Flea Market Quilt...Need Your Opinion

I purchased this quilt at a local flea market last summer or the summer before. The woman said it was from the time of the civil war. The condition is not great in some spots and it looks like it's "been" through a war, but I'm just not sure of the time period.
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Does anyone have any information or thoughts on this quilt. I took pictures from a distance, of the backing and close-ups to help. The last 2 pictures are of the worst damage...one looks like a civil war cannon blew a hole through it!!! You can click on the pictures for more of a close-up.
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I absolutely love this quilt and all the wonderful colors. To think that if it is from that time period, that someone wore those clothes that those blocks were made from. Funny how I am drawn to so many different styles and colors of fabrics. I love civil war, 1930's, Thimbleberries, reds and aquas, brights...I love them all, that's my problem.
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Thanks in advance for all your help~
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Quilt Row Markers

My motto for Tool Time Tuesday is to always think outside the box. For me, that "box" usually means finding something in the clearance bin and saying...hmmm, what else can I use this for!
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I haven't cross stitched in years and gave all my supplies away, but I still couldn't pass this package up with the big red clearance sticker!
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What to do...what to do...
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They're plastic too, so they'll last forever.
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I have it!! I took out my favorite Avery Labels #8160 and used Microsoft word to print out this...

Cut them out to fit the plastic bobbins...

or because they're plastic, you can use a permanent marker and just write on them.

Grab a key ring. The kind that hinges open are much easier.

Hook the bobbins on the key ring and you are all set. You now have a set of quilt row markers to keep each row organized and in order.

Just use a safety pin to attach to the fabric through the hole on the plastic bobbin.

Here's the close up of the pinned row marker and a close up of some of the "I Spy" fabric. Isn't this chalkboard fabric cute?

and here's some Halloween fabric.

I still have a lot of these tags left, so I'll be thinking more on this one.

• Maybe write your name on them and tie the tag to your scissors so you don't lose them at retreats
• add to a key chain and write what the key is used for (ex: extra back door key)

My minds still a ticken' so I'll let you know if anything else comes to mind or if you think of some, let us know.

Have a fantastic Tuesday,
~Karen~

ps. I'll be updating the interest in the I Spy Swap on Wednesday.

Guess What...

I SEWED...I SEWED...I SEWED!!!
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I had some 30's repro fabric that was already cut into 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles left over from another project. I used the rectangle for the center and cut some remaining strips into 2 1/2" square and sewed them onto white rectangles. Here are just a few of the Spool blocks that I've made.

close up of some of the fabric.

aren't those kitties cute?!

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this one is a Michael Miller fabric...love the circles.

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this is a close up of the step that I always do if I'm sewing a snowball block, flying geese or corner squares like this one. I sew the square on the diagonal from corner to corner. Then I sew again 1/2" away from the original seam. That blue tape peeking out of the bottom of my fabric is my permanent guide. (the yellow was for something else, but I can't remember)

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cut between each stitching line and you will have a bucket of half square triangle waiting to be squared up.

These will square up at 1 1/2". Great for pinwheels or for the border. Maybe just a little mini!!


Here is the pile of the 3 pieces for each block just waiting to be sewn together.

I'll show more when I get the rest done and square up the half square triangles.

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Quick question: do you like the setting in the first picture with alternating spools or the second picture with the spools all standing up?? (oops, now you have to scroll back up...sorry)

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See you in a few hours for TTT,

~Karen~

Little Quilt Tops...

Just a few quick pictures before I head off to work. Remember the brown and blue fabric from a couple of posts ago...well this is it. I made up this pattern a long time ago for baby shower presents for friends. I actually sold a few tops on ebay years ago. I just loved this blue and brown fabric, so I thought I would put one together and show you.
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The first picture is of the little top:


This close-up is the birth information card. The little fabric corners hold in the card.

This next spot holds a picture of the baby:

and this is a little envelope that can hold little bits of memories about the baby...lock of hair etc.

I have a question: if I sold these on etsy, would it sell better as a quilt "top" or as a complete wall hanging, but I would charge more for the completed one, for the batting, backing and the extra work of quilting?

sapcae

I have a pink one that I finished last night, but I'll post a picture later.

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These last 2 pictures are just of a quilt top I finished a few days ago.

Off to work...have a great day.

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~Karen~

Went for a little drive...

Hi everyone!

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I had to go on a little road trip...not bad, just 30 minutes north of home. Our high school has an all night graduation party for the graduating seniors. After the ceremony the students are bused to a location where they have food, activities, performances, shows, swimming...you name it they have it. The students are there from 10:00 pm until 5:00 am. It has been a great success in the school system for many, many years. However, the cost of this event is $24,000.00. Yes, 24 thousand dollars. Well worth it for the safety of everyone. The parent committees have several fund raisers. The one we are having in May is a major golf tournament. I am in charge of asking businesses for donations that will be raffle prizes for after the tournament...I need alot of stuff, so the pressures on. I had to go to 2 large golf stores to pick up some certificates.
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So, if you drive 30 minutes and there is a fabric store in the area, you have to stop in...right? My husband thought so too. Our car instantly becomes a quiet library for him to read the newspaper while I shop. He's such a sweety. Here are my finds for the short time I was in there. The blue and brown fabrics are so cute for a little baby boy and I needed some new star fabric. I bought some ribbon, ric rac, some notions, a hexagon ruler (5 different sizes in one) and some note pads. Hopefully, I will have something to show for all of this soon.

Be back tomorrow with some pictures of something I saw on the way home!

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Have a great day/night in your part of the world,

~Karen~

Homespun and Etsy...

Hi everyone!

I hope you had a nice weekend!

Thought I would post some pictures of a quilt top I made a few months ago. It is made with all homespuns. I love all styles of fabrics from Moda, to brights, to reproductions, to homespuns...I love them all. The style of our home doesn't lend itself to some kinds of fabrics. To get out my urge to sew with all different styles, I started selling quilt tops on ebay about 4-5 years ago. I haven't put anything up for auction in a couple of years now...not sure why.

I was thinking about trying my hand at Etsy. Do you think in this economy, people would be willing to spend money on quilt tops? Have you sold anything or purchased anything on Etsy yourself? I am certainly not looking to make millions selling quilt tops. It's just another way for me to do what I love...buy fabric and sew quilt tops. It's a win-win situation for me and the buyer, because she may be the one who loves to quilt, not piece...or she needs a quick gift and the first part of the job is already done for her.

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The center design of the quilt top above is called Bricks and Stepping Stones and it's a pattern from Quiltville. I had emailed Bonnie Hunter when I started the quilt top. I had asked her if I could sell quilt tops with some of her designs...she said I could use any pattern as long as I give her credit and that I don't mass produce them. I will definitely give her credit and she doesn't have to worry about the mass producing part. lol

Thanks for your help,
~Karen~