Progress on the Pokeberry Quilt

 

 

I have all the sections stitched together and now I only need to add the borders.  I appliqued all the pokeberries as I went along so I wouldn't get tired of just sewing circles.  I love how it's turning out.  It's been either raining or snowing all morning so glad the weather broke to get a picture of it outside.  I actually woke up with a jolt this morning and thought it was thunder, could have been the 4.8 earthquake in Yellowstone this morning.  The epicenter was about 25 miles away from where I live. 

 



 

The Pokeberry was originally a Girl Gang Project from 2002 - 2003, but you can buy the book on Jan's website.  Cherie Ralston also contributed several designs in the quilt.

 

The Pokeberry Quilt

 

I've been wanting to make this quilt for years, watching Ebay or Etsy for a chance to buy the kit with the original fabrics are at least fabrics that reflect the look of the original design.  Found it on Ebay a few weeks ago.

 

The original design was a Girl Gang project from 2002-2003.  The seller taught the class so she had some of the blocks finished in this kit.

 

 

I should be able the sew one section this weekend together which would include the two top blocks on the left and the sashing so I can hand applique the Pokeberry stems and circles to that section.

 

 

If you subscribed to the Girl Gang, I did for several years, you received these extra projects like this notebook cover.

 

Thanks for all the comments on my wildlife pictures, quiet this week with little snow, but blowing winds and cold so I've only had some deer and my rabbit.

Winter Spirit and Garden Spirit, The Book

Winter Spirit, the quilt in my header is in this book.  Jan has it for sale on her website and Amazon has used copies for sale, also.

Love the cover quilt by Cherie.

Stark Raven Mad

It has taken me awhile, but finally finished hand quilting my version of Cherie's Stark Raven Mad, from her book Under the Stars.

It didn't help that I had to hand quilt thru several layers of wool in some places with crochet cotton.  I used the baptist fan stencil for the quilting design, now to sew the binding.

Here's Cherie's version in case you have never seen it.  Great book, great patterns and quilts.

Imperial Blooms Progress and ...

Started prepping the last block from Imperial Blooms.  I have a few turquoise beads left so I'm going to use those for extra embellishment, don't know if you can see it or not. 

Also going back to add bullion knots to this block, there's a zillion to make and I had to stop making them when I originally made the block, my fingers needed a rest.   I always think, how does Sue do this all the time.

You thought it was going to be wildlife pics.  Also starting the baptis fan quilting on my version of Cherie Ralston's Stark Raven Mad.

I should be ready for some needle turn applique in a few days after stitching through wool.

My Sewing Table in Progress

I have had this sewing table in pieces for years, yes years and it's a nice one, so  finally decided to start putting it together.  I was able to get two panels together and with it folded out, I can finally baste on the table instead of on the floor.  Two more side cabinets to install with more storage.  Maybe I can organize those freezer paper templates.  I have my version of Cherie Ralston's Stark Raven Mad on the sewing table to baste.

A view this morning after the rain changed to snow last night.

Stars, Stars, Stars

Betsy, here is the quilt you were asking about, Stars, Stars, Stars.  I made it way back in 2004.  It was published in Jan Patek's book, Porch Swing.  Funny story, Cherie Ralston saw it first as a the top, I had not quilted it yet.  She showed it Jan.  Jan wanted it, fast for her book, so I mailed it to Cherie.  She had it quilted for me and she even sewed the binding on it for for the deadline.  What a friend.

Stark Raven Mad

I finished the top of Stark Raven Mad that I had started last year,  the book was from my friend who I would like to meet one day, Cherie Ralston, but then I would have to travel to Kansas, I think it gets hot there.  Anyway, from her book, Under the Stars.  Combination wool and cotton, needle turn applique on the circles and the rest is a whip stitch on the wool appliques.

 Background blocks are wool as are all the rest of the appliques except for the center fabric circle.  Very not perfect.

Cherie's verson, there's a reason for my version and her version, I don't do triangles and I like to do as much as I can by hand when I make a quilt.  And I don't worry about perfection.  Cherie's quilt is perfect.

Black batting, yes there is black batting, hard to find sometimes unless you order it online.  Started using it on my dark wool purses so they don't stretch after I sew on the appliques.  Like using it on dark quilts, also.

More Progress on Stark Raven Mad

Cutting out the applique for the quilt, my fingers are to worn out right now from that purse applique, so will work on getting all the pieces pinned and placed and another quilt needs to be machine quilted for a quick gift for a nursing friend who is retiring at 72, 72, I better be retired way before then.

STARK RAVEN MAD Progress

Finally got part of Stark Raven Mad on the wall, needed to see if it was going to work, has that not perfect prim look which is fine for me, have the big floral fabric for the two sides and can slowly work on the rest of the wool applique.

STARK RAVEN MAD & A MOTHER BEAR & HER CUB

Started the process of another block From Cherie's Start Raven Mad Quilt, using mostly wool with Brannock & Patek fabrics.


And a huge surprise looking out the kitchen window to see a female black bear and her little cub. Was able to go outside without disturbing them to take two quick pictures. You can barely see the little cubs ear coming from behind the rock, the cub is so much darker than the mother. In all our years here, we have seen bears and cubs, but never on our property. Sweet moment for me.

Stark Raven Mad

This is a block from Cherie Ralston's new book, I told her I would never be able to do her machine applique technique so I am making it with wool and a bit of fabric.