I Piece 2-Mary: June 2014

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Save Riley Blake Gingham!

You may have heard at "Sew We Quilt" that Madame Samm has heard that Riley Blake Designs may just discontinue producing and selling their GINGHAM line!
The shock is just not wearing off!
How could they do that??
We must not let this happen. Where would we get our gingham for projects of quilts, home decor, and wearables??
The pure insanity of not being able to have our GINGHAM.
Join me in purchasing Riley Blake GINGHAM!

Today I was at the International Quilt Festival, here in Chicago. Only one vendor had Riley Blake GINGHAM.
I did purchase some. I even have a couple of projects in mind.
So join me in purchasing Riley Blake GINGHAM.
WE WANT IT, WE NEED IT!!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

I have been gone again!

This time we went to Garden, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to visit our friend Pat. Pat and I had a wonderful week of sewing and catching up. We have known each other for a long time, and have been sewing buddies forever! I have had the privilege of watching her children grown up and become wonderful parents to her 13 grandchildren. We have through thick and thin, and live near by each other.
We made hats one day, I have mine on. Two fat quarters was all it took.

While I was there, I finally got my Bonnie Hunter, Jamestown Landing put together! Now to work on the borders. This is one very scrappy quilt. I love it.

This little red squirrel was visiting us every day. Pat would have to shoo it from the one bird feeder it kept getting into. I had never seen or at least paid attention to red squirrels before. What a character this one turned out to be.

I made these three tissue holders one day.

We enjoyed some beautiful sunsets over Lake Michigan.

One Tuesday it is her day to sew with other quilters in the area down at the recreation hall in town. Pat and Bertha are pinning Pat's Jewel Box quilt. It is always fun meeting up with the quilters. We all bring our own lunch and enjoy a day of sharing and quilting. I have gotten to know them through the years.

One day Gail came over and we cut out these miniature quilts using Pat's wool scraps.

Three bags that I have made for Pat. She is not one to make this work of projects. I keep her supplied in new bags, and pincushions and whatever's.

I am finally working on putting my Bonnie Hunter, Oregon or Bust that I exchanged blocks with my friend Isabelle in France with. I actually got all but two rows of sashing put on before I left to come home. It too, just needs borders. Two quilt tops finished up in one week! See what you can get done when you get the opportunity to sew with a friend.
Pat finished long arm quilting one quilt, got the binding on it. Finished att the blocks to the Jewel Box, got it pinned and was about 1/3 of the way done quilting it before I left. Trust me, we get a lot of sewing, talking, and eating done when we do get together.

One Saturday before we came home, we all went to a Pow Wow. The Upper Peninsula has a lot of Indians. It was an interesting performance. We spent about two hours watching dances and hearing songs.
You just never know what you will get to do. One day we went to Sault Saint Marie to visit two quilt shops, and one on the way in Curtis. The one in Curtis was 5 miles down a dirt road. There were signs as we went down the road telling us there really was a shop. It was busy when we got to it!! There was even a sale going on. What a riot. We did have a fun day.
It was a great week. I miss being with Pat, Until next time.
Mary

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Our final day Perfect Picnic

Monday June 9
Cherry Blossoms
The Quilting Queen Online
Mad Quilter's Disease
Daisy Days
Buzzing and Bumbling
From My Carolina Home
Sew We Quilt

I hope everyone had a great weekend, and got the chance to go on a picnic.
Today is the last day of our incredible "Plan a Perfect Picnic" hop.
I was truly inspired. The quilts have been fantastic. I think I want to make everyone of them for my self.
What a great idea for a wedding or shower gift. A Christmas present for your children to use for themselves or with their own children. How about Grandmother, to have a special picnic with your Grandchildren. It seems that there are a lot of possibilities, from a romantic midnight picnic to a Teddy Bears Picnic.

I have had a lot of fun and hope all of you have too.
Thank you Madame Samm,
Riley Blake and Peterboro Baskets for making this a memorable hop.
Mary

Friday, June 6, 2014

Friday's Perfect Picnic plans

Friday June 6

Quiltscapes
More Stars in Comanche

Stitchin' By The Lake
Life, Quilts and a Cat Too
Kris Loves Fabric
In The Boon Docks
Living with Purpose

Ladies this is the last day for this week. I have to say it has been one incredible week. The quilts, the food, games, and all the lovely plans for picnics has been wonderful.

Looks like it is going to be a great weekend. Time to try out some of those ideas.

Everyone, have a greet weekend.

See you on Monday.

Mary

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Thursday Perfect Picnic Lineup

Thursday June 5

Ella and Nesta's Little Room

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Jane's Quilting

Amanda Murphy Design

Quilting Quietly

Words & Stitches
Childlike Fascination

Here comes another great day of picnic planning. I am in awe of the amazing "Perfect Picnics" we are seeing. The creativity is wonderful. I want to be part of all of these picnics. The quilts are fabulous, and the food, well I have to say sounds so inviting.

Thank you again to our sponsors, Riley Blake for their gorgeous and fun laminate, and Peterboro Baskets for offering us the chance to purchase their lovely baskets at a discount. Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt is our wonderful creator. She has so many wonderful ideas.

Enjoy today's "Perfect Picnic".
Mary

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Today's line up for a "Perfect Picnic"

Wednesday June 4

Quilt Taffy

Pampered Pettit

Creatin' in the Sticks

Miss Priss Quilts

Life in the Scrapatch

That's Sew Julie

Are you impressed with the ideas for picnics so far? I sure am. The quilts and menus have been wonderful. I think my husband and I are going to have to try some of these ideas.
I hope everyone is enjoying this hop. I know I am.

Mary

Monday, June 2, 2014

My Perfect Picnic

Good Morning! It is my day to show you what my "Perfect Picnic" is.

Now that Summer has arrived it is time for picnicking.

One of our favorite spots is along the Fox River here in Oswego.

I am ready to show off my picnic quilt. I used a watermelon theme.

One of our sponsors this time is Peterboro Basket. Please check out Madame Samm's, SewWeQuilt. She has a special offer with Peterboro Baskets, that you can purchase one for a 20% discount. I chose this pie basket, 59-1pie.
Our other sponsor is Riley Blake Designs. The laminate on the back of my quilt is by Riley Blake. I have the white pokadote on red.

I made a wine bottle bag out of the laminate and added a touch of white rick rack around the top.
My second drawstring bag is watermelon fabric on the bottom, and rind fabric on the top edge. I even made two cloth napkins from one of the watermelon seed fabrics.

I have set it all up for our dining pleasure.
I naturally had to have a watermelon. I cut the top off and scooped balls from it, then put them all back in.
We had "Cherry Wine" from our local winery, Fox Valley Winery.
Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Cherries
Homemade Bruschetta
Horseradish Cheese
Mild Cheddar Cheese
Havarit Dill Cheese
Wasa Light Rye Crispbread
Medford Wheat Crackers

We had someone kind enough to take our picture.
It was a perfect day to sit by the river, read the paper and enjoy our "Perfect Picnic".
I hope you have had a "Perfect Picnic", too.

Here is my actual quilt. It is done as a log cabin and is actually square. I had most all the fabric used in in the quilt. Several pieces have either ants or watermelon seeds on the red. The rind fabric was also in my stash. You never know when you will be in need for watermelon themed fabric. This turned out to be a great size for a picnic quilt if used on the ground. The laminate is super as a backing. It worked so well on the little table we had between us.
I hope you have enjoyed our picnic.

Please visit all of our wonderful quilters, and see what they have in store for us.

Monday June 2

Sew Incredibly Crazy

How Art You?

The Reluctant Quilter at Hazelnut Deux

Tuesday June 3

Quilting in a Not Shell

Just Let Me Quilt
Creativity Amongst Chaos