Not your mother's baby quilts!

Got these sent off Tuesday and they are hopefully now at their new home in NH.
I mentioned that DD#1 didn't want typical baby quilts. These qualify, don't you think? And what fun they were to make!

My top two favorite fabric styles are Civil War reproductions and batiks, so you know I enjoyed these. Third on my list would be thrift store shirts, so I think my next baby quilt will come from that stash.

I wasn't going to put feathers on a baby quilt, but those setting triangles just called out to me, "practice your feathers!!". And believe me, I needed the practice. I draw the curve for the spine of the feather and then work my way up one side of the spine, stitching along the line as I come back down to start up the other side

 I get the quilt "puddled" around the triangle that I will be stitching, and then I get into the flow of the feathering. It is fun, even when I am rusty and have several glitches along the way. I did not unpick (my apologies to the new grandbaby).

 This is what resulted. I realize the final border wasn't stitched when I took this photo, but that's okay, because it wasn't that great. : )

These were April's blocks for those things I don't do. (BB BOM and Attic Heirlooms OOM)

Have only got them fused. May get to the stitching during the MLS soccer game on TV tonight. : ) The snowlady doesn't look like much without all of the stitched details. That will be a basket of flowers in her twiggy hands, and she will be wearing a floral wreath on her chilly brow. If you are doing the BB BOM you may notice that I added a strawberry to my tomato pincushion. Just felt right.

If you follow this blog because you like mini quilts, then you will want to stay tuned. Recently Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings introduced the results of a collaboration with Creative Grids. These rulers are expressly made to meet the needs of the mini maker. They can be ordered here (6x6) and here (3x7).

See all of the thin, little dashed lines in small increments, and the measurements written along the edges? And they have the textured surface along the bottom edges to grip the fabric.  I have been playing with them and in my next post I will be sharing my experiences and giving a thorough review. Believe me, I am thrilled! Thank you, Lisa--somebody needed to do this!!

I'll leave you with another shot of the Sandhill Crane that has been wandering a field to the north of us the past few days. Isn't he a handsome fellow, standing there in the dandelion peppered alfalfa? Don't know if he lost his mate or if he hasn't had one yet, but he looks lonely.

Oh, I forgot to mention that this month marks the 4th anniversary of my blog. One of these days a giveaway will probably surface.

Until next time,
Janet O.

This, That, and The Other (and this, again)

THIS...

 ...is what I did while I still had my Kim Diehl fabrics out. She designed this for a recent quilt cruise project. No, I didn't go, but Michelle did and she loaned me the pattern after she made hers. I had seen Kim's when I took her class last Fall, and I am happy to now have my own. Thanks, Michelle!

The scraps from the above project made some great little ornaments. I haven't made these for a little while and it was fun to do them again. I really like the pineapple in these fabrics. Think I'll have to make more--someday.

That...

...is my version of Pam Buda's Nabby's Dowry SAL under Gidget's needle. Finally getting it quilted up for grandchild #5. DD#1 does not want typical baby quilts, and I am more than happy to oblige.  : )

Can you see my FMQ sample from my first class hanging above my machine? That is to encourage me. When I feel like I am not doing a good job of quilting, I can glance up and remember that I have come a long way.

The Other...

...recent activity in my sewing room has been quilting and binding these two little quilts. On the left is my "Bowties in Plaid" (aka Baby Bowties), made from thrift store shirt fabrics, and on the right is the little quilt I made replicating one of Kathie Holland's creations (still nameless). The fabrics were donated by Kathie and I made the top quickly, but I stalled on the quilting.

 I got them finished in time for...

...this.

 I visited the local miniature quilt guild again. I had a few more quilts this time than when I did a trunk show last year, and I didn't have to borrow back any that I had gifted in order to have enough. This was a display only, not a presentation, and that took a lot of the pressure off.

This guild is such a great bunch of gals. What a fun evening! If I was ever tempted to join a guild, this would be the one! Thanks, ladies!

Now I need to get busy on those wool applique projects I am  finding every 30 days or so on a couple of blogs. (I worked really hard there not to say BOM--you know, those things I DON'T do).

Until next time,

Janet O.

Heartspun Quilts Trunk Show!

On the night of the retreat we had a wonderful meal at Maddox Lodge. Then Pam shared with us her thoughts on quilt making by "prairie women" and the "make-do" approach many had to apply. She had several antique quilts on hand for us to see, illustrating the elements she described. Then we were treated to a parade of her lovely designs and creations for Heartspun Quilts. I won't try to show you all of them, but there are quite a few I can't resist sharing. For the most part, I'll let them speak for themselves.

I have been eyeing this on Pam's blog for some time. She has done it in R/W/B there, and I love it that way!

                                                                 This pattern is named Winter Retreat, so of course I had to buy it at Winter Retreat. I have plans for this that I will share another time.

I think I am already sorry I didn't buy this pattern. I would like to make it bed size.

Love the baskets all topsy-turvey!

No Y-seams in this design--thanks, Pam!

 Above is Pam's new design "Settler's Puzzle". Below, you can see some of Linda Hrcka's beautiful quilting.

Dark and dirty churn dash, in a small quilt. Be still my heart!

Fun to see Nabby's Dowry in person, after having sewn along with Pam to make it myself (only mine isn't quilted yet).

I came home with a stack of patterns. At the trunk show, the pattern, hexie papers, and fabric for this pincushion were all in a little kit by our place setting.

I was gifted two of these "Journey" packs by a couple of very sweet women--I bought the other one.

 Village Dry Goods gals made one of these cool mug caddies for each participant in Friday's workshop. Love it! Had to buy the pattern. : ) Saturday's workshop participants got a jar of hand made hand cream. Wonderful stuff--thanks to Fran!

 Each day Pam gifted us with one of her patterns and a fun sewing themed bag.

Kim, my friend and traveling companion, presented me with this very sweet and fun bundle! On the left are two bars of soap she made. Can't wait to try it! And just look at that chunky churndash pincushion. I forgot to ask if she knew it is one of my favorite blocks--and I love pink and brown together!

Pam and the Village Girls made sure it was a wonderful weekend! Now back to reality!! : )

Until next time,
Janet O.