Friday, January 29, 2010

Land of the Free

I got a few more blocks made last weekend. I'm pretty happy with the way they are turning out.

I'm setting them aside for awhile and working on a few different UFO's.

I decided I really wanted to add more quilting to the cheddar squares to make it more like the original. Can you see the difference? I really am done with it now!! LOL

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

New Quilt Books- New Projects

This is a book that's new to me. I'm taking a class with the author soon and thought it would be nice to read up a little. I love it! Tonye has been inspired by Gwen Marston and it shows.
I love this little swirl! You can see more of her talent at this website.

Alright, Alright, I know I just showed you this book, but I had to show it again. What a wonderful treat to spend some time looking through it. I ordered mine through The Country Loft, but I know many online quilt shops are stocking it. Crazy quilts aren't new, and wool quilts aren't new, but this book puts the two together combined with some great folksy applique patterns and some charming stitches to come up with a new twist!


Here's a sneak peak at a few of the patterns and stitching ideas.

Here's my humble start. I'm hoping to get it basted today. I have one stitch in!!!
If you would like to join in the fun follow the link to the Wool Crazy Sew Along in the upper right of my blog.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Vicksburg BOM

I finished the little cherry wreath of the Vicksburg BOM. I took a bit of liberty making my version. It seems like I am cutting my pieces just a tad too large, then I have a hard time getting everything to fit. I eliminated about 1/2 of the leaves on this block and I think it will be OK with the rest of the blocks.

I got my Wool Crazy book in the mail today!! I can't wait to get a chance to sit down and look through it.
It's a beautiful sunny day here for a change. It is really refreshing!!
I hope you all are enjoying your weekend. Football tomorrow!!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Land of the Free

I finally got back to these wonderful blocks! I had the eagle done and finished the wreath this week.

I've been working hard in the evenings trying to get Cheddar Cheese and Crackers quilted. I am quilting it like the original (maybe a wee bit tipsy looking) and the lines are 3/4" apart! It's a darn good thing the quiltlet isn't any larger. I'm almost ready to start on the cheddar squares. I was hoping to get it quilted before the weekend but I don't think it is going to happen.

I've put away my Dear Jane quilt for now but I made a little progress on the triangles so that is good.
As soon as I'm done with CC&C I'll be back to my Vicksburg BOM. The leaves are left and they should go pretty fast.

So, that's what I've been up to this week. Since it's down to the final 2 games I may have to watch some football this weekend so I can look a little smart for our Superbowl party! LOL

Have a great week!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Necessary Bundles

I think the name for this pattern is so cute. It's called Necessary bundle by
Primitive Pieces by Lynda. I'm not sure how "necessary" they are but they were sure fun to make!

I made a sample for me so I'd be familiar with the construction. The bag on the left opens at the top and fits a quilting book perfectly. The 3 cotton pieces are pockets on the front. I did the applique in wool.
That is a little sewing rollup on the right.

Here is the roll up opened. There is a pocket at the top and little pockets at the bottom right above the year.

Here are the two pattern/book bags I made for a shop sample. The little one will hold patterns and whatever else you might be toting along.

These were fun to make! If you have the pattern I suggest appliqueing before sewing the front and back together.


Friday, January 15, 2010

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative


Many of you know that I have done a few little quilts for The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. It's a great cause and I like that they are very transparent with the money they raise. 2 of my quilts were in the auction that ended on the 10th. I received a wonderful touching email from Sue, who bid and won one of my quilts. She gave me permission to reprint that here:


Dear Lori,

I am the winning bidder on your AAQI quilt.

I just wanted to say a very big thanks for making this quilt which I know I am going to love when it arrives from the USA.
I am a quilter and former quilt shop owner . My husband Dick has suffered with early onset Dementia since the age of 52 and now at the age of 64 has been in a nursing home for the past 2 years.

It is a wonderful thing that people are acknowledging what a devastating illness Alzheimer's is. I have been robbed of my husband and those dreams we had for our retirement.

I am going to Paducah in the spring and hope to buy wool for some projects. It is not something that is popular or readily available here in the UK. Quilting has kept me sane when the rest of my life was falling apart.


A small quilt (9"x12") donated to AAQI is a big thing! Will you commit to making one quilt this year? Ami wants to bring 1000 to sell to Houston this year and needs more quilts! She is also looking for themed quilts to travel the country to raise awareness of Alzheimer's. You don't have to wait for an auction to purchase a quilt and support this cause. You can find many right now for sale. If you need more information the AAQI website is loaded.

We can find a cure for this devastating disease and give people like Sue and her husband hope for the future when they get the diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

HBO did a series called The Alzheimer's Project. If you are at all interested in personal stories and the science of Alzheimer's I would highly recommend it. It is available through Netflix and many libraries.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Are You Ready for Some Football?!

Hubby picked up FIL and they watched 6+hours of football today. That meant I was able to get in a lot of sewing time. Woo-Hoo!!



I got this top designed by Lynda finished! That's all I want to say about that!!

I'll have to do a bit of clean up then onto the next project for the quilt shop. I'm making a sample for myself first and I'm looking forward to it.

Because step 2 on the Cheddar Cheese quilt was easy, what do you think about me posting the final part earlier then Friday? I've already seen some quilt tops done!! I can't wait to see more. I'm hoping to get mine basted this week.



Monday, January 4, 2010

2010 Starts With a Bang!




I really wanted to be able to show you something I'm working on but I've been getting caught up on things I've put aside during the holidays. I've been to the dentist, made my yearly mammo appt, called the accountant, closed out the business year, washed sheets now that son has gone back to college, cleaned his bathroom......OK- you get the picture... I hope to have something of my own to show you later this week along with the next step of Cheddar Cheese and Crackers.


For now I'll leave you with a couple of charming vintage doll quilts.