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Monday, November 29, 2010

Liberated and Lovin It

I've always thought of myself as a "liberated" quilter, but now I feel liberated with a purpose. Since my last blog entry, I have joined a Yahoo quilting group "Liberated Quilters". This little group offers wonderful quilting conversation and interesting challenges that keeps everyone on their creative toes. The group introduced me to the book Liberated Quiltmaking by Gwen Marston. I have so enjoyed reading her ideas and had to try out Free Pieced Stars---oh what fun. I highly recommend her book and I look forward to reading the second Liberated Quiltmaking that has just hit the book stores.

Saturday was a quiet day at the house, so I quilted from 10:00am to about 6:00pm. I made this little liberated star quilt top.

The top is 9 x 9 inches square (little to big for AAQI). I used some of Gwen's techniques and I don't think I will make a traditional star again--I enjoyed making the new free pieced stars. On a piece of scrap paper I created the placement and idea for the quilt top. Using very thin thread and needle put things together. I will say even thought I measures at almost every stitch, I still had many seams to rip and resew.
The thread size I used was #50 by DMC and the needles 60/8 by Schmetz. I did have to adjust the bobbin tension for this weight thread. Super Fine silk pins were a great help and pinning from the fabric to the edge is a great way to keep small fabric pieces together without puckers. I'm letting the quilt top rest for a few days, before I start quilting. I'm thinking about using metallic thread and machine quilting---I think I have a few to many seams to hand quilt. I'm also trying to decide if I want a border??? Have a great Monday and Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving
to
All

Monday, November 22, 2010

What a Surprise

I just checked my Facebook page and there is one of my quilts being featured
by AAQI. Sun Bonnet Sue Harvest Time is for sale on the AAQI website. This is a great little quilt with Thanksgiving just around the corner. Sun Bonnet Sue Harvest Time sells for $40.00 and all the money goes to Alzheimer's research. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving and Happy Quilting!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Lost for Words


Do you ever have a day where your just lost for words. Like you want to say something, but nothing seems right. Well this is one of those days for me. I've taken a little break from quilting---meaning I've not quilted or work on blocks for about 3 days. I've looked at some quilting books and admired some great photos on the Internet of beautiful quilts, but a needle has not touched my fingers. Tuesday I will be quilting with my church group and I know that will get me back into the spirit. In the meantime, have a great Monday and Happy Quilting!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Angels Among Us

Sunday is usually not a day that I post on my blog, but this morning I wanted to share a story of two wonderful angels, who entered the life of a young couple. Yesterday, hubby and I went to a funeral in a small town in North Central Missouri. The town, Fayette, Missouri is the home of Central Methodist College (now Central Methodist University). CMC was where we received our college degrees, met, fell in love and started our life together many years ago. Also, in this town was a couple, she a nurse, he a farmer with three children, who took us under their wings and became good friends. This friendship continued as we moved away from Fayette and began our life's path together. The annual Christmas card, the visit when ever they were near our home and our visit with them when ever we returned to Fayette. The type of friendship that is characteristic of a conversation that picks up where it left off. Mary Lou passed away a few years ago from cancer and Cliff passed away this past week. We returned to Fayette, Saturday to Cliff's funeral and the burial of their ashes together.


As I think back on Cliff and Mary Lou and the friendship they offered a college couple---I have come to realize they were angels who entered our life, to help us establish our path as a couple. We learned so much from them, they were wise, honest, wonderful parents and true friends. I'm so very thankful God placed these two Angels Among Us when we were far from our own families and beginning our life together. May we all be Angels for others. Thank You Cliff and Mary Lou.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Critter Quilt Blocks

Keesha, one of the prettiest dogs--but so high strung, she was a lovable challenge


I've started working on my blocks for the Critter Quilt. My master plan is sketched and measured---I'm sure there will be adjustments. But, as of now, the quilt will have a variety of blocks---applique, painted, patchwork. They will be pieced together in a liberated patchwork style, no set pattern. The Keesha block was sketched using a light box and fabric pens.




Bodhi, husky mix who passed away this year--we still are adjusting to his absence.
This block was sketched using a light box and fabric pens.






Bear, our yellow lab. Very polite dog and a real joy even in his old age.




Mr. C, a white rabbit my Dad brought home when I was in about the 7th grade. Mr. C, was a--service rabbit. We would take him to the St. Louis Head Start programs in the 1960's. It was great to see the kids with a big white rabbit. Many of the city kids had never seen a rabbit before. He wore a red dog harness and weighted about 20 pounds.



Both Bear and Mr. C were needle turn applique. The butterfly was fabric that I also needle turned applique. Both blocks have embroidery to highlight ears and legs.



I can already see that my Critter Quilt is going to be fun. Just the remembering of my many pets and their personalities has been a treat and I've only just begun. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Just about a Year Ago

St. James Park, London
Charming

Monday, November 8, 2010

Houston AAQI Sales



I have been anxiously waiting for today and the posting of AAQI sales results from the Houston International Quilt Show. My personal pledge was to make 52 quilts this year for AAQI. I fell short by only making 42 by the September 15th deadline. I have since added 3 more that did not go to Houston. I had 33 quilts go to Houston and 13 sold. I was hoping more would sell, but sales from the 13 came to $494.00 and I very pleased about that. I have met my $1,000 Promise pledge with these sales, and I plan to keep on making and donating AAQI quilts. It is a thrill to make a quilt that someone else enjoys and to give to a cause that needs research monies.

Thanks to Ami for all she does in support of Alzheimer's Research and to my Mom who was a victim of Alzheimer's, but not before she gave me the desire to sew and create. Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Ready for Auction



The church bazaar quilt is completed and on display. Monterrey Medallion is on display and ready for the Silent Auction to begin. This quilt measures 100" x 100" and is very colorful. We are all anxious to see how well it does in the auction. The monies we receive from its sale goes to our various outreach programs.
No quilting today for me---outside leaf work is in order. Have a wonderful Wednesday and Happy Quilting!

Monday, November 1, 2010

First Saturday in November


The first Saturday in November is always the Church Bazaar. It's a great time of good food and wonderful handmade and holiday items for your buying pleasure. This year I've donated a box load of items. Message Mats




This one was made by splattering bleach on a black and green fabric and placing it in the sun for a few hours, then adding to gold print patches. The background behind the Comfort of Psalms fabric is a used dryer sheet, hand quilted with metallic thread and finished with raw edging.


The little Dream Message Mat is made from a vintage quilt block, with embroidery message and hand quilting.





I've added tiny Quilts in a Jar. The jars are jelly jars about 3" tall and the quilts inside consist of wordings from Christmas cards and of course quilted fabric. Cute to add to a gift or sit on a shelf.



Cookie Jars full of Christmas Sweets



And Art Jars full of craft items to spark the imagination of any child.

Wishing you a great Monday and Happy Quilting!