Look What I Found

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post talking about my lost quilting spirit and how I was going to clean my sewing/guest room.  I was in hopes that my quilting spirit would return and that my sewing area would become organized---it was overwhelmed with fabric all over the place, discarded unfinished projects, books and magazines not in their proper places.  I couldn't see the top of my cutting table.  Anyway, it worked, the spirit has returned.  Fabric and books have been sorted and ready for donation, unfinished projects have been either tossed or finished.  Among all the disorganization, I found these:  Two incomplete AAQI quilts.

The Caroling Trio, just needed a few hand quilting stitches, and binding.  It measures 8 1/2" x 10 3/4".  This is part of a novelty print I've used over the years for AAQI quilts---great for Christmas and/or Winter decor.

 Love Among Confusion, this little quilt is made from silks.  The background is made from various silks that I pieced, cut apart and then pieced again into a crazy maze.  The heart is from a piece of light weight upholstery fabric and appliqued on the crazy maze.  The border is a silk in a corresponding solid.  I hand quilted around the border, machine quilted with a metallic tread in a meandering stitch.  Then just folded over the edges and top stitched for the binding.  This one was easy to finish, as I had completed the top and the hand quilting, so the work was on the machine.  It measures 9 x 10 1/2".  Now I have a total of 8 quilts going in my final shipment to AAQI--my total quilts donated will be 112.  Have a wonderful Wednesday--I'm going to work in the yard today, before the next round of rain hits our area tomorrow.  Happy Quilting!

Happy Memorial Day!

Pause to remember the ones who gave all for our country.

Sunday---Precious Promises

I am the true vine, you are the branches:  he that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit:  for without me you can do nothing. ...If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. ...These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your job might be full.  John 15:1-2, 4-5, 7, 9.11

Bits & Pieces--Blogger's Quilt Festival

Good Morning, everyone.  I was surfing the net last night and came upon the Blogger's Quilt Festival Spring 2013.  The festival looked like fun---great entries, prizes and a great way to visit blogs of other quilters.  So I decided to enter a little quilt I made about a year ago.  I call this little mini Bits & Pieces.

I made this little quilt to fill a space on a wall of quilts I have in our foyer.  It was a fun little quilt to put together.  The background is upholstery fabric.

 The liberated pieced block was appliqued on the background with a primitive cross stitch.

 Beads were added for fun and I hand quilted with black thread, following the design of the upholstery fabric.
The quilt measures 5" wide and has an edge 8 1/2" long and 8" on the opposite side. Pop over to the Festival and check out all the quilts---you'll find Bits & Pieces under the Art Quilt Category.

Sunday---Precious Promises

Do not be afraid---I am with you!  I am your God---let nothing terrify you!  I will make your strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.  "Those who are angry with you will know the shame of defeat.  Those who fight against you will die and will disappear from the earth.  I am the Lord your God; I strengthen you and tell you, 'Do not be afraid; I will help you.' "  Isaiah 41:10-13  Good News 

Stringing Beads

It must be the weather---beautiful here.  Nice breezes, temps in the 80's, sunny days.  So I've been concentrating on planting, spring cleaning and watching baseball games.  Quilting--not so much.  I've been trying to quilt, in fact would you believe I have started four quilt tops only to be discouraged and disillusioned by all of them.  Even to the point of just not sewing for a while.  But one little project is still getting my attention.

This is a little art quilt I bought at a tag sale.  The little quilt is about 18 x 18 inches and is hand embroidered and quilted.  I'm adding beads for a little "bling" and will donate it to the Festival of Sharing Auction in October.  In the meanwhile, I'm going to clean and organize my sewing room.  Things will be tossed, donated and sold---a spring cleaning is long overdue and it may help being back my spirit.  So, blog posts my be slight for a few weeks, as I try to get my quilting spirit back---but know that I will still be stringing beads.  Have a wonderful weekend and as always Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  Psalms 91:11

Remembering Mother

AAQI has received a very special quilt.  It has been placed up for auction---you can bid on it NOW!!
Remembering Mother #13740 is available for bids at AAQI Auction Page http://www.benefitbidding.com/auctions/listings/details.cfm?item_id=6753  This is a beautiful quilt---a real treasure!

And the Winner Is

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to leave a comment.  And welcome to my new followers.  After reading all the comments, the winner of Patriotic Hearts is Mary White.  Her comment expresses the heart felt feelings of so many of us.  Thank you, Mary, for sharing your thoughts.  Please allow us to say a prayer for you, your family and all those who are still in harms way while protecting our country.

Memorial Day has taken on a new meaning after the death of my step-brother in Afghanistan in 2012. Memorial day used to be the beginning of summer, not really celebrating the lives of those we lost. Now, its a day to reflect and remember all those that have given their ALL for our Country.

Mary contact me with your address and Patriotic Hearts will be headed your way.

Giveaway Day---YEA!!!

Today marks the beginning of a fun week it's Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day.  In honor of Memorial Day and 4th of July, my handmade giveaway is a mini quilt I call Patriotic Hearts.

 This little quilt began as odd pieces of fabric with one thing in common, red, white and blue.  I used a layering technique I had read about in a Quilting Art magazine.  So there is no batting to speak of just layers of fabrics.

The 7 little hearts are made from homespun fabrics and appliqued on a simple 9-patch block.

The quilt needed some life--so the addition of more red and white fabric helped to make it come to life.
This quilt became my take-along project as I completed the hand quilting.
The quilt traveled not only in the USA but it spent a month with me in London,  as I completed the hand work and added the two little silver hearts charm.

 Photo taken in an English Garden 2007 - Completed Quilt

This little mini measures 11 x 11 1/2 inches and would a wonderful addition to a summer table setting.

To win Patriotic Hearts comment on--How you spend the patriotic holidays of Memorial Day and 4th of July?  or for international readers--How do you celebrate your countries national holidays?  Our big dog Bo knows that Memorial Day means "Bath Day" before a family BBQ. The best comment will win and the announcement of the winner will be May 10th at 5:15pm (PST).  Enjoy blog hopping this week at Sew, Mama, Sew  and I look forward to reading your comments. Happy Quilting!!

Sunday---Precious Promises

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 23:11

Taking a Break

Have you ever needed time off---even from something you love?  That's me!!  I have been struggling with a quilt project for the past couple of months.  I've made two starts on a small quilt project and had two failures.  My thoughts about quilting and where I want to be with my projects have been bouncing all over the place.  So for the past few days I've been Taking a Break.  I've made two mug rugs for friends, I'll deliver on Monday.  I've been sorting some quilting magazines.  And, most importantly I've been saying prayers, asking for some direction.  I'm getting a clear picture---it is the direction I had earlier in the year, but some how I got off track.  I love giving quilts to others, not worrying about contests, shows or creating.  Just quilting for someone else.  My goal at the beginning of the year was to work on Festival of Sharing projects and I have not been doing that.  Well, that will change.  Our Festival of Sharing Quilt Show and Sale is in September and I plan to make some small wall hangings and a couple of doll quilts to add to our little sale table along with fabric and quilt books our church quilters donate.  All the money raised will go to the festival and I'm discovering that is where I need to be right now. I'm starting to feel rejuvenated and directed.  Taking a Break to talk and listen to the Lord can be a mind clearing activity that I need to do more often.  I sometimes forget he is there for me, I just need to ask.  Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting!