Flowering Green

My goal for 2008 was to finish my UFO's. This quilt was started in 2006 and is bound and done as of Dec. 29th. It will replace one I have had on my bed for 15 years. A friend helped me shop for the material for my old quilt and then helped show me the process of making it. I was hooked although it took me a few more years to really get into it. (it is pictured at the bottom) I call this 'Flowering Green.' It was a block of the month started in 2006 at Whipper Snapper's a local quilt shop and designed by Mary Ann Florek. I have a short arm but do not have it set up to handle a queen size quilt. So I had a friend, Sherry Flagg machine quilt it for me on her short-arm. She has a business and does a beautiful job. I am so pleased with it.

Below is my first quilt...a log cabin. It is starting to become thread bare in a spot so it is time to retire it and add something new. Amazing how we make quilts for everyone but ourselves. So I decided it was time. Also note the angel over the headboard. My friend, Doll who taught me to quilt made it for me. This year has been a fruitful year. I have made 9 quilts and many baby quilts, table runners, wall hangings etc. I wonder what 2009 will hold? I still have UFO's lurking and waiting for me.

Blessings on this New Year 2009 to all who have taken the time to view this blog. I have so much enjoyed connecting with new acquaintances all over the world. Thank you for your time and your comments they have been greatly appreciated.

Poinsettia Pot Wall Quilt

I finally have my Poinsettia Pot wall quilt done that I started at Casey Quilters meeting "Christmas In July". It has been finished with various techniques...I used heat and bond , light and heavy...machine and hand button-hole stitch to outline...some special stitches from my Janome 6500 on the leaves and pot...The pot looks raised but it bubbled when I was quilting around it so I put little gold clasp stitches to anchor it. Also quilted on my short arm the courthouse step blocks and scrappy square side borders. If I were to do it over I would probably do it different as it has been a learning experience for me. I am not a big fan of heat and bond and use it rarely.

I really enjoy decorating at Christmas and this will be added to my collection of hangings and it will add flavor to the ones I already have. Another finish for 2008 Hoorah!!!! Finished Size 29 1/2" x 36 1/2" design by Kim Schaefer

Christmas Gifts 2008

Christmas 2008 has arrived and all the presents for my family are delivered. I have been busy making strippy quilts for the grand and great-grand children. It has been a lot of fun and has helped me practice new designs using my super quilter. Strippy quilts have a focus material

and are very easy to make.I chose fun designs for each of them.

This first one is my grandson Jacob's - age 10 I also made matching pillow cases to go with each one. I did french seams on the inside and had learned how to do this from earlier days of sewing for my family.

This one is for my great-granddaughter, Isabella - age 2
View of close up of quilting.

Grandson Joshua's - age 10...yes they are twins.
Another close up
This is great granddaughter Olivia's - age 7

Close up
Ms Allison, 13 whose birthday was this month informed me that she would like 'money' so she and her brothers could purchase a new game. So I made this purse and fulfilled her request.
Of course, she was overjoyed.

I also have two older grand-daughters who are married. Em - 23 and Rach -28 so I decided to made them these table runners in Christmas designs.

This is a wall hanging I made earlier this year for my daughter-in-law.

So it has been a very busy time. But it is so rewarding when you put your time and energy

into items made with your hands for those you hold dear. It is very fulfilling to the heart.

Merry Christmas

Peace comes when we open our eyes to another dimension, to the mystery of God that lies all around us....especially at Christmas.

May your heart take wing in the moments of stillness and the peace God gives to us all.

Poem taken from a Christmas card sent by a friend.

Merry Christmas to all my Quilting Friends.

(manger scene was given to us by our son many years ago. The sun was shining and hitting it.)

Star BOM 10

This is the light blue I will be using and also a darker blue for contrast....#10 below

Star Block I am doing online with Judy Laquidara. This is #10 and has been a fun series. I have 3 more blocks to go. We will not get the next one until February 1 as she is writing a book and has a deadline.It will be nice to have a break as the season is so busy. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HIS BLESSINGS TO ALL!!!

Tacoma Breakfast

We in Maine have just come through an ice storm where many lost their lights and it has now turned very cold. This morning eleven of us from the Tacoma Lakes quilt group ventured out to have breakfast and present a quilt to our former President, Beth at Mill Stream Restaurant. We invited her to come and see what we had been doing. (She took a full time job and is unable to attend our meetings). Each member made a block and signed it, we worked on it for a couple of meetings and our present president, Barb (who was very sick today) did a beautiful job of quilting on her Tin Lizzie and Pauline a member finished with the binding. We were delighted and she was surprised and pleased. Several of us finished 'the tallest tree' hanging I talked about in the last posting. L-R Judy, Donna, Maggie, Margo, Andrea and Pauline. We all agreed it was a fun project and liked the result. Other members are still in the process.

These wonderful snowmen with little lights graced our table this morning. It was made by Rayna and so adorable. There were several 'show and tell'. It is always great to get together and share what we are doing and what we have learned. Nothing like friends with the same love of quilting.

The Tallest Tree Runner

Our group 'Tacoma' met last Wednesday and our project was 'The Tallest Tree by Pieces from the Heart'. We pre-cut our background, green, brown and 44 pieces of Christmas fabric for the borders before the meeting. We then shared them. I did use some of my own to give the border variety. I also did 'quilt as you go' and then put it on my short arm quilter to do the border and finished the stitching around the trees on my Janome. Rayna brought this huge jar of red buttons for all of us to choose from. What a blessing!

This one below was done by Koleen and she chose to use identical fabric for the trees and background. This is such a versatile pattern. It was really enjoyable to do. Our president, Barb skillfully walked us through all the steps.

Star Block #9

This is a block of the month I am doing online with Judy Laquidara. She posts the pattern on the 1st and 15th. This is #9 in a series of thirteen.

Received the pattern this morning and wanted to stay caught up. Christmas season is busy and did not want this hanging over my head.

I am pleased with the result...