Busy Week!

 This quilt, called Big and Bold is just the top, hope to get Maynard to quilt it on the big machine.  Have to be careful not to nag too much!!!!  This was a very easy and fun to do pattern.

 From the Modern Quilt Company, this pattern was called Modern Salad Bar.  Debi loaned it to me.  I used ice cream cone fabric.  Anything goes with brights, I always say!  This one is for Project Linus.

 This quilt is the last one from the Zoobopples fabric that my friends from Sunday School gave me.  I thank them so much.  The fabric was so much fun to work with.  Made me smile every time I looked at it!

This one I called "Turtles on Parade," because one of the fabrics has all kinds of bright turtles on it.  A fun fabric!  Also for Project Linus.

Our temps dropped back into the low 90 degree range and that was nice while it lasted.  Now going back to triple digits and high nineties.  Sure praying the folks down south make it through this hurricane and aftereffects all right.

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Twelfth and Last Challenge to Myself Started!

Here's the first block of the 12th and last quilt in the Challenge to Myself---it's a basket quilt of all polka-dot blocks--the polka-dot fabrics were fun to find--BFF Debi helped me find them when we went to the Big Sale at Stitchin' Heaven a few months back--lookings half the fun----right?!

The second picture shows Blended Stars. The pattern is from "Open Up a Can of Worms" by Debbie Caffery. It used a jelly roll called Cherish by Chez Moi for Moda. They are all stars, but some show up better than others.

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Written in Thread All Together

Written in Thread is a quilt top and now is ready to have that inside border embroidered! Sorry I cropped the picture a bit too much---can't wait to get my computer back from the shop!!!!! I have the border traced and part of it embroidered, but it slow going since I have the flu and am trying to work on the quilt and sneeze and cough at the same time---that is why you haven't heard much from me the last few days. I'm feeling good enough to not want to feel bad all the time, but not good enough to do anything about it---do you know what I mean!? So I have made a few embroidery stitches and ripped out a few and put them back in-slow going!!!!

Steer clear of this nasty flu bug if you can--although my guess is that it is everywhere!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Here a Chick, there a chick...

everywhere a chick, chick......the pattern for this quilt was called "Chicken Dinner"---but I changed that to "Here a Chick"---didn't like the idea of eating my cute chickens!! LOL!!! These were sure fun to make and I may have showed them before---but here they are all finished!


I've also been working on an Asian quilt that has Duponi silk as part of the fabric---the rest is cotton---it is very pretty and really caught my eye at the Columbus Quilt Show last month, I'm taking it very slowly what with working with the silk and all. The instructions have you interface the silk with a fusible interfacing before cutting out the pieces---this does make it easier to work with.


Sometimes it's good to slow down and enjoy the process and not hurry so, like I tend to do, especially with the Project Linus quilts---I usually am doing a pattern that I have done before and race right through it---I become very goal oriented and want the project done right now, so I can go on to the next one. Maybe sometimes that can be a good thing, but sometimes it's a good thing to slow down!!!!! What do you think?


Getting close to my 300th entry and my second year blogiversary!!!! Can't believe that it has been 2 years since my daughter, Anne was encouraging me and helping me to start a blog--thanks Anne! It sure has been fun and I've loved "meeting" all you people out there!! Stay tuned for a give-away---I think you'll like it!!!!


Let quilting help you make someone smile!!!


Jan

Two for One for Project Linus!

Here are some more quilts that I have finished for Project Linus. One is just like the one I did before except it has different borders. The pattern was set up that way--quite clever! Mater and Lightening are so cute!!!!!


The next two are just alike so I just showed one of them. Life Up North has lots of little animals "peeking" out from everywhere---just what you'd expect to see if you went camping---guess you wouldn't really have to go up north to see them--I have friends who live in the country here in Texas and talk about raccoons and the like here! I'm hoping some little boys will like all of these! They need quilts for boys and get lots more quilts for girls---lots more fabrics are geared toward women and girls!!! I guess cause more women quilt than men, although there are more and more men quilting these days!!! Good for the men!!!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Three More Project Linus Quilts

I am on a roll here quilting and binding these PL tops that I've had made for awhile and I'm playing catch-up with!!!! The first one is "Mater and Lightning" from Cars movie -- this is the second one I've done from material that a friend gave me.

The middle one is called "Out West"---you can't see very well due to smallness of pattern, but there are some western themed squares in there and the border is small cactus.

The third one is Sunshine Day--because it looks so bright and cheery!

We leave tomorrow to go on our vacation to Ohio to see our grandgirls. So I need to get packing!!!! I have cleaned house ---I like to come back from vacation to a clean house, so I have to clean before I go!!!!! Just silly that way!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Fairfax County Fair Top Finished!

Once I had the center blocks finished it was easy to sew them together and put the borders on and viola! another quilt top is finished! Sorry the picture is a little crooked! I'm very happy with the way this one turned out.

I'm still on the healing list--have a cough that won't go away in spite of all the meds I have to take. Still trying to take it easy and rest a lot, but quilting is restful, so good thing I have that to do!!! LOL!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Step 2--Fairfax County Fair

Step 2 is sewing 16 of these 20" blocks from the smaller blocks that I showed you before. This will be the center of the quilt. Then will come the borders and it will be another one done! I'm surprised at how fast this one is going! Can't wait to see it all finished!

Somewhere or other I picked up a bug and the doctor told me yesterday that I have bronchitis and strept throat. So I am trying to lie low for a few days to let the medicine work. Have to be well by next Thursday so I can go on vacation to see my grandgirls! They live in Ohio. We are really looking forward to this trip.

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

For the Love of Texas Quilt Top

For the Love of Texas quilt top is finished and here it is! The very bottom block in the right hand corner doesn't show up as well as the others, but it is Bluebonnet fabric with a red fabric in the middle to represent Indian Paint Brush. I made it an Ohio Star because of my DD and her family who live in Ohio! I didn't like the Bluebonnet that the pattern used so I changed it and made it different!! Guess we can do that to our quilts can't we? LOL! This was fun to do and another of what are turning out to be my favorite kind of quilts---samplers!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Aunt Bea's Parlor Baskets Quilt

Baskets quilt is all finished and hanging on the wall! The picture turned out lighter than I would have liked it to be, but can't get the baskets any better. Sorry about that--but you get the general idea! I do like the 1930's fabric and have one piece that is vintage--the real thing! It is from my MIL's collection that I got when she passed away several years ago. I like to try and use them when I get a chance. That pile is getting used up, but it's fun to know they are in different quilts!


Today I worked on another mystery quilt that I am doing from the LQS--I think we have 3 more installments of that. It's called Quilter's Double Cross. The fabrics are great!----Very much country looking, I guess you could say. Those blocks are shown in the second picture.

Also pulled the fabrics from my stash for the quilt called For The Love of Texas. It's a wall hanging size that has a lot of Texas things on it. I thought after living here 15 years, I should do a Texas quilt, so I chose this one!

We have been getting lots of rain and thunder storms today, so it was a good day to stay in and sew and quilt!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Tyler Azalea Quilt Show

This weekend we had the pleasure of going to the Tyler Quilt Show and were also able to see all the beautiful flowers that were blooming around the town. They put on quite a show!!! We had a lot of fun! The pictures show some of the beautiful things I was able to buy. We looked at all kinds of things and also some wonderful quilts. We also saw four friends from Tuesday Sit and Sew group. What could be a better way to spend the day???!!!

Shown in the pictures are fabric from the Quitman store Stitchin' Heaven which we stopped at for a look around---what a great place --all kinds of fabric and FQs on sale--I love to put them together for Yellow Brick Roads! The second picture shows what I got at the quilt show--lots of FQs again for YBRs for Project Linus--hard to pass up when they are $1.00 apiece!! Maynard picked out the pattern--said he thought it was an interesting one. It says for an intermediate quilter---I hope I can do it! It looks hard, but maybe won't be once I get into it! I also couldn't pass up a "Hill Country" jelly roll. The colors in it are fantastic!!!!! It just looks like spring!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Giggle, Laugh, Smile

These mini quilts make me grin every time I look at them. They are from Country Threads and were lots of fun to do from my scraps--I had all the fabric except for the measuring tape one, which I found at the Dallas Quilt Show. I'm going to hang them in my sewing room where they can cheer me up every day!

The last couple of days have brought lots of rain to our place, which is a good thing, except it has been so dreary, but good days to sit at the sewing machine and quilt or read a good book curled up in a favorite quilt!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Scottie Dogs

I wanted to make a small wall hanging with Scottie Dogs and I wanted to try raw edge applique, so decided to do them together and this is what I came up with---pettable Scotties!!!!!! I "combed" them with the chenille brush to make them "raw edged." I like the way they turned out! They certainly did "shed" a lot--I had "hair" all over everywhere!

Other projects I'm working on include: getting the mystery quilt all cut out and ready to go to retreat next month; sewing the binding on the Rosebud Lane that dear hubby got quilted and now I'm working on sewing it down by hand; and completely finishing the redwork plantation girls little wall hanging that I showed you a few days back. Now I want to start on my wool applique. I think it will be fun to do, except for some reason I keep putting off the cutting out of it--maybe it's all the flower petals--it has lots of them, but I did a lilac quilt that had lots of them and that didn't stop me on that one so I don't know why it's stopping me on this one! Maybe I know what's ahead of me!!! LOL!!

The sun is shining again and yesterday the puppy and I went for a walk, but had to turn around and come back--I certainly hadn't dressed warm enough---brrr---it was a cold wind that was blowing right through me!!!!!! Have to try again today and dress warmer in layers.

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Christmas ABC and PDG Completed Block Six

I finally finished the quilt top that was giving me sooooooo much trouble! And it turned out all right IMHO!! I am glad to have this much done and now just to wait to get it quilted! It looks neat when it is all done, but what a bugaboo to do!

Also finished the sewing up of Block number 6 of Polka Dot Girls. This one had 3 embroideries in it and 2 applique hearts. The one applique heart doesn't show up very well and I may have to do it over again.

Had such a good time with Debi yesterday at breakfast and on trip to Quilt Mercantile Shop. Congratulations to Quilt Mercantile on getting their website up and running! Found some more fat quarters for the PDG quilt top since it looks like I may run out and had fun just looking around. Some people are so much fun to be with and she is one of those people--she made me a wonderful bag like the yellow one in this picture---I just love it--it is just the right size to take along with a project.

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Polka Dot Girls Block Six

"Laughter with Friends keeps you in Stitches" is what this block says and it is so true---what would we do without our quilting friends??!! There is also a teapot border for this one just like in Block 1. Only two more blocks remaiin to be done--I'll be kind of sad to see this series end--they are so much fun!

I also finished binding on the 1930's Sampler quilt for my daughter, Amy. She loves the 1930's fabrics, so I thought she would enjoy this quilt!

Now I am on my way to meet my BFF Debi for breakfast and then we are going to our favorite quilt shop to do a little shopping--Quilt Mercantile. They will getting their website up soon so I will have a link for them---I'll be so glad for them when that happens!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

One Raffle Quilt and One Project Linus Quilt

Here is the raffle quilt all finished for the raffle at the grandboys pre-school--I showed it a little while back and thought I would show it all finished with the happy fabric binding on it--that is also what I used for the backing. Love that plaid! Also finished is the Metro Green Yellow Brick Road for Project Linus. Such pretty fabric--I hope someone will like it as much as I do--maybe an older child or teenager!

Now onto some more 1930's Sampler blocks--I made some Flying Geese this morning--she sure has a slick way of making 4 at a time. And squaring them up with her ruler is really a nice way to get wonderful looking Flying Geese. I recommend her method highly! I have to finish this Flying Geese block, then I have one more to go and I can put this Sampler together--this one seems to have gone quickly, even though I have only been working on it hit and miss!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

More blocks!

I finished Block 3 of the Polka Dot Girls and the Grandmother's Flower Garden for the 1930's Sampler from Eleanor Burns and the binding on the Raffle quilt for the grandboys Pre-School raffle that will be held in the spring. I feel like I have accomplished a lot! I am half way through a card trick block for the Civil War quilt, too--those are tricky blocks. I need to do 5 of them. The directions are very skimpy and I'm glad that I have some quilting under my belt as I'm tackling these!

We have been having lovely, cool fall weather here in North Teas and the puppy and I have been enjoying a walk every morning. He gets very excited when his leash comes out and is so happy to lead the way!! For 14 years old he can go and go and go--then he comes home and sleeps the rest of the day!!!! I guess he knows these walks are good for me, too because he starts barking and jumping for joy when I start to put on my socks!!!! Hope you can enjoy some nice weather where you are!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!!

Jan

Several Blocks Finished

Finished another block for the 1930's Sampler from the Eleanor Burns book "Egg Money Quilts." This one is called Peony. Some piecing and some applique. I used Eleanor's method of applique and it was quite different--I had not done any that way before. She has you sew fusible interfacing to the right side and turn it inside out and then iron it on so you get a nice smooth edge. Then you can either blind hem stitch it using invisible thread or hand applique it. I chose to do this one with hand applique. The next one I'm doing is a Grandmother's Flower Garden and I think I will applique that one by machine. I'm using Quiltsmart for that one. That's a new process to me, too. Learning all kinds of new things these days!!! Keeps me young!!!!

The second picture shows my next set of blocks for the Civil War quilt--they are called railroad blocks. They were fun and easy to do---I hope all the rest of the blocks are as easy. The next ones are called "Card Trick"-- I've never done those before--something new and another learning experience!!!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan

Sweet Pea Quilt

This quilt I call Sweet Pea because some of the fabric has Sweet Peas on it--aren't I just so clever???!!!! LOL!! It's done with the Take 5 pattern--the pattern says to take 5 minutes, choose 5 fabrics, and in 5 hours you've made this fantastic quilt. Well, the first 2 were right, but I think it took longer that 5 hours to make and I just have the top done! There was an awful lot of cutting done for this one and organizing the cut fabric. For scrappy quilts, I usually don't organize the fabric--that way it is truly scrappy to me. Guess I should have timed myself, but now another top is done and ready to go in the quilting pile!

It's a rainy, gray day outside and usually that makes me want to quilt and sew and embroider, but for some reason all I want to do today is read a good book and nap. So that's what I am doing--I guess I did sew some because I did finish the Take 5, but that's been all as far as quilting is concerned. Some days are like that and since I am retired, I can just go with the flow, which I think is very nice and I am truly thankful for that! Tomorrow will be another day!

Let quilting help you make someone smile!

Jan