Sheep blankets

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know that last year I was making the Buttermilk Basin monthly sheep blankets.    I was keeping up with them until the holidays hit and the poor little sheep had no blankets for November and December.  

They are now finished and we won't have to worry about the sheep getting cold next winter.   Instead of saying that I got "behind" on this project, I'm now saying that I'm way ahead of the game!   Glass half full thing!

So here are November and December blankets.

Funny story (to me anyway) about this next one.    I made this one for April last year and never really liked the way it looked.   It was just too "pastel" for the sheep it was going to be covering.   So.......

I decided to throw it in  a pot of coffee to grung it up a bit.    Well, as you can see, it came out looking putrid.   In fact, it looked like dogs pooped on it and then a truck ran over it.    (Can you tell how happy I was with the way it looked?)  U.G.L.Y.

I knew it had to be re-made, so here's the second version of "April".    Much better, don't cha think?

I also remade the one in the upper right, but it looked so much like the first one that I didn't even bother to show the other one to you.  

A group of us are now taking on Buttermilk Basin's monthly Wool & Needle Handwork BOM. 

Sandy, of "no blog" fame, is making us some wooden frames to put them on.   As soon as I get the frame, I'll share what we've done so far.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Anne

 

More prepping

I have been wanting to do this pattern by Heart to Hand since it was published a few years ago.   It's called "Merry Christmas Quilt".  

 A couple of years ago Karen at My Red Farmhouse offered it as a block of the month.   I was way too busy selling our house and moving to a new one to tackle the project, but I ordered the backgrounds from her in case I ever got some time to start it.  

A couple of weeks ago I decided to get busy since I was in my wool prepping "frenzy".    Yesterday I got the final block prepped and thought I'd share them with you.

These are all of the blocks.

Here they are a bit closer.

The little baggie is there holding a couple of applique pieces that will be added after the blocks are sewn together.  

I changed this block to the candy canes.   The original design has an angel.

As you can see, there's lots of stitching and embellishing to be done.  

This is what the quilt will look like when it's finished which will, hopefully, be next Christmas.  

Believe it or not...there are still more prepping projects to show you!  

Hi, My name is Anne...

and I am addicted to wool!   There, I said it.   I can't help it and actually don't care if I ever get treatment for it!   Tee hee.

I have been a "wool prepping fanatic" in the last month or so. Only problem with all the prepping is....someday these projects have to get stitched!!!    I just keep telling myself....baby steps, Anne, baby steps.  

Before I share these projects with you tho, I have a couple of belated thank yous.  The first one is to Merumo from pleasentree blog.  She sent me this adorable little purse and binding clips that she made.   She actually sent them to me as a thank you for winning my giveaway last fall.   How sweet is that? Thank you Merumo!

The second thank you goes out to Pat from Silver Thimble Quilt Co.    I won her giveaway last month and love the giftys.    If you remember, Pat designed the Comfort and Joy quilt pattern that we just finished up in our quilt-a-long.   Thanks Pat!

The first project I'm gonna share is the Primitive Banners quilt by Lisa at Primitive Gatherings.

The first part of the quilt is the "frame".   This will be the background for 4 seasonal little quilts.  

The one for spring is this cute little bunny.   Isn't he cute smelling those wonderful flowers.  I can't wait until we can ALL be smelling spring flowers!

It's hanging on the wall where I used to hang the sheep with all the monthly blankets (which I finally finished and will show you later)

Here are the rest of the banners.  I'll be making prepping ALL of them!!!

The original pattern can be found in this issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects, or you can order from Primitive Gatherings directly.  

Isn't that a cute way to display it?   Maybe I need to find myself a big basket like that.  

Next up is one that is actually almost finished!   It's called "Merry Merry" by Heart to Hand.   See that strip on the bottom?    That's all that's left to do, but I'm thinking of not adding that part.   It's just a vine with holly and berries on it but I'm not sure it adds that much to the design, so ....

I'm thinking of just leaving it off.   What do you think?   Do I really need it?   Right now it measures 20"x30".   If I do it the way the pattern calls for, it will be 20"x36".   Oh, decisions, decisions.     (I tried to add the photo of the pattern and for some reason, Blogger is fighting with me on that.  If you click the link, you can see the finished pattern)

Here's another project that's almost complete.    It's a pattern by Cheri.   It still needs a bunch of scrappy squares to add to the final border.    I need to get cutting!  (and sewing)!

A couple of close-ups.

But wait...there's more!    I prepped this project from Primitive Gatherings and loved it so much that I immediately started stitching.   Got it finished last week.   I just ordered the frame from them so will show you the completed project soon.  

Next up is a wool Christmas block of the month that I prepped in 2 weeks.   Maybe it WILL get finished by Christmas.    Stay tuned!

So, do you think I need a 12 step program or should I just keep going?  :)

Hugs, Anne

Moving Day!

Can you believe it?  Construction is finished and we're now ready to move in and enjoy our houses and all the neighbors.  

If I hadn't been doing this project as a quilt-a-long, it would have definitely become another UFO.   I really struggled with this one as I'm sure I've told you often (like in EVERY post).   I have to say though, that now that the applique is on the borders, it was worth every screaming fit!   I love it.

If you're new to my blog, the quilt is called Country Homecoming and it can be found in this book. (I think it's now out of print, but can sometimes be found on used book store websites).

This is Sandy's (no blog) neighborhood.   I think she struggled with it as much as I did....she just didn't complain as much.  :)

Here's mine.    I'm really anxious to get it quilted and bound.   I never thought I be this excited!

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those wonderful bloggers who came on this journey with me.   Like I said....if it weren't for you gals, there wouldn't be 12 finished houses!

Head on over and see what the rest of the quilt-a-longers have done with their neighborhoods.

Paulette, Patty, Shazy, Sandy R, and Anna.

Thanks to the rest of you who have made such nice comments over these past months which also kept me plugging along.  

I'll be sure and show you what it looks like after it's been quilted.

Hugs, Anne  

The Woolies at First Friday

Our Tuesday Woolie group was the featured "group" at Quiltworks on Friday.

Only a handful of us were there in person for the reception, but the rest were there in spirit and their projects spoke for them.

 Here are the few of us who were able to attend.

We'll start with Sandy's contributions to the show.   You all might know her as Sandy no blog!  This quilt is called Primitive Garden by Primitive Gatherings.

This is a Block of the Month that Anna did.

She also did the Wool Garden on the right.

And this table runner from Primitive Pieces by Lynda.

These next 2 were what I put in the show.   This was a Block of the Week from Primitive Gatherings in 2008 (I think).  It's called Folk Art Album.

 The pattern for the stockings was also from Primitive Gatherings.

Susan did this table runner

and this framed picture by All through the night designs.

Lori made this Bunny Hill, Henrietta Whiskers pattern using cotton and wool.  

And she also did this table mat.  Sorry about the colors...it was under glass and the flash did something weird to the color.  

Lori also did the upper table mat.  Primitive Gatherings.   Claudine made the bottom table runner. Sorry, I don't know the name of the pattern.

Claudine also made this next one.   It's a pattern from All Through the Night.

This is Carrie's quilt.   It was new to me.   I don't remember what the name was.  

Barb whipped up these next two.   This one is a Buttermilk Basin design

and this one is by Country Stitches.

Marilyn is our Woolie member who loves to change up any design she sees.   She took the idea for the sheep blankets and made up her own series.   Aren't they cute?

Quite a few of us in the group have decided to work on the Buttermilk Basin Wool & Needle Handwork BOM together.  Jo Ann is moving right along and has the background and the January banner finished.    The rest of us are waiting for Sandy to make us a wood plaque to put ours on.   I'll be sure and share that with you when she's finished.    (no pressure, Sandy)  :)

Sorry about the quality of the next two pictures.  They were under glass and the flash kept bouncing off.   I couldn't take a picture without the flash because it was too dark in the room.  
This cute little framed picture belongs to Karleen.  

and she also made this needlework roll up.  

So there you have it.   The show will be running the entire month of February, so if you're in the area, stop by for some inspiration (and maybe you'll even want to give working with wool a try.)

Hugs, Anne