Christmas Alphabet

This is the design package that I am working on right now.  It is from OESD and is titled Christmas Alphabet.  It is originally designed by artist Krista Hamrick, who has designed many different alphabets.
I have also completed her Name Above All Names and her Family Alphabet. The wall quilt would be finished but my machine has a bit of a problem.  I am anxiously waiting for its return.

Cool Guys

Snowmen have been the designs of the week. This is Cool Guys, a machine embroidery pattern by Jana Davidson from Turnberry Lane.  This is the largest size of the pattern at 62" x 70".  This size of the pattern is designed for the large hoop which is about 5" x 7".  The blocks are then stitched together with a well-designed stitching line that is part of the embroidery. Jana's instructions will walk you through making the entire quilt. You can purchase the pattern from Mea Bernina in Lawrence, KS.

I'll try to get a better photo tomorrow when I have someone who can hold the quilt top for me.

Proud Papa

This is a wall hanging called "Proud Papa" by Turnberry Lane.  The middle panel is machine embroidery that can be completed in one piece with multi-hooping or can be stitched in panels that are easily sewn together.  The design comes in eleven formats and three sizes.  The wall hanging is approximately 8 1/4" x 39". Mea Bernina has the pattern.

Metro Rings

Last month I pieced a full size quilt using Metro Hoops.  This is my small version of Metro Rings by Sew Kind of Wonderful.  The piecing uses the quick curve ruler. It was quilted by Vicky Lawrence who did a fabulous job! It will be for a new great grand child.

Cowgirl Pincushions

These are the cutest pincushions that I have seen.  I found the pattern in Houston at Quilt Market.  The form contains batting, crushed walnuts, and flat floral weights in the bottom. The vest is lined.  You can make two from two fat quarters and have some fabric left. Fabric combinations are unlimited. They are easy to make.  The Overbrook Quilt Connection has the pattern.

Smiley Tree

I found this pattern at Houston Quilt Market.  Jana Davidson from Oklahoma was in the booth across the aisle from Prairie Edge Patchwork's booth where I was demonstrating a new technique.  This is machine embroidery and the pattern also is available in hand embroidery. The pattern is called Smiley Tree. 

Unique Mug Rugs II

These were designed by an embroidery friend who is a true artist.  Some of the design falls outside the square and I loved that idea.  I hooped some polymesh and started the machine.  Then I added a layer of batting and felt on the top of the stabilizer and a layer of felt on the bottom of the stabilizer.  After stitchout, I cut the polymesh around the squares and the designs.  The polymesh holds the overhanging designs perfectly.  I really love this idea!

Unique Mug Rugs

These are just fun to make.  They are mug rugs made with machine embroidery and triangles of pop cans.  The needle goes through the aluminum quite easily when stitching the designs.  It only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.  Now I look at pop cans for the colors and not the contents...

Blue Winter Wonderland Table Topper

This cute table topper finishes to about 24" x 24".  I found a tutorial for this pattern at SarahRose Quilts blog. This little quilt is so easy to make.  I will teach this in a class at the Overbrook Quilt Connection.  I have made this also in pinks with Paris Flea market fabric and in teals and browns.  This one is quilted with my walking foot.  The other ones have been quilted with the embroidery module. I really love making this table topper.  Thank you, SarahRose.

Borders of the Garden Nouveau Quilt.

Here are three of the designs that are part of the side borders of the Garden Nouveau quilt.  I can about see the end of working on the borders.  The borders take over 54 hours of embroidery work to complete.  Since the borders are multi-hooped, it is very important to not make a mistake or it is start-over time. I am very happy to finally be at this point.  I want to finish this project so I can start another one that is on the horizon.

Metro Hoops is Finished

Metro Hoops is ready to give to the quilter.  I finished piecing it this afternoon.  It goes together very quickly and the curves are simple to sew.  It was fun to make this quilt.  It will be the "tree skirt" for a Christmas tree in the Festival of Trees.

Metro Hoops

Just in case you think I haven't been busy!  This is the first two rows of a quilt from the pattern "Metro Hoops" by Sew Kind of Wonderful.  It uses the Quick Curve Ruler, QCR, which allows you to cut the curves perfectly from sewn-together strips of fabric.  The curves are very easy to piece without pins.  My only problem has come from the final step of squaring the blocks. The fabrics are from a Christmas grouping but I do not know its name.  The fabric, pattern, and ruler can be purchased from Mea Bernina in Lawrence.

Daisy Wear

Last Saturday, Daisy had to go to the vet to have a 3.5- inch skin tear stitched.  The repair was behind her left shoulder. When we got her home, she wanted to lick and lick.  My DIL said that she needed a shirt.  So away to the serger I went and now she has three shirts that she can wear.  I used old t-shrts and serged dow the middle of the back and front.  Then I serged from the neckline down the top of the sleeves.  Cut off the area around the neck and the bottom and it is done.  It would be more permanent if I had used a knit band on the neckline.She does not mind wearing the shirt but she does struggle to put it on and take it off.  She looks so cute in her Daisy Wear.
Monday update:  Yesterday and again this morning, Daisy figured out how to get her leg out of one sleeve.  So after the shirt's daily washing,  I added a band to the neck. After cutting the neck band from an old t-shirt, I made it a bit smaller, and then serged the neck band onto Daisy's shirt.  So far it is working great.

From the Beginning

The grapes were picked from the vine by 8:30 and picked from the stem by 9:30.  Then it was into the pot to cook for a while.  Isn't that the most beautiful red color!  A couple hours later and the jelly was into the jar and ready to eat.  Supper this evening was toast with fresh grape jelly. Yum, yum!!

Center of Purple Garden Nouveau

This is my newest project.  It is another Garden Nouveau quilt from Vicky Lawrence's book.  My first one was similar to the one on the cover of the book.  It was finished in February 2011.  I have wanted to make a purple one for a long time.  During the trip to Paducah in the spring, I found vibrant batiks that I wanted to use in the quilt.  I have to put the inner borders on so that I will know the size for the embroidered borders.  Many more hours of stitching to finish!!

More Mug Rugs

This morning I completed three more mug rugs.  They are fun to make.  You would think the fabric confetti would be so easy to place on the frosting.  But I have found that I must use 505 basting spray to hold down the pieces or they vibrate off when the machine is embroidering.  But they are cute to make and easy gifts.

Mug Rugs

Two of the four mug rugs for a swap are completed.  Just have to bind the other two and the project will be ready for mailing.  The pattern for the cupcakes is from Fabric Confetti by Vanessa.  I found the pattern last year at the Houston Quilt Festival.  The confetti is really small pieces of fabric that are stitched to the "frosting" background.  The pattern is really for a Confetti Cupcake Quilt.  The cupcakes are easy to make and fun, too.

More Garden Nouveau

Half of the blocks have been stitched together.  I still have three more blocks to finish and then I can construct the block area of the quilt.  The middle of the quilt must be sewn together before the borders can be started.  Then I will measure the quilt top and figure the dimensions of the borders.  It is looking great.  Bonnie and Marsha are also completing this quilt in other colors.  Both of them are looking great.

Another Block for Garden Nouveau

The is the latest block for my Garden Nouveau quilt.  I have been busy with this quilt in between painting the living room and getting new carpet installed.  So it has been a busy time.  The colors in the quilt seem to be taking on a life of their own.  I hope it all looks cohesive when I am finished!!??

Purple Garden Nouveau Quilt

These are the first three blocks of my purple edition of Garden Nouveau.  The pattern was designed by Vicky Lawrence and is available for hand applique from AQS.  I am using the digitized version by Anna Aldmon that is available for jumbo hoops because it is necessary to multi-hoop the blocks.  Each of the above blocks have three hoopings.

I made this quilt in 2011 with the original colorway in greens. I have two other embroiderers who are also making this quilt journey.  One will be in yellow and grays and is going to be stunning.  The other will have dark blue bumpers and sashing.  It is also going to be beautiful.

Families are Forever

This quilt is now hanging on my kitchen wall.  It is from OESD and is an alphabet by Krista Hamrick called Families are Forever.  It is a "sister" to the previous one titled Name Above All Names.  I really love her illustrations and the colors that were used by the digitizers at OESD.  I made each design 25% bigger so the final quilt is approximately 29" X 36".  My other quilt rolls a bit on the bottom corners, so I put triangles of fabric in the corners and inserted a dowel rod to keep the quilt straight. I wonder what their next Krista project will be...

Breezy Weave Bag

This is one of the two bag patterns that I loved on the Paducah trip.  This is an Aunties Two Pattern       #AT231. The pattern has this small bag and a large bag.  The pattern uses precut strips of stabilizer in a ten foot roll called Rigid Weave by Innovative Craft Products. You can also cut your own strips with peltex or temtex.  It was an easy task to make the fabric strips and weave them to make the bag.  I did have to purchase a new cording foot to make the handles which are filled with 1/4 inch cording.  The bag has a gusset on each side and is not lined but has two pockets. It is very cute.

The Perfect Combo

I took a teal placemat to my local flower shop and asked her to make me a centerpiece for my kitchen table. She did a perfect job of interpreting my specs.  My local quilt shop also has recently added two different patterns of teal dish towels.  They will also look wonderful in my new kitchen.

Zenbull

I really like zentangle animals.  This is a bull from Mia who also digitized the goat.  I am going to try to do this.  It is just so interesting.

Coming Along

This is the partially completed wall quilt titled Family Alphabet or Families are Forever. The quilt is by Krista Hamrick and OESD.  It is similar to the quilt I recently completed titled Name Above All Names because Krista also designed that quilt. I love the colors she uses and the interesting designs.  I will try to finish this this week.

The Quilt Show in Paducah was great fun.  I found  two great purse patterns, gradation batiks that will be perfect for applique, and lots of ideas.  We went to an Eleanor Burn's program and laughed the entire time.  She has two cute, cute granddaughters.  The weather was perfect and the food was great.  Everyone should take a few days and attend at least once.

SarahRose Table Topper

As many of you know, I have almost completed remodeling my kitchen.  I have a new round, oak table for my small dining area.  This is the centerpiece for that table as I have chosen to add teal accents to the kitchen.  I chose the colors because my son gave me a teal Fiesta Ware cookie jar. This pattern is from SarahRoseQuilts. She includes the pattern and photo instructions in her blog.  This table topper is easy and quick to make.  I have a Bernina 830 so I quilted the topper in the hoop.  I also have made it in Moda's  Paris Flea Market fabric which I gave to a friend as an Easter gift.

Goat Zentangle

A couple of weeks ago, I came across a blog that mentioned a zentangle goat.  I found the goat at Mia's blog:  The Accidental Embroiderer.  I know you will find her site quite interesting.  Mia gives a free design each month and you just have to ask for it.  This is my interpretation of her zengoat that I downloaded this month.  Isn't he beautiful!!

New Kitchen

This is my newly remodeled kitchen.  It is new from the floor to the ceiling.  My favorite feature in the under-cabinet lighting. The floor and backsplash are tile in a neutral tan/gray color.  The cabinets are from Custom Woods in St. Marys and they are made of hickory with an auburn stain.  The counter top is a black and brown granite. I tried to keep to the lighter side of the color spectrum because my kitchen is small.  There are still a few details that need to be finished, but I can use the kitchen after six weeks of dust and work...I am very happy with it.  I am extremely happy with my contractor.  Matt Prim did a great job of keeping everyone on schedule and using quality workmen.

The Big Unveil Coming Soon

The kitchen is coming along nicely.  The cabinets are in and the granite will be installed on Wednesday.  The tilers will be here to install the backsplash on Thursday.  Then I think most things will be done.  Just a little plumbing with the sink and dishwasher to be done.  The electricians were here Friday morning to install lights.  Oh, how I love the under-counter lighting.  It is amazing...back again later in the week.

Name Above All Names II

This is the second Name Above All Names quilt that I have finished.  We found the OESD pattern when we were in Houston last fall, so this one belongs to Roxane.  I showed this to a Women's Tea Group at the local care facility and they loved it.  They really had a delightful time looking at all of the quilts that I brought them to see.  This one is quilted in the sashing and border with a long serpentine stitch.  I really like the look.

The Kitchen Floor is Finished

The tiles were grouted yesterday.  It took a couple of hours for Dave to apply the grout, let it dry a while, and then wash off the excess.  Daisy gives the floor her seal of approval.  She is so happy to be able to walk on it again and use it for her favorite place to take a nap.

Floor Tile

The kitchen and bathroom floors have been scraped and cleaned. A layer of concrete sheets has been nailed to the floor.  The tiles are finally being put down. All it takes is four hard-working guys who show up at 8 a.m. and leave at 2 p.m. after getting the job finished.  They did a great job.  Tomorrow is grouting day.  Then it is wait for the cabinets...

Electrical and Drywall

The electricians installed new wiring for the under counter lighting.  They had to tear out some drywall to make all the connections.  They did this job in about three hours.  Matt and his crew replaced the drywall and put new drywall on the ceiling when they found the plaster was soft.  The house originally had electric heat with heat tapes plastered into onto the ceilings. Then Monday Darrell, the drywall person, started. Darrell swiftly covered everybody's work by taping the joints and doing all the other stuff that drywall people do.  Today he blew on the ceiling and then knocked down the "bumps."  So now to paint everything...

Kitchen Remodeling

The first photo is my kitchen at 9:00 am.  I had three great guys who started taking out the old cabinets and then deconstructed the soffett.  They had the room ready for the electrician by the middle of the afternoon. The did discover that the ceiling had to have a layer of sheet rock because of the plastered ceiling that had heating cables in it.  The plaster is soft and would not hold the new blown ceiling.  This whole process will take some time because the cabinets will be delivered late March.  Our home life is greatly disturbed because of having all the kitchen items in crates.  So we may have a lot of meals in our fifth wheel. But we have a start and this is exciting after waiting for many years. I am sure you will be tired of this before it is fully finished.

Paris Flea Market Table Topper

Several months ago, I saw this pattern shown on The Quilt Show by SarahRose Quilts. There was even a set of instructions for making the table topper. SarahRose Quilts calls the pattern the Winter Wonderland Table Topper. I used Moda's fabric called Paris Flea Market, so I renamed my table topper. I viewed a couple of U-tube videos covering binding inside curves.  They look okay but I could use some more experience with that technique. The topper is quilted with my embroidery module.  I used a couple of Diane Gaudynski feather quilting designs. I really like this pattern.

Rosette Ribbon

This week I have been working on rosette ribbons for a quilt and carvers' showcase in Arizona.  The ribbons are finally finished and are ready for the USPS.  The carvers wanted blue and red ribbons.  The quilters wanted teal ribbons.  I hope they like them.

Anderson Tree of Life

The Anderson Tree of Life is bound and ready for the finishing touches.  I am going to add leaves with family names on them to complete the front.  Then it is on to the label.  I have decided the label will be an envelope with a button flap so that a family history can be enclosed on a CD or flash drive.  The quilt looks a little washed out because I had to use a flash to get the colorful border.  Isn't it beautiful!! This is an Anita Goodesign pattern.

Almost Finished

I am working on block number 67 of 70 blocks for the Tree of Life quilt.  I should have the last 3 1/2 blocks finished today.  Most of the blocks have been stitched together, so I will have a photo for you in a day or two.  I am very tired of applique flowers!  My next little project for the quilt is making stumpwork leaves with family names on them.  Stumpwork is a form of applique that stitches wire into the edge of the design.  The wire allows the design to be dimensional.  I think it will be the neatest feature of the Tree of Life.

Finally Finished

This is a four patch posie quilt that I have had finished for several years.  I had planned to use scallops on the border.  I measured and measured and they just did not look the way I imagined.  So into the "to do" stack for a while.  Last year I attended a trunk show by Nina McVeigh and many of her quilts had scalloped borders.  She used the new rulers by Sue Pelland Designs called "Leaves Galore".(The rulers were made to make leaves for applique.)  Each side of the rulers has a different size of curve so you can choose which to use.  It was a quick job to measure and mark the curves on the borders.  That is my DIL peeking at you.

Christmas Gifts II

This is Avery, who is 5 years old, enjoying her bundle bed.  You can see Landon in the background with his blue-dotted bed.  They like them!  I really wondered if my work was going to be useful.  Brought a smile to my face!