January

We are over half way through our winter in Texas. Taking my sewing machine along in the RV has been a big success. I have been getting a lot accomplished on some of my long term quilt projects. The first thing I worked on were those 'blessed' postage stamp blocks on Rowdy Flat Library quilt. They have been without a doubt the most difficult, time consuming blocks I have done in quite a while. That being said, I love the results and they add so much to the quilt. I am now working on the borders and this quilt top may soon be finished.

I have plans to do a couple pieced scrappy quilts this year. I have been following The Panama Pyramids sew along on Facebook.

Last year Australian quilter, Linda Collins, came out with a set of cutting templates for an antique quilt she had written an article about in Quiltmania magazine (issue 94).

I ordered the templates and started cutting and sewing these little habit forming pyramids a couple weeks ago. This quilt is great practice for picking good contrasting fabrics and colors but I don't honestly think you can mess it up-anything looks good.

The little templates make piecing a snap, the triangles line up perfectly and I rarely sew through and cut off points.

There is also plenty of opportunity for fussy cutting in these pyramids.

It is fun to follow everybody's progress on the Facebook group. There are so many good ideas and colors being used for the opposing background triangles.

In the evening I still like to just applique. Here are the latest finished blocks from Celebrating Mary Brown.

I love seeing the Gulf Of Mexico daily. We take wonderful beach walks and rides around the island of Galveston. There have been plenty of shrimp poboy (fresh fried shrimp on a hoagie bun with coleslaw-YUM) picnics taken to the north end of the island to watch the big ships coming and going out of Galveston Bay. I am always amazed how the sea varies so much in color and size of surf.

Happy Stitching,

Cheri

 

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In Memoriam -Sue Garman

I have sadly learned about the passing of quilt designer and teacher Sue Garman this week. She eloquently and bravely documented her journey with lung cancer on her blog, suegarman.blogspot.com, for the last few months. I have spent the morning rereading many of her blog posts, she had so much to share and teach. She saw so much in quilts, things I don't even notice, her designer's mind must have always been filing away ideas.

I was lucky enough to take an applique class with Sue in September 2014 at Baltimore on the Prairie. My friend Leslie and I could not write down the wonderful tips fast enough.

We look at our pattern sheets handed out in the class that day and the margins and back of each page are covered with notes.

She has left us with a beautiful legacy of patterns and quilts to add to our bucket lists.

My deepest sympathies to her family and friends and all who will miss her dearly.

 

 

 

The Stitcher's Prayer - E. Field

 

I pray that risen from the dead,

I may in glory stand,

A crown perhaps upon my head,

But a needle in my hand.

 

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