Hand Quilting in the Autumn

Our Autumn rains have started, the weather is chilly and it is time to pull out the Autumn projects.  I made this quilt top in 2011 (really?  That long ago?) and had it machine basted in 2014.  It has been patiently waiting for me to begin hand quilting - and now seems to be the time.

Kim - in Tasmania - has begun her spring quilting - and we've decided to hand quilt "together" this year - she in her spring - me in our Autumn.
Be sure and visit her wonderful blog - you'll be hooked, for sure.
And Julie - in Japan - is always hand quilting something beautiful - she does all of her stitching by hand, nothing by machine, you'll be amazed.  So that makes three of us hand quilting together, anyone else care to join us?

 The fabrics are 30s Reproductions - probably my favorite fabrics, and definitely my favorite colors.

 Hand appliqued Dresden Plates - and some of them I adapted - using the Dresden Plates as a starting point.

I made the Dresden Plates into a basket with "yo yo" flowers, a butterfly and an Umbrella Girl with "yo yo" bustle.  It was such fun designing these blocks.

 The border is hand appliqued swags with more "yo yo" trim.  You can see the random machine basting in this photo.  The stitches are about 3/4" long - I will pull them out when the hand quilting is done.

The swag borders had not been added yet in this photo.

 Close up of the basket with its flowers and leaves.

I am going to enjoy the hand quilting - it is a nice peaceful activity for the rainy months here in Washington.  What projects do you have planned for Autumn and Winter this year?

Mosaic Monday
Tuesday's Treasures

China Cabinet Reveal

At last - my dining room china cabinet is finished.  This is what it looked like in the shop before we bought it.  I'd been looking forever for one for a long time - I wanted white - but figured I could paint it once we got it home.  Well over a year has gone by - and I started painting this summer.

You've seen it before 

All dressed up for spring

And ready for Thanksgiving dinner

Pies on the left side - they were delicious!

And festive at Christmas time

With desserts waiting for company to arrive

And then the painting began - it was an OK china cabinet before I painted it - but I really wanted white, for that country look

I started with Chalk Paint - what a disaster - some have done great things with Chalk Paint - one of them is not me.  After three coats it was still looking horrible.

I wanted to take this railing out of the center portion - but it was so well made that I would have ruined the remaining wood - so there it will stay

Bring on the regular paint - glossy and pretty - just two coats and I was done with  the top - then our SIL and grandson moved the top away and I painted the bottom.

And here it is - all reassembled and with pretty knobs.  We have a wonderful couple who mow our lawn, powerwash and paint our deck and clean our gutters - and yesterday when they came to mow they lifted the top section back up on the bottom of the china cabinet - they are the most wonderful, hard workers - thank you Zenida and Tacho!!!  (and their little boy Daniel - who likes apples and bird bath fountains)

The yellow flowered knobs go perfectly with the yellow dining room chairs - they were a gift from my friend Linda - what a sweetie she is.

Let's put some pretty dishes in the china cabinet - how about turquoise depression glass?

I've been collecting these slowly for over 50 years now - some of the pieces have been gifts from Don and some are from flea markets, yard sales and thrift shops.

The lidded dish is a favorite 

The long thin dish was the first piece Don bought for me - right after we got married.  We lived in Sitka, Alaska and he paid the rich price of $2.98  - and recently one sold on ebay for $39.00 - amazing.  Mine is priceless - I'd never part with it.

We found these snack sets at a raggedy, dirty yard sale - piled high with batteries, car parts and loads of junk - what a treasure.

Lots of fun finding pieces at yard sales - the fun is in the hunt, discovering baskets and a jam jar.

I adore these little swirled dessert bowls - they are from the late 1970s and early 80s - considered vintage already.  The price on ebay will frighten the strongest shopper.

The middle square bowl is another piece purchased in Alaska in 1965.

 Adding more pretties - some pink transferware on top of the china cabinet

 Little birds

 And a pretty hammered aluminum tray from my collection

 The flatware is my all-time favorite - daffodil - my birthday gift from Don this year 

 And the last addition - perfectly matched

 The glasses are from the Dollar Tree - and look like vintage pieces !

I'm very happy with the results - but I can tell you this - this is the last piece of furniture I will ever paint - EVER!

Now I will walk in and out of the dining room just so I can admire the change in the china cabinet - and the pretty dishes.

Wednesday Wee Ones - Summertime Tea Party

I'm Abby - I have a pretty summer dress with daisies and ribbons

With bloomers to match

I think this dress is perfect for a summer party.

And I am Sally Jo - sometimes we share each other's clothes - I do like this party dress 

 We take turns wearing our pretty party dresses, don't you think this red dress is beautiful -it is made from the same pattern as the black dress

 And then we trade dresses - oops - we forgot to trade shoes

 Hmmm - that isn't right either

 There we go - perfect match

 We'd like to have a tea party - would you please come with us?

 Our new tea set is shiny and pretty

 With pink roses on the cups, saucers and plates

 We like our afternoon tea

Thank you for coming, we hope you enjoyed the tea.  Come again soon