I found three coxcomb blocks that I made years ago using Linda Brannock’s book Miss Jump’s Christmas Etc.
I have searched online for this book and it is simply not available. I even emailed her partner Jan Patek to see what she thought I could do. The copyright of the book is 2001 so you understand why it might be gone.
My single flower was hand appliquéd but I must have gotten discouraged because the stem and leaves are raw edge stitched on machine. I’ll never think about it again once I hang it up so it’s no big deal to me.
I save all pieces of pieced borders and blocks when they’re left over from my project and I use red a lot so my basket yielded plenty of scraps and pieces for this little quilt measuring about 40” x 48”.
YOU can do this with your own scraps – you don’t throw those pieces away, do you? This is my favorite way to sew – no pattern, no measuring, no standards to live up to. Just sew it! Don’t be afraid – just lay your pieces out and start putting them together in straight sections or rows – you don’t want any Y seams if you can help it. Someone called this an art quilt – hmmm. I just think it’s a fun way to sew and of course it’s just quilted with straight lines – right over the appliqué. I might even hang this outside.
Today is Becky’s 70th birthday. She doesn’t look 70 – I’ll take her picture tonight when we go to the last Thursday On Main. We both hate to see it end for the season. I think we should just extend our Thursday nights to meet for supper at various restaurants we’d like to try – husbands won’t go, of course.
Reader quilts
Rose is one of the most prolific quilters I know! I swear my animals cut into my sewing time. By the time I get started sewing it’s 8 pm and I can’t stay awake past 11! Old lady that I’ve become – ugh.
Yesterday was Novel Idea Book Club and I wrote down every book people mentioned and I will post those – just in case you might be inspired to find a new summer read.
This gentleman named Jack(?) Schrader or Schroeder stopped this morning on his way to his 60th class reunion during Hobo Days at Britt this weekend. He said he and his wife read and enjoy the blog so I told him I’d put him on! Thanks for reading!
The dogs are waiting for a ride through the grove on the wilderness trail!
Love, love, love your little scrap “art” quilt. That’s the way I like to sew too. It’s so fun and relaxing!
Love all the quilts! You are such a genius with your leftovers!
So why won’t the men Go to The Thursday night out? Oh well, if they don’t want to you two have a great time! Happy birthday Becky!
Joy – walk around downtown with crowds of people? Most carrying food or drinks and then listening to a band? Neither of our husbands would ever consider it – if YOUR husband would do something like this be thankful! Don’t get me started!
Hi Mary,
I agree with you, I love sewing a quilt top with all that freedom and combining blocks and applique. Love what you made. I’ve still got my Linda Brannock, Kimmel & Patek books. I don’t have the one you’re looking for, but I think I will keep them forever. They never get old.
Hugs, Susy
Susy – just imagine those old quilts made from new fabrics – that goes for any old quilt book. I don’t want to get rid of any of them either. Just wish I had time to make more of the quilts.
I’ve never thought to use orphan blocks for a little wallhanging. My problem is I haven’t as many extra borders as you do but could use strups. Thanks again for your great idea.🤗
Sandy – small quilts for placemats, tablerunners or large “coasters” can all be made from orphan blocks. They’re too good to get rid of.
I love this little quilt!
Hi Mary, What is the color of your thread you quilted your art flower quilt with? Was your thread variegated?
Love your blog about nothing!💕
Debby from Wisconsin
Debby – I only quilt with neutral threads – I simply don’t like colored thread on top. So this was probably done in a cream beige or ivory or tan. I just don’t want my quilting to show much because I’m not a good quilter. Like I’ve always said, the fabric, the piecing and the color is what is important to me, not the actual quilting. I take a very relaxed attitude toward quilting – can you tell?
Thanks Mary for your thread info. I love your little quilt and quilting.
Have a nice day.
Debby from Wisconsin
The book is available on eBay, if you’re willing to pay $69.95!
Dot – NO!! Oh my gosh! You’d think it was gold.
Very cute quilt! I wish I had more leftovers but I really haven’t quilted that much. The one box that I do have with a bunch of pieces started is from a Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt that I never finished. And, unfortunately, they’re not my favorite colors! Hmm, going to have to pull out those bins! Maybe I can combine them with colors that I do like. Anyway, thanks for the inspiration! Now I have to go with my husband to pick up our car – $1,100 to have the air conditioning fixed! Ugh… Jan in MA
Jan – oh, dear, that’s a lot of money to fix the AC but I had to do it two years ago in my mom’s old car, too. It had to be done. The car was too good to let go.
Mary: I think your idea of having a regular Thursday evening dinner group is a great idea! We have one like that going on here in Humboldt; it has been going for many years. When the guys were out playing golf, we would meet for dinner. Most of the “guys” are now gone and us widows still enjoy getting together every Thurs. night at different restaurants. We’ve had as many as 8 or 10 in the group but now we are down to 4 or 5.
Love your coxcomb quilt!!! It’s perfect.
Ingenious and creative use of leftovers in this attractive wall quilt, it’s just perfect. Becky and I are the same age, I’ll hit that milestone in September. Your evenings out together sound like a good tradition to carry on after the summer ends.
Mrs. Goodneedle – I’m going to be looking for that little Augie lookalike tonight!
YAY!! 😊
Mary…your quilt is awesome! I would call it a “Folk Art” style quilt! I love all those older books, and have no plans to get rid of them. I do have the book you show, and haven’t made that quilt. Amazing some of the prices the older books are selling for. I always like getting book recommendations, though my list to read is WAY too long!
Your pink quilt is an art quilt! It takes an artist to put colors together like you do and have them look great. That is why I rely on my husband for color help. He was a Chemistry teacher and a summer house painter. They did many Painted ladies—five colors or more. Your blog is so much fun! Thank you. Happy Birthsay to Becky🎂. We love round abouts. They are much faster.
Hi Mary, funny how dogs are keen to go for a ride anywhere, even if they have been to the same place a thousand times! Fabulous quilt you have made, I’m a scrapaholic too!l can’t sew at night, afternoons in front of Netflix for hand work, and an hour or so on the machine in the morning. Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Very pretty appliqué! Happy birthday Becky🎂!
I love your little coxcomb quilt. Yes, a wonderful way to come up with a new quilt. I love Brannock and Patek designs. I have a slew of their fabric waiting. I bought an u finshed quilt a few years ago of Linda Brannocks design. It was missing 23 or 4 of its blocks. Could not find pattern on internet but did fi d a photo someone pisted. So with that info and putting togwther the blocks I had I coukd then habd draw the designs onto freezer paper, cur them out and applique on the background pieces. It came together nicely. I even had in my stash the rusty oragish fabric they used.
Your sweet corn looked great too the other day. Yum, yum. I do mine in the Instant Pot nowadayz. So easy, less mess and quicker.
Enjoy the ride on the trail.
Shirley from Oregon
Good grief. Will need to check my typing before I hit enter. Lol
Makes me laugh.
Shirley from Oregon.
Your coxcomb quilt is charming.
Magnificent new quilt, Mary. I don’t throw out scraps either and wish I had your skill and imagination to turn them into something so beautiful and cohesive. Thank you for the inspiration (as always).
Love your “improv” quilt. That is the way I do mine, not really good with written instructions, more fun to see what evolves. So enjoy your blog about nothing, live vicariously through your animals, do not have any of my own. Keep doing what you are doing, you are very successful at whatever it is.
Carolyn – I laughed at “you are very successful at whatever it is” – I’m still trying to decide what it is! Haha!!!
Hi! FYI – I found the book on eBay for $69.95.
Mary – love your quilt. It’s amazing!! And I like the block design around the appliquéd flower.
Happy Birthday Becky! You and I share the same birthday only I’m 4 years older than you. I love being a Leo.
Gloria – Happy Birthday – how did you celebrate?
We went to the Mexican restaurant in CC for dinner last night. A friend from Hudson stopped by in the morning for coffee. We’ve passed a birthday ball between us for 30 years!
I forgot to tell you that since we don’t know Angel’s birth date, she shares mine.😁
Gloria – Happy Birthday, Angel! Great way to celebrate, I’d say.
She gots lots of hugs and kisses all day.
Ebay is selling The cockscomb magazine.
It is in a lot
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134297719726
Hi Mary,
I love your improv quilt! And Happy Birthday Wishes for Becky!
In the Netherlands you congratulate the close family members of a person having a birthday too (so, for example, I will say to my colleague Janneke at work “Congratulations with Andy” on her husband’s birthday). So congratulations with Becky, Mary!
Fiona – thank you for those birthday greetings!
Able to get quite a bit of sewing done today. Work on back pack drawstring bags, have 30 ready to go.. just need to get to store for some more supplies (school) to go in them & will take to local police department for distribution. 5:30 pm here & 109 per weather service but my porch thermometer ( in shade) show 111…to damned HOT !!! Doing some straighting of sewing room & found several postcard patterns from Billa Rosa Designs, all are easy , quick sew patterns that lend themselves to scrappy..found my next sewing project..will make good charity quilt., choose Berry Smoothie to make. Hopefully have photo to share soon. Time for glass of sweet tea( would prefer an ice cold Blue Moon, but meds won’t allow). Stay as cool as possible & sew on’
Mary love your story about your quilt. It is fun to use up those scraps in an innovative way. You sure have done that. Happy Birthday to your sister Becky. 70 years young. Enjoy your evening out. Tomorrow is another day.
Just love your improv quilt. I have a lot of scraps, but I’m not good without a pattern, I’ll have to try. Thank you for your inspiration!!
Your improve quilt is wonderful! The pattern, and the colors. You have a great creative, Mary!
Wow! What a gorgeous save ! I’m a trashcan diver myself
And love to find happy little surprises too. Just lovely and the concept is inspiring.
I LOVE that Cockscomb quilt!! I used to have a thing for any cockscomb patterns & I would buy everyone I could find. I don’t know if I have that book or not but now I’m gonna have to look and see.
Happy Birthday Becky! Hope Mary buys you a beer!
Your pink “improv” quilt is outstanding, Mary. You definitely have an eye for design! I save leftovers and scraps, but that’s it!!!
You accomplish so much, Lady!!! Love the “Art Quilt!!” I think I’ll try it. I have so many left overs for years.
Love your pink quilt, Mary – it’s very pretty and original.
Thanks so much for sending your book to me, yay!
Hi Mary! Greetings from Tucson where it’s only 101dF at 5pm🥵. I so enjoy your blog about nothing and while I don’t comment a lot, wanted to say how pretty I think your quilt is! The use of so many pieces from the parts department – and red to boot, is just fun to study. Red is my favorite color and when I see it used the way you did, it just sings! And so does my ❤️😉
Barb in Tucson
Your “pink” quilt is amazing! Thanks for telling us the history and how the quilt came together, very inspiring.
Enjoy celebrating Becky’s birthday. As always, thanks Mary. 🥰
That quilt makes my heart happy!
Love the reader quilts! The first one is a great Christmas quilt, hmmm, gets me thinking, i don’t have a Christmas quilt yet. The Tula Pink quilt is so cheerful, love the colors!
I also love your pink quilt Mary, right up my alley! Thanks to all for sharing!
There is a copy of the book currently listed on eBay.
Mary, love your pink quilt! I have many Jan Patek and Linda Brannock books but not that one. I just can’t seem to get rid of them. I still enjoy looking at them. Maybe someday I will actually make something from one of them. HaHa!
I love all the quilts. You are a true artist! I will have to try that someday with my left-over blocks. I have joined a group of “seniors” from my church that go to dinner every Thursday. We go at 3:00 when the restaurants aren’t too busy, and we can be loud. There are about 4 couples and the rest of us are widows or widowers. We’ve had anywhere from 4 to 16 people. My husband never wanted to join them. I had one of those husbands too, Mary. I can totally relate.
I’m headed to West Virginia tonight on the redeye. My 95 yr. old dad fell last week. Tripped on the corner of the bedspread. Hurt his knee and face, no broken bones but the next day he got a bad UTI. He’s better and has been having therapy so I’m going back to be there when he gets out of the hospital. Have to see if he’s still able to be on his own. Not looking forward to that. He thinks he’ll be fine.
Charlotte – oh, your poor dad! I hope he can stay in his home –
I am amazed how you had a vision in putting that quilt together.
Very lovely pink finish and good use of your scraps and blocks. Whimsical scrappy quilts always catch my eyes.
We have roundabouts here and no problems with them but ours are designed to keep driving around and no stopping in them so smaller in size and everyone is courteous when we drive them. Just a matter of stopping and waiting your turn to enter them when it’s clear.
Wishing Becky a happy birthday and hope you got a band to sing it to her!!!
No picture of Jack?
Love your quilt
Happy Birthday to Becky! 70 is the new 50!
Mary, I’m always so inspired by all the quilts I see on this blog. Well done everyone! Mary, the quilt you shared is such fun and what a wonderful way to use up those odds and ends. I’m anxious to dig mine out and see what I can put together.
Today my daughter, Heather, came over to help me move back into the kitchen after our recent remodel. We did quite a bit of purging, tossing and organizing.
We accomplished a lot today, but saved the pantry for next time. I think I’ll be going to bed early tonight.
Bonnie, in Oregon
Happy Birthday to Becky!! 🎂🎁🎆🎉💕 Your quilt is gorgeous! I absolutely love it. The quilts today are so pretty. Hugs,
I like your cockscomb quilt. A great way to use leftover bits and pieces. I gave a bunch of orphan blocks and scraps to my sister. She makes bags and pillowcases for the women’s shelter. She also makes potholders and placemats to donate. I enjoy making big projects and she likes the little ones. It keeps us both happy.
mary, your pink quilt is fantastic. thank you for briefly showing how you worked. it has given me so many ideas and ways to use up things – and to kill a bunch of ufo’s of mostly mysteries that i tired of and just put away. thank you so much for that. i love all the old primitive style books – linda brannock, jan patek, and so many others and don’t think i’ll ever let them go. i also have all the country threads books that i won’t let go. love seeing everyone’s quilts. just inspiring. thanks to everyone for sharing. patti in florida
Love the quilts! Scrappy is my all-time favorite. I love working with small pieces and was thinking about making a crumb quilt using all the tiny scraps. It’s so nice to look at those little scraps coming together in a bigger project. And my husband would never, ever do that either but I don’t think I would want him to either. I enjoy my “girl” time! Happy birthday Becky.
Becky, Happy Birthday a day late. Mary, I love your coxcomb quilt, very nice. Like a few of the other readers, I went to the web and searched for the book . . . no luck. I did come across a Linda Brannock quilt pattern called Poppies, which I bought.
Love your quilt! I have some applique quilt blocks sitting in a drawer. Thank you for the idea.
Happy Birthday Becky!!
I love the little quilt! I think I need to learn to be free with my quilting….like anything goes. I have decided to quit trying to be perfect with my quilt construction. When I first started to quilt, I really enjoyed it because I wasn’t trying to compete with anyone or myself. I just was doing something new to me and loving it. Then I started taking quilts to the fair, joined a guild, joined a couple of quilters groups. It seems like it became a task to do better and better instead of just sewing for the pure joy of it all. I think I’ll go back to the beginning and sew just to make myself happy.
I read your blog every day and miss it when you skip a day. It’s nice to read something that is your every day life that describes what makes you happy (mostly).
Donna – and you just listed all the reasons I don’t belong to any guilds or groups and would never consider taking a quilt to the fair. This is supposed to be FUN! And my work is not always perfect but for me it’s the journey and not the destination. I should write a post on just that.
My quilt group has evolved to just be fun and sharing. No pressure or expectations! We just enjoy each other and looking at each others’ quilts. We encourage each other, love doing show-&-tell and do some trouble-shooting if someone is stuck. Even if you haven’t sew in months, just show up. We also share news on local shops, events, new tools we’ve found helpful.
We used to meet for group sew days, but as we’ve aged and then covid arrived, we don’t do that anymore.
It works for us!
I think you should Mary as this is a good comment Donna made for many to pause over why they can’t get motivated or finish a project.
It’s the journey of pulling fabrics, sewing them freely and not having expectations of award winning machine quilting. Yes Mary we need your preaching as it keeps us inspired!
Kathy – ok, I can expound on this subject at length! Haha!!
Love love love your “artsy” quilt. I save all my scraps and sew them to donate to our church people. Mine do not look artsy like yours- more like “coloring within the lines”. Have a good weekend! It’s hot again in Cinncinati but am going to go to the Great Seafood Fest in Newport, KY- right over the bridge crossing the Ohio river. $11.95 lobsters!!!
I LOVE your quilt!! And I’d agree that it’s an art quilt too! I save all the scraps but just wish I had them organized! You inspire me to try a quilt without a pattern! Enjoy celebrating Becky’s birthday!
I like your pink scrap quilt, it’s so unique to you that I could easily pick it out of a crowd. The quilt has an autumn color look to it. Thanks for sharing the nice photos as well. I do save my cut offs and leftover block parts and I use them.
That is truly a beautiful art quilt. I love it! I save those fabric smidgeons, too. Do you think that’s why my sewing room is always messy. When the Grands were much younger, my son told the not to go in Grammy’s sewing room, there might be an avalanche.it is still my happy place. It’s #2 only because my hammock is my favorite place!
Your little quilt looks great!
Happy Birthday Becky!
That cockscomb block is absolutely spectacular! I looked everywhere for the book too and couldn’t find it either. The book is a real prize!
What a fun quilt! I love to sew that way, and had much inspiration from retreats with Gwen Marston.
The not so funny aspect is that the scraps get used, but the yardage stays folded!
Jan – you attended retreats with Gwen Marston??? I think she’s my idol!! Please tell me more – I think I have all her books. This is very exciting – yes, I know the yardage is still on the shelf.