Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 Finale

Here is the antique small quilt we will reproduce this month. As you are possibly sewing the next day or so look through your stash for pink and yellow if you want to do it with these colors. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like them together. My top is done, it is basted, but not quilted.


 I have been appliqueing the stems on these and now to add the chain stitch from the stem to the berries. I am hoping to work on that tonight and possibly tomorrow night. It shouldn't take too long then I will be all caught up, ready for the last block and the last border.

Gay from Sentimental Stitches and Brenda, writer of the Dear Jane book have collaborated to bring us a red and white mystery quilt  this year. Check it out at Just Takes 2. I plan on participating with  muslin background and a variety of red prints.
My son took this photo of the woodpecker when he was here at Christmas. I found this on my camera when I downloaded photos today.

I'd like to say thank you to all who have visited my humble blog on the web. I appreciate every visit and every comment. We laugh, we cry and we encourage each other. It is a great community on the web.

Be safe and Happy New Year to you all!!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Sewing Sisters

I'd thought I'd recap some of the lovely quilters I met this year. It always amazes me how many wonderful ladies I've met through blogging, the Internet, or quilting.
My Jersey girls (Susan and Jill) at the red and white exhibit in NYC.


Barb from Fun with Barb.

I made my first trip to NYC with my daughter. This was the view of the city from our rooftop. It was such a memorable trip!

Sue (from I Sew Quilts UK)and I had been corresponding for some time. It was wonderful to finally meet her.
Bev from Australia made reservations for a big group at the Russian Tea Room in NYC. This was a photo of fellow bloggers.  That was such a fun evening.

The wonderful event brought me to NYC.

I had a brief encounter with Sharon- Grassroots Quilting and Victoria- Bumble Beans Inc.

The Sisters Quilt show is always a good opportunity to meet fellow quilters. Here is Kathy from Material Obsessions and Pam from Library Gal Quilts. Two lovely ladies, for sure!!

Juliann from Lining up My Stitches is not only a quilter she's a runner and that is what seems to have bonded us.
Of course, summer time in Central Oregon and I had retreat time with Randy- Barrister's Block and Bonnie- Quiltville.
Before heading out on a quilt cruise I had the pleasure to meet up with Karen from
Log Cabin Quilter. We have so many of the same quilt patterns and do many of the same quilts. It is almost comical.
Bonnie's hubby was unable to go on two cruises with her this year so I was thrilled when Bonnie asked me to go with her. I'd never heard of a quilt cruise before this!!

Here's the long sewing table with 25 fantastic and fun quilters!!
It was quite an experience.
I got to meet up with Carrie- Cricketwood Prims and Michelle from Mocha Moochell blog. Quilters are crazy and even get out in their PJ's for a good sale.
I ended my year with good friends, Randy- Barrister's Block and Claire who now has a blog!!

I hope to meet more of you this year.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Ding Dong Merrily on High......

It has been a lovely week in Sunriver!! We went to the lodge last night for dinner and to see the Christmas lights. It was so cold but so pretty!


Several days with wonderful inspiring, encouraging woman............
An adorable well behaved dog.....
A little wine and a lot of sewing. A great way to lead up to Christmas weekend!!
We managed to do a bit of shopping. Here's what I chose to bind my Jane Stickle quilt with. It is actually bluer in real life.
Here's the scraps I used to put our quiltalong doll quilt together with. (Yep, right after the new year I'll be ready, will you?)
I know I've told many of you already but Merry Christmas.

It has been a JOY blogging with ya'll for another year!!
Love and peace...

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Met My Triangle Goal!

The triangles on my Jane Stickle quilt are quilted!! I reached my goal to get them quilted before Christmas. Woo-Hoo!!


I am going to find the book today and see what quilting is in the scallops and what color blue the binding is. I've never done a scallop binding before.
Someone had asked to see the whole thing the last time I posted about it. It has been about 10 years since I drew on the scallops- seriously I think I used a plate! I don't even remember now. I'm not sure what it will look like once I remove the basting and unfold the edges. Sort of like opening a Christmas present!! LOL You never know what you are going to find!!
I thought I'd show you one of my old favorite snuggle quilts. Millennium Garden by Jan Patek made in 2003. I put the brushed side of some cotton on the back so it's a little like flannel. It has quite a bit of machine quilting too so it makes a good winter quilt.

Have a fantastic weekend and week!! I'm leaving town for a girls retreat on Monday. It will include good friendship, sewing and a bit of wine.....

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Jingle Bells...

 Look what is next up on my quilt list! I'm having my doubts I'll get it done before the end of the year, but if I can start on it I will be happy.
I made a couple of these primitive hearts for a hostess gift.....

and I liked them so much I had to make a few for myself. I'll hang them on the tree when we get one.

 My daughter is coming tonight and I hoped to make the room cheery for her visit.
Porter the dog gave it the thumbs up!! Then I promptly kicked him out!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Joy to the World

The Bible quilt is done.....


I had planned to bring it outside and take photos but I was delayed getting home today and it was too dark. Here's the top half....
And the bottom half. I did some simple meandering quilting. I kept it primitive to go along with the wool applique. I had to remake the label and will get it sewn on tonight and packaged and sent off in the next day or two. Woo-hoo!!

I wish I could say I made this, but I didn't. I purchased it  online from LJ Fibers at www.woolyredrug.com. I kept one and the other is winging its way to our friends in Denmark.
Here is another adorable hand made item I bought online for my daughter. It has a pin on the back so it can go on a hat, a blouse, a dress or a purse. I purchased it from Lana at http://honeysucklelane.com/

If you have a favorite site that you like to browse or purchase or maybe a favorite Etsy seller please leave the url in the comments as I would love to check them out.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Fa-La-La-La-La


21 triangles left to do! I can't remember what my other goal was but my new one is to get the triangles quilted before Christmas! I can't think of anything better to give myself. (Actually that's not true, but that's another story!!)
I really just wanted to share some of my weekend with you but felt compelled to put in a quilt photo. I hope you aren't getting tired of seeing my Jane Stickle quilt.
One of Portland, Oregon's beautiful bridges at dusk.


 The Scandinavian fair at the Memorial Coliseum. Complete with Vikings!!
And Swedish dancers.

Our evening was topped off by a light parade in Forest Grove with Santa closing it out.

I couldn't think of a better way to start my December holidays!!

If you want to see one more fun thing I did you'll have to zip over to Get to Goal, my other blog.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Deck the Halls

Another finish?! Tada!!When Juliann mentioned the 12 Days of Christmas BOM by
Temecula Quilt Co it reminded me that this was in my basted stack ready to be quilted.  This is yet another wool applique quilt designed by Cheri
I got it quilted and bound yesterday and on the wall today!!

I had to include my Danish Nisse in the photo. The holidays are here when I see them!!
A friend gave me this panel some time ago and it was the perfect size for the backing. I didn't do too great at getting it centered, but I like it.

Seriously, I'm warmed up on my machine quilting and the Bible quilt is next on the list..then I want to get my red and white one quilted before Christmas. That may not happen, but I can try.
Happy December!!