Cottage Puzzle, Fab $5.00 quilt program

What a difference a year makes! How often have we heard that? A year ago I was recovering from a pretty bad concussion and designing and piecing my Cottage Puzzle quilts for The Round Bobbin Quilt Shop. A few days ago I did five presentations on the finishing instructions to many of the participants. What a fun, talented group of quilt makers! Each session was fun and interesting, there were many questions not just about how to put Cottage Puzzle together but general quilt making.
How to trim a block, how to measure for sashing or borders and how to choose a border fabric were just a few of the questions. I really enjoyed my time with these quilters and know that I've made some new friends and that they've stretched their quilting muscles and learned some new techniques!
      I promised to post the instructions-
 *** My "Map" of the quilt won't show up here so  I will take a photo of it and publish it later!

Below is the key to block designation on the quilt map. You may place any of the same size blocks into any of the corresponding letter squares on the map.

A = 6” finished blocks-

  Sawtooth Star (2).

Ohio Star Variation (2).

Friendship Star Variation (2).

Lost Ship.

Sara’s Choice.

Churn Dash.

B = 12” finished blocks-

Basket block.

Kansas Sunflower block.

C = 10” finished blocks-

5 Patch Chain.

Shoo Fly.

D = 4” finished blocks-

Bowtie blocks (2).

Square in a Square blocks (3).

E = 8” finished blocks-

King’s Crown.

9 Patch On-Point.

F= 19” finished block-

  Trevor’s Bears Paw.

G= 15” finished block-

Weathervane.

H = 9” finished block-

Maple Leaf.

The odd shaped blocks are-

Checkerboard- 4”x11” finished.

Giuliana’s House- 5”x9” finished.

Laela’s Punkin’- 4”x 6”.

There are four “spacer” sashing pieces used in finishing the quilt-

1- 2.5” x 10.5”.

1- 2.5” x 12.5”.

1- 1.5” x 19.5”.

1- 3.5” x 7.5”.

***Please check your block measurements before cutting the sashing pieces and make any necessary adjustments.

This drawing is to show the placement of the sashing pieces. They are highlighted in Yellow.

The border pieces are light Grey and the measurements are noted in each section. 

You should always measure your blocks and make any adjustments necessary.

The three  * on the diagram represent the three places where you will sew partial seams.  When you sew these seams, stop 1” from the end and cut the thread. 

Each section that you will piece is labeled U,V,W,X,Y & Z. Piece each unit as shown.  

Press all seams as you are sewing the units together. 

The border sections are labeled in the order that you will sew them to each section and the number is the designation for the order that they are to be sewn.  

Be sure to FOLLOW THE SEWING ORDER below as it is very important to putting your top together easily!

Sewing Order:

1.) Sew B1 to section X.

2.) Sew B2 to section Y.

3.) Sew B3 to section Z.

4.) Sew B4 to section B3/Z. 

5.) Sew B5 to section G.

6.) Sew B6 to section V.

7.) Sew B7 to section B6/V.

8.) Sew Section V & W together. Press seam to W. 

9.) Sew Section V/W to section U starting at the left and sew toward block G and leave a partial seam at the end.   

10.)  Sew border B8 to the U/V/W unit. You can now finish sewing the partial seam closed.  The left side of your quilt is now complete.

11.)  Sew Unit B1/X to B2/Y.  

12.)  Sew unit B1/X/B2/Y to B3/Z.  The right side of your quilt is now complete.

13.)  Match and pin the two sides of your quilt together.  Sew the vertical seam from the top down to the partial seam.  Then, sew the vertical seam from the bottom up to the partial seam.  Finger press seams adjacent to the partial seam.

14.)  Pin and sew the horizontal partial seam at section Z to section W.  

15.)  Sew B9 to the top of your quilt. Press to the border.  Your quilt top is now complete.

Design Time.....
I've designed a quilt and it's going to be used at The Round Bobbin Quilt Shop http://www.roundbobbinquilts.com/shop/Block-of-the-Month/p/Fab-Five-x3002438.htm for the Fab $5.00 BOM program. What that means is if you come to the shop and sign up, pay $5.00 and get your first month's block packet- then go home and make the block(s). The following month there will be a presentation of the next packet and show and tell. Bring your completed block(s) and get this packet for free. Continue making your block(s) each month for 10 months and always bring them in to show at one of the meetings and you will receive all 10 months of blocks for just $5.00!
These are the two versions of my quilt, I call it Cottage Puzzle...

What do you think? Are you a traditional fabric or a Batik person? The fun in this design is that you can move the blocks around....exchange the same size block in any matching size position!

I am starting to make a Christmas fabric version of Cottage Puzzle and I think each of my four children might get one for their homes!

Happy Sewing!

To Prewash Fabrics or Not?!
Which do you do or do you use fabric both ways? When I first started making quilts I didn't know about pre-washing. I learned several years later that cotton fabrics CAN and will bleed/run in the wash. We all know that reds are notorious for bleeding and black fabrics can be just as bad! 

What can you do if you participate in a block exchange, where different people makes blocks and you exchange them to make your own quilt? I have some suggestions but first a little background on how I know what to do.

I participated in one exchange back in the late 1990's. It was an Ohio Star Christmas themed exchange.  The exchange was organized by a woman named Sue Anderson who lived in Minnesota. We were part of a group that all sewed with and loved Janome sewing machines. 

Fast forward to receiving my blocks and making a wall hanging out of them. It was great with so many different fabrics used in the blocks. I had some trouble choosing a sashing that would go with all of the blocks and finally settled on a plaid. I hung this quilt in my dining room until we redecorated and it clashed with the new paint color. That's when I ran into running fabric, yup you guessed it, I threw it in the wash.....ouch. Many of the reds bled into the cream background fabrics. I was upset and didn't know what to do so I put the quilt away.

Yesterday I pulled that Ohio Star quilt out figuring that I had nothing to lose by washing it again. The arrival of Shout Color Catchers in my world has been a boon so why not try it even though the dyes had run and been set by the dryer.  I liberally doused the offending red bleeds with Zout stain remover, threw an old towel in the washer along with 2 Shout Color Catcher sheets, which I tore in half to spread them around the quilt. I set the washer to warm/cold, heavy duty and let it go. Whew! Success! I took the quilt out and no more bleeding the color catchers had absorbed a lot of red dye! 

Here's a photo of the freshly washed, no running dye Ohio Star quilt-

So now you know how I saved my quilt. Your best option is to always pre-wash or test your fabrics. If you receive blocks in an exchange hand wash them if you need to check for colorfastness. I usually toss in at least one Shout Color Catcher with bright colors, it will absorb any loose dyes and show you if they run or not.

These are the Color Catcher's that came out of the washer with the quilt-amazing isn't it?
By the way I am not affiliated with Shout or Zout in any way, I just think that they are good products in my experience.

Happy Autumn! It's a great time of year to create quilts and to snuggle under them!

Raffle Ticket Blues

Raffles, don't we all love to spend a buck to try and win something, anything? How about 6 tickets for $5.00, a chance to win and a bargain all in one! If you've ever attended a quilt show you know how Guilds love to raffle off quilts to raise funds. Guilds use their funds for the guild, speakers, bus trips and other quilt-related activities BUT they also support charities.

The County Line Quilter's, the guild I belong to supports our local food pantry, a children's home in another town, a woman's shelter for abused women, we make quilts for the military and for babies.
Quilter's in general are a caring, generous people, in my experience.

Back to the Raffles, I do love them but I get so discouraged when the tickets do not get a good mixing.
Today for instance I was at a show with my Mom and we bought tickets for their large raffle quilt, which is very pretty!  We also bought tickets for a mini-quilt raffle in which there were over 20 small quilts that were raffled off at a certain time. There were three separate draw times  so they had over 60 mini-quilts to raffle off at 3 tickets for $1.00. What a great group of minis they had!

At the appointed time the ticket holders awaited the calling of the numbers with tapping toes and bated breath. They had looked at the quilts and taken time to decide which numbered bag to take their chances on.
The Mini-quilt Chairperson did the picking, she stuck her hand in each bag and chose a ticket.

Almost all of the numbers were close, you could tell when they were put in the bag by what they were in sequence....one lucky winner won not 1 but 5 quilts! Another lady won 2 and everyone cheered when a winner came forward until the lady with the 5 wins who became so embarrassed she was slinking up to claim her prizes.  These tickets were not mixed up, had the Chairlady held each bag closed and turned them upside down and shook them, then it would have been a better raffle.

I am looking at ways to help my guild with raffles, to make sure that every ticket gets a fair shake!
I want to support the guilds, the members who worked so hard on the quilts and on the show but I also want fair chance to have my ticket or yours chosen!  What do you think? Do you have any suggestions to get those tickets shook up more? Please post a comment and let me know!

Happy February, we have survived the threat of winter storm 'Nemo'. I personally think that the naming of every little winter even is beyond ridiculous, but I guess the Weather Channel is running out of ideas to sell the talking heads....
In thinking about naming things, like the movie 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'. ( think Krull!)  Do you name your projects? If you do how do you choose the names for the quilts that you make? I do name some of mine but I don't name the afghans that I knit or crochet. Is quilting a more personal form of art? Does the name have to do with the design or the person it is for, an occasion or the fabrics that you used?
One of my UFO projects that is almost done, it just needs binding, is from a Terry Atkinson pattern called 'Lasagna'.  Like lasagna it's made from 3"x5" or longer strips sewn together, end to end. I started this quilt many years ago, using up the leftover pieces from flannel Rag Time quilts that I made. I gave this quilt to my daughter-in-law, Andrea this Christmas, when it still needed 2 borders to make it large enough for their bed. It should be done by next week and I'll send it over to them. I've decided to name it, can you guess?  Leftover Lasagna! It fits and I think it's cute since they love Italian food.

This is Andrea, my son Trevor and grandson Trevor 2 at Christmas.
Some of the flannels in this quilt are in Andrea's Rag quilt and she noticed them right away. I love scrappy quilts and this one is very large, 108" by 98". I added borders to just the sides to make it wide enough for a queen size bed and then quilted in in an all over meander pattern.  I used Dream Wood batting and 2 different flannels for the back. This is a warm quilt to be used in the cold months and I am sure it will keep them toasty warm for many winters!
Think about your quilts and if you name them and make the names special and don't forget your labels!
Stay warm, it won't be long until spring arrives.

Happy 2013! What a year 2012 was for our family both good and not so good but we've survived and are all looking forward to better things this year!

I love Quilt Shops and Quilt-y People, I love fabric! I started sewing when I was in 8th grade and have never stopped since. I love creating and though my beginnings were in clothing I am mostly a piecer and quilter now. My first job at 16 was in a fabric store called The Stitchery in Lake Hiawatha, NJ. I loved working there, not only was it bright and full of fabric and notions but we had to make samples of the newest fabrics! Oh to be working when new orders arrived and get to choose a pattern to create with the newest fabric lines! I outfitted my entire family while working there.

Back to the Quilt-y People of whom I know many but don't always get to see. Yesterday I arranged to meet a new customer, Wee, at The Round Bobbin Quilt Shop, www.roundbobbinquilts.com/ where I also work part-time. Susan, the owner was a former co-worker at Country Quiltworks.  I walked in and there were several of my  Quilt-y friends, Sue K., Dolores R., Susan S., Sue E., Sally M., Carol M., Storm E., Peggy B., Brenda T., & my newest client  Wee. How lovely to see so many familiar faces and to be hugged by such kind and giving women! I felt so buoyed when I left and that warm feeling lasted all day. It amazes me how being around people or talented women such as my friends improves your outlook and feeling of well being.

This is why we need our Quilt Shops, Knitting Shops, Craft Stores and Book Shops, to be connected to each other in this world were everyone is so disconnected by electronics. In a world where we can have instant everything sometimes it's better to take time to seek out what our heart needs to be happy. Finding just the right pattern, book or song having someone who knows how you feel about your craft to share it with or bounce ideas off of. This makes Community and we need Community to survive as people, we are not meant to go it alone.

Seek out your Community, build your Tribe and find a better life, more joy and be creative.

Blessings to you and yours in the coming months!

What a difference a few days can make, the test quilt that I mentioned Monday is all pieced and I love it! The colors so rich that they make me smile. I'm calling this one 'Little Gems' and it will be in Donna Lynn Thomas' next book that will be published by Martingale next fall. There is also a very cool ruler that Donna designed to take the math out of using bias cuts. The ruler is made by Omni and will be out in the spring of 2013 along with it's own pattern. If you would love to make pieced borders to make your quilts extra special then you will love this ruler!

Today I took a class at the Round Bobbin Quilt Shop, in Horsham, PA. Susan Shiveley was the instructor, I've know Susan for years, she is not only an prolific quilter and pattern designer but a math professor. Her designs are often math driven, they are very different than the run of the mill quilt patterns. I've quilted for Susan but this is the first I've made one of her designs and I found it to be like solving a jigsaw puzzle. Change is good and this quilt was pieced differently than what you usually see in patterns. I had to think and thoroughly enjoyed the process, even better it was a small project and it was just about complete when I left the shop today. I'm still deciding if I want to add another border, if I don't then it's done but for the quilting and binding. Isn't it pretty?

Here in Bucks County we are waiting for Hurricane Sandy to arrive, the predictions are pretty bad with this being a huge storm that is  meeting up with a cold front and will become a monster nor'easter causing millions of dollars in damage, lost property and power outages. Everyone please stay safe and be prepared! I'll be here sewing or cutting out more quilts!

Today is about slogging through or persevering. I have a project that is for a friend. It's to test a pattern, which means making a quilt and checking to see if the directions are correct and easily understood. Then passing along this information as well as any suggestions to make it more user friendly to the designer.
I've done this many times and usually enjoy the process but this time the errors were frustrating. When I get frustrated I drag my feet, in this case after all my cutting was done I had to go back and cut more.
I organize my projects into sections, pattern and fabric selection, prepping the fabrics and cutting, sewing the pieces, which if I'm lucky is chain piecing. My ironing board is lowered to my seat height and is next to my sewing machine which saves a lot of time. This keeps me happy and my projects flowing along.
I've got all the added cutting almost done, I've been piecing in between and have a couple of blocks finished. I love them! I know that this quilt will be worth the effort and I'm glad that I pushed myself to get it done but my procrastinating has cost me days that I could have gotten so much more accomplished!
If anyone has a cure for serial procrastination please send it to me!
I can't post pictures of this quilt but it's made with Batiks, no my usual fabric choice and it's a jewel!
Happy Monday!

Happy Autumn, we are almost one month into fall and the leaves are changing over night and falling like rain! Here in Bucks County, PA fall is stunning this year, the golds, reds, rusts and oranges are so bright, it always reminds me of a patchwork quilt. Driving along and seeing a hillside or mountainside with a gorgeous array of colors makes my heart smile and makes me want to recreate it in fabric.
Needless to say I have many fall themed or colored quilts in my collection!

If you haven't guessed Autumn is my favorite season, pumpkins, soups, stews, apples and quilts, what could be better?  I actually enjoy the clocks going back to standard time. When my family was young and it would be dark by 5:30 and everyone was at the table doing homework or coloring the feeling of contentment was and still is unmatched. To have my loved ones home and safe under our roof was the best feeling ever.

Take your time to look around at the leaves, trees and fall decor for your inspiration. Plan a quilt, take a walk, read by the fire but enjoy this season that will soon give way to gray and cold skies and the Holiday rush will be upon us soon.  Make some table runners or candle mats from wool for gifts, there's still time!

If you have a quilt planned that will need to be quilted by a professional call now to get on the list!

Happy Halloween to my gorgeous grandchildren, Laela & Trevor!

Happy Memorial Day! I'm back! It's been busy here at home and in my studio. Customers have been merrily piecing for special occasions and charities. Lucky me, I get to see all of their beautiful work up close and to enhance it's beauty. 


When you create a quilt you need to consider it's final destination or use! Is is for a child or just a throw to go on your porch for the summer? A wedding gift the will be lovingly used or carefully hung on a wall to be admired....all of this must be discussed with your quilter, she should have definite ideas as to what will be the best quilting for your beautiful creation and for how it will be used.


I've said it before and I'll say it again, LABEL your quilts! Even if it's just your name and a date, the history/story of why you made it should be preserved for the future. I've used Pigma pens to make labels and have found on quilts that are laundered that the ink fades, this isn't good.
Now I am embroidering my labels on my embroidery machine and when forethought prevails I add the embroidered label to the back of the quilt prior to quilting it. This way the label is part of the quilt and won't come off easily.


Many of my friends use inkjet printers and print their labels on fabric, this is a great, easy way to label your quilt. You can purchase ready made printable fabric sheets from several sources, the EQ company being one. I haven't tried washing these labels so I can't say how they hold up after many launderings.


Be sure to supply your quilter with as much information as possible regarding each quilt and then enjoy the finished product!


Have a wonderful start to the summer and find time to make a summer quilt project when it's too hot to be outside!

SUPPORT YOU LOCAL QUILT SHOP!
Hello All!  Today marks a special day for Susan Sasser and her family! Who is Susan Sasser? She is a friend who used to work at the same quilt shop that I did, the one that is no longer. It was a more than a quilt shop, it was a haven for fabric loving quilters, doll & purse makers, it was a learning place and an place to share ideas and accomplishments. We've all missed having that ambience in our lives, that locale of inspiration.
Today was the 'soft' opening of a new quilt shop, a new era for the fiber artists who have longed to go an pet fabric and talk quilts and families. Today The Round Bobbin quilt shop opened! I went and the shop is so spacious, beautiful wood flooring and shelves. There is a calm beauty about a new shop, everything is perfect, no hands have mis-sorted the bolts of wonderful cottons-yet, but soon I think there will be customers pulling bolts, consulting the very knowledgeable staff and purchasing patterns, books & notions to create QUILTS. The Round Bobbin is so new the signs don't arrive until tomorrow!
Please visit their website at -http://www.roundbobbinquilts.com/  Like the shop the website is still growing, classes will be added soon and there is also on-line shopping to be had!
Many of the staff from the no longer quilt shop will be found at The Round Bobbin.
I honestly can say it's a beautiful shop in Horsham, just off Horsham Rd., south of Limekiln Pike, next to Silvestri's.
Please support your local quilt shop and visit The Round Bobbin soon, the Grand Opening is in April!
Thanks Susan!

Happy March! It's been a very strange winter here in Pennsylvania, not much snow and very warm weather!
In fact out biggest snow fell in October, before Halloween and did unimaginable damage to our trees.
I have sew many projects that I want to work on and my customer quilts keep coming so I am still in business!
Spring is almost here, officially but I've still got much to do inside.
How do you organize your time so that you get the most accomplished? Do you make lists or set aside certain times during your day to work on different projects?
My friend, Sally does her cross stitch every morning when the light is the best, she knits all the time and still makes wonderful quilts.
I tend to be a list maker, the satisfaction of crossing items off is very motivating to me.
Whatever your projects are, get organized and get them done!
Happy sewing!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Farewell to 2011, it's time for to fade away. 2011 was a busy year many good things happened, the two best being the birth of my granddaughter, Laela and the engagement of my son Kyle to his Ashley.  We are blessed, our grandson Trevor turned 1 year old in November.

I've been super busy with family, dogs, knitting, finishing some holiday UFO's and quilting some quilts for customers.  Then of course there was Thanksgiving & Christmas!

While we were in Hawaii in October I contacted a quilt instructor named Kathy Tsark, owner of Kwilts 'N Koa in Honolulu. Kathy teaches traditional Hawaiian quilting, which is basically 2 fabric applique. Hawaiian quilts are made in two colors and are all handmade, no machine sewing or rotary cutting.
Kathy was super friendly and knowledgeable, she wants to preserve the Hawaiian quilting style and is happy to teach it to anyone interested.

                                                               The Breadfruit

                                                         Kathy Tsark, Kwilts 'N Koa

                                            All basted and ready to needle turn applique

                                                       Beginning the hand quilting


Kathy came to my hotel for two lessons, the first on the history of Hawaiian quilting, tracing and cutting the Breadfruit design, basting it onto the background and beginning the appliqueing. Over the phone we discussed color options as well as what notions I would need. I had brought along a sewing kit so I was semi-ready for this.

The designs used in these quilts all have a meaning, Breadfruit being the first, the food to start the quilter on her journey. Pineapples are well know around the world to mean 'Welcome', so there is a progression to the designs, all steeped in tradition.

I really enjoyed my lessons and working with Kathy, she's a sweetheart and so knowledgeable. If you ever get to Honolulu and want to learn from Kathy please contact here at KWilts 'N Koa,  you can check out her web site at www.kwiltsnkoa.com 

I now own a quilt hoop as well as a Roxanne thimble, I haven't completed my breadfruit yet but I will!
I had Kathy prepare a crib quilt with pink & white fabric so that I can make a Hawaiian quilt for my granddaughter, Laela, who is Hawaii born to have.

I had done some hand applique but nothing of this scope, Kathy helped me to understand the applique as well as the hand quilting. I won't be expecting to win any ribbons with my new found skills but I will definitely enjoy the process as well as the completed projects!

Thank you again Kathy! Aloha!

Aloha #2 from Waikiki

Aloha again, it's early morning here and I think the jet lag is all gone, we actually slept until a normal time this morning. Now to go to my daughter's and help her out so that she can nap.

Here is our little Miss, Laela, fresh from her first bath. Isn't she just gorgeous?

Out hotel has Hawaiian quilts on every floor by the elevators. These are a cultural wonder and so beautiful. If you've never seen one they are made from just 2 fabrics, usually a light solid for the background and a darker solid for the applique. The applique is one piece for the entire quilt, no matter how large the quilt it's one solid piece of applique. They are hand basted, then appliqued and then hand quilted with either an echo of the design or with stitching that compliments the design. Pineapple and breadfruit are often included in Hawaiian quilt design.

Above are 3 of the quilts from the Hale Koa. I plan to go to the Bishop Museum to see more and get a pattern or two!

Don't you think that these quilts are stunning in their simplicity of color and intricacy of design? Can you imagine appliqueing one of these, all of those points and corners to master and make perfect! I hope that I get to make one, just a small one to start and see where it takes me.

I went into a shop at the Hilton Village here and it was all "Hawaiian" quilt items. Uhm, well not to be picky but the stitching was not good and upon further examination they are labeled 'authentic Hawaiian quilting" made in polynesia. Definitely for the unknowing tourist. I left without making a purchase. If I know that I can stitch it better I won't ever buy it!

Aloha, have a great Sunday!

October in Hawaii

Aloha from Oahu! My husband & I are here with our daughter, her husband and their daughter, Laela who was born 2 weeks ago! Yes grandchild #2 is here and we now have a boy and a girl.

This is the farthest I've ever flown and my first trip to the Pacific Ocean, it is beautiful and the flight wasn't as bad as anticipated.

While we are here we will spend a lot of time with the kids and some time sightseeing and shopping. I've already looked up quilt shops and yarn shops and really what else do I need to shop for? I brought a quilt for Laela with me on the plane, it's made with Winnie the Pooh fabrics along with bright read-as-solids prints. I hand sewed the binding on while flying west and handed it over shortly after arriving. My daughter has washed it and it has crinkled up just right to look warm and snuggly. For the most part Laela won't need a warm quilt while living here in Hawaii but it will be a play mat or stroller cover or a fort, who knows? I needed to make this quilt for my granddaughter like the several that I've made for my grandson, Trevor, who will be getting another quilt for his first birthday. This is Laela's second quilt, the first was pink Peter Rabbit fabrics with hints of turquoise.

Often grandchildren amass quite a quilt collection early in life and I can't stress the importance of labeling these lovingly made bits of history. Stitch a label, write one with permanent fabric ink or embroider onto the quilt but do label your work!

I promise to share a picture or 2 of Laela as well as Hawaii when I have a better internet connection!

Mahalo for reading along!

Intersting summer continued

Hello again, can you believe that I am back so soon? I realized that I had barely touched on the many things that made up my interesting summer! Below is a picture of my guild's raffle quilt for this year. This quilt was designed by Gina Gempesaw for County Line Quilters, pieced by guild members and machine quilted by me, Sally Malley finished it with her perfect binding. Our quilt guild hosts a non-juried show every 2 years in the spring, it will be in late March this year at Archbishop Wood High School. Isn't it beautiful? I love the bright, happy colors in this design and the large blocks really stand out! Oh I'd love to win this quilt! On a very sad note our Beautiful Morgan has gone to the Rainbow Bridge, I'd always asked her to make it to 13 years and she did, she turned 13 in May a left us in late June. I miss her so much!
This is Morgan on Trevor's bed, wasn't she just gorgeous? I used to send Morgan and Daisy in to wake Trevor up, they'd jump on the bed and play around. Trevor was not easy to wake up!
God Bless you Morgan, you made our lives so much richer in so many ways and you are missed my beautiful girl!

As I write this I am watching my Ninja Hummingbird guard the feeders, she is fierce in her desire not to share the nectar! The chases are comical and I could watch them and their beautiful shiny green feathers all morning. Mr. Rusty is at my feet, he never goes far any more it's like he's decided I'm his since Morgan left us.

In looking at my red golden retrievers and the green hummingbirds and can see a beautiful copper and green quilt, the colors are rich and would really shine together. Isn't it amazing how nature inspires us? Look around you and be inspired, after this hellish summer with it's prolonged heat waves and then the devastation of Hurricane Irene we have much to be thankful for. For me autumn is a wonderful season, the colors, the scents and the crackling leaves on the ground. I love the shorter days and cooler nights. I am inspired to create quilts and food. Autumn is a time to gather and prepare for the possibility of winter, I relish this time.

Our guild will start meeting again in September as will many guilds, we are starting off with a Tea Party this year! I can't wait to see everyone and what they have created over the summer!

I will get to have lunch with my good friend, Donna Lynn Thomas this week, she will be coming back east to promote her newest book and visit family. Spending time with her is amazing, she is so creative and inspiring!

Enjoy the last official weekend of summer, your family and friends and maybe you are inspired to create something for yourself to remember your summer of 2011 by.

Interesting Summer...

Hello, it's been awhile since I've blogged, as usual life gets in the way! My family is growing, my 3rd child, Kyle became engaged to his Ashley while in Cancun, Mexico last month. Congratulations! A July wedding is planned for next year.

My grandson, Trevor, Jr is almost 10 months old, that's him below on the boogie board. He's a beach baby and loves the sand and ocean. He loves the sand so much he wears it all over himself! We were blessed to have much of our family with us during our week in Sea Isle City, NJ or "down the shore"!
My daughter is expecting our first granddaughter this October, she will be born in Hawaii where they live while her Dad is stationed there, he is a U.S. Marine. I'll be traveling to Hawaii when she is born to meet her and help out the new parents as much as I can in a short time.

I'm still quilting and working on my own projects, sew much to do! I plan to make a Christmas gift for everyone, quilted, knit, crocheted or crafted. I love making or buying a special gift, knowing how well it will suit the person that I've chosen it for. The look of surprise and joy when they open that special gift makes it all worthwhile for me.

In my business I am fortunate enough to see the beautiful quilts made for beloved family members and friends. Below is an example of a special quilt made by a good customer of mine, Karen W. This alphabet quilt is for her grandchildren's play room, it will be hung on a wall and taken down to practice their ABC's.

There are dozens of machine embroidery designs in this gorgeous quilt and in quilting it I didn't want to take away from the embroidery but highlight it. I chose a very small stippling to nail down the backing and make the embroidery POP! It worked and the designs all stand out beautifully.
I am honored to be able to finish so many wonderful quilts that will be around for generations.

Keep piecing and quilting and remember to always include a label with your name, date and location as well as who the quilt was made for on each quilt that you create!

Happy Stitching!

Sometimes you just need to say 'Uncle' to a project!

Tonight I ripped out a baby afghan that I had started in April. It was a sampler, which means different patterns of stithies alternating through out the blanket. I loved the cotton yarn that I chose, it's a Celadon green, very light and airy. This was to be for my Granddaughter who's supposed to arrive this October, they live in Hawaii at the moment so light weight was important.

I saw the quilt on the yarn shops web site and loved it, went in and signed up. the first class had us casting on over 200 stitches and then making a 2' ribbing pattern. This took awhile. the next class I missed because I was at MQX in Providence. Then the instructor realized that more time was needed to get this done so she put the last class off until after a trip abroad.

Today was that class, this pattern requires perfect attention, there isn't much repetition that you can just go over and over.

I had to un-knit the same row 4 times....enough said, I don't have the time or the concentration this pattern requires so I ripped it out and will make an easier pattern with the pretty yarn.

Mentally this is a load off my mind and work wise, I have more than enough on my plate.

It's okay to drop a project that doesn't work out, we shouldn't be beating ourselves up to finish something this is frustrating or time consuming.

So, feel free to rid yourself of that albatross project and move onto something that you will fully enjoy!

Happy Spring!

Dresden Plate Quilt back and front to show quilting.

Hello Spring and the quilting has been flowing. Once I got past all the stitch-in-the-ditch work on the Dresden Plate quilt everything leveled out!

My customer LOVES the quilting and how it made her quilt look. The blocks were a hand me down from a neighbor to another neighbor to my customer who sashed them in red and blue. The fabrics were all from the 30's and not reproductions & hand pieced. This was a use it up quilt as there was seersucker and rayons in the mix as well as the feed sack prints. While I am still not a big fan of the red & blue sashing I do think that the quilt looks good and I am so happy that my customer is happy after all the stressing that I did over this job!

I have been knitting & crocheting for my grandkids, Trevor who is now 6+months and the new baby that is due this October. I try, struggle actually with time management...there are so many things that I want to accomplish or create and I never seem to get as much done as I'd like to! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

My guild, County Line Quilter's has a challenge every year, with the results shown during our November meeting. This year it's a get it done challenge, you have to finish a UFO or WIP and us a small piece of cream fabric provided by our challenge master, Gina. You can use the fabric in the quilt or as a label, whatever works. I've got many UnFinishedObjects or WorksInProgress and hope to actually participate in my first challenge! Wish me luck.

With the nice weather coming make sure to have some hand work ready to go so that you can sit in the bleachers, on the beach or in the car with something to do!

Is it Spring yet???

Have to wonder what's up with Mother Nature, we are still getting snow & sleet! This is the winter that won't quit! I'd love to have a normal spring with cool temps gradually warming up, time for the trees to bud out and the flowers to bloom without freezing.

The studio has been rather stagnant these past few weeks, I had a cold that turned into bronchitis, my husband had surgery on his foot so I had to pick up what he couldn't tend to and then just a general lack of motivation! I need a kick in my creative butt! Oh yes, I've been reading, a lot, many books. Reading is my first passion and can consume me to the detriment of anything else getting done! Time to put the books down for a bit, or my Kindle!

Today I will be cutting up Patty's wedding dress to make a Communion Dress for her daughter Katelyn. The gown is satin with a lot of trim and cut outs but plenty of fabric to make the simple dress that Kate wants. Pictures to follow.

I will be working on the quilt mentioned last time, yes it's still there. Turns out it's getting Stitched in the Ditch, very time consuming and boring for me. Must get it done, must get it done!

I did complete my grandson, Trevor's hooded knit sweater and will hand sew the zipper in today too!

Sew many plans, wish me luck!