I'm Back...Did You Miss Me, Kids?

Hi All---

Had to take a break from blogging and picture-taking but I have gotten some quilting done. But mostly I was doing my taxes and filling out endless paperwork for the house we are trying to buy.

Yes, we are moving, at least we will if this escrow ever gets off the ground. You see, our sellers made it a part of the contract that they would find another house for themselves and have both houses close escrow at the same time. We thought that would be OK, but they are having trouble finding the house of their dreams.

I have also been filling out a claim for VA assistance for my elderly mother so that she can afford to move into a group home. This is a little known benefit for war veterans and their spouses and widows who need help with tasks of daily living. It is said to take 4 to 6 months for approval, and I just filed the paperwork a few weeks ago. I am saying prayers that both these endeavors will be swift and successful.

I also completed this quilt top.

It is **BIG** even though it has no borders....about 102" square. I did "float" it a bit with the setting triangles because I don't like points of blocks up against the binding. These are "bullseye" blocks made with raw-edge applique.

I had made these blocks about a year or so age but I was stumped for a setting for them. I would find some setting that I liked, but then changed my mind. Have you ever done that?

I think deciding on a setting is sometimes the hardest part of putting together a quilt top.

Here is a close-up of a few of the bullseye blocks.


I have also been working on Old Tobacco Roads, and have come up with the name for mine---it's officially "Lemaster's Old Tobacco Roads" to honor one of my ancestors who was born on a colonial-era tobacco farm in Maryland along the Potomac River near modern day Washington DC.

This wonderful design has taken just about forever to make.....the pinwheels have such small pieces and everything is on the bias.

But I love how it is coming out! I have the center finished and am now putting on the borders. Here it is.



Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville, who designed this quilt, used flying geese in her border. However for my version, I chose the zig zag border in Gwen and Freddy's first Collaboration book. And
is it ever fun! This quilt, with all its busyness, needed something really strong to keep it corralled. This does just that. Oh, and I modified the border a little to "float" those jags so they don't run into the narrow border or the binding.

I'm going to do some quilting. I hope you are doing something that's fun!

Genie