Almost Antique Apple Core Quilt

Isn't it funny that so many quilts have such specific memories attached to them? This quilt's story began in 1995 as our family was preparing to head out to Colorado to go skiing. I always take a hand project in the car, and driving from Florida to Colorado required a substantial project!!
I have been a charter member of this magazine, it's my very favorite!! When I saw this pattern, I was immediately drawn to the plaids. Back in 1994, I was knee deep in trying to collect homespun fabrics and build my stash. So when I got this issue, it was screaming my name!!

Notice this is only issue 8!! How awesome that 17 years later it's still going strong :). So in the weeks leading up to our departure, I cut little apple cores out by the scores! I was using only reds, blues and tans (my favorite color palette).

With my little bag of pieces, I hand stitched these little darlings into long rows mile after mile. I didn't know at the time that this quilt would not be finished and quilted until 1999, but it did get finished and is still one of my favorites.

I decided not to do the wavey edge, and just cut off the outer edge and added a checkerboard border. Of course back then, machine quilting was not even on my radar - everything was hand quilted. I try and pull this out every fall, I was a little late this year (can't imagine why *wink*).

Until next time,

-Karen

P.S. My DH is doing well, but PT is currently winning the battle :).

Full Bloom

The Christmas cactus are almost in full bloom. It was so pretty out Saturday, I sat on the back porch and quilted away. The leaves rustled and the birds chirped and I finished the appliqued berries. Such a nice way to spend a few hours after the hustle and bustle of a holiday.

Hope you all had a restful day.

-Karen

On the Other Side

Thanks for all the support for the berries. I've actually had quite a bit of time to work on my Joy Angels while sitting in the hospital. My DH has successfully come thru total knee replacement surgery and we are on the other side. He's still in the hospital, doing very well, and I'm trying to manage him, work and home :). It's all good.
This morning I saw this on my back porch and "stopped to smell the roses" and enjoy the beauty.
Have a great day,
-Karen

Berries or No Berries??

My Joy Angels are appliqued, basted and ready to start quilting - yea!!! I've marked a simple grid to start.
I'm was able to get some quilting done while we flew to Charlotte to spend a long weekend celebrating our oldest granddaughter's 7th birthday.

So my big question is this - do I add some red berries to vine or not? The original pattern called for red pears but I didn't want to add that much red since I added the red border. I'd love to hear your opinions..... :).

Until next time,

Karen