Vintage Rose Quilt

Christmas is getting closer and I’m sewing constantly.  But, what better way to spend your time?  I’ve decided to make a quilt for a family member every year for Christmas.  This year, I decided to make one for my husband’s dad and step-mom.  I LOVE how it turned out!  It is made from the fabric line “Vintage Rose” by Nancy Odom that I bought years ago.  I used the pattern “Family Tradition” from the November/December 2012 McCall’s Quilting Magazine.  I thought it was appropriate!

It looks so pretty framed by the fall leaves.

At first, I was worried about putting on such a dark binding, but now I love the contrast.  It frames the quilt beautifully.

I also love how the green floral on the back contrasts with all the solid cream on the front.

Oh, and one more love…. checkerboard quilts. 

I may need to make another one of these for me…

Stormy

My Mug Rug

I had no idea what a mug rug was two weeks ago.  I must be out of the loop.  My sister called me to tell me how fun and easy it was to make one.  My thoughts?  I’d rather make a quilt.  Until…. this week the same sister introduced me to herbal teas.  Yum!  I didn’t know what I was missing.  Now, I’m afraid I’ve gone a bit tea crazy.  Of course I wanted a mug rug now! (Or, maybe I should call it a tea mat…. or tea quilt?)  What else would I use to go along with my collection of cute little tea cups?

It was so fun to make!  I designed it, pieced it, quilted it and sewed on the binding in just over two hours.

Stats: Riley Blake fabric – Felicity

Size: 10in x 12in

Fabric pieces:

Large floral  - 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches and 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

Plaid  -  2 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches

Medallion – 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches and 2 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches

Polka Dot – 3 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches

Geometric – Border around large floral – (2) 1 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. strips and (2) 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. strips.  You will also need a  1 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch strip and for binding a 2 1/2 x 50 inch strip.

I used a light weight batting and for the backing, a slightly larger rectangle of the large floral.  About a 12 x 14 piece.

It was fun quilting it too!  Some of the lines are not as straight as I would have wanted, (the side strip on purpose) but considering I had a three year old in my lap, I think it turned out pretty good.

This won’t be the last mug rug you see here…..

Stormy

Mom’s Block of the Month Sampler

I’m finally posting a finished project!  Yeah!  My husband (one of my most avid followers) pointed out that many of my recent posts have been from the past.  There is a reason for that.  I have been in charge of a church Christmas dinner, and have made a wedding jacket for a friend.  I’ve done most of my Christmas shopping, and have cooked Thanksgiving dinner and made six pies!  I’ve bottled about 40 jars of blueberry and blackberry pie filling, and helped my husband bottle 40 lbs of chicken and chicken soup.  I’ve had kids home from school for a week and have been cutting out a new quilt.  On top of all of this I’ve been being a normal, busy mom of five kids.  I just haven’t had a lot of time!  But, now many of my time consuming activities are in the past and I have lots of more time to quilt and more time to post about it!  Wahoo!

I believe that if you have a long to do list, you should start with the hardest, most time consuming item first.  On my list, that item was my mom’s block of the month quilt.

My two sisters, my mom, and I all belonged to a Block of the Month group.  We signed up two years in a row and added all the blocks together.  My mom is the only one of us to finish.  Yeah mom! The quilt ended up being quite large, so she asked me to quilt it for her on my mid-arm quilting machine.

She was specific on how she wanted it quilted.  (I normally just quilt an all over pattern.)

I have never quilted this much on a quilt before.  I think it turned out great.

I’ve had it since July and I’m taking it back to her when we go home for Christmas. 

I hope you like it mom!

Stormy

My Wedding Quilt

Last night I was going through my closet pulling Christmas presents out that had been hidden there over the past few months.  There was one present I just couldn’t find, so this morning I tore apart my closet trying to find the missing gift.  I still haven’t found it, but I did come across my wedding quilt up on the highest shelf.  I’ve never used it, because I’ve always been worried that somehow it would get ruined.  My grandmother made it out of her scraps and my mom put on the border and hand quilted it.  Every year or so, I pull it out of the closet and ooohh and ahhh over it, then I think of the five sets of grubby little paws in my house and put my quilt back up on the top shelf.  One day I’ll feel comfortable enough to pull it out and display it.

I am using some of the same scraps in my star quilt found here.  My grandmother used these fabrics in projects and for clothing for me, my siblings and cousins when we were kids. 

I should really call it my reminiscing quilt.

Stormy

Decadent Victorian

I’m super busy working on all kinds of projects right now.  But, none of them are finished.  So, I thought I’d feature one of my old quilts today.  It was made from the Moda line “Decadent Victorian” and the pattern is Jellystone Park from Legacy Patterns.

All four of my daughters love purple, but it’s never been a favorite of mine.  I loved the prints on this fabric, but couldn’t bring myself to buy it because of all the purple!  But, in every fabric store I went into, my eye was drawn to it.  So, I decided to buy a jelly roll. 

I’m glad I did.  This was a fun pattern to make.  Surprisingly easy too.

Of course I had to add a striped binding…

Stormy

Finished Shawl

Well, it took a little longer than I expected. (October was busy!)  But, I finally finished my shawl.  It’s so warm and cozy.

I woke up this morning and the house was a little cool, so I wrapped it around my shoulders as I was getting the kids out the door.  I think everyone should have a soft cuddly shawl.

I followed this pattern from redheart.com.  But, I wanted mine longer, so I added 24 more rows. I had to add twelve rows on each end because when I went back to buy another skein of yarn it was slightly darker.  (Yes, that does mean that on one side the twelve rows are upside down.  But, it’s not noticeable unless you look hard and it now has a pretty scallop on both sides.) I love how it turned out though.  It looks like I planned it all along! 

Stats: 2 1/2 skeins of medium weight yarn (7 ounces per skein).  I used the brand “I Love This Yarn” from Hobby Lobby.  It’s a favorite of mine because the yarn is super soft.  Color: light gray.

Next, on to the fingerless gloves! 

Stormy

Happy Halloween!

I hope everybody had a fun and happy Halloween!  We sure did.

Stormy