The Start of a Finish

The first set of 4 blocks has been quilted. I used my new walking foot attachment and really wished I'd indulged in this $20 foot YEARS ago! It's not too late for you - buy one if you don't have one. Use it if you do! It makes quilting the three layers so much smoother! {You're cat may have to get used to the new sound of it 'walking' though}


I wanted to put something with curves in the white block corners. When four block sets are joined the white corners will become a square on point as well. I was looking through lily pad motifs and trying to figure out a leaf to put in this half square space when my husband suggested the mandrake!

When I was first getting into quilting I was also looking into the mandrake. It is an interesting plant with much folklore attached to it. I will give you one link here. There's so much on the internet, now! I was looking through old pharmacy books in libraries 14 years ago....

So, I went and found my drawing of one that I'd made when taking the studio journal course with Sharon B. last year. It's going to work perfectly! Now I'm even more eager to finish this quilt!

I have some lily pad fabrics that I will be using for the back. One yard {42 inches wide} gave me backing for 4 block sets. I think I will be doing a little more shopping for fabric!

We are off to go camping this weekend. The humidity has lifted - slightly - this morning. Hoping to take pictures and soak in some nature and relaxation.

If you're looking for a stay-at-home challenge, join Pat Sloan as she is hosting a FIU weekend. Great fun, lots of support and encouragement.

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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Walking to a Finish! 3 Takes Thursday

I finally bought the walking foot attachment for my sewing machine.





I practiced using it by quilting the doll quilt I owe one of my niece's for her birthday this week.




I plan to put my new walking foot to use over the weekend with Pat's latest FIU challenge. I'm aiming to get some of my Lady of the Lake block sets quilted.

But I'm also planning to go camping! We'll see what I can get done before and after:)

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

p.s. I'm working on getting all of the winners listed on the Grand Prize Post and the Happy Day Post. Congrats to all and thanks for hopping along with me!

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A Quilt Visited

When I delivered Sadie's quilt,
I had a chance to visit Arabella's Picnic Quilt.

It matches it's new home too.
I love the view it has out the window.

I'm glad it's being used.
What a happy ending.

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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Happy Day!

Congratulations to the Grand Prize Winner . . .

Sarah, June 29, 2010 10:45 AM

Love those placemats! Thanks for the chance!

She's enjoying a vacation right now.
She'll enjoy the goodies once she gets home.

Sandi's winner is GEE GEE! Congratulations!

Nanette has also announced her winners. Yes, she picked 2! How generous!!

Congrats to Brandi and Susan.



Tong's giveaway goes until tomorrow - Wed. July 7th. You still have time!
EDITED TO ADD: TONG HAS PICKED HER WINNER. CONGRATS TO LINDA!!


My placemat on this post is also still up for grabs until tomorrow too.
EDITED TO ADD: MY WINNER IS ELIZABETH! CONGRATS!

Today is my 14th wedding anniversary.
This wallhanging was my wedding gift from my husband
{along with some vitamins!}

It's an arpillera made in Peru.

Apparently I didn't get him a wedding gift.
Guess I'm making up for it this year with a couple of quilts!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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10 years and Counting

My Lady of the Lake blocks are on the design wall - again! Perhaps for the last time!!

Last time I had them out I pinned them together in sets of four. This time around I'm sewing the four blocks together - and finishing the quilt!

I think I have now acquired enough lily pad lake {a la Monet} fabric for backing. I will be quilting each set of four, then attaching them to each other.


The completed pile is growing. Less than 10 more sets to go! I hope to have this one ready for Christmas - this year! It's only taken me almost 10 years to finally finish it!!!

Check out the other design walls linked this week at Judy's blog.


If you liked to see Sadie's quilt from two weeks ago check out this post:)

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

ps. I still have a giveaway for the placemat in my header photo going on until Wed. July 7th!

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A Quilt Delivered

Sadie's quilt was delivered.

All the pinning was worth the speed! I used Judy's method for machine sewing a binding on a quilt.

I was able to do the binding in less than 2 hours. The quilt is only 44 inches square, but it would have taken me longer to find enough time to do the binding by hand.

I used a fun Noah's ark print for the backing. I wrote the label onto the pink fabric in the lower left before I did the quilting.


I think Sadie like it. But wait, who's that playing with my quilt?


Sadie's youngest older sister, Arabella, loved it too. I think she is going to hold onto it until her doll quilt arrives! Happy Birthday #2 Arabella!!

With Joy,
{Aunt} Sarah Vee

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Party Links

The Blog Hop is officially over. But the Party goes on!

EDITED TO ADD: PLEASE CHECK THE GRAND GIVEAWAY POST TO SEE LIST OF WINNERS! THANKS FOR HOPPING ALONG!


Placemat and photo by Nanette of Freda's Hive



To keep you in the party mood, I've put together a brief list of links to make your summer entertaining more fun - or at least this morning's cup of coffee:)

Some parties are more formal - or organized - than others.
I'm thinking wedding and baby showers.
For those you might need to send out invitations.

Fabric Postcard Invitation

A more formal party may call for more formal table dressing than placemats, like cloth napkins.
You could even make these as gifts.

Or try a variation of these summery ones with rick rack

Placemat and photo by Tong of Ting Tong and Things

Placemat and photo by Nanette of Freda's Hive

Placemat and photo by Nanette of Freda's Hive

It seems everyone enjoys a good apron.

See Bari J.'s free tutorial for a glamorous one here

Here's a fun, retro vintage one

I really like the Sassy Apron from Barb Brandeburg -

this one's available as different size patterns


Placemat and photo by Sandi at A Legacy of Stitches


What's a party without some bunting?

Here's a basic bunting tutorial with lots of photos.




Placemat and photo by Nanette of Freda's Hive


There's lots more to a party,
but we'll finish our link list with some of my favourite hostess gifts:

The Friendship bag by Rachel of p.s. I quilt

Coasters! Selvage or otherwise, coasters make great hostess/teacher gifts


Fireworks bring us to the end of the party! Thanks for joining me this week. I really enjoyed your comments and am happy to see my idea of a hop become such a success.

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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