Monday, October 12, 2009

The lucky dip week

It's been pretty good having plenty on the go to keep me occupied this last week. I finished another Mary Mannakee block.I had some relaxing time reading. The book "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett is her first novel and recommended by another blogger, a really good read.
The quilt books are a get well gift from someone very special and I just have loved these two for the information and great quilts in them. Love the VA one a lot and highly recommend it.
And what's more, mail day today and look at these two great patterns by Di Ford available from Threadbare. 19th Century Baskets and Homage to Sallie Ann. Both reproduction quilts.
The fabric is the Civil War Bride background that was on backorder but they forgot to send the pattern. It's more gold/tan than the photo indicates. I think I have enough patterns to see me into the next century now.
I have got a bakers dozen of the little basket blocks done. I loved getting back to these.Now let me show you my lucky dip bin in the sewing room. It has practice blocks, partial quilt tops and other goodies in there, (read UFO's)
I had a delve to the bottom and found an old project that I could just pick up and do some stitching on while sitting in front of the telly.
An oldie but a goodie, the blocks are all ready to have the yo yo's stitched on, they are all labeled according to what rows they belong in and I have bags and bags of them. It's been nice having some different fabrics under the needle. It's been a good week and I'm feeling so much better, recovering very well from the operation. Thank you so very much for the well wishes from all my blogging friends, if I haven't replied to your comment, it's because you are down as a no reply blogger.

49 comments:

antique quilter said...

oh I love your block and the baskets look great!
I didn't think of using plaids as a basket, I will have to use a few too!
I forgot about the yo yo's they look great, that is going to be a great quilt when your done.
The quilts of Virginia book is one of my favorites too!
The new patterns look great, boy your going to have a wonderful collection of applique quilts one day!
YOur right that background fabric is so pretty.
So glad your feeling better and stitching away again!
Kathie

Dolores said...

Welcome back. I'm glad to hear you are on the mend. I've missed seeing what you are up to.

YankeeQuilter said...

That yo-yo project is adorable! so glad to hear you are feeling better...

Barb said...

I love all of your projects!! I am partial for baskets of any kind...love your bakers dozen

wishes, true and kind said...

More of those fun little baskets -- hooray! And I love that last quilt top with the yoyos! I think it is such fun when people add them to quilts!

Betsy said...

Janet you always have the best stuff. I love the way the patterns are packaged. Like you I need to look at what I have or my great great grandchildren will be inheriting mine.

Liz said...

Glad you're feeling better Janet. I'm thinking that I have to go have a good look at the new Threadbear patterns. Hmmm, maybe a drive on Sunday??
Lizzie
XXX

Nedra said...

So glad to hear you are healing nicely. Your current projects are delightful. Love the yoyo one.

Rita said...

Janet, Glad you're feeling better. As always, your applique is beautiful. I love the MM quilt!

Unknown said...

Glad to hear that you are feeling better. I just finsihed The Help, really enjoyed it. Hope you do.

Lurline said...

Janet, you sound in full flight again - take it easy! Lots of beauties there!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Shari said...

Well you may be off your feet for a while but you were certainly organised about it. Glad to see it's not all gloomy and you are getting a lot of sewing done - but take it easy!! And I just love how your princess feather quilt is going! I love all your projects!!

RG said...

oooh you are having fun and making sme wonderful progress Janet!
good on ya!

Doodlebug Gail said...

Take care of yourself and don't overdo the physical side of life. Looks like you have plenty to keep yourself busy. Glad to see that someone else enjoyed THE HELP so much. Your Mary Mannakee blocks is amazing, your baskets are so cute and the yo yo quilt .... oh so pretty. Can't wait to see what else you'll be up to while you're recuperating.

Lindah said...

The MM block is so beautiful. Your work is so perfect. The little basket top is sweet. Love the varied backgrounds. Tell me about the yo-yo quilt... how are they affixed to the background...any stitching other than the outer edge? The fullness looks carefully controlled. I was given a bag of yo's a few years ago, but have not come up with a good use for them. Your top is giving me ideas. ;-)
Take care... let the recuperation do its thing.

Kim Brackett said...

Your Mary Mannakee block is perfect as always! I never get tired of seeing these blocks and your applique work.

It's so nice to see the yo yo blocks again. They're so sweet.

Glad you're feeling better.

Deb said...

Gee you have done a lot for someone who is supposed to be resting! I'm so glad you're feeling better and thanks for the fabulous post. EVERYTHING looks great. Love your baskets. And the MM block is beautiful. The Quilts of Virginia is one of may faves. I haven't heard of the other, is it good? And of course I'm very pleased to see that others loves Di's quilts too. I'm lucky I get to see them in person (sometimes in progress). Stay well.

Julia said...

Welcome back Janet. I'm glad to hear you are on the mend....don't overdo it now!
I have that yo-yo quilt made in 1930's , I love it!
Julia ♥

Cardygirl said...

Great things happening at your place! Love the yoyo quilt.

Beth Karese said...

"Lucky dip bin" - cute name, great idea. Happy to hear you're feeling better and up to dipping. The basket and yo-yo quilts are like an adult I-spy... each little block holds its own surprise. Your work is inspiring. I just received my first order from Threadbear... CWB. Need to decide if I dare take it on now, I’m so tempted. The fabric box in your previous post was adorable. Is it from a pattern? Yipes, I better go order The Help, it’s our next book club selection. Take care.

Carol said...

Oh Janet I'm so happy to hear that you're doing well...your projects are just wonderful...your little baskets are coming along beautifully and as always your Mary M block is out of this world. Oh I loved The Help...probably my favorite book in a very long time. Keep feeling better!

PatchworkRose said...

Hi Janet
So glad you are on the mend. Just love what you have done with the Mary Manakee block Clever girl. I adore your background for the CWBQ. Cannot wait to see your version take shape.
Just love the other patterns too. I can see you keeping out of mischief for quite a while having lots of fun :-)
I have both of those books too and they are both favourites.
Cheers
Lynne

Crispy said...

Love the mannakee block, your applique is always so beautifully done. I'm so happy that you are recovering nicely, just keep stitchin' and restin' and you will be back to normal before you know it.

Crispy

Lori said...

I'm so happy to hear you are feeling better and getting stronger. I love the idea of the quilt bin. It sure looks like you are having a lot of fun stitching up some different projects. I love them all!

Karen said...

Your new Mary block is oh so well done. You are making good progress towards a finished quilt.
You new patterns......I think the basket quilt pattern is the one that interests me the most.

Terrie Sandelin said...

The Mannakee block is beautiful! And I love the yo-yo quilt -- it's so cheerful.

Juliann said...

Another beautiful block. I have that book - The Help- on my to read list. If only I could figure out how to get a book in front of me while I quilt or knit! but I guess it is good to enjoy the process of each task, reading, quilting, knitting, just for the joy of that task.

M and M plus 3 said...

Happy to hear your feeling better. Love the Mary Mannakee and basket blocks. Looks like you've gotten more finished than myself. You go girl!

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful MM block Janet. So glad you're on the road to recovery and that you've found things to keep your mind and your hands busy.

Barb said...

I love the quilt in your header -
the little baskets are soo sweet.
barb

In Awe of Applique said...

Janet,
Glad to see that you are doing well and gaining strength. It looks like you finished the Mannakee block in record time and it's gorgeous! I have a feeling that looking through your lucky dip bin would be an awesome adventure!

Meredith said...

Glad you are healing, nice applique. I like the 1930s prints. I worked on my baskets this weekend. The patterns look very interesting. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Karen said...

Oh I think this is my favourite MM block so far!

Kaaren said...

Happy to hear that you are on the mend, Janet.

I have all the fabric necessary to start my basket quilt and seeing yours again might just give me the push I need to get it started.

Gorgeous MM block. And I just love the yo yo quilt and the reproduction fabrics...another one of my favorites. It never ends, does it? (wink)

Jan said...

Another wonderful block. You truly excel at your craft. And, isn't it nice to have multiple projects going? So many choices we have as quilters. Lucky us!

Mary Ann said...

Janet, glad to hear you're doing better! Never fun recuperating from operations. Love the projects you've been working on! That little fabric basket is adorable! May I ask what dimensions the pieces are?
All the best!

Anonymous said...

Feeling better!! Glad!
Your applique always amazez me as it is just spot on wonderful! I could never be as good. Your block is gorgeous and those little baskets...*sigh*..so pretty.

Marge said...

Janet,
It's so good to read that you are feeling better. Reading great books and quilting are definitely ways to help one feel better, aren't they? I always enjoy your posts, and I wish you a continued full recovery!

Carrie P. said...

Glad to hear your recovery is going well. You have been busy doing many lovely things.

Sharon said...

Your block is wonderful and I'm pondering this project for the new year. Thanks for sharing and posting each block as you do them. Question from Sept 28th post. Are those circles done using heat resistant mylar?

Four O'Clock Quilt Company said...

Hi Janet,
I read 'The Help' last month, it's quite a thought provoking read. This month I just finished 'An Echo in the Bone' the 7th in the Outlander series. Have you read any of those?

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Another amazing block!! Glad you back to stitching and enjoying it!

Purple Pam said...

Your block is a beautiful addition to your quilt. Glad you are feeling better.

Unknown said...

Hello Janet..being off line myself have just been catching up on blogs...Glad to hear you are on the mend...Enjoy being waited on..
take care

Janet said...

Another amazing MM block! I'm glad that you are feeling better and enjoying your stitching. I think it would be fun to see the other goodies (read ufo's) in your lucky dip bin - your projects are so varied and never fail to inspire me. :0)

Deb said...

Janet you are looking pretty good from this side too.. what a great blog. Love your projects even the UFO's. I am a red and green quilt lover too..on my list to do your block is just gorgeous.
Great way to use yo yo's my mother takes some scraps everytime she comes and makes yo yo's and brings them back she has 500 made so far..

Thimbleanna said...

Yay! I'm so happy you are feeling better! Now I want to do those little baskets -- they're just adorable. And the yoyos! I love the way you're setting them -- thanks for the fabulous inspiration!

Stina Blomgren said...

Glad to hear yo are better!!! :o) And nice to see the little yo yo blocks again.. they are really cute!!! Take care!

QuiltedSimple said...

So glad you are feeling better! And I love the yo-yo's - they are so pretty!
Kris