Linda's Antique Quilt

This antique quilt top was picked up by Linda in Yuma at an Antique store.  What a find. Linda wasn't sure of the age, but was thinking the fabrics looked like they came from the 1950s.  The star blocks were all hand pieced, with a machine used for the sashing.  If you know the name of the block, can you please let me know.

Now from the old to the new.  Linda had joined with a group of wonderful ladies to work on "One Block Wonders."  Here are a couple of the quilts as works in progress.

The first has it's blocks placed ready for stitching together.  The second is still waiting for a couple of blocks to be finished before the rearranging begins.
Thanks to the entire group for the invite over, the visit and of course, the carrot cake.

Zig Zag Quilting

I just finished quilting this quilt for my friend Linda.  Her daughter had fallen in love with this quilt and fabric when she saw it at Katja's, so Linda is making it for her for Christmas.

I decided that a quilt that had Zig Zags, need to be quilted with zig zags.  This is the result.

I used Signature Petal Pink in the coloured part of the quilt, and then used white to loopy meander the background.  This zig zag was something I hadn't quilted before, so it was fun to try it out.

Sweet Surprise!

Yesterday I received a sweet surprise!

A wonderful friend dropped by with a little box of goodies.  Inside was a beautiful mug rug, a cheerful  christmas mug and two bags of cookies.  I had a terrible day at work, oh so cold. This sweet treat brightened my day so much.  I sat down with a cup of tea and my goodies and thought about all the great friends I have.  Thanks Barbara!!!!!!

Wanda's Quilt

If you are up for it, I have a picture of another retirement quilt.  A year and a half ago I had made this quilt for a sample for the shop, and then gave it to my Mom when all the bird panels had sold.  I love working with panels as they give me a great opportunity to play with the quilting.  Anyways, I had it at work stitching the binding on, and Wanda saw it.  She fell in love with it.

As soon as Terry dropped Wanda off on her route, she phoned me and asked if I would pick up the fabric so we could make Wanda the quilt.  Terry did all the piecing, and I quilted it.  The picture shows Terry on the left, Wanda and me.  Terry was tearing up and Wanda and I were trying not to do the same, without much success.  Wanda was so much fun to work with and we will both miss having her at work to keep life interesting.  Happy retirement Wanda!

Mark's Fly Fishing Quilt

Recently a good friend of mine was retiring, and his wonderful wife asked that instead of gifts, we all give him fly fishing flies.  I dug into my large stash and came out with some fly fishing fabric, and decided that would just have to do.

Now Mark and his dogs can snuggle and dream of fishing.

As you can see, there are a lot of fishing flies on the quilt, so I did play by the rules even if I did stretch them a little.  I'm sure Dawn will forgive me.

I hope Mark enjoys many years of retirement.  I can hardly wait for next spring when we can all get out to the lakes together.

Many sweet dreams under your quilt!

Sylvia's Quilt using the Accucutter

Recently I quilted a quilt for my friend Sylvia.  She had used her Accucutter to cut the shapes for the rough edge applique.  Sylvia and I have worked together before, so she knew that she didn't have to sew the applique down before bringing me the quilt.  She place a dot of glue behind the pieces, then pinned them in place with all the pins laying horizontal, so that the quilt would be easy to roll on my Longarm.

I quilted about an eighth of an in around on all of the applique.

I used the same thread that I was using for the background.  There were way to many pieces to change thread colour for each one.  The tread blends nicely and once the edges fray with washing, you won't be able to see it.

Once the quilting is done around the applique, it pops right up.

Between the two of us, I think the quilt looks great.  Working with Sylvia is always a delight!

I couldn't resist putting in this picture of Blanche with the two youngest grandchildren.  Blanche will put up with whatever the kids dish out.  When she is getting tired or hurt, she gives us this look.  Save me.  Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't.  Either way, she always loves her babies!

More from Market

The quilt show at Market is stunning.  I wondered around the show for about 3 hours, not nearly enough time to give it justice.  The beauty of going through the show at market is that no one else is there.  Everyone is buying at the vendors booths, with no time to see the show.  What a shame.  Above is a sampling of some of the quilts.

Of course I visited one of my favourite booths, the Blackbird Design ladies.

This was the view from our room as the sun set over Houston.  After a busy weekend Katja and I said goodbye to another great market, and headed home.