Category: Turkey Tracks: My Life in Maine

Our Life in Maine, My Craft Projects, Quilting, Recipes, Book and Media Reviews

Turkey Tracks: “Julia’s Jungle” quilts

Turkey Tracks:  May 16, 2012

Julia’s Jungle Quilt

Steve, Ann, and their daughter Joann (one of my favorite people in this world) visited last week–driving up from Boston for the day.  Joann has two little girls, so I got myself organized, pulled down two quilting kits I had collected along my quilting way, and made them each a quilt.  These quilts are loosely quilted so as to be soft and cuddly and are meant to be dragged around, washed, and loved to death.

Here’s “Julia’s Jungle”–made from a kit assembled by Debbie at Quilt Diva’s in Rockland.  Debbie and Doris of Quilt Divas have a terrific selection of kid-friendly fabrics.

I especially like the orange-stripe binding on this quilt–which Debbie included in the kit packet.

Here’s a close-up of one of the panel’s animals:

Here’s  a picture of the borders–the black and white animal print works really well, don’t you think?

One of the fun things Debbie did when putting this kit together was to include some big, orange rickrack, which she used to separate what is really two panels.  Both the rick-rack and the orange-striped binding really drew me to this kit.

I like the backing I found for this quilt:

Joann reports that Julia loves her quilt.  I am so glad.  I had fun making it.

Turkey Tracks: Bar None Quilt

Turkey Tracks:  May 7, 2012

Bar None Quilt

“Bar None” is all finished.  I LOVE this quilt–from the way it came together to the quilting in it and the binding of it.

Here’s how it started on the design wall–after I took a strip of the rectangles to Marge’s Mainely Sewing and, in passing, waved it over this purple/lime green fabric–which just made everything sing.  It’s going to be a bar quilt–with a strip of what is called “Chinese Coins”–or rectangles stacked into a bar.

Next came the blue and green borders, which I found on a rainy day at Fiddlehead in Belfast–lovely contemporary fabrics there:

What’s fun about this quilt are the lively colors–I adore the purple and green and the clearer blue all together.

The girls like it, too.  Both wanted pictures taken on this quilt.

Here’s a close up–see the swag quilting on the green border and the really fun toothy leaves in the blue border–I’ll use those again in the future.  The green border is done with green thread, and the blue border with blue thread.

Here’a another view:

Here’s a close-up of the borders and the terrific polka dot magenta binding:

Here’s the backing–which is a kind of reversal of the purple on the front–blue with tiny magenta dots:

I don’t know if the next photo will do justice to the free-hand quilting–it’s some of my best and I felt really good doing it on the long-arm–it’s a three-leaf pattern combined with a kind of twining vine that works like a meander to help me travel around.  The thread is a variegated purple, green, magenta, blue blend from Signature.

It’s going to be hard to part with this one!

Turkey Tracks: Making A Hen Saddle

Turkey Tracks:  May 5, 2012

Making A Hen Saddle

I had to do something.

Two of my hens are in terrible shape.  Our new rooster, Cowboy, is about a year old now, and he’s a real “whipper snapper.”  We named him Cowboy because he does not miss a thing that happens on this piece of property.  Not a leaf falls that he isn’t right there.  Of course he’s that earnest with the hens as well.

Poor Annie Chickie’s back is entirely bare of feathers.

And my beautiful Pearl, the youngest and the lowest on the chicken totem pole, is a wreck of broken feathers and bare spots.  I’m really worried about her.  As the lowest in the flock, she hangs with the rooster for protection, so she’s “available” all the time.

The answer is a hen saddle, that protects a hen’s back from the rooster’s claws.  (But not, I’m finding, the upper wing joints.)

Buying a hen saddle costs about $20 each, and that’s without paying postage.

So, here’s the most wonderful web site for how to make a hen saddle–complete with lots of pictures.  The result is sturdy and really works.  I had to cut down the pattern a bit for Pearl, as she’s tiny.

http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/make-a-chicken-saddle/

And, here’s a picture of the first saddle I made–which only took about 20 minutes once I got the hang of it and had all the parts assembled.  I used an elastic that was too wide, so for the next two I’ve made, I cut down the sides of the elastic, leaving each end thicker to insert into the saddle and to sew on the larger, sturdier snap.  You can see the pattern I printed out and what nice pictures it has.  Also, the saddle is lined with iron-on fusible webbing, which gives it a little water protection and makes it really sturdy.  It’s two-sided, with fabric on both sides.

Here’s Annie in the first saddle–putting it on her was hard as she struggled and screamed at me.  These chickens are slowly going quite wild with all their freedom these days.  I need to get hold of her and cut out some of the elastic width on her saddle, which is best done at night after they’ve roosted.  Only she was right next to the rooster on the roost, and I wasn’t going to reach in the coop and get her without gloves on.  That would be certain folly and would just upset everyone.

It isn’t a great picture of the saddle, but when you point the camera at her, it makes her nervous.

I’ve now made a smaller one for Pearl, and I put a big one on Valentine, the Freedom Ranger.  The other girls are looking ok.  I think they are smarter about running from Cowboy.

THANK YOU “Back To Basic Living” web site!

Turkey Tracks: The Flopsy Bunnies Quilt

Turkey Tracks:  April 30, 2012

The Flopsy Bunnies Quilt

Two years ago when I was in Williamsburg with my dearly beloved quilt buddies who live in Virginia, on our last day, I bought some adorable Peter Rabbit-type fabrics from a local quilt store–whose name I am not going to recall.  (But if you are in Williamsburg, it’s near the college, and it’s very nice.)  The panels were meant to be made into fabric books.  They tell a story.  But, I thought them perfect for baby quilts.  I bought two sets, and each had a panel, some border fabric, and some backing fabric.  Quick quilts, I thought.  Ha!

So, when my niece, Lauren Howser Black, got close to having her baby, Owen Wallace Black, born in mid April, I pulled out one set and started to work.  These fabrics had beautiful border prints.  Only, I didn’t buy enough of them to go all the way around the blocks.  And, when I cut the panel into separate blocks, I had some narrow borders where the pages would have joined.  So, I had to make the blocks a bit larger by adding an additional border.  It’s the cream fabric.

I found a gorgeous paisley fabric in my stash that was so interesting with the blocks.  And, another stash print worked well with the paisley as sashing blocks and as an outer border.

Anyway, here’s the quilt that got mailed to baby Owen this past week.  (Sorry for the overexposed picture.)

Here’s another view:

[I don’t know why The Beauty Queen (aka as Miss Reynolds Georgia) wanted her picture taken with this quilt.  But, she clearly did.  I could not dislodge her as she ran from one end of the bed to the other when I suggested she remove herself.  I can tell you she missed the grandchildren and that she loves babies.  Maybe she was putting her own special energy into this quilt.]

Here’s a close-up of one of the panel blocks.  Aren’t they sweet?

And, here’s a close-up of the border.  I trimmed it and used part of it as a side border.

This suite of fabrics came with a blue print that I was going to use for the backing.  I, of course, didn’t have enough, since I had miscalculated how big the quilt would be when I got the blocks ready.  So, I found a coordinating fabric and used it to surround the suite fabric:

I quilted with a clam shell groovy board, which I LOVED!!! Can’t wait to use it again.

Here’s a picture of the whole back:

Here’s what the backing, binding (a great blue stripe cut on the bias), and the front look like together:

So, there you have it:  THE FLOPSY BUNNIES QUILT.

I’m very pleased with how it came out.  Truly, it’s a “one of a kind.”

Turkey Tracks: Quilting the Last of the Rectangles

Turkey Tracks:  April 27, 2008

Quilting the Last of the Rectangles

For those of you following The Scrappy Quilting Project progress, I’ve used up the last of the 2 by 3 1/2-inch rectangles I have been cutting for over 10 years.  I had BAGS of them–all ready to be used.

This quilt, as yet unnamed, is on Lucy, the longarm right now:

I really like this quilt.  I’ve always wanted to make a bar-type quilt, and I like the “Chinese Coin” bar arrangement.

I have another set of the rectangles in shades of cream that I’ve sewn into this same kind of barred formation.  Hmmmm.  They look good with browns:

I took the very last rectangles and made them into eight funky placemats, using fabrics from my stash for borders, backings, and bindings.  They turned out to be surprisingly cute.  And, given the experience of other placemats I’ve made, they will last forever and only get prettier as they get worn.

These placemats, I discovered, do best when they are NOT overquilted.  Here’s one that is overquilted, so you can see what I mean.  These placemats are reversible, so this one looks great on the other side!  Anyway, a simple meander works better, given all the color and scrappiness.

I paired the placemats with an array of different-colored napkins and some cute napkin rings (brass chickens) and sent them off to the four older grandchildren in Charleston.  There are six for the family and two for me and John–which was a nice way to signaling to the children that we are coming to visit soon.  Wilhelmina, the four-year old, got this concept right away.  My reward was a big belly laugh from her.

Here’s the picture I got back from Tami of the placemats on her table–as arranged by Talula:

I had told Talula that I was making something for her when I talked to her about the quilt she helped make for me.  And, I called and told her the “something” was in the mail.  She was so excited when the package arrived.  She called me right away, and we discussed who was to get which placemat, which one she liked best, and could I help her make some in the near future.  When she comes next, I’ll turn her loose with rectangles, some pins, and see what she designs on the design board in my quilting room.  Then we can sew some placemats together.  She will be old enough to operate the sewing machine before we know it.

She was so excited that the chicken napkin rings almost got lost.  They were at the bottom of the package in a plastic bag.  I can see from this picture Talula has used some of their napkin rings.

So, here’s what’s left of the rectangles at this point…

Except for some rectangles I put aside for another project…

And, except for the ones I’ve cut in the past few weeks…

Turkey Tracks: Giovanna’s Baby Blanket

Turkey Tracks:  April 27, 2012

Giovanna’s Baby Blanket

I ran into Giovanna McCarthy at the Camden post office a few days ago.  Meeting someone at the post office–or at the dump–is one of the many pleasures of living in a small town.

We were both mailing packages containing finished projects.  She was mailing off this baby quilt–which she has shared at our April Coastal Quilters’ meeting.  It’s made from sock yarn, so will be sturdy and washable.  Isn’t it luscious?

Giovanna excels at this kind of lacy knitting that I have still to master.

Lucky baby!

I was mailing a baby quilt for Owen Wallace Black, born April 17th, to my niece Lauren Howser Black and her husband David.  I’ll post those pics in a separate entry.

Giovanna and I shared a visit and a coffee at Zoot’s coffeehouse–which is another perk of living at a slower pace.  We have time for each other.

Turkey Tracks: The Wood Pile

Turkey Tracks:  April 24, 2012

The Wood Pile

Stopped by Pete and Rose Thomas’s last week.

Look what’s lining their driveway.

Pete is hoping this woodpile will take them through next winter.  Their wood use is heavier these days–due to the wood-burning oven where Rose is making the most delicious pizzas and all kinds of baked breads.  She also uses the oven to cook all kinds of foods:  meats, roasted tomatoes, and so forth.

Pete’s making progress on cutting the timber into firewood lengths, but it’s a HUGE job!

Go Rose!  Go Pete!

TurkeyTracks: This One’s For You, Nancy

Turkey Tracks:  April 22, 2012

This One’s For You, Nancy

It’s a rainy Sunday.

We are delighted!

I can’t tell you how dry it is in Maine.  And, until the past few days, way too warm for April.

The new strawberry plants (50) arrived, and I planted them the other day.  I plant the most delicious little strawberry–Sparkle.  Strawberries get planted early spring, but one pinches off all the blossoms the first year to give the plants a year to develop.  So, we won’t eat these strawberries until June 2013.  It’s ok.  I think we’ll get another year or, even, two out of the old bed.  I’m just thinking ahead.

I also planted peas, the cold frame with lettuce, and raked back the straw from the asparagus bed.  I was planning in my head to go get some cool-weather plants, like broccoli, until my better sense kicked in as it’s really way too early.  I had to water everything deeply, and my muscles are still screaming from all this different, outdoor activity.

John and I had a delightful lunch in Belfast.  And, I found some red sock yarn for my niece, Nancy Howser Gardner.  We have a deal.  She’s making me a scarf, and I’m making her some red socks.  So, Nancy, this yarn is for you.  It’s 50% wool, but has some cotton in the blend.  It’s really pretty.  See those little blue flecks in the mixture?

God knows when Nancy will get these socks.  She’s got my sweater in front of her socks.  And some socks for the kiddos from leftover yarn.  And a linen shawl.  But, I’m down to the sleeves now.  And little socks and the shawl should go fast.  And, anyway, that red yarn is really drawing me.  I think I’ll pick a Cookie A sock pattern for Nancy’s red socks.

Here’s what the sweater looks like now.   I’ve sewn the shoulder seams since I took this picture, so I can now pick up the neck stitches.  I got a circular needle of the right size (7) in Belfast to do so.  I’ve got one sleeve mostly done.  The best news is that after sewing the shoulder seams, I could try it on.  I did, and IT FIT beautifully.

To remind, this yarn comes from Kelly Corbett’s Romney Ridge Farm down in Woolwich, Maine, just south of Damariscotta.  The yarn is all hand-dyed and the colors shade in and out–you can see that in the purple diamonds.  The yarn on the ribbing is the natural color of one of Kelly’s sheep.

Aloisia Pollock designed the pattern for the sweater and the carrying color pattern and taught Giovanna McCarthy and I how to do it.  You can view the yarn balls and get all the info on both of these terrific women from earlier blog postings in the knitting category.  Giovanna chose different colors, and her sweater is gorgeous too.  You can see Giovanna’s colors on the earlier posting as well.

Turkey Tracks: Tami’s First Quilt

Turkey Tracks:  April 19, 2012

Tami’s First Quilt

Tamara Kelly Enright, or Tami, is SEWING!

Two summers ago, Tami bought a used Janome sewing machine from Marge Hallowell at Mainely Quilts in Nobleboro.  But, she has her hands so full with four kiddos under 8, now.  So, about 18 months passed before, during Thanksgiving, we got it out and started a project.  She made a receiving blanket for her coming nephew, Meyer Kelly.  And, I left her with fabric for pillowcases, the instructions, and with two extra feet ordered for her machine–a walking foot and a darning foot for free-motion quilting.  Soon, she was making pillowcases with abandon.

What’s fun about this story is that her two youngest–Talula and Wilhelmina–are helping pick out fabrics, hanging over the machine, and getting very excited when it’s time to give the gift that has just been made.  My guess is that there are two generations learning to sew now.

So, imagine my surprise and pleasure when a wall quilt arrived in the mail for my birthday.  And, it’s beautiful!  The girls helped pick out the fabric, and the whole family participated in that the guys had to do without mom for a bit while she sewed.  I hung it outside my quilting room door.  Isn’t it beautiful?

Tami’s first quilt is called “Maine’s Breakfast With a View” because from the windows in our dining area, you can see all the bird feeders and birds, the woods beyond the house, and, in winter, the ridge beyond our house.

I love the bird fabric.  I’ve been very drawn to bird fabric lately and just bought a yard to fussy cut not long ago.  There are so many really gorgeous bird fabrics on the market now.  I also really love the reds in this quilt–they look so warm in this spot outside my quilt room.  And I think the way Tami coordinated fabrics in this quilt shows real promise.  She is now taking a sewing class as she’d like to make some dresses for the girls–which is all how it starts.

What a fabulous birthday present!  I will treasure this quilt always!

Turkey Tracks: “Seriously Scrappy” Quilt

Turkey Tracks:  April 13, 2012

Seriously Scrappy Quilt

Here’s the latest finished quilt from “The Scrappy Quilt Project.”  Starting with a pattern from SUCCESSFUL SCRAP QUILTS (Judy Turner and Margaret Rolfe), I made light and dark blocks and alternated them.  So far, so good:

I had already pulled enough rectangles to make two other quilts–one of those tops is finished so will go on the long-arm next week.  The other uses strips of the cream-colored rectangles with some rich dark brown fabric and, maybe, a coordinating paisley.  So this quilt, already named “Seriously Scrappy” is using up as many of the remaining rectangles as is possible.

I had enough red and green rectangles to make a border–see?

Here’s a different angle:

With the top in hand, I went down to get help from Marge Hallowell of Mainely Quilts–who has been a great advisor with The Scrappy Quilt Project, and ran right into a fabric that had just come into the store.  I knew at first sight it would be perfect for the back:

See how well the top and this fabric play together–especially when bound with the great olive green striped fabric cut on the bias.  I make all my bindings on the bias now.  They just perform and wear so much better than using a straight grain.

Here’s a close-up of the quilting–with a few stray white dog hairs in the picture.  The dogs love it when I put bindings on quilts; they get beneath the quilt on both sides of me.  I used the Bishop’s Fan pattern groovy boards for the first time, and I LOVED doing it–so much I ordered a third board to make the quilting easier for the Bishop’s Fan and for the clam shell pattern.  Groovy boards make this daunting pattern really easy, and I love the way it looks on the quilt itself.  I used a variegated green Superior thread that Marge Hallowell of Mainely Quilts helped me pick out.  It’s beautiful on both sides of the quilt.  You always have to remember how a thread will look on both sides of a quilt–and I don’t like threads to really stand out all that much usually.

Years ago, my sister Maryann Enright asked me for a quilt that “had all the other quilts in it.”  So, Maryann, here it is!