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 

Helping with a Book Signing

I got to spend a fun morning with Kim Brackett at a book signing for her new book at the wonderful A&E Pharmacy.  As you can see, it's a lot more than a pharmacy.

Since I have a couple of quilts in this latest book, she invited me to come and hang out.  We had a really good turnout and had fun catching up.  Thanks Janie for taking this picture.

If you don't have a copy of Kim's newest book, you need one.  I'm in the process of making one of the quilts from the book.

With a total of 98 blocks to make, I'm coming along.  

Happy stitching today,

Karen 

My Newest Purchase

Besides buying some fabric at the quilt show, my biggest purchase was this ruler foot and ruler from Westalee.  I have been wanting to jump into this new thing for domestic machines, but I wasn't sure of what exactly I wanted.  There are so many options!

Once I saw this starter kit, I knew it would be perfect for me and it was time.  I had to decide which machine to start with as my Viking Megaquilter and my Juki F600 take two different feet.  I decided on the Juki but haven't set it up yet.  Once I finish the blocks on my design wall, I'm going to play.  Speaking of the blocks on my design wall, 

the pile is growing.  This is going to be a fun quilt!

I'm off to work today.

Karen 

Friends at the Quilt Show

Our quilt show is now a memory. I'm tired but still smiling.  I've seen so many friends from various places in Florida and Alabama. But seeing Angie from New Orleans was such a treat.  Angie's blog is Quilting on the Crescent and before she moved to NO, she lived in Pensacola and was a member of our Guild.

Reconnecting with old friends is one of the most fun parts of a quilt show.

Getting to see one of your "babies" wearing special ribbons is certainly another.

Now it's back to reality..... after a good night's sleep.

Karen

It's Blue Times Three

The Pensacola Quilt Show is in full swing, and I can share the results for my quilts.  Organic Pink Pickles has done it again.  It won a blue ribbon AND it was awarded Best of Show!  This is the first year our guild has ever awarded a best of show ribbon. I was completely surprised and I am humbled to be the winner of this award.  

This quilt has had such an incredible journey since it became the grand prize winner of the NYC MQG DWR Challenge, was published in Modern Patchwork and spent a year traveling the country.  It came back home and now has become a winner again.  It really has been a wonderful experience. 

I spent a lot of time on the floor talking to visitors and sharing this special quilt.

I also entered another quilt, the Dresden Star.

This one I called More Flowers for Nana Girl and it's also wearing blue!!  It's been so exciting and there's still one more day. 

This is such a sweet happy quilt.

It's been a great day, happy stitching.

Karen 

Almost ready for the Quilt Show

The show is almost ready - our preview is tomorrow night and then it's open to the public Friday and Saturday. I've got 7 quilts ready for consignment, I'm hoping they'll go to some good homes. 

I can't wait to share more pictures soon.

Happy stitching,

Karen 

Keeping busy

The bi-annual quilt show for our guild in Pensacola is happening this Friday and Saturday.  My friend and I have been in charge of registration and judging.  Whew!  That's a big job.  But that part is done and the hanging begins tomorrow. It's going to be a wonderful show if any of you are close to Pensacola, FL.  In the meantime, I'm starting work on a new quilt (imagine that??!!)

This is the fun color palette I'm using. So far I'm raiding my stash, I'll see how far that will take me. And this is the great pattern I've chosen.

It's one of Diane Knott's patterns, and I think it will be perfect.  So I think some easy cutting and sewing is just what I need after a full day.

Pictures of the show (and maybe some ribbons) will be coming soon.

Happy stitching,

Karen 

Scrap Quilt Secrets Winner

The time has come and I have a lucky winner for Diane's book!

Sewgirl was the lucky one.  She said "I can tell you for sure I have never used red and orange exclusively in a quilt before.........quite shocking!"  She was talking about Razzmatazz - one of my favorites.  I literally giggled when I read her comment.

I absolutely loved reading all the comments about color combinations you have never used before.  Black and white was the clear winner.  Maybe someone will do a quilt-a-long one day - I've never done one either.  Thanks for stopping by, maybe you'll win on one of the other blogs, there's still time.  Diane, thanks for letting me share in the fun!

Happy stitching,

Karen