Pine Ridge Quilter

Fusing Words

2012-02-08T11:40:00.001-08:00

I was asked how I did my lettering on the borders. There are so many ways out there to do letters on your quilts. I have done various ways over the years. True appliqué, letters pieced from square and half square triangles, embroidery, liberated letters, fused, etc. This time I chose to fuse the letters on. I would have to say my favorite look is the liberated letters that are a bit wonky. But in this quilt the letters my friends made are definitely the stars of this quilt and I didn’t want the border to move the eye away from them, so I chose to fuse smaller letters.

To get started on this I decide what width my border is going to be and what words are going to be placed on what border. I then choose a font from my Word program on my pc. After finding what font I think will work best I then play with the sizing, printing different sizes out of a few words on paper and then placing them on the border until I get a size I like. Once you find your font and sizing all you have to do is print the words out, turn the paper over and using a sharpie outline the letters so you have them in reverse and then trace the reversed letters directly to your fusing paper.

After fusing the letters to the border I then like to sew a straight stitch around the edges of each letter to make sure they will hold if the quilt is washed. I do this using matching thread to the actual letter fabric and my machine. To finish the letters off I embroider around each letter using matching embroidery thread and a buttonhole stitch.

Viewing the quilt from a short distance you can’t even tell this step has been done, but I like how it pulls the letters off the quilt a bit. You could do the embroidery by hand or machine. I always enjoy the handwork. I am including a couple of examples of previous quilts I did using this method. I hope you give it a try, very easy and words always make the quilt!

"If you obey all the rules, you'll miss all the fun." - Katherine Hepburn

Moving Forward

2012-01-30T06:26:00.001-08:00

Three years ago my husband of 25 years went on a fishing trip, he came back with a new girlfriend and a divorce and thus my life forever changed - for the better, lol. I don’t know if I could have said that three years ago but I have definitely come full circle and really enjoy the person I have become. Life is funny like that sometimes. When this all took place my quilt friends being the wonderful group of gals that they are gifted me with some letter blocks. You see I have a love for words, always have. It goes back to my days of being a young girl and immersing myself in the poetry of Emily Dickinson and Rod McKuen. Words started showing up in my quilts in the early 90’s and have continued to do so since. So it was only natural that when I was feeling down they each made me a letter spelling out there love for me. I love these letters, they are all so unique, so the friend that made them. I have cherished them for three years now and know that the time has come to create a quilt with them.

I have completed that circle of disbelief to happiness. The time has come to put those letters into words, my friends words, my own words. Thus the divorce quilt is evolving. The letters are sewn together and the work on the borders, my words, has begun. As I said before, life is funny like that sometimes, you don’t know what it has in store for you but with a little bit of love from your friends and a whole lot of faith you will survive and continue to move forward.

“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my ship.” - Louisa May Alcott

Heading Out

2012-01-25T12:09:00.001-08:00

Two little finishes. I have had the quilting done on these two little quilts for quite awhile but as I tend to do I never got the bindings put on. Binding is definitely my least favorite part of quilting. I don’t know why I just tend to put it off forever. Maybe it is a psychological thing; I don’t want the process of that particular creation to end. Possibly, possibly not. Anyway, I got my act together and was able to spend the whole 2 hours that it took me to make and sew these bindings on.

I like having little quilts to quilt on. They are so easy to pick up and work on, easy to maneuver around and easy to travel with. I have two more I am working on then I will have to get busy and put some of those ideas in my head down on paper and create a few new ones.

Remember the Would Your Rather quilt with friends or go on a cruise question? Well I would definitely choose quilting with friends as I have the bestest quilting friends ever!!! I am packed and ready to head out for a weekend of quilting, eating, talking and even movie watching with these friends. We all started reading the Janet Evanovich books together back in the 90’s. Lucky for us that the movie based on book one is premiering this weekend so while we are all together we are going to take a trip to the theater and have a few laughs. I have been busy preparing a “Special” project to work on. Hopefully I can get some pictures snapped over the weekend and share it with all of you.

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” - E.E. Cummings

A New Day

2012-01-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

I’m walking on Sunshine, oh yeah, I am walking on Sunshine is the title for my quilt. I definitely love getting up each day and experiencing this wonderful life that has been gifted to me. So with happiness in heart I created this quilt top. The sun is shining and my new life is growing (yep that’s for me!!). A few years ago my life took a drastic change and I found myself starting over again. But I can say it has been a happy change for me and I see life in a whole new light. It is to be enjoyed, the good, the bad the happy and the unhappy. I read a quote from Leonard Cohen a while back that has really stuck with me, “Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.” Give it a try, it works! It won’t be long and I should be done with this quilt. I have the background quilting done, now I just need to finish up the quilting in the wool areas.

Everything can be taken from us but one thing - the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstance. – Victor Frankl

Time Off Well Spent

2012-01-11T06:31:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to have a couple of weeks off over Christmas. Laura + Time off = Couch potato. I can honestly say that I barely left my house. I didn’t even go gather my mail, just sat around hand quilting and watching Westerns. Those who know me know that I am a big Western junkie. So I DVR as many as I can and I pay extra for the Western channel each month so that I will have an endless supply of entertainment. My favorites are the black and white ones from the 40’s and 50’s. Plus I can never get enough of Randolph Scott, George Montgomery or James Drury as The Virginian. My love affair with Westerns goes back a long time. My oldest son was named for the character Jess Harper in the tv series Laramie played by Robert Fuller who also portrayed one of my favorite characters “Cooper Smith” on the Wagon Train. So I enjoyed my few weeks off with my favorite guys and about four different hand quilting projects. I didn’t want to get too bored with any single one so each day I worked on each one a little bit. I have two small ones in the works, a crib size that is done in both cottons and wools, and a large bed size that I made for my daughter back when she was 11. She is now 19 so it is definitely time to get it quilted. I am happy with what I have accomplished so far and will be sharing my progress along the way. Now off to do a little more quilting and watch Eddie Dean sing a little and then ride off to catch the bad guys.

You were born an original. Don’t die a copy. - John Mason

Would You Rather -

2012-01-03T07:38:00.000-08:00

Fight a polar bear or a grizzly bear? That is how my summer was spent, playing the; would you rather game. One of my jobs at work is to oversee the summer interns that work for us. I work in ag research so we spend many an hour outdoors taking samples, monitoring fields etc. The very first day one of the kids asked the above question and thus the summer of would you rather, began. At times I thought I was going to go crazy from this silly game as they would argue as to who had the right answer and then google what they felt was the correct answer on their Iphones to support their argument. The game seemed endless as they never ran out of questions to ask. The very last day they worked one of the last things said to me by one of the boys was a would you rather question.
Summer is gone and we are in the middle of winter and the game continues to haunt me. For Christmas one of my superiors at work placed a wrapped gift on my desk and told me to open it on Christmas day. It was the boxed game of Would you Rather? How funny that these kids are still bringing a smile to all of us months later. So welcome 2012, I think I will start off with my own game of Would You Rather? Let me know your answers.
Would you rather Hand quilt or Machine quilt?
Would you rather use batik fabrics or plaid fabrics?
Would you rather machine piece or appliqué?
Would you rather take a quilting cruise or a weeklong quilt along at home with friends?

You don't stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing.

On the 25th Day of Christmas

2011-12-24T09:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!

On the 24th Day of Christmas

2011-12-23T04:32:00.000-08:00

Antique Star

On the 23rd Day of Christmas

2011-12-22T04:59:00.001-08:00

1850 Ohio Star

On the 22nd Day of Christmas

2011-12-21T05:02:00.000-08:00

Tea Rose

On the 21st Day of Christmas

2011-12-19T05:17:00.001-08:00

Tulip Basket

On the 20th Day of Christmas

2011-12-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

Star of Bethlehem

On the 19th Day of Christmas

2011-12-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

Princess Feather

On the 18th Day of Christmas

2011-12-15T05:22:00.000-08:00

Tulips

On the 17th Day of Christmas

2011-12-14T06:13:00.000-08:00

Hexagon Crib Quilt

On the 16th Day of Christmas

2011-12-13T04:54:00.001-08:00

Album

On the 15th Day of Christmas

2011-12-12T04:37:00.000-08:00

Hands all Around

On the 14th Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T08:51:00.001-08:00

Four block Tulip

On the 13th Day of Christmas

2011-12-09T05:08:00.001-08:00

Crib Quilt

On the 12th Day of Christmas

2011-12-08T05:03:00.001-08:00

1894 Drunkards Path

On the 11th Day of Christmas

2011-12-07T05:20:00.001-08:00

Tulip Variation

On the 10th Day of Christmas

2011-12-06T05:37:00.001-08:00

1890 Cockscomb

On the 9th Day of Christmas

2011-12-05T12:28:00.001-08:00

Flowering Almond

On the 8th Day of Christmas

2011-12-02T05:34:00.001-08:00

1850 Floral Applique

On The 7th Day of Christmas

2011-12-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

Mohawk Trail

On the 6th Day of Christmas

2011-11-30T13:29:00.001-08:00

Pots of Flowers

On the 5th Day of Christmas

2011-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

Rose of Sharon with Pomegrantes

On The 4th Day of Christmas

2011-11-28T05:58:00.001-08:00

Rising Sun

On the Third Day of Christmas

2011-11-27T12:08:00.000-08:00

Thistles and Currants

On the Second Day of Christmas

2011-11-26T14:39:00.001-08:00

Mississippi Oak Leaf

The 1st Day of Christmas

2011-11-22T11:40:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year again!

Family/Vacation Time

2011-03-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

I have been working like mad trying to get these 2 1/2" square blocks done before I leave on vacation. You see lucky me my oldest son who lives out west is flying down to meet us then coming back home and staying for 10 days so I had to get my other sons room cleaned up from all my quilting stuff. Since he is away at college I have taken over his room and loving getting some sewing done. This is all my 1st set of blocks done. This is a mystery quilt all done out of squares. After my son leaves I will set up again and try to get the next set of blocks done before his brother arrives home for the summer. So yes I am headed out for warmer weather. Well at least I hope it is warmer, today it is 68 degrees here, I couldn't ask for better weather then this.
I have also been working on a bedroom makeover. I found this awesome (to me) bedspread and it just took off from there. Now I have a chair for reading in the corner with hanging lights and a new rug, I am going to get my son to paint the wall behind my bed while he is home and that should finish it off. It is nice to get a facelift every now and then.
I also was able to sew the center of my Bitchy quilt top together, all but the tea towel as I am worrying about it raveling out. So next up is the lettering.
Oh and on one more good note I have someone coming to stay at my house with Bullvye while we are gone. I am so glad he doesn't have to go to the kennel. He will be stressed enough with us gone. So I will see you all in a few weeks, off to spend some time with two of my wonderful kids!

"The family isone of nature's masterpieces." - George Santayana

Birthday Blocks, taxes and travels

2011-02-28T14:52:00.001-08:00

I know it has been awhile for me. But I have still been out here quilting along. This month is always a crazy one for me as I do taxes for quite a few family members so that has kept me busy. I am glad to say I have them all done.
My kids have been traveling around also. My middle one is now in Florida playing baseball so I have been trying to keep up with his adventures. My oldest one has spent the winter traveling all around out West and in the Southwest. He is going to fly to Florida to meet up with us over spring break, I can't wait to see him as it will have been almost a year. One of the places he visited was Roswell, New Mexico. That has been on his list for quite some time. I was so excited that he finally got to visit has we have spent years watching those sci-fi movies of an alien nature together. He also spent large spans of time in numerous national and state parks hiking and kayaking so I hope that he remembered to take lots of pictures.
I have still been receiving birthday blocks from friends. I apologize that my batteries are going on the fritz so my camera is not taking good pictures (see how I blame the camera). But you can get the gish of all these wonderful blocks I have been getting.

Snow Days

2011-02-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

I am now on my third snow day from work this week. Yes I am loving it and at the same time getting nothing accomplished. I have spent the majority of my time on the couch catching up on taped tv shows. Very slugworthy of me I know. I did have good weekend at Miss Mary's quilting cottage with my friends last week. I worked on my squares quilt and the above is one of the block patterns that I was able to get done. All the parts are sewn together and now they just need to be sewn into blocks. It was a good weekend with good friends!

Half of the gang!

The other half!

Linda and Michelle

Joan modeling her just made scrub top

Now I am off to do some handquilting and catch up on The Virginian!

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Cutting

2011-01-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

I would like to be playing with creating words for my Unstable quilt but instead I have spent the past day and a half cutting 2" squares. For the love of Pete I have forgotten how time consuming cutting out a large project is. Thank goodness I have coffee on my side or I would have long given up. I have cut for hours and this is all I have to show for it.
This all started because I needed a small piece of fabric for an applique I was working on last fall. I have a very small square footage home so all of my fabric is stored in totes in my garage. When I went to pull that piece of fabric that whole tote full of fabric smelled mildewy. So, I have spent the past few months washing all my fabric in vinegar and baking soda, then pressing and putting it back away. You can't imagine how much time this really takes to do. Lucky for me none of the fabric was at the point that it was more then just a slight smell. No stains or anything like that. In the process I came across so many small pieces of fabric that I just didn't want to continue storing. So I looked for a couple of scrap quilt patterns and found one that is made only of 2" squares. Perfect. The plan was to get it cut for my quilt retreat the end of January. Well that is next weekend and here the procrastinator that I am I will be cutting up until the point that I leave. But hey I am cutting again, I am sewing again, that has been a long time coming!
Last night my daughter and I had a movie night. We made little artichoke snacks, turned all the lights off and watched Close Encounters of the Third Kind. What fun. We love alien movies in my house and she and I got a kick out of it that the two places the aliens were visting was Indiana where we live and Wyoming where my son who loves sci fi movies lives. I hadn't seen that movie since it came out in the 70's. Richard Dreyfuss was so young looking and we kept thinking that the other main character was so familiar to us but we couldn't place her. Well it was Melinda Dillon who played Ralphie's mom in A Christmas Story. It was a fun night.

The courage to imagine the otherwise is our greatest resource, adding color and suspense to all our life. -Daniel J. Boorstin

Unstable and Bitchy

2011-01-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

I was working on my computer this weekend, actually I was trying to load my ipod with new music which is always a hassle for me as I am technically challenged. Anyway, I kept glancing over at all the piles of unfinished projects that I had tossed on my son’s bed and my Unstable and Bitchy blocks were staring back at me. So I went and grabbed a tablecloth and hung it up on the wall and started arranging the blocks. Less all the fillers I will still have to do I think I have it where I want it. This is the result of a tea towel a friend bought me in Paducah one year.
I plan on putting a border on the left side and the bottom with the Lucille Kallen quote: A man’s home is his castle, and his wife is the janitor. This has sat for a couple of years so I am glad to get moving on it again.

“Good humor makes all things tolerable. “ – Henry Ward Beecher

Sewing Again

2011-01-12T05:39:00.001-08:00

Woo Hoo! I got my sewing machine out again. That has been a long time coming. As soon as my middle child left to go back to college this past weekend I pulled it out and set it up in his room. I then dumped all the bags of unfinished projects on his bed and went through them. Nothing called out to me to finish. So I pulled a couple of tubs of fabric in from the garage and started cutting 2” squares from my smaller pieces. I kind of have a plan but we will see if I follow through. If I don’t at least I have the quilting bug again. Once I started cutting I went and grabbed the tin that held the pieces for a T quilt that I was working on and I started trimming the pieces up for it. So let’s hope I keep this momentum going. Oh and look at this awesome lamp my friend Linda’s husband made. I love it, as it is full of new and old notions.

I did get out of the house for a few hours and went to see the new True Grit movie. As most of you know I love, love westerns and I also like Jeff Bridges so it was a definite must. I did like the re-do of this story. I like John Wayne but he isn’t my favorite western star. He seemed to be the same character in most of his movies, John Wayne. So I enjoyed Jeff Bridges take on the Rooster Cogburn character.
Snow is here! I plan to do some hand quilting tonight.

“The years teach much which the days never knew.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Few of my Favorites

2011-01-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

We all have those favorite blogs we love to go to for inspiration or a good read. I thought I would share a few of my favorites. These are my go to ones. The ones I can’t pass up. The blogs that will always inspire me.

Victoria is the most prolific quilter I am come across. Her Bumblebeans blog is full of quilts, full of color and also full or her generosity. She also has some great tutorials you won’t want to miss and to top it all off she lives in beautiful New York City and is always sharing pictures of her jaunts around town.

Lila is one of my favorite designers. Her clothes are so cute, heck she even has a pattern for boots and her fabrics are full of fun color.

Tracy is my go to when I am having the blahs at home. Her decorating sense is so inspiring. She also has an antiques business and shares that with her readers also at her A Cottage Industry blog.

I have always believed I could actually live the life of a hermit. I love staying in and doing only the things I enjoy. I live a little of that through Lisa at Black Bear Cabin. She is a busy mother of a little girl but they live in the woods in a Log Cabin and even though she could possibly have a neighbor within site I would like to believe that her little cabin sits in the mountains away from all hustle and bustle.

Valori Wells is the full package. She designs fabrics, quilts, and clothing. She is an artist with her paintings and drawings and she is a professional photographer. Add to that mother and wife and creator of all things beautiful and you have one fun blog to read.

Nancy lives in the mountains of Montana and not only does she make wonderful primitive quilts and all things gorgeous in wool she photographs the wildlife around her cabin. Her blog is called Tom Miner Folk art and it is always worth a visit.

Color, color and more color. That is Sue Spargo and her wool quilts, bags, etc. I met Sue many years ago when she was first getting started in the business with Jan Patek and she is has just grown to be the most amazing designer. She also travels the world and shares those travels with you. Plus to add to all this; her business is a family business and you get to see the workshops and beautiful wools and threads they dye. If you ever need to get inspired with color this is the blog you want to visit.

And last but always first in my book is Tonya over at Lazy gal. She is my big inspiration! I love her use of words, words and more words and also her fabulous use of color. Plus she always gives great reviews on television programs.

I hope you get a chance to stop in and visit my friends that I live vicariously through out there in the blog world. It will be time well spent!

Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground....

Civil War Quilts

2011-01-05T05:14:00.001-08:00

I have long been a lover of civil war style quilts. The picture above is one I did back in the 90’s. Barbara Brackman is a quilt historian located in Lawrence, Kansas. She has started a new Civil War Quilts blog site to commemorate the 2011 Sesquicentennial of the start of the civil war. She is offering a free block of the month and great stories to go along with each block. I don’t know if I will actually do the blocks but I love reading the stories so I know I will follow along. The first block has already been posted. It sounded like too much fun not to share!

Kiss your life. Accept it, just as it is. Today. Now. So that those moments of happiness you’re waiting for don’t pass you by.

A Busy Week

2011-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all the nice comments on the quilts for the Christmas Season. I always enjoy pulling 25 from my picture archives. I wish I could let you know what book or site they came from but I never save that information.
I had last week off and I spent it watching Westerns and doing some hand quilting. It had been awhile since I had quilted so I had to get my fingers calloused again. They hurt for a few days there. I very seldom use a thimble. If I do I use one it is a soft leather thimble. I worked on 5 different quilts. I get bored working on the same one so I just switched around.

I would work on an area and I when I got that area done I would move on to another quilt. Four of the quilts are just small ones around 18 x 20 and one is a crib quilt size. I was able to finish one and I have all the appliqués quilted on the remaining 3 small ones and the larger one has even more quilted on it.

I also finished the appliqué on a small quilt and got the binding done on another that has been quilted forever but just needed that finishing touch.

It was a good start for the New Year. As for making resolutions I have only made one; to be the best person I can possibly be, honest and true to myself. Happy New Year!

“If one is out of touch with oneself, then one cannot touch others.” - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

On the 25th Day of Christmas

2010-12-23T05:29:00.001-08:00

I have seen this 1845 wool applique quilt in various books and it remains a favorite of mine.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and an enjoyable holiday with your family and friends.

Every time we love, every time we give; it's Christmas. - Dale Evans

On the 24th Day of Christmas

2010-12-22T05:12:00.001-08:00

I love the colors of this 1970's holly quilt.

On the 23rd Day of Christmas

2010-12-21T05:02:00.001-08:00

Wreaths with flying geese border.

On the 22nd Day of Christmas

2010-12-20T05:01:00.001-08:00

1860 Red and White Feathered Star. Love the snowflakes in the border!

On the 21st Day of Christmas

2010-12-17T05:13:00.001-08:00

1860's Pots of Flowers quilt.

On the 20th Day of Christmas

2010-12-16T04:57:00.001-08:00

An 1860 Penny Rug Table cover. You wouldn't need a centerpiece with this table cover.

On the 19th Day of Christmas

2010-12-15T04:50:00.001-08:00

Rose of Sharon variation.

On The 18th Day of Christmas

2010-12-14T04:56:00.001-08:00

A mosaic star quilt.

On the 17th Day of Christmas

2010-12-13T04:55:00.001-08:00

Hawaiian Breadfruit quilt.

On the 16th Day of Christmas

2010-12-10T04:44:00.001-08:00

In my book the rich colors of this crazy quilt would make it a Christmas season quilt. Well heck, truthfully if I owned this puppy I would display it year round!

On the 15th Day of Christmas

2010-12-09T04:49:00.001-08:00

1860's applique quilt. Fabulous border!

On the 14th Day of Christmas

2010-12-08T04:48:00.001-08:00

1860 wreath crib quilt.

On the 13th Day of Christmas

2010-12-07T04:53:00.001-08:00

This is one of my favorite applique quilts. I love the huge roses.

On the 12th Day of Christmas

2010-12-06T05:04:00.000-08:00

Blue and white snowball quilt.

On the 11th Day of Christmas

2010-12-03T11:30:00.001-08:00

A 1910 wool utility quilt. At my previous home I decorated in purples and greens at Christmas. This quilt would have fit in perfectly.

On the 10th Day of Christmas

2010-12-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

1800's North Carolina Lilly with fabulous border. Love all the little berries and the soft colors.

On The 9th Day of Christmas

2010-12-01T11:55:00.001-08:00

An 1850 Eagle Crib Quilt.

On the 8th Day of Christmas

2010-11-30T05:10:00.001-08:00

I love the simplicity of two color quilts. This is a great example of a pine cone/pine burr pattern.

On the 7th Day of Christmas

2010-11-29T07:32:00.000-08:00

A pretty red and green Martha Washington wreath.

On the 6th Day of Christmas

2010-11-26T02:40:00.001-08:00

I love this folk art style crib quilt!

On the 5th Day of Christmas

2010-11-23T05:03:00.000-08:00

An 1865 Mariner's Compass - it almost looks like peppermint candies.

On The 4th Day of Christmas

2010-11-19T12:02:00.001-08:00

A pretty with pink Jacob's Ladder quilt.

On the Third Day of Christmas

2010-11-18T04:08:00.000-08:00

The black really adds to this variation of the Rose of Sharon pattern. Look at all those berries in the border.

On The Second Day of Christmas

2010-11-17T04:07:00.000-08:00

1900 pieced basket and applique quilt. I love red and green quilts that have a touch of gold in them. This one is stunning.

On the First Day of Christmas...

2010-11-16T06:23:00.000-08:00

I had to start out with one of my favorite quilters and one of my favorite quilts. This is a Gwen Marston quilt that I just love the border on. It is so simple but also makes a statement.

2010-11-15T11:36:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow starts the 25 days of Christmas. I will be posting a picture of an antique or older quilt that I think would be wonderful to own and display during the Holidays. The 25 days consists of the days that I know I will be able to post on, therefore the reasoning for starting on November 16th! So here goes...

Scenes from Quilt Camp

2010-09-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

We had another fun and productive quilt camp. Here are a few pictures of what was happening. I worked on birthday blocks that I was behind on. The first block is Lela's who requested barns.

Next up was Ginny who wanted something in Khakis, purples and greens.

This is our wonderful master quilter Esther and her gorgeous quilt!

This one is for Viki who wanted a paper pieced flower. I don't paper piece so I did the most basic one I could find.

Sossity asked for churn dash blocks in 30's prints

Linda asked for tans, pinks and browns.

Mel's absoulutely exquisite Winter Wonderland top.

Dawn busy at work. She was my tablemate.

St. Louis Trip

2010-09-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

I journeyed to St. Louis with my family for the Labor Day weekend. First up was the Cardinals/Reds game and it was definitely a good time as the Cardinals came out victorious. After the game my son’s college team played a game on the Busch field and they didn’t do so well. But he did great as it was his first game in a year since having the Tommy John surgery. I didn’t realize how much I missed going to baseball games until I didn’t have any to go to. I am glad to have baseball back on my agenda.
Tonight is a get myself in gear night as I have quilt camp this weekend and so far I have nothing prepared to work on. I need to get the different birthday blocks patterns ready and kitted up to take with me. Hopefully this camp will get me back in the quilting mood.

“If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.” - Bruce Barton

Summers End

2010-08-31T10:45:00.001-07:00

The long hot summer. That is what we have bequeathed this past June through August. It has been so hot that I even have to leave a fan on during the day while I am at work. As you can see from the picture Bullvye has taken his place in front of the fan and you can find him there most days. I certainly have one smart puppy!
One fun thing I did this summer was see my 3 favorite bands. I started with Pearl Jam in May, then Tom Petty in July and ended with Creed this past month. And to make it more fun, each time I went I went with a different group of friends so it made all 3 shows a different experience.
The kids are now back in school and it seems like summer is coming to a close. We are heading to St. Louis for the Labor Day weekend to watch baseball at Busch. Then the following weekend brings quilt camp. I have no idea what I will work on. Possibly all the birthday blocks I need to catch up on. Maybe camp will give me the boost I need to get quilting again!

“One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it.” – Sidney Howard

Scary Stuff

2010-08-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

Facebook can be a good thing, then; sometimes it can not be so good. I love keeping in touch with my son who lives out west via Facebook. He posts pictures of all his adventures, we can chat and message each other and that saves our cell phone minutes. But I hate days that I tune in to see what he is up to next and I see this picture of him jumping from the top of a tree that is growing out of a cliff into a river that from the picture it looks fairly shallow. The picture posted before this one has him up at the top of the tree just hanging out. He is my adventurer and I am sure he was loving every minute of this jump, his message back to my urgent message telling him to stop this stuff was that he does it all the time. No big deal, relax mom. Sometimes we just have to let them live there lives as they want, even though it is tough to do.
“Some family trees bear an enormous crop of nuts.” - Anonymous

Where has Summer gone?

2010-07-25T19:23:00.001-07:00

I have been a busy girl this month with work. I have also took some time out for some fun. I went with a bunch of friends to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I have been a fan of their's forever! He is my absolute favorite and everytime I get the chance I go to see him. He always puts on the best show.
I have done zero quilting this month. It is hard to believe that school starting again is just around the corner. Where has the summer gone?

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability - Sam Keen

Turning a Bad Day into a Good Day

2010-07-01T09:55:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was one of those days that you hope you only have every few years. It started out okay. My daughter having put off getting her driver’s license for over a year applied for her permit a few months ago and then scheduled a drivers test. Because the law is changing in Indiana today for teenage drivers she needed to take her actual driving test before the end of day yesterday or she was going to have to wait another 6 months. We called all around and it ended up that we had to drive to a BMV over an hour and a half away to get it in by the deadline. So we had a scheduled appointment at 8:30 yesterday morning. We made it down there in plenty of time but when she went to start the car to take the test it wouldn’t start. The instructor told us that she would have to fail her. Uugggh. I had family in this town so I asked if she would give us 10 minutes to get a car as my Uncle worked at the car dealership just a block up from the BMV. No was the answer. So I now have a daughter in tears and a car that wouldn’t start. I called my Uncle and he came over to help us out with the car. He was upset that they wouldn’t let us take the test so he went in and had a few words with them. They then decided that they would try to fit her in. So we sat. My uncle left us his boat of a car for her to take the test in. They are not happy with us in the BMV as he had caused a bit of a scene so we were really feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Then here comes my Aunt with sacks of fast food as she was concerned about us sitting there all day without a meal. We were quite the spectacle. My daughter finally got to take the test and she passed. My uncle jumped our car and we headed out of town but the car died. So I have to walk across town to the car dealership to get help. They came and got the car and got it fixed for us and we were finally able to head home. I thought our story for the day ended there but it didn’t. My sister gave us an older car so my daughter would have something to drive. We went to pick it up and I drove it home. My daughter drove our car and she made a stop so I beat her home. As she was coming home, driving by herself for the first time she blew a front tire going 60 mph on the bypass. She survived it and got it changed and made it home. I told her at this point we just needed to lock the door and stay in for the night. But it was my dad’s 81st birthday and we needed to get to his little family party for him.
At the end of the day I thought about it and realized that it hadn’t been that bad of a day at all. First off we were far from home but we were in a town with family who could help us. We had car problems and my Uncle works for a dealership so we had no problems getting help with the car. We had plenty to eat and then some. My daughter experienced immediately one of the dangers of driving and hopefully her eyes have been opened somewhat and God was watching over her and kept her safe. And we were able to celebrate 81 years of my dad’s life. My healthy, happy dad. A good day indeed!

“For myself I am an optimist – it does not seem to be much use being anything else.” - Sir Winston Churchill

Officially Summer

2010-06-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

It is summer, which means that I haven’t accomplished much at all. Having no air conditioning with 90+ degree weather does not put you in the mood to quilt. Add that to all this crazy bad weather we have been having. I have been getting out and having some fun. Over the weekend I went to our local big city’s Taste, which is comprised of good music and good food. I also went to the Water Park with some girlfriends this past Saturday and we just floated on the lazy river and soaked up some sun.
On the quilting front I have finished up the quilting on a couple of little doll quilts. I need to get my bindings ready to put on. I finished the bird on basket a couple of years ago but I had not quilted the border. I wasn’t happy with it so I pulled it back out over the winter and the border is now quilted. I am still appliquéing every day on my little ones in progress. They make a nice project for the summer.

“It is not the hours you put in your work that counts, it’s the work you put in the hours.” - Sam Ewing

Storms

2010-06-15T05:59:00.001-07:00

We had a major hail and wind storm last night. It came through fast and did some major damage along the way. They are saying we could possibly have more bad storms today.

“If you can't be content with what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped”

A couple of pictures

2010-06-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

I finished up the appliqué on another small doll size quilt. I have started the handquilting on the red/green one with the gold bird. I really enjoy working on the smaller sized quilts.

Dawn gifted me with this awesome little block for my birthday. I love the colors and the piecing is so intricate. Great job Dawn! And thank you, as you know I love it.

I need to get busy on my birthday blocks as I am now behind. Depending on the weather I might try to spend the weekend playing catch up.

“Make the most of yourself for that is all there is to you.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

2010-06-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

The rains here have made everything so lush looking. My flowers are just beautiful for early June. I hope they stay this nice all summer.
School is out here as of today and my youngest son is home from college so summer has begun for us. We are fortunate that he was able to find a good job fairly quickly.
My oldest son sent me a couple of pictures this week from his home in Wyoming. He was getting snow while we were sweltering in the heat. This one is from the hike they did over Memorial Day in the Tetons Mountain Range.

The ran into this moose on the way up. It looks like it is losing its winter coat.

We are certainly lucky to live in such a beautiful country and to be able to make the choice to live where want to live.

"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." _ Oliver Wendall Holmes

Been Busy

2010-05-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

I have been busy with work so I haven’t accomplished a thing these past couple of weeks. I did want to show you more of the fabric gifts I received.

My friends have such great taste, don’t you agree!

The men fabric has been an ongoing joke for a few years. I first received some “Hunks on the Beach” fabric and it went from there. I have since received UPS men, firemen, construction workers, Elvis and now these hunky Halloween guys. I make pillowcases out of the fabrics, so you all know who I am sharing my bed with at night; the guy of my choice, ha ha. It’s fun and now I can’t wait to see who is going to land in my house next. (Fabric wise that is!)

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” - e.e. cummings

Family Time

2010-05-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

My kids took me to see Pearl Jam for my birthday on Friday and they were awesome (both my kids and the band!). We were there along with 20,000 other Pearl Jam fans and they really put on a good show. I once told them all the bands and people I would like to see. Last year they sent me and a friend to see Elton John and Billy Joel. I wonder who I will get to see next year?

“If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.” - Bruce Barton

Gifts

2010-05-07T04:33:00.001-07:00

I received a couple of gifts this week. Here a two of them.

I love this little notebook keeper that Dawn made me. First of all the colors are just the best and then to add to the fact that she knows I like little journal books. This one is nice because I can just add a new pad of notebook paper each time I need one.

Ginny made me this star block as one of my birthday blocks. I had written earlier that we are making blocks for each other and I requested that mine be anything the maker would like to make and that it be able to go on point.

Thanks Ginny and Dawn!

“In a full heart there is room for everything, and in an empty heart there is room for nothing.” – Antonio Porchia

One Down

2010-04-29T13:47:00.001-07:00

Applique done on one.

The Earth Laughs in Flowers
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Paducah

2010-04-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

The gang is in Paducah as I write. I hate missing out on all the fun; and I refuse to miss out on all the shopping. So with that said I had my own little online “Paducah” shopping spree.

“If you love live, life will love you back.” - Arthur Rubinstein

Birds and More

2010-04-20T09:38:00.001-07:00

Without even being aware I recently discovered that I have been drawn to the bird motif.

Bird in living room.

Bird box in bedroom to store scarves in.

Box of notecards.

Pitcher recently purchased.

This weekend I was in the mood to draw and create in fabric so I prepared a couple of small
Doll size quilts to work on this spring/summer. Three of them ended up with birds on them.
I first draw my patterns to size on paper. Then I like to appliqué with the paper on top so I draw my shapes next onto the freezer paper, cut out and iron to my fabric, cut again and then place on my fabric.
So with that said all of these still have the freezer paper on top of the fabric.
This is my interpretation of a bittersweet bush with blue birds. It is 14 x 17 and has over 80 orange ovals I will have to appliqué down.

Bright Flowers.

A simple bird in a tree. The purple bird fabric will border it.

More bright flowers with blue berries.

Very simple large shapes as I love to echo quilt around these.

My pup!

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Tulips

2010-04-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

Practicing with my new camera.

Compassion is the antitoxin of the soul; where there is compassion even the most poisonous impulses remain relatively harmless. - Eric Hoffer

Rosie's giraffe done

2010-04-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

This weekend is our Guilds bi-annual quilt show. I am looking forward to spending some time with my friends. Tonight is set up and then we will do dinner afterwards. Our guild really puts on a high quality quilt show.
I finally got my silky binding on the giraffe quilt that I am going to donate to our local NICU in memory of my friend Roseanna. I did it all by hand as I felt her memory deserved that. I will take it tonight and get it turned over to the correct person.
My 17 year old daughter has decided she wants to get her drivers license. It has been strange that she wasn’t interested in it before. My boys were at the BMV they day they were able to get there’s. So tomorrow morning we are going to head to the County Seat and apply for her permit. She has never taken drivers ed but I do let her drive around town with me a lot so hopefully the teaching will be easy.
The weather has turned chilly here. I was really enjoying those nice temperatures now we have the heat on again. I hope it warms up again soon!

“Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said.” - Anonymous

Taking a Moment

2010-04-06T12:03:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful weekend I shared with my family. I just love it when all is right with my own little world. Now to get busy with that giraffe quilt as I didn’t get the binding on and I need to do that before Friday. I hate when I put things off until the last minute. But first I think I will sit down for a few minutes and have a glass of ice tea and enjoy these last few hours of beautiful weather before a cold front comes in. Sometimes we just need to set all the busyness of our life aside and enjoy the moment as those small quiet moments are what count the most in life.

“You are not in charge of the universe, you are in charge of yourself.” - Arnold Bennett

Happy Easter

2010-04-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

We have had absolutely gorgeous weather here in Indiana this week. In fact the temperatures have been warmer here then they were for us in Florida last week.
I have a busy weekend ahead. Tomorrow I take my youngest son to the doctor in Cincinnati. That will take most of the day. My mom is just not able any longer to do the Easter dinner for the family so my sister and I will prepare much of the food and take it over to my parents on Easter Sunday. Easter morning I am taking my mom to church and a couple of the local kids. I am looking forward to it. Thankfully we don’t have a sunrise service I don’t believe I would be getting those kids there. So with all that said I will definitely have a busy day tomorrow with the trip and then the food preparation.
I also have to get the binding on my giraffe quilt this weekend as our quilt show is the following weekend and I hope to put it in the donation pile for the NICU quilts made in my friend’s name.
I hope you all have a blessed Easter!

“The family – that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, not, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to.” _ Dodie Smith

Birthday Blocks

2010-03-31T09:46:00.001-07:00

We had a great vacation! It the past few years it has been my youngest son and my daughter who have went with me. This year it was my oldest son and my daughter as T had his college spring break a few weeks earlier. So we changed it up a bit this year and had a great time.
When my gang of friends got together in January of this year somehow the topic of birthdays came up. In the past we have celebrated each others birthdays by going out to dinner together (those who are in the area) and buying a small gift. We have been together as a group for many years and not once have we ever done a block exchange that I can remember so it was decided that this year we would do a birthday block exchange. Those who wanted to participate threw out suggestions of what they would like such as theme or colors and a list was made.
Jan’s birthday came up first. She asked for a 9” block in purple and white. This was tough for me as I didn’t want to pull my machine out. So I came up with a flower block using a purple fabric that had a leafy print to it for the leaf.
Next up was Dawn. She asked for a block that represented the maker. Since I love working in wool appliqué and I like having words on my quilts I chose to use both techniques on her block. It was fun working on two totally different blocks. I think Dawn’s will be really tough to put together in one quilt as we are all so different as quilters. I can see her getting some blocks done in really bright fabrics and some reproduction prints. It will be fun to see the different blocks. Jan and Dawn both have blogs so you can follow along with them also.
Our next birthday comes up in April and it will be a tough one for me as she has asked for a paper pieced block. I really struggle when it comes to paper piecing but I will give it my best shot.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

- The Dalai Lama

The Finale

2010-03-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

This will be the last of the doll quilts as I am heading out on vacation this afternoon for a week of spring break with 2 of my kids. I know it will be lots of fun.

I call this quilt Prototype – Henry. This was my original idea for the baby quilt that I completed in January. Once I got it all put down in fabric I knew I needed a bit more so I added the baby chick and the sun to the crib quilt. This one has been hand quilted.

A few years back I participated in a doll quilt exchange online. I was given my swap partner’s favorite colors and things she liked. This is the quilt I designed and made for her using those ideas. It has been handquilted also.

In that same swap this is the quilt I received. I love, love, love it! It is so out of my comfort zone of something I would try but I am really attracted to the look. She has used multiple threads, different stitches and fun fabrics. A fabulous art quilt!

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. – Douglas Adams

Almost there

2010-03-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

I didn’t even realize I had this many doll quilts. I promise it will end soon!

I made this one for my daughter for Valentines Day a few years back. I did the fans free form.

My good friend Sossity made the next two for me. I had forgotten that I been the lucky recipient of quite a bit of her work. This is a little strippy she put together and hand quilted.

Lucky me that Sossity the candy lover made me a little Christmas quilt of Christmas candies. It has been hand quilted also. Oh I have such good friends!

It takes more strength of character to withstand good fortune than bad.

And even more doll quilts

2010-03-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

A primitive grouping of doll quilts today.

I love, love this quilt as it was made for me by my good friend Dawn. She did it by hand and it is wonderful!!!

This one was just a bunch of blocks I had sitting around that I decided to put into a small quilt.

Sometimes when I get an idea for a quilt I make a smaller version so I have the idea down in fabric. This is one of those samples.

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will
annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
--Herm Albright 1876 – 1944

Doll Quilts for Friends and Family

2010-03-12T09:40:00.001-08:00

More doll quilts today, these were all made for someone special.

My dear, dear friend Roseanna. I miss her so much. We shared a birthday and last year I made her this little quilt for our big day. Little did I know that I had so little time left to spend with her.

Many years ago when my now 17 year old daughter was a little girl I made her three of these little quilts for her dolls. They have all been well used.

This was gifted to my friend Sossity. It is a Lori Smith pattern. The border appliqué has been done in wool.

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in
others belong to us as well"
-Voltaire

Doll Quilts with Applique

2010-03-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

Today’s little quilts all have some appliqué on them.

I have to admit that this is one of my favorites. You all know my love of red and green quilts so this one fits the bill. It is a Lori Smith pattern. If you ever wanted to give small quilt making a try, do check out her site as she offers patterns for small quilts. Each pattern group has 9 quilts so you do get a lot for your money when you buy her patterns.

This little postage basket quilt was one of the first little quilts I made. I call it a postage basket as years ago the US Post office commemorated quilting with a 13 cent basket quilt stamp. These little baskets reminded me of the baskets on the stamp.

Once again another Lori Smith pattern and again in red and green; as with the other two quilts this one is hand quilted also.

“Reach High, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” - Pamela Vaull Starr

More Doll Quilts

2010-03-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

I have 3 different styles of doll quilts today.

The first is a strippy doll quilt. It was fun to make just grabbing fabrics that looked like they would work together. I handquilted it in a cross hatch pattern.

Next up is a little doll quilt I made out of squares that were sent to me in a doll quilt swap. Once again I practiced doing a scalloped border. This one was handquilted also.

I made a quilt in solids using a Gwen Marston liberated technique. These were my leftovers so I decided to make a little liberated quilt; the quilting is done by hand and they are free form fans.

"Imagination is the highest kite one can fly"
- Lauren Bacall

To The Nines

2010-03-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

The simplicity of a small 9 patch, nothing beats it. I have made multiple 9 patch’s, here are 3 of them.

This little 9 patch in red is a Lori Smith pattern.

Jo Morton invented the little 9 patch quilt, not really, but she sure has made a bunch of them. I read an article about her 9 patches once and she showed a cute way to display them. That got me going on this little pink and brown one.

My take on a William Morris style quilt. The fabrics run together so much you can barely make out the actual 9-patch.

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.
-Eleanor Roosevelt-

More Doll Quilts

2010-03-03T05:20:00.001-08:00

All of today’s little quilts have been done in both wool and cotton. Using wool to appliqué sure makes the process go quickly. I believe all three quilts are patterns of Cheri Saffiote Payne so I must give her credit.

This little wool kitty was so easy to do using the wool.

This is a mix of both needleturn appliqué using fabrics and the wool. The lettering is so easy to do using wool as you have no edges to turn under. I was drawn to this one because of the lettering.

Bittersweet is one of my favorite things to collect in the fall. Once again the letters are done using the wool making this project quick and simple.

“One kind word can warm three winter months.” - Japanese proverb

Doll Quilts with a Halloween Theme

2010-03-01T08:56:00.001-08:00

My three doll quilts today have a Halloween theme to them. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. More for the fun decorating you can do than anything.

Happy Jack is a Pat Sloan pattern that my daughter loved. We changed the sizing a bit and I then made it for her Halloween collection.

The pumpkinhead in the center was embroidered by my good friend Sossity who then gifted it to me. I loved the orange fabric that I had already purchased for no particular reason and thought it was fitting for a border and out of the two came this little doll quilt.

I was in a doll quilt exchange a few years back with a couple of my local friends. I had seen online a little doll quilt that was done in this pattern with the computer writing. I knew that I would like to give it a try on my own and this was the perfect opportunity. My friend Sossity loves Halloween also, so I knew that I wanted to make hers using the Halloween theme and this is the result.

Every man is the painter and the sculptor of his own life.
-St. John Chrysostom

Flower Themed Doll Quilts

2010-02-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

Today’s doll quilts all have a floral theme going for them. Flowers show up in a lot of my quilts. I grew up spending a lot of time with my grandparents. My grandpa had a large flower garden surrounded by a white picket fence. All the beds were raised and there was a nice walkway through all the different groupings. A beautiful sight!

A simple cockscomb done up in bright colors. Not my normal color choices but they were fun to work with. This one is heavily hand quilted using the echo pattern.

I love this simple Whigs Rose quilt. It is all done in wool except for the backing and binding. A fun way to use a traditional quilt pattern.

My flower vase I designed myself in a Gwen Marston class a few years back. This one has also been hand quilted using the echo pattern.

In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends.
- Kozuko Okakura

Doll Quilts made for Friends

2010-02-24T09:39:00.001-08:00

The three doll quilts I am showing today were all made for friends.

Allelujah was made for my sweet friend Lela when she opened her bed and breakfast. I thought she might need a start on her Christmas decorations. It is done in both cotton and wool.

This little Log Cabin quilt was made for fellow blogger Lucy. I was lucky to be able to meet her during one of her trips to the states. She had posted how she would like to have a wall of little quilts so I made her this one to get her a start on that wall.

My one and only “art” quilt was made for my good friend Linda upon her celebrating her 50th Birthday. We share a love of primitive/folkart quilts so I thought it would be fun to make her something totally out of our safe zone.

“I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God’s gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.” Frances Farmer

Doll Quilt Show and Tell

2010-02-22T12:31:00.001-08:00

I love little doll quilts. I have made quite a few just within the past couple of years. My reason for loving these little cuties are that I can easily hand quilt them. This lets me enjoy the process of creating a small quilt, the quilting part and the finishing of a project. I know I have shown most of these over the past couple of years but I thought over the next couple of weeks I will have a show and tell of some of these little quilts. It might get you excited to make a couple yourselves. They are wonderful little projects to take along during the summer sports season, camping, etc.

Always Kiss Me Goodnight was a lesson to me in making scallop borders and also using my computer for the wording.

I saw this free lesson for the Disappearing 9 patch on a blog so I just had to give it a try.

I love Jo Morton’s little quilts and this was a pattern that was included with one of the Jo Morton clubs I participated in online.

“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” - Vincent van Gogh

NICU Quilts

2010-01-26T09:31:00.001-08:00

The quilter’s weekend away was wonderful. It is always so much fun to spend time with good friends. Eat good food, drink good wine and have good talk with each other. I did the driving back and forth thing but I was still able to get my little quilt top appliquéd for a special exhibit at our upcoming show.
My dear friend Roseanna that passed away last fall had a heart of gold. She did so much for others. One of her special projects was quilts for premature babies that were born at our local hospital. We have a bi-yearly quilt show. It will be held this year in April. At this show we always have a featured quilter and this year we will feature Roseanna’s quilts. As a tribute to her the guild has asked members to make a 30” quilt to be displayed at our quilt show this year and then donated to our local NICU. So that is what I worked on this past weekend and I have my top ready to quilt. I appliquéd my giraffe in soft wool and will back it in flannel. I plan on putting a larger satin binding on it and handquilting it.
It is always fun to spend time with my friends and always hard to part with the. How thankful I am to have them in my life and to know that they are always there for me!

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller