JULY FREE MOTION QUILTING CHALLENGE

The FMQ challenge is hosted by sewcalgal.  Angela Walters of Liberty, MO is the FMQ expert for July.  Her design called "Tiles" is a good way to fill a large space or border of a quilt.  Here is my sample piece for July. 

RAFFLE QUILT, SOME PROJECTS AND A WIN

I'm supposed to be selling tickets for the raffle quilt for the Cedar Hill Quilters Guild, so I decided to post it on my blog.  The drawing will be November 12, 2012 for this original quilt designed and made by members of my guild.  (I didn't make any blocks).  The large center block is painted on fabric.  Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.  If anyone is interested, please email me - no pressure at all.   Just if you are interested.

Quilt Valley Farm

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway from Janet at Rogue Quilter.  Look at all the loot I received!  A charm pack, mini quilt, 3 bars of handcrafted soap, and a pincushion.  Thank you so much, Janet!

The mini quilt/mug rug is 7" square!! and hand quilted!

I love the charm pack fabrics, so...

I decided to sew them together right away.  I have made this block before, sometime last year.  It's called the 10 minute block (you can google 10 minute block to see how to do it).  I didn't even have to cut any fabric and I had enough for 8 blocks!  The top is done - I don't know when I'll get it quilted.  The sides of the squares in the middle of each block will be turned in like the cathedral window quilt.  This will be a lovely new Christmas table runner for my table.  The table runner I have been using is quite old, so I think it's time for a new one.

I made a flag placemat for a friends birthday.

These are some cross stitch projects I just finished.  This one will be made into a pillow.

and this one will be the center of a crazy quilt block that I need to make for a guild quilt.

Hope you have a good week!

"THE MESSENGER" BOOK REVIEW

At first glance, The Messenger  didn’t seem like the type of book I would be interested in even though as historical fiction it was among my favorite genres, however, as I read, it really grabbed my interest.  Hannah Sunderland was brought up as a Quaker but during the revolutionary war in Philadelphia, situations arose that made her question some of the teachings of her faith.  Since her twin brother’s defection of the faith’s pacifistic beliefs by joining the colonist fighting against the crown and his subsequent imprisonment, she can’t help but try to help her twin.  She faces serious dilemmas concerning truth and obedience to her parents and her faith.

After becoming involved in helping a Colonial spy, things go from bad to worse, when her Quaker teachings conflict with what she feels is the right thing to do.  This book by Siri Mitchell is a terrific read and I do recommend it to you.  I received this book free of charge in exchange for writing a review to publish on my blog.  If you are interested in doing this, go to www.bethanyhouse.com.

ELLIS COUNTY QUILT SHOW

Friday and Saturday I went to the Ellis County Quilt Show.  Friday a friend of mine (non-quilter) and I went out to lunch and then to the show.  Saturday I went back to volunteer at a boutique booth and then pick up my quilts.  

Here are a very few of the quilts that were in the show.  There were a lot more that I really liked, but I didn't take a lot of pictures.

Granny's Garden by Rhonda Hughes Montee ( a member of my guild) designed by Lori Holt, I believe 

Cedar Hill Quilt Guild's raffle quilt for 2012, "Quilt Valley Farm" (my guild)

Kate's Wedding Quilt by Libby McDuffie 

Don's "Jane" by Don Locke & family

 Don hand quilted the Jane quilt by himself and made most of the blocks.  His wife did all the appliqué and his daughter and granddaughter made a few blocks.  I was happy that he was there when we (Love and I) looked at his quilt.  It kind of makes me want to think about making it someday.  I've thought about it before, so I can think about it again without making a commitment.

"Mine" by Drena Cromaz

"Memories" by Katie Redd

Black and Tan by Sue Whisennand

Love had two quilts entered in the show:  "Wise words of our Founding Fathers" and "America - Founded as a Christian Nation."  We met on Saturday afternoon and had a good time visiting and looking at quilts.  I hope she posts her quilts on her blog.

I entered three quilts in the show.  My Kaleidoscope quilt:

Colonial Glory that I got honorable mention for.

Tumbler Charm Tablerunner that I got a blue ribbon and a hand quilting award ribbon.

I got lucky!  

50th ANNIVERSARY QUILT FINISHED

Tuesday morning, I finished my"50th Anniversary Quilt" and put it on the bed!  Yes that is the name as of now, unless I think of something I like better.   last thing I had to do was quilt in the outer black border.  I waited until I had sewn on the binding so the quilting wouldn't get covered up at all.  I still have to make a label.  Since our anniversary is next month, I thought it was OK.  This picture shows how I quilted the black borders.  It doesn't show up in most pictures.

Here it is on our bed.  The bedroom light isn't very good because we only have 2 small windows, but I think you can see it well enough.  I am sooo glad to have it finished!

I made a potholder for my guild's salad supper and potholder exchange.

I am now planning to get busy with a couple projects that I have been planning for quite a while.  One is a secret project and the other I will probably show as I work on it.  Nothing to show yet, though.  Hope you have a great week!

AN OLD DOLL AND CHRISTENING DRESS

Last week, when I needed a break from quilting, I decided to wash and iron the doll dress for this doll as well as the christening dress that I have.  I think this was my Mom's doll, although it may have belonged to her sister.  It's only 10" long and has a porcelain head, but the body is something else - maybe paper macho.  I have shown it before in a little doll bed. 

This is the slip she wears.

The back of the slip with hand sewn buttonholes.

A better look at one of the buttonholes.

My grandmother must have sewn the clothes.

It's possible that this doll belonged to my Mom's sister,  Cora, who died on June 16, 1912 from scarlet fever.  I didn't realize that it was 100 years ago this year.  My Mom was one year old at that time.  Mom said that she loved to play with dolls and did so until she was about 13.

This christening dress was found in my Mom's stuff and we can only assume it was worn by her and possibly all her brothers and sisters.  I finally got it washed and ironed.

I got this vintage hangar last year at a flea market.

I'm going to finish my king size quilt today.  All that is left is a 2" outer border that needs quilting.  I finished the binding last night !!  Yea!!  I'll take a picture and post it tomorrow.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

July 4th is a special day and is a good day to re-read the Declaration of Independence!  I love to fly our flag!

This is one of my favorite wall hangings.  It depicts the signatures of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  I have made several of these, given some away and sold some.  Now I need to make one for us.  I think I have enough of the fabric left.  When I saw the fabric I bought several yards and have used most of it.

I'm still quilting on my king size quilt and I'm working on the second to last border.  Yea!!!!!  I plan to use a scrappy binding of the fabrics that I used in the blocks.

Hope your holiday is good!