Four for Project Linus

Here are four more for Project Linus.  Two with sashing and two Yellow Brick Roads.

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Button, Button, Whos' Got the Button?

Working on a new pattern---Thanks Debi for giving me the pattern!!  It's called Button Up and is available through here.  Her pattern is actually for sale on Etsy and is available in PDF file for downloading or as a paper pattern.

Each Fat Quarter makes 5 buttons.  Here are my first five.  They are really fun to do and go quickly.

 

Happy Quilting to you!!!

 

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

 

Jan

Keeping Busy

Busy working on 2 scrap quilts.  One is a string quilt from Quiltville by Bonnie Hunter.  She has the best patterns on her website, plus her blog follows her travels all around the United States.  She is one busy gal.  In this pattern, the  white/off-white stripe will make X's across the quilt.  It is real nice when  it is done.  I have made 20 blocks, so will  be Project Linus size when finished.

The second block is a Sew-Along block with Terry at Terry's Treasures.  What a fun block to do!  I'm going to do 20 blocks of these, too and will have a nice Project Linus size quilt.

Maynard has been so busy with quilting for the business, that the Project Linus quilts have been piling up.  But I'm sure he will fit some in soon.  I've been having so much fun building up the inventory!  It's fun to see the scrap bin go down a little.  I think it should go down more, but it has a mind of it's own, I think!!!!!!

Hope you are having a good week where ever you are!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

More Quilts

These are four quilts that are almost ready for Project Linus.  The Yellow Brick Road  still needs to be quilted.  We have had a big order come in so that may be awhile.  We are grateful to our friend for that big order!

The barn picture is of a Quilty Barn Monthly that I found online and it is so much fin!   Kudos to Lori who  is designing it!  You can find it here. 

We are having the most wonderful weather---highs in the low 90's and lows down in the 70's.  Such a glorious start to July!!!!

Hope you are happy where ever you are!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Two Retreats!

What a week I had----full of fun and quilting!  Two retreats in one week.  Monday through Wednesday was spent with the girls from Sit and Sew.  A day off on Thursday to do laundry.  And on Friday off to another retreat with the girls I have met online--the DFW Gang.

The top three pics are from the first retreat and the bottom two from the second retreat.  Both facilities were wonderful.  Create-A-Way near Collinsville and Rayline's Retreat in Springtown.  The second facility had a family of ducks that even came up and tapped on the door for us to come out and feed them---we had a good laugh at them!

It was so much fun laughing and talking to everyone.  What nice ladies go to these retreats.  Now it's back to the mundane, everyday tasks.  Doing lots of laundry to catch up today.  Even though I have to brag, my hubby did laundry while I was gone and *gasp*  he made out the menus for the meals this week AND went grocery shopping for them!  He is a keeper!  After 44 years, he still gets my vote!!!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Finish-Up Week

 These are five quilts that have been waiting for quilting and binding before ready to go to the pickup place for Project Linus.  So I buckled down this week and got them done.  I called this one "Pretty Kitties."  I had two kitties left over from a panel and made up a pattern to use them.  The kitties are so cute!

 This one is called "Yellow Rules."  It's good old Rail Fence pattern.

 There is one Fat Quarter in here that shows a little boy playing at the beach, so I called it "Seaside at the Beach."

A good name for this one seemed to be "Fruit Basket Upset."  I guess tomatoes are a fruit, but I don't think lettuce is!!!  LOL!

This is a pattern off the internet that Debi sent me. I used a packet of charm squares called Hoot Owl.  There is a hoot owl in there, but he is hard to see!  That's why I named it "Charmed Hoot Owl."

Have you had cool temps where you are?  It's cooled down to lower 90's here , but cooler 70's in the mornings.  Very pleasant in the morning.  Have to start again with my walking.  I know my doggie would like that!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Three to get Ready for Project Linus

And four to go! I hope to get all caught up by the time I go for surgery on the 7th of September. I have to have surgery to repair a torn tendon in my right foot. So I will be non-weight bearing for a few weeks and on crutches. I'm hoping I will feel good enough to sew, but I just don't know how I will feel. I do know I'm ready to have it over with!!!!!!

These quilts today are all Log Cabins that I did with a layer cake of the Portugal line by April Cornell. The first setting is Pyramids, the seconds is Straight Furrows and the third is Sunshine and Shadows. I've said it before-----------I really like Log Cabins because there are so many ways to set it----------and each one is pretty! I love this line of fabric, too!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

DFW Gang Get together

DFW Gang had a get together yesterday in McKinney, TX. We met at the LQS, which is Quilt Asylum---I got lost, but a quick call to the store got me there---they have recently moved and although I knew that, I still got turned around! We had fun shopping there and I got Fat Quarters for 3 more Yellow Brick Roads for Project Linus. I found a cute Owls fabric and a Tweet, Tweet fabric that was just too cute to pass up!

Then we went to The Olive Garden for lunch--that was yummy! We tried to be very nice to the waitress-in-training and our waiter! He even took the picture for us!!!

All in all a very good morning and early afternoon! It's fun to get out once in awhile with friends, isn't it?!

In the picture, starting at the left are Debi, Sally, me (with a lamp in my head!!!!) and Brenda! What a bunch of fine ladies. I treasure their friendships!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Maynard's Finished Quilt Top!

Maynard finished his quilt top and in my humble opinion it is beautiful. He likes it, too, but he says his piecing isn't the best. I said for the first quilt and the hard pattern that it is, he did very well!!!! This pattern is in a recent issue of McCall's Quilting magazine. Now he can go back to the one he started a year ago and maybe finish that one! As you can tell, I'm very proud of him and his first quilt top!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Back from Vacation!

Back to the 100 degree weather of Texas from our vacation and what fun we had! Playing with a 6 year old and a 3 year old should count as a work out on the work out tapes from the gym!!!! But what fun it was! We went to the water park and played on gym set at home. We had a picnic inside with all the Little Pet Shop toys. Yes, the toy of choice these days is the Little Pet Shop toys and there sure are lots of them to tell apart, aren't there? Seems like the kids have it down pat!!!! Grandmas and Grandpas are the ones who have trouble in that area!!!!!!

We also got to go the Columbus, Ohio Quilt Show!!! What a great show! Lots of vendors and of course, quilts! I got 2 kits for really neat quilts, IMHO, and a FQ collection in dark blues and light blues---I'm picturing a star quilt here!

It's nice to go away, but it's nice to come back home!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Several things to share

This has been a busy time for me--just have to show you my latest projects. I finished the pink YBR baby quilt for a gift. It's very pink and looks just like something for a dainty little baby girl!!!

Also finished and ready to go are 2 more PL quilts---one is Bob the Builder and all his helper friends and the other is called CARS because it features the cars from the movie "Cars". That was such a fun movie to watch--My granddaughters have watched it many times. I watched it for the first time straight through with no interruptions just a couple of weeks ago!!!!

The last item is a table runner that one of the gals on the Quilting Bee Forum did as a mystery quilt. It was very fun to do. It's for the 4th of July. Still have to quilt and bind that one.

Thursday we fly to Columbus, Ohio to see the grandgirls (and their parents, too!!!). We also are going to get to go to the Columbus Quilt Show this coming week-end. I'm excited about that, too. Last year we had a really good time and I'm sure we will this year, too!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!


Jan

Fairfax County Fair Quilt

My next quilt I'm working on is Fairfax County Fair. Lots of fussy cutting (for the borders and corners of borders and centers of blocks, whew!) which I have done and I'm now putting the blocks together! The picture show 3 blocks already done and the pieces of the center of the puzzle!!! It is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

I also finished the top to a baby Yellow Brick Road all done in pinks for our neighbors grandbaby due this month. It's all pinks and looks just like a girly-girl kind of thing! When Maynard gets it quilted and I get the binding on I'll put up a picture of it. Now I need to get a baby boy one done for the grandbaby of another friend whose grandboy is due in September. I saw some cute panels at Quilt Mercantile on Tuesday while shopping during Sit n Sew. That's a fun part of Sit n Sew!!!!

Speaking of Sit n Sew--------we had a grand time on Tuesday---it was Show and Tell day (First Tuesday) and that's always a neat day---it's so much fun to see what others are doing or have done. Plus we always bring something to share to eat and Tuesday must have been salad day--yummy salads galore. We sure know how to eat!!!!! What fun!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Christmas in June?

This is a Row By Row that my BFF Debi did on her blog last year, so I named it Christmas Row by Row. Maynard quilted it and I finally finished the binding Saturday evening while I watched the movie "Coming to America." I love the pattern and am very pleased with the fabric--it was a lot of fun to do! The big pile in the sewing room #2 is going down, for which I am very glad. Now I can start making some more tops. I have made up my mind not to let it get too far behind---famous last words, I know!!!! LOL!!!

I like doing the sewing the tops part better than I like the quilting part--I'm sure that all of you have a part that you like better than another---care to share?

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

First Block on New Quilt!

Well, I made the first block on a new quilt and now I'm not sure that I want to continue............some quilts are like that. That is a nice quilt and all, but oh, those tiny flying geese about did me in--you cut a 1 7/8" square and then you cut that in half diagonally and that was the side part---that is tiny to work with as far as I'm concerned!!!! I worked very, very carefully on the ones I did and they turned out okay, I think, but each block has 2 strips of flying geese in it----arrrrgggghhhh!!!!!! Plus there are 47 little pieces in each 20" square! Wowza! That seems to be a lot. What do you all think about it? I'm going to take it to Sit and Sew and get some views there, too. Maybe I'll trace off the next embroidery squares and see what they lead me to do---always nice to have embroidery to do at Sit and Sew--it's such nice handwork. The little poem says "Life, a truly precious gift, made special with you here, Memories made to treasure, Tender moments held so dear."

Do you have plans for Memorial Day? We're going to do some shopping (all American pasttime!) and grill some hamburgers tonight. It's a good day to remember those in the Armed Services-- members who have given their lives so that we can remain free and the ones who have served and are serving now.

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Mystery Quilt from Local Quilt Store

Here is a picture of my Mystery Quilt from LQS, Quilt Mercantile that is finished except for the last border. I like the way this one turned out--you never know with mystery quilts!!! VBG!!!!! And I really like the fabrics!!!! Right now it is 45" x 60". Have to wait until next month to know the finished size, I guess. It didn't seem too bad to put together since we only did a little at a time. The instructions were very clear, also. That makes a big difference to me!

Had to miss Sit and Sew group today because I think I have a stomach flu bug---sure has not been a nice thing to have, but I am feeling better today, just didn't want to pass it around to others! I certainly did miss being there though, I'm sure they all had a fine time. It's always so much fun to see what everyone is working on, such diverse ideas and opinions---makes life so much more interesting, don't you think?

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Working on Texas Quilt

Here are some blocks that I've made for my Texas Quilt----my favorite is the cowboy boot. These blocks have been fun to make, because they are not hard ones to do and there is just one of them to do. Again, a sampler quilt is the way I like to go--no repetition of block after block that you get tired of after awhile!!!!

Another dark, dreary day here and humid, glad to be inside with the sewing machine working on quilt blocks--always a good thing to do after the "chores" are finished!!!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Baskets Center and Project Linus Quilt

The baskets are done and sewn together! Now for the hard part to me--a triangle border---I'm sewing real slow on this one! Usually I'm a real chicken when it comes to this kind of border, but I figured "Why Not? I have lots of time and under no deadline!!!!" There's a picture of the start of the border above the quilt. The first and third borders will be like this one with a plain off white border in between. I hope I'm doing it right!!!! LOL!!

The second picture shows Lavender Afternoon, a Project Linus quilt that is ready to be added to the now growing pile of quilts ready to go to the drop off point! Hope to get a few more quilted before I take them over to McKinney!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Last Pieces of Puzzle and Liberty Quilt Top is Finished!

Hurrah! The last 4 pieces of the puzzle are together AND the Liberty quilt top is all sewn together except for the border which I have yet to buy. I feel like I have accomplished a lot getting this quilt done! The picture makes the sides look wobbly, but they aren't.

Today I worked on 3 banners: Giggle, Laugh and Smile. Hope to have them done soon to show you a picture. They are small ones: 12" x 22" in happy, fun colors.

Tomorrow we are getting up very early and driving to Austin to visit our older daughter and her husband and of course our 2 grandboys, Evan, 5 years old and Nathan, 2 years old. Wonder what new thing they will be into now?! For awhile it was Thomas the Train, but lately, it has been computer games for Evan and Bob the Builder for Nathan. We look forward to another great time!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Two More Pieces of Puzzle for Liberty Quilt!

Eight more blocks done on Liberty quilt---yahoo---only 4 more to go--it's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle! Have to make sure each piece is in the "just right" location and orientation! But I think it will be neat when it is done.

Finished is a Christmas Tumbling Blocks quilt, too. It is shown in the last picture. It was a panel that was given to me by my friend, Jackie, in a Christmas gift exchange; had to cut it out and put it back together so the blocks would tumble--what fun!! Thanks Jackie! This will be fun to use next Christmas.

It's another beautiful day in the neighborhood--sun is shining and it is only in the high 70's to low 80's--I could handle this kind of weather all year round, but I know that hot weather is on it's way! My winter pansies are blooming away, joining them are the spring beauties and wood violets and the iris and the bridal's wreath. The trees are even budding out. The red plum is gorgeous as well as the Bradford pears. Lovely time of year! Some people are even out mowing their yards! The robins are back and it's nice to see them!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

First Four Blocks of Liberty Quilt

Here are the first four blocks of the Liberty quilt. I think they are the corners of the quilt--I'll have to wait and see! This quilt has 576 Half Square Triangles that are set into 16 blocks----4 of each kind. Not too hard to do, but you sure have to keep your mind sharp as you do it! Good mind exercise!!!!! I used Thangles to make the HSTs--lots of paper ripping, but they sure do turn out nice and square! This is a nice scrappy quilt that I used some of my stash for so that feels good.

It's a very rainy, gray and cold day here today---went from high 70's yesterday to 30's this morning and high only in high 30's to 40's today. What a difference a day makes. But we need the rain so much that I can't complain--wouldn't do any good anyway! Nice day to curl up with a good book and a quilt in the recliner. Or to do some quilting---I have to admit to doing a little bit of both!! Life is good, don't you think?!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan