Courtin' Cousins....

Such a simple yet perfect design...

The Log Cabin block....

and it's dramatic cousin - Courthouse Steps...

I have done several projects using the Courthouse steps design...and I have even done two toned Courthouse steps, but this is the first red and off-white.   I saw this quilt in the magnificent new book by Denyse Schmidt.

I did not follow the pattern in the book stitch for stitch....

And I did attempt to give it the Denyse loop....not at all perfect....far from it.  But it does the job and adds nice texture...

  

I do not enjoy free motion quilting as much as I enjoy hand quilting...but I have the wedding quilt to finish hand quilting and this one needed to be finished now.  

But I do love the look of perle cotton on these steps....

It just needs a bit of binding and this one will be finished...

  

 I must say, working on this quilt reaffirmed my love for Denyse Schmidt as a fabric and pattern designer.  She is my 'go-to' girl.  I think everything she does speaks to me...I am never disappointed.

Have a wonderful Saturday....

mary :)

I Must Confess!

I must confess....I am a swap virgin!  Thank you Nicky for providing me with the perfect moniker....

I was working on these courthouse steps for a super secret swap....I have only done one other swap and that was a personal swap between me and Clare.  But secret means secret!

Duh...

Super Secret means no sneak peeks...not yet!

So I am forced to start again on my swap....and keep the steps for myself....I will try to be strong...

I kind of LOVE this pillow....and it looks charming on my old ladder back chair.

I stitched it with perle cotton gray and orange...

 No fear...I began a new super secret swap project...and I love it just as much.  But this time my lips are sealed!

I also began cutting out some leaves or petals for the wedding quilt....

And I am thinking very soon it will be time for a giveaway.  So check back....details will be posted soon!

Have a wonderful Sunday.  Stay cool and safe!  We had a horrible storm in Central Ohio.

mary

Wednesday Wrap-up.....The Courthouse Steps Quilt....

If you recall, over the past couple of months I have had several super secret projects I have been working on.  One of which, is completed and received {just in time} for someone very special.

This project was inspired by a mini-quilt from Purlbee.

  

purlbee

The design is courthouse steps....a log cabin variation.  I was already familiar with this arrangement.....this one I made several years ago and is in my family room....

    But the new quilt was destined for Lora and her new baby.  Lora was one of my very first students at Sew To Speak....

We love Lora...seriously....everyone at the shoppe LOVES Lora!!!  So Lora expecting her first baby was definitely something to celebrate :)

Because they were keeping the gender a mystery until the big day...I knew I had to do something gender neutral.  But we all spied on Lora as she selected fabric for her nursery so we knew her colors and even the fabric she was choosing....aren't we sneaky???

  

I knew yellow had to be a central color and then I simply added several off white fabrics....mainly because I wanted to incorporate this lovely Nani Iro {Colorful Pocho} print.

My center rectangle is 1 1/2" X 2 1/2" and the logs {or steps}  are 1 1/2 inches wide....

In the Purl mini-quilt, I really loved the very thin strip of dark.  I placed these strips randomly in each of my courthouse blocks....

  

I had to hand quilt this one....Lora knows how much I love hand quilting with perle cotton.  And as cheesy as it sounds, when I hand quilt it gives me time to ponder the quilt and the special person that will be receiving this quilt.  Almost as if every stitch is laid with love and blessings for the recipient.

  

  

I used dark grey perle cotton....stitching randomly around the steps on each block....

  

The quilt was bound with the same sweet red gingham as the center.....

And then an embroidered label for the new baby....

    

End of story??? No!  I am pleased to announce that Lora had a beautiful baby boy about one week ago!  Congratulations Lora and tons of love to baby Harrison :)

Happy Wednesday!

mary

Stitching Step by Step....

The Courthouse Steps quilt is pieced and I have just finished stitching...by hand....with dark grey perle cotton...

  

I quilted around the center three times per block...but not always the same three sets of "steps".....

I love the look of this log cabin variation....and the yellow with the natural/off white is very soothing....

I just need to hand sew the binding.  The binding is the same red gingham as the center.  Once that is stitched, I will toss this in the wash.  This sweet quilt is destined for someone special {more on that later}.

I am feeling better :) Thanks for all the good wishes.  Just a little virus....tis the season!

Happy Monday!

mary

Bleh.....

Been feeling a tad bit under the weather the last couple of days....nothing serious....just bleh

so not much going on here....

but I did manage to baste....

mary