Jeff's Quilt

I made this quilt from a 5-yard fsbric pack from a quilt show.  I want to make something quilted for all my family members so I decided to give this quilt to my nephew Jeff.  He is a pretty special guy, Volunteer Fireman and hardworking family man.  I hope he enjoys the quilt. 

Batik Block Swap

Last year (2013) at Quilt Guild we had a block swap. I entered the Batik swap and made 13 blocks to trade with others. I received 13 different blocks including one of my own. In May we took our completed quilts to show and tell. This is mine. I was really pleased with it. I made a two diamonds using the Lancaster Diamond Ruler, cut them in half and framed the center square with them to make a star shape.

Kim's Quilt

In 2009 I had decided that I would make a quilt for all my sister Jo's kids, starting with Kim, the oldest. I asked what she liked and I was told purple and butterflies. So I made this pieced and appliqued quilt for her. I loved the quilt, but at first I was thinking that it was not a good gift because it has so much white in it and might not be practical to use. And besides I loved it and wanted to look at it for a while, so I held onto it. I always called it Kim's quilt, but I never gave it to her. So this past fall I decided this was the time and I gave it to Kim for Christmas this year. I think she really loved it. Kim didn't know about the quilt until now.

Pillows, pillows, pillows

I got the idea to make pillows with names on them from a magazine. I started with two birthday pillows in August. Then one in November and 4 Christmas pillows. Of course, there are more to come, but here are the last 5.

Craftsy - Kimberly Einmo Class

I fell in love with this quilt by Kimberly Einmo so I bought the kit and took a Craftsy class to get the pattern and instructions, I was not fond of the way the class was taught, but I was able to complete the quilt and I absolutely love it. It was quilted by Lois Hatleberg, Hagerstown, MD.

A week at the Beach

Early in 2014, I was invited to go to Virginia Beach area, Sandbridge Beach, for a week of sewing with nine other ladies. I was not convinced that I could sew all day for a week, but I decided to give it a try. It was a lot of fun. After an 8 hour drive, unpacking the car, carrying everything in and setting it all up, we started to sew! Yes, that very day, we sewed for several hours. I made 3 quilt tops that week and finished the binding on two more. It was fun to see what everyone else was making and it was nice to have no other obligations. I was responsible for one meal and other than that, I showed up at meal time for a wonderful meal. Here are the projects I sewed on the retreat. The blue and brown one was given to my nephew, Jeff, for Christmas 2014 and the zoo animal print flannel one was made for my niece as a gift to her friend.

A Quilt for Italy

We have visited Italy several times since 2002. Each time we have visited relatives of Mary, who have treated us so well. Danielle, a second cousin, has been especially gracious, driving us around, showing us sights, and even moving out of his apartment on the Adriatic, so we could stay there for several days. When I found out he was about to become a father. I had to make a quilt. This is the quilt for sweet Margherita.

Kaleidoscope Quilt

For my birthday in March, I got  pre-cut kaleidoscope blocks.  I sewed them together, added sashing and borders and made this quilt.  Quilted by Ann Smyser.  

Name Pillows

I made pillows for Madison and Dawson for their birthdays.  

Audriana's Quilt

When I found out that Haylee was having a baby, I said I guess I need to make a baby quilt.  Haylee said, "Can you put Pink Camo in it?"  So I went on the hunt for Pink Camo fabric.  Not only was it easy to find cotton, but I also found Minkee pink camo for the back.  Here is the resulting quilt made for Audriana Joann Leicht.  I love the quilt.  It has rushed flowers.  

Houston International Quilt Show

I've always wanted to go to Houston to the BIG quilt show. Last year we didn't travel too much because I had knee surgery in July, so by November I was ready to go somewhere. We went to Houston for a long weekend, and I got to see the show. The quilts were indescribable and the 1100 vendors had everything a quilter could want and lots of things you didn't even know you wanted or needed. The highlight was a class that I took from Melinda Bula. I had first seen her work in 2008 when I went to Asilomar, and it is exquisite. It is fused flowers and she outlines for you each piece of fabric and the colors (from her hand dyed fabric) that you use to construct the blossom. I finished laying out and fusing mine when I returned home, and a picture of it is here. However, now, in March 2014 when I started to do the thread painting on it, things are not going so well. The stitching is slipping and I can't figure out the cause. More to come as I play with trying to get this finished.

A Long Cold Snowy Winter

It's been a long time since I posted to this blog. It is not like I haven't had time because it's March 3rd and it has been the coldest, snowiest winter in many a year. Lots of days inside sewing, knitting, watching TV and not doing the things I should like clean and exercise. So I will try to catch up with some of the sewing projects that I can remember from the last posting. I am going to post several pictures. The first is a quilt that I made from a Jelly Roll and some yardage of the French General line called Esprit de Noel. The pattern is a granny square. The second and third are two redwork/bluework wall hangings from Bird Brain Designs. The Snowman Doorstop is also from Bird Brain Designs, and I have a Santa Doorstop to complete later. I really loved making these, and I love the outcome. I don't have pictures of them, but I made 4 tablerunners from Christmas/Winter charm squares.

Knitting

A snowy January and February led to mitten knitting. A friend from the quilt guild was kind enough to teach me how to make colorwork mittens. They look more difficult and impressive than they are. It is really fun and I completed three pair. Here is a picture.