Eyeglass Quilts

Last week I purchased a book called Ready, Set, Serge by Georgie Melot. I had seen her on Sewing with Nancy when she was demonstrating how to make easy serger projects. Two projects caught me eye--an eyeglass case and a cosmetic bag. I just had to order the book because I could not get the directions to work out in my mind. Just too many turns and so had to have a little more help than the TV program.

This is the collection of eyeglass quilts (cases) that I have made. They are just so easy and the ones without piping take about 10 minutes. It does take a few minutes longer to put on the piping. They are just fun to make, can be made with two 8-inch squares of fabric and batting, and make great little gifts. I used my serger but they can easily be made with a sewing machine.

A quilting friend and I had our own quilty retreat last week on Friday and Saturday. We made some of the eyeglass quilts, some 4-sided placemats with piping, and a credit card holder. We had such fun, worked on several projects, and shared our quilts.

My Bernina's "check engine" light came on yesterday. I saw the wrench and screwdriver which means it needs to go to the technician for its checkup. So I had it tuned up and it is ready for another couple of years of dedicated service.

Tightwad Bank

My brother, his wife, and I journeyed to Bushong and Americus, Kansas to visit the graves of our great grandfather, Mealingburg Goodyear, great aunt Sarah, and grandparents William and Leona. I had last been there when I was in my thirty's or so. We did have a good time sharing our memories and seeing the old farmstead. We returned home by way of Reading and I hope you can read the name above the door. This really is Tightwad Bank in Reading, Kansas. "This is the bank with a sense of humor." You can learn more about it by reading information online.

Quilt is finished

The quilt has been delivered. My radiology doctor's appointment was Tuesday. After we talked about my health and my healing after radiation, I gave the doctor and his nurse the quilt. I also included a quilt hanger because many of the quilts in the cancer center are hung with thumbtacks. The binding is a medium blue batik and really toned down the brightness of the quilt. I did make cornerstones from small applique hearts. People are very amazed that someone has taken the time and effort to make them a quilt. I know they will take very good care of it and I have been invited to visit it anytime.

Small Flower Quilt

This sixteen inch quilt was made to be given to another quilter in an exchange. The center is machine embroidery and applique called "Bloomin' Flowers" from The Stitch Connection. I have used their patterns for several quilts. The border technique is a bias folding method that I saw in Paducah. New Leaf Stitches has several patterns that use the method. I enjoyed meeting the designer and seeing her patterns.

Today I am working on the heart quilt. Yesterday I spray-basted the layers and today is quilting day.

Storm Clouds

This is a picture I took this evening of storm clouds in our western sky. There was a large cloud that looked like a storm front and two other clouds that seemed to drop to the ground. They are not tornadoes. When I looked at radar for our state, there was a small localized storm about 60 miles northwest of us. I have never seen a storm formation like this.

Heart Quilt Top

The heart quilt top is finished. It took a while to make the border blocks but they have now been sewn on. I decided to make small embroidered hearts for the border cornerstone blocks. I simply downsized the regular blocks to about three inches. The four cornerstones turned out just too cute. This quilt will be donated to the Stormont Vail Cancer Center Radiology Department. The colored hearts represent the different types of cancer.

I will start quilting it on Thursday. I want to have the quilt finished by the third week in May so do not want to wait until the last minute.

The mail today brought two unique packages. One package was from Sprinkles Sewing Center and contained two embroidery patterns that I ordered from them. I am so excited to try this project. I will show you the pattern when I have one made. The second package was from Kathy Meyer in Wisconsin. We talked during the Paducah Quilt Show while I was doing a demo of Aunt Philly's Toothbrush rag rug. She sent directions for making the start of the rag rug. Her directions, "There's More Than One Way to Start This Rug", and a cast-on needle she made were in the package. I know this will be put to good use.