Pages

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Design Wall Monday - a day late

I wanted to leave my Memorial Day post up all day yesterday so I'm a day late with my Design Wall Monday post.

I'm working on a number of projects right now, but this is what's on my wall at the moment. The pattern is Cheerful by Andy Knowlton of A Bright Corner

Fat Quarter Quilt, Cheerful Quilt, Throw Quilt

Although the background fabric looks black, it really isn't. It's a charcoal color that I'm sure will show up better when I get a picture outside. The same is true for the other fabrics as well. 

The blocks are all made and I just tossed the background sashing and cornerstones up so I could make a decision on the block placement. I was struggling with doing this when I didn't have the sashing up and my guess is that it's just a mental block. My goal is to start sewing the rows later today. I'm making the throw size, which measures approx. 50" x 66", so this should go together quickly from this point on. 

I'm working on a number of other projects, including a couple of custom order quilts and some Quilt of Valor quilts. (I'm almost always working on QOV quilts because they make great leader/ender projects and I always need a lot for donations.)

I was honored to present a QOV to a local veteran this past Sunday. My friend Eileen made the quilt and she asked me to do the actual presentation. As always, it was very touching and I'll post pictures in the next couple of days.

What are you working on today?

Check out some quilting eye candy at


and

Monday, May 28, 2018

Memorial Day Quilts

In honor of Memorial Day and those who gave their lives for our freedom, I am reposting the quilts I made for the American Honor Challenge last year.  
(I will post some Design Wall Monday pictures later.) 

In Your Debt
There is no way for us to repay you for all you did and the sacrifices you made.
Thank you seems such a shallow thing to say, but since there are no other words, 
Thank you and know that I am forever in your debt.
  
American Honor, Patriotic Quilts, Red White and Blue Quilts, In Your Debt

Heart and Soul
You are the heart and soul of our nation. 
I will hold you in my heart forever and never forget your sacrifice.

American Honor, Patriotic Quilts, Red White and Blue Quilts, Heart and Soul

Freedom Rings
Because of you, I have freedoms that are not enjoyed my many others. I know that freedom is not free and that you paid the ultimate price to ensure that freedom does ring for me.

American Honor, Patriotic Quilts, Red White and Blue Quilts, Freedom Rings, NY Beauty Blocks

Thank you Blank Quilting for sponsoring the American Honor Quilt Challenge and for continuing to offer wonderful patriotic quilting fabrics. 
Thank you Tana Mueller for designing such a wonderful fabric line. It continues to be my favorite to use for my 
Quilts of Valor and other patriotic quilts.  

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Hands2Help Quilts

It's time for the final link up of the 2018 Hands2Help Challenge and I'm happy to be donating four quilts this year. 

I've participated in this challenge for five of the eight years that it's been in existence and I feel that it is such an honor to be a part of it. I really can't thank Sarah (Confessions of a Fabric Addict), enough for all that she has done to organize this. Since 2011 when 47 quilters made and donated 60 quilts, to last year when 125 quilters made and donated 267 quilts, a grand total of 1034 quilts have been donated to those in need. Wonderful!

This year, I've decided to make my donations in honor of Ruth Hubbard, Jack's aunt who passed away November 5, 2107 at the age of 99. Aunt Ruth was such a kind and loving person and she always asked me about my quilting. I can't think of a better way to honor her than to pay it forward, help those in need, and donate quilts in her name. 

Ruth Hubbard, 3/22/1918 - 11/5/2017
From the first time I met her, I knew Aunt Ruth was a special person! She had a gentle spirit about her and always made me feel welcome. Ruth had a wonderful memory, and she and Jack spent many visits looking at old pictures, sharing stories from the past, and reminiscing about world events in general. Since Ruth was born in 1918, she had experienced so many things and it was especially fun to listen to her talk about the many changes she witnessed - including technology. Up until the last year of her life, Ruth used an iPad to keep in touch with family and friends and I do believe that she was much better at it than me.

Ruth had been a first grade teacher for many years and upon her death, a number of former students sent condolences commenting about what a special teacher she was. I have no doubt that was true. Because of her years of working with children, I was very happy to see that one of this year's charities is Little Lamb Foundation for Kids. The following two quilts are on their way to that foundation. 
        
This quilt was made using the Woven pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew. The multi-colored fabric in the center has guitars on it and I thought this might appeal to a youngster who enjoys music.  

Quilt, Woven Quilt, Cluck Cluck Sew, Baby Quilt, Music Quilt

I wanted to send a more masculine quilt and decided this one fit the bill. I sewed six large 16 patch blocks and simply added borders. I hope this brings joys to someone and provides a comforting "fabric hug."


Sixteen Patch

The follwing two quilts are on their way to Quilty Hugs for Happy Chemo


I made this first quilt as a class sample with the idea that it could be donated when it was no longer needed to advertise the class. I find this to be whimsical and cheery and hope it makes the recipient smile. 

Lap Quilt, Chevron, Chevron Quilt, Watermelon Quilt

Here's another musical themed quilt made using the Uptown Girl pattern by Creative Sewlutions. This was also made as a class sample with the intention of donating when it was no longer needed for display. 

Uptown Girl Quilt, Music Quilt, Lap Quilt, Creatvie Sewlutions

Last year, Sarah posted the following on her blog:


What does love look like?

It has the hands to help others.
It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.
It has eyes to see misery and want.
It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.
That is what love looks like."

                                               St. Augustine  


Love also looks like people like Aunt Ruth. 

I am proud to honor her today and can only hope to be the kind of person she was - a kind and caring soul. Amidst all the sadness and ugliness in the world today, I'm happy to be a part of something so wonderful. 

Thank you Sarah for organizing this! Thank you to all the organizers of the charities, and thank you to everyone who has participated - quilters and sponsors alike. 

Check out the other donation quilts at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. Be sure to check back frequently, as people will be linking their quilt pictures all week. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Mindless Sewing

Sometimes you just need to take a break to fondle some fabric and do some mindless sewing.



I've been quite busy the last few weeks with classes and programs; and I have some "must do" projects, but I really needed to slow down and clear my mind before diving into them. I decided that snowballing the corner of these blocks was just the thing to do. Ahhhh, I'm almost done with the stack and then I'll be ready to hit the ground running.

Yikes! I just looked at the picture again and think that perhaps I should clean my machine before I do anything else. Do you see the dust? I'm choosing to believe that's a sign of productivity and not lack of housekeeping skills. 😀

By the way, did you notice the new banner at the top of the blog? What do you think?  

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Jaftex Warehouse Tour

I was happy to be home today and available to watch my friend Scott Fortunoff have a live Facebook tour of the Jaftex warehouses in Seneca, South Carolina.

In case you don't know, Jaftex recently purchased Free Spirit and you'll get to see some of that fabric as well as the many others manufactured by Jaftex - Blank, Henry Glass & Co., AE Nathan, Studioe Fabrics, Fabric Editions.

This tour provides an inside and behind the scenes look at what goes on in a fabric warehouse, including what's involved when you decide to change warehouse.  :-)  I found this fun and interesting and am sure you will too. 
  
Here's a link to the tour.  Enjoy!