Pumpkin Roll and a Patriot

What an action packed day!  Hannah and I made our Premiere Pumpkin Roll for dessert tonight and I finished my 12th Patriot block.  I have always wanted to make a Pumpkin Roll but I thought they were too difficult.  My fearless daughter said, "Mom...this will be so fun...we can sooooo do this".  Oh la la and did we have fun!  Before we can eat the roll we MUST have FULL documentation.  Leah is on the left and Hannah on the right and Steve is getting out the ice cream.

We each had a slice and there's more for tomorrow. 

This block honors Polly Cooper, the housekeeper and cook for General George Washington.  She was from the Oneida Indian tribe who taught Washington's starving army how to use corn for nutritional and medicinal purposes during the winter of 1777-1778.  I'm sure she saved countless soldier's lives.  She refused to accept payment so instead Congress presented her with a beautiful shawl as a gift from the United States.  

As beautiful as this block is, I wonder what her shawl looked like.  Here is a link for a picture of the shawl...it is beautiful!

http://www.oneidaindiannation.com/culture/shako/exhibits/27015199.html

Let me know what you are working on!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

New Laptop and Patriot Blocks #9, #10, #11

Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New Year to Everyone!!!

My home computer died shortly after my last post, was kindly resurrected, only to greet me with the blue screen of death a few days later.  My sister kept insisting "just go buy a laptop with plenty of speed and one you like!"  Oh dear me!  After a few weeks, I had the kindest friend lead me threw the maze of choosing a new laptop and I settled on a Toshiba Satellite.  I couldn't be more tickled-pink-and-purple...or as my daughter says, "it rocks all my socks off"!

So I've been a little busy on countless things.  I knitted 4 dishcloths as gifts to my office co-workers.  I baked pumpkin bread for my Team Members.  I finished knitting a triangular scarf from blue-faced leicester variegated yarn for myself - love-love-love this wool yarn!  I'm not sure how to finish the edges or block it, so those pictures are on hold.  I finished a stunning bargello wall hanging...now in the hands of my Quilter for a future winter class (pictures to come in a few days).  I'm hoping for several students because it is deceptively easy with spectacular results!  My youngest daughter took pictures for me and I'm anxious to share them with you ...stay tuned for exciting pictures.

I completed three more Patriot in Petticoats blocks and I'm enjoying them more with each block.  Enjoy these pictures...





Block #9 - Anna Marie Lane was a Nurse, wounded in the Battle of Germantown, Pennsylvania.  Her work was so appreciated that she received a large pension until her death in 1819. 

Block #10 Lydia Darragh - she was a daring spy who outwitted the British and help secure a victory for the Pennsylvania Militia

Block #11 - Elizabeth Freeman - born a slave and called "Mumbet".  She heard a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and boldly sued her cruel owner for her freedom and won.  She became a paid servant in her attorney's household and was buried in the Sedgwick family plot in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

I continue to be inspired by the courage of each of these women and proud to make each block!  Our family took a day trip to Shipshewanna, Indiana and I was standing in the fabric section of Yoder's Store. All of a sudden it dawned on me I was standing in front of the entire collection of Patriot's in Petticoats fabric.  I called my girls over to see the fabric and started calling out the different fabric's I had used.  The three of us grew in our excitement to see the familiar fabrics.  My husband walked over to see the commotion and two clerks just grinned - this must be a common spectacle.  The pattern's were on a tall turn-style to our right.  I found the first pattern showing the entire quilt and shoved it in front of him, "this is what I have been working on since August..this is the quilt I'm slowly creating as a tribute to my Mom and Grandmother!"   He slowly smiled as he started to recognize a few of the blocks I had showed him.  "This will be so impressive...when do you think you will finish it?" he asked.  I told him my goal is late February, but no later than end of March.  I have 4 more blocks to complete, the center medallion block, the log-cabin inner chain, piecing the entire quilt, adding the inside ribbon border and lastly the triple outside borders.  What a wonder to see all the fabrics on bolts instead of little pieces in each folder!!  

I know what I'm working on tomorrow!  I hope I'm not interrupted with call's from work because I intend to complete block number12 and maybe even number13.

Now that my new laptop is humming along, I should have more regular posts :)

Thank you for your patience and for stopping by!

Elaine

The Chipper Piecemaker







Two Ladies, A Chair, A Cowl, A Tree

I desperately needed a haircut this weekend...I've been putting it off for a week or two, but it really gave me a bolus of energy!!  After I came home, I don't know what came over me, but I finished two more Patriot's in Petticoat's blocks.  This first one is in honor of a very feisty woman by the name of Hannah Hendee.  When her 7 year old son was captured by the Indians, she went to the British leader in charge of the raid and threatened him to release her son or to be cursed!  Captain Horton was so intimidated by her determination, he not only gave her son back, but 9 other little boys who were captured that night.  She rescued her son and these precious little boys on October 16, 1780 in South Royalton, VT.   A mother's love is powerful!

The second block honors another courageous woman by the name of Nancy Hart.  Tory soldiers thought they could come into her home and demand a meal.  She fed them, stole their guns while they were eating, killed two of them who tried to move while she held them at gun point, and waited for her husband and neighbors to come home.  Her husband wanted to shoot the six, but she said hang them, and they did.  Their graves were found in 1912 near her cabin.   She was a brave woman to defend her home and her family.

I have my new chair for my sewing room and I love it!  I can slide alittle, roll alittle, turn alittle, and smile ALOT!  It is just what I was dreaming about and it came for my birthday a few weeks ago!  We found it at Ikea and it is perfect in every way.

My youngest daughter, Leah, came home the beginning of October and said, "Mom, what kind of scarf should I get for work?  My neck is freezing when I work Drive-Thru!!" 

Well, there I was, envisioning My Baby, braving the elements to hand latte's, coffee and frappacino's to her customer's, while the rain, snow and sleet are pelting her in the face and neck!!  What's a Mom to do??  So off we drove to the Knitting Shop to buy worsted wool yarn.  She wanted alittle sparkle so she picked a little silver accent. 

This easy pattern came highly recommend by a friend on Ravelry.  I was able to knit it up over a weekend and have it to her for her birthday.  It may look small, but she can wrap it around her neck twice, or her head/face and neck, hence the name Infinitude Cowl/Scarf.  She's now as snug as an Eskimo! 

A friend of mine saw one of my Folded Log Cabin wall hangings and asked if I could make a Christmas Tree for her.  I said, "of course" and here is the finished product.  The blocks are pieced on foundation fabric and folded slightly as you build the block.  It gives the finished illusions of quilted when it really isn't.  I really like the way it finished...kinda wish I could keep it with the holidays coming so quickly.  If I have time, I'll make another one for me....

I guess I can say "whhhewww", but the holidays are coming and there is much to be thankful for and celebrate God's richest blessings.  My daughter, Hannah, will be home from college and I'm confident, Leah, my other daughter will be filling our home with tantalizing aromas in our kitchen.  We are blessed that everyone in our family loves to cook over the holidays.  I'll be working on more Patriot blocks and a bargello wall hanging.

I'll keep you posted!  Let me know what you are working on, because I would be sooo delighted to hear from you!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Patriot Ladies 5 & 6

Howdy-howdy!  Happy Fall Colors!

I'm delighted to return to sewing and working on my Ladies.  I started on my fifth Patriot while staying up one night to prepare for working the following night.  Gotta get the body clock turned around, so I might as well do what I love best :)  Don't ya know I couldn't sleep the next day, so I finished her up!

This past weekend I managed to do the sixth Patriot and she went together like spreading butter on a warm biscuit :)  I am so far out of my comfort zone on these blocks, I don't know which end is up anymore.  Each block is another notch in my confidence level, not that it was anemic, but I feel like I'm stepping into new upgrades every time.  The directions are so easy to follow and I'm dazzled with each completed block.  These two blocks finish up month 3, as in March, but who's keeping track anyway??

I received fabric for the log cabin blocks this week (as in month 10, ah-hmm there are 7 packages or 13 blocks waiting for me).  It's October and there are only 2 more sets of blocks coming my way.  My goal is to finish piecing this quilt by February and I'm hoping that's not too ambitious!  I don't want to leave this quilt dangling, because it is just too spectacular!  I would love to know if there is anyone working on this close to my home.  It would be fun to get progress reports from them. 

I don't think I will get be able to sew very much this weekend, as I just went and bought 2 bushels of apples to make up into applesauce.  I have a bushel of Honeycrisps and a bushel of Jonagolds waiting to be processed.  My kitchen is going to smell divine all day tomorrow!!  It's alot-alot of work, but my favorite comfort food is a nice dish of applesauce with just a sprinkle of cinnamon - hmmm...yummy-yummy for my tummy!!

I hope you all get out to enjoy the rich fall colors.  This is my favorite time of the year.  These colors speak to my spirit and make we smile each time I look across the fields.  It's also birthday month in our home!  There is so much to be thankful for and multiple reasons to celebrate this season :)

Happy Quilting!

Elaine
Chipper Piecemaker

Grand Lake Shop Hop and Lil Bag

     Saturday morning I joined other enthusiastic Quilters at Grand Lake's One Stop Shop Hop featuring 19 Quilt Shops under one roof in Celina, Ohio.  It was a wonderful location for Quilt Shops from Indiana and Ohio to meet and greet eager Quilter's.  Door Prizes were given away every hour - oh yay!  They had a Grand Prize of $50 Gift Certificate donated by each shop - that meant they gave out 19 Grand Prize Winners - wow!  I hope I get picked for one of them :)  They also held hourly demonstrations for quilting tips and techniques by the various Quilt Shops.  It was almost like a mini-retreat that you wanted to stay alllll day for!! I was so impressed how Rebecca and friends organized and carried out a successful show.   I look forward to the next show in March at University of Northwestern Ohio Event Center in Lima, Ohio.

I was able to meet Caroline face to face after many months of phone conversations (she owns Caroline's Cottage Cottons in Rome, IN).  She has sent me monthly mailings of Patriot's in Petticoats block-of-the-month.  I walked up to her and said, "you won't recognize my face, but hopefully you recognize my voice!"  Her face lit up and she was so excited to place a voice with my face!  We had a lively conversation as I was able to show her my completed 4 blocks.  It was wonderful to hear her encouraging words.

I came home with a few small important treasures like a spool of Aurafil thread and a finger pressing tool.  I'm a big fan of Aurifil thread!  I have almost finished with my first spool.  I've made 3 lap size quilt tops, 2 small tote bags, 2 blocks for Pieceful Nights and 4 Patriot blocks.  I'll let you know when I start my next spool. 

Saturday evening I started working on a small kit I had bought at Lolly's Fabric's.  I fell in love with Lolly's when I visited the Shipshewanna Show in June.  Lolly's had neatly tied bundles of 2 contrasting fat-eighths wrapped around a zipper next to "Cash and Carry" patterns by Atkinson's Designs.  I finished it this afternoon and it came out to 7" x 3 1/2".  It's adorable, directions were easy to follow, and it will certainly be put to good use.  I'm also thinking future Christmas gifts! 

Time to move on to another Patriot Block :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Lovely Patriot Number 4

To look at the picture, this is such a simple block and the fabric colors are so fresh and airy.  Saturday afternoon I didn't think I could do this one, but Sunday evening it all came together and tonight it's a beauty!!  I had to trust the cutting instructions and be sooooooo precise on the sewing :)  Yippee, it was worth it all!!

It's kinda like walking with the Father...sometimes you have to streeeettttch your faith and your senses and walk in the dark, trusting His leading and just persistently persevere.  You know it will all work out, but you just wish you had a little light on the path.

In what used to be our home-school room hangs a poem that has sustained me many times.

Press On

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not, nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not, unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not, the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

I've been told I'm pretty determined and stubbornly persistent at times.  I suppose this block is another lesson to Press On!

Let me know what you have struggled with this week!  It may not be in your quilting projects, it may be walking in the dark and trusting His leading with life's issues.

Keep on Pressing On!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Patriot's in Petticoat's Block #3

I'm so thankful I signed up for Patriot's in Petticoat's block of the month.  I'm so happy to work on each block with beautiful fabric!  Each block takes me to a higher level of accuracy in cutting, piecing and pressing.  My comfort zone is expanding and I feel like my skills are growing with each new block.  The directions have been helpful and I usually have just a smidgen of leftover fabric when the block is completed.

Block #3:  Margaret Cochran Corbin

Margaret's block has been a challenge in the realm of pressing.  I'm learning to finger-press as I piece and consider how the next segment will attach before pressing a whole section.  This block came together as a 9-patch, but pressing was a little touchy.  Piecing has been easy - 10 squares for a 10 inch block, so every segment is 1 1/2 inches.  A few corners are slightly off, but overall...I look at it in awe! 

I've started Block #4 and it's a beauty, but the piecing is in the 1/8th inch increments.  It has 6 sections across that must finish to a 10 inch block.  Last night I was cutting out the pieces and reminding my self, "think twice, cut once, think twice, cut one, no oopsies"!

It would be so so fun sitting around a table with a group of ladies, working on each block together.  How I miss that inspiring camaraderie!  Hopefully a few more followers will drop in and we can chat about what they are working on.

Thanks for stopping by,

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Christmas Batik Quilt

It has been a long time since my last post, but life happens.  I've been in the valley of losing a good friend and a father-in-law and comforting close friends who have lost loved ones - all in the last month.  It's more than the usual 3, so today I was determined to sew, be refreshed and take baby steps forward :)

A week ago, I cut out pieces for a shop sample.  A few are from the Batik Peppermint Patty Christmas collection.  The fabrics are beautiful and wonderful to work with.  I wish you could see them up close.

Over the weekend I pieced it all together!

This quilt was from Kathy Brown's Book and it's called "Take 5 Takes a Walk Around The Block".  It's a great beginner's quilt and a good stash buster.  The blocks are 12" finished, the inner border is 2" finished, and outer border will be 8" finished.  It's a great snuggler!  I look forward to Mike's creative quilting to give it the WOW factor. 

I'm anxious to get back to Patriots in Petticoats.  I still have soooo many blocks to catch up on.  Maybe this week I can start on a new block :)

It's been a nice weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

My Huggable Sewing Room

There are somethings I want to just HUG in my sewing room.  The first one would be my 930 Bernina sewing machine.  It was my Mom's and it has many happy memories attached.  My machine will sew on anything and has done everything I have ever asked.  I've worked on delicate lace to heavy denim and cording all in the same day with the greatest of ease.  I have probably made over 60 quilts and some other pretty amazing articles.  As I'm sewing on my Bernia it's always delightful to sit, pray, dream, sing, work, listen to CD's, watch a little TV on a tiny portable, create and smile.  It will always be one of my pals. 

The second item I would hug is my ironing table, as seen in my pictures.  It makes me smile and give a whole-hearted "ahhhh" every time I step into my room.  The first time I visited Cozy Cabin Quilt Shop in St. Mary's, Ohio I was smitten.  I remember Art, a dear friend of the Shop Owner, thumping his fingers on the board and telling me this was a necessity for every sewing room!  I give a hearty, AMEN!  Each ironing table is made individually for under $50.  It stretches out a whopping 72 inches by 24 inches wide. I can iron at one end, cut in the middle and toss to the other end.  The best part is if you need to iron a whole width of fabric, there is PLENTY of room to spare.   I am tickled to pieces with the extra work space it provides!!  Two years ago my family asked me what I wanted for Christmas and this was perfect.  I cannot recommend my ironing table strongly enough, nor have I seen a better one.  I'm head-over-heels happy with my ironing table, it's positively perfect in every respect!  I can't imaging sewing without it.

I'm thankful my Bernina sits in front of a window overlooking our front yard.  I have eyelet curtains in the window that I saved from our home in Pennsylvania...they make me smile too.  This year I replaced a short landscaping wall and planted some perenials to improve the view for next year.  Next spring and summer I'll have an even more beautiful view! 

On the 6 inch shelf that runs along 2 walls of the room I like to display little happy things like my Koala bear from when I lived in Australia, a picture of my Mom when she was young, M & M's, silly Quilting Buttons that make me grin, and homemade cards from my daughters.  I have a few "near future" patterns patiently waiting to be started that I set on the shelf.  It's my little motivation and inspiration spot.  Looks like it could use a little straightening up too :)

My sewing chest, made by a dear friend, has two big drawers with fabric and projects waiting to be finished.  I'm like so many Quilter's, always a few extra projects...waiting in the drawer's :)  I'm so thankful I have a small table that sits in the corner. My Featherweight sits underneath along with three bins of stash fabric.  My Bernina Serger, also inherited from my Mom, sits on the table and eagerly waits to clean off raw edges of finished projects.  My huggable sewing room is very compact and efficient with a few special quilts hanging on the walls.

When I'm sewing, I just want to hug the entire room!  Here, I'm a happy lady, doing what I enjoy with wonderful tools. 

The only improvement would be a new chair.  Maybe one with wheels and a seat that spins.  I could just roll alittle here, and spin alittle over that-a-way.  If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear from you :)  Maybe I'll want to hug a new chair?

Let me know what you love to hug in your sewing room!

Thanks for popping in,

Elaine
Chipper Piecemaker

Celebrating My Second Patriot in Buckskins

I  finished my second block for Patriots in Petticoats - yaaa me!  This block is called Ann Bailey and she was quite a fiesty woman.  I would have been delighted to sit beside her and listened to her stories about how she dressed as a man in buckskins and fought the Indians!  She built her own log cabin at the young age of 70 and lived in it for 13 happy years.  This block was a hefty afteroon's challenge, but enjoyable as I daydreamed about what this woman's life must have been like.  

Thanks for stopping by,

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Smile if you love ice cream!

If it's vacation time and summer time, then it's time for ice cream at Dumser's!

This is our Favorite, Favorite Ice Cream Parlor in whole wide world, "Dumser's Dairyland" in Ocean City, Maryland.  When my girls, Hannah and Leah, were younger they always said "DUMPser's" and we still chuckle.  This year they had a new flavor that I savored every evening, "Coconut Chocolate Chip" and it was creamy yumminessssss.  I had to enjoy my single scoop with hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry on top - no nuts, thank you.  My girls, Hannah and Leah, returned to their favorite, "Peanut Butter Fudge Twirl"!  My husband insisted on Chocolate Raspberry.  Can't wait to go back next year to enjoy more creamy delights!

I'll get back to quilting this week :)

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

The Patriot Ladies Arrived

I told you when I was visiting Caroline's Cottage Cottons Quilt Shop in Rome City, IN, I saw the most stunning American Revolution reproduction quilt called "Patriot's in Petticoats".  Caroline had several blocks pinned to the wall next to the cutting area.  They held my attention for a good 10 minutes until she interrupted my thoughts with "I'll be happy to mail blocks to you so you could join our block-of-the-month club".  I couldn't stop thinking about the rich colors and the intricate pieces.  Caroline signed me up the following week and I've been eagerly awaiting their arrival. 

On Saturday noontime, I was going to walk out to the mailbox, grab the mail and come back to start lunch.  However, to my surprise, when I opened the mailbox, there it lay...my bulging envelope with the first seven packets of pattern's and fabric!  When my husband heard me shouting, "They came! They came!  Caroline surprised me and they're here!  You HAVE TO SEEEE them!", he just looked at me, grinned and started fixing lunch.  I told you he supported my quilting habit.  I stood for 30 minutes hopping from one envelop to the next, holding the fabric and reading the brief summary of each Patriot. 

Saturday evening, I cut out the fabric for Debra Samson, the first block, and this afternoon I pieced it.  The fabric colors are rich and the designs bold.  It's hard to grasp the splendor in these small inch and a quarter finished squares.  The background is more tan than yellow.  These fabrics made by Windham Fabrics are a little piece of heaven to sew with!  Caroline sent me January through July, so I have lots to work on!  I don't think I will be caught up by August, but I'm committed to the task.  The only piecemaking changes I would have done on this block is made the blue flying geese, one big geese and put the brown/gold flying geese inside it.  I would have saved 4 seams and it would have looked more unified. 



So now I have two large quilts to work on over the summer and into the fall!  Is that even possible?  Can I seriously go between two incredible designer's and make blocks for the rest of the year?  Sound's like a wonderful problem to work through!  Oh joy and delight of my heart!!  This is a wonderful journey of commitment and diligence. 

I hope you will visit again to see my progress.

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Friday evening I rewarded myself with my own Sew-In Party and completed the center square of Pieceful Nights.  I'm so happy with the way it came together.  I never cease to amaze myself when I look at this, "did I really figure all this out and piece it together so nicely?".  I'm so excited, I'm so delighted!  God gives good gifts!



On Saturday afternoon I had to complete just one block and it came together so nicely!  I love the Nifty Notion's rulers.  It takes me a few extra minutes to re-write the instructions, but sewing every piece with accuracy is soooo rewarding.  My girl's tell me I'm always re-writing the directions, and it's true.  I'm so simple minded when it comes to piecework and most pattern instructions could use a good editor.  I would  be happy to be a Tester and/or Editor if the opportunity ever presented itself.

I'll let you know how the next block comes together.

Thanks so very much for sending lovely comments!  You all have been so encouraging :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Happy 4th! Happy Specialty Ruler's!

I spent my afternoon getting comfortable with my new Half-Square specialty ruler's from Kaye England.  After watching her video "More...Smart Piecing Technique's DVD" and re-learning I'm so smitten, I'm blushing and gushing!  I made the center block in traditional quilting and I made the outside blocks (yes, I know I still have a bit more to cut) with her Half-Square ruler.  I would have finished it, but I ran out of background fabric.  Kaye predicted you would use ALOT more fabric using traditional quilting and I proved it!  I'm praying my fabric shop will still have this lovely Bernetex fabric.  I had planned on using it in 3 of the sampler blocks that go around this stunning medallion block.

What I love about her ruler's is I cut according to height and use the specialty ruler to cut the half square triangle...there are lots and lots.  I had previously cut the fabric with traditional methods and trimmed it up with my specialty ruler.  The flying geese inside flying geese came out more accurate than the center block.  I'm jumping for joy that everything lines up perfectly and no more trimming up my squares!  Oh happy day!

We are off to play with sparkler's!  Our family tradition on the 4th!

Thanks for stopping by!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker

Shipshewana Quilt Festival

Last week I had the most inspiring week in Shipshewana, Indiana at their 4th Annual Quilt Festival with my very, dear friend Jennifer Henry.  The featured speaker was Kaye England and wow-wow- wow, were we in for an extraordinary treat!

When I walked into our room at Essenhaus Inn I definitely gasped!  When Jenn made our reservation back in January, this was the last available room.  Our room was breath-takingly beautiful.  We could not have been more surprised and pleased.  We had a comfy little red love-seat and table to enjoy looking at our end of day treasures.  We also had a desk to write notes to our families and a mini refrig to keep water bottles and Hershey bars cold for the next day.  They served a wonderful, filling breakfast each morning.


Our room with a view.

This was the view from our sweet balcony

On Wednesday we went to the Blue Gate Restaurant and Theater (a tasty eatery) to hear Kaye England.  The theater was packed with excited ladies, ohh-ing and ahh-ing over the quilts on the stage.  Now, I have been sewing and quilting for 20 years (taught for 16 years) and felt very secure in my ability to piece and sew.  I believe you only need a few good tools and determination to pursue precision piecing to have a quilt worth quilting.  Kaye taught me more in two days than I have learned in 20 years, I'm so deeply grateful for the lessons learned and demonstrated!  Kaye is not only a good speaker, but an excellent communicator and teacher.  She wove humor in her teaching and had us belly laughing at our perceptions in sewing - pre-wash or not, templates or specialty rulers, cut by height or width, cut left or right of the line, fun or frustrating.  She is a marvellous story-teller, sharing the purposes of her quilts and how they were born on her design pad.  I love it that she starts on graph paper just like me.  She is an amazing technical piecemaker and she is more than willing to share her skills so that we can all have more time to sew and find it rewarding, not frustrating.  She has exceptionally accurate rulers, look for her "Nifty Notions ruler's".  I held up a few of mine to compare with her's and sure enough, my trusty lines are slightly crooked - no wonder I spend time squaring those blocks...not any more!

Here are some of her quilts...

The fabric panels over the screens were Kaye's new release!  A beautiful bold large scale print!

I love her "76 Clam-bones"! I had to buy this pattern!

I have done this block many different ways, but I love these patriotic stars on point!

Jenn and I strolled through Yoder's fabric area and The Cotton Corner quilt shop in the afternoon.  These were both delightful shops for inspiration.  It's a little piece of heaven to be in the company of Quilter's!!  I wish I lived closer to them, because I would love to join the ladies for their Civil War block of the month classes. 

On Thursday we had the privilege of learning more from Kaye at two more sessions and made it around to visit some of the shops on the Shop Hop.  We met some delightful shop owners who were eager to welcome so many ladies and patiently cut fabric for us.  I fell in love with a Block of the Month pattern at Caroline's Cottage Cotton's in Rome City, Indiana, called "Patriot's in Petticoats" by Denise Lipscomb.  Caroline had 6 blocks on display and I was stunned by the rich colors and interesting piecework - they were on point too!  I must have stood there for about 10 minutes, soaking up every detail.  The piecemaker, I'm sure it was Caroline, was to be admired!  She looked over her shoulder and said she was accepting new members and would gladly ship blocks if I was interested.  I had no idea you could participate by mail!  I told her I would think carefully on that proposal.
Friday we spent the day at the Vendor Mall and Hudson Museum.  We saw more quilts that we loved.  There were 3 Clam-bone quilt's from Kaye's pattern.  They were displayed nicely and Quilt Fairy's were eager to assist curious eye's.  The vendor's had many enticing displays.  Jennifer and I had spent so much on Kaye's rulers, video's and fabric, that we were almost shopped out, but refusing to drop out!  We bought a ruler stand to hang in our Studio's from a delightful owner of BunnyHop Woodworking.  His phone number is 574.223.6987,  If you need one, I would highly recommend you call him - very reasonable! 

Afterwards, we leisurely strolled through the Hudson Automotive Museum where Kaye had about 30 of her own antique quilts draped over the cars.  This was another treat!  One of the employees shared some of the history behind the cars and this made it more personable.  We both wished our husbands could see them.

Jenn and I had the afternoon to enjoy, so we made one more trip to Lolly's Fabric at Davis Mercantile and then visited a few shops outside Shipshewana.  It was a perfect day!

On our last day we took pictures of the Quilt Gardens and then headed for the beach at South Haven, Michigan.  If there is a beach near by, I'll do my best to dig my toes in the sand.  Here are a few pictures of the Quilt Gardens and some roses I couldn't resist.

Menno-Hoff in Shipshewana

Menno-Hof had a small irresistible Rose Garden.

Weaver Furniture

Essenhaus Inn

This quilt made me especially smile.... This Double Wedding Ring mural was on the Quilt Shop at Essenhaus Inn.  It's my favorite pattern that I have taught to hundred's of students in Pennsylvania.  I would love to have this on my home, but I have a wall hanging in my Quilt Studio. 

This mural was on a barn at Bonneyville Mill Park.  The gardens across the street were beautiful.

Greencroft Community

The beach was only an hour and a half away!  I brought my two favorite beach chairs so we could sit on the beach, dig our toes into the sand and look through our books and patterns.  What a perfect way to end the week!  The water was a frigid 67 degrees, but we were ecstatic!  We were digging our toes into the sand with glee and sharing endless possibilities for future quilts.  Jenn is my dearest friend and we could not have had a more perfect week together in Shipshewana. 

Jenn and I have known each other for 30 years.  When our children were young, we used to ask ourselves "Do you ever think we could go on a week long Quilt trip together?"  Our week in Shipshewana was a dream come true.  We have our room booked for next year! 

Lastly, I called Caroline this week.  She was delighted to sign me up for the Block of the Month, Patriots in Petticoats.  I can't wait for my package to arrive!!

I hope you enjoyed our trip to Indiana and thanks for stopping by.

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker



Chuckles and Whispers

My "Pieceful Nights" wallhanging is off to a great start!  Today I was having the best time chuckling about about how rusty I have become in the basic's of piecing.  I used to be so quick at the math for all these shortcuts, but today I had to re-learn.  The designer assumes I have good Geometry skills and I can easily figure out all the shortcuts to precision piecing.  Little does she know about my high school Geometry class.  I barely passed.  But I love Math and spent years tutoring Algebra - gotta love those quadratic equations!!

Today, I could almost hear God's little whispers of encouragement as I fervently tried to calculate quilter's math. When I finally figured out the similar size flying geese and the fabric sizes to cut, I knew He was beaming with great pride; especially when my points and seams lined up perfectly.  

This block is ready to be pieced together, but it has been an eventful day with my family and I am quite tired tonight.  Hopefully it will become a unified block tomorrow.  I love the colors and the fabric's in this wall hanging.  They are all rich earthy colors - my favorite colors of fall.

I'll keep you posted on my progress :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Elaine