Sweet 16

It's Leap Day and I've been waiting a long time for this day.  I am finally 16 years old!!!  I've had a wonderful day so far, this is for the celebration tonight.

There will be more pics later, but I couldn't wait.  I've got to savor this whole day, it's got to last me 4 years!!

Karen

Getting Closer

I have spent the past few weeks quilting my Dresden flower quilt.  I started working on this quilt last year.  It seems there's been lots of interruptions, but I can finally say it's almost done.

I love this pattern by Edyta Sitar.

First I outlined all the appliqué. 

Then there was some hand quilting. Actually, there was a lot of hand quilting.

And a lot of pink thread!!

Then it was time for some machine quilting.  This quilt is going in our guild quilt show in April so I'm saving the big reveal until then.  But it's a happy quilt and has been a joy to work on.

Happy stitching,

Karen 

I Need an Opinion

I'm curious about how many of you are blogging with an iPad.  I got one last year and have been trying to decide if I can switch from my laptop to the iPad to do my blogging.   What app works best?  Is the picture quality as good? It's so hard for some of us older baby boomers (well I'll only speak for myself as some of you are amazing) to get up to speed with all the new technology and learn a new way.  While taking pictures with the iPad is easy, is the resolution as good?  And lastly, what about signing up for Google friend?  So many questions, so few answers.  All opinions are welcome.
I'm still hand quilting, hope to be done with this part soon.
Happy stitching,
Karen

Another One of a Kind Christmas

I was going through my pictures and saw these that I forgot to post.  Before blogging I was bad about taking pictures of my quilts.  So when I see one that I never documented, I'll take a few pictures. Here's an oldie but goodie.

This is a One of a Kind quilt I made from a Christmas panel for my daughter quite a few years ago. 

My granddaughter is the beautiful quilt holder.  I just love this technique of making a completely original quilt with very few glitches.  Everything matches and it's so much fun to make.

Happy stitching today,

Karen 

June's Baby Quilt

My sweet friend Faye just had her 3rd grandchild. After raising two boys and having two grandsons, she finally had a girl. 

We picked a pattern from Kim Brackett's book Scrap Basket Surprises.  She used mostly a jelly roll of Sunkissed by Sweetwater.

I quilted an overall swirl flower, perfect for a little girl. 

She picked this fun backing and finished with a red gingham binding.  It's so much fun sharing with my love of quilting with my friends.

Happy stitching, 

Karen 

Trying Something New

Our Guild had a Mug Rug Challenge a few weeks ago.  I wanted to try some thread drawing which I have never done before.  I had seen a tutorial somewhere and remembered that I liked the look.

I used a tone on tone fabric in a pale mauve and had some Aurifil thread that was a perfect match.  I drew the basic outline and then filled in.  A vintage piece of calico for the binding finished it perfectly. 

It's a good thing I'm not a perfectionist, but I was really pleased with the finish.  And these are my first pebbles!!  They don't look too bad from across the street, he,he.  

Happy stitching today,

Karen

Red Bird and Berries

I have busy with many things, some of which were gifts so I haven't been able to share a lot.  We visited my parents in High Point, NC last weekend and I gave them their gift.

I saw this quilt on Pinterest several years ago and immediately was smitten.  Sometime after that I started following Karen Miller on IG.  She lives on Keuka Lake which caught my attention as I'm from Rochester, NY and had a good friend that had a cottage on Keuka Lake and used to go there in High School.  Anyway, it turn out she created this pattern for Moda Bake shop.  So here it is.  

I used McTavishing for the background and hand appliquéd the bird, stems and berries.  Such a fun project.  There's also a second project in the works, I'll share soon.

Here's the second one, love the gray stems!  

Hope everyone is trying to enjoy these last few days before Christmas morning.

Karen