Last Quilt Show of 2012

December 31, 2012

In the interest of my 2013 goal, which is to to use up the fabric in my stash and to practice on the long arm, I whipped up a few baby quilts and a wall hanging this week. 

First up, an American Jane panel that I quilted on the long arm with my new love, Aurifil thread. My machine loved this thread. =) 


I love how it looks. =) 

 A Dick and Jane and American Jane combo baby quilt. 

Here is a small piece of trivia about me....I was named after the Jane character in the Dick and Jane readers. My daddy picked out my first name, and my 6 year old sister, who was learning how to read at school with the Dick and Jane readers, chose Jane for my middle name. =)


The view of the back. I quilted it on the long arm with Gutermann thread. 


I need more practice with restarting after changing to a new bobbin. 


Another American Jane baby quilt. Strip quilts work perfect with the large print fabric that would lose their charm if cut up too small. 


And the back....


I have had this granny square flimsy sitting around for months. I used simple meandering on the granny square blocks and left the white blocks alone. If I could quilt a flower that didn't look like it was dying, I would do one in each of the white squares, but I can't, so that's that. 

I really love how this one turned out! 


How about you? Do you have any last minute finishes to share?

New Love...Aurifil Thread

December 29, 2012

For my daddy's Christmas quilt (can't show it yet because I haven't given it to him yet), I wanted to use a variegated thread for the quilting. At my LQS, I saw they had 50 weight Aurifil variegated thread in the perfect color I needed. I had never used Aurifil thread before, even though I had heard great things about it. This was the perfect time to give it a try. 

OH! WOW! 

All the hype is true concerning Aurifil thread. It sews like a dream and there was very little lint. 

image source: The Button Company
I L.O.V.E. it! 

As I use up the spools of thread I have on hand, I will be replacing them with Aurifil. 

What is your favorite thread for piecing? For machine quilting? And for those who use a long arm, what  thread do you like the best? 

*I am not being compensated for this blog post. I am simply a happy customer. =)*


Quilting and Relaxing

December 27, 2012

Did you all have a good Christmas? I hope so...

We have a very untraditional Christmas at our home. Being a blended family, we have always let the children's other parent have them on Christmas Eve and /or Christmas Day. Now that they are older, we give the children complete control on how they want to spend the day and with whoever they want. My two older children spent the day with family and friends, my two younger kids were home for most of the day. We opened no presents nor did we cook a big meal. We had yummy chili in the crockpot instead. We enjoyed the day and hung out with each other. It was actually the best Christmas Day I can remember for a long, long time. We will get all the kids together and do gifts one of these days. Can you tell I take a very relaxed approach to the whole holiday season? =) 

Much of Christmas Day, I spent on the long arm quilting these two quilts. This quilt is for my sister-in-love, Marci. Most of the fabric are scraps left over from the Triangle quilt. 


I like the randomness of it. It's fairly large at 78"x78". 


That was made from a layer cake of Cherry Christmas. It's a nice sized baby quilt. I have no plans for it yet. 


The back fabric all came from my stash. It's so liberating to see the piles of fabric go down in my stash. That's one of my big goals this year, to do some stash busting, either by sewing quilts up for charity or selling, trading,  giving away fabric. I do not want to be a fabric hoarder. That said, I am not going so far as to not allow myself to buy fabric this next year, but I am going to be much more selective and thoughtful before I purchase more than a fat quarter. 


What are your quilting goals this next year? 

Happy Christmas...

December 24, 2012

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

{Isaiah 9:6}




And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

{Luke 2: 1-20}

The Winner

December 22, 2012

Becca was the winner of the quilt during our family Christmas gift grab....

Pretties in the mail....

December 18, 2012

Donna @ Donna's Lavender Nest really spoils a girl...And if I hadn't been in such a hurry to take a look at the pretty fabric I ordered from her shop, I would have shown you how pretty she packages up the items before she sends them off in the mail. Next time I won't be in such a hurry. =) 


And, look! A sweet heart to adorn my tree. 


Donna, YOU are a sweetheart!!

December 17, 2012



A Mary Engelbreit Room

December 13, 2012

Introducing the Mary Engelbreit room I mentioned yesterday. I believe it is the best room of Madilyn's whole house. Yes,  it even tops her craft basement, and that is saying a lot. =) I might even go as far as to say it is the best room in the whole town of Marion. It is...Never mind...Lets just look at the pictures, shall we? =)

Would I sound greedy if I said I want it A.L.L? 


This table is her newest find....L.O.V.E.


This cupboard came from her mom's house. W.A.N.T!


She has pretty details everywhere...


This strawberry pie was my contribution to the gift exchange last year. I though it was hideous and it ended up being the coveted gift of the night. It was stolen several times before Madilyn got it. I must say, it does look perfectly darling in her room. =) 


Her twin sister gifted her with four chairs, all painted differently and in Mary Engelbreit style. I wish I had better pictures of them to show you. They are just D.A.R.L.I.N.G! 


My goal for her hostess gift for next year is something for her room. =) 

I hope you enjoyed the tour. =) 

Annual Ladies Christmas Tea

December 12, 2012

Last night we had our annual Christmas Tea for the ladies at our church that is held at our hostess with the mostess, Madilyn's home....And guess who forgot to bring the hostess her gift? Argh...I'll see her Sunday and will give it to her then.

Sorry for the quality, I only had my camera phone.


Every corner of her home is beautiful...




She has trees everywhere. 



This is one of several tables she has set up for us to sit to sip our tea and eat until we can't eat another bite of her goodies. We had so many ladies show up with year, she ran out of room. That is a good problem to have, I think. =) 


We sing carols, have a devotional and then the riotous game of gift grab bag goes into full swing. We laugh until we cry. It's so much fun. 


This was my contribution for this years gift exchange. 


And the prize I chose to walk away with, was this little lady. She is now residing at my hubby's work, along with all the other lab monkeys they have hanging around there. I love her!! lol!


Tomorrow, I will show you her Mary Engelbreit 3 seasons porch. I think it's the best room of the house. 

Triangle quilt finish

December 11, 2012

This is one of my all time favorites. So out of the norm, color wise, than what I am usually drawn to. 


The backing was a Goodwill score from last year. Six yards for little to nothing. 


The one "mistake." Two triangles facing each other. 


This one is being gifted, but I can't say to who...Yet...


Blog break

December 5, 2012

A young woman that I knew and loved, died a tragic death. Due to the nature of the situation, I am not comfortable with sharing the details on my blog. For the next few days I am going to go silent on my blog and from reading blogs out of respect for her....

I'll be back Monday. 

Lovely...Part two

December 3, 2012

I won a giveaway recently from Chosen Sisters.  


Could this be more perfect?


I don't think so!!


Yes, I jumped up and down and squealed.=) 

Thank you Capi and Deb. I will cherish it always!

If you have any sewists on your gift giving list, make sure you stop by their lovely Etsy shop, Chosen Sisters. They have darling sewing accessories, among other things. 

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