Charity Sew Day- Quilts of Valor

The Stitchy Fingers Quilt Guild had a charity sew day last Saturday.  This year we made quilts of valor quilt tops.  About 12 of us sewed and we ended up with 17 quilts.  We tried to make the blocks before the sew day and just construct the quilt tops on the sew day.  We used a variety of different patterns.  This one was one of the easypatterns- The Jelly Maker's Cabin. 

Sisters and Sisterscape

Oh, what a treat!  I went to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show last week.  It is something every quilter should experience at least once.  The show was awesome, but the real beauty was in the setting.  What a gorgeous part of our country. 
In January I began working on one of my Wish List quilts- Sisterscape- which was the 2006 show quilt.

This is my progress.  It's better than it looks.  I have completed the mountains, the trees, the fish and am working on the 100+ new york beauty blocks that make up the flowers in the meadow.  I am about 2/3 done.

One of the real thrills for me was to see the actual Sisterscape quilt in person.  Here it is!

I can't wait to finish mine!  I will post a picture when I do- but it may be a while.
Happy Quilting!

GSQA Quilt Show 2012

I entered 4 quilts into the Gulf States Quilting Association 2012 quilt show held this weekend.  Of the 4 quilts, 2 received ribbons. 
The first one is titled "A Day at the Beach".  It is a Flavin Glover pattern.  Pictured with me is Loretta Webre who did the beautiful hand-guided quilting.  This quilt won "Judge's Choice"!

My next one is "Total Eclipse" which is a Judy Neimeyer pattern.  I took her class at the GSQA seminar in March 2011.  This one received an Honorable Mention.

The 2 other quilts I entered are ones I did several years ago.  This one is "Poinsettia's".  It adorns my bed at Christmas time.

The last one is "Mardi Gras Masquerade".  It adorns my bed during Mardi Gras season.

When entering these last 2 quilts one thing I noticed is how much my quilt construction has improved since I made these 2.  I hope I am always in a position that I am learning and improving.
And last but not least, this is what I went home with!  Plus a cash prize for Judge's Choice.  All in all, a very nice weekend!

It's Been A While....

I guess I've been on a quilting hiatus.  Not intended, but the first part of the year was very busy.  I started a quilt in November, a quilt that is entirely paper pieced, and I keep putting it aside to make gift quilts. I hope to finish it this month.  But, after these 2 baby quilts I have to make a wedding quilt.   Here are 2 baby quilts I am working on now.  My go to baby quilt pattern- Baby Hearts.  The second one is made with scraps. 

 

Poodles, Poodles everywhere!

My friend Betty got a new toy poodle.  I have a 3 year old toy poodle. My poodle just loves quilts.  He thinks everyone I make is for him.  So, when I saw this french fabric it was just great for our french poodles!  If you look at the fabric closely, in the light pink and light blue fabric there is a girl walking a white french poodle.  These are small, big enough to fit the spot they sit on the couch.  Love my poodle- he's the sweetest, smartest little dog.  But, he's leaving again soon.  Most of the year he lives up in NYC with my daughter.  His new quilt will go with him. 

End of the year- 2011- Stash Report

My quilting has almost come to a halt getting ready for Christmas.  This afghan (in progress above) took almost a month of my time.  A friend commissioned me to make it (meaning I got paid!) and it took me over a month.  The good news is the recipient (another friend) absolutely loved it. 

The good news is that I used 295.5 yards of fabric this year.  The bad news is that I bought 143.25 yards.  But, my mantra this year was not to buy fabric that didn't have an immediate purpose.  I stook to that- almost!  So some that was bought was put into quilts right away.  I ended up the year using 155 yards from my stash- so not bad. 

I made 22 quilts this year.  Next year I hope to step up the level of my skill and make less- 12 or so (not counting the baby quilts for gifts of friends new grandbabies).  And I hope to work on my machine quilting skills.  I participated in Judy L's 2011 UFO Challenge and I completed 11 UFO's.  December's is still staring at me because of the above afghan.  It was great to get those done!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used Year to Date: 295.5yards
Added this Week: 7.5 yards
Added Year to Date: 143.25 yards
Net Used for 2011: 155.25 yards

November UFO

My November UFO was my Mardi Gras Quilt.  I machine appliqued the masks and feathers.  The longarmer did a great job with a custom pattern of beads, jester hats, crowns, etc.



It's ready to go for Mardi Gras 2012!