Because I chose to use some of my retirement money, I waited until October to buy a house. Such a busy time of year. Participation at work is higher, so it feels like I had no time to get away. In looking forward towards retirement, I wanted a Ranch style house. Most that we viewed were small, or needed quite a bit more work, which pushed it out of my price range. We put the search out further & actually chose a new build. The search was the fun part. Last time I went through the process, I knew everyone involved and we met in person. This go round, everything is electronic and you just click where noted to place your signature. Reading the document? Never enough time. Between mortgage, insurance, builder, utilities, walk throughs, banks, actually moving. It has all been overwhelming. I feel like my brain has melted and can no longer focus. I have the important stuff connected, but no internet. Ice cream, but no real food, and no trash/recycling yet. Luckily I have access, and permission, to a dumpster. Praying for more rain so the sod survives until I can get garden hoses to water it.
But prior to October, I took an English Paper Piecing class. The instructor suggested starting with a charm park. I had an older Fig Tree line, Mirabell, I think, and some extra of two of the greens.
At the class, I got the peachy coral round done. It has been relaxing to have hand work to do as I ruminate on all the things to do and the ways they can go wrong.
Hopefully by the next post, I’ll have a picture of the first bake to come out of my new kitchen!
Time goes by so fast! I should really start with the Doll Quilt that I received since the last post was about the Doll Quilt I made.
Perfect for this 250th year of America! I truly love it!
It has been a bit since my last posting so this will be a bit of a grab bag, and perhaps a few more pictures. First up: Quilt show in June, back in Abilene.
These are the quilts that I entered. All quilted by Jeanette. The first is Anthem of Stars and Stripes, designed by Jeanette . I made a fall version using Kansas Troubles fabrics and it has a totally different look! Excited to have it on my bed this fall! The red and white was made for a Primitive Gatherings show challenge a few years ago. That was a learning experience! And the Lone Star was made in a class last fall using Quilters Select foundation method.
These are some I would like to make myself. Love that Winnie the Pooh quilt!
I was able to make a quick trip back home in May and again in July, allowing me to drop off and pick up quilts.
The patriotic was a kit bought from a vendor in Texas. I had not seen that fabric up here in KC. I wish the stripe section was a little longer, but still am happy with it. Found out I will have a great-nephew this fall! Started making the kites quilt for him, but decided against it so not sure who or what I will be doing with that one. After many change of decisions, I saw this whale quilt at a local quilt store and decided it was perfect! An Elizabeth Hartman pattern – the shades of blue look so much better than the cover picture. The Christmas Twinkle is actually finished but did not get a picture with the border. Brought back Village Fair, the blues quilt and Aurora, the purple stars. Wasn’t sure about the purple stars, but now that it is quilted, I am happy with it and look forward to having it in my living room.
Took in an outdoor quilt show in Iowa. Was fun to see quilts displayed but wish there would have been more in a consolidated neighborhood, instead of blocks apart. But a new, fun idea.
Hard to believe the school year starts in just a few weeks. I still have a few more quilts I would like to get made before then. At some point, I would like to be able to change out the quilt on my bed each month. Decembers is in process!
Lori, from Humble Quilts blog, hosts a Doll Quilt exchange over the month of April. Just a few requirements: reproduction fabrics, under 25″, nicely made. I think this is the 13th year and I have participated in at least 5 different years. I do enjoy participating and it is always fun to make something for someone you can assume has similar tastes. Although I always stress myself if the recipient will be happy with it. Every year I wish I had made twice the blocks so that I could keep one for myself. I didn’t take the time, but I did keep all the fabrics together and my scraps so maybe this summer I could do that. Here is the quilt I made:
I also like doing this to try new blocks. I have done log cabin blocks before, but not courthouse steps blocks. I quilted in the ditch around the shapes and down the middle of the larger shapes. I love the color mix! Some of the fabrics I have had for a long time, and some are from current fabric lines. I used a black square in the center of each block and a black backing and binding. It now resides in California! Before starting, I drew a diagram to keep like colors apart, but missed marking edges, and soon didn’t keep to it as marked.
This was fun to do and I look forward to working with this block again! I have also been making Fancy Four Patch blocks! This is a sew along sponsored by Taryn, of Repro Quilt Lover. They are tiny blocks. 1 1/4″ blocks. I started behind because that size makes me a little anxious so I ordered half-square triangle paper. But it was the wrong size so I just jumped in once the doll quilt was done. Still haven’t caught up, but I have enjoyed the process and the blocks that I have made so far. It is not a race.
I have 12 blocks done so far. In one of them, I have one of the ‘butterfly’ blocks turned the wrong way, but I think I am ok with it. I have also finished another pattern test quilt. I will post pictures of that once Jeanette releases the pattern. You can find her patterns on Etsy! Just search for Poplar Lane Quilts!
The Butterfly has been returned from the quilter, binding put on, and sent off to Michelle.
Not the best picture…
Love Jeanette’s quilting! Also got back a test quilt of Jeanette’s! Not sure if she has released it yet, so maybe just a peak.
Christmas fabric so went with a Poinsettia quilting that I love! I have already done the binding and it is ready for next winter!
Aurora, from Laundry Basket Quilts, is pieced. Has been a ‘leader and ender’ for at least 6 years so am glad to have it finished and will go off to Jeanette once MOD Bear Paw is done.
I have decided not to do the paw print border. That grey is just too different from the body of the quilt. I think it will detract so will add another thin green, then another charcoal and call it done! Started this last spring in Texas, didn’t label the box I put it in, so took a minute to find it and get back to it.
The Christmas Twinkle BOM is on Month 9, I think, and in the putting sections together phase so soon I will have a picture of that to share. I am a couple weeks behind the FPP Little Blocks America, but here are the first nine weeks worth of blocks. I will need to one of them over again, but considering how tiny the pieces are, I am OK with it. This has been challenging!
Not sure if I have shared the Lonestar yet, but I LOVE it. So glad I took that class with Donna.
I wish everyone could see it in person! Jeanette’s quilting is gorgeous and truly makes the quilt!
First an update. The wedding was lovely. I am so glad I got to go to it!
These were from rehearsal, of course, and what flower girl doesn’t prefer playing in the dirt? Excited to see the family again this Christmas!
The quilt I donated to the youth group raised $319. Not as much as I would have liked, but it all helps.
I got back the half & half quilt from Jeanette. Beautiful as always. Melissa wanted a beachy feel with the colors so I asked Jeanette to incorporate sand dollars in the quilting.
I love what she did in the border as well! Working on binding now and hoping to get it in the mail asap!
One of the things I have missed living further south was the fall colors. Kansas City has so many trees and I was just in awe of all God’s handiwork. Beautiful fall colors.
My friend, Donna, and I took a class on making Lone Star Quilts at KC Makers Fabric & Quilt Shop. It uses a Grid method by Quiltworks, I believe. Made for a super easy process, and a beautifully finished product. Once again, being quilted by Jeanette.
Will be ready for the United States 250th birthday! In honor of the occasion, I signed up for a paper piece block of the week for another patriotic quilt to commemorate 2026 from Sentimental Stitches. I think Kim is doing this one too! Hope I can stay current on a weekly block!
I also finished a butterfly quilt for Michelle. Pattern is by Lella Boutique. I think this is the fourth time I have used this pattern. Again, I used her lay out, but made some different blocks.
I need to get back to the Bear Paw Quilt for Nick, Tiffany’s husband. Then maybe I can get back to my projects.
So great to be back in the Midwest! Not quite as hot, cooler nights, real trees! Beautiful! I also have weekends off! In the last two months, I have actually completed 3 quilt tops!
The friend I am staying with has cats – not always helpful, but they are cute. I am happy with the results. Jeanette did a great job of quilting, I just need to add a label and finish the binding.
Two ladies I worked with in Texas gave me joy and I really want to make them quilts. Melissa likes colors of the ocean. I had a lot of that on hand and added a couple more options.
Color palette was approved, not all of them made the cut. I used a pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company called Half & Half. It is one block, with the color placement flipped. This again is a pattern for layer cakes, which I didn’t use, but easy enough to cut 10″ squares. Between a design wall and the floor, blocks were moved around to hopefully spread the lights to darks around. I am happy with the results and have sent it to Jeanette for quilting!
The last completed top is for the youth group back in Abilene. Carol asked if I would be willing to make another quilt for a fundraiser around Thanksgiving. I just realized it is also from The Pattern Basket. She does design lovely quilts! I chose a winter/Christmas theme and went with Peppermint Twist. Easy block, great directions, lattice a little more complicated, but still easy if you are organized.
It has already been sent to Jeanette, so will have to take a picture of the completed top once I get it back. Again, very happy with how it turned out! I have a few more quilts to get done before Christmas, so hope I can keep being productive!
School is over, quilt show is next week…and I am moving again in two months. Feeling a little stressed, but trying to get things done one by one. So not much to show, but a few pictures.
Last month our Guild President sent out a text looking for a hand quilter to help a former colleague finish a quilt her mother had started before going blind. The quilt is made up of hexagons using fabrics that she had used for making her clothes while she was growing up. Nobody else responded so I told her I would do it once school was out. I have been diligent on it and only have one corner left! Tomorrow, I really need to focus on getting quilt show stuff completed, but it won’t take much time after that to finish.
This was soon after I started – I like to see progress so took a picture at that time. Now I think I only have the bottom right corner to finish!
This better shows what the overall affect is. The black threads shown are basting stitches. Trying to get them removed at the same time. It is satisfying work. Hopefully after I move I will have the time to do more hand quilting.
I got the quilts back from Jeanette and could not be more thrilled with them.
I love the simplicity of this quilt! It makes me smile remembering all the different projects these fabrics are from. I can’t wait to have it on my bed – after the quilt show.
I told my cousin her bear paw quilt had to be put on pause right now, and my nephew is getting married in October. Haven’t started that quilt yet, but have all the fabric, I think. And there are a few special people here I would like to make quilts for, but that will likely be given after I move. This school year was just too busy to do much beyond work. So very ready for some down time.
This spring, the Guild did a Round Robin for all those that wanted to participate. We turned in our center block in November. This was my center block.
Fabric was from my stash. Christmas prints from Sandy Gervais, back when she designed for Moda! I have always loved it, just never had the right project to use it in. Still love the colors, even though they are darker than what you would see today.
The first moth I received this one. It measured 17″! Nothing is divisible by 17! I trimmed it to 16″ and added the flying geese and the corner square-in-a-square block. Had to make a test of that as the measurements for that can be tricky. I was happy with how it turned out and hope the owner is too!
The next month, I was on round two. This person didn’t add much background, only a lot of floral.
The owner said she liked purple, so I bought the lavender. Again it was an odd number, 23″ maybe. It seemed so busy I wanted to create space to rest your eyes. I saw a picture I think on Pintrest or Instagram of something similar. Used some pinks that matched the florals and did math. Created and had to do math again as it wasn’t correct. In the end, I think it was a plus. Hope it is well received.
For the third round, I recieved this.
Fun 30’s fabrics were used. I chose the spool block to kind of match the time period. I think it was a good fit. Much thanks to Mary Alice for talking me through it!
For the last round, I received this one.
There wasn’t a lot of fabric in the bag, mainly just the reds and blues. Since it was the last round, I wanted to do something that would kind of frame it. I hope Susan likes it!
Last night at Guild, I got mine back! I had no idea what to expect, but am happy with the results. We are to get them quilted and ready to show by the May meeting. So I boxed it up and got it in the mail to Jeanette today.
It measures 52″. The green flying geese are 3D. I love the stars, of course, and I also love how the last person added a smaller twisted star for the corners. It will be fun to see them all in may, then the plan is to also show them all at the Quilt Show in June.
The theme of the show is, “When life gives you scraps, make quilts”. Work last semester had been especially stressful. In October, I think, I got in my stash and started a Frivol.
I loved it, and have a lot of Fig Tree fabric in my stash, so I decided to make it bed size! The colors were so soothing to work with. I had to order more background fabric twice, but I love how it turned out. I think I used one fabric three times, the rest are only two blocks per fabric. I love how it turned out. It is at Jeanettes and I asked her to do the Baptist Fan quilt motif. I will put this in the quilt show as well! Excited to see the finished project!
I used a lot of my stash, but not near enough. Just looking at the picture makes me smile. Easy block, soothing colors, playing with fabric – it was a stress free, pleasurable time making it.
I also got Phyllis’ quilt done and sent it off to Jeanette, but I didn’t get a finished picture of that one. Will have to be a post quilted photo!
Happy with what I have been able to get done, but so many more to make!
Well it wasn’t my intention to not post for six months, but such is life. I was able to go back to Minnesota this summer and saw friends and family again. I dropped off quilts with Jeanette and she did another fabulous job! She has another career ahead of her when she retires from her day job!
She finished my Turkey Round Robin for me! So happy I will get to use it this fall!
While I was home, I visited with my cousin Phyllis. Where they live, the town has had so much rain that the area has flooded. They had to leave their home and stay in a shelter on higher ground. So demoralizing to see your house become uninhabitable and nothing you can do. We went shopping, to a fabric store, of course, and she picked out a quilt that I can make for their new bedroom. I had to clear out my space when I had company so haven’t gotten back to this one. I think I have 6 blocks to go.
She wanted a quilt with the colors of the Northern Lights so I added the pinks – hope Norm will still like it!
While driving home, I talked to my SIL for awhile and she shared how my nephew is going through a bit of a rough patch right now. I think he is a great young man and deserving of another quilt. In fact, I think it is time to do another round of quilts for nephews!
This is a Laundry Baskets Quilts pattern, “Perfect Union”. Saw this cool panel and used it for the backing. I actually cut the fabric for the blue stars wrong so have enough cut to make another one for myself, someday! I can live with those errors.
Before school started, a couple ladies from guild and I signed up for a class. Well the instructors got Covid so it was delayed. Made for a little more stress, which is a long story that won’t be shared here. But it was a good, fun day. We each got one shoe finished! Most expensive shoes I own, but it was a good experience, and have fun foot wear!
To finish things off, pictures of Jeanette’s beautiful quilting on a Fig Tree BOM!
Although I have had occasional sewing time, not recording time. Work has been busy, and stressful. And now only about 3 weeks left in the semester! Thank goodness!
Let’s start the review!
Kim Diehl pattern & kit
My guild has a penny mini ‘raffle’ each month for a donated small quilt. The proceeds are then used as a scholarship for members to take a class the guild sponsors. This is what I donated, and another kit off my shelf. The guild is very philanthropic and I found a layer cake on sale at last years quilt show. Bought some more of it on sale and am working on a twin size quilt.
Fable is the fabric line
First time using the Cake Mix papers. It does help with perfect hst’s, but a hassle removing all the paper. I tested out different suggested lay outs. I am now up to 14 blocks done. No set deadline, so not rushing it.
Calliope pattern by Corey Yoder
Hailee is having a baby! She is from work and this is their first baby. Love how this came together! I made fewer blocks for a baby size, and all the fabric was on hand! Jeanette will be quilting it with an elephant theme.
Tiffany announced her engagement so I started the quilt pattern I had bought for her a long time ago called Cat’s in Space. I changed the color of the cats to match hers, and used my own fabric. Only bought the cat & helmet fabrics for this one!
Elizabeth Hartman pattern
The guild had a runner class that I took part in. Another member commented she was going to do extra blocks and an extra border to make it the right size for hospice bed runners. I thought it was a great idea and did the same.
I quilted it myself. Barely. I don’t have that gift.
Pin cushions
At the quilt show in June, we have a boutique to sell home made items. I have been making pin cushions. Hope they sell!
Enough for now. I won’t wait so long to write next time!
