Sunday Precious Promises

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able, but with the temptation, provide a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.        
 1 Corinthians 10:13

Snack Mat Mug Rugs

What better way to spend a snowy Thursday than making a pair of Snack Mat Mug Rugs.  The little rugs use the same fabrics with insert variations.  I machine quilted and then added metallic thread hand quilting and little flight tails for the butterflies.

The pair will be on the plane with me to Arizona on Monday.  They are a house warming gift for friends.
Check out, Off The Wall Friday to see some great quilts.   Have a safe weekend and as always Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Now faith is the substance of all things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...Through faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God...But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6

Check It Out

Nina Marie left me a comment yesterday on my little Sweet Hearts quilt.  She invited me to participate in Off The Wall Friday.  I've checked it out---a very creative place.
 I made this quilt a few weeks ago using a layer process.  Sweet Hearts was created in five steps.
In the first step I made the patchwork of two shades of white, then added the applique.
For the applique I just used a the raw edge approach, but a small zig-zag stitch would also help to hold applique pieces if desired.
After the applique is in place, make a quilt sandwich and machine quilt--using a walking foot.  
Now the fun begins, choose a variety of corresponding embroidery threads and hand quilt--primitive stitches--where pops of color is needed.
 Finally, add embellishments if desired.

It was fun to watch this quilt develop and change as each layer was completed.  The little quilt measures 8 x 10 3/4 inches with fast finish hanging triangles on the back. Check out this creative blog http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/  As Always, Happy Quilting!  and Thank You Nina Marie.

Happy Valentine's Day

For Sale

Elephant Walk #10579 $45.00   

Good and Plenty #10109 $45.00

 Simply Tulips #8079 $20.00

                                                  

Crazy Summer Fun #10110 $40.00

 

 

 Polar Bear Wishes #11595 $25.00 

                                                       

 Mucho Money #11596 $25.00

Six of my AAQI quilts are still For Sale.  You can view all the wonderful mini quilts that are for sale at   www.alzquilts.org.  Check out what's available and help make AAQI's last year OUTSTANDING.

As Always Happy Quilting!

AAQI News

(Burton, Michigan) -- February 12, 2013: Last month the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) awarded three research grants, the most awarded in a single month since the AAQI became a nonprofit in 2008.

• $40,894 was awarded to Texas A & M Health Science Center to explore the connection between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The research will be conducted by Ian V.J. Murray, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics; and Carmen Ramirez, M.D., M.Sc., Assistant Professor, Texas A & M Health Science Center.
  
• $35,000 was awarded to The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston to understand why some individuals remain cognitively intact despite the presence of abundant plaques and tangles (the hallmark signs of Alzheimer's) in their brains. The research will be conducted by Nicole L. Bjorklund, Ph.D., National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Postdoctoral Trainee.
  
• $38,354 was awarded to Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, to identify and target molecular mechanisms of cell death in the Alzheimer’s brain. The research will be conducted by Lucian Soane, M.D., Research Associate.

The AAQI has funded 14 research studies to date. These grants are made possible, in large part, by the money raised from the sale of donated quilts.

For more in depth explanation of the funded research see www.alzquilts.org/researchawards.html.
Purchase quilts online at www.alzquilts.org/quiltsforsale.html

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative is a national charity whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research. The AAQI has raised more than $894,000 for Alzheimer’s research since January 2006. Ami Simms of Flint, Michigan is the founder and executive director of the AAQI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Her mother had Alzheimer’s. This is the last year the AAQI will be fundraising.

For more information about the AAQI or to make a donation, contact Ami Simms at 810-637-5586 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern), ami@alzquilts.org or www.alzquilts.org.

And more---

In January the AAQI awarded THREE research awards----that's the most in a single month EVER! (See the press release below for more details and snag anything you want for your blog.)

In other news, quilt sales in January were phenomenal---183 quilts! That almost double what we sold last year in January! Those little quilts brought in big bucks: $9,430 for the AAQI.

February's quilt auction was fantastic, bringing in $2,906 for the AAQI. Only two regular auctions surpassed that amount. (October 2011 and December 2011)

Quilts from "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope" will begin to be auctioned on March 1st. Take a look at them on our new blog. http://www.thenamequilts.wordpress.com Use the search box in the upper right corner to find which quilt has the name of your loved one(s). Not all the quilts are up yet, but the one search box will check every quilt listed.

Early next month I'll be releasing names of quilters who will be participating in the Celebrity Invitational Quilt Auction in November.

Our last year is going to be the best ever!

Thanks,

Ami Simms

What wonderful news, this is so good to hear.  Help to make the last year the best ever, bid on a quilt.  Happy Quilting!

Ready for Quilting

Quilt top is complete and now it's ready for quilting.  I will be machine quilting this little wall hanging.  It measures  20 x 21 inches.  Not exactly sure what I'll do with the horses. Quilt on them or around them??? So it's back on my design wall while I'm thinking.  Any suggestions?  Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Blessed are the humble in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:3

Wall at Work

Resting on my little patch of design wall is a new work.  It measures 23 x 21 inches and is just a group of unconnected blocks.  I'm going to let it stay on the wall for about a week.  I'll be in and out just looking and questioning---do I need to make any changes?  Is the color right?  What about the placement?  Does it have the feel I want?  What do you think?  Comments are welcomed.  Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7

Helpful Tool

Do you have a design wall?  I didn't for a long time and then I was working on a larger size wall hanging and realized how handy they can be.  So a few years ago I just stapled a piece of flannel on the small space behind the door.  I know have a design wall.  It is great for my small quilts and since my sewing area is small it works well.

I'm thinking horses right now.  I found this great fabric with many horses running and thought it would be prefect for a horse owner I know.  I'm planning a small wall hanging and maybe a lap quilt for TV watching.

Using techniques from Sandi Cummings' book Thinking Outside the Block.  Love that book great ideas.  Show you more later.  Happy Quilting!