5 years have past?!?!?!

Oh my! Where have the years gone?

I have been actively quilting, but busy with life as well. We now have a small homestead with chickens, rabbits and ducks, plus our dogs. 57 animals to be exact...for today at least!  We also homeschool our youngest four children. We've been homeschooling for 3 years, and our oldest son just graduated and is headed to college in just two weeks! A new venture for him, and us.

I'm thinking it's time to get back to this quilting blog and to share my newest quilting adventures with each of you. I have updated my About Me page and edited my email address also. 

Batik HST's

I must admit, batiks are my favorite fabrics to work with. I love the look they give to a quilt. The colors, patterns make a quilt glow!

Marcy made this beautiful HST quilt with solid white and green/purple batiks. Simplistic in design, but very effective. 

I quilted a basic meander with a few feathery leaves thrown in for good measure to complement the batik fabrics. 

With a minkee backing and thin bamboo batting, this quilt turned out very nice. It has a great feel to it and will be wonderful to snuggle up with on cool nights. 

Zip Pocket Pouch Wallets

...got me sidetracked!!

See what I mean??

I made eight of these lovelies. These were made following a pattern by Michelle's Patterns. 

Now, to get back to Frogger and finish some quilts. 

Steelers Football Quilt

Peggy made this quilt for a grandson graduating from High School. 

She did a great job on the piecing. We agreed that since this quilt will be used on a bed for college, it needed to have simple, textured quilting. 

'Topo' meander fit the bill. 

The top thread is Maxilock in Graphite and bobbin is Magna Glide Classics in Lead Grey.  I used Winline Black 60/40 batting. The backing is a grey/yellow batik and the lead grey thread just blended in beautifully! 

Thanks Peggy for the pleasure of quilting for you on this fun quilt. 

And...since this was a football quilt...I had to take pictures of it at the football field!!

A Quilted Hug for Tina

My sweet friend, Tina, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March of 2013.  Her attitude is contagious! If only we can all be like her. 

My oldest daughter, Taylor, is friends with her sons and looks up to Tina. She was devastated and knew that she had to make a quilt for our friend. Taylor knows how much comfort a quilt can provide. She is a survivor of Lemierre's Syndrome, and spent much time in treatment.  

We put out a plea from the APQS forum looking for Homespun fabrics. WOW! Did these ladies come through. Taylor received so much fabric that we will be making more quilts this summer to donate to others battling disease. Thank you all!!!!!

Isn't she gorgeous with hot pink hair!! I love it.

I should add that I quilted this in my Topo Meander, and added 3 hidden words also. HOPE, FAITH and LOVE. I hope and pray that this quilt does so much more than provide warmth. Will keep praying for you my friend. You are much loved!!

Gravel on Green

I have been staring at this quilt top for some time, and finally, a design came to mind that I am really pleased with. 

Introducing 'Gravel'...an edge-to-edge design that is quilted completely freehand. 

This larger pebble design ranges in size from 3/4" to 2" per 'rock'.

This is a rather dense design, but I love it on this quilt. I used a double layer of Bamboo batting, so once washed, this is going to be one soft quilt, with lots of drape! 

Timothy School - Autism Awareness

Carol made this quilt top for the Timothy School.  This is the fourth year that we have worked together to make a difference for the school and these special kids with Autism. 

The quilt pattern is Brownstone by Cozy Quilt Designs.  I quilted this using "Double Plume" pantograph to give lots of texture.  The backing is the softest chambray denim and shows off the quilting nicely.  Our hope is that this quilt makes a lot of money at the silent auction.