Brownstone Center is done!

I got all my brownstone blocks put together this weekend! What do you think! I still have pieced borders to do, that will probably be next weekends project as I'm heading to the North woods of WI. Taking my last baby to college - she is excited, mom is kind of sad!

Vote for me - (if you like it)!

I entered this weeks Miniature Quilt contest at Quilting Gallery. If you like my quilt "Pineapple at Mom's" help me out and vote!

Vote Here

The last of the brownstone blocks!

I finished my last 6 brownstone blocks! Hopefully this weekend I can put them together!

Let's spend the day in Milwaukee...

Spent the day in Milwaukee - and wait till you see/hear what I got to see. You have to read through this first part to get to the highlight...... First we stopped for lunch at Mader's German restaurant. This restaurant has had so many famous people eat at it (including several presidents) and has been in business for over 100 years. Course I forgot to take a picture of it from the outside. Across the street though was the Milwaukee icon Usinger's. So I did get pictures of that while waiting outside for them to open! Check out the cute little Usinger's elves (you probably need to click on the photo's to enlarge so you can see them)!


Then we headed a few blocks east and hit the lakefront! It was a gorgeous day out! They even had a few tall ships parked nearby! We were going to walk over and get some better pictures after the "BIG" reason we headed up there - but well, it was drizzling when we came out, so all I have is this picture of one from down the path.

Our main destination? Milwaukee's Art Museum. Look at that building! And right on the lake!

Inside in the main area there was this awesome blown glass sculpture. And a picture I took looking up at the ceiling.

Now why you probably are asking is this posted on my quilt blog? Well because we went to see the traveling Winterthur Collection. And OH MY - was it amazing! We couldn't take pictures so I'll have to share with a few pics from the book - but it just isn't going to do it justice. Not at all.

Just look at some of the quilts we got to see up close and personal! The exhibit was amazing!

When you walk in and see the above quilt hanging it takes your breath away. They way they had it displayed, the size of it, the workmanship. There is no way the picture in the book can even begin to capture the beauty of the fabrics. This one is from the early 1800's.

This quilt was propped behind glass on a slanted wall since it is probably very fragile. And darn - all the quilts were dated next to them, but of course without my own pictures I can't remember the age - but this one is old. I want to say from the 1700's. You would not believe the quilting in all of these.

The embroidery in this one was awesome! The dark brown is wool from a pair of britches.

This was one of my favorites - just because it is one I could see myself making. But let me tell you... you should see the quilting. (Mary Keller Quilt 1851). Each stitch is uniform in length - but the length of the stitches, about the length of a pin point. I"m not kidding. All these quilts, the quilting was so tiny and even it was totally unbelievable. Oh I so wanted a picture close up of those stitches.

This fabrics in this one from 1854 were so fun to look at. Most of them were actually very vivid yet and in good condition. The worst deterioration was to the bottom right basket block. Once again, the quilting on this was so amazing. Think of the teeniest best hand quilting you have ever seen. Then let me tell you, that would look like junk next to the stitches on these.

This one from the early 1800's had the most amazing fabrics. Especially look at the kite shape blue fabric around the center medallion part. What I loved was the odd "hut" shaped pieces on the inside and outside of the outer border. OK - so I have no idea what to call that shape, there probably is a real name, but it was so cool!

There were of course tons of wholecloths with amazing quilting, and some unbelievable silk embroidery whole cloths. But any picture I could take of them from the book - "Quilts in a material world" would never show up. So I suggest getting the book. Besides, the history and stories about the women and these quilts are so fun to read!

Better yet - find where this exhibit will be near you and go. Even the book cannot show the amazing quilt stitches in these books. I know I"m gushing - but I am so in awe of those stitches!

Cut Glass Dishes

Our family reunion quilt was suppose to have a cut glass dish block. Well I got the first one made and LOVED it - so had to make 3 more!

Side Dishes

Got some side dishes done for my Family Reunion quilt. A Basket of Chips and some Corn and Beans!

What I've been up to

I did finish a few things, between all the girls visits. In fact Holly is still at home visiting. Above are some blocks for our "Family Reunion" camp quilt. I had a huge problem with the pickle dish, but it is staying the way it is. All the blocks have a "Family Reunion" theme and will be different sizes. So we have

Pickle Dish - doesn't every reunion have a pickle dish!

Hen and her Chicks - Kind of a mother/daughter type theme.

Duck's Foot and Duck & Ducklings - Main dishes "fowl"

I also worked on some treats for everyone at camp. We always set out bags or bowls and drop off treats to everyone during the weekend. So Holly and I watched movies and made these button magnets! Aren't they cute! Bet you wish you were going to camp with me huh!

Ice Cream Beauty and College Quilt

Emily's college signature quilt is completely done! Washed and ready to to go the North Woods! I'm happy with how it turned out, but not happy she is leaving. I'll miss her. Even though she says she won't miss us!

I also got all 4 of my Ice Cream New York Beauty blocks done! Now to figure out what I want to do for Borders!

Rescue Quilt

About a year or two ago I shared a quilt top I rescued from my Aunt's garbage pile. She thought it was the ugliest thing she ever saw. I LOVED it! It was all hand pieced and was made by my uncle's grandmother. So I took it home in the hopes of getting it hand quilted. Sadly a few months later my aunt died, but I still had this wonderful top.

I just recently got it hand quilted by some Mennonite women who live not to far from me. I got it back and washed it up and look at it! It is awesome or what!

I am so glad I have this beautiful quilt from her. Now to get it documented and labeled before I forget what little details my aunt remembered!

I hate to do it but....

I'm SO SICK of the spam comments. You know those ones with all the boxes, or some stupid saying that leads back to a blog that is nothing.

So for now I had to turn the comment moderate on. Sorry, but I"m tired of reporting the spam and deleting those out of the comments.