Vintage Spools

Have noticed some sweet spool blocks posted on various blogs lately.  Seeing these made me remember a quilt I have always admired in the classic Quilts, Quilts, Quilts book.  Started pulling fabrics and hand piecing these 6 inch blocks this week.  This is my first venture into hand piecing, and I don't know what took me so long.  I love to hand piece, as its so portable and accurate!  My machine piecing skills leave a lot to be desired...  How many of you are hand piecers out there?  Would love to hear about your experiences!

Red Runneth Over

So nice to finally have a finish and popped this quilt in the washer and then into the dryer as I was anxious to get the crinkly, antique look.  Didn't give it a second thought (or look) before drying, and rats, one of the red fabrics bled, despite prewashing the fabric!!

Will try washing it again with a color catcher and see if the red comes out.  My daughter, Jamie, told me not to worry, it just makes the quilt look more antique.  Bless her...  I'm happy with the echo quilting in the borders - boy did it take a long time though!  Thanks for any suggestions you have on getting the red out.

I'm happy to report that the color catchers worked like a dream and the red came out!  Thank you all for your suggestions!  -Dixie

Millenium Garden Quilting

The Millenium Garden quilt (Jan Patek) is all basted for hand quilting and has been languishing for a while.  Time to get it out and finished.  Have started echo quilting around the shapes, and like the effect, but this is going to take a while, so I need to try to set some goals.  If I can stick with some deadlines this quilt will finally be finished before the summer is over!

Spencer Museum Quilt - Crown of Thorns Block

This block took a little longer to make as it has more complicated pieces, but I'm happy with it.  Had to piece the background, but I don't think its too noticeable.  Love the pieced fabrics that are used to make pieces in blocks in the old quilts - I think they add so much character.   Finishing this block means the Spencer quilt is 1/3 done!  Going to head in a different fabric choice direction with the next set of blocks.  Hope it works out!

Planted five different heirloom tomato plants, some basil, and a Japanese maple tree last weekend.  Also need to plant a bay laurel tree, but not sure where it will go.  Very excited about this as we use a lot of bay leaves in our cooking.  Reading Frida, a novel about Frida Kahlo written by Barbara Mujica, which is told in the voice of her sister, Cristina.  So far, its very good!