6/17/17

A Fast Finish

It was time to sew the binding on Snips and Snails yesterday, and then I got it clipped and ready for the hand-stitching.


It's always so exciting to me when I get a quilt to this stage. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have sewn the binding on so quickly, but my cousin called. We gabbed on the speaker phone for an hour and a half. There were only just a few inches left to stitch by the time we hung up. This morning I finished off the rest of it.


Here's how it looks from the back.


My quilt inspectors gave it only a cursory review. 


Sadie didn't feel her input was necessary since she'd already inspected it only a day earlier.


There was something much more interesting going on outside.


Smitty tried to stay focused, but then he had to look too.


I was trying to get their pictures for the Pets on Quilts show. Did you see? The button is available now. It's the greatest quilt show on earth, and so I wasted no time getting the button up on my blog. Just click on the button below to find your own. The show starts August 10th!

Pets on Quilts 2017

Mike asked me to hold the quilt across the room, and it was then I realized I'd forgotten to glue on the buttons. When I located my glue gun, there was a tube of a different product sitting with it. Mind like a steel trap, I'd completely forgotten about trying out something new. I forget how I heard about this product called E6000. It's a craft glue, possibly a better choice than a glue gun...possibly not. I really don't know. Someone might have told me about it here...I can't remember...or I might have heard about it on Facebook. Whatever the case, I decided to give it a try. 


First, I got out a paper towel, and I was glad I did because it started leaking from the tube as soon as I removed the cap. I put a small amount on the paper towel, and then used a discarded sewing machine needle as an applicator. A healthy dose was applied to the backs of all the buttons and now they're stuck down. The tube states that it could take as much as 72 hours for it to dry completely, and so I tested them to make sure they wouldn't fall off...they didn't...and then I took one more picture. Now I'll just let this sit for the next couple of days and give them a little tug to be sure they adhere tightly.


Also, I gave the snake a hot fix nail head for an eye, and now it's completely finished. TaDa! It ended up 32 x 46 inches. This is my finish for 


so I'll be attending the finishing party.

This quilt is very special to me since my brother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly back in 2003. We were very close, and he was my only sibling. Shortly after my father took this picture, my brother contracted polio and life was never as innocent for him again. Since this all happened before I was born, this carefree, playful side of my brother was a side I never knew. Having raised two little boys myself, I can imagine the energy of the moment. It was meditative to make it since I thought of him with every stitch. I only wish he were alive to see it. A few years ago, I wrote a little tribute to him on this blog. If you're interested, you can read it right here. Rest easy, my brother.

There was a treasure trove of fun in yesterday's mail delivery. There was a spool of thread from Superior Threads and a fat quarter I purchased to finish off the Solstice Challenge...more about that tomorrow. Also, this book of redwork patterns from my friend Marei. It was included in a bag of scraps she received from another quilter. She's not someone who loves embroidery, and so she passed it along to me. Isn't it fun being a part of the quilting community? I love the generosity, and how things get passed around from quilter to quilter. Thank you, Marei. These will be fun to stitch someday.


Also, while we were on our last trip, my friend Wendy was in the process of reading this book written by a couple who were writing emails to friends about their own travels to America's national parks. Wendy offered to send it along to me when she was finished, and whoa! That sounds like something I'd love to read. So that arrived yesterday. I'm setting it aside to read on the trip we'll be starting this fall. It'll be a perfect diversion for those days when we're without internet service.


But check out this card that came with it. It's a replica of a McCall's 1972 sewing pattern.


The back of the card includes the back of the pattern.


Here's what the purple box says at the top.


So, the card doesn't exactly use the word "vintage" to describe a sewing pattern from 1972...which, I would like to point out, is the year I graduated high school...but it's kind of implied, don't you think? That's probably all I need to say about that. Draw your own conclusions.

Also, Wendy's Max included these toys for the kitties.


Sadie has murdered hers many time over by now.


Also, some cuts of the cutest fabrics:



She sent this one along for the blue jay quilt...the one I keep talking about and purchasing fabric for...the one I am completely going to start on next. Honestly...I really and truly am going to start on it!


But first...a few little catch up items. Thank you, Wendy. It's all wonderful.

We took my car in for service this morning, and so I haven't done my morning dose of embroidery. I'll get a start on that next, and then I want to finish off the last block for the Solstice Challenge. Also, I'm wanting to participate in the Marvelous Mini Monday going on over at Temecula Quilt Company. It's a 12-week sew-along, and the first two blocks have been released. Finally, I want to make a heart for the I Found a Quilted Heart campaign. It's a lot of little catching up items, but I'm bearing down on the start of that blue jay quilt. Just you wait and see.

21 comments:

heartsease54 said...

Dear Barb, Your brother's quilt portrait turned out so great! And you couldn't have found better backing for it. The kitties look wonderful as usual and Mike seems to be giving the napping chair quite a workout too. Retirement seems to agree with both of you. I thought I had something in the stash that would work for your California poppies fabric and so while digging through the stash for fabric for the next Pat Sloan Challenge I kept my eyes peeled and sure enough,I found it. Only a fat eighth, will that work? If so, email me a mailing address and I'll pop it in an envelope to you. It is really lovely and I'm thinking it is just what you are looking for.

Janarama said...

Awesome quilt Barbara. Thank you again for showing us the process from beginning to end. The buttons glued with E6000 are there for life. That stuff is really strong and the buttons will never come off in the wash, if you ever have to wash it.

Brown Family said...

I knew he would be finished! You had a great mail day! That looks like a fun Redwork book! I have heard others talking about Bob and Sue. I may have to check it out. That may be the only way I will ever get to see the National Parks!

I think I had that pattern! It was very chic in its day!

My kitties love Yeowww! toys. Well, not Max, he is not a nip head.

Very cute kitty and travel trailer fabric!

Kathy H said...

Barb, I have so enjoyed watching your progress on your brother quilt. It turned out beautiful. And a fun tribute or memory for you too. I will wait to hear how you liked the glue too. Always enjoy seeing the kitties.

piecefulwendy said...

Having only one brother who is older than me, I had to go read your post about your brother. My eyes are leaking, but what a lovely post. I'm happy that the two of you had such a good relationship and that you have good memories! Glad you and the kitties enjoyed the package. I had so much fun putting it together.

Quilter Kathy said...

Great job on the portrait of your brother!
So many wonderful projects on the go ... enjoy!

Karen L. said...

Love your Brother quilt! I have been following the whole process and plan on reading back over the posts you did on this project. I really, really love the way it turned out. And what a tribute to your Brother. Wonderful.
I am just in the process of reading the Bob and Sue book on my Kindle. It is such a fun read ... actually hilarious in many spots. Reading about all the National Parks has been so educational also. I hope you enjoy it too. Keep up the good quilty work. I still do not know how you get some much work done (including the cooking/canning part)especially with those lovely cats roaming around.

The Cozy Quilter said...

Beautiful memory quilt! I can just see how proud he was to catch the snake! Lots of fun mail too ...looks like you had a great week!

Laura said...

Love the quilt featuring your brother! What a great way to honor him!

Dots said...

Ahh, you finished your quilt. I read your tribute to your brother. I knew there was a lot of love packed into that boy quilt and now I know why. I think your brother would have liked this quilt. I know for a fact that I love both the story, and the work you put into it. A real labor of love there. You are gifted with words and talent. I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for sharing so much of your heart. The kitties are the best! Love them.

Snoodles said...

Thanks for the shout out and for posting the button! Your quilt of your brother is awesome!

Karen said...

Your boy is so very creative.

Dianna said...

I just want to say how much I love your quilt honoring your brother. I so enjoy reading your posts about your daily activities and your kitties. Your quilting adventures and your traveling adventures allow me to live vicariously seeing the lovely things you see.

quiltzyx said...

Nice swag! Before I forget, do you know about the Senior Park Pass for the National Parks? https://store.usgs.gov/senior-pass $20 for a LIFETIME pass! My friend just told me about it on Friday. We gotta take advantage of any special goodies for those of us from the dinosaur ages.

S&S is awesome! Congratulations on a fabulous finish!!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Wow - what a great tribute to your brother. The buttons add so much.

Robin said...

This little boy quilt is wonderful. Thanks for the tips on gluing the buttons on. Nice finish!

Nancy said...

What a fun quilt with the little boy on it. It looks like the boy is to scale (approximately) with a real little boy?

Karen's Korner said...

You used the perfect fabric for the overalls. Love that caravan fabric.

Danice G said...

The quilt is adorable and precious. 'Never tried that E6000 glue on fabric. It may adhere better than hot glue.

Patty said...

Absolutely fabulous quilt. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish.

Mama Spark said...

I love your little boy quilt and I love hearing about the cats! I just found your blog via a friend. Apparently you travel and quilt? We just bought a fifth wheel and I would love to find your posts where you talk about how you sew on the road. There doesn't seem to be a way to find those easily. Perhaps you can send me a link to how you set up and store your things? We have three cats (down from 5 to one and back to three) and hope to travel with at least the kittens, (not sure the old lady would appreciate traveling.