Beverly Hicks Burch's Blog

Mission Completed, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Mission Completed

By Beverly Hicks Burch

Many of you that have been following my blogs know that I started a project a few months back called The BamaSteelMagnolia™ Diaries. The concept is based on a book I picked up by Mimi Dietrich. A diary quilt tells the story of your life or what is important to you in quilt form or in “textile art”.

I’ve been told many times, by many people that I needed to write a book…and people, you don’t even know the latest…lol! So, I… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on October 27, 2009 at 11:37am — 11 Comments

Momma's Closet, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Momma’s Closet

By Beverly Hicks Burch

In 1986 I took up needle and thread and began a mostly self taught journey on the road to becoming a quilter or as some of the more “artsy” of our kind call themselves, “textile artist”. I was greatly inspired by the work of my maternal great-grandmother, Rebecca Shaffer McGee. Even though she passed away in 1971 a few months shy of her 97th birthday she had a lasting influence on me...one I dare say she would be surprised…and I hope… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on October 23, 2009 at 4:00pm — 9 Comments

South by Southwest©…in Pictures By Beverly Hicks Burch Well, it took just a little over seven months start to finish to complete our first joint project…but, YAY!...it’s done! Binding? Check! Rod po…

South by Southwest©…in Pictures

By Beverly Hicks Burch

Well, it took just a little over seven months start to finish to complete our first joint project…but, YAY!...it’s done! Binding? Check! Rod pocket? Check! Label? Check! See…I told you so…

Tall & Handsome and I began machine piecing the project on New Year’s Day 2009…a nice way to begin a New Year, right? I put the last stitch in the binding on Monday July 20, 2009…and… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on July 24, 2009 at 8:27am — 4 Comments

One Dairy Down, by Beverly Hicks Burch

One Diary Down

By Beverly Hicks Burch

I do apologize for the lack of postings lately. It has been an extremely busy spring and summer for me. I spent about a month away from home…had a doctor’s appointment and some personal “stuff” to take care of…some of which I’ll share later. But, all has not been quiet on the quilting front either!…

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Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on July 13, 2009 at 9:50am — 3 Comments

Blocks without Borders, by Beverly Hicks Burch

If you DO NOT have a sense of humor, please don’t read any further, because YES! this is a pun…a play on Doctors without Borders, Engineers without Borders, Teachers without Borders, Librarians without Borders, Journalists without Borders, TV Reports without Borders and any other wonderful, altruistic groups out there without Borders doing great and wonderful works for humankind.

You see, my head is too muddled from days and weeks of number crunching bills, tax… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on April 18, 2009 at 9:19am — 14 Comments

Just in Time for Easter, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Happy Easter everyone!

Easter has always been a special and blessed time for my family as we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. It also seems to carry with it the "official" beginning of Spring.

In the South the dogwoods seem to always "bloom" at Easter, but one of my other favorites splashes wonderful color across the landscape at this time and that would be the azaleas.

The ones around the deck finally bloomed...they are the large blossom azaleas which I… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on April 12, 2009 at 11:12am — 4 Comments

Two New Baby Southern Stars BOM, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Two New Baby Southern Stars BOM

By Beverly Hicks Burch

I’ve had a very productive week. T & H also has even though he arrived back home from a conference sick as a puppy dog. His temp was almost 101°!

Among the other things I accomplished this week were the completion of blocks number 9 and 10 of the Southern Stars block of the month (BOM). That leaves two more blocks to finish and then I can sash them and add borders!!

I picked up another batik… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on April 12, 2009 at 10:54am — 2 Comments

Quilt Room with a View, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Quilt Room with a View

By Beverly Hicks Burch

The expected high today is forecasted to be 74°. And, that’s not the warmest it’s been so far this March!

When I walked into my quilt room after lunch, I couldn’t help but notice the view. I was greeted by a decidedly cheery scene…Nature in change and announcing the season. Two of my favorite spring floras are beginning to bloom and show further signs that cold weather is behind us…for the most part…

The… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on March 24, 2009 at 10:29am — 7 Comments

South by Southwest, by Beverly Hicks Burch

South by Southwest©

By Beverly Hicks Burch

A major milestone has been completed. Back during the holiday season (2008) Tall & Handsome had two weeks of free time…home…uninterrupted…with me…

Yep, you can see this “working-out-of-town-for-the-week-and-coming-home-for-the-weekend” cycle is getting really old…fast…or slow in our case…since August. See, we celebrated our 5th anniversary in December and we enjoy and miss getting to spend a daily life together.… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on March 23, 2009 at 10:00am — 6 Comments

New Southern Stars are Born & EQ6… By Beverly Hicks Burch I know I’ve been quiet lately on the quilting front…at least on the blogging side. But, behind the scenes there has been some activity… One…

New Southern Stars are Born & EQ6…

By Beverly Hicks Burch

I know I’ve been quiet lately on the quilting front…at least on the blogging side. But, behind the scenes there has been some activity…

One of the things you learn to do when you have disabilities and chronic health issues is how to pace yourself. I learned that lesson a looooong time ago…I had to if I wanted to survive.

One of my favorite words? Laptop. I can drag that puppy up in the bed… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on March 14, 2009 at 8:34am — 7 Comments

Cradled, by Beverly Hicks Burch

When Tall & Handsome and I where on our trip to Arizona the camera got a good workout. We took more pictures than I could actually include in one blog.

Today’s picture is another picture of cacti (and a palm tree in the background if you look close enough). Here a Prickly Pear cactus is cradled by two Saguaro cacti.

This picture goes to illustrates how huge cactus can grow…and I mean enormous! The… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on March 4, 2009 at 12:16pm — 2 Comments

Arizona Pincushions, by Beverly Hicks Burch

This was a planter of "baby"cacti at a gas station outside of the Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ area. Tall & Handsome and I had pulled into the station to fuel up on our way towards Williams, AZ and our train trip to the Grand Canyon.

For an East Tennessee born, Alabama raised gal, who's lived her life in a humid, lush green environment, this is about as green as I saw out West. Yep, with cactus, big and small and silvery green scrub.… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on March 1, 2009 at 6:22am — 4 Comments

Stars 5 & 6 are Born, by Beverly Hicks Burch

The latest stars born in the BamaSteelMagnolia(TM) Southern Star universe are stars 5 & 6. Star 6 is one of my favorites so far. T & H is partial to star 5. Go figure...we all have our likes, huh? Do yall have a favorite so far (yours or mine)?

Southern Star BOM #5

Southern Stars BOM #6…

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Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on February 28, 2009 at 8:30am — 2 Comments

Different Mysteries, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Different Mysteries

By Beverly Hicks Burch

The thread has been flying and the machines have been humming recently in my quilt room. It has probably been the most used (wanted and loved) room in the house.

You see in addition to me finishing my first complete project in over three years, I have taken on an appliqué project,… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on February 27, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

The BamaSteelMagnolia(TM) Diaries - Chap 3: Compass Block or Where in the World is Bev?

The BamaSteelMagnolia™ Diaries – Chapter 3:

Compass…or Where in the World is Bev?

By Beverly Hicks Burch

What’s your idea of adventure? I realize the idea or concept of adventure is relative to each individual. To some a few dashes of habanera sauce over their food or going mustang one day when they forgot to wash their underwear (translate: they venture out the front door sans underwear ^-^…oh, yeah, it happens) is adventurous.

Now, I’ve never… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on February 23, 2009 at 9:30pm — 2 Comments

Stars 3 and 4 are born...oy vay...

Well, here they are Southern Stars 3 & 4.

I can tell you Star 3 made me think of the line from Common Sense"...these are the times that try men's soul..." I can tell you why, too. That darn pinwheel in the center. I wasn't pleased with the results the 1st time. The blocks sat in the quilt room from about a week whimpering and crying, "Fix me, I'm a wreck. I need more pop."

Don't you hate those voices...oh, wait, that's my OCD :/…

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Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on February 18, 2009 at 12:29pm — 3 Comments

Would you call it regurgitation?!

Occasionally I do some writing over at Helium.com. Well, today I couldn't help but notice a topic they were offering for discussion...and of course, I couldn't help but voice an opinion.

The supposition was this....Quilting: A creative process or pattern regurgitation.

My first thought was, "you've got to be kidding!" This topic must have been thrown out by a bunch of pinheads who thought it sounded "lofty" (no pun intended).

I had a few thoughts… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on February 17, 2009 at 8:20pm — 6 Comments

Star 1 and Star 2 are Born...

Well, yesterday and overnight two Southern Stars (BOM) were born in the BamaSteelMagnolia Universe.

Yep, after that marathon shopping trip and fabric washing I just couldn't wait to start. After picking the fabrics for the first two block, I set about cutting and sewing and "Viola" the results are below:

Southern Starts BOM #1

Southern Stars BOM… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on February 12, 2009 at 6:19am — 11 Comments

"Pressing" Onward with the BOM...Yes, I got My New Fabric

Yesterday my friend who I'm teaching to quilt and I went to a brand spanking new quilt shop in the Augusta, GA area. As far as I know this is the only quilt shop in the area with in at least a 60 miles driving distance. The shop opened Jan. 6th 2009 and is called Quilt Shop on the Corner. If you happen to be in the area you can find them downtown Augusta at 428 5th Street.

Shari and I had different ~~needs~~ wants when we went… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on February 11, 2009 at 6:47am — 7 Comments

The BamaSteelMagnolia(TM) Diaries - Chapter 2: Southern Belle and Yankee Puzzle or a House Divided Will Fall...

The BamaSteelMagnolia™ Diaries – Chapter 2:

Southern Belle and Yankee Puzzle…or a House Divided Will Fall…

By Beverly Hicks Burch

In her book A Quilter’s Diary: Written in Stitches, author Mimi Dietrich includes a section on “heritage”. Many of you would not be surprised to know I was drawn to that section. After all, genealogy is another passion of mine. I don’t know if we, as Southerners, are… Continue

Added by Beverly Hicks Burch on February 7, 2009 at 9:00am — 2 Comments

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