Snow, Snow, Snow!

We've had not one, but two, record setting snowfalls in the past week and a half.  What are you going to do when there are blizzard-like conditions (besides wonder what the difference is between blizzard and blizzard-like?)  You make quilts!!!

This disappearing 9-patch was sewn by Deb and quilted by Jean.  Aren't the little frogs on the back cute?

Lois pieced this sweet little pink quilt.

One of my favorite color combinations is turquoise and coral.  This sweet one was made and quilted by Kathy.

Red, Black and White is a wonderful combination that works so well for an older boy or girl. Paula pieced this top.  The backing is so much fun!

This quilt started as a kit cut by Judith and was sewn by Teresa.

I love this quilt.  Maybe it's the bright colors with the white.  Maybe it is because it has a modern quilt look.  Maybe it's because it is such a good use of scraps.  Judith sewed this one and look closely at the quilting.  Sandy went nuts again and did a lot of modern quilting on this one.  How can you not love it?

This is a favorite pattern of ours.  Susan pieced this yummy quilt full of giraffes on the front and the alphabet on the back.  Shannon added her wonderful quilting.  This one is a keeper (if I were keeping any!)

I have so many other quilts to share but I'll save them till next time.  Thanks for looking!

Wisonsin

Earlier this week Greg and I traveled to Middleton, Wisconsin.  A lot of people questioned my sanity in agreeing to go to a northern state in the middle of the winter.  Wednesday morning we awoke to about an inch of snow and snow flurries all day.  Our flight wasn't until five p.m. so we had part of the day to drive and see a few things.  Of course, being the quilt shop lover that I am, we found a quilt store just a few miles from our hotel.  Greg took me and it was a treat!  Here's a picture of the quilt shop.

The shop is in a gorgeous building in a small town.  It sits along side the railroad tracks just down a bit from the historic train depot.  The inside of the shop is wonderful.  It has wooden floors, quilts everywhere, a wide range of fabrics and patterns and last, but not least, a sale room.  What else could you want?  I can home with a little sack of goodies.  If you are in the Madison area, I highly recommend finding this shop.

I finally did it.  After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go for it.  I decided I had been working hard on the quilts and I deserved a treat.  Not only did I get one but I got a second one too.  Yes..a new ironing board cover!!!  Is there anything better?  Well...yes, but not at that price.  Now that I "splurged" and bought one with one for a backup, I have run across several tutorials for making your own.  Apparently, the advantage to that may be that you can throw the one you make into the washer and always have a clean cover.  I am considering that too.

Here's some quilts for you.

This is a disappearing 9 patch that Deb pieced.  With fish and frogs some little boy is going to love it.

Lois pieced these snowmen and embroidered the faces and buttons.  A bright backing gives it a fun punch of color.

Here is a fun cowboy quilt.  I have no idea why I don't have a picture of the backing!

Deb pieced this cutie with giraffe fabric.  I don't have a picture of the backing for the same reason as the last quilt!!

Amy pieced this flannel quilt with pirates.  I mentioned last time that Amy is a piecer that has recently starting helping us.  I also told you she is from Wichita.  That would be wrong!  She is actually from Olathe, KS.  Sorry for the confusion, Amy.

Judith cut this kit, and Teresa sewed it.  Sandy added the gorgeous backing and quilting.

Sandy artfully pieced the back of this cute quilt.  She also quilted it for us.

Lois pieced this simple but great quilt.  With equipment on the front, the perfect backing has wheels and road signs.  Jean quilted this for us.

Shelly pieced this flannel top.  It is so soft and cuddly.  Any little girl who likes pink and purple is going to be excited to receive it.

Judith put this kit together, Teresa sewed it and Sandy quilted it.  Sandy took some fun Winnie the Pooh fabric and inserted an orphan block on the back.  Great job, ladies!

In case you were wondering, yes, it was cold in Wisconsin.  Lake Michigan had lots of ice!

And finally, Joel and Cara have purchased a home and will be moving soon.  Simon is more than happy to help pack the boxes.

See you next time!!

Out of My Box

One of the things I love about quilting is that sometimes to make a quilt "work" you have to get out of your box.  You know, maybe try some colors that you ordinarily wouldn't use.  You might have to try making a block that you don't think you will like.  There are all sorts of ways quilts make you get out of your box.  One of the ways I decided to get out of my box in the new year was to join the local quilt guild.  I can be very happy with my cat in my sewing room.  Just the two of us.  Fabric, cat, and me.  Oh, and a snack.  That makes me happy.  However, I can tend to be so happy that I don't want to leave my sewing room.  I decided that I really needed to get out of my box and get out there in the world a little more.  On Tuesday morning, I met some friends and I joined the guild.  Since it was the first meeting of the year, the focus was on organizing.  First, organizing the group and secondly, on organizing our own sewing space.  I listened carefully thinking maybe I could pick up a new idea or two to try.  Goodness knows that I do have an issue with neatness in my sewing room(s).   Try keeping cut strips in their own containers.  You can even label the container.  Check.  I do that.  Fold all of your fabric the same way.  Check.  I do that...well, until I pull a piece of fabric out and several tumble off the shelf.  They don't get put back quite as neatly.  Keep all of your scraps in one area and in one container.  Whoops.  I started that way but now there are multiple containers.  And so it went.  I finally decided the tips were great ones, but they were intended for the average quilter.  I was beyond that and beyond hope!   I give up.  My area is just going to have to be organized chaos.  But I do have some wonderful quilts to show you!

This is just the sweetest quilt.  Peach and creams with a soft blue and yellow backing.  I pieced this because I liked the fabric so well and Sandy quilted it for me.

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.  Many of you will recognize that phrase.  Simon and I read that book when we are together.  This yellow and brown quilt has lots of monkeys!!

My friend Cindy has donated a stack of quilts to PIECES.  This one is the softest pastel flannels.  It is so soft and cuddly.  A big thank you to Cindy!!

This sweet quilt is another one Cindy sent to us.  It may be hard to see but it has the cutest print of bird's nests with eggs and baby birds.  Cindy not only pieces the quilts but also quilts them.

I think I have mentioned we have a new piecer.  Amy is from Wichita and she pieced this quilt with soft flannels.  This one will be good for a boy or girl.

Paula pieced a fun star in boy prints.  We added a wild stripe for the backing.

This one was pieced by Judith.  She was able to take pink and green scraps and make something totally gorgeous.

Kathy pieced and quilted this gorgeous batik quilt.  It has lots of little pieces!

This quilt was done by Amy.  Again she used soft beautiful flannels.  These fabrics are favorite ones of mine with gentle flowers scattered across the fabric.

Weren't those some great quilts?   Simon approves!!





 Thanks for stopping by!