Tidings of Joy Pillow

When I saw this pattern, I knew I had to make it.  Snowmen make me smile and this guy is no exception. 

The pattern includes instruction for how to make the outer piping.  It's very easy and something I plan to include on future pillows.....now that I know I don't have to struggle to make piping anymore.  If you'd like a kit, you can get one here.

Back to working on a secret project for a magazine. 

Pumpkin Spice

After a whirlwind trip to quilt market in Houston last week, I'm ready to settle in for the winter.  Market was a lot of fun, especially catching up with old friends.  Contemporary continues to dominate fabric styles:  lots of large scale prints in bright, bold colors.  While I don't mind to use that sort of fabric on occasion, I tend to tire of it quickly.  Patterns and books complemented the fabrics in that many quilts were made with large chunks of fabric. 

During my absence from blogging, the fall issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects arrived.  My Pumpkin Spice quilt finishes 31 1/2" x 31 1/2" -- perfect size for a table topper.  If you're interested in a kit, Sew Graceful Quilting has kits available for $29.95.  You'll need the magazine for the pattern. 

I'm doing a series of seasonal table toppers.  The next one will be in the spring issue of the magazine. I can't share a photo yet but can tell you it's pretty darn cute.

Where to begin?

It's been such a long time since I blogged I had to check my super secret password book to locate my password to my blog.  Thank goodness for super secret password books! 

I know I've been scarce but have just felt kinda blah....and why share my blah with you?  I keep hearing mom's voice telling me to snap out of it, and that's what I'm going to do.  It's been 6 months and I miss her every day....but I know life goes on.....and she'd want it to go on. 

I don't know about you but the cooler weather always gets me in the mood to stitch and sew.  I'm working on this little guy and hope to have it complete next week. 

I've got the blocks complete, sewn together and am hand quilting it with the big stitch using Valdani perle cotton size 12. 

Last year I was asked to present a program at the Walnut Valley Guild in Winfield Kansas.  For some reason I thought Winfield was just a couple hours away.  It's 4 plus hours away so I'm leaving Sunday after church to drive over for my presentation on Monday, Oct 14 at 10:00 and 6:30.  Hubby is staying home so I'm betting if I pass any antique malls I'll be stopping.  If you'd like my info about the guild meeting, let me know. 

I'll be back soon.  I've got a lot to share!

Quiltmania and things

I submitted a couple designs to Quiltmania magazine and they accepted both.  Needless to say, I was quite pleased.....ok.....quite pleased sounds like I was sipping tea, looked over my glasses and said oh goodie.  It was more like jumping up and down and shouting OH MY GOSH!! I'm so excited!  Same reaction I had when I was first accepted to Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. 

If you haven't had a chance to get issue #95, you can get a copy here.

Inside you'll find full size patterns for this

 

and this

 

 

 

 

   

Butternut

It seems like months since I made this quilt. 

 

 

I used homespun fabrics and love, love, love the way it feels.  I submitted the photo to Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine, and they accepted it for publication.  It's in the summer issue and I couldn't be happier with the presentation of the quilt.  My photo shows an unquilted quilt hanging on our fence (that's the scallops that show along the top). 

 

 

 

If you'd like a kit, you can get one at Sew Graceful Quilting. 

 



Quick and easy project

Sometimes I want to work on something easy. Moda's Candy Book has several such projects. To make this piece I used a mini charm pack, a little coordinating black fabric, and a small scale shirting for the background.

I decided to quilt it this afternoon. I knew I wanted to quilt feathers in the large empty spaces. I used a stencil to guide me as I quilted the feathers.

Here's one of the baskets.

My sisters and I had Mom's estate sale Friday and Saturday. We met some nice people but also some very mean people. We were shocked at the number of people who switched price tags, and they weren't even smart about it. For example, one person removed a $25 dollar tag on a rug and replaced it with a $2 tag. Apparently, tag switching is a common occurrence at sales in this town.

I'll be back with another quick and easy finish.

 

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Bonnie's Garden is complete

Bonnie's Garden is complete (except for the quilting) and I'm very pleased with the end result.

This photo was taken when it was a work in progress, hence the unfinished flower on the left side.  I added ladybugs and am thinking of adding in a few inch worms. 

I don't know if you're like me, but I can remember what was going on as I made many of my quilts.  This will always be the quilt I was working on when the my mother was hospitalized and subsequently passed away.  When I took her for an appointment on March 18 little did I know that was the last time we would visit her family doctor.  When I checked her into the hospital later that day little did I know that would be the last time she would ride in my new car.  What I thought was bronchitis was something much, much worse.  The lymphoma she'd battled in 2010 had returned and spread to her lungs, bones, liver, and lymph nodes.  We put her in hospice care 2 days later, took her home the next day, and she took her last breath on the morning of Friday, Mar 22. 

I'll always remember her words as I showed her the quilt:  "That's so pretty."  She was always a big admirer of my work, and I was of hers.  She taught me so many things.

I can't be selfish and wish she had stayed here longer in the condition she was in.  She's in a better place and wouldn't want me to be a gloomy Gus.  Many have told me the loss gets easier with time.  I'm sure it will.     

I'll be back much sooner with some other projects. 

Bonnie's Garden

When I saw Bonnie Sullivan's cover quilt at market, I knew I wanted to make it.  Just never seemed to find the time to fit it in the schedule.  I decided 2013 is the time to fit it in.  Here's the start.....

......of this.......

 

........pretty, huh?

 

A little wool applique

I'm recreating an antique quilt I own but sometimes I need a break from that.  Wool applique provides a nice break.  This piece was fun to stitch.  It's called See no Evil and a kit is available here.

 

Spring Issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine

The magazine is here. As usual, it's wonderful and full of inspiration.

I'm pretty excited about the magazine because I have a project in it. My quilt is Kaleidoscope Dance. It finishes 50" x 50". Kits are available at Sew Graceful Quilting. Http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com

My sweet sister, Donna, named the quilt. Thanks Donna!

 

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Neat Christmas Present

I have a very talented and creative niece. Look at the coasters she made me for Christmas. She took the photo from my blog, attached it to a ceramic tile, and sealed each tile. Very ingenious!

I have been stitching on my little baskets. These are great take anywhere blocks. I thought I had close to 100 blocks but am not even close. Oh well, it's not a race!

I am really excited for the next issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects to arrive. I have a quilt in the spring issue. Can't show a photo yet but I've been told magazines start shipping next week.

Hope your 2013 is off to a good start.

 

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