Sunday---Precious Promises

We receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
 I John 3:22

LRR Round 4 Completed

I made some changes to Dogs and Dots. I wasn't coping with my round 3 rectangles with curves well, so I just chopped them off and made a small border of rectangles, added a 2" black border and started adding curves. I used both needle turn applique and iron on applique. I may add a little embroidery to the floating dots, but for now it is time for the quilt to hang on my design wall. I'll be making some trips by it--- taking peaks to see if it needs to have a surprise here and there.


I'm planning  space in my laundry room to hang this little quilt.  I estimate it will be about 24 to 26 inches square.  I feel like such a "rookie" with all this quilt making.  I have so many ideas and it seems so little time to just escape to my sewing room and sew---practice.  I read and see so many techniques I would like to try, but I never seem to get the time to do all that I would like to do.  Machine quilting is something that I would really like to use more than I do.  I know that all I have to do is set aside the time to work on my technique.  I have a simple home sewing machine, but I read that people use those all the time and really produce wonderful machine quilted items.  That's what I want to do.  I'm setting a goal for this fall (really beginning August 15th) to take time each day to machine quilt.  I think Dogs and Dots would be great machine quilted and I'm going to see that I get it done.  As Always, Happy Quilting!

A Few More Stitches

Just a few more stitches and this little White Bindweed Fairy AAQI quilt will be ready for binding.  I choose this little fairy block because of its color---white---.  It is so hot here in Missouri that working and a white piece of cloth is refreshing.  A liberated log cabin block is in the right corner.  The fairy and bindweed are quilted in metallic thread with the leaves in and  icy green embroidery thread.  Stay cool this weekend and as always Happy Quilting!

It Speaks for Itself

Our part of the country is very dry and the John Deeres are silent.  But, in a few months they will be out working the fields and yards.  Soon, Nothing Runs Like a Deere, will be heard all around our neighborhood.  I made this little quilt with left overs from my larger Deere quilt---added a few chickens and a barn.  The quilt is machine and hand quilted and is about 8 1/2" x 10".   Where ever you are today keep cool and Happy Quilting!

Simple Monday

Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything seems complicated?  That was last week for me.  It just seemed the most simple task became an ordeal and ordeals became monsters.  In light of a new work week and a new beginning I decided I would talk about a simple quilt that AAQI will be receiving soon.

This little Simply Tulips quilt was simple to make and simple to quilt.  I found a delightful novelty print fabric of tulips and fancy cut the flowers and their name tag.  Then with the help of a little machine quilting and some binding created a simple 7 1/2" x 9" AAQI quilt.  Many of my quilts for AAQI are made from novelty prints.  They are a great source of inspiration and quick and easy to compose.  Give it a try---start with something simple and mail it in to Ami.  She will be able to make money for the cause and you'll be able to relax knowing you "simply" helped.  Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you.  I do not give it as the world does.  Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Thank You

I made this AAQI quilt about a month ago, when the news was filled with the most recent Metal of Honor recipients.  Last night on the news was a story about a solider who died 40 years ago in a helicopter crash in Vietnam.  His remains are being returned to the St. Louis area today for burial.  I thought today was a good day to show my Thank You quilt.  In honor of all the men and women who have protected and are still protecting our great nation.  The quilt is 8 x 10 inches with an appliqued solider and a tri-colored background, hand quilted.  Today, I for one will enjoy the great freedom I have been given because of others.  Happy Quilting!

Comfort of Psalms

I've made two Comfort of Psalms AAQI quilts for shipping in August.  The first is about 7 x 10 inches.  Could be a message mat/mug mat or use its hanging sleeve.   I used vintage tatting, beads, some hand ties and machine quilting to carry the lines from the black and tan fabric to the center of the piece.  The second quilt is smaller 6 x 9 inches.   

I like the little Log Cabin block.  I just took fabric from my bits and pieces and started sewing them to the center dot.  A little piece of silk on the left of the Psalm---just for fun.  The little quilt is hand tied with some machine quilting around the Log Cabin block.  Both were quick and easy to make.  If you haven't made an AAQI quilt--take a few minutes and put a little quilt together to donate at http://www.alzquilts.org/  

Happy Quilting!

I Didn't Realize

Where have I been and what have I been doing?????   I didn't realize until this past Sunday that I had not entered a post for one week.  WOW, a whole week disappeared.  I've been quilting.  My first project was the annual binding of the Church Bazaar Quilt.  This year's quilt is a pastel Log Cabin set in a star pattern.  A simple square quilt, but I had trouble with it this year.  Not sure exactly why, even had to put a little message in a, not so perfect, corner.  But you know I kinda of like the message and it seem just right for a Church quilt.  "God is our refuge and our strength"  Psalm 46.

I've also been working a AAQI quilts.  My goal this year is twelve quilts.  To date I have submitted one with nine to be submitted in August.  Some of these will look familar, but a few are new and I'll talk about them individually in later posts.  I'm presently getting ready to hand quilt a little fairy quilt for AAQI.

I'm using mettallic thread to add a bid of sparkle. Of course, the Critter Quilt keeps expanding.  I'll be posting rows as they are completed.  I'm working on it in between projects that have a dead line.

Lastly, I've been working on my Liberated Round Robin Quilt.  This is a summer challenge and everyone is making wonderful quilts.  We have two more rounds to go and I can hardly wait to see everyone's end product.  Check it out at http://www.liberatedroundrobin.blogspot.com/ there is still time to join the fun. Hope your last week was a delightful as mine and that this week holds exciting days and peaceful evenings.  As always, Happy Quilting!

Sunday--Precious Promises

So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.  Galatians 6:9

Sunday--Precious Promises

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it.  John 15:7

LRR Round 3 Done

If there are rules in Liberated Quilt making, I think I broke them in this round.  For some reason---not sure why I thought my little quilt top needed some curves.  So after putting together a variety of black strips (that have a rectangle look) from my bits and pieces bin I just took a pair of scissors and made curves.  Then I realized I needed to get square again---some how.  After much thought, picture looking, Internet searches, I decided to just do it "Jan's Way".  Well, not sure that was the right way, buy I think it worked.   I will add some applique to cover mistakes if necessary  I machine appliqued my quilt top on to yellow border fabric.   I almost ran out of yellow border fabric, one thing about the Round Robin I find myself planning at the sewing machine and not on paper.  Fun but sometimes I get lost in the process.  Dogs and Dots started with a center 9 patch block that was 6 1/2" square and the quilt is now 20" square.  Having fun with this little Liberated Round Robin, anxious for the next round July 22.  Have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!

Happy Fourth of July

to Everyone!!

Sunday---Precious Promises

To declare your loving kindness in the morning, And your faithfulness every night.  Psalm 92:2

AAQI Makes First Cut for Classy Awards

Please help!
The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative is competing for part of $150,000 in three of the 12 categories offered for outstanding nonprofits in something called the Classy Awards. We have already met the minimum standard of 100 “likes” in all three of our categories. The judges will then select the top 300 nominees and online voting determines the rest. Seems to me the more “likes” we get and the more positive comments we get, the better we’ll fare with the judges. There are a lot of entries.
The last day to add “likes” and comments is Friday, July 8th at 11:59pm eastern.
“Like” and comment 3 times (one per link below) and you’re done! There are TWO “like” icons really close together on each page. Click the one on the LEFT as shown with my arrows. Heck click both of them; what could it hurt!
http://www.stayclassy.org/stories/quilter-creates-national-charity-to-fight-alzheimers-through-art
http://www.stayclassy.org/stories/traveling-quilt-exhibits-about-alzheimers-reach-300000-people
http://www.stayclassy.org/stories/national-charity-raises-55000-for-alzheimers-research-spends-0-on-fundraising
Thank you for your help!  & Happy Quilting!