A Wild Rose

So much nicer on the bed than hanging because of the heavy stitching

Finally Finished!! I put the last stitch in last night around midnight. I took the pattern from Old Fashioned Patchwork magazine, Spring 1994. Called 'A Wild Rose' I used the flower pattern only and finished it off different. I had the blocks around for a long time so decided to just sew them together and put the border on and finish on my quilter. Every quilt is a learning experience for me and I guess that is what it is all about. With so much stitching in it it hung awful on the line so I put it on a bed which was a lot nicer.  My friend Sue saw a label done this way so I tried it..Another one down for the year!!  PS-I changed to a new look for posts and am having a hard time with it......forgive me for the way it is lined up

Tacoma Quilt day

We are doing a challenge again this year that will be displayed at the July, 2010 Maine Quilt Show.We have all levels of ability and decided to have workshops demonstrating needle turn applique, fusible applique, hand blanket stitch, and machine blanket stitch. For many some of the techniques were new or we needed to bone up on them. The quilt chosen is Morningstar by Linda Hohag. We have other workshops planned to continue working on it.

We always have show and tell and here are a few from our talented gals..

#1. Helen's unique Christmas quilt.
#2. Kay's Ho Ho Ho!!! Getting a head start on Christmas.
#3.Janet is a new member this year and displayed this colorful hanging.

#4 Koleen's- someone gave her all these hearts and this is what she skillfully did with them. All hand appliqued. Very striking!

It looks to be a very active year....we meet in the morning and then as many as can have lunch at a local restaurant. And there is also a local quilt shop that many of us frequent afterwards. There are about 25+ members. We all agreed it was a wonderful day!!!

Funky Folk Flowers

One of these UFOs I had stashed away. Funky Folk Flowers. I took a class at Busy Thimble Quilt shop in 1999 with Susan L. Powell, designer. The only one I have left to do is the center that is a basket of flowers. Four were easier and four with more detail. It is done with freezer paper and needle turn applique. I really enjoy this process even though it takes a little longer.

Justin's quilt

I promised myself that I would make a quilt for each grandchild when they graduated High School. Justin is 24 so this is long overdue. Justin is a sports fan and he wanted bright blue and purple so when son, Mike was home we went shopping and he helped pick some of the fabric. I added the browns etc. The pattern is 'Fool around Fun'. Now to get it on the quilter and done for Christmas. I have one more to make for Matt, 21. It is only August ...wow I am doing good!!!

Casey's Christmas in July

11 of Casey Quilters descended to the home of Helen, our hostess. I called from the driveway and said 'Am I here'? It was 8:45am. This beautiful home designed by Helen that looks like something taken out of 'House Beautiful'. The porch goes around 3 sides and beautiful greenery and flowers are everywhere. Pictures cannot really do the job. It felt like a home in the South and we should of had long flowing dresses on. A little sampling of the day follows: Also the picture in my header is on her porch.A couple of flower gardens

Here are the gals and Kay, in the center, whose home we meet in twice a month, we were doing 'show and tell'. Tables were set for our machines, iron and cutting stations at the other end. It was our Christmas in July and our aim was to work on a project and get it done before the rush comes.
This was lunch and our very gracious hostess, Helen who had worked very hard to get ready for us. There are those people who do it but then there are those who love what they do and she is one of them and made us feel very special all day, always wanting to do something for us to make us more comfortable.

Helen set this beautiful table for our final meal together.

Whenever quilters get together there is always 'show and tell'. This was the project that Barb did for the day. The cutest little purse. She had a few things left to do but colors are vibrant and cheery.

Pam, who had worked on this block fo the month for about 2 years. You cannot see the detail but it was wonderful.

This was one of the blocks of 12. The birds in the sky, the fish net and all the buttonhole stitching.

Sherry who is known for her wonderful Christmas quilts and buttonhole stitch that she puts in all of them. This is her latest. She is still working on detail. Barb on the right is the one who did the purse above.

Sue who finished her fool around quilt. It will be one of 9 hanging together as a chapter challenge in the Maine Quilt show next week.

That was our day. I got home around 7:00pm and showered and went to bed. It was the most wonderful time for all of us. Great group of gals.....nothing like friends sharing the love of quilting.

Tacoma Summer Get-Together

Today we had our summer get-together at Koleen's new studio. We always have wonderful show and tell. Here are a few. This beautiful bargello by Maggie. Of course I really like it because black and white to me is so sharp and a favorite of mine. I have never done one as it always intimidates me. We talked about having a workshop on it this Fall. Sounds good to me!

Pauline's block of the month done in a very different color scheme. But was beautiful!

Koleen who always does exquisite work. This is a delightful pattern!

Last but not least is a bag that has a new technique...It is a cut-away design done with freezer paper. Kayleen will do a demo this coming year for our group.

Close up of the bag.

Pillow Cases for Cancer patients

Today was the day that I made pillow cases for conkerrcancer. What a joy this has been!! They are to be bright and cheerful. There is nothing like making a young one smile!!

ConKerr Cancer started when Cindy Kerr’s son was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and she began making pillowcases to brighten up his hospital room and to put a smile on his face. He loved it and so she began making pillowcases for other children on the Oncology Unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Their goal is to give a bright cheery pillowcase to every seriously ill child in North America by 2012. In addition, we are expanding internationally with chapters in Canada & South Africa.

You can click on link above to see more information.

Sunrise instead of rain!!

This is the first sunrise that I have seen for weeks. So I decided to take a pic in case it continues to rain for days. (smile!!)Sunrise

July 4th - The Flag

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher.
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.
I'm presently in the mountains of Afganistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and wherever freedom is needed.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired, But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud. I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those Whom I've served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield . When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,I am proud.
I will fly proudly forever.
---------------------


This was sent by a friend and it is meant to make us ponder and think of the men and women who today are fighting for our freedom. I give thanks for them and pray for them and for their familes who also make the sacrifice.

Olivia's Pillow Cover

On a recent shop hop I purchased 5" charm pack for my great-granddaughter, Olivia for her birthday, with a promise that we would have a day when she could come quilt. Today was the day and she arrived at 8:30am . I gave her a choice of making something she could take home today or start a quilt. She opted to do a 16x18" pillow cover. She did the sewing of the squares and borders and I finished the back. We also made a pillow for it to fit into to. She loves to sew and has done some things by hand and also came with a cut out skirt. She used one of her skirts to cut a pattern from. It is to be worn as a costume at her 4 year old sisters birthday party. She is a talented young lady and has a real gift of the choices that we had to make with lay-out, special stitching and thread color. She is on her way as a quilter and has signed up for the special class for her age group at the Maine Quilt Show in Augusta July 24-26. What a joy this brings to my heart. It was a fun day for both of us.

Donated Quilts

Backroads, an area quilt group met recently for a work shop day and we made quilts to be given to those in need. My husband, granddaughter and I had the privilege of delivering several to National Newborns in Need, Picture is Ann (left). President of NBIN in Maine. Allison, (right) had also worked ironing, sewing, ripping as needed. She brought the red, white and blue one home and she lined up the colors and gram finished and quilted.These particular quilts will be funneled through KVCAP (Healthy families) because they were larger than what is needed for preemies/newborn's. KVCAP is an organization helping needy moms in Skowhegan, Waterville and Augusta area. They teach parental skills to single moms or young parents as well as work with babies that have health problems etc. they are far reaching. They help provide toys, bedding and clothing for these babies that are sick and needy.

The need is always great in an area and it was a real joy to be part of this process of giving comfort to little ones.

Quilt Hoop

Don't you just love 'freebies'. I was just given a 30" free standing quilt hoop. It is something I have looked at in magazines many times, but just figured I did not need it. I usually just quilt in my lap with a small hoop. The quilt pictured is the first quilt that I did myself. I did not feel good that winter and spent a lot of time on the couch so decided to do one block at a time. I purchased enough fat quarters for one block at a time. It is hand appliqued and hand quilted around the borders and the figures. This frame a real incentive to finally add some more hand quilting around the girls. This quilt that will be Allison, my 13 year old granddaughter. It was started in 1993 and finished to where it is now in the Fall of '94. Sunbonnet Sue - collection of 12 old and new favorites. copyright 1992 Leman Publications, Inc.

Flower Pot Pincushion and Threadcatcher

Casey Quilters met this past Friday and some of the gals made these Flower Pot Pincushion and Thread catcher. Each one had its own unique design.



Kay's

This one is Sue's in progress.















Janice's blue and yellow.

Helen's had a small butterfly on it...

It is fat quarter friendly. The Pattern Basket. Designs by Margo Lanqueboc

Quilt binding finished by machine

Judy Laquidara posted this video finishing binding by machine...She makes it look so easy. Check it out...It was great

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2009/06/05/binding-vide/

Tacoma - June

Today was our meeting with Tacoma Quilters. We brought our 'patriotic blocks'. This has been so enjoyable. Each month we made a block and then had a drawing to pick a winner. The last drawing for the year was won by Kolleen. She was not at the meeting so I am using a picture that I had. Below are the blocks that she won. It will be interesting to see what she does with them. She is a very skilled quilter who has her own business. (check it out)

This is the block that I made. It is an 8" Flag and Heart paper-pieced taken from Quilterscache.

The Quilter's Cache/Marcia Hohn.

Heavenly Sunshine II

My niece Tracy, 41 died of cancer Oct. 2007. She has two daughters, Elizabeth who is a junior in college and Stephanie who attends High School. Tracy had a vision and saw herself running through a blue field of flowers with great joy. She was a very sick girl when I took her the quilt and was elated to think the God she served would be so mindful of her that he would put it in my heart to use her favorite colors of blue flowers with yellows and green. I called hers 'Heavenly Sunshine' and she would wrap herself in it the last months of her life. I felt both girls should have one in memory of her so made Heavenly Sunshine II with similar colors and fabrics. For me,It was a labor of love and a precious memory of a young woman who nursed as a profession and always gave comfort to others in their time of illness.

Twirling Star Finished!!

October 2008 I started at Casey Fall Retreat and have finally got it quilted and bound. It is called 'Theresa Star' and was designed by Theresa Eisinger. I have renamed it 'Twirling Star' It is approx. 65x70". Picture was taken in a soft mist of rain outside with 54 degrees temp but tomorrow a promise of 70's. Hoorah!! Just wait Maine weather will change. This will be gift for my brother.

Perfect Binding

This is an old post but I have seen it several places and thought it might be nice to show it again. When you use this method you cannot see where you put your seams together....for me it really works and of course others may have their methods....but I thought it worth re-posting.

http://heartinhishandquilting.blogspot.com/search/label/Perfect%20Binding

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it's called the present" quote unknown.

Time to Remember - Memorial

A time to remember our men and women who have served all over the world in many conflicts.

I remember those who have served and still have the scars physically and emotionally.

I remember those who gave their lives.

I remember the husbands, wives, son and daughters, and extended family who are in dangers way this day.

I remember the gals in my quilt group who have family serving overseas in danger zones and live with this everyday.

I remember an extended family member who is Iraq today.

'I pray protection and His peace over and around them today.

Thank you Lord for those willing to protect me.

Touch their families in a special way this weekend. Amen

Words cannot really convey my feelings this day of gratitude and thankfulness for these men and women. Thank You!!!

clutch bag and Fool around Fun Quilt

I Finished my little clutch bag. It is a fun bag to make and has lots of potential in creating a little different. I used gold thread and quilted it before I put it together. Also made the flap a little shorter and cut it with a special ruler I had. Several of us made them and each one unique. Fool Around Fun Quilt - design by Susan Fuquay
You never know what I will do with a quilt. It started out as a quilt that one of the gals showed us that she whipped up in an evening. Our group decided we liked it and many of us have done something different trying to use fabrics from our stash.

I used Moda charm packs Peace on Earth and Rite of Springs. It was to be 56 x 56 but mine is 70 x 70. I added extra borders and have free motion quilted and bound it using a leaf design on a good portion of it. I just need to put a sleeve and a tag on the back.

The Maine Quilt show is July 24-26 and nine of us will submit them as a group showing.

It is another finish for me and I am determined to get my tops done this year that are sitting. I have another one already on my quilter and hopefully will get it done within this next week. Hooray!!! There are always so many other projects I want to start....patience!!!

Color Wheel

Thought this was worth passing on. A wonderful tool is you have a hard time with color.

http://www.quiltopia.com/colorwheel.html

Go online and play with this color wheel...it is pretty neat.
When you get the colors you want you can right click on your mouse and save to your pictures. It will only do a quarter at a time....play with it you will see.

Someone mentioned it on Yahoo - Janome 6500

Mini Site

This is a wonderful site for viewing mini's http://www.ysrg.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/dollquiltswap/pool/show/

I will put on side bar but thought more people would see it this way.

Tacoma May BOM

Tacoma's Block of the month was a basket. Everyone who submits a block gets their name in the drawing. They were so beautiful and of course, many would have liked them to have had them. Our winner was Bea and she was ecstatic. Congratulations!! The big block on the right was one of hers and will use set on point as the center piece. We have done it for 4 months and it will be fun to see all the winners and their finished quilt. This was the one I did for this month. It is Gray background and deep blue contrast. Next month is a patriotic block of red-white-blue.

Ohio Star Miniature

This is my Ohio star from the miniature class I took with Leslie Muir-Volpe a few weeks ago. Each block size is 1/2" finished . These are really small and it will be the only one I ever do. The white/red block are 1" finished and I did really enjoy that size. Plaids do not work close up. But it will hang near a vase of flowers and from a distance it will be fine. This was a learning experience and it was a great challenge. The block itself is 8" x 8"

Mainely Fun Quilt Shop Hop

Wow!! what an exciting 2 days as 10 us (our group at Casey's Quilters) did the Mainely Fun Quilt Shop Hop 2nd Annual Spring Fling. We visited 8 shops beginning in Sanford at Kathie's Quilt Shoppe; then, Cottage Herbs Craft & Quilt Shop in Berwick; Knight's Quilt Shop, Cape Neddick; Calico Basket Quilt Shop, Windham; Cotton Weeds Quilt Shop, Freeport; Quiltessentials, Auburn; Busy Thimble Quilt Shop, Litchfield; and ending at Country Creations, Jefferson. We each purchased a passport and had it signed at each shop turning it in at the end. There are prizes awarded so we wait to see if any of us got one.

On Thursday we left Gardiner at 8:15am and visited the first five shops and had lunch at Mike's Clam Shack. We got home around 8:00pm. It was a long day but we all agreed it was wonderful.

Today we finished off the last 3 shops and had lunch at the famous Moody's diner in Waldoboro and arrived back in Gardiner late afternoon at Kay's home. Of course we had to have a cup of coffee/tea and have 'show and tell'. It is amazing what others see and buy that you never saw. There was great variety. I made more purchases than planned buying something at every shop. I am starting to make miniatures so of course had to have a book and found two to begin my mini library. 'Scrap Miniature Magic' by Christine Carlson and 'Flip-flop paper piecing' by Mary Kay Mouton. I bought reds/blue for the miniatures, browns and reds, greens and gold for the shop hop hanging. A Classic Motifs craft holder hanger that I use for many of my small wall hangings, Also, Spring Meadow collection by Moda for my great-granddaughter's, Olivia's 8th birthday. She wants to learn to quilt so thought that would be a good challenge for her to learn to lay them out..she already has been doing little things. Also Nana's Flower Patch 14" x 14" pattern and the fabrics, tiny buttons and Sandcastle(a heavy material) that is used for the background which I had never heard of. Then some renegade fabrics that I added to my stash. An All-in-One Ruler for my minis. And a big red button for a bag that I had made. So all in all it was great.

Below is Cindy the owner of Busy Thimble in Litchfield with the center block of the quilt that each shop displayed. We received the center pattern at the end plus a little bag of threads, scissors, needles, etc. The Block Tool was used for the various other blocks and all were different depending on the shop.

Cindy is the lady that really taught me how to quilt. I took classes at our local HS and her shop. What I like is that she would tell you how she would do something but also show you other ways and then allow you to decide. Thank you Cindy, for the joy that quilting brings to me and it is because you were so gracious in teaching me.

Each shop had their version. Below is Quiltessentials in Auburn

This is the one at Cotton Weeds in Freeport
Country Creations, Jefferson this is there rendition. As you can see there are lots of projects to keep me busy. We all agreed we will do it again next year.