Cara's Quilt

This has been one crazy summer.  We've been gone almost as much as we've been home.  That means a lack of time to blog.  Today starts the catching up on blogging.  In July, we spent a week with Joel, Cara, and Simon.  

Shortly before we left, Cara mentioned her favorite quilt to me.  Her mom made it and Cara latched onto it.  She took it to college with her, to New Jersey where she and Joel lived after getting married, and now to Washington, DC.  She loves to snuggle in it and it is her comfort quilt.  However, she mentioned she was afraid to wash it anymore because some of the stitching was coming undone.  I took a quick look.  This quilt was all hand pieced and hand quilted.  (Way to go Edie!!)  I grabbed my needle and thread and tried to fix the loose spots.  I am sure I didn't do the neatest work, but I think she can now wash it when she wants.  I think it is an amazing quilt and the love Cara has for it is heartwarming.  One thing that interested me about the quilt was the corners.  There seemed to be something hard, almost like a very small rock inserted in the quilt before the binding was attached.  They were all placed in the same spot in each corner.  They were very similar in size but not quite the same.  Questions started buzzing in my mind.  Cara assures me she is going to ask her mom about it.  Hint, hint.  As soon as I find out the answer, I'll update you.  In the meantime, it is a wonderful quilt, Edie.  

I'll leave you with a Simon update.

Those hugs are the best!!

Hope your day is the best ever!

Talented Guild Ladies!

I have a treat for you today.  Our local quilt guild has a program called Warm Kids Quilts.  Any member who is interested makes a child's quilt and can donate it to the guild.  Deb, a long time member, then will take the quilts and donate them to several organizations.  She is very kind to often share some of them with Pieces.  I wanted to show some of them to you today.

Aren't these great?  Let's look at a few more!

If you've been paying attention, you noticed there are three quilts using some of the same fabric.  This is great fabric!  Even though they use some of the same fabric, all three quilts are different!

The last quilt is also from a guild member, but she's also a member of Pieces.  Kelly quilts some of our tops for us.  She actually pieced this one on her longarm machine and then quilted it.  Now that is using her machine to the max!

As you can tell, we have some very talented ladies in the guild plus they are very generous!   Thanks, ladies!!!

And what would this blog be without ending with a picture of Simon?

I think Simon is practicing cooking for when Mimi and Papa get there!

My Grandmother's Quilt

Recently Greg and I went to visit my mom for a few days.  We had a wonderful time visiting and being lazy.  I was able to sew lots on my hexies which I loved.  I also had a chance to see my grandmother's quilt in person.

My grandmother made it from my mother and her sister's clothing they had outgrown.  We determined it is about 74 years old.  My aunt used the quilt on her bed but it is in perfect condition.  There are no worn or faded spots, no stitches coming loose and no wear and tear on the binding.  It looks as if it has never been touched.  It felt so soft.  I wanted to just snuggle up in it.

My own hexies?  Well, they are coming along well at a pace that is somewhat similar to a snail's.  I'll plan on giving you a sneak peak soon.

This is such a sweet quilt--one of our many disappearing 9 patches.  They are so easy to cut and sew that it is really hard not to do them.  And why not when they turn out so cute!

This luscious quilt is made from pinwheels made from Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  It was a block swap that I participated in.  I decided they would make two quilts for the kids rather than one for me.  I love the backing!

  

The pictures don't do justice to this quilt.  The blue fabric has the sweetest little lambs with pink bows around their necks.  A little one will love this one.

You will see lots of quilts like this one where we use a focus fabric alternating with pinwheels.  Pinwheels use up small scraps and we have lots of those!  Notice the quilting that gives the look of water moving.

This is a great quilt for a boy.  It is made with plaid homespuns.  Nine-patches with graphic quilting brings it all together.

Who can resist these bright colors?

As cute as these quilts are, here's something even cuter!

What a happy face!  It must be the cookie crumbs!!

We Need More!

I received an email from Debbie at the hospital a few days ago saying they had been busy and only had four quilts left.  Could they please have some more?  Sure!!  I took a nice stack to them that afternoon so their supply has been refreshed and hopefully they will have what they need for a week or two!  

There was a small sack waiting for me when I delivered the quilts.  The sack contained some fabric, some batting and a note.  Carol had left those for us in the hopes that we could use them to continue providing quilts to the pediatric patients.  Her note said her grandson had been in the hospital and received one of our quilts.  The first thing he did when he arrived home was to proudly show his grandma his quilt.  She says he snuggles with the quilt and will always treasure it.  How sweet and thoughtful her note and supplies are!  Thanks Carol!

I have some gorgeous quilts to show you!

This simple sweet quilt is actually a little more pastel than in shows in the picture.  How can you not love something with yellow in it?

This bright quilt has a very graphic nature to it.  I really like the straight line quilting on it.

Yes!!!  Pink and yellow all over!!!!

Homespun plaids make a great quilt for a boy of any age.  Add a backing with a nature theme and you are ready for some awesome quilting!

One of our major obstacles is using the little scraps that are donated.    We like to look at it as a challenge and not an obstacle. One and a half inch squares were pieced together to make this pink fluff.  

And finally, this is another scrappy quilt.  The white sashing and border pulls it all together and gives it a modern look.  This is one time have small scraps is certainly an advantage.

Our first donation of quilts to Lawrence Memorial Pediatric Unit occurred on May 28th, 2010.  I guess this means we recently passed a milestone.  Four years ago I never would have imagined we would be still continuing to donate quilts.  Four years and over 700 quilts later, I can't imagine anything I would rather be doing.  

I'll be back soon with more quilts for you.  Thanks for stopping by!

Seven Hundred and Counting

Greg and I spent last week with the East Coast Welch family.  Cara had some traveling to do for work so we helped Joel and Simon hold down the fort while she was gone.  I took along my hexie project and Simon enjoyed counting them, jumping over them and stacking them.  Even Simon thinks they are cute!

I have some great quilts for you to see.  The week before we left, I took a stack of quilts to the hospital to insure they would not run out while I was gone.  We have officially donated 700 quilts now.  How incredible is that?  On to the new quilts.

Bugs on the front and frogs on the back!

I love Disappearing Nine Patches.  They are very versatile and always a surprise.

Sports themed quilts are always a popular choice.

These cars are fun!

This little cutie with cowboys has an added feature with some chenille thrown in.

Dora, Diego, and friends.

Bright flannels!

   

Who doesn't love Sesame Street?

If you like dogs, you'll love this one!

Those were nine great quilts.  Which one is your favorite?