My October Finish!

Well, my leaders/enders project a la Bonnie Hunter is finally done and is my finish for October! I believe I started this project (the 25 patches) in late 2005 or early 2006. Since I truly only sewed on this as a leaders and enders project it took a long time! I made the hour glass blocks in 2007 and put the body of the quilt together last year. This year I finally got to the borders and quilting and am really happy with this one! For quilting, I just did straight lines in the center and feathers through 2 borders. It is a large quilt (it's nickname is The Beast) measuring in at 96" square and is the largest quilt I've made.  Trying to do more than the straight quilting in the center did not appeal to me as I quilt on a regular home machine. Plus I really like the way the straight lines highlight the geometrics of this quilt. For the borders, I drew the spine of the feather and freehanded the rest.

Now it's on to my November project. It is another top that stopped short of getting its borders. Good news is that it is fall fabrics so it will be fun to work on this time of the year and it's much smaller than this one was so it should go fast!

Hope you are working on something that inspires you!

Melanie

Progress!

Well, I'm working on finishing up my OPAM for October. Got the quilting finished Thursday evening and added a label yesterday. I'm really bad about labels and as you can see, I didn't add this one before the quilting, but it's got a label nonetheless. Also sewed the binding on yesterday and now have the seemingly monumental task of hand sewing it down. This quilt is 96" square so that's 32 feet of binding to sew down! At any rate I know I'll have it done in time for the end of the month. I will share some pictures of it as soon as I have a finished product! Until then, hope you are getting some of your own projects done!!

Melanie

Very fun package in the mail!!

A package came in the mail on Friday from my niece, Sarah and her mom, my sister Betsy stuffed full of these fabrics and pattern they got at the Buggy Barn for me! Isn't it great?? I just loved opening the package and lifting each piece of fabric out and looking at it. What a lovely bunch of fabrics to make this pretty fall quilt. Fall is THE quilting season isn't it? I can't wait to dive into this!!

Hope you are enjoying a quilty project too!!

Melanie

Beautiful "Blocks" Given to Me by Courtney

My lovely quilt group did a really fun thing for me for my 50th birthday: they each gave me a gift of 50 things. I got things like a box of bible verses, a jar of hershey's kisses, tea lights, 5" squares....it was great!

My dear friend Courtney gave me these 50 "blocks" of the state flowers that she embroidered. Aren't they beautiful? She embroidered a set of these blocks for herself and one set for her mother, my friend Rana. Problem was, she was completely sick of them by the time she got done making them. She is so skilled at embroidery! I wish I had half her talent! She has asked me to take them apart and re-set them, which I am happy to do! Here are some more photos....

 

I can't wait until I'm well enough to go fabric shopping in an actual quilt shop so I can find just the right fabrics to set these with! I think, no I know, this is one of the most generous gifts anyone has given me. I've told her that she is welcome to take this back any time she wants...it's just too much!

Thanks Court! You're the best!

A Beautiful Quilt Given to me by Wonderful Ladies

This quilt was given to me by the wonderful gals in my quilt group. I took it with me to my 2nd chemo session yesterday and it was a big hit. I almost felt sorry for all those other people in their drab hospital blankets. It was obvious that I had people who loved me and I brought them there with me in a way. It was like they were there all around me (in spirit, of course).  I know they are keeping me in their prayers and that means so much to me; I can't really express my gratitude for it.

These 3 applique/embroidery blocks were done by Vangie. She embroiders so beautifly. The patterns are  from here.

 

This lovely signature block was made by Le. I LOVE it! It really brings the sentiment of the quilt together and I look at this part all the time. Thanks Le!

 

i just love these ladies. Wasn't that the sweetest thing? Oh, I forgot to mention the backing is flannel and the binding is satin. Wonderful!