Friday, February 28, 2014

The Stars Were Aligned

This is a quilt I've been working on and wanted the recipient to receive it before posting about it. I've mentioned before about a group of us that met while making the Jane Stickle Quilt back in 1997, this is the work of that group. One in our group is hitting some hard life bumps right now and we wanted to make her a quilt to show our love and for her to feel our presence when we can't be their in person. (I just talked about this with my dad's quilt and know you all understand) Recently another friend sent me the book The Blue & The Grey, by Country Threads and the cover photo was perfect for our Civil War fabric loving friend. When I looked at that cover quilt is was only 36" square! So, a little enlarging on Electric Quilt and we were in business. We divided up the blocks and squishes were coming in from many places across the US, one package from Canada, and one from Australia.
As the packages came in I assembled, and waited. Thankfully the two week deadline worked out for Kim, the machine quilter. (She is working out of Quiltworks in Bend and I can recommend her)  I was waiting for the mail lady to come on the last day. The quilt was going to the quilters no matter what.

The mail lady even came early bearing a package from Australia with a block, three flying geese sashing and 2 cornerstone blocks. I was so thrilled!! And as soon as I sewed them in I was on my way to the Bend to meet up with the quilter.

In my haste I made a little whoops with the backing. The quilter had to add the bottom gold cause it was too short!  It looks good.

I had her do an all over pattern since it was such a busy quilt. It was perfect for all that piecing!

I sewed the binding down the evening I got the quilt back and packed it up to take to my dads and hand sew down.



These were taken at my dads house before packaging it up to send off the next morning. I did that before leaving town to head home so I could make sure it went out.

The quilt made it and I know it holds lots of prayers and healing rays. The way it all went together I know the stars are aligning to help her get over the hard knocks life is giving her now.

We love you, dear friend.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Midwinter Linky Winner

Thank you all for your lovely emails and comments about my dad. I had a good visit with him and made it safely there and back.

  

Make sure you've seen all the lovely Mid winter blues quilts. There were 21 that linked up! And one FULL size!  All of them were wonderful!! Thank you all so much for sewing along. I do enjoy doing this and seeing all the little quilts.

I've randomly drawn a name from those links and Kathy from Kindred Quilts wins the blues! Congratulations!! Let me know your address and I'll get these in the mail.

Love to you all.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Faith-Love-Hope

Here is a quilt I made my dad 7 years ago when he was recovering from a fall on the ice. I made sure to bring it from his house so when I'm not there with him he knows part of me is there. 
I saw this beautiful sunset last night and couldn't let it pass without a photo. 

Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging words.
Love to you all.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Quiltworks First Friday

First Friday at Quiltworks was cancelled this month for the first time but it is nice the quilts hang for a whole month. This month featured quilter was Anne of Cottons N Wool
She does gorgeous work!! Nothing like seeing them in person to get your creativity going.











The group quilts were by the Fiber Chix and couldn't be more different than Anne's.


It was hard to tell what was the quilting and what was the fabric. Looks like a lot of work.

This one was my favorite of the juicy fruit challenge.

I'm leaving town for a few days. My dad was hospitalized and now has been moved to a nursing home. He is failing fast.  If he makes it he will be 89 mid- March!

Love to you all!

Be sure to add your MidWinter Blues HERE, if you haven't. And if you haven't seen them you are missing out!!

Monday, February 17, 2014

MidWinter Blues Link-Up! Edited Version


Here we go! Add the link to your blog post- please, not just your blog. We want people to click on the link and go directly to the post with your version of Midwinter Blues. It's okay if it is only a top.
If you do not have a blog, please send me a photo and I'll add it.

We want to see it!!

 Edited:
I forgot to add that I will draw a name from those who add their link and they will get a variety of blues- straight from my stash.





Friday, February 14, 2014

Feeling The Love

 A little prayer flag made from an antique quilt block. I have one made for me by
Libby@ Paper Napkin Poetry, and I have to admit I copied hers quite a bit. She said she didn't mind...really.....
Remember when I emptied my sewing room to put in new carpet? I found this adorable cross stitch I did many moons ago. (many, many moons ago!) I'm not sure how to frame it. Suggestions welcome.

 
This was on  my design wall recently..I had good plans to get something done before Valentines Day. I guess it will wait until next year.
I was so close to finishing my Sally Post blocks. Now is the time!

Happy Valentines Day!

PS, I'd love to have you take a look at my Get to Goal blog. I'm working on a project that is dear to me. Thanks!



Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Basket BOM

Here is my next basket from Wendy at Legend and Lace. She is calling it Blueberry basket. It is hard to tell from this photo but my main basket is purple and the darker caller is blue. It was one of the easier blocks to assemble. Thanks Wendy!

Seven blocks total.

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, February 10, 2014

Midwinter Blues Grand Finale!

I thought it would be appropriate to capture my finished quilt in the snow. I ache from head to toe from massive snow shoveling.  I am thrilled about how my muscles were working though.
I couldn't be more happy with my little Midwinter Blues quilt. I am thrilled so many of you sewed along!

 It was difficult to see the quilting on the original since it was only a photo. I like how mine turned out, although if you like everything lined up nice and neat you may have to come up with your own plan.
Basically the borders are only quilted in one direction as you can see from my lines (made with the Paint program) and the inner pieced blocks are quilted both directions.(cross hatching) The borders and inner section are spaced 3/4" apart. I made sure my quilting was on both sides of the sashing and measured my lines from there. I used smoke colored clear thread on the top and a matching thread for my backing.
My binding is single width cut 1 1/4" wide, applied to the front and hand sewn to the back. Mine is very narrow, so you may want to cut yours 1 1/2" wide and apply.

I hope you love your quilt as much as I love mine! I'll have a link up party in about a week so we can see all your quilts.


Saturday, February 8, 2014

Snowstorm 2014

After shoveling for a little while and not getting anywhere I thought it was a great day to stay inside and sew!




Friday, February 7, 2014

Flowers Top Complete!

I've been working on these since the end of August and am happy to report the top is complete!
The assembly directions were minimal but I figured it out, section by section,
By section
By section.....
I took this last night after the sun was set so it is fairly dark. The border on the right and top is a dark brick red and the left and most of the bottom is a dark blue. I used the same colors as the half square triangles and am pleased with how it pulls it together.
I had my hubby hold this up this morning. It isn't that much better of a photo.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Mid Winter Blues part 3

Now we are going to add the sashing strips. When putting blocks on point I always think the quilt looks much more complex. Adding sashing doubles that complexity.

From your sashing fabric you will need to cut 16 strips that measure 1 1/4"x 5 1/2".

For your cornerstones (mine are brown), cut four (4) 1 1/4" squares and eight (8) 1  1/4" x 2" rectangles. Trust me on the oversizing.

Lay out your blocks and sashing in a pleasing manner.

Looking at the quilt layout below add your brown rectangles to the sashing having them as the outer  sections of the quilt. (they will be trimmed to triangles later) Put the four (4) 1 1/4" squares in the center. Press these towards the blue sashing.

Add sashing to the blocks and half blocks.
I start at a corner and work my way through the quilt. You could actually put this on the second row  but I didn't. Line up your centers and sew. 
Continuing adding sashing and rows together, lining up the seams so your rows match. (if it is off a little it really is NOT a big deal)
 
I over-sized my corner triangles and outer cornerstones so I need to trim them up before adding a border.

Use a long ruler, if you prefer, to trim and square up your quilt. Be sure to leave 1/4" seam allowance all the way around. (this isn't a big deal if you don't have 1/4") My quilt measured 16 7/8" square before adding my border.

Be sure to measure across the center of your quilt to get the correct measurements for YOUR top.

For the border cut 2 strips 16 7/8" x 3", add to two sides.
Cut two more strips 21 1/4 x 3" and add to the other two sides.

Admire your quilt top!

I'll be back with quilting ideas!