Bowtiesnstars

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!

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.

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.

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.

This was made about 25 years ago when I was in Oklahoma and just learning to quilt! I made the center block, Barbara made the turkey tracks border, I think Kim did the next border, Alice the last border and Susie added the appliqué. I had started hand quilting it, just one of the inner borders, so have sent it to Jeanette to complete the quilting. It is way past time to get it done!

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!

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.

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!

I found out in June I am going to be a great aunt again! At the time, I didn’t know the sex of the baby so started out making a quilt top for a boy.

Mahalo, by Fig Tree & Co.

For the last couple of years, I have been part of the Figs & Friends program they offer. Each quarter, they send a pattern and a starter kit of curated fabrics. Love how this turned out! And with those cheery yellows, might be nice for a girl too! Nice using fabric I have on hand!

Well, I found out it is to be a girl, so made another Butterfly quilt, I believe designed by Lela Boutique? I made different blocks and size, but used her lay out.

Jeanette is quilting them both. The first two butterflies I made, she custom quilted, and they were beautiful! I can’t wait to get these back again!

This summer I went to visit Kim over the 4th of July. We went to the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. They had several different exhibits set up. The first had quilts from the ‘stan countries (Kahzikstan, Pakistan, etc.).

I think it is so interesting that block patterns are so universal, from half way around the world and many years ago. In the middle picture, those pineapple blocks are the size of a dime. I cannot imagine making them. The last picture was an example of thread painting. Beautiful.

They also had a modern quilt exhibit, but wasn’t really my thing. But. The final room had and exhibit from Ohio Valley. Beautiful antique quilts!

We stopped at a few quilt shops, but spent most of our time sewing. Most of this quilt was done at Kim’s house. Again, it was a Figs and Friends kit. I chose to make it larger as I am donating it to Quilts for Cops. Jeanette is busy quilting this one too!

After I had it all pieced, I noticed that in the pattern, every other block was turned. I am happy with it as is, and wasn’t about to start taking it apart.

And that is a wrap of my summer sewing. It was pretty productive I think!

The last week of school, the employees commented how a pregnant student was having a hard time: baby daddy is not very excited to become a father, not much support from friends, several hours from home, etc. They wanted to throw a baby shower for her. I perused my stash and went back to my Peanuts fabric and went with a simple nine patch setting. I think it turned out cute for such a short notice.

School got out a couple of weeks ago and the boss basically said to take some time off. OK. I will not disagree. So I have spent the time sewing! I finished the Manchester by the Sea Quilt top. I love it! The colors and blocks do bring me to the beach!

I finished the Morning Star quilt for the Abilene Quilt Show. It has been sent off to Jeanette for quilting. I sure hope I left her enough time to get it quilted and returned to me. I cut the binding today so it’s all ready to finish up.

Next I worked on a project that I had in my stash. It is called Bubble and Froth by Carrie Nelson from the book Mix It Up. I actually won a digital copy of the book from commenting on one of the designers promotional posts when it was being released. Three years later, I finally have a quilt from it made! I bought most of the fabrics in the Sisters, OR, area.

The quilt store in Winters, TX, was having an anniversary sale so bought fabric for another test pattern for Jeanette. Won’t show the whole thing, but I do love the pattern. Big blocks really showcase the fabrics.

And last, another Block of the Month has started! Apple Blossom Road, again by Fig Tree & Co. It is a mystery, and in it’s introduction, they said it will have an americana vibe. I like the softer colors for the first month so have great expectations going forward!

Hopefully I will have more time over the summer for sewing some Christmas gifts!

My friend, and quilter, Jeanette has been developing quilt patterns. She let me test her first one called Modern Granny. Jeanette has the first one I made, and the second test went to my nephew for Christmas. I think the pattern lends itself to some fussy cutting for a featured center square, like a Vikings emblem, or a favorite college sports team. I didn’t want to post a picture until she had released the pattern, but it is now available on her etsy shop.

Jeanette did the quilting, of course, and used footballs and helmets in her all over design! So clever!

Hope Zach enjoys it this football season! I’m told it is Copper (his dog) approved, so I think that is a good thing.

I finished the quilt for the youth group fundraiser! I used the same pattern that Kim and I created, with a few changes, again.

I’m liking it in these red, blue, and tan colors as well! Next time I would do something different than the broken dishes blocks (probably bow ties). The row was added to give the quilt some length. Jeanette used an all over pattern for the quilting that I think works perfectly for this style of quilt.

Now I am working on a yellow and white quilt for the Abilene quilt show in June. Hopefully I am giving Jeanette enough time to do the quilting! Graduation is in two weeks then hopefully will have more time to get Manchester by the Sea BOM finished, before the next Block Of the Month from them starts!

I have been to the Abilene Quilt Guild a couple of times now. Seems like a wonderful group of people. I was able to join a few others for National Quilts of Valor Sew Day and worked on these blocks:

I made 8 there and these 4 at home. Such an easy block, but like a log cabin, can be placed in so many different lay outs. I may have to do this for myself!

We are in Month 10 of the Manchester By the Sea BOM! It is much easier when you don’t need to do months worth at a time to catch up!

This will be a lovely quilt! I am so excited! I love how it is coming together and all the colors. So very well balanced, and a great mix of blocks.

I made this quilt several years ago. I believe it is called Lift Off. I haven’t had a baby boy to gift it to, so put it with a couple of other space themed baby items for a basket auction at church. It made $120! Later that afternoon, one of the youth leaders asked if I would make a full size quilt that could be raffled for another fundraiser! On Mothers Day! I have a pattern in mind and pulled fabrics today, will be patriotic. Looking forward to wrapping up the BOM to focus on this new project.

I really don’t have much to report. Football season is over, at least for the college, but not apparently for high school playoffs. We may be hosting some games where we will have to do concessions. I am really over it.

This month I did get to have a day off to join Denny and family at a Texas A & M game. My nephews are alum so Zach bought a package of different games that he and guests can attend. What an experience! Huge stadium and campus!

Nick, Denny, and Zach

Last week, my cousin sent a picture of his mom in the nursing home. Some of us cousins gave him a hard time about the drab blankets on her bed. A couple of days later, Phyllis went to see her and told me she needs a quilt! I had a flimsy on hand, only lap size, but it is faster to add borders than start from scratch. It uses all Kansas Troubles (which I still have so much of!) so I added a side border and two top/bottom borders for more length. I had a few blocks that Kim and I made back in 2009 for a sampler quilt that I put on the back. I think all the blocks but two have been used now. Unfortunately not in any of my quilts. But I can hear Aunt Burdie saying “Look at all those small pieces!” I miss talking quilting with her. It went in the mail today to Jeanette, who will quilt and bind it for me and mail it to my cousin to deliver.

The pieced back – I am never too particular of the backing as it is the back of the quilt, a close up of some of the blocks, and the lap quilt, pre added borders.

It is Thanksgiving week! Tomorrow I will head to my brothers for a couple of days, then home to get started on a Vikings quilt! Hoping it will be a Christmas present!

That time of year again! Donna and I made a day trip to Sisters for the quilt show!

I didn’t take as many pictures this year. Again, my favorites were Log Cabin Quilts:

Someday I will make myself one – I actually have the materials and pattern set aside. For me, a must see is always the Cherrywood Challenge Quilts as well. Previous years, I have seen Lion King, Prince, and Van Gough. The theme this year was Princess Diana. There are many talented quilters out there!

Beautiful display! So impressed with the talent displayed! Nice to see so many stellar Minnesotans entered, but there were international participants as well.

And I love patriotic quilts as well:

And last, I love the idea of a weather quilt. The idea can be as simple or as detailed as you like it. I have seen a single square representing the high temperature of the day, two color blocks to represent the high and low, three color blocks representing the high and low temperature, and a third color representing precipitation. They are typically done in columns, two columns per month. This lady made house blocks with her temperature guide. But also went a step further by embroidering names on special birthdays. I love this idea! I had started recording the temperatures in Minnesota the year that I moved. Now moving to Texas, I am curious to see if there will be much temperature fluctuation to make a nice looking quilt.

This is the first time we stayed late enough to see the end of the day and saw them take them down. Truly a community effort!

On my own quilting front, I finished the red and white quilt! I decided to add borders, unlike the original. A thin white, little bit wider red, then larger white again. Then I will likely bind it in red again. Very happy with how it turned out and am excited to see how Jeanette will quilt it!

Jeanette has already texted me with ideas on how to quilt it. It is going to be gorgeous. Not so gorgeous was my sewing machine. I was getting frustrated because I don’t have time for it to be serviced, yet I know it is overdue for it’s regular maintenance. I figured out how to take the base apart (I am always scared I won’t be able to get things back together again). What a mess! So much lint build up!

I have the hearts quilt back! Binding is on and will be put in the mail tomorrow!

In the spring, Primitive Gatherings put out a challenge for Red and White Quilts. They are classic and look lovely. But red is such a strong color. I am always afraid it will bleed onto the other fabrics. It did in a flannel flag quilt I made about 10 years ago. I was so disappointed.

At the time of the announcement, I needed a challenge that wasn’t work related so signed up. Deadline is October, so I should have time. I found a pattern that I liked in a book on one block quilts. I messaged another blogger who makes a red and white quilt every year for tips, and she kindly replied. I bought the fabric, washed it, and then changed my mind to a different pattern. Hopefully I bought enough white for it to still work.

The new pattern I chose is from the book Treasure Hunt by Linda Collins and Leah Zieber. They made a quilt called Minuet in a butterscotch and cream color. It has a pieced center section with a toile border. On the last page of the section, they show the antique quilt which was the inspiration for their design. It was a red and white quilt but no border.

The blocks are on point with a white square separating them. This gives an idea of what it will look like when complete.

Glad I took a picture – noticed the one block with an error and was able to fix it right away. Since I won’t have the border, I am not sure how many I will need to make. From another angle, the first 25 blocks.

This has been fun to make and coming together pretty nicely. The block finishes at 4 1/2″ so once again working with 1 1/8″ pieces of fabric. Nice chance to listen to some audio books and podcasts as well.

All the beautiful foliage in this area is what I think I will miss. So many colors of Rhododendrons, lilacs, and so many that I don’t even know the names of at all.

These were taken around campus, Brad’s house and neighborhood, and at the Rose Gardens. Pictures of roses will have to happen another day as they weren’t blooming yet when I went last weekend.

In another week I will fly to Abilene to see the campus of the school I will be transferring to and look for a place to live. My brother will meet me for a day – they will be 4 1/2 hours away. I know it will be a much different environment, but I will be back in the central time zone and hopefully a more affordable cost of living. It has been hard to stay connected with my family and friends 2 time zones apart. Excited for the next adventure!