2nd UFO Challenge

Getting my first UFO completed, I was inspired to try another.  This UFO required applique.  Applique work is not my passion and possibly the reason this quilt had become a UFO.  However, I recently took a class with Suzanne Louth on "Broderie Perse" and she totally released the fear in applique.  I pulled this project from the bottom of the stack and completed it in only a few days.  Wow!! I feel great!! Another UFO bites the dust.

Hopefully I can get both quilted before the Jan 14th deadline.

Guild UFO Challenge

As the program chair for our quilt guild, I set up a UFO challenge.  This meant I had to pull out some of my UFO's and complete at least one before the Jan 14th deadline.  Below is the first UFO I pieced.

I started this project in 2004 from a kit I purchased online.  All the pieces were cut and prepared in 2004 before I developed any of the necessary skills to do this advanced piece.  Still, after making a few adjustments, I think it turned out pretty good.

Book Review - Material Obsession

Modern quilts are not my favorite, but use of color perks me up.  At a recent sew-in, a friend introduced me to a book "Material Obsession" by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke.  The book highlights modern quilts and has a remarkable use of color.

I have just ordered 2 books and hope to order more from this pair of writers.

Hanging quilts at a show

Circle in the Square is holding their Quintessential Quilt Show beginning Sunday at the University City Public Library.  Tonight we hung quilts and their was a lot of floor work done.  Luckily, my daughter and her son came along and rolled around on the floor to hang quilts from the 2nd floor.

It created quite a stir in the library.

Another UFO

I found this pattern in "the Quilter Magazine" Sept 2004.  I cut out the pieces and then let it lay.
This years -New Year's resolution was to finish a UFO per month and this is one of those UFO's. 

The border or borders still need to be added.  Those are more difficult.  The border has to fit the quilt.  So far nothing I have tried makes the quilt sing.  With my huge stash- there has to be the right fabric here somewhere.

Happy "sane" or "crazy" quilting!
Also, I have been working on my "fan" crazy quilt and will update you tomorrow on it's progress.

Crazy Quilt FAbric

We all know, quilters love fabric, well crazy quilters are even worse.  At yesterdays CQ meeting, one of the girls brought fabric to share.  Wow, I feel I have died and gone to heaven.  I love all of them.

Art Project

I found this artwork in "The Quilter" Sept 2004 issue by Maria Chisnall.  It has been on my list to make for years.  At last, I plan to start.  I just need to figure the best stabilizer.  Any suggestions???

This is my first real art piece and I have a lot to learn.

Completing a UFO

I spotted this pattern by Tiffany Burrow in McCalls June 2003 magazine.  Being a new quilter at the time and an accomplished seamstress, I did not appreciate the skill level required to piece this quilt.  At last, I have retrieved it from its hiding place and finally finished it.  Completing a UFO just makes you want to shout out loud.

UFO

All quilters have UFO's in their stash and I am no exception.  The above is one of them.  When I first started quilting 8-10 years ago, this was one of my first projects.  Recently I decided to pull some of my UFO's and finish them.  On organizing the project, I looked at my seams and they were HORRIBLE.  I had no idea how bad a job I had done.  It required me to rip out all of my seams and start over.  Hopefully, I will have the finished project in a day or two.

I really love the color combinations.  What do you think???  Color really makes a difference.

Almost a Flower Garden

The attached quilt has been in my catalog of quilts I wanted to make.  After lots and lots of piecing, it is done and I think I might make it again.  The pattern instructions worked perfect.  Now, I begin working on a quilt I started years ago.  It is time to finish it.

Crazy Quilt Project

It has been a struggle to find the colors that fit my personality and decor.  But, at last here the are.  The fabrics I have chosen are very soft and the embellishments will need to be sharp contrast to stimulate the eye.

Crazy Quilt - New Project

I found this book of fans by Jean Wells and decided this was the "crazy quilt" for me.
It has taken some time to find the fabrics - but they have been chosen and I am ready to start constructing the quilt.

Desert Sky

This is a quilt I made from the Judy Niemeyer pattern

"Desert Sky".  I plan to give the quilt as a gift to a friend that lives in Phoenix.  The colors remind me of the Arizona skies.

Finished "Desert Sky"

I pieced the final quilt together last night and say I really like it.  This quilt will go to a friend in Phoenix - the colors suit the Phoenix skies.  Now all I have to do it get it quilted.

Circle in the Square - Social tonight at my house

Yes -  I am hosting this months quild social.  I am cleaning like a crazy woman and thinking why do I get myself into these things.  Oh well...

I will have pictures tomorrow.

Dessert Sky - Class 2013

I attended a class with Jackie Kunkel using Judy Niemeyer's paper piecing.

Wow - all of my points are perfect.  What a great class.
If you get a chance - I recommend Jackie and the techniques.
Attached is my unfinished block.

Quilts of Valor

As quilters we are aware of the Quilts of Valor effort through out our quilting community.  Yesterday I witnessed this first hand and it really moved me.

Hearts N Hand Quilt Guild in O'Fallon, IL.had their 2013 show. This year's show featured a "Quilts of Valor" presentation in which 6 servicemen from the area who served in either WWII or the Korean War were honored. Approximately 60 people gathered for the presentation. The youngest man honored was 81. As each recipient walked up and took his quilt, his shoulders went back, he stood tall, and with conviction  stated  he was honored to serve his country.

Amongst cheers, whoops and lots of tears - God Bless the USA was clear and present.

Prior to the presentation, one of the recipients relatives approached the QOV display. She came to advise, her relative was too disabled to attend and wanted to know if there was still a way for him to receive the quilt as it meant a lot to him. Discussion followed and they offered her the quilt to take to the recipient. The woman broke down in sobs and after lots of hugs and tears on our part, she left clutching his quilt.

Pride in the USA was everywhere.  I have not seen that kind of love of country in a long time. 

Book Review... Long Arm Quilting

For the long arm quilters... check out Angela Walter book.Free Motion Quilting..really great reference book.

For the crazy quilter...great reference for hand stitching.

Quilt that has caused my meltdown.

This week I posted frustration about a quilt in progress.  I took it to my Thursday guild and they helped me resolve my problem.

I thought you might like the item that caused my grief.  I am still piecing the border - but at least I have a plan.  Hope you like it.

The next stress is quilting...

Crown of Thorns

For months, I have been busy piecing a Crown of Thorns quilt.  I am so close to finishing, in fact, I am at the outer border and I can not get the border to fit.  I just want to cry.