I suppose the first things are the summer quilts I made for the kids for Christmas that I hadn't backed. I wanted to but sure they were big enough and I did have to add another border to Tim's - I'm going to have to make him walk around with a brick on his head to keep him from getting any taller. lol.
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| Tasha's |
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| Joe's |
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| Tim's (he's camera shy) |
I'm loving my quilt guild this year. Each board does things a bit differently and this year the board has set up wonderful programs with workshops and "make it take its". In January we made needle books.
In March we did a workshop. I just finished this one yesterday. I decided to use it as a lightweight covering so I didn't add batting and I backed it with flannel. I had the two patterned fabrics in the blocks for probably a year or more. I got them at our last quilt show and I only had a yard of each. Funny how a yard seems like a nice size piece of fabric - until you can't get more and you can't find anything that you want to make that only takes a yard. lol.
In April we had a visit from a lady who talked about wool applique. I've never worked with wool before and technically I still haven't. We made our projects with felt. My camera doesn't do really well with small objects but you can get the gist of it - I made a pincushion.
At the beginning of April hubby and I went to a wedding. I so seldom get dressed up that I was scrambling for something to wear. I found a skirt that I had gotten a couple of years ago that was a bluish turquoise. I added a white tank top and a little three quarter sleeve sweater that came with a dress I've had forever. I hunted for shoes and in the process of all the shopping and going through what I had it never dawned on me that I didn't have a small bag to carry. The wedding was at 2:00 about 45 minutes from our house so at 9:00 I started trying to figure out how to make something quick. This is what I ended up with.
The yellow matched the sweater I wore almost exactly. And there were little flowers and butterflies embroidered on the sweater in the same blues and pinks so it was perfect. And the following Monday when guild met and we made our pincushions, I carried my thread, needles, scissors, etc. in this bag.
At the same quilt show where I picked up the fabric I used in the workshop quilt, I picked up a triple wrought iron quilt frame. I got a pattern for it and, as I so often do, when I got home I thought "why did I buy that pattern?". It's cute enough but I'll probably never make it. It's a sewing machine and notions. If I had a sewing room I could put it in there. But since I don't, and I have limited room to put something like that, I will probably do more seasonal things or just something pretty. When the lady came to speak on the wool applique she showed us an applique stitch that is beautiful, so easy to do and I really enjoyed doing it. So I pulled out the frame and some magazines and looked for inspiration. This is what I came up with. I did not find this exactly in a magazine. I found an applique border I like and pulled from that to make this.
I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. I added a few buttons and beads to give it a little added interest.
And speaking of buttons and beads, this year's challenge at quilt guild was to make something no smaller than 12x12, no larger than 24x24 and embellish it. You could use buttons, beads, yarn, ruching, dimensional fabric, yo-yos, ribbon, embroidery, applique, etc.
I had so many ideas of what to do for this one but kept changing my mind. This is what I finally ended up with.
I have so many wonderful online friends and they find the most amazing projects and pass along pictures, links, etc. This sewing machine cover came through on FaceBook. It was a quick and easy project.
Another thing that was passed along online - this one through my quilt group - is this beautiful starflower block
Obviously this one is still a work in progress. I'm going as scrappy as I can since I have such an aversion to scrappy. lol. I do love how they're turning out. I have ten blocks done and will probably do ten more.
For an eye candy selection I have this to offer
My Great Aunt Mabel made this for Mom and Daddy when they got married more than 50 years ago. As far as I know, they never used it. I know I never saw it until the day my sister greeted me at their house with "I found it and I'm taking it" and showed it to me. Mom has been gone for almost 13 years and this was before she passed. I've only seen it once since then, folded across the bottom of my sister's bed. I really couldn't remember what it looked like. Last fall, I decided to get fabric to try to recreate it for myself. Since then I've been waiting for her to send me pictures of it. Finally when she was visiting Daddy last month she brought it along and I took pictures. I doubt I will try to recreate it because, quite frankly, I just don't like the fabrics. lol. But it was nice to get to see it and take pictures.
And finally, the last thing I didn't do on my own. The QWHT online group that I am blessed to be a part of did a round robin last fall into this year. There were seven or eight of us and all the tops are simply gorgeous. This one is mine.
I'm not sure what my plans are for this beast - it is huge. lol. And I wanted it large so I could wrap up in it - it's like getting a hug from all the ladies who worked on it. But I'm sure it will take me some time to get it quilted.
Until next time (which hopefully won't be quite so far in the future), hugs and stitches, Jody
