Saturday, January 30, 2010

Hospice Quilt-joint effort


Here is a picture of a beautiful quilt for our local Hospice. The vast majority of the piecing was done by a dear friend. She just did not fall in love with the fabric and grew weary of it.

I pieced the last 2 blocks and put it all together. Then onto my Handiquilter it went and VOILA--here is a beautiful quilt for some lovely lady.

Take a look in your house and see what blocks could go into a top. Get them out and moving into charity quilts. Exchange them with another quilter for a fresh new look. The result will be fabulous and you will feel much better to have them out of your house and helping someone else.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Fun with Quilts For Kids




I ordered another kit from Quilts For Kids. I also went through my stash and found a very cute camping themed fabric for a second one. They ask us if we can make one of our own to send back with the kit. I have PLENTY of fabric to chose from and love moving stash out the door in charity quilts.

After my problem with the wavy bottom border----I pinned the top this time. It turned out really well so I will not be skipping that step again.

Here is a picture of the back of one so you can see my quilting. I do them heavily as they will be put through hospital washers and dryers repeatedly.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Day and Night Number 2


I have fallen in love with this pattern and made another one. I like using white but now wonder if that is such a good idea. I hope it does not get dirty too often and make it have to be washed all the time.

I like trying out new patterns for these Quilts of Valor for 2010.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Day And Night Quilt


I bought the new book by Eleanor Burns and decided to make it in colors that are good for a military donation quilt. You need to have an accurate quarter inch for this pattern. It comes with its own special ruler and very detailed directions.

I had a great time making this and have cut another one out. I will tone down the colors a little bit by using white as one of the primary ones. There are lots of scraps and she has a pattern to use those up also. I just need to get the right ruler for that and it is on its way.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Quilt top from SunnyCalifornia





I am part of a wonderful online group of friends from all over the country. We share of love of quilting with our desire for a healthier lifestyle through Weight Watchers. We have get togethers often and share life's up and downs.

I hosted a Block of the month I found on the internet. Lots of beautiful blocks and a few finished tops were completed.

Janet F. who lives in Ca sent me this fabulous top she completed. I met her when my husband has a business trip there and I went along for fun. This quilt will be for our local Hospice. This is a hard one to give up for sure.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Baby Girl FUN



I just finished a quilt for a little baby to be born early this Spring. I used some of the Moda Avairy layer cake fabric I bought. I LOVE this line. The Mom is going to paint her room a light green so this is just perfect. I made up the simple pattern myself and added the roses that was left over fabric from another gift quilt.

I used fusible for the roses and stitched them down using a buttonhole stitch on my Janome. I usually hand applique but have so many quilts I want to get done I decided to take this shortcut. This is destined to be a wallhanging.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Piecing Hope Quilt




Welcome to Piecing Hope

The Piecing Hope Project makes quilts for children who have lost everything to AIDS. These quilts signify the value of each child to their community, to their country and to our world. We, the quilt makers, salute the value of each human life that God has chosen for this world. Piecing Hope is non-denominational, cross-cultural and multi-national.

I thought this was just a wonderful project and signed up to make one. I found some fabulous fabric that would be just perfect for the quilt. I tried feathers in one border and am getting better at those.

I was forced to come up with my own pattern to work in all these different pictures. I hope it brings a small measure of comfort to a little girl a long way from me.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Guild Quilting



I joined a lovely guild in our area. My area of interest other than just getting to know local quilters and have fun---is philanthropy. I head up that committee now and have quite a few nice tops that have been donated. We get sort of bogged down with the quilting progress so that is my goal for 2010. Get these lovely tops made into quilts and given away.

I was given 2 of these beautiful Irish Chains from the same lady. I have decided I will do one big guild top per month on my HQ. I make so many charity quilts start to finish that is what I feel I can commit to at this point.

I have gotten good with one style of leaves and flowers. I put these big flowers in the white sections and decided to add a little curly cue. It worked so now I have another design I can do.

Charity quilts are the PERFECT way to advance your quilting skill.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Maxine Strikes Again


I just love this character and she is right too many times.



Let me get this straight.

...we're going to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it,

Passed by a Congress that hasn't read it, but exempts themselves from it,

to be signed by a president that also hasn't read it and who smokes,

with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes,

all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese,

and financed by a country that's nearly broke.

What could possibly go wrong?

Friday, January 1, 2010

The Secret of Happiness




People will search all over the world and try to find the answer to the secret of happiness and life. I think the answer is so simple.

Just stop thinking about YOURSELF and do something for others. It is hard to focus on your problems when you are helping solve another persons. Most religions teach this in many different forms.

Chose something for this year and DO IT.

This is an older Quilt Of Valor from a couple of year ago. This year I am focusing on new patterns and not so much production sewing. this will help me stay interested and energized.