Fun and Quick

Good Morning Friends, I wanted to share the easy placemats and runner I made for the month of July-specifically for the 4th, but they will stay out all summer. With my new machine I was able to practice some new stitches and while hand quilting will still be my passion, I had a blast making these.

The table runner wasn't planned and I just utilized the scraps from the placemats. O.k. so here is the disclaimer-it is the right length for the island, but too long for the corner star square. I didn't have enough fabric to make it wider, so left it like this. If I happen across fabric I love, I will probably make another one, but for now it works just fine. I also want to look for some sort of patriotic centerpiece that will help offset it being out of proportion.

Since I bought my new machine, I have made more things in one month than I ever had. It is so fun! After I finished it, I started working on the blocks for my fall table runner. Simple blocks, but I'm hoping to use another decorative stitch on it. Today I will be watching grands in swim lessons and then we will all head to Chick-fil-A dressed as cows(not sure whether I'll participate, but even my daughter's do)for a free entree. I may even just put a sign on with some black circles. Should be fun! This afternoon I will be downstairs sewing away.  I know the Chick-fil-A sounds pretty silly, but every year all of the family(except hubby and I)go-so thought I'd join the fun. I'll be sure to take photos.
Have a fantastic summer day!
Noreen

What A Treat

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a quilt program and class with Author, Designer, Quilter and Teacher Jill Shaulis from Yellow Creek Quilt Designs. It was a wonderful day, starting with Jill sharing her beginnings of her Quilt Store In Pearl City, Illinois. Jill loves Civil War reproductions and has so many incredible quilts to share.

I've never gotten into Hexi's, but know many who have caught the bug.  Jill told us she was going to introduce us to her technique and now I understand why it is so catchy.  I didn't finish mine last night, but plan to.

Absolutely love this quilt.

Love these last two and may have to consider making one.  Jill has two books published, I have Simple Blessings in Patchwork.

Last but not least was the block I made-I am making a table runner with three blocks.  I may make these for Christmas next year.  It was easy and came together fairly quickly; I should have stayed longer but the day tired me out.

It was also fun because I was with three gals from my mini-group; we have such a good time together.  Although the class was big, with 22 ladies, there was plenty of room to spread out.
This morning I'm walking and then will head back down to the sewing machine-hopefully to finish what I started.  I'd love to have it done and quilted by next week, but I'm not sure that will happen.
Have a grand day today.
Noreen

Miscellaneous Monday

Good Morning Friends~I hope you had a great weekend and found some time to do something that made your heart soar. We had a busy but fun weekend; I keep hoping my days will slow down, but they never seem to. That must be a good thing because it means I'm healthy and staying active. Last week I had sewing with the grands and they all completed their projects, which means I need to figure something out for next week. Here are two of the girls with the book bags they made. On the left, Miss F made the bag for her sister as a surprise. Two out of the four girls in Carrie's family have these bags and Miss A was feeling a little left out. What's a big loving sister to do, but make one for her. She was so surprised and loved it. I was grabbing something for Carrie and didn't see her expression, but hubby said Miss A's eyes were so wide with excitement.

On Friday, I had my quilt group and our leader shared a disappearing nine patch quilt she is making for one of her grands. The fabric is so cute! Loved the way the pattern changed after the square was cut up; so many possibilities with this pattern.

Here is a quilt another gal made for her grandson. I loved it and our youngest grandson loves Moose and so I'm thinking about it for him. Love how the child's handprints become the antlers. We'll see.

I've got my quilt on the wall and just need to get down to the store where I purchased the fabric and get some fabric for the border and some batting. I'm thinking hubby and I might do that today. Both stores are fairly close to one another and it would make for a fun drive this afternoon. The weather is so much cooler here today than last week; ugh. Yesterday was very damp and cold, but the good news is that we are supposed to get upwards of 68 on Thursday. I can't wait. I also learned about a online group called Splendid Sampler that has a free program that started yesterday-you get two 6" block patterns each week, by different quilters(83 of them) and by the end of the year you have a total of 100 quilt blocks to put in a quilt. I found out about this through Pat Sloan's website and also on FB.  I'm not sure if I will do every single block, but what a great way to use up some scraps and practice  your piecing and different techniques. They use traditional piecing, appliqué, EPP and embrodiery. I've shared this with a neighbor here and also my quilting, traveling and old neighbor is doing this too-it's a way to connect until we see face to face. We may even take what we've done to Sisters to work on in the evenings.
I hope you have a productive day!
Blessings~
Noreen

The Work of My Hands

I have always loved textiles and creating things with my hands has been a joy even since childhood. For the last 15 years or so I've learned how to quilt and it has taken me that long to become comfortable with sewing. When our youngest daughter got married I made her and her hubby a quilt; as each grandchild has come into our family I have made a quilt for them. Now that I'm retired I have more time to devote to this hobby. I will never make perfect quilts but there is always love and prayers that go into each one. So when my daughter decided she wanted black and white toile as the fabric for her littlest ones' baby quilt, I who love traditional designs and soft colors, was a bit surprised. This is the end result, not necessarily what I would have chosen but now that it is done I love it. So does my daughter and with the red fabric with black polka dots on the back, it gives it a little punch. So now that this one is complete I only have three more to complete before Christmas and one extra that needs the binding. Maybe some day my work will be of a higher skill level, especially since I'm practicing so much, but until then my family will settle for all the hours, love and prayers poured into these loveys.