Back to Quilting



Flip Flops on Audrey's quilt


Ahhh, back to quilting!  I've been off studying for an exam that I want to get for my job.  It didn't go so well but I've decided that a little quilting time will cheer me up.  Actually, I have been doing some sewing since my last post but I haven't been able to share the projects yet because they are for "The Girls".

Jean's quilt is done and I just realized last weekend that it needs a label.  But the binding and sleeve are on and sewn in place.  It's really pretty and I can't wait to give it to her.

Kim's quilt is at the long arm quilters and should be home any day now.  That will be #5 of the 6 quilts I had set out to make beginning this time last year. 

Of course, I did have help along the way.
This is Guppy helping me measure
 for the binding on Betty's quilt.

It all sounded so simple.  I just wanted to make a quilt for each of The Girls for their birthday. Well, I almost did it.  I never imagined it would take so long or run the gambit of emotions along the way.  They didn't get them "on" their birthdays but they each got one.  Or should I say will get one since there is still one more to go. 

With such a large group of work in just over a year there's lots to choose from if I decide to enter a show.  Each quilt is so different from the next and I love them all so it would be hard to pick one from  the bunch.  Maybe I should enter a couple of shows? Hmmm, now that's an idea.  Guess I should look into that.

I've started working on Mary's quilt this week.  I'm just at the fabric and pattern stage but it feels good to be getting back to something I love.  Pouring over quilt magazines and check out patterns on the web give me lots of inspiration.  I have had an idea brewing for this particular quilt for well over a year now I just need to pull it together.

Besides the girls quilts I've started a wall hanging called Cone Flowers.  It's a nice size applique piece that I'm able to pick up when I take a break at lunch time or for a when I have a few minutes here and there.  After spending last summer with Betty's large quilt in my lap and without AC in the house I decided that I needed some small projects for this coming summer.

Along with the cone flowers I'm going to be working on the borders for my bunny quilt this summer.  I just love this quilt and can't wait to design the applique layout for the border.  This one is done in 1930's reproductions.  I want to add a 4 inch white border using the background fabric which has white on white polka dots.  The flowers and leaves will be from the 1930s prints that are in the blocks and the vine will be black rick rack.  The borders will be scalloped and the binding will be black.  I'm hoping it comes out looking something like this.

Sample border for Bunny quilt.
From the pattern "Sweet Caroline" by
Karie Patch Designs

Ahh, it truly is good to be doing something I really enjoy! 

Bridal Shower #3

Another fun thing to do when it's too hot to quilt is to see a bride to be receive a special quilt from her Grandmother.  No I'm not the Grandmother, I'm the Great Aunt.  My sister Dutchy is the Grandmother and she's the one who made this beautiful quilt for her Grand-daughter Lindsay. 

And you can see from the expression on Lindsay's face that she was very happy and touched by this special gift. 

I believe the pattern is the Tennessee Puzzle but I'm not certain.  This picture shows a close up of the border.  All of the fabrics are 1930's reproductions.  Aren't the colors beautiful? 

There was another tearful moments during the gift opening.  It was when she opened a gift from Great-Great-Aunt Doris.  It was a set of pillow cases embroidered by my mother Dolly, who is Lindsay's Great Grandmother and Doris' older sister.  My mom had made them for Aunt Doris and she wanted to pass them on to Lindsay.  We're all sentimental when it comes to these things and I know Lindsay will appreciate them.

Here's Aunt Doris on the right with her daughter Jenny on the left and Great Granddaughter Emily in the middle.

The whole shower was lovely.  It took place at The Fells an historic estate and gardens on Lake Sunapee in Newbury NH.  We sat up on the porch of the Main House overlooking the back gardens.  I would love to go back at some point and walk around a bit.  Here are some more pictures of the shower and the beautiful setting.


The wedding party sat with the bride under a canopy on the lawn.


There was even a wheel barrel full of tools for the groom, Joel.  Shown here with Lindsay's mom, Sharon.  It was his first - and (according to him) his last shower!

Here are Lindsay's Aunts, Tracy and Brenda, with Mt Sunapee in the background.

And the youngest attendee of the day, at 3 years old, was Kaylin.  She's Brenda's granddaugher and what a trooper.  It was a long day and the weather was hot and humid but she was as good as could be and just a bundle of joy. 

She and her mom, Jessie, always have the cutest outfits like the ones they're wearing here.  Jessie makes their outfits and has a new store on Esty.

All in all it was a lovely day of celebration with family and friends.  Thank you to all the people who worked so hard to put it all together.  Great job!

And we'll see you at the wedding in October.