Trip to the Azalea Quilt Show

What a fun day we had at the Tyler, Texas Azalea Quilt Show. This was a great show with wonderful quilts and great vendors. (Even though the azaleas weren't yet in bloom!!!) I got the backing for my Christmas quilt, some redwork FQs, thread for redwork and some squares already stamped for redwork. They are called "Plantation Girl and Puppy". The puppy won over my heart because it looks like my little white Bichon Friche. I carried it all in the new, lovely totebag that Debi made for me, shown in the back of the picture!! I love it--it's just the right size for me!

This week I hope to finish a string quilt I have been working on and work on the Mystery RRRR from Debi that will be posted on the first, plus sew another block on the barns quilt and embroider another purse on Heirloom Romance and if time permits sew up another YBR for Project Linus--I still have lots of FQs to use up in those kinds of quilts!! Plus the new BOM for April will be out for Rosebud Lane--this will have to be my list for 2 weeks of quilting maybe!!! LOL!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

"Christmas Tidings" in March?

Christmas Tidings is the finished top from the Block of the Week from the Crazy Mom Quilts blog. I set mine differently and did a different border than she did, but I am happy with my results, too. I did mine differently because I only had enough background material for the sashing. I chose the braided border because I had plenty of leftover scraps and wanted to use them up--I still have plenty left for string quilts--I hope it's OK to mix Christmas prints with other prints in string quilts--hope the Quilt Police don't catch me!!! LOL!!! Now to find some extra wide backing material at the LQS and I'll be all set to put this one in the quilting pile--which by the way is growing by leaps and bounds.

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Three more Yellow Brick Road Quilts

Three more YBR to go onto the "to be quilted" pile! There are 2 of the "Catnip" ones that are just alike and one of the "Bright Frogs"--there are really frogs on the border and will be on the backing, but they are hard to see!!! These will be going to Project Linus in Tyler, Texas. Maynard and I will deliver them to the drop off point on Saturday when we will be going to Tyler for the azalea festival and quilt show. It will be quite a few quilts--my friend Debi has made about a dozen+ and I have I think about 6 now ready to go. I'm so looking forward to the quilt show and driving along the beautiful trails and seeing all the wonderful flowers. We went last year, -- missed the quilt show, but got to see the beautiful flowers and homes along the trails. Well worth the trip!

I started the sashing on my Block of the Week from crazy mom quilts blog and hope to finish that this afternoon. I have decided to put a braided border around it with the scraps I have left from making the blocks. I hope it goes quickly because I am anxious to get it finished. Have to make a trip to the quilt store to buy backing though---awwwwww!!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Surf and Sand Yellow Brick Road Quilt

This is a picture of my Surf and Sand Yellow Brick Road quilt that I finished the top for yesterday. We have a new pantogram of musical notes that remind me of The Beach Boys that I think I will use for the quilting--what a combo!!! I fell in love with this fabric--isn't it the best? The color combos are just so different from what we've been seeing lately. I think that's what drew me to it.

We had quite a few missing at our Sit N Sew yesterday and hope that it wasn't the dreaded flu bug making his rounds--we always worry about each other when someone is missing! Of course some schools are probably having Spring Break and grandmas are called upon sometimes to visit grandchildren---not a hard thing to do, mind you!!!!! I thought I was going to be able to leave the quilt store without buying something because I had nothing in mind that I really "needed", but nope--I found something--a cute froggie print that went with the FQ's that I had just partially sewed up into a YBR and a collection of thread that happened to be on sale! That's one of the perks of Sit N Sew --we get to take breaks and have a look-see around the quilt store to check out what new things are on sale and what new items have been added in the last week--what fun to have "front row seats!!!!!"

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Barbie Bedroom Chest of Drawers

How many pieces does it take to make a Barbie sized chest of drawers? Well, in the first picture I laid out all the pieces and in the second picture I sewed them all together!! And yes, the drawers really work, so Barbie has a place to store some of her millions of clothes!!!!! I'm making these ahead of time for my granddaughters. They aren't "into" Barbie yet, but when they are I will have some furniture ready for them So far, I have made a living room set and a bed and dresser. Their Barbies will be "styling"!!!!!! I wish I was close enough to play Barbies with them because I love all the little stuff that Barbie has. Barbie wasn't around when I was growing up, but my daughters had her and had lots of fun with her and her friends and Ken. I have made 2 houses for Barbie and have had lots of fun with that! One was given to a Ronald McDonald house in Dallas and one was given to a miniatures museum. That was many years ago and I don't know where they are now. I certainly had a lot of pleasure making them though. My joy was in finding the little treasures to decorate the house--what I couldn't find I made--I remember making a fine chandlier out of jewelry findings and beads. Cutouts from Bunnies By The Bay pamplets made great cupboard door liners that were so pretty and fit my theme! Funny what we do for our hobbies, isn't it?!!! LOL!!!!

Today I'm sewing on a Yellow Brick Road pattern from my Surf and Sand fabric that I got at the quilt show and hope to have a finished top to show you tomorrow--as my shoulder will allow me to sew, that is! Today was also Physical Therapy day and that tends to slow me down a bit!!! I'm loving this fabric--the colors are so pretty! So glad that my friend Debi led me to it!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Rosebud Lane Block Number 3

Rosebud Lane Block Number Three is finished and now I am all caught up with this Block of the Month! Hurrah!!! This block is different in that the quilt hangs free from its quilt pole--gives the house a 3-D look! There's a sign that says "Quilt Show Today" at the side of the house, too! Care to join me? I wonder what kinds of quilts we would see?? LOL!!! There's only 2 more blocks in this quilt and then a fence around the outer border of the quilt--cute way to finish it off--I hope it is easy to do!

I had fun visiting 2 different quilt shops today and found just what I was looking for at both places!! Makes shopping more fun that way--also fun to just look, too! Found more Surf and Sand at Quilt Connection in Dallas and some more barn and grass fabrics for my barns quilt at Suzy's in Garland. Time spent at the quilt store just makes the day more worthwhile, don't you think?! LOL!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Patriotic Wall Hanging

This is a small wall hanging with a Patriotic theme that I bought as a kit from
Connecting Threads. It went together very quickly. I wanted to finish something today and this was just the ticket!!! At least the top is finished--I still have to quilt it and bind it, have to wait for the backing and binding fabric to arrive yet. Sometimes in the midst of big projects, it's fun to sit down and finish something small--it gives a sense of accomplishment, I guess! Although each block finished in a big project is an accomplishment, too; although that's a small step to the entire goal. Kind of like when you are trying to lose weight and you break it down into smaller goals for yourself instead of always looking at the BIG goal at the end!!! Much more doable to look at the small goals. So now I need to go do a block for the Rosebud Lane and be caught up to March--still have this month's to do and the end of the month is in sight!!!

I finished another one for Project Linus--this one is called Blue Cornerstones and is made with Charm Squares.Will put it in the quilting pile with the others!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Mustang Ranch Barn Block

Here is barn block number 2 called Mustang Ranch with even a horse in the barn!!! This one was a little easier to do because I paid closer attention to the technique after learning my lesson in block number 1--I guess this is a learn as you go kind of quilt!!! Each barn is different in this quilt, so all will be learning experiences!!!! I've done a couple of these ladies quilts (Sweet Tea and Forever Flowers, and working on Rosebud Lane) and each one has been a little more outside the box for me, which is good in a way because learning and stretching the mind is a good thing, they say!!

Yesterday we sat at Frayed Edges Sit and Sew and listened to it rain and rain and rain some more! We were in on the storm that dumped so much rain across the midsection of the US that probably a lot of you got, too. So much water everywhere! Now today the sun is shining and the wind is blowing to dry everything out again. Our violets and spring beauties are blooming and the winter pansies are still showing their bright smiling faces. The trees are getting a little greener everyday, too. Won't be long and spring will be here in full force!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Heirloom Purse Block Number 5

Heirloom Purse Block Number 5 is finished and ready to go into the quilt! Only 3 more purse blocks to go!!! They are turning out so nice, I'm so excited about them and love doing them. I especially liked the beadwork on this one. Since I started the embroidery by hand on the rest of the blocks, I will continue to do them all by hand, but won't put as much embroidery on them as some crazy quilts have on them--wow, some of them are loaded, but I want the fabric to show through, too!!!

Glad to have this handwork now because in the evenings and on the week-ends, Maynard is using the sewing machine and working on a quilt of his own, besides quilting on the pile of Project Linus and other quilts that have accumulated in the guest bedroom. He quilted 2 this week-end, plus worked on the quilt that he has designed and picked out the fabrics for and is piecing!!!! It's so fun to see him working away on this and he is so good at it. I gave him a couple of lessons and off he went! It started when a co-worker brought him a hand-painted fabric panel from Asia that is just beautiful. He designed a quilt around it and picked out the fabrics. Now he is making pinwheel blocks. The picture shows how well he doing! I'm so proud of him! I told him we would have to get him his own sewing machine, but he ignored that! Now here's a guy that totally "gets" it when I buy fabric--how lucky can a girl be???!!!! LOL!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Grandma's Barn Block

Wow, this week went by way too fast and I apologize for not posting a blog entry for a whole week--I got my arm out of the sling this week and started my Physical Therapy--yeah!!!! So I'm going to have to watch myself to see that I get everything done that I want to do now!!!

Yesterday we went to the Dallas Quilt Show and had a wonderful time--I found some goodies and just had fun looking around in general! One thing I found was a dear little bag of Sand and Surf line of Fat Quarters as shown in first picture along with some Fat Quarters for my barn quilt (not shown). Also a cute little stand up scrap basket to take to Sit N Sew (Frayed Edges) to catch the threads and scraps that accumulate while you work.

Speaking of said barn quilt, I finished the first block, but I may make it over again because of the big mistake I made in the roof line next to the silo, or I may leave it and say that Grandma "built" that part of the barn!!! After all, it is called "Grandma's Barn" quilt block!!!! It was one of those funny shaped pieces that just didn't want to go in place the right way and I struggled with it, but I didn't win!!! LOL!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Picture of three rows of RRRR Mystery quilt

Here's the picture to go with my earlier post of the 3 rows of the RRRR mystery quilt that Debi is doing. I had a big blowup one time when I tried to edit my post and put a picture on after I had posted, so figure this is a simpler way to post a picture--by adding another post!!!! Maybe get in less trouble this way!!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Three Rows Mystery Quilt Done

Three rows of the RRRR Mystery quilt are finished! I love the way this one is turning out--the blocks are great ones that Debi is picking out and I love the fabrics--this one I am excited about!!!! Some quilts are like that aren't they?--you really love them after you get into the making of them and some that you thought you would love you turn lukewarm on about halfway through--nobody knows why this is, but it is a fact of quilting life, in my humble opinion!!

Had so much fun on a quilting adventure yesterday--went to Stitchin' Heaven in Quitman, Texas, about an hour's drive away and looked for fabrics for my barn quilt and Maynard's Asian print quilt--found quite a nice array of fabrics to bring home--lots of fabrics to choose from--what a grand time we had looking!!! It was a beautiful spring day and we saw lots of bossy calves and even some little lambs and daffodils. So nice to get out of the house after being cooped up for days with my shoulder surgery. Nice also to get to church and Sunday School this morning again after being absent for several weeks. We often take the little things for granted and miss them when we can't do them................

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Thinking Springtime!

After cold rain and snow yesterday and now sunshine today, I decided it was time to put up a harbinger of springtime on the seasonal wall and so got out the Lilac Bouquet that I made last summer. It certainly does cheer me up! It was in "The Quilter" magazine, July 2007 issue.

I was also able to do a little more sewing today and made a couple more blocks for my Mystery RRRR row and worked some on my embroidered purse block until my arm gave out, but some is better than none!!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Fixed Block

Well, the Block #3 wasn't oriented the right way, (see this post) so I made another one and here it is done correctly!! Glad I didn't do all 6 of them the wrong way! They would have been dubbed the "Rehab Row" and left that way, I'm afraid, but now they don't have to be wrong, they can be right!!!!! These red squares march right across the row just like they are supposed to!!!!!!! LOL!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Mystery Round Robin Block Number Three

Wanting to stay caught up with the rest of the gang, I tried my hand at sewing again today and was able to put together a block for Debi's Mystery Round Robin. This is block #3. I have 5 more blocks to go for the row. I wish I had done the colors differently so the black focus fabric would stand out better, but since it is all cut and one is together, I am not going to start "frogging" (ripping) it now!!! But I still like the block! Debi is doing a fantastic job of picking out patterns and writing instructions--this is a fun project!

I was able to drive myself to Sit N Sew (Frayed Edges) yesterday---our regular get together at Quilt Mercantile in Celeste and was it ever great to be back! Nice to catch up on how everyone is doing and all the projects they had gotten done at the retreat! Some of the gals got 2 quilt tops done! Busy bees, they were! I'm so thankful to have this great group of gals in my life!!! Picked up the BOMs for February and March for Rosebud Lane and also got a new pattern that I had ordered from The Quilt Company called This Old Barn. I'm hoping to do most of it from my stash--should be quite a stash buster!!!LOL!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan