Tiny quilt: It's a Hen

Here's a tiny quilt, which I think is also called a mug rug, that I speed-sewed this afternoon as a hostess gift for a friend who's hosting a "hen party" tomorrow afternoon. I had just gotten a copy of A Quilter's Ark by Margaret Rolfe with 50 foundation-pieced designs and was excited to try it out. Unfortunately, I was well into the project before I noticed that the only embroidery floss I had on hand to make the hen's legs wouldn't stand out against the background. Oh well. Live and learn. Next one I make I'll read all the directions first!

Easter eggs dyed using silk fabric

I made these by wrapping the eggs in squares of silk---from an old necktie and a scarf I found in a thrift shop---and then in a piece of white fabric and boiling them for 20 minutes. Pretty cool, right? I first saw the idea on Facebook and then Googled it later to try it myself.

Happy Easter to all you quilters who celebrate this holiday!

Ginny

Unexpected quilt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Plains Indians exhhibit

I was surprised to see this wonderful quilt in the Met's major new exhibit of the art of the Plains Indians. I'd never before associated quilting with NativeAmericans, but it seems that the Plains Indians were introduced to it by the white Europeans and missionaries who settled in the American mid-west and some of their descendants still quilt today.  

This quilt was made in 1915 by Rebecca Blackwater, thought to be part of either the Dakota, Lakota, Santee or Rosebud tribe. When not on display, this quilt is is a private collection in Boston.

I fell in love with this quilter's depiction of animals and tried to capture photos of a few of them. I especially like the pair of horses who look to be just standing around, taking it easy, and the kangaroo whom she depicts as being encountered by Indians while outhunting in the American mid-west. Clearly, this quilter had a sense of humor.

I highly recommend seeing this exhibit in person if you get a chance. This quilt is only one of a huge number of beautiful objects made by some little-known but wildly talented and patient artists.

Arrows and small mystery

I finished four arrow blocks for the February drawing for Block Lotto. I love these blocks! The first one was a little tricky to make, because the sizes seemed to be a little off, but once I figured out how to trim the pieces I had no trouble.

I've been working since November on Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illusion mystery quilt, and found it was taking more time than I've got to spare these days, so I decided to use what I'd already sewn to make a smaller version of the quilt as she designed it. I think it's pretty cute as a small quilt! My husband said he likes it very much, and that it reminds him of sailing flags. I'm not sure I see it, but I'm not much of a sailor either.

Funny, now that I see these photos together I realize that I they're the same colors! If I win the arrows maybe I should add them to the edge of the mystery quilt?

That's all for now. I hope my next post will show some progress on the quilt-as-you-go project I've had on the back burner.

One January block

I'm falling behind on my quilting these days, but I did manage to make a single block for the next Block Lotto drawing---cute, right? Sophie always comes up with great block ideas.
More soon, I hope!

One finished mystery quilt block, with sashing

I was fortunate enough to be away from NYC in Costa Rica for a week (my 85-year-old mom, pictured below, sponsored the trip and invited me and my siblings and our families) so I am late in posting but here's a block with the sashing around it with the corner post blocks. I'm a little sorry I don't have better contrast between my yellows and the neutrals (I changed around the colors Bonnie suggested) but aside from that I like it pretty well. And I thoroughly enjoyed participating, and linking up with quilters from around the world!
I am already looking forward to next year's mystery.....

My favorite Christmas gift so far...

is a lovely pair of pot holders made for me by my friend and fellow-quilter Robyn Bellamy. She's really talented and always works with great fabrics, and I think she was going to start an Etsy site. If I can get the link I'll list it for you so you can see more of her work.