral discourse, rhetoric, and debate) for a nice easy Visual Arts History class, that begins on the 6th. I was looking forward to the Speech class, but recently realized it was going to require a lot of writing. Ordinarily, writing it right up my alley, but I started thinking about all the research and homework I'm going to have to do. On Thursday, I was just "mouse clicks" away from swapping the class, but chickened out.I say chickened out - because I felt really torn! I'm not one to step back from a challenge, and I'm not afraid of working hard on a project. So last night I decided - - I'm swapping! Guess what? The empty seats that were still open in Visual Arts History on Thursday, were filled by Friday. I guess the Universe is telling me to trust my guts, and embrace the challenge!
Besides, opportunities for public speaking practice will be good for helping me get over my crippling shyness - mwwaahahahaha!!! (I almost said it with a straight face!)
The advertising for Bud Light Lime has worked its spell on me, and as the weather got hotter and hotter this week, the more I craved a taste. I went to the Beer Store on Monday, and they were SOLD OUT! I went back yesterday, and met the new delivery. And I must say....I was not disappointed. I'm looking forward to finding a shady spot this afternoon to relax with a book and a beer.
But now? Shower, and then some sewing. I wonder if I'll get any UFO's done while I'm on holidays?
So...what do you suppose was the last thing I said to Hubby last night
before I went to bed?
Ugh...and it IS raining...raining...raining... No yard sales for me this weekend :(
That's okay (sniffle, sniffle) I still haven't finished pressing all the fabric I got last week. I think I'm going to spend some time sewing blocks for my Pick & Choose quilt. I've got to catch up with Erin!
Plus...I reeeeeeeeally need to to study for my exams Monday and Tuesday. So I guess it's a good thing that it's a drippy weekend. I won't be so tempted to sit in the sunshine with a glass of sangria. (particularly on the soggy cushions)
The workshop that I was supposed to take today has been rescheduled for September. I'm glad of that, because I already have all the pieces cut and bagged up ready to go.
I got a really nice squishy in the mail this week from my favourite Maritimer: Rosa!
On the "Thrifty News" end of things - I've picked up quite a few quilty bargains this week. I went to the St. Anne's Fair on Friday to scrounge through the White Elephant tent and found two ziploc bags with fabric in them. Each had a label from "Keepsake Quilting". They are all Native themed prints.
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