Endings and Beginnings

Earamichia brought this UFO to Jessica's house today. She has resolved to finish it with some perle cotton quilting. It will be done in no time. I love those big stitches and can't wait to try it on my next quilt. So inspired now....
Jess shared her applique skills with Merrill, adding this border to her English paper pieced top. Another step closer to the finish line.... while, Bernadette started a new quilt, which was admired by us all. This is also going on my New Year's list of resolutions. Here's to happy endings and new beginnings.....Happy 2012!*!*!

Snowballs from Jess

My Two's Company Bee pals are pitching me some snowballs for my Red & White quilt. Jessica made these delights from her scraps. Notice the words in her fabric.....Kind - Help - Trust - Thrifty - Friend - Love - Cheeriest. These snowballs warm me up all over!

Joy to the World!

The Joy of Quilting, the Joy of Cooking , or whatever turns us on in life..... I find great joy in my friends and fellow quilters. I think of my dear friend Barbara every time I go out the door. She made this beautiful ornament while recovering from surgery. Thank you, Luv!

Stamps from Faraway Places

Heidi sent me these fabulous fabrics all the way from Germany along with a postcard and map. I have never been to Germany, but I am feeling so connected now. Danke!!!

And more gorgeous stamps came my way at our Metro Mod meeting on Saturday. Victoria shared some of her incredible stash .....and hand delivered a whole packet that LeeAnn sent from Seattle....and Lisa from that distant land Connecticut added more wonderful squares....all pre-cut, too! I am getting light headed from all this excitement. Just looking at all those dots is a trip!!! Thanks a million, girls!

Triangle Trees

Here is my little quilt made for a challenge.....seasonal colors, triangle trees, and measures 50" or less all around. I machine quilted round and round for the triangles, which gave an almost starlike design. The gold silk called for much quilting, which was fun to do. I do believe I am moving into my Minimalist period!

Red & White Snowballs

It's very warm today, but December is a'comin soon. Have to get ready for the wintry weather ahead. I decided to make a snowball quilt with my red and white scraps. Strip-pieced some random width (1 1/2" to 2 1/2") strips in all shades of white and trimmed to 7 1/2" square.
Next I cut 2 1/2" squares of various reds, sewed them on the diagonal to the block corners and pressed outwards.
I have arranged these 4 snowball blocks so that the strips will alternate directions
Only need 44 more snowballs, but I hope my Two's Company Bee pals will pitch in and help ;))

The Midas Touch

My cherry tree has turned to gold! I watch the seasons from my kitchen window. It is time to start preparing for Thanksgiving and thinking about gifts.....I mean the gifts I have received this year. Connecting with so many wonderful quilters is one I hold most dear. I feel like I have struck the mother lode!

More Stamps in the Mail

Collecting stamps is the best! Especially when they arrive in my mailbox from faraway places. Carolyn shared these and many more from her stash. I am pleased to see so many vintage fabrics here. My quilt will span decades. Thanks for adding to my album!!!

11/11/11

Totally in love with my corduroy lap warmer! Made it from a remnant in my attic. Must have bought it for sofa pillows back in the 70's. Sewed strips with the nap in opposite directions, causing a striped effect, then machine-quilted it to polydown, backed with flannel. It fits my lap perfectly without getting caught in my recliner, and it is cuddly soft and warm. I am wanting to make myself a corduroy hand warmer next. Anyone remember having a muff?

Saluting my Save the Wales sisters on this Corduroy Appreciation Day!!!

This is a Test

Testing out the new lap warmer I made for National Corduroy Appreciation Day. If it passes the snuggle test, it will make it's formal debut tomorrow 11/11/11..........

Quilting for the Needy

It's the time of year when we are asked to give help to the truly needy. Whether it is food, clothing, shelter or cash to contribute, it all adds up to helping those who are less fortunate. My friends at Quilting in the Park have helped make this quilt, and I am sending it off to Bumblebeansbasics.com. Thanks to everyone who helped and to Victoria who started it all!

Red & White Winners

Want to show some Red & White winners from the challenge at Empire Quilters Guild. I've been inspired to keep going with my R & W star......but it is taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

Priority Mail

Look what I found in my mailbox today. Mary Keasler made this very generous contribution to my Postage Stamp quilt, and I am having the best time looking through her great scraps.... like going through candy after Trick or Treating. Thanks a million, Mary.... you have made my day!!!

New Page

Have finished another page for my Postage Stamp album. This is so much fun to make, and I think it will be one of those "Forever" stamp projects. I am trying not to repeat any fabrics, but I already see some duplicates. Not a true charm quilt, but an itty bitty scrap quilt instead.

Influences

Had a wonderful time with Victoria yesterday! After seeing some magnificent antique quilts at the Metropolitan Museum (more on that subject later), we popped over to Hubby's gallery to see some beautiful Braques. I see V studying this one and wonder if that checkered tablecloth will appear in one of her quilts......

This painting was most engaging. Up close, you can see lots of texture in those pale earth tones. He mixed sand into the paint to create this tactile surface. I so wanted to touch it, as I often feel the urge at quilt shows. You all know that feeling, right? Was making a mental note about color, tho. For my next guild challenge I have a packet of neutrals plus citron for a pop and it's right here in front of me. Don't think Braque would mind, as he surely influenced and was influenced by his fellow artists. So if you get a chance, make a visit to Acquavella and prepare to be inflluenced!

Stamp Collecting

New hobby? Not really. I have been collecting fabric since 1976 and have finally decided to catalog them all in one quilt. My Mod pals, Kim and Andrea, have inspired me to make this Postage Stamp quilt, and I am very excited to see it all come together. No size or pattern in mind....it'll just happen....in my lifetime, hopefully. Am machine piecing in 4-patch units, and pressing seams open, by the way. You all may recognize some of your fabrics, as I have been collecting scraps from friends for years!

Asterisk Quilt

My quilting friends at church have been making asterisks for our group quilt. We are all thrilled with the result and want to share it with you all. You can find a tutorial for this block at Karen Griska's blog here.

Inspiration Week

It's Inspiration Week at Victoria's and I am starting a new quilt in memory of my stepdad. David. His sunny personality and his Hawaiian shirt have are my inspiration for these pineapple blocks. He always loved anything with pineapple in it. I plan to cut up his shirt for a border..... and Mom has a matching shirt in case I need more!

Arkansas quilters

Just heard from Mary, an Arkansas quilter. Her guild made these lovely dresses for some little folks in Joplin who were recently hit by a monstrous tornado. Lots of love is coming their way! More about their guild at www.hillnhollowquilters.com.

Recommended Reading

It's Back to School time again....and I am enjoying Susan Wiggs' novel The Goodbye Quilt. Even though it is fiction, there is a lot of truth about mothers, daughters, journeys, quilting, and all that good stuff. I have been down with a virus the past week and haven't sewn a stitch, but I am having a wonderful time here under my favorite lap quilt reading about my favorite topic!!!

Shop Hopping

While I was visiting my mom, I just had to check out all the quilt shops in Mountain Home AR. "Remember Me" has moved from a little house to the mall. Good sign that quilting is still doing well in this economy. I did my part by buying yardage of a glorious gold fabric for my next project. It was designed by Fabric Freedom in London England. What a surprise!

Joyce has a cute shop on the edge of town called "Thus and Sew". I missed her half-price sale but had a wonderful time checking her great collection. She also directed me to another quilt shop. The folks are the friendliest here. Next stop is "Sew Unique".

Saw a lovely quilt ready to be bound. This quilter was happy to share her work on my blog. I just love quilters......everywhere!!!!!

Back Home Again

Gee, it's good to be back home again! I spent some time visiting my mom in Arkansas last week. She is 92 and has some health problems now, but we still enjoyed our time together Several games of Scrabble, too......just like old times.

I missed all the Irene excitement.

And I got behind in my quilting, too!

"In the Garden"

My tile quilt is going on tour! It will join the NYC Metro Mod Guild traveling exhibit as an example of "what modern quilting means to me," More on this exhibit here at Original Sewing and Quilt Expo. I think of myself as a modern quilter because I am always open to new methods and materials. However, I do not discard traditional ideas which I love. I simply add on as I go. Tile quilts have been around since the 19th century, but my version showcases new fabrics, threads, and design. It's been a lot of fun playing with Kaffe Fassett colors and the new grays.

Next???

Fabric Challenge

Having a wonderful time with these new fabrics. Our group Modern 8 Create is being challenged to create with these modern prints plus solid fabrics. I decided to make a bag with mine. To see what the rest of the group is making click here.

Here is the front and back that I quilted using fusible bias tape. Machine zig-zagged over the tape and through the top, batting, and lining. So easy!

Sewed up the side seams, pleated the box bottom, added some handles, and am ready to go shopping with my new tote. It reminds me of the string bags I saw many Europeans use for shopping, so I'll use it to carry my French bread and an occasional bottle of wine. Cheers, everyone!

Quilters' Weekend in Manhattan

What a weekend for lovers of quilts, fabric, and fun! Check out Victoria's blog for some great photos here.

Magaret was the lucky winner of Jay McCarroll's fabulous tote bag. I just love those circles....my new favorite shape.

And speaking of fabulous, Nicole worked on her own wonderful creation with Jay's new fabrics at our sewing day at City Quilter. Isn't it gorgeous so far? I am so inspired by all the fresh new colors....luscious pomegranate, for one. I need a week to recover from all the excitement, but I simply cannot wait to get at my new fabrics!

Portable project

I started this little hand-pieced star this summer in order to have a portable project to take to my quilters' gatherings. You can probably tell that conversation and desserts take up most of our soirees, as my piece is only about the size of a bandanna. Now I could add the outside half-octagons to the remaining two sides, plop on a border and get it quilted for my guild's Red & White challenge in October. But.....I am tempted to keep on making more stars for a larger quilt. Decisions, decisions!!!

Ahhhhh.....

Had a cool day with cousins yesterday. My son, Andy, enjoyed relaxing in the Jacuzzi, too.

Alexandra looked stunning in her towel. I made a baby quilt for her years ago in red and yellow. I think it's time for me to make another......in these colors! Isn't she a beauty?

Dimensional Bow Tie Part 3

Open the knot piece and match the center seams, pushing the seam allowances in opposing directions. Flatten and pin, if you must. Do not allow pleats to form within the seam allowance.

Now sew both halves together as if you are making a 4-patch.

Open and press. Done!

Dimensional Bow Tie Part 2

Open up and pull out the folded tie piece.

Repeat with remaining squares. If light strip is on top of the first set, then it goes on the bottom this time.

Stitch 1/4 inch seam as before and open.

(To be continued)

How to make a Dimensional Bow Tie Part 1

Cut three 3-inch squares of tie (black) fabric and two 3-inch squares of background (white) fabric.

Fold one black square in half, right sides out. Fold is in the center.

Top with black square, right sides together. Stitch 1/4 inch along right side.

(To be continued)