Sunday---Precious Promises

God has poured out his love to fill our hearts.  Romans 5:5

Wild Flower Sampler

Fussy cut, hand quilting, and machine quilting created this little Wild Flower Sampler.  This little AAQI sampler is 8 x 7 inches.  The flowers come from the fairy print fabric I have used in the past for AAQI fairy quilts.

I enjoy working with this fabric and have a few more wildflowers for another little project.  Have a wonderful weekend. 

 Happy Quilting!

AQ - Tour Mary Ghormley's Miniature Quilts

What a wonderful collection, Happy Quilting!

Happy Holidays

Sunday---Precious Promises

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Storm is Over

Those of you in the Midwest, know what I mean when I say the "Storm is Over".  We here in Missouri received more wind than snow, but I know other parts are digging out this morning.  At about 6:00am is started.  Mean skies, drops of rain that turned to snow and a wind.  In our area the wind was between 40 and 60 mph.  We received just a dusting of snow, but the wind was with us until about 9:00pm last night.  It brought down one small tree in our back yard--we suspected was dead--it was.

So what do you do when the wind is howling, and your hubby is at a meeting?  You quilt.  I made an AAQI quilt for Houston.  I think the theme will go well in the November 2013.

2013 is my year of getting to know my new "old" Bernina --most of my quilts this year will be machine quilted and appliqued.  I fussy cut the flowers.  Attached with fusible webbing and then with gold and silver metallic thread (used black in the bobbin) quilted the flowers, a matching green thread for the leaves and finished up with Christmas green for the background.  Poinsettia was created in a very short time.

The morning sun helped to show the quilting.  The quilt is 8 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches.  I really like the machine and practice will make my stitches more uniform and improve my techniques--I can use that.  I'm working on a second little Wildflower Sampler that will have some hand and machine quilting. Hope to finish today.
Enjoy your weekend and Happy Quilting!

Gift Exchange

 I'm blessed to have a group of  Monday afternoon friends.  Each Monday we meet at one of our  homes, have a great lunch and conversation together and play a game or two of Pinochle.  Today is our Holiday Party and Gift Exchange.  I wanted to make each one a quilt, but time didn't allow that, but it did allow for a little art quilt in a shadow box.

   For Clara

Christmas Snowflake

For Karen

One More Tree

For Marty

Giving Hearts

For Dot

Praise the Lord

The little quilts are 6 x 6 inches and I tried to pick colors, match personalities and interest for each friend.  The little quilts were all hand quilted and embellished with beads--Holiday Sparkle.  Have a great Monday and Happy Quilting!

Sunday---A Positive Thought

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.  If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.  He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning.  Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.  He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.  What about the Christmas gift in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary.  Face it, He Loves You.  From a recent email received from a friend

Quick and Easy Christmas Gift

Bookmarks

  I made these little bookmarks for my quilting buddies at church.  Each year we have a luncheon and most of the ladies give out Christmas Cards to everyone, but I like to make a little something.  This year:
1.   I  took backing board/cardboard and cut it 2" x 7"
2.  Picked out some interesting fabrics and used some wonder under to just tack the fabric to cardboard--so it wouldn't slip around.
3.  Top stitched to cardboard
4.  Put a hole in the top of the cardboard and fabric with a hole punch.
5.  Decorated with ribbon, yarns, beads and you have an interesting little Bookmark.
***There are so many interesting ways to make and decorate a bookmark, check out pinterest for more ideas and have fun.
***Make a bookmark to go with a great book as a gift for a special person.
Wishing everyone a fun weekend and Happy Quilting!

Quilts for Backpacks

In one of my earlier posts I talked about making small quilts (35 x 45 inches) for Festival of Sharing Backpacks.  Well, I've started.  With the help of some "cheater fabrics" I've put a plan together for six quilts.

I chose "cheater fabric" to help me get some practice with machine quilting.  Last year I purchased a used Bernina at an estate sale.  She was very well taken care of and is in great shape.  What quilting I've done on her has turned out well---not because of me, because of her.

 I love this machine and want to learn more about her and improve my quilting.  What better way to start is with some novelty prints.  The little quilts will be shipped to the Festival of Sharing in August.  So I have plenty of time to complete them, plus a wall hanging for the Festival of Sharing Quilt Auction.  More about that later.  Have a great Wednesday and Happy Quilting!

A Special Christmas Quilt

Draped over a wing backed chair with a little red gift box for some whimsy is a very Special Christmas Quilt.  This quilt has been a focus of many a room during the holidays from its creation in 1960.  My Mom, Helen, was an embroidery, applique kinda of gal.  I'm so blessed to have this quilt and two others she made.  I believe this to be a kit quilt, from back in the day.  I don't know it's true name and have never seen one like it, but every Christmas Mom would put it on the bed for the holidays.  It's a full size, so doesn't really make a statement on our king size bed, but in years past it has been on the stair railing, back of the sofa, or draped over a table.  This year greets guests in the foyer.  I love this quilt and have thought many times of making a miniature so I can frame it and display it every day of the year.  Have a great Monday and Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Philippians 4:6

The Numbers are In

Unconditional Love sold for $41.57

I've been anxiously waiting for the numbers to arrive from the AAQI Houston Sales.  Over the years I have made and donated 100 miniature quilts to be sold for Alzheimer's Research and this time of year is always so exciting.  Most of the AAQI sales happen at the International Quilt Show in Houston and this year was no exception.  With all the bookkeeping to be completed, individual quilters eagerly  wait for their quilt totals to be posted----last night my page was updated.  Nineteen (19) of the twenty-six (26) quilts I made this year for  Houston were sold for a total of $632.22.  Eight (8) of my 100 quilts are still available for sale on the AAQI web site and my grand total is $3,493.61.  My mini that earned the most was:

Celebrate selling  for $55.43

 I'm just a little short of my personal goal of $4,000.00, need to do some more stitching.  Think about joining me and make a mini---it's fun!!!      Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and lean not unto your own understandings.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.  Proverbs 3: 5-6