Hello, Hello. Another week has slipped by…{sigh}. We’ve had gorgeous fall weather this year and, after a busy few months, it’s been nice to just hang around the house relaxing and watching the slow change of seasons. Our trees aren’t as brilliant this year but most of them have finally started to turn colors this past week. I even took some time to make the annual trip to a small apple orchard nearby. I bought some yummy honeycrisp apples — they’re my favorite for a little snack and if you’ve never had one, you should give them a try. I also bought some Braeburn apples for baking. I tried PW’s Quick and Easy Apple Tart. It was ok, but definitely not one of her better recipes and not even close to her little apple dumplings.
One thing I’m not enjoying about the fall is the bugs that decide to seek warmth in the house. Ewww. Except for this little ladybug, our first sighting this fall. I found her on a windowsill and took her outside and put her on one of the few zinnias that managed to bloom in the disaster garden this year. I think she was much happier in her new home, although, not as warm.
She almost looks like she’s on her back in the next picture, but she’s really clinging to the underside of a petal. Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home….
Today is lovely and rainy and chilly. I’m looking forward to curling up with Doc Martin on Netflix while I work on the Steampunk. I’ve decided to follow Cindy’s lead — I machine quilted the Steampunk sashing in the ditch and I’m handquilting the little propeller squares with big-stitch quilting.
It took several blocks for me to get back into the big-stitch groove, but I think I’m adjusting now. MeMum voted for all fine hand-quilting because of all the work in these blocks, but I think they need something a little funky. I think Cindy’s choice of machine quilting plus big-stitch quilting is just perfect.
I also have some dead bananas waiting in the kitchen today, so I thought I’d try a new banana bread recipe this afternoon. Sounds like a perfect afternoon to me — quilting and the smell of fresh banana bread baking in the kitchen. If the new recipe is any good, I’ll definitely be back to share!
XOXO,
Anna
At first I didn’t like big stitch – I don’t know why in a way it indicated not enough care of something – but then I got started seeing it all over the place and started to think hey that is not bad – looks kind of “crafty” or “folk art” if you know what I mean and I tried it on a baby quilt and liked it and it really went a lot faster than I am used to doing. I am going to try it again soon on a twin size – I wonder how fast that well go – I need some fast if I will ever get caught up on my quilting. I think I have learned that hand quilting does not just mean tiny stitches.
I love this quilt of yours.
Love that quilt, Anna. I’m going to look into the big stitch hand quilting for my Hexie baby quilt. Have you tried the banana bar recipe from Pinterest? They are delish…..I have made them into muffins without frosting, as well. Enjoy your day!
Love how the way you quilt your Steampunk; I often do that too nowadays – a bit of machine quilting to secure it all then adding some hand quilting. I hope you had a lovely afternoon, baking, quilting and watching Doc Martin. Isn’t he a grumpy bugger ;), one of my favorite shows at the moment.
I think you’ve made a very good quilting choice for this quilt. It is really looking good! I always carry ladybugs outside, too. They are my favorite insect. We are actually having a cool night tonight and I am enjoying it to the max! Hope your banana bread was good.
Looking good Anna! Hope your banana bread turns out so that you can share :)
Anna, I love your Steam Punk!!! Well done!
Beautiful ladybug pictures!! I love hand-stitching; I know your quilt will turn out very nice with it!
I love your Steampunk quilt even more each time you post new photos! I love the quilting on it now too! I hope you got to enjoy your banana bread while you worked on it this weekend -perfect weather for that :o)
Gotta love a ladybug – they’re the pretty ones of the bug world for sure!! Your steam punk is looking great – like the quilting ideas. Have fun!
First of all, your header is really clever, just like you really. Love how your quilting your steam punk quilt, fabulous.
Your big sttches are looking perfectly small to me! Your steam punk is going to be a stunner!
Here’s hoping your quilty/baking afternoon turned out to be as delicious as you’d hoped. It certainly sounds great to me, but that may be because I LOVE banana bread :)
Sounds like a perfect day!
I haven’t tasted any of those two apple types you mention, but it must be so nice to be able to taste & compare. Not to mention to know which apples are good for baking… I am such an inexperiences apple-lady.
We will have to do with the apples in our garden, and we do. But going to an apple orchard sounds fun.
good morning friend.
love your flower/bug photos. i buy ladybugs for my roses, and then they fly to the neighbors’ houses and keep their roses aphid free. your little darling was probably purchases by a neighbor and then the little traitor left. i’m not bitter.
i’ll have to try pdub’s apple dumplings.
every time i see your sp blocks it makes me realize i need more fabric. you have some fun, funky prints in there. i love the one with the floral in red and mustard, the dots and the black and white words. what’s a girl to do? must go fabric shopping. shoot, i hate it when that happens!!!!
alright, i’m off to save the world.
:waves madly
okay. i just looked at the apple dumpling recipe.
did you really make those?
and eat them?
and they were GOOD?
i think i’m too scared.
and proud.
and secretly mocking you.
and curious.
Looks very cool. Can’t wait to see it all finished. I’ve been working on the memory quilt. It’s coming along and almost finished. I will be happy with that since there are other things I would like to work on but guilt gets me every time to get the memory quilt finished.
I’ve always wanted to do some big stitch quilting – it’s going to be great!
Aren’t those honey crisp apples the best? Juicy and crispy and just the right amount of sweetness. I think your choice of machine and big stitch is perfect. I can see your mom’s point, but those steampunk blocks/fabrics are screaming for big stitch, ala Material Obsession (Kathy Doherty?) quilts, don’t you think? Hope you are enjoying a nice piece of banana bread on your coffee break at work today!
I just can’t do big stitches! I have a tray cloth which I made for my Mum when I was about nine, and even then I sewed with tiny stitches!
The photos of the ladybird on the zinnia are stunning Anna! And I love your quilting AND I have a lot of dead bananas too – I need to get Dot baking again! xxx
“Relaxing…” I read, and rubbed my eyes. Surely not! Not Anna! Then I read on. “Relaxing” = machine and hand-quilting a very complicated quilt (while watching tv) and making banana bread. Oh, THAT kind of relaxing. Hmm.
Anna, your Steam Punk quilt just gets better and better! I cannot wait to see it all finished!
Your relaxing day sounds absolutely perfect to me :)
xxx
Your quilting plan is great for the SP quilt. I have combined hand and machine too and the quilt police did not knock on my door and I still like the look :)
Honey Crisp are delicious, I like them in green salad with goat cheese.
Let me know about the Ba-hanna bread. I just made her a loaf to take back to school.
Sigh…now its grabbing me by the throat. I don’t no how much longer I am going to be able to resist.
I’m glad you gave an honest review of PW’s apple tart. I hate making things that are just “ok” and not delicious. Banana bread is one of my favorite foods right close to real gingerbread…the kind I make his fresh grated ginger, pepper, mustard, strong coffee and more goodnesses.
Your ladybug is so sweet. Right now we have boxelder bugs. Ugh.
I like the quilting idea for the Steampunk quilt. Now I need to check out Doc Martin. I just finished watching Call the Midwife on Netflix (wish there were more!) and need something else to watch. Ha ha.
Did you at least help the little lady bug back on her feet? You should always carry a small twig just for that! ;o) Love the way you chose to machine quilt steampunk! Such a sweet quilt!