Autumn Ramblings

 Most of the leaves have fallen with only a spot of color remaining here and there. The leaves on the mighty oak at the end of my driveway have yet to fall; fingers crossed a final clean up will get done before the first snowstorm. Speaking of snow, I cannot imagine living in Western New York where a record storm has left six feet of snow. Unbelievable. . . 

We have had freezing temperatures but this plant and rose haven’t given up yet. Thanks to my friend Maribeth and my cousin Kristin, my garden is ready for winter. There are four large ceramic pots on my deck which I will deal with next week when we have a brief warm up. I am finally out of my trusty, big, black boot after about five weeks. There was a bit of a set back after the first three weeks which necessitated no weight bearing for two full weeks. That’s when Maribeth and Kristin stepped in to help me out. Emma spent those two weeks at her home away from home with her Auntie Annmarie and Uncle Bruce. I am so blessed to have friends to help me out. So far, things are going well, and my boot is stashed back in the closet. Yeah!!!

When Kristin came to help, I was able to give her this quilt. It’s a  pattern by Marge Tucker Quilts, “Eel Grass and Eddies.” All of the blocks were sewn before the pandemic; I finished it for our recent HRQG quilt show. 

To continue the autumn theme, here are my latest cross stitch FFOs. The first is “Let’s Talk Autumn” by Cathy Habermann of Hands on Design.

The second is “Alphabet Pumpkin,” a design by Judy Whitman of J B W Designs.

 

Well, that’s enough rambling for now. May I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

HRQG Quilt Show 2022

 Over this past weekend the Herring Run Quilt Guild held a very well attended show in Marshfield. I believe the number of attendees on Saturday alone was three hundred and fifty! I spent time stitching at one of the exits and had a chance to speak with some of these visitors who were all highly complimentary of the show. Quite a few visitors were not quilters themselves but indicated they enjoyed seeing all types of art exhibits. Three ladies were painters who were amazed at the designs and use of color in the quilts. They could not have been more enthusiastic.

Here’s my friend Maribeth with her amazing “Jack’s Chain.” She received a vender’s award for machine piecing and use of color. I asked her how many pieces were in the quilt, but she didn’t know. Let’s just say. . . a zillion!!! I cannot even begin to contemplate attempting a quilt such as this! 

Here are two of the three quilts that I had in the show. The first was a mystery quilt from the Crosstown Quilt Guild; it was begun before the pandemic. I love the colors in this one.

The second quilt was from a pattern, “Eel Grass and Eddies,” by Marge Tucker Designs. It, too, was begun before the pandemic. As I have mentioned previously, I lost my quilting mojo during those long dark days. Thank goodness the quilt show finally motivated me to get them finished. :-)

The third quilt was “When Life Gives You Lemons” which I made during the pandemic. Alex Andersen had a stitch along on Youtube using her pattern, “Sequoia Sampler.” You were able to use any fabric of your choice, so I decided the “lemon” theme would be pandemic appropriate. :-) (This photo was from my files.) I purchased some gorgeous tulip fabric in the spring and will eventually get around to making another piece using that pattern.

Now, there seems to be a problem with receiving notices about new posts on this blog. Why? Who knows? I haven’t changed anything. I have been posting on average once or twice a week. Anyway, if you enjoy this blog and I sure hope you do,  I would suggest bookmarking this site and checking back occasionally to see if you are receiving all the posts.

If you haven’t received the latest posts, sign up for the email notices again or the “Follow It” on the right side of the blog. If you don’t see the right column, go to the bottom of the page and click on ‘Browser View.”

Now, I know what you are thinking. If some people haven’t been receiving email post notices, they won’t see this note either, but I’m hoping that some might do a search for this blog, A Positive Outlook. :-)

What’s up this week? Well, Cluck, Cluck, I need to work on my chicken quilt. All twelve members of the flock are pieced; but there is still much to do. I also plan to make an autumn themed project bag and a pair of placemats. I’m feeling the urge to finish a Sue Spargo autumn piece also begun before the pandemic. (Do you notice a theme here? I really am going to try to get some things accomplished in the months ahead . . . fingers crossed.)

Have a wonderful, creative week and enjoy this near perfect weather. Happy Fall, Y’all!!!