DECIDED TO ENJOY THE PROCESS...

 For the past year as part of Homemaking I have been in charge of the quilting classes at the church,this has been absolutly fantastic...

One sister who was afraid of her machine has now attempted to work on a project of her own... believe me when I say this is a miracle.

Another  sister over the course of 2 weeks ( between classes) made 1400 half square triangle blocks to make three different quilts...she is quilt crazy... her husband said he is not sure whether to be upset or very happy to see her doing something she is so enjoying... this same sister has suffered with mental health problems and says the quilting has become her life line to sanity.

It has been fun to watch them get so excitted about what they are accomplishing.

And YES!!!

I to have learned alot ... especially through conversations and visiting with each other .

We decided it was important to enjoy the process, if all we are concerned with is finishing,we are really missing out .

I have been consumed with finishing all 11 quilts, one for each of the grandkids by Christmas time... well in April that might have been realistic.. but I really would have to stay home and life has it's own twists and turns so needless to say, I finally let my heart catch up with my head and realize that I did not just want to finish them all, but really enjoy doing each one. So the quilts would not be finished for Christmas but that for each one on their Birthday would be realistic. 

Wow!!  what a load off my shoulders.

I now have had the time to sew other fun things for Christmas,

like a few Table Runners, Car Caddies, Cabbage Patch clothes and Princess dress-ups and a few other items.

I will post pictures as soon as I'm finished.. it has been so fun

ONE QUILT OF 11 DONE... HEY!!!

The mystery baby quilt is finally all done ... hope this will work  for you Jessie.

The back might show the colours a bit more

Jess I do have about a meter and a half of the pink dot left so it might work for the ties on the bumper pads... or use it to combine with something to match...  

"STONE'S " QUILT

I finally have the top for Stone's quilt done.
It's called an "I Spy Quilt"
This was one of the two Block swap groups I participated in this past year.
Once a month for 4 months I handed in 6 "Eye Spy" blocks and then received 6 from other quilters in the group.I decided to make 7 blocks each time so I would have 1 of the blocks I made also. I ended up with 28 blocks to make into the quilt top.

I decided to add the applique letters "I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE ..." all around the border.

Another top done ... hope to do the back and quilt it soon!!

SCRAPPY NINE PATCH

Thought I had better catch up to every one else in the R.S. quilting group and get going on assembling my scrappy nine patches.. like Jenie I decided to make them all into 1/2 square triangles.. It absolutely amazes me how many different patterns you can get with 1/2 square triangles...

I will post pictures of all the quilts in the group when they are done ...

the sisters are doing some amazing quilts.

LILY"S QUILT

When I found a really cute pattern in Better Homes & Gardens - 2009 Quilts & More ... "Around the Block" using all polka dot fabrics...
I knew this was the perfect quilt to make for Lily.

The center block is 6" X 7" so it is coming together fast, and very simple ... I just want to find the perfect colour to use as an all around border. Her favorite colour is pink so I am leaning toward that,and then I'll use a pink flannel for the backing.

MORE UFO'S...

Finally another project finished... used some of the left over fabric from the leaf runner to make this runner for Cheryl, a friend. It matches perfectly to her Living room / Dining room decor she was quite excited. I'm glad she liked it.

UFO'S -WORKING ON MY LIST

My UFO list is gradually getting shorter... I can't start a new project without finishing one first... great motivation.

I love taking the classes but, finishing the projects is the hard part... with so many to do.

Project #1

Quilt challenge project... given the large print then challenged to design pattern and complete the project..in 4 weeks... had the center done in the first week ... just could not decide on the border I wanted.. I now have about three different borders to make into some thing else.

Project #2

Paper Pieced Turtle Table Topper...

Renee has a turtle collection so when I saw a baby quilt using this paper pieced turtle I could not resist trying it... it's complete and I have her birthday gift ready early..

Project #3 ...another challenge project

Tried hand applique with this challenge... used a decorative painting pattern I have used to do the rose vine around the log cabin center...


Project #4 Table Runner

Only had to finish the hand sewing on the binding... can't believe it took me so long... like I said new project great motivation.

GETTING STARTED

I decided that this year for Christmas I would make quilts for each of the Grandbabies . I know it means 10 quilts in the next 7 months, but after seeing Rebecca's blog and knowing she has a little one to take care of, I figured I could at least try.

Quilt #1 Hanna's...

Hanna helped pick out some of the fabrics. Her favorite colours are blue and purple, her only request was " NO pink Grama, pink is just for girls. Well at least girly, girls ."

I'm using the basic "Turning Twenty" pattern by Trica Cribbs. The blocks are nice and big and will work well with the applique and paper piecing blocks I want to use to personalize the quilt just for Hanna.

Now I just have to decide how I want to arrange the blocks , and find the applique or paper piecing patterns I want.