Happy July 4th

Happy Independence Day to all of my readers in the US who will be celebrating today.  This is the traditional day to have a backyard barbecue, and that is what we are doing this afternoon with family.    Here is the center of my table.  

The pattern for this table topper is in my Etsy shop.   I have one of these for every holiday plus others I've made.  Several I've given as gifts.

This is my Charming Hexagon Pillow done in patriotic fabrics.  The pillow uses 1 mini charm pack so if you've collected those like I have, here is a good use for them.  I just realized that I don't have a red, white and blue quilt.  I'll have to take care of that before next July 4th comes around.

I've put some pillows on the porch because we sit out there a lot.  It's also a great place for stitching.  

The pillow on the left below was an idea from my friend, Michele.  She came to English Paper Piecing group at Back Door Quilts with a pillow done like this in pretty Moda fabrics, and she had done big stitch quilting around each square with embroidery floss (or maybe perle cotton).  That was a fun project that also uses a mini charm pack.  I made the pillow on the right with 2 1/2" squares and embroidered a flag in the center.  The two little quilts are from the Little Quilts All Through the House book.  I still have my copy- published in 1993.    

I've also displayed my tea towel, a gift from Fiona who comes from England to attend our Shipshewana retreat in the fall.  The towel commemorates Queen Elizabeth IIs reign from 1952-2012.   It is a treasure even though it has nothing to do with our holiday.  Notice I have it back in a corner where it won't be used.    

If you want to see some cute patriotic decorations go to Janet's blog (roguequilter.blogspot.com).  Under her header, she has a link with a tutorial to make a tumbler flag.  I have cut some tumblers and still want to do that.

Keep Calm and Stitch On

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!