Saturday, October 29, 2011

Sweet Quilts


Look at this adorable mini thimble quilt!!  A fellow blogger and friend sent this to me this past week. I received in the mail a few days after my mom's fall. We both know it was meant to be because it was in the mail before my mom had her accident. I wanted to cry right into it when I saw it, but I didn't. (too cute for that!!) It is so precious and it will remind me of all the support I received from my quilt friends. I do not want to embarrass the sender but I will say she is very generous to many quilting bloggers. Thank you dear friend!!

All of your comments really do touch me. Thank you all so much.

I thought I'd show this wonderful humble quilt from the Aurora quilt show.  The blocks might be all 5hst x5hst but they are all different sizes.  Oops, the second row down, far right is only a 4x5! hahaha The maker did a fantastic job of making it work. Gosh, why do we always have to make everything so darn perfect??


There's nothing symmetrical about these blocks! It is so sweet!!


Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thursday


Here's my sweet wool runner from Primitive Quilts and Projects. After I took the photo I realized I left off my initials on the bottom right. I need to get them added.

Thanks so much for all your lovely wishes and prayers. My mom is slowly, very slowly improving.
They did some tests on Wednesday because she was having a lot of stomach pain still. They did find a hernia. They will let me know on Friday what they can do for that to ease the pain. The pain in her arm seems to be lessening a little. Where it is broke is so black and blue.

My sister who is a nurse is here and that makes me feel better. And I got to sleep in my own bed last night. Yay!!
I'll be in touch!!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Weekend

My weekend started out awesome but took a turn for the worse when my mom fell yesterday and fractured her shoulder. She is at home and I expected her to be doing better then she is by now. I spent the night last night and even grabbed some stitching-didn't touch it at all. I'd appreciate prayers for her to turn the corner and for strength and wisdom for me.

I was going to post a photo of my hand project but haven't figured out how to do that with my iPhone.

snip snip.....later........

Hurrah, My brother is covering at the house for me so I could come home and take a shower and get ready to sepdn the night again. I went running yesterday morning and never did get a shower! Yikes!!

Here is the awseom project carrier I use. My dear friend Kat made it for me many years ago. Maybe tonight I'll get a chance to sew.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

We have been having some beautiful fall weather. Temps are down in the 30's at night but high 60's and sunny in the day. What an amazing fall we've had!!


Isn't this adorable?! Once I get mine made it probably will take on a bit more primitive look. My stitches are not quite as even and neat as Elizabeth Ann's. She was generous enough to share a pattern (she designed!) with me. You can see all of her wonderful creations at 

Hey, lookie here! It's Linda Collins. I had the pleasure to meet her in NYC for the red and white quilt exhibit. We had a lovely meal at the Russian Tea House. How fun to get the most recent issue of Quiltmania and get a tour of her beautiful home!!
I recognized the maker's name of this quilt too. Bev Bannard!!I met her and her spunky daughter at the Russian Tea house too!! What a gorgeous quilt!!!
I have never met Kate in person but we read each other's blogs. I was pleasantly surprised to see her quilt in the magazine too!! Woo-Hoo!! Not only does she have a quilt blog she has a fitness blog called Crunch Time.  Check it out and give her a little encouragement.

 
I've had this magazine for a couple of weeks now but just the past few days actually gotten to read it. Some of the quilt shops I would love, but what is with the patterns they are giving us? I think I only like one of them in this issue. Is it because they are trying to make such a unique pattern that they have to make it ugly? Or use ugly fabric? Just thinking aloud......

Have a wonderful day!!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Aurora Colony Quilt Show 2011

I was fortunate to go to one of my favorite quilt shows on Saturday. It is in the small town of Aurora, Oregon and the setting is the Historical Society.


All the volunteers are dressed up and always seem so delighted to see you. This is the main building, so you can see, it isn't huge, but they do put on an awesome show.
In the building behind the herb garden was a woman who was with a group in charge of the herbs. There was a roaring fire with mint tea and rosemary cookies. Need I say more?

The old cobbler's shop.
They have quite a few new quilts, but I'm drawn to the antiques. The hang wonderfully with the historical artifacts of the Aurora Colony.
This beauty was all appliqued. It was primitive but so charming!!
It was quilted in an all over fan pattern- directly over the applique. I loved it!!
Here is a wonderful Amish quilt. The sign said it was purchased in Pennsylvania. The light areas are gray and were a wonderful combination with the purples.
Can you believe this is the back to the Amish quilt? I was a bit surprised.
Look at this charming and humble quilt.

What an interesting green print. I also love the two reds pieced together. My kind of quilt making!
I love everything about this- especially the color combination.
Don't you think that's spectacular?

Sunday, October 16, 2011

13.1

This is not a flattering photo but I am thrilled to tell you all I ran my first half marathon today!! This was before I ran so at least I'm not all sweaty.
I usually keep this quilt related (I went to my favorite quilt show the day before the run and I'll be showing you photos of that show this week) but today I want to tell you that you can accomplish so much more than you think you can.
I NEVER thought I'd be doing this. I NEVER entertained a thought of running 13.1 miles until this summer. I'm here to tell you that you, and only you, make things happen!

This person is no where to be found!


Now go reach for your dreams!!

Friday, October 14, 2011

I Love Vintage Quilts and Blocks!

 Look at this lovely old quilt block Karen sent to me!! It is just one little block, but isn't it precious?!  I think I am going to take it apart, set it again so it has a few seams and make a decorative pillow.  Love the red and green!! Thanks again Karen.
 Nicky asked me how I was coming with the bow tie quilt. Well, here is a photo of the vintage one seen at Sisters during the quilt show.
 Look at the fantastic fabric!!
 Some are a little crazy too.
 It looks like I have 21 of them made. Bonnie challenged us (me) into using this one as a leader/ender project. At this rate, I may have 40 of them done before July. A few test blocks were made using different cheddars, but I do plan on using solid cheddar for all of the rest.
Part of the reason it takes me so long.........


Have a fantastic weekend!!!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Yes Sir, Yes Sir, Three Bags Full

It seems everyone is working on Christmas things already so I thought I'd jump on the wagon.

Twelve Days of Christmas by Cheri. This one just needs to be basted and quilted. I think it looks a little heavy on one side. I'm hoping to quilt a few things on the "empty "side and fill 'er up.
Blocks 11 & 12 of Bible quilt by Jan Patek.
Henny Penny by Bonnie in American Patchwork & Quilting magazine, latest issue. I saw this on
Sue's blog and knew I'd have to do it!
Wool Crazy by JoAnn Mullaly. I hope to get this second square done this fall/winter.


We went camping this weekend to Mt Hood. It is hard for us to get away and the only time you can count on a camping site is after school is back in session. It was cold but such a pretty day on Saturday.
Our kids came up and we celebrated my son's 25th birthday. I'd like to know how my baby got to be 25!? LOL

Have a terrific day!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

La-la-la-la-Bom-Bom-Bom

Thought I'd show you the little bit I've been working on that is not BOM related.

This is a challenge. The center is to the left, the blue and half square triangles are attached. Somehow I am going to work in the green, black and orange.  I'm falling for the autumn colors, can you tell. I'm having fun with it since it has been awhile since I've actually sat and sewn at my machine.

What I am going to try and do today at the machine is hem 2 pairs of my mom's pants. Pretty exciting huh? She is losing weight pretty fast and I'm trying to get her to wear some clothes that aren't 10 sizes too large! She won't wear these pants because they are too long....I offered...my fault.



  I have been working on the first border of Beyond the Cherry Trees- just prep- nothing exciting yet, although I did make a very long bias stem:)

Oops! BOM time! This is block number 10!! it is October, the 10th month, so I would say I'm all caught up. This one looks a bit boring but all together it will fine. Look at the block below and see if you can answer a question...
This is Jan Patek's block. Does anybody know what the 8 thing is in the upper right hand corner? Neither hubby or I could figure it out so I left it off of mine. I am really curious though.
Anonymous (who are you?) said the 8 represents eternity. So far that is the best answer I've heard. I really think that it is. I still plan on leaving it off of my block though.

I'm not sure I mentioned it on this blog (I did on Get to Goal) but when I was sick last week I slipped and fell down the stairs while in a groggy state. I landed on the landing....I wish it had only been 4 stairs. Anyways I told my hubby that the wood he put down was beautiful but if I was dead I wouldn't be able to enjoy them at all. So I ordered these braided rugs the day after my fall and installed these 4 this afternoon. My back and tailbone are still very sore so I will let him install the other 8. I love them and know we will all be a bit safer too. Thank you to Libby at Plain & Simple for the recommendation of Country Wares. Service and communication was awesome! (her name was Lori too- an added bonus!)

It is almost the weekend. Have a good one!!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

BOM's Revisited

A comment left by Terry reminded me that we do have some extremely generous designers. Here are a few that have done or are doing Blocks of the Month for free online!! I've done a few and they have been fantastic!! Let's make sure they know how much we appreciate them.

Anne at Bunny Hill Design.

Dawn at Linen Closet Quilts.

Barbara at Civil War Quilts. (block a week!)

Cheri at Quilts by Cheri. (quilt of the month!)

Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works

Cheryl at 1880's Sampler Quilt.

Gay at Sentimental Stitches.

If you know of any more free blocks of the month please post them with your comment.

And so I do not leave you without any photos here is my Bible quilt ready for the last row.

Monday, October 3, 2011

AAQI and Name Winner

I have amazing blog readers!! I was hoping to reach 100 comments (minimum) and we came so close. With 2 people emailing me because of difficulty leaving a comment we had a total of 95 comments!! Woo-Hoo!!

Libby from Paper Napkin Poetry and Cheryl from Sew Many Quilts, So Little Time has generously offered a dollar a comment too!!  So that is $285 and 2 quilts to sell!!

I'd like to donate my share in memory of Dick Watters who succumbed to Alzheimer's in late August. May he be at peace now.

If anyone else would like to donate here is the address: You can do it online, but mailing a check saves any additional fees to AAQI.
 Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative
1200 Creekwood Trail
Burton, MI 48509

So, are you all wondering what I chose for quilt titles? It was really hard as there were so many wonderful names.
Sunshine Bloom which was submitted by Debbie @ WoolnSails.


There were so many great names that it came down to specific words.....bloom or blossom? Bloom or Blooms? Of or For? I chose Bloom of Hope submitted by Carol, no blog.

I would also like to use "Promise" and "Hope" in future quilts and that was submitted by
Marsha from Grandma's Quilts.

Debbie, Carol and Marsha will you please email me your mailing address and I will send you off 4 FQer's each. Thanks so much!!


Thank you all so much for playing along and commenting for a good cause.