Memorial Day

The trouble with homespun....

I've been to about 6 or 7 quilt shops from Spring, Texas down to Galveston. And guess what I found??? Very little to NO homespun.

I was told at the last shop, yesterday, "Homespun really isn't in style anymore." Oh really??

I understand each store has it's own "style" and carries fabric that the owner loves, but to tell me homespun isn't in style??? I don't know.

So, I did what I didn't want to do. I Googled "homespun fabric". I found several online shops that specialize in homespuns. And, I ordered three different pieces of fabrics. One or two should work, right?? I have some pieces large enough for the inner border I have planned....and I'll see what works once they get here.

I don't know, I've always been a bit behind the times.....I still like homespun fabrics. I've been collecting them for a long time. I made a little throw about 10 years ago, made with homespun. And, now I've made Homespun Stars. Sounds like a real trend at my house. :)

Jubilee Homespun

Hugs and Stitches



Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The mess I told you about.....

When I first started quilting, I pieced by hand. Everything. I wanted to be a purist.

But the problem was this: I wasn't a perfectionist. Face it, I wasn't even good at it. Most of my blocks were a mess. I was constantly asking my sister in law, "What's wrong with it?" She tried to help me, but the fact is, I wasn't a careful template tracer, and I sewed in giant stitches, and I didn't stay on the sewing lines.

Eventually, I got a bit better. And, I even tried teaching some friends. They did their best too. And, they struggled like I did.

Then we all changed to machine piecing. And, some of us continued quilting and have improved our skill.

I'm still not a great quilter. But I do well enough. I don't show my work up close. LOL The main thing is that I love quilting. And, I enjoy the process (most of the time).

But there is a problem. I have lots of orphan blocks and bits. A lot of them were made by my friends. I've even had people I don't know give me stuff when they find out I quilt. And, I ended up with a drawer full of orphan blocks.

Most of them are hand pieced. And, they are badly done. I should just throw them away, but I can't. And, I can't cut them to square them off. Oh, and I forgot to add that this was before I understood about contrast! Everything blends together into a muddled mess! Ugh.

So I spent time yesterday pulling out the "brighter" blocks and bits and started adding sashing, etc. so that I could lop off some fabric and end up with something square.

I didn't worry about seam allowances, etc. on those hand pieced blocks. I just sewed a piece of fabric onto the block in a straight line, ignoring any missing points, etc.

Here is what I started with:


And, here is what I have now:

There are plenty more blocks to play with. Lots of "stuff" still left over. I don't know what I'm doing here, just trying to use up some blocks and empty a drawer. I did throw some REALLY bad blocks away. But these weren't too bad. (Ha!)

Isn't it a horrid mess????

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!

Homespun Stars.....

The top is done, all except the borders. I'm going to try to make a run to the quilt shop after my dentist appointment tomorrow and see if I can find something I LOVE for the borders.



I'm glad to have this one about done. It was a fun project to work on.

Wait til you see what mess I've gotten into now.....oh my.

Hint: GOLDEN OLDIES!!!!!!

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!!

Grandsons are the best!

The stars are out!!

All the stars are made, the quilt is resting on the living room floor and I've begun the process of putting the top together.



I'm really loving this quilt.

I didn't get much time this weekend to sew, what with all the family here. But the beginning of the week should be much slower and I just might find some time to sew the larger four patch blocks together and start on the rows.

We'll see how far I get.....

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!!!

Thinking about borders....

and leaning toward a red inner border (2 inch or so) and a dark blue outer border (4 1/2 inch or so) for the Homespun Stars quilt. Both in plaids.

I think I have the red covered, but does anyone know of a good blue plaid for the outer border?? It's not easy for me to find plaid quilting fabric online.

Let me know.....send me a link or the name of the fabric line.

Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Better????

Yes, I removed the two stars with white backgrounds. They are now in the orphan blocks drawer. Someday they will make it into a quilt. :)

So, what do you think?? Does it look better?? I think so.

And, this is what else I did today..... I put in a bunch of bedding plants, about 80 of them. And, because of the drought, we almost lost some of our ornamental grass. I'm trying to water them and praying they come back.




One step at a time.

I'll show my garden in a couple of days. We're getting ready for our son, daughter in law and GRANDSON who are coming tomorrow!!! I'm sure I won't be doing much quilting this weekend.

Happy Quilting!!!!!

Mini Respite and Homespun Stars....

I arrived home yesterday from a short mini respite trip. I try to take them about 3-4 times a year. As most of you know, I am a full time caregiver for my husband who was diagnosed with MS eleven years ago. He needs complete care, and can't do anything for himself, except lift a water glass and sometimes he can feed himself finger foods.

Anyway, I took a trip to Galveston Island and stayed in a Bed & Breakfast. My hostess was a precious lady who likes to give hugs. She waited on me hand and foot. I got to soak in a nice bath, watch movies, read and did a bit of hand quilting, all without being interrupted. I drove around the island, ate a delish steak at Saltgrass, walked on the beach and rested.

I had an AMAZING time!

On the way home, I stopped by some quilt shops and picked up some more fabrics. I found several indigos, some reproductions and a couple of plaids.

And speaking of plaids, I followed my SIL's advice and have started making my (our) version of Homespun Stars. I'm loving it!!! I'm making more blocks, so I'm able to use lots of different fabrics. This quilt is looking scrappy....and you know those are my favorite quilts! I'm planning on adding two borders.

(I added in a couple of white backgrounds, and now I'm thinking I don't like those two blocks....they stand out too much. What do you think?? Should I ditch them??)

I'm not sure this is how I will set the blocks, but as I finish the smaller stars, I'll move things around. But overall, I'm loving this quilt. It's taken over my nine patches in priority. :) Those nine patches will still be there, right.

And, I'm still quilting on the Hopscotch Quilt. I'm really loving it too.

I had a dental appointment right before my trip to Galveston, and had a temporary crown put on. The temporary crown was bothering me so badly, I've been having to take Vicodin. :( I went back in today and the dentist trimmed the crown up a bit. We think it was pushing on my gums causing discomfort. I'm feeling a bit better and I'm really hoping it gets better. Soon. The permanent crown should be ready next week.

Ok....enough chit chat. Back to the sewing room! :)

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!

Amazingly Simple Star Quilts

I've had this book for a while, but I've never made anything from it. Amazingly Simple Star Quilts by Jeanne Stauffer and Sandra L Hatch.



One of my goals is to make at least one quilt from every book I own. After all, I bought the book because at least one quilt appealed to me, right?? I have a couple of quilts in this book that I really like....

This week, I started playing with my fabric and moving things around and found some plaids that I've had FOREVER. I remembered that there was a quilt in one of my books that I loved and pulled out the book Amazingly Simple Star Quilts. I found the quilt I was thinking about. It's called Homespun Stars.



This is a simple quilt. But star blocks, especially the Sawtooth Star, have always been a favorite. I'm making this one using Homespun plaids, one printed plaid, some brushed cottons and stripes. Thus far, I am making it following the pattern, as far as size. But the closer I get to finishing all the blocks, I'm wondering if I need to make this quilt a bit bigger?? I have enough fabric. I just can't imagine needing a quilt that is 59 inches square. I won't be hanging this one...I'd like to be able to use it someday. Maybe I should make it at least big enough to cuddle under.

What do you think, should I make it larger??



Edited to add a picture of the quilt in the book.

Edited again to add my sister in law's idea to make the quilt larger.


Happy Quilting!!!!!!

Oh my!

This past week, Dear Younger Daughter told me that she would like to make a quilt. So, being a good mother (and an encouraging quilter), we ran right out and picked up some fabric for her.



I let her pick it out all by herself....these fabrics really are the three she chose. I think she did a great job! It's funny because her comforter is very similar to the brown dot fabric. :)

I'm doing the cutting, and she's sewing and pressing. So far, we've only made two blocks. That's because something is weird and I can't figure out what it is. The blocks are coming out....what is the word....weird. Some of her seams aren't exactly straight and that I understand. But the block looks twisted. Anyway, she and I both were frustrated.....fortunately not with each other. And, we left the blocks sitting. We are both hoping to get back to her quilt soon.

We are making a mock trip around the world pattern, found HERE.

I saw this quilt on Pat's blog, Bell Creek Quilts, and thought it would be a great quilt for my daughter to start with. (She did have a tiny bit of sewing experience.) Pat was so kind and sent me a lengthy e-mail with great info about this quilt and how to make it. I was curious how much yardage was needed. Thanks to Pat's info, I purchased enough to make the quilt large (just in case)....but we'll stop when Dear Younger Daughter tires of it or thinks it's big enough. I will do the quilting for her.

I had another horrid dental appointment yesterday, and have had to take some pain meds afterward. Feeling a bit better today though. But now, I've got to focus on cleaning. Ick. Maybe Friday, I'll be able to get back to sewing...

I did make a few more nine patches....I now have 30 of them. I'm thinking about the layout, etc. and I'm thinking I need 60 or so. I put ten of them together each time I sit down, and they go together quickly, so it won't be hard to get the rest of them done. I'm thinking of alternating with plain blocks, so that when I quilt it, the quilting will really show. And, I'm thinking of making it without borders. Kind of a "utility quilt" look. Nothing matchy, matchy, lots of different fabrics...a nod to our quilting ancestors. Quilts like my maternal grandmother used to make, using what she had. (My paternal grandmother made beautiful quilts.)

Oh, and I also organized my fabric folded on the shelves. Moved them around a bit, sorted (a bit) by color, etc. It was fun playing with my fabrics again.

And, then, I ran across some plaids I had purchased long ago.....and am thinking of cutting out another quilt (I did cut out one block). I know, I know.....I have so many UFO's I really should start on them, but I just can't help myself! I'll give you a peek in a few days.

Now, I'm off to clean house and get ready for our Small Group Meeting from church tonight. Can't wait to see my sweet friends.

And, Thursday, before the dentist appointment, I was able to get all four Give Away Winners prizes in the mail. So, be on the lookout for them! Woo hoo!!!! Hoping they each let me see their projects when they are done. I know I'll be a bit jealous and wish I had them back!! LOL No, I'll be gracious and just be happy for them. :)

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!

Mother's Day goings on....

So for Mother's Day, I did nothing. AMAZINGLY wonderful. :) My kiddos went to church, as usual, but I stayed home with Dear Hubby. I drank coffee, hand quilted, and even took a nap.

My kids brought home roses, a card, and a couple of gifts cards: one for iTunes and one for a Spa. Nice.

They also bought dinner, Chinese food, and we all piled into my bedroom and watched "Never a Dull Moment" (1968, Dick Van Dyke) and one DVRd episode of Saturday Night Live.

It really was a pleasant day. I kept playing the Mother's Day Card....."I can't do that, it's Mother's Day", and was able to get out of everything I didn't want to do. :)

I've quilted 30 of the 48 blocks on my Hopscotch Quilt. Still puttering along....

And, this past week I made some nine patch blocks, just for fun.

I'm thinking I need to put another quilt top together, so I don't forget how to piece in the midst of all this hand quilting!!

They are made using my 3 inch strips. So, they finish at 7 1/2 inches. Weird size, I know. But I am determined to use up all these strips I have cut. I have them in every size, and I am constantly looking for scrap quilt patterns that use the strips I have already cut up. I'm in love with squares.....and since I'm currently quilting a sixteen patch quilt, I changed it up and made nine patches. :)

Ok, that's about it for now.....so Happy Quilting!!!!!!!

Oh so nice....

Our anniversary is the end of this month.....and of course, Mother's Day is tomorrow. So......my Dear Hubby sent me out shopping for this::




I'm in love with it. I LOVE the color, and I can't wait to fill the bottom two shelves with quilts that I've finished. A couple of my quilts are out camping this weekend (with Dear Older Daughter) and one is at an EMT station (where my son works and sleeps), and all the others are either on a bed here, or are small wall hanging quilts or have been given away.

The quilter's children have no quilts!

The cabinet has beadboard backing and stained shelves. It's super sturdy and has beveled glass. Sigh.

We had a large computer armoire in this spot and it took up so much room, both physically and visually. Now that Dear Hubby is not able to get out of bed, we have gotten rid of the big desk top computer and Dear Older Son put together a nice laptop for Dear Hubby. (And, he has an iPad too.)

I've wanted one of these cabinets for oh so long.....and I finally have one. Rather expensive for our normal gifts, so I'm combining Mother's Day and anniversary. :) I do have the sweetest hubby.

Happy Mother's Day (and anniversary) to me!!!!!!

The winners are......

34, 32, 5, 4

Random numbers generated May 7 2011 at 9:40:0



Winona -- The Chicken Hearted Kit

Tudy -- The Wild Geese Pattern

Alina -- The Pin Cushion Kit

Kathy H -- The Bluebonnet Needle Case Kit


Congratulations to all four winners!!!!!!

Please contact me with your addresses. I am not sure when I will be able to get to the post office, but will get your prizes in the mail as soon as possible.

Thank you for all the comments. :)

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!

Give Away and gardening....

Just wanted to remind everyone to click the link and comment on THIS BLOG POST in order to have your name in the drawing for the giveaway. That's all you have to do is comment! The winners will be announced sometime tomorrow.

And, my square foot garden is growing so well. I've had to push the cucumbers back so they will grow onto the supports instead of taking over my bed! I even have little squash growing and tomato blooms. And, the best part is that I've been using my herbs to cook with. SOOOOO good and I feel like I'm saving money every time I snip some rosemary or basil. :) This is a lot of fun.



I'm still quilting on my Hopscotch quilt and I think I'm almost half way finished! We're having friends over this weekend, so I'm sure I won't have much time for quilting. But, there's always next week, right???

Happy Quilting!!!!!

Pillowcases

Please read Carol's post on her blog "Brown Quilts". If it touches your heart as much as it has mine and many others, please help.

Here is a link to free pillowcase patterns from APQ.

Happy Quilting!!!!!

Give Away!!!!!

Ok, here is what we have. I was going through a basket of stuff in my sewing room and came across these four things that I needed to be realistic about.

The first one is this kit called Chicken Hearted. I fell for this one years ago at the Houston Quilt Festival. Each year, I go to their booth, admire the quilt all finished, and dream of buying another kit. I refuse until I finish this one....and after 6 years, I still haven't done it. Chances are it's not going to happen. Plus I have OOODLES of small quilts and have no place for them.
The next item up for give away is this little pattern called "Wild Geese". This is a tissue paper pattern (paper pieced) for 3 3/4 inch blocks. You can make up to 36 of them. Cute pattern, but here is the story behind this one. I order things online all the time because it's just easier for me since I'm home so much of the time taking care of my husband. While clicking around online, ordering fabric and stuff, I must have accidentally clicked on it and added it to my basket. By the time I noticed, I had already placed the order and paid for it. Not the online store's fault. I should have double checked my basket. Live and learn, right? I won't be making this one either, so I'm offering it as a give away.

The third item is a give away I got on a Quilt Shop Hop. It's a pin cushion kit. This is from Quilts By The Bay in Galveston, Texas. I love the fabric and the pattern looks easy. But I don't need another pin cushion and I don't really like making them. I definitely don't want to throw this away, and would like to share it.


And, the last item is another give away from a Quilt Shop Hop. This little kit will make a bluebonnet needle case. This one is from a quilt shop in Humble, Texas called It's a Stitch. Lovely shop, lovely people. Now, what Texas girl wouldn't LOVE a bluebonnet needle kit?? I love it too, but know I would never use it. And, the idea of working on it just is not appealing to me. I'd rather share it.

These two pics show the finished needle case and the fabrics included.


Now, there are no hoops to jump through. Just comment on this post before Friday May 6th, midnight, CST, and I'll pick four winners. I'll post the winners names on Saturday sometime. We need to be able to communicate by e-mail, so that I can get your address and get your give away items in the mail, as soon as my life allows. :)

I'm not making money here, I'm just cleaning out my sewing room. I'm not selling items I won for free, just passing them on.

The kits include all the items needed to finish the projects.

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!!

Update....

on the Hopscotch Quilt: 18 blocks hand quilted (as well as the sashing around them). I've been doing just about nothing else, and I'm really pleased with the progress. Here is a pic of part of the quilt. Hopefully, clicking on the pic will enlarge it so you can see the quilting. Simple pattern, simple quilting. :)



And, yesterday, I made the backing for the Spider Web Quilt. I think that will be my next top to transform. Of course, I may change my mind, as I've been known to do. LOL

I also found a couple of items I've had around here for a while and I'd like to share them. So, I am hoping to have a give away sometime soon. So keep your eyes open!

And, for Judith, who asked for the crumbs....they are on the way. I mailed them last Thursday. I also added in a bit of "Texas" and some chocolate. Hope it doesn't take three weeks! :)

Happy Quilting!!!!!!!!!!!!