Happy Day!

 Today I am celebrating! My mother turns 90 years old today. Plus, I actually got her birthday quilt done before the actual day...happy!

Here's a peek at the quilt top before it was quilted. I don't have a good place for display in this tiny apartment so my apologies for that. It is finished now and looks great...and is now wrapped up in lovely silver/gold foil paper ready for gifting.

Originally, these hens/roosters were from a Block of the Month titled "A Country Journal". These patterns included an additional header of blackberries.

In fact, this was the only pattern that I had purchased...in some quilt shop back in 1998. I wanted it only for the berries thinking that it could be made into a nice bell pull. However, it never got done...or frankly, even attempted. Having "found" it again in my stash some months ago...and realizing that it was part of a BOM...I went on the hunt for the full quilt. 

Here is a photo that I found:

I was surprised to see that in included hens/roosters! WHAT! so, of course I then had to go on a search to see if any patterns were still circulating. Yes, there was a full set on Ebay...BUT, there was also a full set of mostly completed applique blocks there as well (someone's UFO)...so, I of course went that way and purchased all of the blocks.

Now, purchasing partially finished projects without the pattern (although a photo of the quilt design was included) also means that you are getting someone else's "style/expertise" as well. Luckily, most of the completed blocks were in really good shape and nicely stitched. The header not so much, so thinking that those tiny berries were just a bit advanced for the stitcher (and they are very troublesome). Also, the center block was not completed...only having a couple of the morning glories/honeysuckles in place. 

Therefore, a new layout had to be designed to enlarge it to a more bed size and to compensate for the loss of those florals. Here is a closer look at some of the hens/roosters. 

We celebrate Mom's birthday on Saturday with a huge family event (allowing those in other states to travel on a weekend). She will get her present then...and I think she will be very pleased. 

Finishing An Old Project--Almost

 Okay, more like a work in progress. 

I have received all months for this BOM (Block of the Month) but only got the first two months completed before putting it away.

Figured I had best complete it BEFORE I got too serious about my latest (new) project.

The technique is Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) which is why I recalled it when starting the new FPP project I talked about in last post. However, I actually just measured and cut patchwork because I so disliked FPP work...so will continue THIS effort in the same way. So far, I'm up to almost completion of Month #6 (of nine months). Had hoped to get this quilt top done by Sunday evening...but it will be close. Will post my completion when finished of course.

Starting a New Project

 Yeah, I know...like I needed a "new" project with all that are already in progress. BUT, I was thinking the other day about how long I have been a quilter and what I really enjoyed (and didn't so much enjoy) about the different techniques that I have learned over the years. The one technique that I have done some of but just didn't like; and now try to avoid is Foundation Paper Piecing. I have friends that love this technique, but it just was never something that I really liked; therefore, I'm not so good at it.

So, you know me...love to challenge myself. And, yep have begun a FPP project. I'm not rushing it...it will take some time (and I do have other ongoing projects).

Had this book on my shelf. No going to do this exact same layout most likely but will see about that. Can already tell that a couple of the designs are not to my liking, so will most likely substitute some as well.

Spent the day after Thanksgiving (also my birthday) tracing all of the patterns. Talking about birthday, here is my present to myself:

Now, she is not all that fancy. Cost me less than $200 bucks. But, she will "zigzag" which is the reason I purchased her. My Jazz and my Juki are straight stitch machines only; both are beasts and fit the bill for most of my work. My Pfaff (purchased in 1983) does zigzag but had developed a short in the cord connection so could go out permanently at any minute...hence the "need" for a new machine. Anyhow, was not planning on getting another machine until she popped up in my Amazon feed. How can you ignore a pink machine! Really I just could not. Anyhow, back to my FPP endeavor...

These are my first two completed blocks. Only 54 more to go! By the time I get to the end of this quilt, I should be good at FPP and then who knows what will come next!

Do you have a technique that you really struggle with? If so, I challenge you to push yourself to really get good at it. We can suffer along together...ha!

Just catching up!

 Well, it's been a while and folks are beginning to notice. No, I'm not dead...well not yet thank goodness. All is actually going okay in my little spot in the world; just super busy.

I'd love to say that the new grand-baby (just starting kindergarden) is keeping me super busy but I honestly don't get to see her as much as I would like. We try to get a visit in every ten days or so...but I do miss when she was right under my roof. These days, my patience is not as good...so maybe that is a blessing in disguise. Ha!

Quilt guild keeps me busy. I've been the VP for the past couple of years and that job was supposed to end last June. But, no other member would take it on...so, I kept it along with my new job as Treasurer. Thankfully, that has now changed as we have a new member that is willing to work...and I am so happy about that. I will keep going with the long-term plans I've made (block of the month, mystery quilt for 2026)...but otherwise will not be dealing with programs anymore (which are really time-consuming to plan, track, execute). So, if you belong to a quilt guild...hug your VP...they work hard!

Thinking about doing a 2026 Block of the Month here...so all can share in completing my new pattern. But, not sure how successful it will be since I don't block every day any more. Maybe it's time to try and get back into the groove?!

Anyhow, just checking in for those that still read their blogs. HUGS!

Recipes You Don't Want to Forget

 My Mom and I love sharing recipes...but, there have been many times when we remember WHAT was cooked/baked...but we can not recall which cookbook it was in. Has that happened to you? We also like to pull pages from magazines and she has several old recipe cards or newspaper clippings stuffed in her cookbooks.

There is also a new issue because as my mother continues to age, she wishes to have some of her favorite recipes "passed down" to her children, grand-children and great-children. So, to try and help with solving this problem...I've created two recipe journals. One is for baking...and it will be the one that is going to be crammed full...for sure! The other is for cooking...which is anything that is not classified as baking. (Can't wait to see Mom's full dressing recipe!)

This is the cover for the baking journal. 

The side has a spot for all of the specifics you will need to re-create a recipe. You could also take a photo of the finished item and print/glue that to the adjacent page. These are standard 8.5x11.0 inch pages...so plenty of writing room. Each journal has 120 pages...so, loads of room. 

This is the cover of the cooking version; the inside pages are slightly different in "titles" but the same format.

I've ordered five proofs so that I can gift some to Mom and still have one for myself. They are scheduled to arrive tomorrow...and I'll post a photo of that on Facebook when they get here.

You can get them directly from Amazon by mid May 2025.

Re-covered and even prettier!

 I just updated a booklet that is being offered on Amazon that I created in 2017. It is a sketchbook/journal for recording crazy quilt seam ideas.

This is the back cover; the front is similar in style...I just forgot to save that jpg and the pdf will not load as a photo.

Of course, a pretty cover is not as important as what is inside. Here is a photo of the book pages. Plenty of room to record your thoughts on fibers, colors, variations, etc...AND diagram your seam idea.

Here's how I'm using mine. I divided it into sections for different Base Seams (herringbone, chevron, etc.)...then I doodle my ideas on to the graph pages.

It is 6 x 9 inches in size, so fits in my tote bag or most of my purses just fine. I like to doodle seams while sitting in waiting rooms or waiting for meetings to begin. 

The updated cover journal will be available on Amazon by next week. To find it, simply search my author name of "kathy seaman shaw" to see all of my available books there. 

Gone Down a Rabbit Hole -- Literally!

 Okay, maybe not a true rabbit...as I'm way too big to fit into one of those burrows. But, I spend several hours this week scrolling through the EXTENSIVE listing of free patterns over on Tilda's website.

Saw this super cute bunny pattern and decided to give it a try...thinking it would be a neat little addition to Easter decorations.

Boy...did I have some fun!

So, if you are looking for a project that can be quick (the non-pieced versions)...and just adorable...go check out their website. Bet you also fall down the rabbit hole of scrolling through their enormous list of free pattern downloads.

Absent Lately, Anyone Care?

Good morning all!

Well I have been super busy this past week/month/year...just not on the blog much. It is strange...but since Google stopped the auto feed for comments...the "inter-action" is just not here anymore. Feels like I'm out here on an island by myself and that just is not any fun.

Personally, life is marching on. Grand daughters are growing taller each day and that is so much fun to watch!

Serving as Vice President of my quilt guild...which keeps me VERY busy for sure creating new ideas for them each month.

Doing free local classes in quilting techniques (did Basic level in 2024, now doing Intermediate techniques this year).

Just started a monthly free embroidery class...so, more handouts etc. to prepare.

Still working on projects for myself and sharing that progress on Patreon. Still designing new seam ideas and sharing them also on Patreon. (Site is titled Kathy's Stitching Adventure).

If you are still reading this blog...shoot me a comment. If the interest is still here...I'll try to do a better job of sharing my life/projects with you all. Sending hugs regardless!