reveal time

Today is Pat's FAB Par-tay celebration day. Birthday girl got to open all the packages we have been sending her this month. We will sew in a bit---some of the girls are still cutting strips and such. Pat's choice: Minnesota Hot Dish from Atkinson Designs though I am doing Faux Log Cabin instead.

Here is what I made her though there were a few other goodies in the box. The initial pattern called "Autumn Blessings" is from Kaaren Johnston at Painted Quilt. It is one of her First Friday Freebies. It contains all the elements of quilting that I enjoy---applique, foundation piecing and stitchery. But I made some changes---first of all, not working in wool since I don't own any of it!

Ignore the string on the pumpkin block. I have another picture but this one was more closer in so you could see the blocks better. I elected to substitute some flying geese blocks for more shoo fly blocks and made maple leaf blocks rather than the pinwheels the pattern showed. I also did one of the applique blocks pumpkin cart as a stitchery block---the pumpkin cart.

Most of the applique is fused though I had the bias press bars out for the little scarecrow block. Anything round shaped like the sunflower centers, parts of the pumpkin applique, the sun in the scarecrow block and the lady bug are all turned shapes like you make yo-yo's (templar and starch). I turned the candy corn block over freezer paper. Almost all of the applique elements were button hole appliqued. No glutton for punishment, I left the sunflowers, pumpkin stems and the scarecrow's felt hat alone! I would not have had to do this but all that checkerboard stuff is foundation pieced-----it finishes at one inch and I do not work well with 1.5 cut inch stuff.

I had a wonderful time making this for my pal and I hope she will enjoy it for years to come. Give her blog a peek in a few days to see if she posted her other fun gifts. FABS are the best!
Our pal Norma is next up on the birthday list and all too soon I will have another Top Secret Project (TSP) in the works. HMMMM what will my choice be?

Football games and game 3 of the World Series will be taking up part of the day and lots and lots of strips chaining thru the machine. And sew it goes----------