Quilting Book of the Golden West

This is a book I did not hesitate to buy when I found it about five years ago. It is about the history of American pioneers in parallel with the history of quilts. This said immediately something to me.

I have thus to tell you a little about my own history : as a child in the Fifties, and as many children of my generation in France, I was brought up partly in the American culture. The TV programs (only one black and white channel) were almost exclusively showing American movies and series such as Western movies with John Wayne and series like The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin with Rusty and my hero : Lt. Rip masters. I always wondered if my admiration for America and attraction to quilts do not find its roots in this period of my childhood. 

In 1964 we got a second channel and more American series, which I was extremely fond of! Somewhere I must have unconsciously recorded in those programs the presence of quilts... or I have been American in a previous life!!

Back to this wonderful book : not only it teaches a lot about the history, but it gives as well many very good tips and instructions.

Amish Doll and Clothes

This Amish doll is in fact the first one I did about twenty years ago when I received from my sister a n American book with Amish dolls and Amish clothes patterns. I must say that it was not easy for me but I sustained my efforts and managed at the end. Those patterns were done to make perfect details and I suppose that they were rather adapted for experimented dressmakers when I was just starting sewing at that time! But with the neophyte's zeal and enthusiasm I finally succeeded!

Regarding the clothes, The most difficult part was the black hat with very tiny details. The pattern was such that the finished should have been as perfect outside as inside where the seams are invisible!

For the body itself, the legs and the arms are attached with buttons so that they can move.

Together with my obsession with bags, pouches... I had my doll making passion!  However, this little Amish doll is my most precious one.

Antique Doll quilt

Another antique doll quilt from this batch. This one is more faded than the others, however very charming, with its very interesting prints... Always source of inspiration.

Size 22" x 19"

Hand quilted

Roses Tapestry

It is the season when the roses are flowering everywhere in the garden, and the opportunity with the rose's theme to share with you the pictures of this wonderful tapestry I have in my lounge, done by my mother-in-law half a century ago. It is such a refined "petit point" tapestry! I never got bored having it in front of my eyes all these years.

Liebster Award Nomination!

Hello everyone!

I have been nominated for the Liebster Award. Thank you to Cecile from Patchwork Inspirations for nominating me.

The rules :

1. Thank and link back your nominator
2. Answer the eleven questions given by the nominator
3. Nominate eleven blogs
4. If you wish, create new questions to ask your nominees

So here is my list of questions and my answers :

What is your favorite craft?

- No doubt quilting!

Other hobbies?

- Watercolor, knitting, crochet, embroidery.

Do you prefer hand quilting or machine quilting?

- I love hand quilting but sometimes I give my quilts to a long arm quilter because I cannot use my machine for quilting.

Do you attend quilting groups?

- Yes I do, we have here in Athens - Greece a wonderful group and we meet every Monday since more than 10 years.

Do you follow patterns for your quilts?

- No I don't since a long time. I prefer to create my own quilts, often adapted from antique quilts, and using classical blocks.

Tea or coffee?

- Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon (with cakes!).

How many hours do you spend on your crafts per day?

- Several hours every morning, and I would go on until evening if I had not a drop of energy as time goes by!

How many UFO's?

- Three quilt tops waiting to be basted and quilted.

Methodical or messy?

- I must admit I like method and order, but I try hard to change...

How would you define yourself?

- Paradoxical : perfectionist and unconventional together.

Ideal day?

- A rainy or snowy winter day, quilting or knitting by the fireplace while listening to Dave Brubeck playing jazz, with a cup of tea within reach.

Now I come to the difficult task to choose among all my dear blogger friends. I nominate eleven of them. I hope in their turn that they will write about themselves so that we learn more about their personality. Those blogs are all wonderful : don't hesitate, go and visit them!

Lara from BuzzinBumble!
LeeAnn from Nifty Quilts
Diane from Butterfly Threads
Katell from La Ruche des Quilteuses
Paulette from Sweet P Quilting and Creations
Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts
Rebecca from Quilting Everyday
Anna from Woolie Mammoth
Teje from Nero's Post and Patch
Carole from Wheels on the Warrandyte Bus
Amalia from Handmade by Amalia

Hexies and Evening Mess

Last Sunday afternoon I decided to go on with my hexagon pillow, and to move in the dining-room. Sometimes I don't like to be isolated in my studio, especially when it is for hand stitching. I prefer to have life around me, to hear the sound of the TV... The drawback is the mess left on the dining table when dinner time approaches!

Parcel from USA

What a beautiful day : the postman brought me a parcel from USA! So exciting!!

It is a present from an overseas Quilty friend. She is such a generous person : when she learnt that there is no quilt shop in Greece, she felt sorry for me and thought of sending me a surprise. What a delicate attention, I am so grateful for this!

Together with gorgeous yardages she added hexagons ready to be assembled and a charming rabbit lace panel. For sure my friend grasped my romantic soul!

Projects are already taking shape in my mind for a new quilt with those great fabrics. However I have to wait for next autumn to start, when returning from my holidays in France.

Flower Garden Bag

After presenting you my Crazy quilting bag, I present you today another "oldie but goodie" : my Flower Garden knitting bag. I know you will all agree with me when I say that we never have enough quilting or knitting or whatever bag! The same for pouches... I did this one a long time ago, most probably with an orphan block : this is the way I recycled most of my leftovers.

Now about gardening : everybody gave me the same advice, so I planted my succulent cuttings straight in the earth without waiting that they root. I may have the good surprise, returning from France, to see that they have grown!

I have some other plants which miraculously developed without any care from me : the medicinal plants such as oregano, verbena, rosemary... I drink everyday infusions (herbal tea) of freshly cut leaves, adding a tea spoon of Greek honey. They are supposed to prevent various health problems. How stupid from me, until recently I was buying those teas from the supermarket when I had such plants growing wild organic in the mountain earth of my garden... this is how you behave when you were brought up as a city girl! It takes a whole life to connect yourself with nature!!