Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt {Sew Along Months 4 - 11}

Been crazy busy with quilts and travels so I've neglected sharing my SVBAQ monthly blocks. 

I was going to do a post about each individual block, but I think for the sake of time and space I'm going to share each of the blocks here. 

Month 4 - Star of the East

Star of the East was a quick and easy block to stitch together. 

Background fabric: Designer Essential Solids by Free Spirit Fabrics in Macaw

Flowers: True Colors - Making Waves in Sienna & 

Lady Bug in Mustard by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Leaves: Elizabeth - Bats in the Belfry in Tart by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Stem: Elizabeth - Bats in the Belfry in Tart by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Started with a 17-1/2" background square trimmed to 16-1/2" square.
Thread: 50wt. Aurifil

Month 5- Yellow/Pink Tulip

For the Yellow/Pink Tulip I chose to leave out the yellow and focus on the pink. My original intention was to fussy cut the center of the tulips so that the Queen Elizabeth's hair would be the base of the center portion of tulip, but I mixed up the tips of the center piece when I ironed the wash away paper to the fabric. It turned out nice despite my plans mess up.  This was another quick and easy block. 

Background fabric: Designer Essential Solids by Free Spirit Fabrics in Sky

Flowers: True Colors - Daisy Buds in Fuchsia by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics & 

Elizabeth - 16th Centry Selfie by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Leaves & Stems: Elizabeth - Chain Mail in Plum by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Started with a 17-1/2" background square trimmed to 16-1/2" square.
Thread: 50wt. Aurifil

Month 6 Tree of Liberty of the United States

As I studied this block I found the layout of the branches a bit odd, so I changed the layout of the branches so that at least to me it seemed a little more natural. For this block I made all my circles using a large washer I got at Home Depot. My only problem was that my circles were bigger than the original circles and I couldn't follow the original layout. I had to find a way to spread the branches and circles out more than I had planned on doing. With Aunt Reen's advice I used tiny applique pins to hold each circle in place until I had everything right where I wanted it and could glue it all in place. This has become one of my favorite blocks. If you look closely you'll see some bats and an owl hiding out.

Background fabric: Designer Essential Solids by Free Spirit Fabrics in Orchid

Flowers:Variety of fabrics from the Elizabeth and True Colors Collections by Tula Pink for 

Free Spirit Fabrics
Limbs & Trunk: True Colors - making Waves in Olive by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Started with a 17-1/2" background square trimmed to 16-1/2" square.
Thread: 50wt. Aurifil

Month 7 - Tiger Lily

The orange in the block is almost too perfect for the Tiger Lily block.

Background fabric: Designer Essential Solids by Free Spirit Fabrics in Orchid

Flowers: Elizabeth - Ship Shape in Plum by Tula Pink For Free Spirit Fabrics &

True Colors - Lady Bug in Mustard by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Leaves: True Colors - Daisy Buds in Grass by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Stem: True Colors - Mini Owl in Mint Julep by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Started with a 17-1/2" background square trimmed to 16-1/2" square.
Thread: 50wt. Aurifil

Month 8 - Bouquet

For the Bouquet block I decided to use a variety of fabrics to bring together a wide variety of the Elizabeth and True Colors collections I'm using the quilt. The only thing I wish I had done was to have threaded the stems of the flowers through the ribbon so that it would appear as though it were tied around all of them. It would have taken a little more effort to accomplish this type of layering than I was up to doing when I was working on this block.

Background fabric: Designer Essential Solids by Free Spirit Fabrics in Orchid

Flowers, Stems & Vase: Variety of fabrics from the Elizabeth and 

True Colors Collections by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics 

Bow: Yellow Solid Scrap from Fabric Stash

Started with a 17-1/2" background square trimmed to 16-1/2" square.
Thread: 50wt. Aurifil

Month 9 - Sunflower

This has become another of my favorite blocks! Instead of making individual points around the sunflower, upon the advice of another quilter, I divided the points/petals into two separate pieces. On one was the points on the other the rounded petals. By doing this it gave me more room to manipulate the fabric around each of the points and petals. I was concerned that the green in the leaves was going to be close to the background green, but this one turned out to be a perfect contrast. Love this one.

Background fabric: Designer Essential Solids by Free Spirit Fabrics in Olive

Flowers: Elizabeth -Tudor Windows in Sky by Tula Pink For Free Spirit Fabrics &

True Colors - Lazy Stripe in Amber by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics & 

Solid Yellow scrap from my stash
Leaves & Stem: True Colors - Making Waves in Olive by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Started with a 17-1/2" background square trimmed to 16-1/2" square.
Thread: 50wt. Aurifil

Month 10 - Moolon Lily

Definitely among my favorite blocks.

Background fabric: Designer Essential Solids by Free Spirit Fabrics in Thistle

Flowers: Elizabeth - Bats in the Belfry in Plum and in Sky by Tula Pink For Free Spirit Fabrics &

True Colors - Lady Bug in Abyss and in Lava by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Leaves: Elizabeth - Bats in the Belfry in Tart by Tula Pink For Free Spirit Fabrics
Stem: Elizabeth - Pearls of Wisdom in Tart by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics
Started with a 17-1/2" background square trimmed to 16-1/2" square.
Thread: 50wt. Aurifil

Month 11 - Yellow Tulip

On the original block there was a green piece was laid between the petals and the center section leaving the green showing. I preferred the layout of the yellow/pink tulip from month 5 to this layout so I made that small adjustment when I made the applique pieces and kept the green piece as the base behind each flower.

Background fabric: Designer Essential Solids by Free Spirit Fabrics in Hyacinth

Flowers: True Colors - Lazy Stripe in Amber by Tula Pink For Free Spirit Fabrics &

Solid Yellow Scrap from my Stash
Leaves & Stems: Elizabeth - Ship Shape in Tart by Tula Pink For Free Spirit Fabrics
Started with a 17-1/2" background square trimmed to 16-1/2" square.
Thread: 50wt. Aurifil

 Pop on over to the SVBAQ - Sew Along blog HERE to see all that's happening with the Sew Along. It's not too late to join in the fun, while you're there you can pick up the pattern for the quilt and join in the fun. All the proceeds from your pattern purchase benefit the Virginia Quilt Museum.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing in my quilting journey
God Bless & Happy Quilting!
Marcia  

My Thanksgiving Shop Hop

This year was one of the best Thanksgiving trips home I've had. I was one of those who totally avoided Black Friday shopping (in part due to driving 10 hours Friday), but I more than made up for it with a pre-Thanksgiving Shop Hop. A good friend who recently moved to Kentucky invited us to stop at their place for the night half-way through our trip back to Missouri and what a wonderful blessing that stop was! It was wonderful to catch up with good friends and rest in a warm and welcoming home after 13 hours of driving. We stayed a little bit longer than we had intended, so that us ladies could take some time to visit "Hancock's of Paducah" (not associated with Hancock Fabrics) the next morning.  The remnant table alone is worth the trip, there were some real treasures to be found there! And I did my part to but a dent in that pile!

My good friend Eve at the Remnant Table

The Remnant Table, full of treasures just waiting to be discovered.

Bolts of Fabric as far as the eye can see.

The treasures I found at Hancock's of Paducah

Yards of potential. I'm already full of ideas for most of these pieces.

 From Paducah we headed to Northwest Missouri to the family farm where I grew up.  Before we left Virginia, while online I had discovered a quilt shop that was within driving distance of the farm and looked like it would be worth the trip.  So, Tuesday morning mom & I headed out for the second leg of my shop hop adventures. Our first stop was Missouri Star Quilt Co.  They are the biggest sellers of pre-cuts (I think worldwide). The story of their beginning and growth is inspirational, you can read it here on their blog. I love that their shop was once a mechanic's repair shop!

 

Fabric lollipops

I just love the stain glassed quilt block

The shop is filled with samples galore!

Jenny working away at the long arm.

Cute little pincushion.

The Inspiration piece for some of the fabric I purchased.

My treasures from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

After exploring all the fabric it was off to lunch at a local favorite, "Past Times"

It was decorated in a 50's & 60's theme. Mom LOVED it!

From Hamilton it was on to Crossroads Quilting in Cameron, Missouri. A cute little shop where mom and I found inspiration for a beautiful fall table runner, but couldn't find the fabric.

Outside the front door.

The Fall table runner inspiration piece. Sadly the fabric was sold out.

Cupcake Pincushion

Little Rooms with lots of little goodies.

A wall hanging with some cute little yo-yos.

View of a part of the store. Fabric, patterns & inspiration at every turn. 

Treasures found here. Looking forward to starting the Patchwork of the Crosses soon.

Kate in Cameron, MO is raising money by making & selling jewelry to adopt. Here's her etsy site.

 Our final stop of this Shop Hop was our favorite stop of all! The Quilt Shoppe, in Stewartsville, Missouri. It's a good thing this was our last shop, we might not have made it to the other two if this one had been first.  Turns out this is the home of Tula Pink a fabric & quilt designer and her mom (aka Tula Pink's Mom). When we first walked in it was absolutely inviting, the shop beckoned us to slow down and browse, take our time and drink deeply of the beauty in all the fabric.  The shop owner (Tula Pink's mom) was absolutely delightful and full of helpful advice for me as I work toward opening my own shop.

What greeted us from the road.

Store Front

Beautiful quilts & fabric. There's the sweet as pie shop owner herself (on the right).

Looking back at the front entrance. Cookies & Coffee available along with a nice comfy sitting area for the husband.

"Cartwheels" by Tula Pink. My favorite part of this quilt is how it was quilted. Amazing!

Both the Fabric and the Pattern were designed by Tula Pink.

Tula Pink's current fabric & pattern line.

More of Tula Pink's Current lines.

Would love a Christmas tree decorated with fabric & thread as a gift!

An area for the kids to play while mom shops. When I open my shop I will undoubtedly be incorporating this idea!

Close-up of the play area.

More beautiful fabric & quilts. Even the carpet is fun and beautiful.

And more fabric

And more fabric.

Christmas Rag Quilt.

Love the Singer sewing machine with "Grandma's Flower Garden" quilt top.

LOVE how they used old church pews to display inspiration pieces and fabrics.

Classroom & work area

More of the classroom & work area.

View of the classroom & work area from inside of it.

A unique container to use for remnants. I even have one of these in my garage. My mom has another one for me too.

We even got to meet Tula Pink herself.

We found this fabric for the table runner. So excited about it that I jumped right into the project the next day. 

 As I continue to work toward opening a shop here in Northern Virginia this shop hop trip with my mom was perfect timing, it inspired and excited me. It also gave me some things to give serious consideration. Things like........What type of shop do I want? How will I be able to continue sewing and have a shop at the same time? Should it be both a shop & a sewing studio? Would it be better to have a sewing studio at home and have a fabric shop exclusively online? Or would it be better to stick with alterations & custom sewing and not have a fabric shop? So many questions to sort through. Thankfully as I pray over each one, I know the Lord is leading me every step of the way. No matter where the answers lead, I pray that above all else the Lord is glorified!

Grace & Peace to you!
Granny's Little Pink Rose
Marcia