I Found Dots

Do you ever have a night when you just can't sleep? Last night was one of those nights for me. I woke at about 1:30am and just could not go back to sleep. So, I got up and decided to find dots. A few months ago I was going to make a post on my blog, I logged on and up came my blog without the background of dots. I really liked my dots. The fact I'm still learning about blogging and the different features, didn't help me to retrieve the original dots. So, for months familypatchworks has looked different (thanks for being patient) while I looked for my identity. Anyway, last night I found dots. They're not exactly like the original ones, but they are dots and I'm glad to have them back on my background. Hope you enjoy them too!!!




Back to quilting, I'm presently working on paper to lay out a quilt for me! I've made everyone in the family a quilt and now it is time for a quilt for myself. This is going to be a memory quilt of all the wonderful pets I've had during my life. I can never remember my life without a pet. I guess since I was an only child I gravitated to animals and always had one by my side (usually a dog), but others like parakeets, hamsters, a couple of cats hold special places in my heart. I'm not exactly sure where this quilt will be going---photos will follow. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting!

Cotton and Silk Completed

About a month ago, I blogged about the beginning of a little quilt made from a self-rusted cotton and silk. I weaved the cotton silk combination and then hand quilted, following the patterns that were created in the fabric. Well, today I can say it is finished. I'm calling this mini Jungle Shadow.


The little quilt measures 7 1/4 x 9 inches. After hand quilting I then added an elephant, and leaf shaped beads. A little fabric paint created some shadowy leaves and now the mini will be ready for an AAQI mailing. Happy Quilting!

Cecelia's Quilt Before & After

A few months ago I told the story of Cecelia's Quilt. My friend was ill and I was working and not able to spend time with her---so I quickly made this little quilt to give her comfort. I viewed the quilt as quite ugly, but she loved it and it did give her comfort. As you can see it is tied because I didn't have time to quilt it and it was one of the first quilts I ever made. Anyway, I wanted to give it a little pick me up. I tried to do that with the addition of a little applique. Cecelia enjoys her cat Lola and so I decided to make cats my applique theme.

I enlarged the cat silhouettes from clip art, so they are in keeping with the size of the quilt. Each cat is between 8 and 10 inches tall. I hand appliqued the silhouettes of the cats meandering around the quilt, then using a very small blind stitch outlined the cats again. I did this because I know the quilt will be well used and go through many washings. Cecelia did get better from her illness and is now on vacation with her grandchildren, when she returns her quilt will be wrapped with a bow ready for use this winter. Happy Quilting!

Houston Here We Come

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) will be making a big splash in Houston on November 3 - 7, with 1,000 miniature art quilts available for sale. All the monies raised will be going to Alzheimer's Research.

Thirteen of my AAQI quilts will be among the 1,000 making the trip to Texas. Check my side bar AAQI and view a quick video of some of the other quilts making the trip. If your going to be in the Houston area from November 3-7 make a point to stop by and see a wonderful International Quilt Festival, with a special stop at the AAQI booth in Exhibit Hall Row S and take home a mini quilt for the cause. Happy Quilting!

Rooster in Contol

I love tag sales----I found this wonder Rooster at a tag sale for $1.00. He is actual size and I was anxious to use him in a centerpiece. Autumn was the perfect time. He is surrounded by a metal urn (also a tag sale find), greenery, decorative bean balls, candles and berries. He looks totally in control.

Along the quilting lines, I'm completing Cecelia's Quilt. I will be pushing the Rooster to the side so the table will have room for the completion of the quilt. Hope to post photos of the completed quilt next week. Wishing you a wonderful October weekend and Happy Quilting!

A Real Friend

Our two Labrador Retrievers gave us a quick look today into a "dog's friendship". It was a beautiful day in Missouri--leaves changing colors, warm sunny breezes. Just perfect for outside activity. Bear and Bo were no exception. Today was a day for a game of "run and chase", stick fetching, pond swimming and a good wrestling match. Bear, the yellow lab is the oldest (twelve)and paces himself when it comes to outside activity, but today was an exception---just to pretty to be inside. Bo, the black lab mix is four years old and all puppy. The two had a wonderful day of dog fun and games. Then as evening wore on---the photo says it all. A real friend, warms you back after a big day.

It Must Be Fall

It must be fall----I'm binding the quilt for the church bazaar. This years quilt is entitled Monterrey Medallion. This is a very pretty scrap quilt made up of a wide variety of colors and floating stars. This is just a teaser---I'll post the quilt when it is completed and on display so you can get the full view. The quilt is an extra large queen size. I'm headed back to binding. Happy Quilting!

First Flight

In the late 1800's cigarette companies would offer what they called "premiums" in their cigarette packs. Most of the time they were small cards--baseball cards, flag of the countries cards, solider cards, bird cards, dog cards---you get the idea. But, some times they gave away what is called "silks". The silks usually measures 2 x 3 inches and had a picture in the center of the silk fabric. The butterfly on First Flight was taken from a collection of silks I bought at a tag sale. They come from Tokio Cigarettes in the 1890's.


I clipped the butterfly from the middle of the silk, hand stitched it to the quilt top and then carefully (if not done carefully the butterfly will disappear) pulled threads to get the raw edge effect. The one thing I have noticed about these butterflies---they look real.






The backing is a soft cotton with the batting only under the darker center silk blend. On top I used a weave with hand quilting, beads and of course the butterfly. The prairie points are also raw edge and stitched between the backing and quilt top. This little AAQI quilt is completely hand stitched and measures 7 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches. Happy Monday and Happy Quilting!