There and Back Again

My flying trip from Australia to USA and back is over.  Due to some unforeseen circumstances I was delayed in Los Angeles for an extra two days, but I'm back now and over the jet lag.

I was able to do something that I was looking forward to - rummaging through stacks of quilts at the antique malls.  I must say that there are a lot of unattractive quilts for sale and for a while I thought I might have to bring home an ugly duckling.  But I found two that I am very pleased with.

This is a scrappy Tree of Paradise. It's machine quilted and the binding has been replaced.  The fabrics have a lot of variety, I think 1890s for the materials.

I bought a redwork cot quilt too.  It is hand quilted with little or no batting - just right for the bottom of a suitcase.

My cousin showed me her own embroidered quilt made by her other grandmother.  She was a little concerned that I might try to fit it in my suitcase as well, but I assured her that all a needed was a photo.

John's (guinea) pigs

Back to reality.  This week's CCCQ Revisited block is Block 27 Susanna Criswell.  I christened this one Floral Medley, it's a bit of this and that.

Bother reality.  Here's some holiday snaps. Enjoy.

St. Pete's Beach, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico

Santa Monica Pier, California on the Pacific Ocean

Tiled shopfront in Hollywood

Art deco tiles

More ugly ducklings

CCCQ Block 17

Just a quick post this week.  This week's block is Block 17, Andrew Criswell Gibson, one of the bride's male cousins. 

There are nearly as many men's names as women's names in the Chester Criswell quilt, I assume that women still did most of the sewing and quilting.

This is a quick post because I am flying to the USA in two days time.  I am traveling with a few family members to a memorial service (which is sad) but we will be staying with cousins (which is fantastic). So, no block next week because I won't be around but there should be a block the following week along with the Easter bunny.

Back to packing!

Block 4 Nancy Carlile Smith

This week's block is Block 4.  It was made by Mary McClellan Criswell's cousin, Nancy Smith.

My block with some collectibles

My block, quilted with Block 31

James R. Smith   Nancy C. Smith  East Nottingham

 

Nancy Smith's block in the Chester Criswell Quilt.

You'll find more photos of Block 4 here and here.

You can get the pattern at Two Bits Patches.


The video clip of the Chester Criswell Quilt blocks is currently playing on YouTube.  The music is from my own band, The Sale City Band (est. 1871).  I'm playing the timpani.

Brass Band Day at Federation Square, Melbourne - the stage slopes and the timpani kept rolling away

Last night I basted the final two blocks.  Once they are quilted and sewn together, then the last row can be attached and the quilt bound.  I find it hard to believe that I'm nearly finished.  I don't think I will hand quilt such a big quilt again, it just takes too long. 

So, what comes next?  I have some ideas.  Like every keen quilter, the next quilt project can hardly wait until the current one is finished.  I better hurry up with those last two blocks.