a little too much pistachio please

Yes. It is a bit much.. isn't it?

I have been downstairs sorting and purging all week. Lots of stuff to go to the thrift shop. And it feels great!

This quilt has been down there for quite a while now. I bought it at a fund raising auction.. mostly because I knew the lady who made it. She and my mother were good friends when they were living. She told me that the nine-patches came from her mother's house in Iowa, that she had them for a long time, and decided she would just hurry up and sew them together and tie knots to donate it for the auction. I keep thinking of her now, and hearing her voice as she taught me to hand quilt with tiny stitches.

Anyway.. I LOVED the nine-patches as soon as I saw them.. so I knew I had to bid and win it. Vintage fabrics the whole way through, and one feedsack with pink roses that repeated in many places. Wasn't crazy about the green sashing, and there was not much to do about that. But those yellow strings were going to have to go.
I keep meaning to show you my new little scissors I got at the Quilt Convention in Columbus in June. They are the sharpest little things I've ever had.. and isn't the bird adorable?

So anyway, I know there are other way more pressing things to be doing.. like making some birthday presents and pulling weeds. But I just couldn't help starting on this for some reason. Right now.
This is my new hoop that I picked up at the Kidron Quilt Auction a couple weeks ago. I've been so wanting to try it.. and it is perfect with it's oval shape.. not too big.. and just right for reaching under with my hand.

I've been quickly running a large black stitch in crosshatch.. it is what my grandma used to do and it is so easy. I really love the look of it too. But the lady who made this quilt would probably shudder.. because her stitches were always tiny.
I've only been working on it today, and already have most of the rows done across one way.. and a couple of the corners.

The yellow knots really are wonderful "basting" knots.. and I have been snipping them as I go. So much fun.. I feel like I am liberating the quilt.. and removing the ugly sutures it's had for the past three or four years.

Here are some of the blocks.. hearting these fabrics so much. ♥



Can't wait to snip the knots on this one. ☺

And in case you think I am not going to get to it.. I really am looking forward to piecing the DWR arcs.. they are next on my list after the birthday presents.