Veterans Hospital Quilts

 There is a quilt group in my area that makes and donates

quilts to our local Veterans Hospital.

They have sewing days once a month and a number of

the members choose to work on these quilts then.

I was told that last year they donated 120 quilts to the VA hospital.

 

120 Quilts!!!

 

This is not a huge group of people making these quilts.

One thing that makes it easier to receive so many quilts for donation

is that a few of the members will quilt the quilt tops at no charge.

The group purchases batting and backing, so all one has to do

is supply the top to them. It will be returned quilted and ready for binding.

 

I gave this batik top that I had made a while ago to a member of the 

group and it was quilted for me. I got it back, sewed the binding on

and am ready to return it to the group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since I am meeting this member to return the quilt,

why not have another one to give to be quilted?

 

I've had this French General jelly roll in my stash

for who knows how long,

so I thought it would make a nice quilt for a Veteran.

 

 

 

 

The only stipulation is that the quilt be 48x60",

so I added a row of 2 1/2" squares to the top and bottom to make it long enough.

 

 

 

 

This will be returned to me to be bound and maybe I'll have another

quilt ready for quilting.

 

Making quilts for our Veterans is a very small thank you for the

 sacrifices they make to all of us. 

Happy Quilting!

  

Two Finishes and Projects in Motion

 There has been a lot going on in my Hidey Hole lately.

Some things I'm really enjoying

and some... not so much.

The Christmas tree skirt I made for a

September wedding gift is finished!

 

 

 

This pattern is one I designed on EQ8. I'd make a couple

of small changes if I were to make this one again,

but I'm pleased with the finish.

 

 

Next, I found this border fabric a few years ago

in a quilt shop while traveling.

(I wish I could remember where!)

I wanted something fast to make and pulled out

the fabric, along with a wedge ruler.

These two table toppers are the result

of an afternoon of play.

 

 

 

 

They are the top and bottom of the border and each 

one is so different.

 

 

 

 

 

I appliqued a little fussy cut circle in the middle to

cover up the uneven join.

One of these I will keep and the other I will gift.

 

 

Next, one of my nieces is having a little girl

after having three boys,

so a very girly quilt is in order.

I started with the Kaffe piece and pulled

the pinks and turquoises to go with it.

I just love quilts made with triangles.

 

 

The colors are a bit off in this photo, but I like

where this is headed.

 Some tweaking still needs to be done and I may

add two more triangles to each row. 

The baby is due in October, so I have time.

 

Then there's this....

Each year I go to upstate NY with my sister in law

for "Quilt Camp".

There are six of us who attend.

Last year we decided to draw names and make a 

quilt for that person. 

Whose name we drew and the quilt we are making is a secret.

It was decided to use Cake Mix 3 and the layer cakes of our choice.

 

Let me just say.... I am not a Cake Mix kind of gal. 

Sewing all of these pages and then cutting and trimming

takes sooooo much longer than just strip piecing

and trimming the HST's.

It will get done, though!

I have until October to finish this one, too.

My goal is to have the top done in the next two weeks.

Hopefully, I'll have all of the papers removed by then!

:D

 

 

 

Happy Quilting!

Christmas Tree Skirt

 The daughter of a dear friend is getting married in September,

so, for those who have followed me for a while,

you know what that means....

A Christmas tree skirt is in the making.

This is my traditional wedding gift, when it's appropriate.

This one I designed myself on EQ8.

There are a few tweaks I'll make when I make this pattern again,

but, overall, I'm pleased with the design.

It was fun going through my Christmas fabric stash,

choosing which fabric would go where in the design.

I will get it quilted and set aside for September.

 

 

Happy Quilting!

Seasons Quilt

 Another quilt is in the works in my Hidey Hole.

 

My church is celebrating our 75th anniversary in the fall and I was asked

if I would make a quilt that represents what

St. Matthew's means to me. 

It will be raffled off during the celebration weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

This quilt represents the liturgical seasons of

the Episcopal Church.

The order of the seasons never changes and brings

peace and comfort to me as we go through the year.

 

 

 

 

Green represents Ordinary time and the season of Epiphany (the time after Christmas).

Purple represents the seasons of Advent and Lent.

White represents Christmas and Easter. Easter season lasts for 50 days.

There are a few Sundays during the year where white is used as well.

Red represents Pentecost (the day the Holy Spirit came down on the church).

 

Borders will be added to the quilt next.

I designed this quilt using EQ8 and am pleased with how it is coming together.

Onward and upward!

 

 

Happy Quilting!

Three Dudes Quilt

 My mom and I had very different tastes in a lot of things

and especially quilting.

 

I'd make one of my Kaffe quilts or bright batik quilts

and she would say

"That's really nice, but please don't make me one like that."

Then we'd laugh and tease each other about our differences.

 

 

 

 

I started making this Three Dudes quilt and she saw it

when she was at my house one day.

She asked if I had anyone in mind for this quilt.

When I said no, she said she would like to have it.

Mom was moving into a new apartment and was getting

some new furniture. She thought this quilt would look nice

with her new furniture.

I told her I'd be happy to give it to her for her new home.

 

Mom moved into her new apartment and three weeks later she died.

 

The quilt sat unfinished. 

I'd move it from spot to spot,

telling myself I needed to finish it,

but did not have the motivation.

 

Finally, a few weeks ago I said it was time.

I sent it to Jennifer at Peaceful Hill Quilting and she quilted

a simple hexagon pattern into the quilt.

 

 

 

 

The quilt is now finished.

I won't keep it, but will find a new home for this one.

I love the design and the colors,

but it isn't mine.

 

 

 

 

 

My mom died in October, 2021

and I miss her every day.

 

 

 

 

Busy June

 This month has been a month of completions for me.

It feels good to have these few things finished

and checked off of my list.

First up...

the patriotic table topper for me!

 

 

 

These are the table runners I made for my siblings.

I had four stars left and decided to make a table topper for myself.

 

 

 

 

These are big stars, so this is a good size topper.

 

 

 

 

I had fun quilting this one, but don't look too closely.

:)

 

 

 

Next finish is the Disappearing Rail block quilt

that I saved from being tossed in the trash.

 

If you remember, this is what it started out as...

UGLY!

 

 

 

 

After some slicing and dicing and more sewing,

this is what it became..

 

 

 

 

Soooo much nicer to look at!

 

 

 

There are more of these blocks,

so another baby quilt may be made in the future.

 

 

Next up is a top that I made from a gifted batik jelly roll.

 

 

 

 

 

This design went together so quickly.

I had planned on making something else with

the jelly roll, but I really like the simplicity of this block.

 

 

 

 Once this one is quilted, I'll donate it to the group that

gives quilts to our Veterans hospital.

There is one more finish,

but this finish needs a post of its' own.

 

Happy Quilting!

Escher Connected Finish

 Those who have been following me for a while

know how much I love these Escher quilt patterns.

I order the kits and then usually switch fabrics out for fabrics

I like better and to make it more my own.

This kit was beautiful just as it was!

 

 

 

 

This pattern is called "Escher Connected".

Boy, did it require some organization and paying attention

to assemble.

(And as I am reviewing this post, I see a mistake I made in

the placement of a block.  OH well... too late to fix that one!)

 

 

 

 

 

I had a LOT of baggies, labeled and placed on trays to keep

the parts together and in order.

It is so fun to watch the design come together as I'm going along.

 

 

 

 

 

Rebecca Grace  did a beautiful job quilting it, as usual.

I was afraid this one would give her fits, because, for some reason, it wasn't as flat

as I like my quilts to be.

 

 

 

This backing fabric makes the quilt so soft and cuddly.

 

 

There are a couple of more Escher patterns I have not made,

but I'm going to wait for a bit before I make another one.

 

I'm linking to Design Wall Monday today.

(edit)

 

Happy Quilting!

Disappearing Rail Block

 A while ago I found a pile of 2 1/2" strips of primary colored print

fabrics and wanted to use them in a baby quilt.

I thought if I added primary solid fabrics to these strips and made

some rail blocks they would make a nice baby quilt.

WRONG!!!

This is so ugly!

I tried rearranging the blocks, adding sashing,

putting them all in the same direction and they were all ugly.

Great!  Now what do I do with them?

Well, over the years I've made a number of Disappearing Four Patch Quilt.

What if I cut these blocks up and put them back together?

Would that be more pleasing to the eye?

 

Here is the creation of the Disappearing Rail Block.

(Is this already a thing? I can't find anything like it online.)

 

 

 

 

 

I took two coordinating blocks,

 

 

 

 

Cut them diagonally in both directions...

 

 

 

Switched two pieces with each other...

 

 

 

 

 

Stitched them back together...

 

 

 

 

Trimmed the block down to 5 3/4" blocks...

(It was the largest size I could make.)

 

 

 

and this is what I have!

I kind of like these!

 

 

 

 

I took this stack of blocks (well part of it),

added some fun polka dot sashing and cornerstones

and this is what I have!

 

 

 

 

 

Oh.... this is MUCH better!

 

 

 

 

There are a lot more blocks to use, so we shall see where else they end up.

 

 

Happy Quilting!

2023 Patriotic Table Runners

 For the past I don't know how many years

I've made a patriotic table runner or topper for

my siblings in memory of our dad.

He was one of the most patriotic people I know.

Usually I make them and gift them around July 4,

but this year we were all together this past weekend

and I'm not sure when we will be together again until fall.

I had time to get them done and decided they could use them

for Memorial Day this year.

A while ago I saw this design on Shabby Fabrics,

but didn't like the muted fabrics they used.

Out came my stash and the cutting began.

 

 

 

These went together very quickly!

When I had all of the blocks finished and on

my design wall, I thought about making

a big quilt with all of the stars,

but decided I needed to get these finished.

That may be a project for a later date!

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't measure the size of these, but they are big.

If I were make them again, I'd use 2" squares instead of 2 1/2" squares.

 

 

 

 

The one I'm making for myself isn't finished yet.

It's going to be a four star table topper.

 

 

The Gridster Queen Bee for May asked for this block

from the Whirligig pattern by Emma Jean Jansen.

Emma Jean graciously gave permission for the block to

be used for the bee block.

 

I chose yellow for my block and it sure put a happy smile on my face!

Happy Quilting!

Wedding Quilt Finish

 On my husband's side of the family

we have one niece,

who is getting married in the beginning of June.

My usual wedding gift is a quilted Christmas tree skirt,

but this niece is Jewish, so that would not be appropriate.

Since she is the only cousin on my husbands' side,

and there are 11 cousins on my side,

I decided to make the bride and groom a quilt for their bed. 

After consulting with them on colors, design preference, etc.,

I designed a quilt on EQ8 (my first one!!)

and began making blocks. 

 

 

 

The floral fabric in the HST's was the focal fabric.

All of the other colors came off of that piece.

 

 

 

 

It was so much fun to come up with different blocks

to make for each round.

I started to get a bit carried away and reigned myself in before

it got out of control.  :D

 

 

 

 

The quilting was done by Jennifer at Peaceful Hill Quilting

and it's beautiful. 

 

 

The binding and label were finished last night,

so it can be wrapped and delivered.

 

 

 

I chose this backing fabric because my niece is a history professor.

She loves words!

 

 

Happy Quilting!

Pineapple Quilt is Finished!

 After working on this quilt on and off for over 2 years,

the quilt my husband made me make is finally finished!

The reason I call the quilt this is because when I started making 

the pineapple blocks, I had only planned on making enough

for a wall hanging.

My husband came into my hidey hole and saw it hanging on my

design wall and said it would make a really nice quilt for our bed.

At that point I started teasing him and telling people

he made me make the quilt.

I am not sorry at all!!

 

 

 

I started out with a jelly roll of batiks and quickly

realized that I would need more fabric...

a LOT more fabric!

 

 

 

 

The collection of blue and green batiks began

and blocks were slowly made.

 

 

 

 

 

Throw in a move for us, two moves for my daughter,

two moves for my mom and other things

and progress halted for a while.

I decided this would be my quilt camp project

for last fall and the rest of the blocks were made.

 

 

 

I used the Pineapple block ruler from Creative Grids

and really liked the precision that gave me.

 

 

 

 

 

I sent it off to Rebecca Grace at

Rebecca Grace Quilting and she worked her

beautiful magic on it.

The binding was the perfect finish for this quilt.

 

It isn't on our bed yet because we are having our bathroom

redone and things are a MESS.

Hopefully it will be on the bed soon.

Then I will need to decide what to do about pillows.

 

I am linking to Design Wall Monday.

Happy Quilting!