Making a Decision

I have recently finished several tops and I’m feeling the need to get some of them moved to the quilted pile. I’ve taken pictures and trying to decide. I think I have suitable backings for almost all of them. Any favorites you think I should start with?

Well they are ALL sideways!!!  Just tilt your head :). Some of these are old and some I finished the other day. Thanks for your help.
Karen

Valentine Wall hanging

I recently finished a small wall hanging for my Mom to hang outside their apartment. She was so excited and it looks so good with their red door.  There is such joy in making something that brings joy to others.  It’s based on a picture I found several years ago. 

Karen

Checking in Again

I’m trying to see if I can write a post from my iPad. On the left is the beginning of a new quilt for my new kitchen. On the right are some blocks from my Criss Cross Applesauce quilt made from recycled men’s shirts. 

Keeping my fingers crossed. 

Karen 

Exciting News

I cannot believe it's been almost 3 months since my last post and that the summer is over.  In early June we traveled to High Point NC to move my parents to Pensacola. They moved in with us while waiting for their new apartment in a senior living community to be ready. They moved to my sister's house last week as my DH went into the hospital for his 4th total joint replacement- his 2nd shoulder. My plate has been rather full, and my blogging has been neglected. 

It in the midst of all this (plus working) I have been somewhat productive in my sewing room.  My big new concerns a quilt I made in early summer.

This is a pattern from Kim Brackett's latest book called Wildflowers. I found out about a quilt contest to benefit ALS.  You make a quilt and sent it in by July 31st.  So I decided to do that and use some fabrics I had been collecting for several years. Kim's pattern is well written (of course) but it's rather challenging as it has a lot of pieces, hand appliquéd centers and very fussy piecing.  Below are some progress pictures I posted on Instagram over the summer.

What I found out yesterday is that out of over 1100 quilts submitted for the ALS quilt challenge, mine was selected as one of 12 finalists!!  I am so humbled by this.  There will be online voting on their website www.hopesanddreams.quiltersdreambatting.com.  

For any of you that would like to vote for my quilt, I would be grateful.  The quilt will be given to someone who has ALS.  

Thanks for reading this far, and for sharing in my good news.

Happy stitching,

Karen 

PS 

I'll post soon about my other projects.

Student Work

Back in March I taught my version of Pineapple Nine Patch for the Santa Rosa Guild.  What a great time we had and I asked my students to send me pictures when they had finished their quilts.  To date, there are four!  I find this amazing. 

This was the collection of everyone's blocks.  Can you find the match for these quilts?

These are all so different but all so wonderful. I do love this pattern as its so visually interesting. Thanks for sending me pictures, I am so impressed with your skills and talent.  Keep them coming!!

Happy stitching, 

Karen 

A New Thing

My wonderful quilt "Midnight at the Oasis " is done and ready for quilting. Yaaaay!!  I've decided to use Perle cotton 8 like Jen Kingwell did in the original. I've never really done this before, any suggestions??

I'm excited to try something new. 

Happy stitching,

Karen 

A Little of This and That

The weeks are flying by and I've been working on things I can't fully share yet, but I will soon.  This is one that I can show, it the pattern from Kim Brackett's new book, Scrap Basket Strips and Squares.  This has been so much fun to make, but now it's time to sew all these hexies together, one seam at a time.  I played with the blocks on my design wall until I was happy with the layout. I can tell you that sewing all the little seams together hasn't been my favorite part,  but I think I'm a third of the way there.

I've also been working on a new tumbler quilt, imagine that!!  This will make six tumblers! This is the only peek I can show, it will be gifted soon.  The colors requested were gray, neutral with a pop of pink.  It's kind of modern for me, but it's turning out so cute,

I've also finished the very wild and lively strip quilt using the pattern Lime Twist by Diane Knott.  It's for my DD and she wanted gray, Aqua, pink and red.  I'm almost done with this one too and then it will be gifted.

I took a break this afternoon from sewing rows and pulled fabric for a little quilt.  

It's from Kim's first book....

I guarantee that it will look totally when the blocks are done.  It's one of my favorite patterns.

Happy stitching,

Karen