Summer at Farmhouse Quilts

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Hello, how are you? I feel like it has been forever since I last wrote a real blog post!

We are transitioning into a summer schedule here at our house, and that always takes some time to get used to. I'm sad to say that I really have not spend any time with my sewing machine because we have been so busy!

Our oldest boy moved to a new state ( Connecticut) to start his job and we helped him get settled in his new place. It was really fun to get to know his new city a little bit, and to spend a bit of time at the ocean, and to get to shop at Ikea! ( You see where my priorities lie ;) ).  His apartment building is in a very nice part of town, with lots of big, mature trees, and beautiful older mansions. We enjoyed walking around and taking some photos ( well, I enjoyed the photo taking~ I think it embarrasses our kids, who are afraid that the owners might think I'm casing their houses!)

For the record, I would have taken a picture of the Ikea store, but that would have been embarrassing! *grin*. And before you ask, yes, I of course brought home some Ikea items, mostly useful items, like tea towels and mattress covers, but also some pretty little chairs, which I am in the process of putting together. 

It's a good thing that there is no Ikea store anywhere close to us, that's all I'll say!

Back home again, I have been hanging out with our other graduate son, and convinced him to take a walk around his apartment neighborhood. And yes, I had to take photos! 

Aren't these the most wonderful, storybook-like houses? And their gardens are amazing as well!

Speaking of gardens, mine is coming along nicely! When I started this garden I was aiming to make it look English country cottage, and I think it is well on its way. My little bushes ( that started out as twigs) are finally starting to grow and turn into something. It is no coincidence that they are doing MUCH better by being protected with chicken wire fencing, NOT from the critters that might harm them, but from the hubby who overzealously chopped a bunch of them down with his weed-whacker, not once, but twice, last year! 

Are you tired of seeing nature pics yet? Fortunately I think a lot of us quilters are also enthusiastic gardeners, so I'm hoping this is all as fascinating to you as it is to me ;).

As I mentioned at the start of my post, I have not spent a lot of time with my sewing machine at all, but before all the graduating and moving busyness began I did start a fun quilt with a panel that I picked up at my local re-use store. I cut the panel into blocks and have been sewing freeform Log Cabin blocks around them and it has been so freeing and fun...no measuring, no plan, just sew! 

This project and the scrappy, happy colors are so fun, and I have already planned to hand quilt it with a BIG stitch and chunky, colorful thread. 

And while my sewing machine and I have been estranged lately, I have been keeping busy in the evenings by doing some handwork. I have 3 hexie projects on the go ( yes, you read that right, 3!) that range in size from 1 inch hexies, to 3 inch hexies, to 9 inch hexies.

I am also still finishing up the hand quilting on my little red and white orphan block quilt....

....and started a little blue and white embroidery from a pattern I found in the latest issue of Simply Vintage...

...and then just  had to buy this pattern from one of my favorite British designers, who always makes the most wonderful, simple, but heart-tugging patterns! 

As usual, I have plenty of project to keep me out of trouble!

If you are still with me after all that rambling on, I just want to share this quote by Mark Twain: 

                    “I apologize for such a long letter - I didn't have time to write a short one.”

Until next time~happy creating!

Monique