Winter came, went, liked us so much decided to return. Blah

It’s winter again. 18 degrees this morning. Just a bit chilly outside. Here are photos of the first round. This time it’s some sleet a bit of freezing rain just enough to make it slippery and dangerous for those heading out to work. Thankfully being retired I have nowhere I have to be. We did have power outages for the day. I was one of the fortunate ones where my power flickered about 6 times but never went out completely. While it was flickering I was running about making sure all my sewing machines, computer, printer, etc were unplugged so as not to be damaged. It really was a winter wonderland and quite beautiful. Then a couple of days later we had 60 degree weather and it all went away. Now the nastiness.

Attempting culinary – haha- I saw a recipe on a facebook video called Apple Dutch Baby. It intrigued me enough to attempt it. These are my results. It was quite tasty. I think I will try it again but add a little cinnamon and brown sugar while cooking the apple. My hope is for it to taste similar to the Original Pancake House apple pancake, which if you have never been I suggest going and enjoy an Apple Pancake. It is truly wonderful.

This is what the Original Pancake House and Dutch Baby Pancakes look like:

This is my sister’s first quilt. I am so very proud of her. She persevered and finished it. There were times when she doubted herself but she worked to improve her 1/4″ seam allowances with each row. The quilt is square and lays flat. You can’t ask for more than that. I think she’s a bit excited to take it for show and tell at the Saturday Sampler group. That was another surprise for me that she signed up to participate in that group. This little twin size row by row has given her the confidence to start another quilt. It’s blocks are smaller as she is constructing bee bodies. Unfortunately it is not paper pieced and she is having to piece it the regular way. Some are 1″ inch squares. She’s doing great and I’m very proud of her accomplishment. Just look at all those points on her flying geese. Yes, I’m very proud of her. This is an older BOM I had collected from the late 90’s by Quakertown Quilts called “Strip of the Month Sampler” .

Im still plugging away on Jen Kingwell’s Queen’s Cross pattern. I’m really enjoying the making of this quilt but feel as if I will become the circle queen when finished. Each block has 17 circles and I need 13 blocks. I am using Phillipa Naylor’s technique using fusible and Karen K Buckley’s perfect circle templates. I’m getting perfect circles. Woohoo. I have 10 blocks made 2 of which need the circles appliqued.

Todays goal is to make circles for one of the blocks, cut out the next block then spend some time quilting on my Golden Days quilt. I still have not found just the right color fabric for my Bird by Bird project. When the time is right it will miraculously appear. I have no doubt.

Everyone have a wonderful day and be safe.

Happy Stitches

Katherine Sissy Malone

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Semifinalist in International Quilt Show – What An Honor

So honored to have been selected as a semifinalist for my rendition of Sue Garman’s pattern of Friends of Baltimore which I named Missouri Splendor.

For those of you who followed along with the making of it on my blog it took me three years to complete. It was a wonderful journey and so very rewarding. One of the many reasons I love applique is that it slows the world down to a speed where I can contemplate different issues, I can use the time for self introspection, I can reflect on the days events, but in the beginning of the making of Missouri Splendor I focused on grieving the loss of my brother. I am also able to enjoy time spent with my fur babies as they always follow me around and I have a bed for them in my sewing room. Being recognized for the work I put in this quilt is very validating.

I do have another quilt I would like to make as my next competition quilt. I am collecting fabrics for it at this time.

I recall that while I was contemplating the making of Missouri Splendor I shopped for several years for just the right fabrics. I remember going to AQS Paducah with a long shopping list for Hancocks and the vendors at the show. Primarily I was on the hunt for blacks and grays as I had determined that all the vases in the quilt would be from various blacks and grays. But like any quilter while at Hancocks I managed to come home with 6 whole bolts of fabrics. Go figure, it’s an addition. Probably need some sort of 12 step program but I think after 50 years I’m a goner.

I really need to give a shout out to Merrily We Quilt Along in Springfield, MO where I actually found 80-85% of the fabrics used in my quilt. They were courteous enough to order a whole bolt of fabric for me that was used as the background fabric. Those wonderful ladies who work there were also so encouraging when I would bring a block in that I was working on and ooooh and aaaw over it. So many wonderful memories while making Missouri Splendor.

Currently working on Queen’s Cross by Jen Kingwell. Loving this pattern. Curved piecing always a challenge. I do love to be challenged.

Today is my birthday – doubly celebrating today. Woohoo.

Tomorrow heading to Springfield to fabric shop for that next applique quilt. Love touching fabric. Yes it is an addiction.

Happy stitches everyone.

Katherine Sissy Malone

A New Year A New List

How exciting that I was able to finish my list for 2022. All the tops were made, I am in the process now of quilting them on my lovely Bernina Q16. I really had never been interested in machine quilting but figured once I retired I would not be able to afford having all of my quilt tops professionally longarm quilted. Which is why I purchased my Q16. I am finding I really like machine quilting and with each project my skills improve.

2023 List:

1. Stars & Sprigs
2. old ufo double wedding ring project
3. queen’s cross
4. A 30’s treasure
5. blue & green NY Beauty quilt
6. Bird by Bird

Oh my look at that, a # 6 was added to my list.

I have officially started Queen’s Cross a pattern designed by Jen Kingwell. I love her designs and am a sucker for anything she does. This was a BOM offered by Homestead Hearth in Mexico, MO in 2016. 7 years later I’m starting it. Look at me go. I was hopeful of getting this top finished in a month. Probably not so much of an attainable goal. That would mean I need to make 6 blocks a week. I started this on Sunday and I’m still appliqueing the circles on the points of the first block. Maybe 6 week project and not 4 week.

The crud I had all through the holidays is hanging on for dear life. Had an awful night coughing up a lung. Nyquil to the rescue. Hoping this stuff goes away forever. Approaching 4 weeks with this stuff. Yikes.

Bird by Bird is a quilt designed by Phillipa Naylor of UK. I have been struggling putting the fabrics together that sing to me. I have purchased , discarded, purchased and discarded again to where I had to put it away. Then while I was at The Sampler in Springfield MO last weekend ahah I found one of the 3 fabrics I am needing for this project. Got me excited again when I had become very discouraged.

Today I am heading into town to have lunch with friends for a birthday lunch. Yep, it’s me, it’s my birthday next Monday.

Have a great day and happy stitches.

Katherine Sissy Malone