March goes out

My goal was to make at least one Christmas item each month so that when fall came, I wasn't overwhelmed. Well, I finished the wall hanging, two of Allison's Christmas placemats, and three of my Christmas blocks for the exchange. All is well even though we had a real South Dakota blizzard today and it was great impetus to complete something Christmas like. I need to finish the spring placemats for the Minnesota boys tomorrow so that I can mail them later this week.
McCalls magazine has a mystery quilt showcased in this month's magazine. I think I will make the blocks in blue and perhaps use the quilt in our bedroom. I have loads of blue fat quarters but may have to invest in some bigger pieces of something I really love.

Christmas in March

I decided to do something for Christmas each month so that the fall doesn't become inadated with projects. This month I completed a pattern done by Karen Taylor for Moda. I bought the fabric last summer in Minnesota and decided to do the wall hanging. I also completed two of the six placemats in the same fabric line for Allison. I delivered those this past weekend. I really love this Birchwood Lane line of fabric for last Christmas. I am pleased with how it turned out.

Something for one of my sweethearts

I made this cozy small quilt for my little Garrett. I know he will love the monkeys. I think grown-ups should get quilts made of this fuzzy stuff. If you look closely at the picture on the left, you can see Garrett's name. Love my Q-bot!

Wonderful Sunday Afternoon

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon! My friend, Pam, came over and we quilted her first quilt. She attended the same class this fall and made the "Seven, Eight, Lay Them Straight" pattern as I finished last month. I took a picture of the silver blue thread pattern on the background and then a picture of the top. It is amazing how different the quilts look with the different colors. It took us three hours to quilt the top. It looked so nice. The first of many I hope. Great job, Pam.

Remember the Block Exchange

Sara sent a picture of her block. It is called "Arm Flags" from the Ode to Aging Saturday Sampler. This is what the second of twelve blocks will look like in the exchange. Of course she has the focus fabric which is green holly. Don't you just love the jacquard gold she used (looks like polka dots). Really spectacular in the block. Thanks, Sara.

Cathy's Quilt

Almost a year ago I offered to make my "sister" a quilt. She lives in Michigan and really has a sense for color and decorating. She wanted a quilt for her upstairs bedroom. Well she wanted a tone on tone and the tone was cream. It has been a real pistol to make as what I thought was a simple pattern had many cuts and seams and the more of those I have, the greater chance for small errors. The pattern was in a magazine and was called "Lemon Bars". The magazine is Better Homes and Garden Quilts and More, Spring 2008. I think she will love it as everyone who sees it done believes it is quite elegant. She knew it would be, I couldn't see the forest for the trees. I used a simple heart on heart design to quilt it. Here are the pictures. The backing is a warm brown she selected. Putting the label on a bedsize quilt is a great feeling.

Sara's Sew Beautiful

My friend, Sara, came over on Saturday and we finally were able to machine quilt her beautiful turquoise and black quilt. The circles pattern looks really nifty on the black and white dot backing. Notice the beautiful print in the border. It came out so well. Only took her two hours to complete. She plans to bind it in black like the narrow inner border. I learn a great deal about color from Sara.

This Year's Saturday Sampler

I have my first block done in this year's Saturday Sampler which is called Favorite Things. I selected the dippin dots fabric. The bonus block this month is one done in batiks. I wonder who the lucky winner will be of all of those beautiful blocks. This block is all done in 2 1/2 stips. Really simple.

Block Exchange

I have been reading about block exchanges, so I approached some friends and we decided to put together a Christmas exchange. Twelve of us are making a block to exchange plus one. We will take the thirteenth blocks and make a quilt to auction for charity. The focus fabric we each need to incorporate is the green holly that is the triangle in my block. This block is called Jack in the Box and this is my first block completed. The white fabric has snowflakes and the light green has the words in script of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". Only took me three tries to get it exactly like I wanted. I am so excited!

When One Rides, One Sees More Billboards

On Saturday, my brother and sister-in-law were visiting us from Minnesota. John had seen some books at Al's Oasis in Oacoma so we were off on a short road trip. I drive I-90 everyday to my office in Platte, but the stretch from exit 292 to Chamberlain was "not so often viewed" territory so I took advantage of being a rider and not driving. I noticed a billboard advertising the Quilt Shop on Chamberlain's main street. So after we visited Al's and of course, had some pie, we drove across the Missouri and up Main Street.
I didn't have my camera with me but we drove up in front of a nice house with a big front porch. Upon entering, we found ourselves in a neatly organized, but really full of fabrics, with rooms of fabric to view. They even had a room with items finished items for sale. The two owners were very nice to talk to and we found out you can bring a group for a retreat. They have a finished basement with ironing boards and cutting places. You just bring your machines, UFOs, and some refreshments for the weekend.
I plan to tell my friends about this place. I also got to see the new accucut machine and die for cutting fast and accurately. A great item for a group to purchase and share. I really recommend stopping at this shop if you are near Chamberlain. I plan to go back!