Thursday, February 28, 2013

AAQI Quilts for Sale

If you are only a recent reader of my blog you may not know that my mom has Alzheimer's and I make quilts for AAQI.
Kathie, Inspired by Antique Quilts and I have worked together to donate quilts and three of ours are finally up for sale.
Ours tend to go quickly, so if you want one, put it in your cart and purchase right away!!

Thank you Carolyn Forster for purchasing my last quilt. I never even advertised it because she let me know ahead of time that she wanted it as soon as it was up for sale. Thanks to all of you who have supported this worthy cause!!! Now I have two little quilts in England!

Here they are. Click on the title to go directly to the AAQI page.

Now they are all sold! Thank you!!
 All three of them need a proper home...
Rim Rock


Forty-One

Red Cloud

Under the Big Top

 Here is an older project that I revived when I went to Ohio. I'm not sure what exactly I got done, but I got some added to the 6 smaller blocks. I call this Under the Big Top because of the crazy fun red and white stripe.
 This is the original as seen  at a quilt show a couple of years ago. Several of us did a swap of various hst sizes, so we've got plenty.
 This is what that fun stripe reminds me of and where I got the quilt name.
Look at this? It sort of fits in with the lovely striped border. I WON it!  Look at that amazing redwork! Thank you Jean at Quilt Awhile for your thoughtfulness!


If I do not hear from Debra- My Patchwork Palace soon, I'll be drawing another name for the wool prize. I want to give her plenty of time if she is sick or away.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

February Adventures With Sven

This AAQI quilt was on my lap on the drive to the coast. I brought 5 AAQI quilts with me to get quilted. I sewed the binding on ahead of time so that would be ready as well. I got 4 of them quilted, none bound. I'm excited to share them with you soon.
Look at that sunshine! In February? On the Oregon coast? Unheard of! You can tell we are dressed warm but it was so beautiful.
We brought Porter to the coast with us. It was his first trip!!
It is off-season but we opted for a sleepy little town. We pretty much had the beach to ourselves.
The condo we rented was AMAZING! It was huge, so modern and so relaxing! This was the view from our deck. If you are looking for a vacation rental  (Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, California and even Alaska)  I would highly recommend Vacasa Rentals. They were so professional and easy to work with. From experience it isn't always that easy.
Sven did a bit of kicking back as well. Beach combing is hard work!
Happy hour, of course. Thanks Sven for the reminder to slow down and relax.
Sunday was a bit breezy. Loved the way the sand looked blowing across the beach.
Garibaldi, Oregon


Thanks for letting me share my weekend away.   Next month my celebration ramps up a bit!!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Celebration Winners

Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments, fun blogging and friendship!!

I did get home late in the day but managed to draw 4 names.

3 of the 4 winners are named Ann! How funny is that?

Anne Gavin- won the charmpack

Annie O wins the pack of neutral fat quarters

Ann in PA won the mystery quilt

And Debra who wrote:

Congrats on 4 years of blogging, your blog is always interesting to read and your quilts are great. I've been blogging for a year now and was inspired by reading blogs like yours to start my own. It's a great way to keep track of what you've been doing.


Friday, February 22, 2013

A Charming Little Quilt


This is a little quilt made from Tara Lynn Darr Simply Charming book. I love the super scrappy  braided quilt!

Kathy at Kindred Quilts and Darlene at Quilting Daze have encouraged other quilters to make one Simply Charming quilt every other month and by the end of the year you'll have 6 to keep or give! I'm not sure if I'll keep up, but I will at least have one.

If you haven't signed up for my 4 year blogging anniversary then please check it out here and leave a comment.
I'm leaving town with my hubby and gnome Sven so if I don't get a chance to draw winners on Monday then I'll do it first thing on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Humble Quilts

Happy Wednesday!
Gail asked me in a comment how I came up with the name of my blog.
You can click on the top of the page that says "About Me" and that will give you a brief overview.
Since I'm a visual learner I thought I'd show you some beautiful amazing humble quilts!

As fantastic as these quilts are, I do not believe any of them would ever get a  ribbon at a show in 2013. 
 This wreath is not round. Even if the quilt was completely flat against the wall it would not be round.  And look at those quilted circles! Silly, but charming!!
 There isn't much perfectly round about this, but isn't it exquisite? That fabric is lovely!
 I really do not think the maker meant attach the flying geese the opposite way as the rest of the blocks. I do not know very many quilters that would have left it that way. I try and learn from past quiltmakers and I would leave it in. I think it is so delightful!
 This quiltmaker did not line up her red stripes at all! Gasp!
 All that applique for the border to be chopped off!
 Oops, this quilter ran a little short...... oh well.... she'll  make do.
 That make-do border is on this wonderful quilt.

So, you see, I make many unintentional mistakes in my quilts and they remind me of the humble quilts of old. All of my quilts are made to be used, washed, loved and repaired. 


PS- On that note I got a call from Denmark and my quilt (and my son) is loved. She told me she plans on bringing it to her chemo treatments as she did get chilled at her first treatment. I know she loves it and treasures it and yea, it's got a whopper error in it, but she only sees the love.

PSS- There is still plenty of time to get in on my 4 year celebration! Click here.


Monday, February 18, 2013

Celebrate With Me!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered!!
I mentioned last week Feb 11 was my 4 year blog anniversary, generally known as a blogaversary.


To thank all the wonderful people who drop by this blog, either regularly or not, I wanted to offer a couple of giveaways to celebrate.

 I quilted this in Ohio and sewed the binding down on the plane ride home. It is FAR from perfect, I was quilting on a machine I wasn't familiar with. (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) This was the Temecula mystery quilt. The mystery was the first block had one piece, the 2nd block two pieces, etc....  Block ten is a little funky... lol..it's what I call Humble...!!
 I picked this up last week. It is the first 5" charm pack I've purchased.....ever!! You can see more of this beautiful fabric at the Moda Site.
 Because so many quilters are adding wool to the mix I thought I'd share a little of my stash. If you win the wool and you don't want it, either tell me straight up, or just pass it along to a friend. My feelings won't be hurt.
 Here are 5 neutral colored Fat Quarters. These should be able to find a home in almost any quilters stash.

So, there you have it. Leave me a comment if you'd like to win one of these prizes. I'll draw 4 winners next Monday!

Thank you all again for 4 years of quilty fun and friendship!!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered!!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Christmas in February

 I have my 3 additional blocks made for my Christmas quilt. I stayed off the phone and got them all right this time!! lol
Here's the setting I am using. I figure if I can piece 3 blocks a month for 7 months, then work on the setting, I should be able to get it finished by Christmas 2013. That's the plan anyway. This should be great to highlight some wonderful quilting.

My son made it Denmark and the quilt is in Lene's hands. That's all I know. Yay, for the power of the quilt!!!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

 Here's a little quilt I finished while in Ohio. It is from the book Charm School by Country Threads. I reviewed the book here.

 Frosty mugs is complete!
 I won this adorable needle keeper from Kaaren at Painted Quilt. Isn't is wonderful?!
I couldn't be more thrilled. Thanks again Kaaren!!


My first blog post on Humble Quilts was February 11, 2009. I just passed the 4 year mark and will celebrate with my own giveaway very soon! That first post has one of my very favorite quilts pictured. Check it out!

Happy Valentines day!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Abundance Linky Finale

I have the best blog readers! You are always so supportive and encouraging. Thank you for that.

For awhile now I have not been responding to all comments as I'd rather not be spending that much time at the computer, but please know I read and appreciate every single comment.


What an amazing turnout for the little Abundance Linky Party. If you haven't been back to that post you better go right now! There are 45 amazing little quilts! If you are one of the ladies I posted a photo for, please click on the link so you can read the sweet comments left about your quilt.

If you have done any of my other quiltalongs, you know I draw a name from those who have linked up. Yesterday I pulled some fabrics from my stash that are similar to the ones we would have used in this little quilt. Today I drew #3, which is AnneEliza.
Congratulations!!

Thank you all for joining in. I always have so much fun doing this!!


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

A Little Porch Time Found a Home

I finished appliqueing the final border of A Little Porch Time in Ohio late January and Thursday it will be flying to Europe!

Less then a week later after I finihsed the top we found out that my son's host mom in Denmark has stage 4 cancer.  There was not even a shadow of a doubt this quilt was meant to be hers.
Here is a photo of my husband, Lene, myself, and my son when we visited Denmark at the end of my son's stay.  Because of strange circumstances (and because she is such a wonderful woman!) we have a special bond.
When my son was in Denmark he had to have emergency surgery. Because the bleeding would not stop he had to go back into surgery twice. Obviously we were in the US and didn't know all this was happening until he was safe, but she (and grandmum) watched out for him as if he was her son.  We felt an instant connection when we went to visit and we have  since then.  Their family came to the US and we had a wonderful time hosting them. We got the news in August that the host grandmother had cancer (in remission now) so my son made a trip then.
He will leave for Denmark Thursday.  I've been quilting like crazy and didn't feel like I had done a very good job cause I was in such a hurry, but now that it is bound and washed I feel happy about it, sad, but so happy I had the top to finish and get to her. They have a big porch that we spent most of our time in and this quilt suits her perfectly. She understands the love that comes from being wrapped in a quilt.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Quilts in Ohio

I had hoped to show you a finish of mine, but it isn't finished, so I won't show it quite yet. I'm so close!

Here is some lovely eye candy from my friend Kat's house.
The first time I met Kat she was a die hard hand quilter. Look at this awesome pickle dish- all hand quilted~!
 There are beautiful quilts to look at in every corner of Kathy's house.
 I need a quilt ladder! She has two of them and the other one is full of her blue and white quilt collection. I'm not sure why I didn't get a photograph of that.
 Look at this amazing paper pieced compass. I believe Bonnie Hunter quilted this when she was still doing it as a business and before Kat got her quilting machine.


This looks antique, but it isn't. It is beautifully pieced and aged. Kathy's husband thought he was being helpful one day and washed it and left it in the washing machine overnight when it was wet. It was a sad and mournful day when she saw the damage. She tried to over dye it, but it has never been the same since. I do believe she forgave him for that.
This is an antique that was on my bed. Isn't is gorgeous!? I love how the maker made it unique by adding the green setting.
Kathy was working on these tiny little blocks. The squares finish at 7/8"!
Here is a post from 2010 that has her start and the inspiration quilt.
http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2010/08/churn-dashes-nine-patches.html

She called the other day and is finished quilting my Jubilee. She told me she really wanted to use wool as the quilting would really show up, and because she knows what I like, I trusted her completely on this one. If you are looking for a machine quilter I would highly recommend her.
Her site is A Thread Runs Through it, Custom Machine Quilting.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Friday Frenzy

I loved seeing your Abundance quilts! Be sure to add your blog link if you haven't yet. If you have sent me a photo and do not see your quilt please email me again.
 Here's a little project I've been working on. I just have to stitch the green sprigs by the bird then applique it to the background. With the impending storm I thought it would be appropriate to show a photo today. Stay warm! Stay safe!
 For those of you that like to think spring is near here is another wool piece.  It folds in half and ties and is a needle keeper. The inside was a bit primitive so I've opted not to show it! It was a thank you gift for my friend in Ohio.
 Here's the Superbowl baby that decided to make his presence on January 25th instead of February 3rd. I got to meet him on Superbowl Sunday and present him with is cowboy quilt. It wasn't love at first sight! lol
Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting fellow  blogger Brandie.  Her brother is in Portland for major surgery and I made a day trip to try and show my support.  I'm not sure how much that happened but we had a nice time getting to know each other better over coffee and lunch. She is so sweet!

Have a fantastic weekend. I'm machine quilting and hope to have a finish to show you on Monday.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Abundance Linky Party!

 Here's the original.
Here's my version.

I'd love to see your version!! If you do not have a blog to link up, send me a photo and I'll add it.  Everyone who links or sends a photo gets there name in a hat for a drawing. I haven't determined the fabric yet, but I will soon.