Design Wall Monday and More

It's the last day of the year and I actually have some pictures to post. That could be because I finally have my camera! I accidently left the camera at Nikki's house on Dec. 23rd and it was amazing how many times I wanted to take a picture when I didn't have my camera. Isn't that how it always happens? :-)

Here's what's on the wall right now. I really felt the need to sew the other night and I remembered seeing the pattern Jelly Jive when Jerry was here the last time. I decided to play around and this is what I cam up with. I'm not going to border this. I'm just going to layer it and quilt it! It will finish about 52" x 68"

 

I know this is not something that everyone would love, but for some reason, I REALLY like this. It's quick and very free-form. It kind of reminds me of the Tears of Joy quilt I made last year and I already have an idea of another variation of this. I'm going to pull some scraps and sketch it out later this evening.

 

Looking at this quilt has got me wondering something. How do you sew your rows together? Do you start at the top and sew down? Do you add one row at a time or do you work in pairs?

 

I often start from the bottom and work my way up. Actually, I will sew a couple of the bottom rows together and then sew them together. I then sew a few more rows and add them to the already connected rows. Once I have the bottom half together, I sew the remaining rows (from the bottom up) and then sew the two halves together.  I believe it is simply a matter of personal preference, but I'm just curious.  :-)

 

Life had been quite frantic recently (pretty much since Lynn's wedding in October), but I did accomplish a few things. First of all, Mom and I were in cahoots about a Christmas quilt surprise for Terri and Danny. Even though she didn't make it to Christmas and see them open the gift, I know she was there in spirit. It was really fun to plot about this project and Mom was sure to tell me (and Ann) what she wanted written on the card. I was almost giddy when I dropped off the wrapped gift at Terri's and even more so when she called me after it was opened on Christms Eve. We were both sad that Mom wasn't there for the "grand opening" but know she was watching and smiling! I even relayed the conversations that Mom and I had while planning this surprise, and that made us laugh. The quilt is Share and Share Alike from Transparency Quilts by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. 

 

It's big - 88" x 107" - but easy and quick to construct. I quilted it much like they did in the book, with a simple all-over meander. I used a grey thread and like how it looks throughout the entire quilt, even the black border.

 

 

The other day, before Nikki and family arrived, I decided I wanted to make a quick donation quilt so I found some 5" squares that had been sitting around just begging to be used. I looked through some notes that I had made about an easy way to set charms on point and not have to deal with setting triangles. I sewed the charms in an 8 x 12 layout (side by side) and with just two strategically placed cuts and re-sewing I had a quilt top that had the charms on point. I added borders, quilt and bound it and now it's ready for donating. I had this entire 52" x 64" quilt done in a day and a half. YEAH!!

 

Of course, I didn't take pictures during the process, but I plan on doing this again so I'll post a tutorial. What do you think? I like it, and it was easy!

 

 

 

Here's a quick run-down on my numbers for 2012.

New Quilts Done, Done, Done (pieced, quilted and bound): 21 (22 if I get busy and finish the Jelly Jive quilt pictured above)

New Misc. Quilted Projects Done, Done and Done (purses, table runners, coin purses, etc.): 16

UFOs Done, Done and Done: 11

Quilts ready to Be Quilted: 17 (probably more if I opened another tub of shame, but this is the number I'm going with now)

UFOs still to do: ?? and I'm not going to count them!



 

Happy New Year Everyone!



 

Check out what other quilters have on their design wall today.

Go to Judy L's Patchwork Times.

 

Wishful Thinking

I'm going to try it; and sometime around January 5th, I'll let you know how it worked.  :-)

A girl can wish can't she?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Have fun, be safe and hug the people you love.

Wedding Photo Catch Up

I've been meaning to post a few pictures from Lynn and Ty's wedding and I just realized that I never got around to do it. No more waiting!

 

Sometimes, simple is best!

 

As we celebrated love that day, we missed those who were able to join us in spirit only.



 

The necklace! This necklace has been worn by most of the brides in my family weddings since Mom and Dad married. Mom is helping Lynn put the necklace in the flowers so she can carry on the tradition. I don't doubt that there were a few words of wisdom exchanged here too.

 

Speaking of words of wisdom; I'm sure Sadie had a few for Lynn as well. Don't you just love how Sadie decied she wanted to wear her headband?  :-)

 

The kids needed a bit of entertainment while waiting for the ceremony to begin, and what better way to be entertained than sitting so close to the ceiling? 

 

This looks like Ty is the one giving the advise here.

 

And here are the lovely bridesmaids...

 

Ty and Rev. Roger are ready.





 

I just love this picture. Nikki is so beautiful!



 

So is Quinn! She did such a good job walking up the aisle all by herself.







And here comes the bride!





 

The Unity Candle ceremony was beautiful! Jack was reading scripture during this part of the wedding and I was so touched.

 

And here's the happy couple.

 

The wedding party made a quick stop on the way to the reception.

 

It's time for the fun to begin!

 

There was laughter...



 

There was dancing...







 

by both young and old.

 

And there was just plain lots of fun! I loved the hula hoops, lights and bling!

 

And just like Quinn looking for surprises under Lynn's train...

 

Lynn and Ty's life will be full of adventures. So with a kiss, they begin their journey together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures

Here are a few pictures of finished quilts that I never posted. DUHHHH

First is Gateway to Paradise by Little Louise Designs

 

This quilt was pretty easy to make and it only takes 20- 2 1/2" strips plus the sashing and borders. That means you can make two of these from one jelly roll or bali pop! WoooHooo!! Sorry, I don't have the pattern in front of me to tell you the yardage,. Besides, I did make my borders different from the pattern - of course.

 

Next up is Fiesta!, which is a really bright and fun quilt!

 

 

I finished piecing this top quite a long time ago (I think in 2009) but just quilted and bound it this summer (July). I don't know why it's taken so long to post this picture! Anyway, it is really a fun quilt and the colors just remind me of a party.  :-)

 

Keep your fingers crossed that I get some quilting done in the next few days. I'd love to be able to post more pictures.

 



Design Wall Moday

It sure feels like it's been a long time since I posted a Design Wall Monday project!

Shocking as it may seem, I have more than one project in the works right not. The first one, and the one that is actually up on the wall as I type this, is not for public consumption yet. Actually, it's a gift for someone who reads my blog and I really don't want to let them see it. I promise to show it soon.

Here's one of the other quilts on which I am currently working. If you're a long-time reader of my blog, this will look familiar to you.

 

I started hand piecing all of these blocks a couple of years ago and diligently worked on them for quite a while. I planned to make a king-sized quilt and had completed 45 blocks. Unfortunately other projects caught my attention and this project was pushed to the back burner. In the past year, I have worked on this off and on, but more off than on.  :-(  I now have 55 blocks completed and have decided to start putting them together and make more as needed. I'm not married to the idea of making this a kinq-size quilt any longer and will probably be happy with whatever size it ends up being when these blocks are done.

 

Although I'm excited to be working on this again, I do have a pretty big regret about this quilt. Mom had watched me work on these blocks and often asked about them. As a matter of fact, she asked me about them when she was here for Lynn's wedding in October. I showed her a couple of the latest blocks and decided right then and there to get busy. Well, with Mom's recent death (Dec. 1st), I feel sad for not having finished this quilt so she could see it. Her death has made me determined that this WILL be finished and it will be used!

 

To check out what other quilters have on their design walls today, go to Judy L's

Patchwork Times.

Mom

I'll be back soon, but thought I'd share this poem that a friend sent me following the recent death of my mom (thanks Linda!).

Mother Is Always With You

Author Unknown

 

She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore.

She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well.

She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.

She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep; the colors of a rainbow.

She is Christmas morning.

Your mother lives inside your laughter, and she's crystallized in every teardrop.

A mother shows every emotion...happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy sorrow..., and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.

She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take.

She's your first love; your first friend, even your first enemy. Nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, not space...not even death!

Carolyn Ann (McHale) Schwab

August 12, 1926 - December 1, 2012

 

One of my all-time favorite pictures of Mom!