Waiting Impatiently

I have been needing, wanting, obsessing for the Ruby fabric line for such a long time.  I think I entered every giveaway that I could find!  I didn't win, so I did the next best thing - I bought it for myself.  I am busy fondling my new fabric today.  Look what arrived just for me.  It is going to be used in some of my blocks for my Farmer's Wife quilt.  I have about 15 blocks completed.  This is a totally new color family for me, so I am enjoying the adventure.  There are some great small scale prints in this bundle that are going to be just perfect.  The bundle is from this website Green Fairy Quilts, and the solids are from Thousands of Bolts.

The kids did well

I managed to get this quilt put together this week. The kids in my son's 5th grade class made the blocks with the help of a couple of quilters. I cut out all the blocks and each student pieced one block. I made sure none of the blocks had pieces smaller than 2" finished. It was used in conjunction with a Lewis & Clark lesson. I picked a block from each state that Lewis & Clark went to on their journey. Because there were 20 students, I had to add some additional blocks to represent other things that I thought were appropriate. I hope to have it quilted so it can be entered into the fair this fall. I think the kids will really enjoy seeing their work displayed at the fair. I was pleasantly surprised how straight the sewing was. The students have more difficulties with the pressing than the sewing.

Can't do just One

Why is it when I do most patterns, I make multiple quilts of the same pattern? I think it is because I like the finished project so much. I really liked the baby quilt that looked like a present and how it turned out, so my wheels immediately starting thinking about the possibilities of color options for it.

When one of my good friends had a baby boy (after 2 girls), none of the boy quilts seemed to fit the family. They are complete sports nuts- especially football. When I was digging into my scrap bin, I came across this lonely fabric scrap. Just 3 strips 3 1/2" wide. Immediately the wheels staring turning and the fabric started flying.

Since my scraps were only 3 1/2" wide, I had to recalculate my measurements, and away I went. I am so pleased with how the quilt turned out for baby Tate. Now lets see if I can actually get it quilted before my kids go back to school.

Study of Pink and Black

Nothing can refresh me like a new project. I was inspired by a quilt at http://sisterschoice.typepad.com/sisters_choice_quilts/2011/03/all-wrapped-up.html
I just happened to have loads of black and white prints that I have been trying to use up. What a great combination- quick, easy, fun. Who wants to spend loads of time on a baby quilt that it going to be abused. I am surrounded by a baby boom, so I need to have quilts on hand. Char shared her black and white scraps with me that she no longer wanted. I love how my version turned out.


I have had 6 flannel b&w stripe fat quarters for years. They never seem to work for what I want to do, so I was determined to make them work on the back of this quilt. I drew up a plan and went to work. The black was flannel I had on hand as well as the pink. I used every last inch of this pink fabric on the back.


I just love how the pink plays with the business of the black and white prints. Shortly after I quilted this one I checked out McCall's Fast Favorites from the library (http://www.amazon.com/Favorites-McCalls-Quilting-Patchwork-Place/dp/1604680261/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304097992&sr=8-1). When I saw this quilt (http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/americana_home)
, I knew it would work for yet another pink quilt (since I haven't even made a dent in my Black and whites yet).
I set to work on my kitchen counter piecing the quilt while standing in the kitchen. Let's just say this won't be the most straight quilt I have ever made. I have all the blocks made for the second baby quilt.



After 2 baby quilts, I still haven't made a dent in my black and white stash. Stay tuned for quilt number 3 with yellow as the accent this time. It is a quilt from McCall's Quick Quilts March 2010

New Bag

It's hard to believe that I am ahead of the game. That doesn't happen very often in my world! This my the ISE quilt group will be finishing up the laptop bag that was presented in Quilter's World October 2010 issue. I finished mine the size presented, and my husband's laptop won't fit. I think he is rather thankful for this, as I made it pink and red as a bit of a joke. I wanted to see if he would actally carry it. He's off the hook for now. I guess I would be pushing my luck. He does carry the fabric shopping bags that I made and they are flowery. Since he has taken over the grocery shopping duty, I should probably make him some masculine ones.

This is the bag the group picked for the next quarter. I can hardly believe that I have it done and I have another month! This is a very simple bag, so we may have to do more than one for the second quarter. It is very large, and my daughter has already claimed it for her overnight bag. Notice I found an adorable model who was delighted to model my bag. My friend Sue gifted me the lining fabric. I think it is just perfect.








If you are interested in the pattern, it is in the McCall's Quilting April 2009. The pattern is by Penny Sturges and it is called The Big Bag Theory. I modified the inside to add more pockets, and I did my handles differently.

Off the frame

This one belongs to my sister Mary. It is from Thimbleberries club several years ago. I am sure she will be happy to have it completed. I used Bamboo batting from Quilter's Dream. I used Signature thread (Wheat) in the top and bobbin. This is a new panto that I purchased because of this blog http://blog.maryquilts.com. She used it often and it always adds nice texture.

These pictures aren't great, but I don't have anyplace to hang a quilt that big, but it won't quit snowing. Hopefully I can take some better pictures of the quilt tomorrow.

On a side note, the best way to capture your quilting in a photo is to have the quilt side lit. This quilt is laying on my bed, and the sun is shining through the window accents the quilting design.

Christmas Party entertainment

I know, tomorrow is Valentines day not Christmas. I can't seem to get as much done as I think I can. Several people from my small quilt group have asked about the pictures from the Christmas party. At the Christmas party we had a little "roast" for the naive and reserved quilter E. Now E is a very reserved kind of person who happened to have a piece of leopard skin fabric in her stash long ago. Well we (especially me) were quite shocked by this. The group decided that we needed to shower her with some lovely leopardy items to go with her "stash" This became a 6 month hunt for the perfect gifts. The first item E opened was a lovely cape (which she chose to wear around all night)with her initial appliqued on the back. I think it was a nice touch.


She was quite surprised with the first gift and wondered why someone would bring her a special gift. After several more gifts, she began to see a theme.

A leopard mug, a thread catcher, a tote bag, a snuggy, ironing board, a new bra. She never did tell if she modeled these for her husband.

Barb had to hunt for the perfect bra to make for E. I think she was successful. Diane made a special garter for E. She said it was perhaps the sexiest one she ever made. I don't know if E is excited to try it on.

I think this gift was perhaps her favorite gift. Thank goodness her sister was sitting next to her and could explain what it was and how it was to be worn. It was a special bikini made by Joann. Those are the bottoms that she is holding up.

I think all the excitement wore E out. She is looking kind of tired in this picture playing bingo, and there was a report that her belly hurt so much from laughing. E I'm glad you took this so well, and I am glad that you felt the love that went into the roasting.