Peace

Peace is what I wish for everyone this holiday season. Inner peace, the kind that comes from the simple things in life. Counting our blessings, helping a friend in need, sharing a kindness with a complete stranger…

I believe as quilters, we tend to be more understanding and sympathetic. We know the value of time and we appreciate every moment we get to create something of beauty in this world.

So, whatever your faith, whatever you celebrate in this holiday season, I wish you a little more time, a little more joy and some very deep inner peace.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Quilting Year to you!

Noah & Matilda 3C

I started this Noah and Matilda sew-a-long because of the wonderful host, Dawn (Collector with a Needle). It is my first sew-a-long on Facebook (here). I am enjoying the process immensely. I am going slower than I would like, but as Dawn says, "it is not a race"!  We would love company. Anyone want to join in? Dawn's patterns are concise (when you are clever enough to actually look at them before stitching!) and beautifully done.

I love this block so much I made it twice! Here is the first mess.  I’m not sure what happened (can’t be the holiday stress, as I am actually very relaxed this year) but when I finished this one it just didn’t look right. I basted and started quilting it before I gasped “ick, I can’t live with this!” It looks like a big green and black blob. Kind of like one of those fantastic Japanese science fiction movies. I half expected an alien to pop out of that center!

So, I looked at the pattern again and said “oh, let’s start over”. Sheesh! Anyway, I love the new rendition. And, the old one will go in the orphan box for my next “pot luck” quilt. (I'm sure there will be other aliens in there too!)

I like this one much better! I am loving some of the antique fabrics I have found for this project. 

The background on this one is an antique shirting c1880. It does have a little overprint around some of the motifs, but it is such a dream to work with. When you finger press a seam, it "stays" pressed. I wish they made fabrics like this today. The black, brown & yellow neon in this is an antique as well. 

So check out the Facebook page (here) and follow along with us. 

My Boys!

When I started this blog, I mentioned that I would rarely post any non-quilty photos or blurbs. But, I feel I have to share this today. If you read my blog on a regular basis you know that we have a wonderful grandson who, for the past four years has spent Wednesday nights at our house.  

Late last summer, my son and his wife announced that they would be moving to Florida in the Fall. Because he has significant autism, I immediately worried about everything. How would he like his new school? How would he like his new house? How would he live without us? How would he…

We made our first visit over the weekend and I am thankful to say, all is well. They have settled in beautifully. He loves his new school, he loves his new house and he loves being able to swim whenever he wants! My children are wonderful parents and I am blessed! 

Now for something quilty!

 

Block 2C in our Noah andMatilda sew-a-long is now complete. I really am enjoying this project. I am going at my own pace which is essential during the busy holiday season. 

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Enjoy your quilting time and hold your dear ones close 

(take the needle out of your hand first – wink!).

The Little Red Hen

While looking through my photo file, I realized I had not yet posted about this little quilt. 

It all began when one of our “Seven Sisters” (Karen B.) decided to downsize her fabric stash. At first, we were all in a panic wondering if she was going to leave us! But, she assured us she was not giving up quilting, just a few hundred yards of guilty pleasure.

So, we gleefully accepted the invitation for “Cake and Take” at her house in early September. We all went home with full bellies and armloads of much needed fabric.

We decided on the way home that we must do something to thank Susie Karen (as we affectionately call her). I spied a pillow in her living room with a log cabin like design and drafted this simple yet bold block. I cut out 5 kits for each of the six of us and distributed them to the group. Then…

Fotini collected the blocks…

Charlotte put the top together…

Tina provided the batting…

Wendy provided the backing…

Kathy quilted it…

Karen M. did the binding…

It really reminded me of the story of the Little Red Hen in reverse since we ALL had a hand in it.

Susie Karen had knee surgery in early October so we had the perfect opportunity to visit her and present the quilt. Needless to say, she was very pleased!

the back 

I am very lucky to have this group of wonderful women in my life!!!