Life is like a patchwork quilt

Easy and FUN quilt

2012-01-18T10:36:00.002-05:00

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I hope I can get this video up as it looks like a whole bunch of FUN. I am going to pull out some strips and try this very soon.

Final Tally For 2011

2012-01-08T09:20:00.005-05:00

This is a picture of the last donation quilt I have made for the year 2011. I just used up a bunch of kid type charms and added yellow in between each of them.

I try very hard to take a picture of every quilt that I make. I added up the total number of quilts for last year. I made about 5-6 for myself or gifts. I am going to keep a journal this year every time I make a quilt and who it is for. Pictures are nice but I want a number easier than trying to count the pictures.

BUT--for 2011 I made 80 quilts for donation. I counted only those I did start to finish. MANY are quick kid ones using a panel. The went to the military, children at Fort Bragg, Hospice, our local children's ward at the hospital, a church cancer program, a church bazaar and the new woman's wing for our local Veterans Ward.

I am not trying to exceed that number this year as I love quilting and do not want to make it a race for a number. I will probably donate less as I am making some for a local auction. I need to raise money for all this postage and figure selling quilts is a good way.

I am fortunate enough to work just part time, have a wonderful Handiquilter machine (bought used on Craig's list) which makes quilting fun and fast. I have a large stash bought carefully from quilt shops offering deep discounts. I also have been given lots of fabric from guild members and online friends.

We are renters in our little house so renovations and yard projects are not possible. That may not be such a bad thing as it takes lots of money and time to accomplish those. Our kids are grown and no time is spent raising children. This all equals lots of sewing time for me. My family has plenty of quilts so I support my passion by giving them away.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T07:47:00.002-05:00

The whole wonderful year stretches out. I have not pissed someone off, hurt someone feelings or anything negative at all.

I wanted to share a letter with you all I received when requesting a destination for a Quilt Of Valor. I plan on supporting them this year as my main donation place. I hope to garner support from my wonderful local Quilt Guild for blocks. I can put them together in quilts easily.

We have a very important destination that needs constant filling. Paul, who is with one of the National Guard units working to medevac wounded soldiers out of the war zones, made the request and this is what he said when making the request:

1) most of the blanket are wool green ones and are good for many things, but not for warm dog-in-your-lap comfort (many of our wounded are tough birds, but many of them have commented to me about how awesome it was to have such a blanket to put their arms over and/or lean up against). No matter what our patient's situations, I think their psyche is 10 x more stressed about things in their situation. It is hard to explain, but their role as a military patient is full of uncertainty, waiting, pain, more waiting, longing for home, etc. Most of them are tough, hardened, etc., but they usually love the love and somehow those blanket do it for them much of the time.

2) we often run out of blankets for patients...we may have enough for them (or we may have pts. added onto our mission at a stop, and then we run out), but at times heaters malfunction or parts of the plane are hot and part cold, so one isn't enough very often. Even on training missions that are 2 hours out of Charlotte, I have been cold to the point of shivering while laying on a litter acting the part of a patient...these planes are cargo planes and not ideal for our countries today heroes

3) if Uncle Sam provided them, and they were the same blankets, they would not be looked at the same. When I gave out blankets to patients and they knew they were from someone in the U.S., (usually red, white and blue; some hand-made; some with paint hand prints; some with "We love you back home" written or sewed on), they loved them for that reason alone...someone made this / bought this for us and they like that.

MAQ Class Quilt DONE

2011-12-31T10:05:00.003-05:00

I go to a wonderful quilting retreat lesson type place every summer--- Mid Appalachian Quilters in N. Maryland. This quilt was one of the classes. I used a jellyroll and then my stash. It is bright and happy. I think it will go in the Summerseat Quilt Auction this Fall. I need to raise some money for all the postage I spend on my charity quilts.

I will be doing through all my quilts and deciding which one I can part with for the auction. I just cannot see them languishing in a closet. Most of my fun is in choosing fabric and a pattern. I have a large stash and love using it. I find fabulous deals on quilt shop fabric online and slowly built up lots of lovely fabric.

Some fun quilts for kids

2011-12-18T21:14:00.005-05:00

I have been catching up on my quilting the last week or so. These tops were done and just needed the quilting. I am practicing a new free motion stitch---swirl like designs.

The first one was a small panel. I just found some cute fabric to go with it. These will all go to various children's charities---either Fort Bragg or our local hospital.

I have really busted some stash this year. I hope to plow through lots more in 2012. I do occasionally buy more fabric when I find a really good bargain. I have used up way more than I bought and that is always my goal. Maybe next year I will keep track of what comes in and what goes out.

Sha Zam

2011-12-14T10:18:00.002-05:00

This is a quilt from a book by Debbie Caffrey called Delectably Simple Mountains. It is really easy and alot of fun. I can see others in my future. She makes patterns using just squares and an easy way to cut and sew them into quilts that look much harder than they are. That is my kind of pattern.

This will go to a child at Fort Bragg or our local hospital.

Fractured Nine Patch Pattern

2011-12-11T08:35:00.004-05:00

My friend Janet gave me this pattern and I LOVE it. I cut up all my fall Fabric into 5 inch squares. You can really use another size but I already had alot in this one. I still have lots of charms left and will make another as some point. The back is made from 10 1/2 inch squares.

This quilt will go to our local Hospice. I see more of these in my future.

First Pillowcase

2011-11-27T10:51:00.003-05:00

I really could not understand all the talk about making pillowcases. Then I saw a couple of fabulous ones at our sewing day at the library. Our guild gets together on Saturday once a month or so.

My friend Cathy gave me this darling fabric and I made a pillowcase with it this AM. I had the star fabric in my stash. I am HOOKED. This will go to a special little girl named Hailey in mid December. Plenty of time for her to sleep on it and dream of
Santa's visit.

Baseball Fun

2011-11-13T15:49:00.003-05:00

On my way to Lake Logan for our annual online retreat, I pass a Wal-mart with a fabulous fabric department. I sure wish we had one around here. I got some great kids fabrics there for backings for wonderful prices.

The top is all made from stash---which I STILL have too much of-and will make a little boy happy. I think I will send this to Fort Bragg for the Project Linus there. There is a great need for the military children at this base.

One For The Veteran Ladies-one for a child

2011-11-10T07:47:00.004-05:00

This second quilt is from a fabric exchange from my online friends. We sent out 10 inch squares of a light and dark fabric. This quilt will be given to the Veterans Home for the new ladies wing.

This is a cute little quick quilt from more of my large stash. The backing is the same as the border. This fabric was given to me from a generous guild member.

I am currently working on a Fractured Nine Patch in fall colors. I think I will use up that category of fabrics if I cut squares for the back. That will mean another empty section on the stash shelf.

Two More For The Soldiers

2011-11-06T07:00:00.005-05:00

This first quilt is from a pattern from the Moda Bake Shop. It was fun until I got to the point that I realized the blocks were no where near the same size. It is all bias edges and I am guessing that was one cause of the problem. I decided there was nothing else to do other than make them all the same size. So that is what I did.

I will NOT make this quilt again but in spite of many mistakes turned out very interesting looking.

The next quilt is from a pattern called Fractured Nine Patch. It is put together like a regular nine patch and then cut apart. I used up all my red white and blue charms and even had to cut more. This is really fun to make. I decided to sash the blocks to calm it down a bit. I ran out of that material and could not do the outer edges. I just decided to add an inner border.

I have several charm packs and will use them in this pattern. This one is a keeper.
The other one is in the recycle pile never to see the light of day from ME.

Few More Finished Quilts

2011-11-02T12:39:00.007-04:00

This quilt is made from the fabric of our friend Jan Mynatt who passed away from Breast Cancer this summer. It will be going to our local Hospice in her memory.

This quilt is for a child in the hospital.

Here is a couple more finished quilts. 3 of them are tops from my friend Janet who now lives in Arizona. We were together in North Carolina last month and she passed them along to me. A couple of borders and they were ready to load up for quilting.

The strip one is the jellyroll race pattern. The other two will be donated to our local Veterans Home for the new ladies wing.

Ketsup--as my friend Jan would say

2011-10-28T07:24:00.006-04:00

Life has gotten in the way of blogging for a bit. I have still been sewing and just behind on picture taking. These are a couple of quilts I have made recently.

The red, white and blue one is for a child. I had lots of half square triangles left over from another project and wanted to use them up. Mission accomplished. Another patriotic one is an easy fabric choice.

The next one is from a panel. I cut the squares apart and added a four patch. It would have been boring to just add borders.

I attended the annual fall gathering of all my online friends. I am holding a top made with the fabric from our friend who died this year from breast cancer. She was given excellent care in the end from Hospice and this will be donated to our local one in both our names. I am almost done quilting it---just need to make a label.

Arrow Quilt From Fabric Exchange

2011-09-12T11:42:00.004-04:00

A couple of years ago my online group exchanged 10 inch squares of light and dark fabric. I put it in a pretty box and totally forgot about it. I was cleaning out a cabinet and there it was. There are also a bunch of charms that will be used in the future.

I found a free pattern on the internet and tried it out. I cannot remember the link or would put in here. I do know it is by Anita Grossman and called Arrow something or other.

I ran out of the last border fabric and since it is so scrappy, just added something from my stash. I do not worry about those things too much with quilts I am keeping.

I will quilt this after our get together in North Carolina next month. It is much easier to pack a top than a finished quilt.

Pedal Pusher Quilt

2011-09-07T10:13:00.004-04:00

I purchased a book recently called Strip-Smart Quilts: 16 Designs from One Easy Technique (That Patchwork Place) by Kathy Brown.

I found a pattern in there called Pedal Pushers. It uses a jellyroll and I had a nice one sitting on my shelf. It went together quite well. If I were to make another, I would press the seams open as it gets thick in some places. There are several more patterns I would like to try.

I went to my huge stash and found a good fabric for the borders. I am not sure where this quilt will eventually go, but it is on the back of a loveseat in my living room. This seating it due to go to the dump as we replaced it with a new one. We bought it used and got more than our monies worth out of it.

Arizona and Maryland for a Veteran Lady

2011-08-31T11:26:00.004-04:00

My friend Janet sent me this beautiful top and back. This will be donated to our local Veterans Hospital for the new Women's Section.

I had the easy part to do in the quilting. I did a simple leaf and vine overall. I used Hobbs Polydown as it is a little puffier than cotton.

I just love how she did the border. It is hard to get a picture of the whole thing as it is big.

Fort Bragg Bound

2011-08-21T06:42:00.004-04:00

I had started a log cabin quilt and it was going to be big. I got tired of it and decided to see what I could do with the blocks already made. I hate UFO's in a drawer. I put them together and thought there was too much white and it was boring for a child.

I have the wonderful Accuquilt cutting system and 2 cute dies for a dog and a cat. I used a fusible that allows you to sew through it. So I added the cat and dog which makes it a fun quilt.

Next I had a beautiful panel that an online friend had sent me. Sad to say, I have forgotten just who it was. But it is so easy to add borders and have a really lovely quilt. I am always amazed how lovely these panels quilts are.

These quilts are sent to an online friend who is a member of Project Linus that supports Fort Bragg families

More Layer Cake Fun--the right way

2011-08-16T10:20:00.003-04:00

I had cut LOTS of squares from all my bright fabric. Her is a quilt following the pattern the right way. This is fun to make and easy easy easy.

I have one more large quilt to get quilted. Then I think it is time for some smaller ones for a bit. I have a few log cabin blocks that I will play with for a child's quilt.

Layer Cake Fun

2011-08-09T09:29:00.002-04:00

I watched a video from the Missouri Star Quilt Company to make a quilt out of the Moda Pre cuts called Layer Cakes. I have plenty of stash to cut up and make my own assortment.

I have been buying lots of bright fabric online at several online shops. Some were assortments and other just odd pieces. I gathered up 20 of these as the patterns calls for 40 pieces. I figured they would be used twice. I was happy to see they all looked happy and fun together.

I proceeded to cut through all 40 to then realize that I had cut them wrong. Not a huge problem as I can still make a fine quilt out of them. I have another stack and will do the next quilt following the directions carefully.

I really like this quilt and find it extremely cheerful. My taste in fabric has really changed since I first started quilting about 5 or 6 years ago. I may not choose these type of colors for a quilt in my home but think they are just perfect for charity quilts. They just look plain happy.

Veterans Quilt

2011-08-04T17:29:00.003-04:00

Our local Veterans Home is opening a new ward for women. They would like 18 twin sized quilts for each bed. I found a pack of charms and some fabric that would work well with them. I sewed a center and then just kept adding borders. This is a great way to move out some stash and force me to do a little designing instead of depending on a pattern all the time.

The center section should look lovely on top of the bed and the borders for the sides and bottoms. I used the Hobbs Polydown batting. It gives some dimension to the quilting and makes it a little puffier.

I would really like to see my stash turn over about every 3 years to keep it fresh and new. This moved some out for sure.

Quilt Camp Project

2011-08-02T11:43:00.002-04:00

I took a class from Carol Blevins at MAQ Quilt Camp. It was called Perfecting Patchwork or something like that. It is about precision and excellence--something I sadly lack.

This is one of the blocks in the class. It is done with freezer paper and careful attention to grain line of the fabric. I am really amazed that I did Y seams so easily.

Book Made Into Quilt

2011-07-29T10:13:00.003-04:00

This panel had me stumped for a bit. It was meant to be made into a book for a child. There were a couple of sections that just would not work for a quilt. I wanted it fast so did not want to sash all the sections. This meant just turn it into a middle and add borders.

This panel was given to me by a generous guild member. The rest of it came from stash. It is very slowly being used up. I do not ever want to have no stash but like having room to add fresh and new fabric.

I buy most of my fabric online as deeply discounted prices. I like quilt shop fabric even for charity quilts but simply cannot afford retail prices.

2 Cute Kids Quilts

2011-07-27T07:43:00.003-04:00

I have 2 packs of those triangle precuts. I cannot remember what they are called. BUT I took one and just sewed them together into a square. I then took some stash fabric and cut the same size square.

Easy quilts but I managed to get one of the rows turned around. This is destined for the hospital and I doubt anyone will examine it that closely.

The other quilt is from a bunch of panels that were donated to me by a guild member. I just use stash in bright colors and lots of contrast to get it into a quilt. EASY button for sure and fun to make.

Using up Patriotic Fabric

2011-07-11T11:00:00.004-04:00

I have a big shelf of red white and blue fabric. I have decided that is the next area I want to do some destashing. I do not want to use it UP but get it into quilts so I can buy more.

These are a couple of more quilts for the children at Fort Brag. I have a box open and when it is filled, I can mail it off. I had some time off from work so got a couple done quite quickly.

I LOVE that flag fabric and it was a generous donation from a friend. I still have several yards left of it.

Fort Bragg Bound

2011-07-07T11:45:00.004-04:00

I am sending some children's quilts for distribution to the children of military families at Fort Bragg. It occured to me that they might very well like patriotic fabric. I sure have LOTS of that so put this cute will quilt together.

I can do this pattern in 5 hours from cutting it out to taking the picture. I would never be able to say that if I did not have my HQ16 for the quilting part. The pattern allows you to showcase a good sized square of fabric as it is cut 8 inches. They it is just easy nine patches and a couple of borders.

I can pack about 7 quilts in a box and shipping is about $12.00. Not bad at all.

Bliss Really IS Bliss

2011-07-06T10:00:00.004-04:00

I bought a jellyroll of the fabric line called Bliss from Moda online. My local quilt shop had yardage of this fabric. I bought a few pieces of that and had no idea what I would do with it.

I decided to use an easy strip pattern and my Strip Ruler to cut triangles of the sewn fabric. This is a really fun pattern and quite easy. I wanted the fabric off my shelf.

I had enough fabric to use it for the back also. I never buy backing to match the front because it is expensive. But I did this time at a 40 per cent off sale at my quilt shop a few months ago.

This quilt will go on the back of the love seat in our house. I just love the result.
I used the Hobbs Polydown for the batting and really like the dimension it gives to the quilting. I bought a BIG roll and really like this batting---thank goodness. It makes really lovely baby quilts.

Little Farm Animals

2011-07-03T09:14:00.002-04:00

I am continuing to sew up this lovely donated fabric from Joan. This is cute little farm animals. I pulled the rest from stash. I wanted enough for the backing so needed to find something else for the borders. They were already cut from something else---who knows what???

I am also on a decluttering mission. I usually get rid of something I have not touched in 2 years. BUT I still had things sitting around from my teacher life...like plastic baskets, etc. They went off to the thrift shop yesterday. And a HUGE big black plastic bag sits waiting for the dump.

We have a LARGE basement in this rental house and other than Christmas decorations and yard type stuff, I hope to have nothing down there of mine. I am getting close.

Hospice Quilt for a Man

2011-06-28T10:32:00.004-04:00

I am still working on the large donated fabric. Panels are VERY quick and easy. My next project is for a gentleman that likes to fish or hunt. I have some more fish panels so will be able to make at least one more. Those will need to be sewed together so will take a little more time.

I would call the fish the front but it is really reversible so would be up to the recipient. I hope it brings back some fond memories of happier times.

Panel Quilts

2011-06-22T08:49:00.004-04:00

A wonderful lady from my guild gave me quite a bit of fabric from her stash. She is my liaison for the quilts our guilds delivers to the local hospital for the children.

I like the challenge of designing from one panel and have made these cute quilts. It uses up stash also and teaches me more about color.

Thanks Joan.

Farewell to a Great Friend

2011-06-07T19:30:00.002-04:00

Our quilting internet group has been together for quite a few years. Many of us have met and had wonderful times together. One of our sweetest has been fighting Breast Cancer for close to a year. It was a bad diagnosis from the beginning but we were hoping she could beat the odds. Sadly this was not the outcome.

Save a place for all of us Jan at the great quilting frame in heaven.

Cowboy Hat Fun

2011-05-23T07:58:00.002-04:00

I decided to go through my stash and pull some fabric for little boys. I found this very cute cowboy hat and decided to add stars as the other fabrics. I used the Quilt For Kids pattern. From start to finish it took about 5 hours.

This quilt will go to our local hospital to cheer up a little fella.

Panels And Charms

2011-05-22T06:41:00.003-04:00

I just love those charm packs and bought one at my local quilt shop a few months ago. I decided to add some of my fabric to it and make a child's quilt for the local hospital. It is fun but I thought it was a little short. I looked through my panels and found a cute one to go across the top.

I have found it so much easier to find cute little girl fabric. But I have decided that I need to make a few little boy quilts. I am tired of military quilts after putting together so many of those donated blocks.

I love my newly purged sewing room and intend to keep it that way. I have a system to deal with scraps now. I have some nice containers and will toss the smaller ones in there. Once it is filled, it will go with me to my guild meeting to be auctioned off to members. I save the larger ones in precut sizes I know I will use.

My Favorite Colors

2011-05-19T13:51:00.003-04:00

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When I discovered quilt shop fabric I fell in LOVE with blue and yellow. I collected quite a bit and enjoyed it sitting on my shelf.

I decided to make a quilt to auction off at our guild yard sale and auction next month. I chose on an easy pattern that would show off with lovely fabric. I did not want to cut it into a million little pieces.

I used The Wicked Easy Quilt pattern I found on the internet. I love this so much it is going to be hard to give away. The goods news if I have enough fabric for at least 2 more.

This is close to the size of a twin bed. I would make a lovely over sized lap quilt.

Fun With Pillow Panels

2011-05-03T06:37:00.003-04:00

I was given a generous donation of fabric from a friend in my guild. There are lots of those pillow panels in it. I made these 2 quilts from them and really love the one with the teddy bears in the center. It is fairly quick to make and lots of fun.

The one with the cat was using part of 2 charm packs. I love those little pre cuts but have a hard time using them. They just look cute sitting on a shelf in my sewing room.

These will go to our local hospital for the children.

Charm Pack Fun

2011-04-27T10:44:00.005-04:00

I have quite a few charm packs and decided that is my next category of fabric to use. This quilt is made from 2 of them from Moda Cause something or other. It was a little dark so I chose a red inner border. I chose a blue that would complement the charms. On the back is a lovely Moda fabric that has been sitting on my shelf for way too long. I forgot to take a picture of that but it is a big print called Chocolate.

This will go to our local Hospice. I did my meander leaf design for the quilting because it is fast and easy.

I have about 12 or more packs left and some are quite bright. They go together really quickly and are a fun mindless project. I have some cute pillow type panels that I will try to incorporate with them for quilts for children. I am math challenged but after I get a row done I can figure out how to get in the pillow panel for a center medallion type.

I did a good purge of some fabric, rulers and other quilt supplies for a charity quilt group north of me. I ended up with 2 big boxes and will prolly have another by the time they get picked up. Since I got my Accucut I do not need so many different rulers.

Jellyroll Fun

2011-04-10T11:20:00.004-04:00

I had another jellyroll sitting on my shelf and was able to get 2 quilts out of this one. It is not my favorite fabric line but makes a nice quilt for a giveaway. The larger one will go to our local Hospice and the smaller one for the pediatric ward at the hospital.

I was able to use the last on my Laurel Burch cat fabric from a long time ago to brighten up the child's one a bit. It was sort of small so I just added some borders. I LOVE being able to sort of design quilts to get them to the size I want.

This is the E. Burns Twice As Nice pattern which I just love. There is a little left over trimmings that could go into another quilt even smaller.

I just returned from a fabulously successful shopping trip to Joannes. They have my VERY favorite sale. You get 50 per cent off the already reduced fabric. I go for the $3 a yard fabric for quilt backs. I have gotten some really nice fabric at this sale as feel it first and will not buy unless it is a nice quality. This was lots of cute kids prints and as always hard to find boys stuff.

Accuquilt Small Tumbler

2011-04-05T12:09:00.004-04:00

One of my guild friends made a quilt with the small accuquilt tumblers. I loved it and ordered it online through Amazon with a really good price.

I picked scraps that were pastel in nature---pretty much. Once I sewed the top together it just seems a little short. I went through my panels and found this cute one. I put one on top and one of bottom but then it was too long and narrow. I removed the bottom one and it is just perfect.

I love the teardrop quilting pattern but it is time consuming and uses ALOT of thread. This time I went slow and made the sections much farther apart. This is really nice for charity quilts and gives me lots of practice.

This will go to a child in our local hospital.

Another Sliced Bread

2011-03-29T06:11:00.002-04:00

I still had lots of strips left over from the honeybun and made another quilt in the pattern. I had to add some of my stash fabric to get an even number.

I decided it was too short and put in a top and bottom extra border. I hate the way they look when just slapped on so have come up with this way to add one. This ice cream fabric line was purchased at Joannes for a fabulous price. I LOVE the sales of the discounted fabric when they have you take off 50 per cent. I got 3 good sized pieces for $1.50 a yard.

Sliced Bread Quilt

2011-03-22T09:03:00.002-04:00

I ran across this free pattern and decided to try it out using a Moda Honeybun I had sitting in my stash. I have enough for another one and really enjoyed making this quilt. I used yardage for the border and last row on each block. Here is the free pattern. I tweaked it a little to allow some squaring up on each block.

http://www.wilmingtonprints.com/PImages/Pdf_121.pdf

This will go to our local hospital for the children.

Six Fat Quarters

2011-03-13T16:52:00.004-04:00

I discovered a new to me free pattern online. It is made with 6 fat quarters and then some fabric for borders. I have had fun making a bunch of charity quilts in this pattern. Unfortunately I cannot find this pattern again on the internet. Thank goodness I saved a copy for myself.

Chocolate Lollipop Quilt

2011-03-07T09:41:00.003-05:00

A dear friend is the mother of the talented fabric designer Anna Marie Horner. This is one of her earlier fabric lines. I saw it in Whittles online store for a fabulous price and bought the fat quarter pack and a couple of half yard cuts.

This is the Wicked Easy free online pattern. Anna Marie is spearheading an initiative
to make quilts for the victims of the Nashville floods. this will go to that cause.

More Tumbler Die Fun

2011-02-07T11:11:00.005-05:00

I decided to cut up all my 1930's fabrics into the tumbler shape. I am not even sure why I bought these but they have not been used much.

Once again, these quilts went together super fast and I figured out the border sizes for future ones. This will bust all that stash and produce about 4 - 6 more quilts for the children at our local hospital.

I tried the teardrop free motion quilt pattern on these and really like that. I spaced the shapes far enough apart that the quilt will be soft and not quilted into a board.

Scrappy Tumbler

2011-02-01T12:53:00.005-05:00

I received the Accuquilt Tumbler die and decided to work on busting some scraps and cut up fat quarters. I cut them very quickly with my accuquilt which I totally love. I used the pattern that came with the die.

I think the next one I will make will have borders. They have you quilt it and then trim off the odd shapes on the sides. I just like the way a border finishes a quilt.

I have a bunch of small pieces of 1930's kid type fabrics all cut and ready to go on a few small quilts for our hospital. These are so much fun and so quick to put together.

This quilt will be donated to our local Hospice through my guild. I did a leafy vine for the quilting. The teardrop and scallop takes a long time and alot of thread.

Wicked Easy Quilts

2011-01-29T15:24:00.006-05:00

One of my favorite patterns and very easy is called Wicked Easy. Here is the website where you can find this pattern. I have changed the border as I did not like the way the pattern was written. Sometimes I did not have enough fabric when cutting out the project for the scrappy border. I just add some fabirc of mine.

http://www.byannie.com/

The large one is made out of a box full of fat quarters I received at our guild Christmas Party. It was a lovely gift and turned into a beautiful quilt. This will go into my stash of finished quilts for just the right charity or gift. It is just a matter of time.

The 2 small ones will go to our local hospital for the children. They were fun to make and a good way to whittle down some stash.

This is a new quilting pattern learned from a guild friend. Thanks Kathie---I love this. It is a teardrop with scallops. I get lost in it and boxed in sometimes but just keep on going.

Next In The Parade

2011-01-23T08:08:00.002-05:00

Here are 2 more quilts from the donated blocks from Thousand Of Bolts. I decided to add some top and bottom fabric after making the first one. Slow and steady wins the race.

Lots Of Donations In This Quilt

2011-01-17T10:54:00.003-05:00

I think that the more hands that go into charity quilts, the more love is shared. This quilt is a perfect example of this.

The blocks come from the fabric selling site Thousands Of Bolts. They used to sell those high end basket liners. They sent me a BIG box full of these. I was really a stumped how to use them. The first job was to square them up to uniform and usable sizes for quilts. That alone was a big job. Next was to figure out how to get them into tops. I tried a couple of different ways and got many tops sewed.

This is the first one totally finished. The backing is from a member of my guild-Pax River Quilters. The blocks from Thousands of Bolts. The border I think I bought but that may have been a donation also. The binding is from a friend named Dee who sent me a large amount of patriotic fabric. This was a little stiff for a quilt but fabulous for binding. My friend Shelia brought her Accuquilt and the die for 2 1/2. We cut a huge amount at our library sewing day.

And last but not least, my dear friend Polly sent me a lovely fabric that I put on the top and bottom to get it a little longer. I still have more of that and it will be used for this on many more tops.

This quilt will ultimately end up Andrews for our wounded military returned home.

Old Towne Stitchery Block of the Month

2011-01-14T14:00:00.002-05:00

Our brand new quilt shop----As of last year---gave out one block each month. At the end of the year the finished quilts would be displayed in the shop. You had to use their fabric and the blocks were 6 inches.

I decided to use a line of fabric that would be suitable for a Quilt for our wounded military. I needed it to be larger so just made the blocks 12 inches instead. Most of them for very easy but for some odd reason, I had trouble with the bowtie pattern.

But the quilt is finished and ready for the display in the shop. I used up every bit of fabric in the scrappy border.

Rosebud Lane Finally Quilted

2011-01-09T19:07:00.003-05:00

In 2008 I joined a block of the month club. This provided all the fabric and the pattern each month. It was quite expensive but I just loved the quilt. I had a wonderful time making this and then put it up on a wall in the hallway. I wanted to get good enough at my quilting to be able to do a good job.

My Father In Law had a wonderful expression "God hates a coward" that he used to say to me when we played cards. The time was NOW to get this quilt done.

It is not perfect but is surely perfectly lovely.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK---here is me back again ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH. There is a big boo boo on this quilt and I do not mean some little quilting thing. See if you can find it. I can assure everyone I will NOT be ripping out the quilting to find it.

This sat pinned up on a wall for over a year and I never noticed. But it was in a hallway so I could not stand back. I hope generations will enjoy this quilt and get a laugh out of the boo boo I made on it. It is a quilt--not a brain that I must have right if I were a surgeon.

Star Exchange Quilts--Last UFO of 2010

2011-01-01T11:08:00.004-05:00

I hosted an star exchange block with some of my online friends. We were to use white, blue and green mainly. You could use any star pattern you liked. I FINALLY got mine put all together and quilted. I LOVE it.

I have a small TV in the bedroom and a chair from my Mom. This will be my quilt to cover up when in there. We keep the bedroom quite cold.

I had to learn to go to sleep without the TV on and Chas had to learn to sleep in a frigid bedroom. Compromise at its best.

I still have a huge pile of donated patriotic blocks to put into quilts. I also have a few orphan blocks but have found out it is good to hold onto a few. I sometimes hear of a charity wanting blocks for a project and then can send one right off.

So I have a fresh start to 2011. I have a couple of Block of The Month projects to stay caught up with throughout the year.

Lizzie House Exchange Blocks

2010-12-30T11:39:00.003-05:00

I am on a quest to rid myself of any and all UFO's. I do not let myself get many as it slows down my creative process. While going through my drawer of where they would be---I found these darling blocks from some online friends. We did an exchange of our houses in a quilt block.

In no time at all, I had this darling wallhanging for the dining room.
this is where my laptop is and I wanted to be able to see it all the time.

I completed another top from exchanged blocks and it is on the HQ right now. Aside from some orphan blocks I will enter 2011 without any UFO's. I do have a couple of projects in progress but work on them. I also have a patriotic log cabin in the works.

I started quilting from the internet for lots of learning. I read about all these UFO's and just did not want to let that happen to me. I am learn from other people quite easily.

Fun With Dick and Jane

2010-12-27T07:04:00.002-05:00

I had bought this cute panel quite sometime ago because I fell in love with it. I learned to read using those books. I have a young friend in Massachusetts with the most darling little girl you can imagine. There is the perfect combination.

I wanted to user the flying geese die in my accuquilt so I have to reduce the size of the panel. But all this fabric was used from stash. I buy quilt shop fabric mainly from discount places online at deep discounts. Sometimes a good sale at Joannes will result in a buying spree.

I love having lots of fabric on hand as long as it does not exceed the places I have to keep it.

Quilt For My Beautiful Daughter

2010-12-26T08:06:00.003-05:00

I had been collecting Batik Fat Quarters for a few months. I had also bought a couple of one yard cuts from a great sale. I decided to try the Drunkards Path using the templates from Back Porch Designs. There was a class using these at quilt camp this summer.

I was surprised at how easy they were to sew even tough it had curves. I used up all the scraps in the border.

The thread in my HQ broke a couple of times so I changed to a #18 needle---problem solved. I think that will be my standard needle from now on as I did my Christmas quilt using that and not one breakage.

Christmas Flying Geese

2010-12-22T14:39:00.003-05:00

After trying out my wonderful Accuquilt, I decided to take all my Christmas fabric and make a giant Flying Geese quilt for our bed. I had a drawer full in a small dresser and just cut and sewed. It is really easy with this cutter.

I made up my own pattern as I went along. I still have a small amount of Christmas Fabric left but bet it is not more than 2 - 3 yards.

I love this quilt and am happy I got it finished before Christmas. I had a wide backing that was the right size. It was a little difficult quilting it until I figured out how to roll such a big piece. It needs some help in the middle section to keep it going along as it should.

LOVE My Accuquilt Go

2010-12-15T12:53:00.004-05:00

I hesitated for a long time whether to buy ones of these. I found a great deal and decided to purchase it. It is really a fabulous machine. I purchased the dies that make a flying geese unit. This takes a long time the old way. Here is what the units look like when they are cut.

I made a quilt from them using up all the scraps of red white and blue. The center sections are some new fabric from my friend DEE. This is also the last border. I made another one but it is a Christmas gift and I will post a photo later in the month of this.

Quilt For a Soldier

2010-12-08T07:54:00.002-05:00

I received a lovely gift of some fabric by a friend. This pattern---Day and Night---by E. Burns takes quite a bit. I had plenty to make this lovely quilt for one of our military heroes.

Thanks Dee.

Next childs quilt

2010-11-22T11:02:00.002-05:00

Here is another one I have done. I love these fast projects. This one has a chicken theme.

New childrens quilts

2010-11-18T10:55:00.003-05:00

I have not been blogging for a bit but still quilting up a storm. I will share some of the children's quilts I make for our local hospital---one each day until I run out.

This is the pattern from Quilts For Kids and I just love it. You can really see the cute prints in the large square. This one is a pirate theme.

Fun New Quilt

2010-11-16T14:30:00.003-05:00

I met some online friends at the Lancaster Show this Spring and picked up the pattern for this very cute quilt. I am not sure what I will do with it but am thinking it will be donated to my friends Project Linus for an auction. It was fun to make and used up some of my 1930's fabric.

It is a pattern by Darlene Zimmerman and used fusible applique. My Janome 6600 does a really nice blanket stitch around it..

Quilts From My Retreat

2010-10-13T11:48:00.009-04:00

I was able to piece 4 tops while in North Carolina. I forgot to take a picture of 2 of them that are for the Nashville flood victims. But I thought I would show you the quilts I have been making the last month or so----all charity.

These go to our local hospital and the children that need an extra hug.

Retreat Fun in North Carolina---Lake Logan

2010-10-04T09:16:00.005-04:00

I just returned from my 3rd annual quilt retreat with friends who met on the internet. We met on a Weight Watchers Quilters thread originally.

This is the most wonderful place to eat, sew and just enjoy eachother. One of our members is fighting breast cancer so we all have t shirts in honor of Jan. Here are some pictures from our fabulous time together.

Log Cabin Love

2010-09-24T07:16:00.001-04:00

I have several of these center panels and have a hard time knowing how to use them. There was a pattern for a log cabin on the Quilts Of Valor website. Most of my patriotic fabric was printing all over so I needed to buy some fat quarters for this quilt.

I LOVED making this and really love how it came out. I think I have enough strips for another one already cut.

Our Country

2010-09-17T07:12:00.006-04:00

The rally I went to was very political in nature. But the part that I thought was most wonderful was that we live in a country where people can speak their mind---protest what they think is wrong.

Our military are fighting for this right of free speech even if it against them.

And to my Senator Barbara Mikulski-who told me I did not understand the bail out money situation-----
We are coming for you. Get it right or get out of my house. You represent your voters and we told you NO.

Trip To Washington

2010-09-14T06:12:00.006-04:00

I spent the week end in Washington DC to attend a 9/11 Memorial service and a rally. My friend from North Carolina---Hi Debbie------came up with a group on a bus. I will write about lots of different things about this week end in the coming days.

On Saturday afternoon we decided to visit the World War 11 Memorial. As we approached we noticed a large crowd of military people and older men and women. We figured out that this was a group from the Honor Flights. This is an organization that provides free trips to Washington for Veterans of World War 11 to see the memorial to them---long over due.

They send a person to accompany them on the trip as their caregiver and support. What I did NOT know is that a local military person volunteers to greet their flight and is their guide for the whole trip.

I will share some of the photos of this moving experience. There is much wrong in the world and the media is MORE than happy to tell us about that. Here is one of a million things RIGHT about our beloved country.

Fall Fun

2010-09-05T07:39:00.004-04:00

I saw a picture of this quilt on a photo site. I just LOVED it and printed out a picture. I thought it would be easy to re create and did not need any directions. I am happy to be able to do that in my quilt making journey. All of this was made from stash fabric.

I decided it was time to try darker thread that would show up on the white parts. My Father In Law used to say "God hates a coward" all the time.

I am able to make a border in the sides now and have the thread path go from section to section with an invisible join---or almost. It just takes lots of practice to get better at this.

Another Try at This Pattern

2010-09-01T06:59:00.004-04:00

I had ordered some of the patriotic strips from Connecting Threads. I wanted to see the quality of them. They were cut very well but the fabric was not my favorite. But if would be just fine for this design.

This is the way the center is supposed to be. I had used up all their fabric line and decided to add some pretty fabric for borders and make it easy for myself.

The quilting goes quickly since my Handiquilter and I have bonded so well. I seldom have thread breakage anymore and that used to slow me down.

Center Medallion

2010-08-29T06:43:00.003-04:00

I have a pattern from Quilt In A Day that is for a large medallion type center. I finished that and realized I had made a mistake on it. But even a quilter would prolly not know what it was. So I combined the disappearing 9 patch blocks with this and ended up with this quilt.

I moved out more stash from the bright red white and blues. I also managed to quilt this one without one thread breakage on my Handiquilter. I do not think that has ever happened and I quilt really fast. If I slowed down some it would prolly work better.

There are 3 mistakes in this quilt but they are design type ones so it will be just fine. I made another center the right way so I will come up with a quick way to finish that top today.

More 9 Patch Fun

2010-08-28T07:02:00.002-04:00

I just love this pattern and went through all my 5 inch charms for sports fabric. I also had some smaller pieces of fabric for that. This quilt will be for our local emergency room for a teen.

Disappearing Nine Patch

2010-08-21T11:29:00.004-04:00

I have seen versions of this pattern and never really liked it. I tried a couple of blocks and it was just too busy for my taste. Then I saw one where 4 of the blocks were a plain light color and one dark in the middle. It was hard to believe this was made out of just 5 inch charms.

I had a 20 pack of charms and added some of mine that would be a pretty good match. This quilt will go to the emergency room at our local hospital for a teen. We had a special request for some of these.

I have enough charms in a sports theme to make another one.

Here is the website where I found this wonderful version---

http://www.joscountryjunction.com/?p=1732

Block of the Month

2010-08-12T06:48:00.006-04:00

My little online quilting community did a free block of the month last year. We picked our own fabric and I would post pictures of them each month. It was lots of fun and I gave my finished one to a very dear friend of my husband. He lives in Wisconsin and DH visited them this summer.

One gal chose to do her in red white and blue. She was going to donate the blocks to me to finish for a Quilt Of Valor. After I got this done all I could think about is how perfect it would be for her Marine son. I have learned to listen to that small voice telling me where certain quilts should go. He is deployed somewhere in the sand box protecting us day and night.

So here is the beauty all done except for sewing down the binding on the back. We will be together in North Carolina next month for a retreat and I will bring it to her there.

As soon as I put a quilt on the floor to measure for backing or batting, one of both of the dogs must inspect it close up. Here is Bogie doing just that. It passed HIS inspection---------------------whew.

Summer Wallhanging

2010-08-10T07:11:00.002-04:00

I was looking through my quilting books and found this cute little summery wallhanging. Having such a large stash, it was easy to find fabrics for it.

The starfish is from a friend from Florida when we met for our once a year retreat in North Carolina. I added the crab from some online coloring book shape.

We had a request from our local hospital for some quilts for teens in the emergency room. I will check my stash for fabric and that will be my next project for piecing.

MORE Jellyroll Fun

2010-08-08T07:28:00.004-04:00

I have 3 more jellyrolls in my stash and decided to use one of these on this project. This is another fun and easy quilt. It will be going to Anna Marie Horner's Nashville project via her Mom. I will meet up with her on our online retreat in North Carolina next month.

I pieced the back using 4 different fabrics from my stash. The border also came from my shelf as well as the binding. the binding fabric was a gradient type that I had a hard time figuring out how to use. It came from an online store and I did not realize that is what it was. But it is perfect for this quilt.

Stash moving on out is a good thing.

Pictures from Africa

2010-08-05T06:52:00.003-04:00

I think I posted the picture of the quilt I made for Piecing Hope. This was a project organized by a church in New Hampshire for an orphanage in Africa.

These children have been orphaned due to the Aids epidemic. There were pictures and stories of the children. I chose the one I wanted and made her a quilt. Here are the pictures of her after she received it. We make many charity quilts and seldom hear anything about where they end up. But it sure is nice when we do.

Learn while making charity quilts

2010-07-28T06:41:00.004-04:00

I found a bunch of blue charms (5 inch squares) that were exactly the same. I do not even remember cutting them. I had seen pictures of a pattern called Split 4 patch and decided to make one of those using white scraps. This project will go to the guild member whose son is taking them to children in the war zone.

I had enough for 2 small quilts and decided to try quilting them on one continuous piece of backing. This involved piecing a back using 3 different fabrics. It is all about using up stash.

I floated the tops (meaning not pinning them to the leaders on the HQ). I used blue thread so the pretty stitching would show for the children to see the stars.

This worked really well and something I will try again when making small items. I have fallen in love with quilting podcasts and am listen to one called Within A Quarter Inch. I am wayyyyyyyyyyy behind but started from the first. I scarely notice the time passing when I am quilting and listen to this witty and smart young lady.

Patriotic kaleidoscope

2010-07-25T09:44:00.002-04:00

I saw a picture of a similar quilt on some online photo gallery. I immediately wanted to make this quilt. I already had a ruler from another project. I also figured out I could make these blocks using 5 inch squares. I had cut up a large number of these from left over fabric.

I loved making the individual sections and the blocks. BUT when I went to line up the block and rows--not so much. I had trimmed the blocks to 8 inches but some of the subsections did not quite line up. But I figured in such a busy quilt it would just not be noticed enough to worry about it.

Then I had the dilemma of how to quilt this. I did not want to lose the piecing so I did a wiggle stitch (meaning I cannot do a straight line so devised this instead) around lots of the sections and blocks. I backtracked all the time to avoid stop and starting which I hate.

I am not sure where this will end up. I really love my quilts going local so it may end up at our Veterans home for Hospice. Or sometimes just the right place turns up at the right time.

I doubt I will make another one but you never know. I used up all the 5 inch charms and even had to cut some more.

Neutral Fun

2010-07-21T10:16:00.005-04:00

I decided to purchase the Alex Anderson book about making a neutral quilt. This is not my usual color pallette but I have seen a couple that are really beautiful.

The one I chose to make is called Suzanne. It is really quite an easy pattern that produces some very interesting diagonal eye candy. I have enough of this fabric to make at least one more.

I tried to get a picture of the quilting design I did on the white border and in many places on the quilt. This is an flower and leaf pattern that I developed and can do easily now. It just takes practice.

These blocks are not made the way they look when the quilt is finished. It is much easier than it looks.

Quilt Ladder

2010-07-06T08:25:00.004-04:00

I have wanted a way to display quilts that does not take up a huge amount of space. My husband designed and built this ladder. He is now working on one that is very old fashioned looking and another great design.

The center quilt is for Quilts Of Valor. The 2 baby ones are just because I wanted to make a couple of baby quilts. The right recipient will always come along.

I figure I will display my seasonal quilts on it and will look for some sommery looking ones today.

Happy Fourth of July

2010-07-04T10:22:00.002-04:00

I have had these eagle pillow type panels for quite some time. I had not good at figuring out the math needed to incorporate them into a quilt. But when I was making 6 inch stripy blocks I could see they would quite quite well.

I really love this and have several more so I can make these using up strips that are 2 1/2 inch in my scrap type box. I cut them that size when I am almost out of the fabric piece. I am not a big scrap saver and often give lots away but do have a couple of sizes I keep for specific projects.

Jelly roll Fun

2010-06-30T06:39:00.002-04:00

I belong to a Jelly Roll of the Month club. I have a couple of books with patterns for them. I think it is just so much fun to have all the lovely fabrics on an entire line to work with.

I think this one will find it way to Nashville for the donations headed up my Anna Marie Horner. She is a famous fabric designer, author and daughter of a friend of mine. I hope to be able to send her several.

Fun With Donated Fabric

2010-06-27T09:07:00.004-04:00

Our guild received a large donation of fabric from a lady downsizing to a smaller home. I picked out some to keep that would be nice for children's quilts. I have made 2 so far and will be able to make quite a few more with this lovely fabric.

Some little boy if going to love those race cars. I have enough to make a couple more using this fabric and have some great stripes for the backing. It is always lovely when fabric shows up for charity quilts.

A Weekend Remembering

2010-05-29T06:54:00.002-04:00

There is not really much to say about this picture. It was taken during the Korean War but could be just yesterday.

We will not forget you and I will wrap you in my love with a quilt.

Mystery Camp Quilt Finished

2010-05-23T07:41:00.002-04:00

I go to a wonderful quilt camp in Northern Maryland in July. For the first time, they had a mystery quilt for us. I decided to do my in patriotic colors and donate it to Quilts Of Valor. It was all made from stash.

Triangle Quilt of Valor

2010-05-21T07:33:00.002-04:00

I just fell in love with that triangle quilt from Elenore Burns using the pre-cut fabric. I decided to cut up some of my smaller cuts of patriotic fabric into the size needed for this quilt.

I have enough for at least one more quilt and I bet 2 more. But it is fun to make. I also figured out how to make one using charm squares. The blocks will be smaller but a good way to use those little packs that seem to follow me home way too much.

Fun bags

2010-05-17T09:10:00.003-04:00

I recently purchased the new Lazy Girls Margo bag pattern. This has a zipper close which I really like for a purse. The designer of this line is really wonderful about pictures and top rated directions.

I made the blue one first and was about to tear out my hair on the final construction. Of course cutting the lining the WRONG size had nothing to do with it. But once I added a small section that will never show--it went just fine.

The second one took about 2 hours start to finish. I see more of these in my future as gifts.

Wrapped In Our Love

2010-05-11T06:28:00.003-04:00

We delivered 23 quilts last night at our Guild----Pax River Quilter Guild---to be delivered to Andrews Air Force Base. The stories we heard last night from the lady who heads up this organization are both amazing and heartbreaking.

The quilts they pick out from a large choice are made and given to them from our hearts.

Turnover Twist

2010-05-10T07:19:00.003-04:00

I joined a pattern of the month---no fabric----from Quilt IN A Day. There is a video each month of the website teaching the pattern of the month. Most are made using those lovely pre cuts from Moda.

I LOVE this pattern called Turnover Twist. It is made using the prepackaged turnovers. The stars are all made the same way----then another background triangle added------trimming---and you have a different star.

I cut lots of smaller cuts of fabric in red white and blue and made my own triangles. My next Quilt of Valor will be using this pattern. It takes 1 3/4 yard background but I have plenty of that.

When this is quilted it will go on a shelf in my house waiting for the right recipient. They always come along and I love having a quilt all ready.

Great Things to Come

2010-05-07T08:41:00.002-04:00

Quilts of Valor is really stepping it up and I am thrilled. Let's see if I can get this great video on on HERE.

Mystery Quilt Update

2010-05-04T06:15:00.003-04:00

I have decided to go with door number 1. I hope this is the right picture. I will get this top together this afternoon and await the final clue to the mystery.

It was a good decision to participate is this and a smart idea to make it a military quilt. I know just what I will do with it and will get it done quickly for camp in July. It will be fun seeing all the different ones the quilters will have made.

Mystery Quilt Choices

2010-04-30T10:25:00.006-04:00

I have been having a grand time making a mystery quilt for the MAQ Quilt Camp this July.

I have 4 different choices in the design of the top. UGH. I cannot decide which one to do. So I will just give it a couple of days and see what you all think.

This will be given to a military person after camp.

It is laying on top of the Irish Chain I did about 4 years ago. It was quilted by a very talented long arm quilter long before I had my HQ. I LOVE it.

Last Quilt of April

2010-04-23T07:14:00.002-04:00

Here is the last quilt I finished for this month. I am now going to put some tops I got from my guild on my HQ and get them done. The great part about that IS---I just pull them off and hand them back. Someone else will do the binding.

I am working on a small project for myself right now. It is a paper pieced Log Cabin Star pattern I bought while at the Lancaster Show. I am doing it in blue and yellow.

Once again---I forget what pattern this is.

And Next please

2010-04-22T06:46:00.003-04:00

This is another soldier quilt using the square in square pattern that works up so quickly. It is a little dark for my tastes but used up more smaller cuts of fabric.

Next in line

2010-04-18T06:58:00.004-04:00

I surely will have a good amount of quilts for our wounded military. Here is the next one I made. I cannot remember the name of the pattern---but it is very scrappy. I think it was made out of fat quarters and then cut up.

Another one

2010-04-17T07:17:00.002-04:00

I was more productive sewing than picture taking----so here is one more.

This pattern uses up smaller pieces of fabric quite efficiently. Scraps quilting is not my favorite but I love this pattern.

Once again, I add the eagles fabric to make it longer.

More April quilts

2010-04-16T06:46:00.003-04:00

I had purchased the Turning Twenty Pattern quite some time ago and decided to try one of those. 20 Fat Quarters would make it way too big so I used just 12. I am slowly working my way through a large amount of donated Fat Quarters from online friends. This pattern uses them up quickly.

I added the eagles at the top and bottom to make this a nice long quilt. Thanks Barbara for that wonderful eagle fabric.

April Push

2010-04-15T07:04:00.005-04:00

I had some time off from my part time job so I really was able to get productive. I do not remember the name of this pattern as I find so many on the internet. I did not put the sections together right but with a scrappy quilt it really does not matter.

If I had done it right, it would have formed a secondary pattern. Finished is better than perfect. I was happy to use up smaller bits of fabric.

I believe this pattern is called Tradewinds.

Fabric from California and North Carolina

2010-04-14T15:50:00.003-04:00

I am part of a wonderful group of ladies on an internet site. We chat daily about all sorts of things. I was sent this fabric and decided to just combine them. I did not want to cut up the middle section as it was too beautiful. So this turned out to be a quick and easy quilt. I have enough of the stripped to use it with a BIG block I made and then could not figure out what to do with it.

Thanks Debbie and Janet. This quilt will be donated for a wounded member of our military.

Lancaster Quilts

2010-03-30T07:42:00.007-04:00

I thought I would put up some more photos of the fabulous quilts. Such amazing talent and creativity.

Lancaster Quilt Show

2010-03-28T09:20:00.009-04:00

I just returned from the fabulous quilt show in Lancaster PA. I visited the downtown area and surrounding countryside. I am VERY careful not to take any pictures of the Amish people front the front. I did get this wonderful one of a young man about to turn into his field.

I met up with several of my friends from across different states. It was THE perfect trip. We saw wonderful quilts---ate too much delicious food-----spent too much money---stayed up too late and laughed and reveled in our togetherness. AND---not one speck of NEWS.

Believe it or not---the world will still turn if you do not watch any TV or listen to radio news. You will not hear the shrill voices of discontent.

Golf Hospice Quilt

2010-03-22T07:59:00.004-04:00

I was cleaning up my sewing room and refolding my stash. I found a yard of this wonderful golf fabric I do not even remember buying. It may have been given to me by a quilt friend for a charity quilt. I also found a sports type one that will be perfect for another mans quilt.

I used the easy block pattern and have a really fast quilt for a guy. I tried my ocean wave edge to edge quilting design I am learning. I like this design and am getting better at it.

Easy and Fun Quilt

2010-03-13T07:01:00.004-05:00

Somewhere out in cyberland I saw a picture of a quilt that I liked and the sewer said was very easy. It is from a fabulous website with hundreds of wonderful blocks.

http://www.quilterscache.com/

I quickly made 2 of these quilts using lots of my scraps..I chose a neutral type background as I knew it would be very busy. I also featured a novelty type print for the center of each blocks.

I love how I have come in my quilt making journey to be able to figure out how some patterns would look in certain fabric. This is one of the quickest patterns I have ever made.

These quilts and 3 others will be journeying to a vacation home for families who have lost a loved one in the military. I heard about this wonderful project on the news which I seldom watch.

Thanks Dee for the Navy fabric. This is the second quilt I have made using it.

Childs Little Quilt

2010-03-09T07:06:00.002-05:00

I like to make at least one child's quilt to donate at our guild meeting. We have a member who takes them to our local hospital. I realized I had not done one the day before the meeting.

All went well until I was quilting it. I was trying to use some bright gold thread but it kept shredding. Grrrrrrrrrrr So I switched to red that I had JUST used for a Quilt of Valor. It still broke a couple of times but not as bad as the yellow. I think I need to get some larger needles to have on hand for moments like this.