Back in the Saddle

I have been wanting to make a quilt quilt with the Lotus pattern from Jaybird Quilts pattern since before the Christmas Holidays.  My fabulous mom got me the Hex-n-More ruler and I knew the file of fabrics I wanted to use.  The pattern is well written and the pieces match up so nicely - it has been so much fun watching it come together.

So many points!  But the jewel shapes are large so that keeps the piecing from getting too fussy.

I lay out the pieces on the floor of the sewing room.  It's the best way for me to arrange things.  And the inconvenience of walking around the blocks gives me the incentive to wrap projects up. 

Here's the result, thanks to Dan for helping to get a photo.  It ended up larger than I expected (a running theme in my quilting).  I'll certainly use this pattern again - I have already pulled a stack of bright Christmas fat quarters out of the closet.  But they will have to wait. Next up is a red and white quilt for my son.  He'll be an IU Hoosier next year, and his dorm bed will have to have one of momma's quilts, right?

I didn't do much sewing this week.  I travelled to my hometown and visited with my family.  My grandmother passed away last Saturday.  She is at peace now, having been blessed with a long life and wonderful family.  The photo above shows the two of us with a quilt I gave her for Christmas a few years ago.  I spent a lot of time thinking of ways to keep grandma's memory  - tea and cinnamon rolls will always remind me of her.


I can finally share this quilt.  Last week, my cousin celebrated his 40th birthday.  His wife had asked if I could make him a quilt for his Steeler room.  As I am not just a quilt maker, but also a die-hard Steeler fan, I thought this would be a lot of fun.  I used this pattern, http://www.maryquilts.com/boxed-squares/ which is a real favorite!  I doubt my cousin reads my blog, but I didn't want to share this quilt with others until he had received it.

DH held up the quilt for a photo.  I'm usually happy to see a quilt head off to it's rightful owner, but we agreed - this one belongs here with our Terrible Towel.  I shipped the quilt, but I am sure I will make one for us too.  

Now that I am home and rested, I'm sure I will get back in the  swing of obsessive quilt making.  I'm quite certain that my family will remember me some day because they are all covered in love and quilts.

Most favorite quilt EVER.

I can't believe two weeks ago this was a pile of blocks in my closet. I got this back from Jan the Quilter and nearly cried. The photos don't do justice. It's incredible. Swirls, curlicues and channels in all the right places.

Yes, I'm binding. I can't wait to drink tea and read a good book snuggled with this beauty.

And I'm pretty sure I mean a quilting book.  I'm always planning another quilt.  Happy sewing all!

Thinking of spring

Even though I have enjoyed a beautiful light in my sewing room because of the snow, my mind is on spring.

I love to watch birds outside, but have only seen a few. Working on this quilt for my mother-in-law has brought some of those birds in to my sewing room. I started this quilt just after Christmas and the soft colors were a nice change from all of the reds and greens I had been seeing.

I started with a panel and coordinated yardage for the backing from Joann's, then pulled coordinating 2.5" strips from my bins. My MIL had requested some yellow, and I'm glad she did! I probably wouldn't have chosen it on my own. I think it makes the quilt look soft, feminine and reminiscent of spring.

I'll deliver it to her on my next trip to my hometown. I hope she likes it as much as I enjoyed making it!

My attempt to be random.  You know, by making rows and columns and spreading things around.  I'm not good with random.

The finished product.  A comfy throw sized quilt to cover my MIL while she enjoys her morning coffee  while sitting in her recliner.

Now, maybe spring can catch up to me.  Please spring, ya gotta get here soon!

Of course I did!

I couldn't help it. I was on a quilting high from my big finish yesterday. So there were some scraps on the cutting counter and some more in the closet and I started another batch of blocks. Really, who could resist?

A satisfying finish.

This one took me more than a decade, in fits and starts. I found the appliquéd hearts in the closet and decided I wasn't going to let this stay un-done.  I found enough for a lap quilt, but since I found enough sashing, post and border fabric, I had to stitch a few more hearts and make it a twin size.  I'm not sure why it took 10 years to appliqué 55 hearts, but just a week to do 17 more... 

I know I should wait for daylight tomorrow for a better photo.  But I'm too darn excited and want to share it now.

It might just be my favorite. Tomorrow, I'll start a new project. Who am I kidding? I'm planning to do some fabric cutting tonight.