More Red!

I am still working on my Red Delicious and getting close to the final assembly. I have trimmed all the blocks but still have two to to finish the final cuts. There is one part with the pretty swirl strips that go down one side and under one of the blocks and that is tricky. If it is done right, it will look like it is continuous. You will see later when I post the finished piece.

But in the meantime, I am also working on some new blocks with the red fabrics. I posted a basket block a few days ago that I did as a sample to work on in the class I taught week before last. Above is another block to go with that-----

and here is another one. These are big blocks and go very fast with the machine buttonhole applique. As I said in an earlier post, I have plenty of the background and am working towards making a big quilt to go on my bed. Looking through my books and files for patterns is always fun. And it's so easy to make them any size you need either by doing it yourself on the copier or with the scanner or taking it to someplace like Staples. How things have changed over the years. (Click to enlarge)

Fashion Friday

Here she is, my Aunt Nelle, posing in her yard in San Francisco. This photo was probably taken in the late thirties or early forties judging from her pretty outfit. She is more mature now but still has the rather elegant air about her that comes across in almost all of her pictures. She is wearing a pretty two piece outfit with a double tie under the white collar. The ties, sleeves and jacket are all trimmed in a lace. The dress beneath the jacket has buttons about three-quarters of the way down. Her hat has a wide brim and a pretty band around the crown. White gloves and a purse complete her ensemble. (Click to enlarge)

A Post You Might Like

I just did a post on washday as it used to be and I thought maybe some of you might enjoy it. It is on my other blog http://piecesofthepast-funoldhag.blogspot.com/. I started looking for pictures for it (on the internet) and found some neat old stuff. Wow, how life has changed!

Working on Red Delicious

All of the blocks are appliqued and the finishing instructions are downloaded so I have been working on trimming my blocks down to size and cutting out the sashing. These blocks are trimmed but not sewn together yet. This is going to be so pretty! Love, love the red. Promise I won't post another picture until I have it all put together. Now to watch Dancing with the Stars. (Click to enlarge)

October Basket BOM

Here's the scarey little witch and black kitty for October. Ten down and two to go and the 12 months will be finished. I used an earring for the little hanging doodad and may change that. It's just lying there anyway and won't be attached until after it is all quilted. Again, the designer came up with cute patterns. (Click to enlarge)

Fashion Friday

They come around so quickly - Fashion Fridays, I mean. On this rather gloomy day here in Michigan, I am posting a picture of little Carol (who grew up to be Funoldhag) as she sits on the bannister of her grandparents' porch. What a fashionable little girl in a faux fur coat, cute little tam and shiney shoes with straps. She is wearing stockings and mittens so it was probably kind of chilly that day.

And here she is again, this time with her favorite Aunt Leah. It was a different day most likely since she is wearing laced up shoes but the same coat. Probably a little cooler since there is no tam or mittens. Aunt Leah is looking pretty with a chic hairdo, very pretty fur trimmed coat and strappy shoes. This would have been in the early 1930's. So many of the pictures taken at my grandparents' home were taken in the front yard and you can see over time that they enclosed the porch and made a sunroom and closed entry. If you want to see more old family pictures, go to http://piecesofthepast-funoldhag.blogspot.com/ my other blog. (Click to enlarge)

Estate Sale Purchases

My kitty corner neighbors have moved into an assisted living facility here in town and have their condo up for sale with an estate sale to further clear things out. A really nice couple, they will be missed here. Their home is beautiful and has been remodeled in a way that I would love to have at my house, but of course that won't happen. They are in a lovely spot, too, one of the very best in our complex.
I walked over a little while ago and bought a few items. There is not much I need but I found these two pretty dresser scarves and pair of pillowcases.

Don't know whether the pillowcases are hand done or not but they are pretty and were not expensive. Would look really nice with lots of other pillows on a quilt on a bed.

And in the basement, I found this - an ironing board that is quite a bit wider than the ordinary ones with a place on the end for the iron. A good place for pressing large pieces of fabric or quilttops and backs. Only $10 so a good buy. I think I could just fold and pin fabric on for a cover when a new one is needed. My mom used to do that all the time. There were a lot of pretty items and some very nice furniture - all good buys. However, my house is chockful now so I am not in need of anything like that. Estate sales and auctions are good places to find things to furnish a home, though. (Click to enlarge)