Farmer Takes Another Wife

Even though I have far too many other projects going, I joined The Farmer's Wife Quilt Along which started about 6 weeks ago. A quilt along is a group of quilters working on their own version of a particular quilt at the same time.  Sort of like a support group, offering support and encouragement as the quilt progresses.

The Farmer's Wife Quilt Along is based on a book written by Laurie Aaron Hird. It includes letters entered in a contest from farmers wives in the 1920's that were asked "If you had a daughter of marriageable age, would you want her to marry a farmer?" The letters are charming and full of conviction for their way of life. I found myself longing for their lifestyle. A simpler, slower pace, a community having shared family values and beliefs. As I grow older, that is the kind of community I would love to live in. Each letter is represented by two 6 inch quilt blocks.

I really wavered about joining the quilt along because in general I am not fond of sampler quilts (a quilt where every block is different), but I LOVE small blocks with all those tiny pieces. I love the precision and the challenge. The pace for this quilt along is  2 blocks per week, since there are 111 blocks, it will take a good year to complete.  I think I'll start with some of my favorite blocks and stop when I have enough, perhaps about 80. 

I am about 4 weeks behind, but that's OK, here are my first four blocks

 

Strawberry Basket # 91

Farmer's Daughter # 32

Contrary Wife #21

Bouquet # 8

and here are all four blocks playing together

 

The red and white looks out of place now, but will blend in when more blocks join in. I originally didn't want any white or cream etc, but I didn't have enough other colors in my stash that I felt would work as background for all the blocks, so I will be adding in white here and there. 

If you would to see the blocks from some of the other wives or find yourself wanting to be a Farmer's Wife, check out the Farmer's Wife Quilt A Long flickr group

So far, I'm a pretty happy Farmer's Wife  : )

Sam

Where has the time gone, 

seems just yesterday that you joined our family. 

The last one, my last baby. 

We  dreamed of a little girl named Sam,

and there you were, right in my arms. 

Oh what joy!

few weeks old - 1989

 A real sweetie, right from the start.

just before turning one -1990

3 3/4 years old - Easter 1993

Full of fun and laughter.
Our funny girl.
A sweet blessing.

Happy Birthday Angel

A Little Pretty and Start of Something New

My daughter bought this dark brown snugglie 

before her baby was born, because it was on sale at The Gap. 

Very nice snugglie, but I had to spruce it up 

because

it looked like it was for a he and she is a she.

It turned out pretty cute, even with the iron mark (hopefully it will wash out)

but the little one is long, so we will see if it fits when the cold weather hits.  

(hehehe.. didn't mean to rhyme, but I like it)

And here is the start of something new.

I'll post the finished project very soon.

Hopefully it will turn out like the picture in my head.

Have a wonderful day ; )

Hairy Issues

My daughter, (I won't say which one) was coloring my hair. 

I didn't realize, but apparently a necessity when one becomes a Gamma. 

I asked her if she would be willing to trim it up a bit, cut an inch or two to freshen it up. 

She eagerly agreed. 

My hair is bra length (can I say that on a blog?) with long layers. 

You know, the style that works when the wind blows,  because it is just curled layer. 

Anyway she began underneath of coarse, and made the first cut. 

It was too short. 

I assured her it was OK... it was underneath, but that the very top layer 

should be that length when finished.  

  

She giggled and continued to cut.

Right before she finished cutting, 

she shares with me about how she cut her teen sister's hair a few years ago. 

I had wanted her hair long, the sister wanted it short, so she cut it short, but they both

told me it was uneven, so she had to keep cutting. 

I think at this point she was trying to warn me, but I didn't get it.

What I ended up with was really not layered much at all AND at my shoulders! 

Yikes!! 

At least I didn't let her touch my bangs........Hmmmm, I wonder if it was on purpose?  

 Oh well, it will grow back : ) 

Thanks, my precious daughter, you did a fabulous job!  

  Love, mom

NOTE - no photo.   I'm just not happy with any of the photos.....maybe its not my hair. 

Hmm..... something to ponder.

Girlfriends - a tutorial

The next two months will be my months for my quilt bees, 

and I am asking each lady to make a girl block.  

I thought I would share a little tutorial for her. 

This is my block.

 Isn't she cute? Let's get started. 

I didn't use exact measurements, 

but I will try to include the general measurements I used

for those of you that prefer to have them.

These are her bits and pieces. 

Cutting measurements

Head - 2 X 2     Hands  1.5 X 1.5     Arms 1.5 X 6.5      Legs 1.25 X 4.5

Dress 5 X 5 including dress trim which is about 1.5 X 5

Background about 15 X 15

2.5 X 15 Sky  

2 X 15 head section

1.5 X 15 arm section  

5 X 15 dress section

4 X 15 leg section

Lets start with her clothing, since its the
largest piece. Cut dress fabric the length you would like it to be. Cut a background
5 X 15 or the length you cut her dress by the width of your background, 15 inches.

Cut the background in half.  Spread it apart a bit, maybe 1.5 - 2 inches, lay dress on top and slice through both layers at pleasing angles of her dress. 

Sew together.

 Next, lay out arm and hands. How do they look? Arms too long? Hands to large? Cut a piece of background the width of arm/hand section then in half.  Adjust and sew together with background to form arm strip.

Somehow I added my background later, but that's OK, it all worked out. ; )

 A 2 X 2 square for the head seemed really large, but turned out to be just right.

 

        
I decided to add a hair style, using small scraps and framed her face nicely.













Trimmed it all nice and neat . 

Then added a small background piece to help the hair and background fit better.
       
Add a strip of background cut in half to complete the head section.

Now let's get her some legs. Lay out the background piece and position legs. Slice background at a pleasing angle and sew all five pieces together.

Each layer is a bit uneven, so trim some straight, but wonky lines.

Sew her all together and attach sky piece above head.

She's ready to be trimmed up. Mine ended up 12.5 X 13. I wanted a good 2 inches at least above her head.

Here she is......ta da!  You can easily add stylish friends by changing her clothing. 

Try pants, skirt or sleeveless dress, different hair styles or maybe some shoes. 

Make her thin or wide or wonky. 

Please let me know if I missed or need to clarify anything.  

Hope you enjoy making a beautiful group of girlfriends. 

My plan for the bee girlfriends is to make a quilt that will be special and cherrished by my grandchildren as they dream about all the friends.

Sunday Sweetness

She's here

Fresh from God

Kinlee Joy

Our newest granddaughter

Welcome Kinlee.
You have already captured our hearts.
We are so blessed.

Photo taken by her Auntie

Big Red

This week is the bi-annual quilt festival hosted by Amy of Amy's Creative Side. 

I'm so excited to be participating for the first time.

Today I want to share Big Red.

I quilt, yet I had never made a quilt for my mom. She is very talented and has made all kinds of beautiful things, yet is always interested in what I'm making and thinks my creations are wonderful even when they are lacking. She is a wonderful support to me. And really, who quilts and doesn't make a quilt for their mom? Even though she likes everything I make,  I wanted to make something she would really love. About a year ago, after leafing through some quilt magazines she showed me a cover quilt she really liked.

Not a problem. I could make a quilt like that and in those colors. 

No, it turns out she wanted that quilt, that fabric, that exact quilt. 

I've never made a quilt exactly like the original and it was a

FALL/WINTER 2008 Quilt Sampler magazine, already two years old. 

After some online searching I was able to locate the fabric. 

 Here are some un-quilted close-ups

The quilt went together beautifully, but about half way through 

I realized (actually I always knew, but pushed the thought aside) I couldn't 

quilt it. It was too large for me and my little machine and I would have to send

it out to get quilted. It was hard to let it go. I've never sent a quilt out before and

Big Red and I had bonded.  Christie, a local Longarm quilter did a wonderful job, 

really bringing Big Red alive. The quilt turned out more beautiful than anticipated. 

My mom loves her quilt, in fact she loves it so much she won't put it on her bed. Go figure.

Please, mom, use your quilt. A quilt grows more beautiful with use. 

Quilt Label

If you love to look at quilts like I do, grab a refreshing drink, a bit of snack and head on over to Amy's Creative Side to enjoy all the beautiful quilts. You'll find everything from traditional to modern to art quilts from beginners to experts. I guarantee you'll find something you love. 

Thanks Amy for ALL you hard work putting the festival together!