FOR ALE!

That's a strange post title on a quilting blog, I know!  But there is a story and it does end up to be quilting related so, hang in there!  Who doesn't love a quilt with a story!

I am very proud of where I grew up, where my ancestors, on both sides of my family, settled and have lived for many generations.   I am going to tell about just one of many aspects of this place, this Prospect, Nova Scotia, CANADA

We call it "THE STAGE" aka, Grandad's Stage, Jack's Stage etc....  It has been photographed so many times over the years, painted by artists.  A.Y. Jackson spent time painting in Prospect, Stanley Royle too.  W.R. MacAskill took photos in the Village as well.

Photo with permission by Ashley Coombs Photography  

The Stage was part of my childhood and dates back to the early 1800's.  It passed through many hands, most of them my relatives. The last owner in my family was my uncle, my Dad's brother.  It was during this time that the "S" went missing.  Only a select few know the story of how it disappeared.  I can't divulge the secret today, but maybe sometime in the future I will spill the beans!

The "For Ale" sign is completely gone now.  The new owners removed it. Too bad.  Looks like they are trying to fix it up though.

So, getting to the quilty connection, As I was visiting a quilt show in Pictou, NS this past spring, I walked past a vendor's table full of fabulous quilt patterns.  The vendor was well-known Nova Scotia quilt artist Karen Henry.  I was introduced to Karen by a friend.  We spoke for a bit and as I turned to walk away, out of the corner of my eye, I saw "For Ale".  Whoa, back up...there was a pattern of "The Stage"!

  So of course, I mentioned my connection to Karen right away and she was happy to hear that I knew all about it.  She told me her father had taken the photo that she made her pattern from but he wasn't sure where he had taken the photo.  Mystery solved.
Of course I bought the pattern complete with the fabrics to recreate Karen's design.  How cool is that!
Can't wait to get working on it. 

 I found The Stage in a lovely hooked rug here 

Taken while used by lobster fishermen

This photo is taken from the yard of the house I grew up in.  As kids, we would all swim across to "The Stage" and back again. 

If interested in the History of Prospect, which dates back to the 1750's, here is the link to the Prospect Genealogical Website 

Thanks for stopping by!

"Sticky Nine-Patch"

The quilt top that I sewed up a few days ago, used a Layer Cake.  You can read about it here

 That's a precut package of 42 x 10 inch squares of fabric.  The quit top used 30 of the 42 squares and 12 of these 10 inch squares needed to be trimmed to 9 1/2 inches, so I had a nice little pile of 1/2" strips.  Couldn't throw them away now could I! .  So here is what I came up with.  I call it "Sticky Nine-Patch" lol  A 14" toss cushion.
There are still 12 squares left so I plan on making a giant pinwheel quilt from those.
 

"Sticky Nine-Patch"

I raw-edge appliqued the "sticks" on to leftover Kona Snow squares from the same project.  Sewed them into a nine-patch configuration and free motion quilted the wavy lines.   I didn't have a cushion form to fit perfectly, so I remembered that my quild mate, Dominique, had addressed this problem by creating a flange. Great idea! Problem solved.

A look at the back.  I always like to use a selvedge on the back of cushions that I make.  The Perfect Place!

Since I mentioned selvedges, check out the giveaway on It's Sew Time facebook page today.  The prize is an amazing project book with lots of ideas on how to use up all the selvedges you have been saving.  I know I have a ton! 

Also, tomorrow is the October meeting of my lovely little guild, The Maritime Modern Quilt Guild
If you are looking for a great group of quilters to hang out with, why not come join us.  We would love to see you!
Lots of exciting quilting going on!  Get in touch if you need further info. 

I am linking up with The Needle and Thread Network for WIP Wednesday.  Stop by and check out all the Canadian Quilty Goodness.

I hope you have time to get some quilting done today and have a Happy Thanksgiving!