Comin' round Friday, again

Friday is back around and we even had some sunshine today. Hurrah! So who has this problem and how do you solve it? Try as I might, I seem to end up with wrinkles in the backing of my quilt sandwich whenever I get anything bigger than a wall hanging. I bought myself a large table with drop sides so I can raise those up, making a length of about 72". I have used masking tape, duct tape, small clips and major clips. But somehow I don't do it right the first time. I love the table for cutting out - it's perfect! But my pinning. . . . . oh dear me.
I have tried using it the long way and cross ways and still have to remove and re-pin, at least once if not more. Have you found any sure-fire (or even semi-sure-fire) solution? This is for the oh-so-colorful twin sized quilt. Cute, but?





I was working on a practice piece of needle-turn applique. I'm sure I've said that I took a class from Becky Goldsmith at Houston a couple of years ago. Love her and love her technique. However, it's ME who isn't very good. So with the addage of practice makes perfect, I'm trying. This is one section of a larger wreath which I quite liked, so thought to give it a try.
Four of five petals and a center still to add, but it is fun. And without any points I am fairly adept at this. At least you can't see my stitches much. I don't feel confident, however, in my fabric selection, always. Becky chooses some really wild and wonderful prints and somehow they seem to all go together. I'm not sure I have it "down" quite yet.
If I can get this applique-ing to a satisfactory level, it might prove a good airplane project for a long ride. Just do the whole wreath. We'll see.

But as I was working on this, my doorbell rang and guess who has come to "live" at my house?


This quilt frame belonged to my dear friend's grandmother, Margaret Conner. [1907-1995] When she died in 1995 the frame had gone to her sister, Ada Lovett, [1911-2005]until her death in 2005. They had grown up and lived without running water and electricity until the mid 1900's in Southeastern Ohio. They ultimately lived near Marietta, Ohio. After Ada's death, Guy didn't want these just thrown away and asked if I wanted them. I have one of Ada's hand-pieced quilt tops,

Notice her prairie points all around the edges. She has marked with pencil where/how she thought it ought to be quilted. Ideas for how to get "old" pencil out?

In addition to Ada's quilt top, I got her marvelous Standard Treadle machine:



There is some wood damage and it needs some cleaning up, but the belt looks to be quite recent and it all works very smoothly. Isn't this terrific?











Interesting scissors found in the drawer. Check out these bobbins. I will have to find out how to fill and use them - the bobbin holder is a "bullet" shaped affair. Hmmm. And a box of attachments with limited directions. Many of the attachments are rusty, so who knows if they would ever work again, but it is such fun to have them.

And finally, Happy Valentine's Day, tomorrow, to one and all. I remembered this afternoon an item I purchased at an auction last year:


How's this for over-the-top cute? Perfect for dessert tomorrow night with the friends who are coming over.

Wow - isn't life so good!