Antique Quilts .... another treat!

As of late, I have been racking my brain in an attempt to figure out why it is that I seem to continuously be rushing here and there and everywhere.  Even staying up till 2 in the morning does not give me the time I require to do the things I want to do.  Yes, I am exhausted!

I am also starting to sound like a broken record with "It's been so busy" and "Just playing catch up here". At last, it has occurred to me this very morning, while writing my standard broken record phrases on blog land, to do a bit of math regarding where I spend my time.  Well....... I found the culprit!

The ICE RINK!

Yes indeed, I spend on the average 12 hours a week at an ice rink, give or take a couple of hours.  All for the love of my daughter.  Oh.. and I do love her dearly!

Now that I know the culprit, will I do something about it?  Not a chance, but it does make me feel better to know that I am not inappropriately managing my time.  Do you think the rink manager would let me set up a sewing area?  It would be a tad cold thought! Br.....

Here is the other antique quilt from Barbara Stadnicki's collection that I promised you.

This little gem is actually foundation pieced.

The block pattern is a variation of courthouse steps, however Barbara said that is is also called Chinese Lanterns. Can you see the lanterns?

It's construction is quite particular as it does not have batting in between the layers. The maker merely finished the quilt by sewing on a binding.

Look at that tiny binding. It is not more than a quarter inch.

A block showing the various fabrics used.

Another block.

Just so you get to see a variety of fabrics, and we quilters do like fabric! ;o)

Thank you again Barbara for allowing me to share your treasures.

I hope you have enjoyed this little treat. Thank you for stopping by my little corner in cyber space! Cheers!

Antique Quilts ..... what a treat....!

Being an owner of a quilt Shoppe that specialized in 19 century reproduction has it's fringe benefits!  I would like to share with you two beautiful antique quilts that I had the privilege of admiring, for the first time, last Summer.

A few post ago, I shared with you an historical club that I organize called Prairie Women Sewing Circle Club.   I am fortunate to have a participant who not only collects antique quilts, but is presently working towards becoming an appraiser. Her name is Barbara Stadnicki, and she has allowed me to share with you a couple of beautiful quilts she brought to our last meet for other club members to experience.

Those of you who love antique quilts, you are in for a treat!

The first quilt I want to share with you is a doll quilt. Doll quilts are a rare find. As you can imagine, they are loved to pieces by the child who was privileged to have one.

This little gem is a unique piece and is quite valuable. Barbara had it appraised when she acquired it.

It's increase in value, aside from being a doll quilt, is due to having the bed post cut outs.

I am told that this is very rare for a doll quilt.

The bed post cut out provides a clue that this doll quilts most probably comes from the New England area.

According to Barbara, judging from the fabrics, it dates anywhere between 1825 to 1850.

A block from the quilt!

If you look closely at the bottom right square, you will see that two pieces of fabrics were sewn together to make a bigger block.

I purposely left the picture size large so that you could admire its construction.

Here you have the side of the quilt.

Notice the same technique of adding/sewing an extra piece of fabric in order to create the proper size block. That is one small piece of fabric.

They truly did not waste fabric. I'm sure our fore-mothers would be outraged at what we throw out as "useless scraps!" lol

They were also not afraid to work with directional prints! And.... they matched the pattern to the sewn piece! Wow!

The back of the quilt!

A pieced back, three panels plus a side strip.

The quilt is hand pieced and hand quilted. Most probably made by a 9-10 year old girl. Unfortunately, it does not have a label.

Words cannot accurately explain the feelings I experience when I am admiring this quilt.

To touch a time in history!

If the maker only knew what joy her creation would bring to another quilter centuries later!

Thank you for allowing me to sharing this beautiful creation with you.  Stay tune for the second quilt.

Cheers!

Stuffed.... but content.....!

I do hope that those who celebrate Thanksgiving had a wonderful time.

This year I decided to let someone else handle Fibre Junction and celebrated Thanksgiving with Stephen's family.

What a wonderful time we all had.  Everyone pretty much over ate... you know... the normal stuff! lol

On the following day, it is customary for us to do something as a group. Richard, our host, decided that we would walk around New York City. More specifically, we visited the World Trade center.

Look at that majestic tower!

It is the Freedom Tower!

There are still quite a few stories to be added!

I have been told that it will be taller than the original towers.

Quite impressive, don't you think?

This is "us" along the waterway, Battery Park.

Quite the group!

Yes we are a large group.  Hum... 30 if I am not mistaken.  We were much larger for Thanksgiving dinner! ;o)

We all had a wonderful time visiting. I love New York City!  Although I enjoy living in the country, I do miss the city!

Thank you for visiting with me.  Keep well everyone! Cheers!

Turkey time....!

It is that time of the year when we take this special time to be thankful!

I want to thank you for visiting my little corner in cyberspace! Although I do not post as often as I would like, I truly enjoy having a blog.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Keep well everyone!  Cheers!

Magazines.....!

I love magazines!  I think some would say that I am a magazine junkie!  There is just something about looking at wonderful pictures of whatever pleases me.  I especially like to look at holiday issues!

One magazine that I would like to tell you about is MaryJanesFarm.  Why you might ask?

The December/January issue has a nice article on the Buggy Barn Ladies and their annual quilt show.

Oh how I would love to visit!

One day, I will be there!

There's nothing like looking at photographs to take you there. They certainly did a great job of doing that in this issue.

Aside from the quilting article, it's actually a great magazine.  Although I have been raised in a large city, I'm a farm girl at heart and this magazine satisfies that inner calling. ;o)

On the Buggy Barn note, I did start a new project.

Folk Art Bloom by the Buggy Barn ladies!

I'm using lots of plaids as well as scraps from prior hand applique projects.

So far I have 4 blocks prepared, ready for the hand work.

I cannot wait to finish one so I can show & tell!

I'm lovin' how it's turning out!

On the Cyber Club Front, there does not seem to be enough quilters that are interested in participating, so I will put that on the back burner for now. I just thought it would have been nice to have a place for those interested to meet and have fun.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  Keep well!  Cheers!