Patchwork Barn, Mug Rugs and other things

First up, I have been working diligently, at least recently, on my Patchwork Barn BOM. This month was the center Barn block with applique. After stitching the barn block I had to decide if I wanted to use the fusible shapes that came in the kit, or do turned edge applique. I opted to use the fusible shapes, with a blanket stitch in sort of matching colors. I set my Bernina 630 up with a #720 stitch, reversed, 2.4 length and 2.2 width, and then used a small straight stitch to secure the beginning and ending section of stitching. I found that if I moved the needle over two clicks to the right it lined up nicely with the edge of the applique shape.

After stitching the center block I went ahead and stitched the parts together, so now I just have to wait until October for the next applique border.

In my last post I showed the first set of mug rugs. Well, I got carried away making them, and made three more sets. The pattern came from Shabby Fabrics, as did the kits for the sunflowers and cone flowers. I used my own wool for the shamrocks. I am looking forward to the October set, don't know what it is yet, but I am sure it will have pumpkins!

My Favorite things "redwork" BOM is a tea kettle this month. It is so cute, I want to make a tea cup / tea pot quilt. That has actually been on my "wanna-do" list for a while. Maybe next year?
Also done in the last couple of weeks, several dishcloths, no picture, and I gave two of them away.
I almost forgot about the mini-socks! These are for an advent calendar a friend is making. I made three, these are the first two.

Wooly update

This last week has been working with wool, both wool applique and knitting.
First up, I stitched the fifth Moon Garden block, from Primitive Gatherings, a BOM. So I am all caught up. No new stitches for me with this one. I love the fly stitch down the center of each petal, at least to look at, my hand got sore pulling the needle through, although the Colonial knots through several layers of wool was harder yet.

To take a hand break, I worked on the first of Shabby Fabrics Wooly Mug Rugs, a new one is available each month, to make for the following month. I just found them, so made the January block to use next February. I did learn a new stitch with this project, the little scalloped edging around the heart, AKA the scroll stitch.

Then, knitting, I am still working on the Feather Chic sweater, started the front, although the back is not done yet. I wanted something I could stick in my purse when I went to Santa Cruz Shakespeare. It was a lovely long weekend spent down there, and we took in three plays, Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", "Loves Labours Lost", and David Ives' "Venus in Fur". A gem of a company almost in our back yard. While it is only about 30 miles away, we opted to spend the weekend there. Along with theatre, we discovered Kelly's French Bakery, the Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard tasting room, and rediscovered Lundberg Glass studio. All in all, a lovely weekend.