Tuesday, March 29, 2011

little Jane

Last year, I started working on the Dear Jane blocks -- in pink and in 1800s reds and blues. Around Christmas time, I came to the realization that I was "over it". I had made 60+ of the blocks and just was not that interested in completing it. For awhile, I felt guilty about that. And then it was like, hey, I can do what I want, right?! :o)
So here are my pink DJ blocks, all 64 of them. Put together into a little quilt! And I *LOVE* it! I'm glad I didn't force myself to continue on, and I'm thrilled to have this little quilt. (So far, it's only the quilt top, I haven't decided if I want to hand-quilt, or possibly send it along to Carol to work her magic on!) I especially love the applique blocks that Beatrice made me! :o) The top measures about 41 x 45. :o)
I think the 1800s reds and blues (about the same number of blocks) will be made into a couple of table toppers for gifts... We'll see... :o)

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Feathered Star Quilt

I'm very happy to report that the Feathered Star Quilt is done! :o) As you can see in the photo below, I hand-quilted around each of the stars. And then tied, along the large HSTs. (Per the customer's request.) Quite a color/fabric combination, but I think each star "framed" made it come together nicely.Hope the customer's daughter likes it - it's for her 40th birthday... :o)
The kids are off school this coming week, which we are all REALLY looking forward to. It's been a trying month or so here, with some health issues going on for my dear husband... This week off is what we all needed. (He will be home with us too!) There may even be a trip to the zoo at the end of the week. :o)

Monday, March 21, 2011

busy, busy :o)

I stayed busy, busy sewing for National Quilting Day! :o) I finished the Feathered Star Quilt top! Yeah! Now I have to wait for my customer to get back to me about the backing -- she didn't send enough... I am THRILLED with the way this quilt top turned out and plan to tackle a few blocks for myself, sometime... :o) By the way, the lump under the quilt top, up by the pillows, is one of our cats. He didn't move when I went to lay the quilt top out, so there he is... :o)Some of you may remember Chopper (above left) that I made for dear hubby last year.... Well, now Chopper has a girly-friend, Cherry... :o) These bears measure just a little more than 4" tall.
Hope you all had a good weekend! The weather has been in the low 70s here yesterday and today -- lovely Spring weather! :o) Oh, and Jimmy can ride his bike without us pushing it already! (It has training wheels, but he is flying on it!)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

a good day :o)

I finished the Feathered Star blocks this morning! All 6 are done! Yeah! Now to figure out how to finish off the quilt. The blocks finished to 20" square (including seam allowances) and I need to make them into a throw approx. 60 x 72. I know first that I am adding a 1" (finished) white border around each star block, so that the stars "float". After that, I'm not sure how I'm going to put them together. I may do another small border around each block of the main fabric from the center circles. And then a pieced border (probably HSTs). Sounds like alot more work! HA! I guess I'd better get busy... :o)
And Jimmy had a good day, too! He got his first bike! The sun came out this afternoon, and it got to 70* here in central Illinois, so we've been outside most of the afternoon... A good day... :o)

Friday, March 11, 2011

mine and mine :o)

Not to brag, but this pillow is MINE! :o) Some vintage chenille for the front and back, that I made just for me! :o)
And remember my Holidays at Home BOM quilt that I made last year? Carol, from Cornfield Quilter, lovingly quilted it for me! SO beautiful! I wish it was Christmas, so I could display this now! Carol did such an amazing job, you can see the quilting more in this angle shot:Thank you SO much, Carol! This quilt will be treasured in my family for years and years to come! :o)
Ok, back to work on Feathered Star blocks for me... :o)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

first 2 Feathered Star blocks

Here are the first two Feathered Star blocks for my customer's quilt! I still have to hand-stitch down the center circles. (Obviously!) I made those outside squares and triangles just a bit larger, and as you can see, I won't lose those star points now! Yeah! :o) Two down, four to go! :o)

Sunday, March 6, 2011

chenille pillows

I've been collecting up some vintage chenille pieces for a little while now, and decided to put a few pieces to good use... :o) I put these pillows up for sale in my Etsy shop.
In case you have a chenille "need", go to Etsy and search "alorasadorables". Judy is super sweet and that's where I have bought most of my pieces. Tell her I sent you! :o)